Conference rocks::weight_control

	Node TAVIS is in Israel, so if the term "FATS" offends anyone,
    please remember that English is not the author's primary language.

-mike z

    I think it's a great idea to do this together.  
    
    I gained 2 lbs back, about 2 weeks ago, went on a real binge (for me)
    that started from my daughter coming to visit for the weekend and
    giving me JUST ONE chocolate crepe for dessert.....  I went on from
    there to even greater heights for the whole weekend......Now I can't
    seem to drop that 2 lbs and if I don't I'm afraid I will not keep going
    down.  
    
    So....In this together we are, and I'm going to start today - the 12th
    - So at least you and I will be starting today, Bernice.
    
    Come on, Guys.......  Let's do it....  Then come late Spring or Early
    Summer, we can maybe all get together for a "thin" success patio party
    and see how we all are.....  How does that sound????
    
    Barb

    Hi, Bernice....and Avi, wherever you are.............
    
    If I have gotten up enough guts to write in this conference as much as
    I have.......Then I better have enough guts to post it here.... In a
    way it will feel kind of nice to not have to hem and haw and add a
    couple of inches, or subtract a few more pounds....'cause a man "don't
    wanna hear it like it REALLY is".......  So, sure...Let's post....
    
    Right now....this exact minute......I am 171 lbs.  (All those damned
    chocolate crepes........)  How many times a week or monthly do you
    guys want to post......  I weigh every single morning, so frequency
    wouldn't bother me.  
    
    You all (or Bernice and I if it's just us) set up what seems good, and
    I'll be right in there dieting.........
    
    Bikini?????  Never had one......Hmmmmmmmm!!!!  Interesting thought!!!
    

    HI EVERYONE
    
    	I read this file but have never responded but this seemed like the
    perfect time to do so.  I want to play this game.  I need
    encouragement.
    	I am already in something just like this with my husband and
    sister/brother-in-law.  The couple that looses the most in a month the
    other couple has to take them out for a free dinner (fish of course)!!!
    	The other people involved work 3rd shift and so that leaves me with
    no support during the day.  
    	I am 5'8" and big boned.  Last monday I weighted in at 257 lbs!!!!  
    This morning I weighted in at 252 lbs!!! so I guess my official
    starting weight is 252  (I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM PUTTING THIS IN PRINT)
    
    
    Pat   the-person-who-hopes-to-see-200-again-someday
    
    

    Hey People,
    
       I'm in there with you all. My starting wheight is 240lbs. would
    like to see 185lbs. 
    
      I lose  this wheight or rerupture a disk. I need all the help I
    can get. Besides, wheightloss can be done easier with the help 
    from other people. So lets all keep in touch, and keep encouraging
    each other.
    
    
    
                                                   dennis

    Sounds good to me, Bernice.  
    
    Thursday Morning it is.  I got on the scale this morning again, (I
    guess I really believe that junk about weighing less in the
    morning)....Looks like 170....but then...tomorrow I have a doctor's
    appointment AT 3:45 so we shall see what HIS scale says.....That's the
    only one that really counts, in my opinion.
    
    Checking in with you on Thursday then.....
    
    Barb

    Glory Be.......
    
    I put in my initial reply to "OK for Thursday weight-in before I read
    the other "Joiners" of the battle.......
    
    You know, I can hardly believe it myself that I'm putting that stuff in
    print, but I also find that it feels SOOOOOO good to not hide.   I am
    just beginning to date again after my husband died 2 1/2 years ago.  I
    find myself "futzing" with figures all the time......  Either I'm 2"
    taller than I really am, or I drop 10 or 15 lbs off the ht/wt part of
    the description......  I hate the words "Ht/Wt proportionate"....What
    am I supposed to do about that.....My Ht and my Wt fit
    "Proportionately" on my body for the time being.......  
    
    Anyway....The whole point is......Even if this ISN'T a closed
    conference, there is something that makes me feel good about telling it
    like it really is.......  After all, what "REALLY" is, is 72 lbs
    lighter than it "REALLY" was a year ago, and somehow I tend to lose
    sight of that when trying to describe myself to some "bubble headed"
    man who only wants a "slim, attractive" mindless dit....  I'm
    soapboxing.....  Sorry......
    
    Let's enjoy the honesty of talking to each other over, at least, this
    next month, and maybe longer.........  Welcome to the "Great Diet
    Race".  I'm looking forward to it......
    
    Where are all of you located?  I am in Marlbor, Mass at GIA M & E at
    BPO3 on Rte 20.  I'd be interested in where you all are, to try and
    plan that late Spring Patio Party....I have the patio, and the lake,
    and......anything else we might want./......
    
    

    Can I join in too?  I'm in Dallas, so I cant celebrate in your party,
    but I weight 175# as of this morning.  (just lost 3#)  I am 4'11 and
    need to weight 105 lbs.  That is a "happy" weight for me, as my husband
    words it.  Cant believe I'm committing myself to this.  Wish me luck!
    
    donna
    

    Welcome Aboard Indeed, Donna..........
    
    We'll have a "something or other" in your honor when we have the
    celebration......  You'll do fine, as I hope we all will.....  Sounds
    like we're all an enthusiastic group already....
    
    Avi.....Where are you???? This was your idea......  Can we hear from
    you soon??????
    
    Bernice, I'll be writing you off-line soon........
    
    Welcome everybody.....  This is already lots of fun......  Thursday is
    a comin'.......  My ulcer has been bothering me today so I have already
    had 3 pints of milk......Probably will kill the pound I lost, because
    skim milk doesn't do the trick....Neither does 2%...Whole milk helps
    the pain go away, until I can get the medication to work....But, we'll
    see......Milk is probably all I'll have for supper tonight as well...
    Sure am glad I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow........This has got to stop
    soon........
    
    Anyway......Welcome all, and best of luck.....
    
    Barb

    
    Hi there,
       
       Thanks for the welcome, Bernice. It's great to be here, an I'll
    cross the finish line on 4/12 with the rest of you. 
    I work 3rd shift, so you won't here from me until 4/13 when you
    come into work.
    
    The question came up.......Where Are You????????
    
       Well I live in Chicopee, Ma. and work in Springfield, about an
    hour an a half from Marlbor.
    
       A spring patio party Sounds GREAT!!!!!!!
    I look foward to meeting you all.
    
    Oh BTW, Barb............not all us guys are "Bubble Headed."
    
    
                                    good luck all,
    
                                             dennis
    
    
       

    Dear Dennis (Now I have to be extra polite...).......
    
    I DO realize that all guys are not ""bubble headed dits".....  And
    certainly one as discriminating as yourself participating in this
    "competition" couldn't POSSIBLY be "bubble headed" or a "dit".....
    However, there are a lot of them out there, and I think they have
    been established to balance out the "empty headed sweet young things"
    that are floating around.  Honestly.....Just kidding about it all,
    obviously.........
    
    Now I have at least three people for the Patio Party........  This is
    getting exciting.......My first weight competition.....My first Party
    at my apartment........My first new friends.......What wonders will be
    coming along next.....  Actually, I should say four for the Party....as
    I promised Donna an honorary position at the "table"......
    
    With, hopefully, good results at the doctor this afternoon, we get our
    first group weigh-in tomorrow morning.......  Sure hope it shows
    something encouraging......  I must have drunk about a gallon of milk
    yesterday, so who can say......  Liquid diet anyone?
    
    Barb

    I've lost 2 
    
    
    
    I'm so mad at my husband!!!!  I am sticking to this diet and I will in
    the long run loose more.
    
    My husband also works for digital 3rd shift and many times he has to
    stay late in the morning.  This morning when I came in I caught him
    coming down the stairs with a steaming hot muffin with butter!!!
    
                           BANANA MUFFIN NOT EVEN BRAN
    
    SOOOOOO	we started a conversation about his cheating and he tells
    me that he has one every morning but if he told me I would get mad.  We 
    went into the nurses office and that brat has lost a pound more than
    me!!
    
    WHO SAYS CHEATING DOESN'T PAY
    
    
    *****MEN*****
    
    It's ok, I'm not going to cheat because in the long run I'm going to
    beat him.  I just hate it when men can loose weight easier (or so it
    seems)
    
    looking forward to the totals coming in during the upcoming weeks
    
    
                                                                        

    Can I just give you "guys" my weight loss every Monday.  I am sticking
    to my diet, but I feel too much pressure to lose a bunch of weight by
    the next 2 days.  When I feel that way I tend to starve myself, and we
    all know that that wont do.  If anyone has a problem with my one week
    weigh in on Mondays let me know.
    
    donna 
    

    Hi, my name is Rochelle.  This is my very first VAX Note ever...
    
    Well, first of all, I think this is a good idea.  Support is a very
    important part of weightloss...and boy do I need support.  Just knowing
    there is someone else in the same boat trying to achieve the same goal
    is ...G R E A T...
    
    I am located in the Wash, DC area...I don't think I will make that
    patio get together, but it is a good idea.... Just being able to
    participate is reward enough.  Well here goes....my weight is 152lbs,
    I'm 5'4'' and hippy...there I did it.  
    
    My goal weight is 130lbs.  However, "My ideal weight is 123lbs."
    
    So, let the records show I'm in.....
    	My 1st weight report will be this Monday (March 19,1990).
    
    I am glad this note is here....
    
    
    
    
    Sincere New Comer

    
    Good morning,
    
       How are we all doing today??? I myself am doing great!
    I've lost 5lbs. and can all ready feel it in a way. My clothes do
    feel better. I know 5lbs. is alot in just a few days, but then again,
    it is only water wheight. Now comes the hard part.
    Congrats. to the rest of you on losing your pounds. I feel that
    we have just went through the hardest part, and that is just getting
    started.
    
       Remember one very important fact. The pounds went on slow, they
    will come off slow. One more thing to think about, it's not only
    what you eat, but how you burn the calories off.
    
       Hey, am I the only guy that's in this competion???? Gee, I feel
    kind of special.
    
       Hey Barb, where are you??? I hope everything went well at the
    doctors.
    
                                         have a great weekend everybody,
    
                                                               dennis
      

    Hi everyone.  I've lost 3 pounds!  
    
    Donna
    

    Way to go Bernice
    Hang in there
    

                                               dennis

    
    Sorry Donna, I almost forget to give you an ataboy too!!
    Keep hanging in there. 
    Your off to a good start.


                                              dennis
    

    GUESS WHAT????  I'm not dead.............  Sorry for the long silence,
    everybody.....BUT I've been interviewing for the past 2 1/2 work days.
    I'm trying to get a new job in Franklin which is about 10 minutes from
    my home.......  That would be like an unauthorized pay raise......
    
    Anyway....Here is the tale......  Went to the Doctor last Wednesday,
    and am feeling much better.....Most of my readings were
    improved....BUT...the crucial test (weight) was UP 1/2 lb. I told him
    right up front that I had gone on a four-day binge two weeks prior, so
    he was sort of ready for it.....  On his scale that put me at 169 1/2.
    My scale at home read the same, so I am now going by it until the next
    appointment on April 12th.  As of this morning, I was 168......  So I
    guess I'm going down again....a bit......I expect it to be harder for
    the final 30 or so lbs, but will do.  
    
    I think that weight puts me at break even for when we started......
    
    Again, I'm sorry I've been silent for so long but had no terminal to
    check into or write out of......  It's nice to know somebody out there
    wondered where I was.....  Thanks a bunch.
    
    How's everybody else doing?  I haven't finished reading all the answers
    I've missed, but so far it all seems to be going fine........
    
    More later..........
    
    Barb

    oops 
    
    I forgot to sign in yesterday.  I was really busy.  I did not loose
    anymore....but the fact that I am Irish and did not gain anything this 
    weekend was great!!!  I was so good.  I only slipped once.  I knew I
    would, so because I new it was coming I was extra good about everything 
    else.
    
    I won't forget thursday
    
    talk to you later
    
    pat
    

    	Well it's thursday
    
    I lost 1 1/2 pounds.  That is a total of 3 1/2. 
    
    Are we still weighing in twice a week or has it been changed to once. 
    Either way is fine with me.  Just let me know.
    
    
    pat 

    Hi, Everybody......
    
    My system has been down all morning so I could only just now get in
    here to give my results......
    
    Still 168 today........Nothing lost.....But nothing gained...Not
    what I'd hoped for, but better than it might have been......
    
    How's everybody else doing????  Has anyone heard from Avi???  This
    was all his idea, and now we don't even know where he is? 
    
    Barb

    
    
    Hi There.............
    
    down two more pounds.
    total- 7 lbs.
    and getting tougher. 
    
    

    still weighing in at 70 Kg. This is my fourth or fifth week at this
    weight - fed up is not the word.
    
    I am joining the competition as of now - here goes
    
    70 on the 23-Mar-1990 - I shall try and update you in kilo losses
    
    Hopefully soon
    
    GOOD LUCK ALL
    
    Tahi Massari @Bio

    Good Morning All....
    
    This morning I showed up as 167 on the scale.......I hate to say this,
    but I think I have hit my first plateau in about 7 months while we are
    in this competition.......Wouldn't you just know it.......
    
    I have started a regular exercise program, thanks to a friend's help,
    and am feeling pretty good from it......No results that can be seen
    yet, but I know I'm doing it and feeling better because of it.....Now
    all I need is for that friend to tell me that I am indeed doing them
    right and I'll keep at it.......
    
    How is everybody else doing?  
    
    Barb

    monday's results are 
    		
    		total weight loss = 4.5 lbs
    
    		down from 252 to 247.5
    
    	It's coming--I'm reducing around 2 pounds a week.  I seems to bo a 
    good steady pace for me.  
    
    			talk to you thursday
    			pat

    I have not lost anymore weight.  I started walking during my lunch hour
    and I actually gained the 3 pounds I just lost.  So I guess I'm
    starting over.  I'm starting to get depressed.
    
    donna
     

    Another thing to take into consideration is that if yoiu don't noramlly
    exercise it will take a little while for it to have the right effect.
    I remember that back in my thin days - many years ago I used to
    play tennis for hours as a means of building muscle and putting
    on weight - Choose your exercise carefully DO NOT overexert yourself
    - this is the advice my doctor gave me when I first started to take
    dieting seriously...
    
    The thing that these doctors never seem to mention is the amount
    of will power it takes when the plateaux and depressions hit you...
    I guess this is why we are here Donna, 
    
    In Peter Gabriel's words "Don't give up" we are all cheering you
    on...
    
    	Tahi - still no weight loss

    
    
    Hi everybody,
      Here's an up to date report on my progress.
    I was a bad boy over the weekend........but enjoyed every minute
    of it. Even though I did gain 2 lbs. back.......It's okay to cheat
    now and then......as long as you get back right on it, and don't
    get carried away. I think it can help in the long run. Let's face
    it....dieting su*ks......and who wants to be miserable all the time.
    Take it from an expert....I've been doing it for 32 yrs. and I still
    haven't lossed my baby fat. But I've had fun....

    Hi, Everybody.............
    
    I am weighing in this time a day early, I realize....... But, I won't
    be here tomorrow or Friday........Tomorrow my daughter, Wendy, is
    having knee surgery done, and I will be spending the day at the
    hospital with her and then Friday I have company coming in for the
    weekend.......This is going to be a fun weekend, and since my guest is
    also a weight watcher, I've tried to plan food for us that will help us
    both along, but still taste great.........
    
    I weighed in again this morning.......Have not lost, but have not
    gained.......  I have been exercising regularly morning and night, and
    so far can't see much in the way of results up or down......  It will
    all work out, I know.........Got to keep plugging away.
    
    I hope you all have as wonderful a weekend as I plan to have......We'll
    see on Monday how my menus have worked out.........
    
    Barb

    Okay, I'm in this, too.  I have lost 31 pounds since late October,
    and it is going painfully slowly.
    
    I now weigh 154 and would like to get down to 130 (which is less
    than I weighed at 14 years old) but the charts say closer to 115-120
    since I am only 5'3".  I just can't get intimidated by numbers I
    have never seen.  
    
    Of course, in a strick competition, I might have an edge because
    I am toying with the idea of losing 299 pounds overnight.  For those
    who haven't seen my cryptic notes about my problems with my
    husband--someone besides Felix Unger might be asked to leave his
    place of residence...would that count in my weight loss???  If not,
    I might have to keep him.
    
    Good luck everyone and I'll check back with you about my own progress.
    
    Sylvia
    

    Hello.  I've lost 2 pounds!  It's going rather slow, but as long as its
    a steady loss that's fine with me.
    
    
    donna
    

    Hi, Guys............
    
    Sorry to have been away so long......My daughter has had her knee
    surgery and is doing fine, so I'm back at work......
    
    Down to 164 this morning.......  I think that is a total of 7 lbs.
    Am exercising more and hope things will readjust and start looking
    better soon.....
    
    How's everyone else doing?
    
    Barb

This morning I was 154--the same as last Thursday, but I have been losing
    slowly so I'm not too worried about it.
    
    How is everyone else doing?
    
    Sylvia
    

    Hi, My name is Linda I work Digital Puerto Rico would like to start
    in this diet competition to see how I do along with the rest. I
    weigh 173 lbs would like to be 140 at least. So today I will be
    starting with you and will finish April 2,1990.
    
    Since I do have a health problem I am on a low fat diet.
    
    Hope to be hearing from you also.

    Hi everyone
    
    will it's Monday and here are the results.  I lost another lb so that
    is a total of 5 1/2 since I started this one.
    
    The competition that I have going on with my brother and sister-in-law  
    I have lost a total of 10 1/2 and my husband has lost 12.  This competition 
    ends this thursday.---but my husband and I talked about it and we both
    feel good and we are going to continue.  We are going away the end of
    april for Atlantic city and we want to loose weight as well as money.
    
    	My husband was feeling a little down and wanted to cheat
    saturday--so-- this is what I did.  (it sounds a little silly and we
    laughed about this alot.  ***but it made us feel great***
    When we went to go pick up some groceries at the store I made him walk 
    around with a sack of potatoes under his arm.  We where only picking up 
    a few things. It wasn't like he had to run around with this for a half
    hour or anything but it made you realize how much less you are walking
    around with.    ***what a great feeling****
    
    
    try it sometime for laughs
    
    talk to you later
    keep up the good work everybody
    
    Pat
    

    Yes, I am sorry for the mistake in the date it was suppose to say June
    2 not Apr 2. But April 30 sound okay with me. Will let you know on
    Friday how it comming.
    
    Thank you again 
    
    

    Hi, Guys................
    
    Nothing has changed since the last weigh-in...Still 164, but am doing a
    lot more exercises and hope that will put a little more of a dent in
    the stats........
    
    How's everybody else doing today?????
    
    Barb

    I need some encouragement.  I weighed 156 this morning--I gained
    two pounds since Monday.  Don't ask me how--I have been pristine
    (haven't eaten much, either).
    
    Oh, well, who ever promised that life would be fair?
    
    Sylvia
    

    
    hi peoples,
    
    sorry I haven't been here lately, just started a new job and I've
    been real busy. so haven't been able to log in. but I do have some
    good news, droped another 2 lbs. makes 9 lbs. all together. but
    now the weekend is coming up. oh noooooooooo!!!!!!!
    have a good weekend everybody.
    
                                           
                                          dennis

    Hi, Guys.......
    
    Nothing's changed again, this morning......  Have my doctor's visit on
    Thursday so I'll see how things look on his scale, and probably will
    check in on Friday instead of Thursday.......What a time to hit such a
    lousy plateau......Right in the middle of the competition.....I guess
    this is actually the end of the first month coming up.....isn't it?
    
    I won't be accessing Notes quite as much now.........My job has changed
    and leaves me little if any time at all to note, but this one is very
    important to me........I'll check in every morning, or
    noon.....Whatever......
    
    Bye for now......
    
    Barbara

    Well here it is.....I gained 1 1/2 pounds but I will tell you why
    
    As you know I was also in another composition with three other people.
    It was to see which couple lost the most in a month.  My husband lost
    12 1/2 and I lost 10 1/2 for a total of 23.  The other couple only lost
    13 total.  Soooooooo we won.  The bet was for dinner at Newicks on
    Dover point.  We went and it was great. So you see it was ok that I
    gained because it was for a jobs well done and I also went right back
    on again.  Next weighin I will be right back down again.  
    		
    			talk to you later
    			pat 

    Well, I am where I started from...I lost the two pounds I mysteriously
    gained.  Back to 154.  I feel like I should be doing better.  I
    went to a seder last night and I was very proud of myself--I basically
    ate turkey and brocoli and a little bit of matzah.  
    
    Sylvia

    Finally, some progress--down one pound to 153 this morning.  
    
    Sylvia

    
    
    Hi everybody,
      good thing I decided to log in today. I forgot all about it, but
    I do have some good news. I'm difintely on my way down. I stated
    at 240 lbs. and dropped down to 230 lbs. My clothes feel so much
    better, now that I can get into them. Hopefully when I go to the
    gym today, I'll drop a couple of more. Hang in there people.
    It's tough, but it's worth it in the long run. How's everybody 
    else doing???????
    
    
                                        dennis
    
      
    

    Hi friends, I'm down to 151 this morning--2 pounds since Thursday
    and 3 pounds since I started this competition--35 pounds since October.
    
    Good luck to everyone.  I think I just went under a plateau...
    
    Sylvia

    Hi :)
    
    My name is Linda, and I work at VRO6 (Virginia Road, Concord, MA), soon
    to move to PKO1 in Maynard. I would like to join the gang.  I have 20 
    pounds to lose and need lots of incentive to get on track.  I figured, 
    if I had a place to report in on how I'm doing, along with others who 
    support each other, I would "Get to work on it"!  Sooooooooooo..as of 
    Tuesday, 17 APR 90, I will begin my journey to "lose to win"!
    
    I plan to begin exercising, too.  I have a cross-country machine and
    also love to walk.  I am going to start drinking more water and do my
    best to stop visiting the candy machine down the hall at work.  I am
    also going to try my best to drink less coffee, as I read that it
    increases your appetite.  I'm quite a coffee drinker, so that part
    won't be easy.  I'm 5' 2 1/2" tall and 140 pounds.  My high three years
    ago was 158 pounds.
    
    I successfully lost 34 pounds three years ago using various methods of
    weightloss products and exercising...I also successfully (she says with
    tongue in cheek) regained 17 of those 34 pounds.  My goal is to lose this 
    weight by the time we go on our summer vacation the first week of August.  
    I know I can do it....so here goessssssssssssssssss!!! 
    
    Hope you all had a wonderful Easter,
    
    Linda       
     

    Hi Linda
    
    and all other noters..
    
    Would you like a partner in crime ?  If you can do it... so can I !
    
    When I started reading, I was impressed with the gentleness and caring
    the support and encouragement... the more I read, the more I decided
    that 'now" was as good as time as any to start.
    
    I work in Geneva (Switzerland)... am about 5'4" and currently weigh
    60 Kgs (approx 135 lbs) - my ultimate goal is 120lbs
    
    Don't know if that's "do-able" in 1 month, but we can try...
    
    Look forward to hearing from you next week
    Diana
    

    
    Welcome aboard Ladies,
      Remember a couple of things. It's not only what you eat or how
    you eat it, but how you burn it off. Dieting alone will not do it.
    As a matter of fact, the thing dieting will do for you is piss you
    off. You have to get some sort of exercise. By doing that you will
    feel better, it will take your mind off of food, you'll have more
    energy, and you won't feel as hungry. So don't try to lose all your
    weight in one month, lose it slowly. It went on slow it will come
    off slow. Good Luck.
    
    
    By the Way 
    
    
                       IT'S BARB'S BIRTHDAY
                       HAPPY BIRTHDAY BARB   
    
    
                                                   dennis
                                                         

    I haven't forgotten to enter just been busy. . . . very busy
    
    I declared sunday a free day to eat whatever I wanted. . .  and I did
    eat alot of stuff that I normally don't (and gained 2 lbs in one day)
    but that is ok because I went right back on my diet and lost the two
    by this morning.  
    
    I think this worked out good for me.  I stuck to a diet for 6 weeks
    It was like I told myself you can wait till easter.  You can make it 
    and I did.  No sweets for 6 weeks is a miracle--I have the biggest sweet 
    tooth ever made--I could give up food and live on candy and be very happy 
    the rest of my life.
    
    You may think this sounds stupid but I did loose 12lbs and now I'm back
    on the loosing track again.  I think if I keep loosing and have one of 
    these days every 6 weeks this could be a way for me to loose a good
    50lbs or so.   
    
    
    oh!!!     After much debate in my head I am doing something that I
    really hate ***exercising***  nothing to bad just walking 3-4 times a
    week and starting to use one of the many workout tapes that I have.  I 
    always had the attitude that I walk alot on my job at work so I don't
    have to do anything at night.  *wrong*  It has been 2 weeks  now and I
    do feel alot better.  My husband thinks I have turned mental because I
    walk to the bowling alley and meet him there or if he wants to go eat at
    the many fast food places  near our house (about 1 to 2 miles) I say no 
    problem but we have to walk there.  He has to be really hungry to do
    this!!
    
    
    pat -- Who is growing attached to this file.  
    
    

    
    good stuff, pat
    it doesn't hurt to cheat now and than, as long as you get right
    back on it. and exercise will help. i too gained 2 lbs. over the weekend
    and went to the gym last nighr and losed 2 1/2 lbs. exercising is
    great. keeps me out of trouble too.
    
                                                      dennis

    Pat,
    
    I had to laugh when I read the part of your message about you and your
    husband walking to restaurants to eat and you walking to the bowling
    alley.  My husband just had knee surgery a little over a week ago and
    his doc said he should start walking as soon as possible....so I might
    try your tactics to see if it works.  It will do BOTH of us a world of
    good.
    
    I also can identify with thinking that I do quite a bit of walking at
    the office.  I, too, tried to convince myself that this was "enough". 
    Although, I have to admit, since I am again drinking much more water
    while at work, I am walking quite frequently to the restroom :)
    
    This is only day 2 for me, but I have dropped 2 pounds (YAY!) and feel
    very good about it.  I am allowing myself 2 cups of regular coffee and
    in the morning only.  If I crave a drink of coffee after lunch, I make
    it water instead.  I feel really good about all of this....takin' it
    ONE DAY AT A TIME is much easier than projecting too far out.
    
    Have a good rest of the day everybody!
    
    Linda
    

    I'm amazed that some of you can actually eat whatever you want for
    an entire day and then get back to your diets.  I always use that
    as an excuse to eat crazy for months on end...maybe it's the control
    of deciding first that you are going to allow yourselves to eat
    rather than feeling out of control.
    
    Also, I hate the term "cheat"--it sounds so silly.  As if we are
    little children who have to account for what our bodies look like
    to someone else.  
    
    I am really getting disgusted.  Today I weighed 153--up two pounds
    from Monday, and I have no idea why.  Maybe I am using too much
    salt--I drink diet soda, use artificial sweetner in my tea and use
    other dietetic products as well.  Could that be it?  It is really
    annoying because I am working very hard.
    
    Sylvia

Sylvia, could it also be just because you're female?

    Howdy, All,
    
    I was going to wait until Monday to report my progress.  But I am
    pleased with my progress and wanted to share.  I have not bought any
    candy at work this week and have been drinking water instead of coffee. 
    It works!  I have lost 3 pounds already.  I am aware that this is
    probably excess fluid and will come off fast at first, but it does feel
    good.  I am taking tomorrow as a vacation day with our younger son, so
    I will have to be careful.
    
    Have a great weekend, everyone.  I'll let you know on Monday how the
    weekend went.
    
    Linda
    

    Hi there,
    
    	Why are diets so hard to follow...
    
    having been stationary at 70 kilos for weeks on end I finally made
    it down to 68 - Hurrah!!!
      
    Then I went on a course, and followed it up with Easter - I now
    weigh 71 worse off then before although this is after losing another
    kilo - that's right I was 72...I really wonder how I do this to
    myself sometimes...
    
    I hope that by the end of this week I'll be on the road to 69 again -
    reading about all the people that have been doing so well has got
    me determined to shift this weight soon...
    
    Keep at it everyone
    
    Somewhat_Cheered_up_Tahi

    Bravo for the 3 lbs Linda
    Glad to see you're still hanging in there Tahi (and cheered-up !)
    
    As I have an active weekend (SPRING CLEANING BAH !) I will only report
    in on Monday (the French have an expression that translates rougly
    into "Hope keeps you alive !") I want to see if it will also help
    me drop a few lbs...!!!
    
    Hope you all have a super weekend - 'til Monday then
    Diana

    I'd like to comment on being able to eat foods that you have tended to 
    binge on in the past.
    
    I'm speaking for myself, but others may identify.
    
    I have seen people who have a few pounds to lose due to a vacation, a
    pregnancy, or a stressful situation.  They are not food addicts or
    compulsive overeaters.  They seemed to be able to have the occasional
    treat, and get back on a food plan until they reached their goal
    because food is neither an addiction nor an obsession.
    
    I'm not one of those people.  I am a compulsive overeater and a food
    addict.  If I ate sugar for one day, there is no guarantee I would ever
    stop because I am a food addict.  Most alcoholics know that they cannot
    have 'just one drink'.  As long as I remember that I have the exact
    same problem around food, I can stay away from foods that trigger my
    addictive behavior (mostly sugar).  That leaves many other delicious,
    interesting and satisfying foods to enjoy!  After 13 months, I've lost
    almost all interest in sugar.
    
    I don't think that one approach is right and one is wrong - I think the
    trick is knowing which category I fall into.
    
    Holly

    .71
    
    Thanks for the excuse but the timing is off--I used that one a week
    ago when this happened.
    
    But thanks for caring...I'll keep you posted.
    
    Sylvia

    Hello, Everybody,
    
    Well, it's Monday morning and the weekend is behind us.  I am pleased
    to report that it was a good weekend.  It was hectic as I drove down to
    Abington, MA, on Friday and spent most of the day watching our
    13-year-old son bowl in the Junior State Championships.  Anywho...there
    they were right behind me...candy machines, ugh!!  I hadn't had any
    candy for several days.  I did break down and buy one bag of skittles
    and shared them with my son.  I had one piece of pizza for lunch and a
    hot dog for dinner....all in all not bad.  
    
    The rest of the weekend was very busy, so time to snack was limited. 
    And after all was said and done, I actually lost 1 pound!!! YAY!!! So,
    that's 4 pounds so far with 16 to go.  I've brought my flavored seltzer
    water to work (no salt, no sodium, very tastey).  I'm looking forward
    to another good week.  It's going to be warm today (70 degrees), so we
    will cook chicken on the grill....and salad season is here!!!
    
    Just wanted to check in.  This is the most successfull I have been with
    food discipline and feelin' good about it in a long time.  Hope you all
    had a good weekend.
    
    I haven't started my exercising yet, hopefully this week.
    
    Bye for now :)
    
    Linda
     
    

    Down to 151 this morning.  Still haven't figured out the mysterious
    weight gains but as long as I am losing over the long haul who cares???
    Every body is different, right?  
    
    How is everyone doing???
    
    One major success this weekend--went to Shea Stadium to see Sid
    Fernandez blow the Expos away (two hits and two walks) and didn't
    have ice cream I think that was the first time ever that I didn't
    use the 7th inning stretch as an excuse to eat ice cream...
    
    Sylvia

    Good News !
    
    Minus 2 Kgs = Down to 59 Kgs... I have a sneaking suspicion that 
    this was the "easy" bit...  Am starting a gentle exercise program
    tonight (plan to make it a daily ritual !)
    
    Hope you are all well
    Diana

    Amazing that I stepped on the scale this morning--152--gained a
    pound.  I am not surprised, my husband and I had my in-laws over
    last night and we had eggplant and pasta.  Oh well, back to the
    straight and narrow.
    
    Hope everyone else is doing well.
    
    Sylvia
    

    Hi, Everybody,
    
    What a beautiful day it is our there today!  
    
    I'm pleased to report that I have lost another pound...that's 5 down
    and 15 to go.  I know it will start coming off more slowly now...but
    I've read and heard so many times that slowly is better and has more of
    a chance of staying off.  
    
    The weekend is supposed to be nice, so I hope to get out and work on
    the yard....good exercise!
    
    Here goes weekend #2...wish me luck!
    
    Have a great one,
    
    Linda
    

    I don't know which is making me happier...
    
    1 Kg less or the glorious sun that is shining (and hot !)
    
    I won't be able to check in next week - I'll be out due to minor
    surgery.  On one hand I'm hoping it might even help weightloss...
    on the other... I'm worried that I'll be very very tempted to
    snack throughout the day seeing as I'll be at home...
    
    Wish me luck - I'll let you know the outcome as soon as I'm back
    
    Diana

    Checking in with the end-of-month figures:

    	Started Feb 1		219 1/2 (topped out at 222 on 2/5)
    	March 1			213 1/2
    	April 1			206
    	May 1			195

    Heading slowly but surely for 180...

    /Petes

    This hasn't been one of my better months, but then again, I have
    had MUCH worse.  I weighed in at 151 this morning.  That is only
    a 3 pound loss for the month but I had several unexplained weight
    gains and one explained one...Let's hope the warm weather gives
    me that extra push I seem to be needing right now.  Maybe it is
    just a plateau or maybe I am getting to some kind of psychological
    barrier--35 pounds down and about 31 to go.  Maybe I don't want
    to deal with certain issues which I can avoid by staying at this
    weight for a while...
    
    Hope everyone else is doing well.
    
    Sylvia

    Hello Folks
    
    Back at the mill stone... Sylvia, if it's any consolation, I seem
    to be holding steady too... only lost 1 lb in the two weeks I was
    off... what a disappoitment !
    
    As you say, here's hoping the warm weather (and urge/need to get into
    a bathing suit !) will give us the extra encouragement to keep on the
    right track.
    
    Diana

    Diana,
    
    It does help to know that other people experience the same thing.
    And, althought my month long competition is over, my lifelong battle
    with my weight will continue.  I am happy to report that I am down
    to 147 and feeling very positive about myself these days.  Everyone
    says that rewarding yourself with food for losing weight is
    counter-productive but I promised myself that if I lost 40 pounds
    before my husband and I went to Atlantic City (the weekend of June
    8th-10th) I would treat myself to a Dairy Queen ice cream cone--I
    haven't had ice cream since October.  One pound to go.  Wouldn't
    it be great if I discovered that I don't like ice cream anymore???
    Why do I think that it not going to happen?
    
    Take care everyone.  This note is great support and it is especially
    good for me because I was always afraid of competition and failure
    and I see that this is a very personal battle for each of us yet
    we are united.  To use an overused word, the synergy is great!!!
    
    Sylvia
    

    Well, the bad news is that I've been hovering around 190 +/- 2 for the
    last week or two.

    The good news is that before getting stuck, I did finish my first 100
    days of dieting. (I can't EVER remember sticking with a diet so long!)
    And I've got (as of this morning) 31 less pounds to show for it since I
    started.

    The bad news is that I *still* look fat in the mirror. Oh well, now looking
    fat is not a depressant, it's incentive to stick with it! :-)

    /petes

    Definitely "game for another month"...!!!
    
    I read an interesting diet book while convalesing (spelling ?) call
    the Under Burner diet... can't remember the author's name - a lady
    doctor who is not on her first publication.  Anyway, I was impressed
    that a good portion of the book deals with "maintenance"... So I intend
    to stay in this note even after I get rid of the excess I'm currently
    carrying around...
    
    We lucky devils here in Geneva have a 4 day weekend starting tomorrow
    I am cashing in on my 15 years with DEC weekend ticket and taking my
    9 year old daughter to Lugano (italian part of Switzerland). Pasta
    apart, we hope to get plenty of swimming hiking visiting and fun in.
    
    We'll see when I get back if the exercise prevails against the good
    food...!!!  Here's wishing you all a healthy fun-filled weekend - Diana

    I am down to 146 as of this morning--that's 26 pounds away from
    my goal of 120.  It isn't easy but I think I am making excellent
    progress both physically and getting over this emotional barrier
    of the ambivalence with which I view my extra pounds.
    
    How is everyone else doing?
    
    Sylvia
    

    Got over the hump 76 kg or 168 lbs, BUT the village feast is this
    weekend!
    Target is 72 kg or 160 lbs. so it's another 8 lbs to go!
    (started at 99+ kgs or 218 lbs.)

    Dispair, dispair, dispair...  Spending the weekend with good friends
    can be disasterous...
    
    The company was so good that I over-ate, over-drank, under-slept to the
    extent that I still feel "fuzzy" and real tired today...
    
    And all this to what avail...?
    
    I weighed in this morning at 59Kgs... which has put me back to where 
    I was 3 weeks ago....  Why, oh why do I do this to myself ?!
    
    On a more positive note : Hope you have all been more successful 
    (read: self-disciplined) than yours truly... and that you have a 
    pleasant wieght-loosing week !
    
    Diana

    Since my last entry on the 20-April this year I have been struggling
    to keep the weight either steady or on the downward trend - 
    I have just come back from holiday followed by three weeks between
    courses and customer sites - to say that this has played havoc with
    my diet is an understatement.
    
    HOWEVER, the Good News is that I am now 67 and I feel great...that
    is I did feel great until yesterday afternoon when one of my colleagues
    decided that making fun of my weight would be a great idea and this
    was followed by comments like "I wouldn't say that Tahi has a weight
    problem but instead of inches she has time zones"                
    
    How does one react to being insulted in public in such a manner
    when the automatic reaction is a deep seated need to punch the person's
    lights out ?
    
    However, I must say that the weight hasn't suffered from the above
    event and I hope that my policy of 'Don't get Mad get Even' will
    work - they won't have much to make fun of if I can keep losing
    the weight...
                                                            
    Anyway, now that I have unburdened myself I feel a lot better and
    I hope that I can hit the 66 target by Sunday...
    
    Tahi 

    A good response is to look them in the eye and say "Why do you feel
    the need to insult the way I look?  I can't believe you are unaware
    that you are trying to hurt me - why do you feel the need to hurt
    other people?"  And if they say they didn't think it would hurt you,
    or accuse you of being thin skinned, tell them they would not treat
    a friend the way they are treating you.  If it continues, tell them
    you will ask personnel to look into their behavior (that is, if it's
    on the job) and determine if what they are doing is considered
    harassment.  That should get their attention.
    
    Some people are so dreadful you wonder how they made it to adulthood
    without being bumped off.
    
    --Louise

	I'm with Louise; there is *no* excuse for that sort of $#!t from 
	a co-worker.  Ever.  I wouldn't bother asking them why they're 
	trying to hurt me, unless you consider them a friend.  If this
	person isn't an intimate, I would tell them in polite e-mail 
	that you do not appreciate rude comments about your appearance,
	and that if they continue you will regard it as harrassment and
	act accordingly.  Save all mail.

	You can do this without being confrontational: "I realize that you 
	probably meant these comments as a friendly tease; however they 
	really bother me a lot.  I'd appreciate it if you stopped."  Should
	do it.  If they persist, tell them that you view this as harrasment.
	P&P requires you to notify someone once if their behavior offends
	you; if they continue, it is harrasment, and personnel should be
	brought in.

	This sort of thing is totally uncalled for; please don't let people
	put you down like that and get away with it!  If you think it was
	innocent be nice about it, but do let them know that their
	behavior is inappropriate.

	Beverly

    Thanks Louise and Beverly,
     
    	I agree with both of you that I should confront the person in
    some way but without being nasty about it - after all I don't want
    to sink to the person's level. 
    
    	I think I made it quite clear that I was offended by my off
    hand behaviour towards this person since the episode however, if
    the person should ever make such a comment again I will write it
    down in e-mail and take the appropriate action.
    
    	ONTO good news - It is official as of the begining of this year
    I have now lost a stone or 14 pounds in weight and my official weight
    stands in at 66 and a half !! Yahooo !
    
    	Thanks again for the good advice,
    
    Tahi (Tai)

    
    Hi, it's Carina from Germany. I am 26 years old and I read
    this conference with great interest since some weeks.
    
    I can understand how s.o. feels when being hurt by someone
    who doesn't have weight problems and is offending you.
    
    I have some situations from my own life to write down here
    so everyone feels better knowing there are many people in the
    same situation.
    
    (I am on diet since 5 months, having lost 25 pounds so far and
    I want to loose 50 lbs. more - my height is 5"3 and the
    weight today is 190 lbs).
    
    1) my former boyfriend didn't support me when his parents
       were laughing about me, saying that I don't have
       to eat anything anymore because I am fat enough ...
    
    2) He himself called me often enough a "walking ton"
    
    3) Some people treat you like you are the worst human
       being just because you are overweight.
    
       Nice behaviour and smart appearance doesn't mean
       anything to those bastards ...
    
    I know those difficulties will never happen to me again when
    I am as slim as I want to be, but I will never forget
    those situations, feeling like someone who is hated just
    because of weight.
    
    I have great compassion with those people treating overweight
    men and women so bad, they just have to forget their own
    problems and solve them by offending other people because
    of their problems. This helps alot avoiding to think
    about their own problems and to my opinion it is a proof
    that those people have no character at all. People with
    a good education know that these comments should be 
    avoided, at least when the overweight person is near you.
    
    I hope my situations helped a little bit to feel better.
    
    Nice greetings from Germany
    
    Carina

    Although I've dropped about 35 pounds, I can't say I was terribly
    overweight, but certainly enough for fat jokes. Actually, Michael
    (my stepson, but my wife and I are separated) would treat my stomach
    as a separate person (I've been overweight for _years_!), like he'd pat
    it and ask how it was doing.

    Generally, if a jibe comes from someone who I am friends with (and who
    is supportive of my attempting to lose weight), then it can be taken in
    good fun. It's important to be able to separate being (who you are) from
    being fat (the state of your body). Having a (non-derisive) laugh at
    yourself sometimes lets you see your own situation more clearly and
    objectively.

    I guess my response to insensitivity assumes the person does not realize
    they've made a hurting comment. I usually have some quick-witted retort
    and have a laugh myself, including something about my weight situation
    improving. I might also add a more serious comment about being
    overweight not necessarily being a matter of choice or simple to change.

    The next time you hear "time-zones," tell them the "world" is shrinking
    and keep right on going. You may, in the end, wind up with moral support
    from that person -- it's happenned to me.

    I've never been "thin". Now that I've lost weight, I weigh less than I
    did in 7th grade (205 - almost 6 ft tall, spent 1 1/2 months with my
    aunt who cooked _really_ good food). One lesson I learned, unfortunately
    only later in life, is that I could say:

    	"I am fat [adjective]"

    and _not_ mean

    	"I am fat [noun]"

    It was not an easy lesson, but a valuable one.

    _I_ think you're all doing great!!!


    /Peters

    I'm down to 142--a personal victory since I haven't been this thin
    since I was 15 years old.  Although I only lost 4 pounds this month
    (see entry .90), it is not upsetting me because I know that I will
    reach my goal of 120 no matter how long it takes.
    
    RE:  .93, you should congratulate yourself for not punching out
    that idiot's lights--but I don't think anyone would have blamed
    you if you had.  I have had comments like that for my entire life,
    and now they are not much better.  Why do people think you want
    to hear:
    
    A--how fat and ugly you used to look
    B--how "lucky" your fat husband is to be seen with you now that
    you are thinner
    
    This is almost worse than before...especially since my husband lost
    70 pounds and is struggling to lose another 100 and it doesn't help
    matters to have to deal with these "teases".  I have another word
    for these obnoxious, rude remarks.  My husband and I are exercising
    and dieting and in the best shape of our lives.  When he attempted
    to obtain some family history from his parents, and perhaps a little
    sympathy for his recently discovered heart murmur, his father remarked
    that it was due to his being fat.

    Back again after a couple of days off work as a result of a mild
    case of food poisoning (or at least it felt like it)...
    
    Weight current 65 and a half...
    
    I FEEL Gooood
    
    	Tahi 

    Down to 140 this morning!  20 To go.