Conference rocks::weight_control

    
    Since the start of this notes file, March of '87, I have lost 140
    pounds. Everyday I find things that remind me of just how large
    I was.
    
    Here are a few of those things:
    
    Airplane Seats, I can now fly in coach comfortably.
    Office Chairs, I FIT!
    Pants, no more funny wear patterns.
    Shoes, they last longer.
    
    Let's here some of yours...
    
    							--- Neal
    

    My high was 402, my last monthly WeightWatchers Weigh-in was at
    my goal 198.  I've been around goal for four months including the
    six week mantainance period.
    
    I agree with the airplane seats.  In January two years ago I was
    near my top weight, I flew to New Orleans for the Patriots Super
    Bowl game; for the first time I couldn't with any amount of straining
    make the seat belt buckle.  I had to get the extender.  I started
    the diet on the following March 17th.  My last flight, at goal,
    I had over a foot of extra belt.  Also I was for the first time
    in my life able to lower the serving tray without hitting myself.
    These might not seem like big things to those who haven't been through
    this, but they are.
    
    I often find my self doing something physical, usually a mobility
    thing, and realizing that I never was able to do that before.  
    
    My health is another area of improvement.  As an example my blood
    pressure has dropped more signifigantly than the stock market. 
    Prediet readings as bad as 180/113 down to current regular readings
    of 106/72.  Just ask any doctor what tha means in terms of life
    expectancy.
    
    The reasons for losing the weight were always there.   It is just
    that they have never been as obvious as now that I have done it.
    
    I will keep reading this note and respond when I have specific example.
    
    -Joe

    Re. 3
    
    I'm in the process of losing my 100 lbs.  I'm down 55 in the past
    3 months, so I still have 45 to go.
    
    The motivation to get me going for the short-term is my upcoming
    vacation to the Soviet Union.  I've been working and looking forward
    to this trip for almost a year now, and the thought of trying to
    fit into a coach airline seat (it's amazing how often this comes
    up!) and keep up a physically demanding schedule for 3 weeks finally
    got me to start doing something about it.
    
    I have had all of the other obvious problems that go with being
    that heavy - no energy, chronic health problems, bad back, elevated
    blood pressure...
    
    Even though I'm still 45 lbs. overweight, I feel like a different
    person.  My clothes look good on me, I don't have to shop in
    "specialty stores".  I have seemingly boundless energy, and I
    generally feel better about myself.  I can handle stress better
    and have a more positive mental outlook.
    
    Watching the Donahue show yesterday, with Dick Gregory and 13 severely
    obese people on it really struck home.  Although I was never in
    the 600 - 800 lb. class some of these people are, the issues were
    pretty similar.  One man related the embarrassment of sitting on
    a toilet and having it fall off the wall.  They needed special chairs.
    Someone else said their waist measurement was 100 inches.
    
    This is a serious cultural problem.  Although I don't necessarily
    agree with Dick Gregory's theory that government should be funding
    obesity research, it is certainly a societal problem that needs
    to be addressed - one person at a time.
    
    Jim
    

    Down 125 pound since Jan 1987, 40 more to go 50 to make me real
    pleased with myself.  Going into Marshalls and purchasing a dress
    it a real treat for me, no more 1/2 size shopping.  Blood pressure
    has gone down to normal, Carpal Tunnel has gone, Arthritus has gone,
    most of the shortness of breath has gone, the rest will go when
    I quit smoking, one thing at a time.  The most pleasant thing for
    me it to get dressed and feel good about myself, I am not angry
    at the world anymore, I do not have small children (including my
    grandchildren) looking at me as if I were a freak anymore, it is
    just a wonderful feeling, it is a great since of accomplishment
    for me.
    Eileen

    
    i have been following the neal goldsmith saga and wondering what
    has happened to him.i was so happy for him doing so well and now
    i miss his little reports.can anyone tell me how he is?????
    
    
    
    
    
    

I've lost 36 lbs and have 116 lbs to go.  There are two "Weight 
Watchers" things that people always say they hate, but that I love.  I like 
these things for reasons that are, I think, related to my 100+ extra 
pounds.  Here they are:

The SCALE -- I *love* the scale!  Getting weighed once a week at 
  Weight Watchers just isn't enough, so I weigh myself every day down in 
  Health Services.  I don't like the number itself (this week 261) but I 
  do love the gradual lowering...  If the number is down, I get psyched and 
  feel strong enough to resist any temptation.  If the number is up, I use 
  that to motivate myself to stick closer to the program.  (Thank God it 
  hasn't been up for awhile.)  The scale is my daily reward and reminder 
  that all this effort is worth it.

WEIGHING/MEASURING and the FOOD DIARY -- These are great, too.  Used 
  to be that I felt *guilty* and *ashamed* every single time I put food 
  in my mouth, cupcakes and salads alike.  "Someone like me just 
  shouldn't be eating at all," I thought.  Ha!  No more!  With Weight 
  Watchers, I absolutely have to eat a whole bunch of food every 
  day...and I can work in almost any treats I want.  So now I feel powerful 
  and entitled when I eat.  I don't have to hide or sneak or feel 
  embarassed at all.  What a change!

I'm having a very good week (can you tell?).  And the next time 
some jerk peers into my grocery cart and says, "That has an awful lot 
of calories in it.  Don't you think you should put it back?" -- well, 
that person is going to get an earful.

Karen
                                                             

    Hi Karen.  I admire your enthusiasm and resilience.  I've been where
    you are - my top weight was 280.
    
    I started OA last March at 258, and I have been abstinent for 5 1/2
    months.  I've lost about 65 pounds, but I commit to weighing only once
    every two weeks.  I need to focus on my program, and not the scale, but
    I do know what you mean about it being rewarding.
    
    Today I realized that I may have already lost more than I have left to
    lose!  What an amazing feeling.  I bought a size 16 skirt and blazer
    for the first time in years today, since I have nothing to wear on an
    upcoming business trip.  
    
    I guess I will be a 100 pound loser (from my top weight anyway) pretty
    soon.  That's a very sobering thought.  People seem to enjoy saying to
    me, "Holly, you are half the woman you were".  I laugh every time I
    hear it.
    
    Good luck.  Enthusiasm like yours is great for all of us when you share
    it!
    
    Holly

    Last night at Weight Watchers, I officially weighed in at 195 lbs.
    
    This means I have lost  102.5  lbs since Feb 12, 1989.
    
    Lately it's been really hard to stick to program, but I made it.
    
    The best part is, I have only 50 lbs to go.
    
    I'm sooooo happy today!
    
    Kay

    Kay,
    
    I'm a little late in my reply but:
    
    Congratualtions!!!!!!
    
    blessed be,
    cheyenne

    
    
    
    	I guess I am a member of this note.........my highest weight
    	was 294 about 2.5 years ago.  Before the holidays I was 188
    	but have gained about 7 back and am working to lose it now..
    	With the cold weather and snow it has been tougg to walk....
    	all the sidewalks are snow covered......I am considering a
    	air stepper.  
    
    	Only someone who has gone through this knows how tough it is.
    
    	My favorite saying is:  "Nothing tastes better than being thin 
    	feels".
    
    	Good luck to all......I know how tough it is.....
    
    	/andy