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Conference rocks::weight_control

Title: Weight Loss and Maintenance
Notice:**PLEASE** enter notes in mixed case (CAPS ARE SHOUTING)!
Moderator:ASICS::LESLIE
Created:Tue Jul 10 1990
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:933
Total number of notes:9931

137.0. "How do you feel?" by NHL::ARNO () Tue Oct 20 1987 13:32

    
    
    What has being over weight really done to us?
    Has it made us happy or do the things we want to?
    What do you think could help you? 
    Why am I punshing myself with food?
    When will I say wait a minute I am as good as the next
    person.
    
    Do some of you because you are heavy feel that you are 
    not as important as others?
    
    
    Ann
    
    
    

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137.1A 100 lb. heart!SSDEVO::HILLIGRASSTue Oct 20 1987 16:1216
    Ann,  
    
    I hear what you are saying.....
    
    I am not sure if I felt less important but I do feel a lot more
    confident about my self and my looks now that I have lost weight.
    Sometimes you feel like you just don't fit in.  
    
    You are very important Ann, and your input to this notes file is
    inspiring.  I have no idea what you look like but I know that your
    heart is bigger than many others!
    
                                    Keep the faith!
                                           - Sue
    

137.2Thanks Sue!NHL::ARNOWed Oct 21 1987 08:3615
    
    Thank you Sue for your nice reply. I was wondering how much you
    lost?  How long did it take you?  What program are or were you
    on?  Maybe you could tell us some helpful hints to know that
    there is hope for those who feel there is no hope!
    
    I can tell by your reply that your heart is pretty big too..
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Ann
    
    
    

137.3STAR::YANKOWSKASHi Mom!Wed Oct 21 1987 09:2537
    First of all, as one who received a good amount of support from
    Ann during my weightloss program, I'll echo Sue's comments in .1.
                      
    
    It's unfortunate but true, there are people out there who make
    overweight people feel less important and/or discriminate against
    them.  Somebody, in another note, stated that overweight people
    were "the last minority".  They hit the nail on the head.  Although
    I've personally never been the victim of such discrimination, I
    know of at least the following two cases:
                                 
    	Several years ago, my mother-in-law was looking for a job. 
    	She saw an ad in a local paper advertising a receptionist position
    	for a local doctor.  She called the number listed, and had a
    	brief interview with a member of the doctor's staff over the
    	phone.  The question then came up, "How much do you weigh?".
    	My mother-in-law figured that this question was out of line,
    	and although she was not that overweight at the time, replied
    	"250 pounds".  The phone interview abruptly ended at that point;
    	needless to say, she didn't get the job...
    
    	A school system that my wife was working for a few years ago
    	decided to add another music teacher to their staff.  Of the
    	candidates that applied, two were head and shoulders above the
    	others: a man of normal weight and build, and a woman who was
    	about 70-80 pounds overweight.  Both were equal as far as education
    	and experience went.  The director of music involved went with
    	the person of normal weight, rationalizing his decision with
    	"I can't take a chance on someone that heavy having health 
    	problems.", although the woman was otherwise in good health.
    
    Anyone else know of (or been the victim of) similar cases?
    
    
    Paul
                             

137.4Noone loves a fat girl!NHL::ARNOWed Oct 21 1987 09:5931
    
    
    Yes I sure have been in Cases like the one's you talked about.
    I have applied for jobs and they were very interested in me 
    over the phone and the minute they saw me they almost choked 
    and couldn't get me out quick enough,
    Not just jobs but people outside as well I had a lady look
    at me in a Mall like I was a freak,  I just looked right back 
    at her..
    Some young guys hurried up to see what I looked like and when
    they saw me they said ohhhh she's too fat keep going!
    
    Why would they think I would be interested in them , The looked
    dirty to me.. greesy hair and they made fun of me..
    
    I tell you when ever a friend needed me I was there and if I see
    an animal that needed help I am there.. I feel that I am a caring
    person but people don't see your heart they see your body!!
    
    Also when I was younger one of my sister's and I went to the beach
    and instead of saying this is fun,, she said I like coming with
    you because you are fat the the guys look at me and not you..
    
    So I have had my share.. but I don't have enough time to write 
    it all...................
    
    
    Ann
    
    

137.5My head needs fixing, not only my waistline!SHIRE::BIZEWed Oct 21 1987 11:4719
    To come back to 0., I feel that being fat hurts me much more in
    my own eyes than in anybody else's eyes:
    
    - "I" feel bad about myself;
    - "I" feel insecure;
    - "I" feel that others will not appreciate me;
    
     ... etc ... etc ... and as I have those negative feelings about
    myself, than I project them unto others and they, who may never
    have had any thoughts on the subject had I not been irradiating
    these feelings of awfullness, begin to see me as I see myself, 
    inadequate, fat, a slob, and so on.
    
    If I could be both fat and self-confident, would I bother to be
    thin ????
         
    Joana
    Joana

137.6Is a diet a job plan in disguise????OVDVAX::WIEGMANNWed Oct 21 1987 13:2317
    I've been doing a lot of reading about management development, and,
    along with that, "image management".  I know I need to work on the
    area of appearance, manipulating others' perceptions of me, but
    I am wondering if there is any (or how much) validity there is in
    the line of thinking that if I can't manage myself, how effective
    will I be at managing other people?  When it is so obvious that
    I have a problem in the areas of discipline, goals, perseverance!
    I'll be starting a management development course soon, and I'm
    wondering if this will be discussed.  Maybe I should bring it up
    myself!  Although it seems that female managers who are overweight
    may actually have more credibility than slender ones, because no
    one is going to say she got the job for some of the other
    all-too-common reasons.  But then, I work in a pretty small facility,
    too - what do some of you think???
    
    Terry

137.7We are special17870::ARNOWed Oct 21 1987 17:1926
    
    I notice in Digital Managers are all sizes.. so this is a good
    company..for that.  I feel that even though heavy people are 
    smart too I still feel people don't give them the credit they
    need..  
    
    I feel that we are all special people and noone will ever be like
    us again.  So we need to look in the mirror and say Yes I am
    special and I am needed in this world ,, We may not notice
    but all the jobs we have big or small we are doing our part.
    If we also don't feel like we are doing what we were meant 
    to do then go ahead and do it....
    
    I know we all want to lose weight but until then
    we have to hang in there .
    
    The best to all of you
    
    
    Ann
    
    
                                                               
    
    

137.8People looking :-}17870::ARNOWed Oct 21 1987 17:2212
    
    One more thing I notice when people talk to a fat person
    they always look you all over as to see if you are losing
    or who knows why...  They can't seem to just talk without
    trying to see what you look like in cloths.................
    
    
    Ann]
    
    
    

137.9Welcome to our future manager!SHIRE::BIZEThu Oct 22 1987 04:5813
    RE: Can I manage others if I can't manage myself (roughly transcribed)
    
    I certainly think so. Some people smoke, some drink, some eat, some...
    I have never heard anybody doubt about his ability to manage just
    because he/she smokes too much and can't stop. Having human frailties
    makes you a better manager, because it makes you more aware of other
    people's limitations and capabilities, just as you are aware of
    your own.
    
    I am sure you'll make a great manager.     
    
    Joana

137.10CIPHER::VERGEThu Oct 22 1987 10:4219
    Being "overweight" (Read:: Fat) was frustrating to me, and I 
    felt terrible about myself all the time.  I felt others looked at
    me differently - especially those who knew mw when I was thin -
    and I had no confidence, no self esteem.  I don't know exactly what
    is making it work this time, but  I decided to do this for myself,
    because of how I wanted to look and feel, and for no other reason.
     I can't believe how my resolve has held.  
    
    Ann, believe that YOU are the most important person to you, and
    that it doesn't matter so much what others think.  You know you
    are a good, important person, so don't let anyone give you the
    impression that you are not.  You will lose the weight; it just
    takes a long time to do it in a healthy way.  Don't give up on
    yourself.  Accept yourself for what you are; warm, kind, good,
    important.
  
    
    Val  

137.11Thanks ValNHL::ARNOThu Oct 22 1987 13:2023
    
    
    Val,
    
    I liked your advice and it sounds good to me.   I guess the 
    best thing to do is forget about those people and lose for
    number 1.. 
    A lady at work had a friend that had a son that was drunk and
    was in a accident,  he died two days after.. A young good looking
    man and now he's gone so that is prove each day is important.
    
    How much weight did you lose Val and how long did it take you?
    
    I have been thin before.. I was cubby around 9.. and then in High
    school I lost alot of weight.. and then gained it after High school.
    I have beeen up and down since.. More up then down..
    
    
    Ann
    
    
    

137.1220 down 25 to goCIPHER::VERGEThu Oct 22 1987 15:4922
    Ann, I have been up and down for the last six years.  Up until then,
    I was one of those thin people who could eat anything - Oh, well.
    I have tried dieting myself, Cambridge Diet, Atkins Diet, and several
    others.  Weight Watchers was last year, but I lost momentum 7 punds
    from my goal weight, no one encouraged me, and I just ended up dropping
    out, and then gained it all back! 
    
    I began the Weight Loss Clinic 5 weeks ago and have lost 20 pounds,
    with 25 pounds more to go.  Since the average is 3 lbs per week,
    the remainder of the weight should be off around Christmas time
    - when i start 6 weeks of stabilization, followed by six months
    of maintenance.  I am learning new techniques - like behavior
    modification, and recognizing when I am full, etc.  I am on 800
    calories a day, and take vitamins, but other than that eat regular
    food - only just eat the items on program (well, at least most of
    the time).  Just hang in there - You can do it!
    
    Send me mail if you want - We all need the support we can give one
    another.
    
    Val

137.13Eat too muchNHL::ARNOMon Nov 09 1987 13:0317
    
    
    I seem to be at a point that I lose 3 gain 4 lose 4 gain 5......
    I just can't seem to get back into losing on a steady basis.
    
    Is it that I am not taking my weight problem serious enough 
    or does it seem I like to eat more then lose?
    
    I feel like I am at a dead end street and can't seem to turn
    around to get out of it...
    
    What do you think?
    
    Ann
    
    

137.14some of my thoughtsCIPHER::VERGETue Nov 10 1987 10:4536
    Ann; maybe you should stop worrying so much about it, and relax,
    and just follow your program as though it were the normal thing
    to do - which it should be.  You are very concerned about yourself,
    and that is very good, but maybe if you relax and take the attitude
    that staying with your program is the normal, good thing to do,
    it might be a little easier - and DON'T forget the water.  I have
    discovered that if I don;t drink the water, I retain the calories,
    no matter how few I ate that day or that week.  
    
    I'm just commenting on this because I have have (finally) noticed
    that when my diet and eating habits become the most important thing,
    I start going off program and start losing.  When it just becomes
    part of my day-tday routine, and I can see it as normal, then I
    have much less problem staying on.
    
    The weightloss clinic has me on 800 calories a day, with NO sugars.
     This may sound difficult, but after the first few days, you don;t
    crave it.  I have been told that it is because I have eliminated
    the extra sugar and if I don't add more and keep things going, I
    will not crave it.  It does makes things easier, even though at
    first I was very skeptical.
    
    If being on WW works for you, stick to it, but maybe try to eliminate
    some of the sugar and extra calories in sweet things, at least for
    a while.  It might get you back on track.  I tried WW, and it seemed
    to work for a while, but when I am allowed even a little of something,
    I find myself taking a little more, then a little more, then a little
    more  . . .  . .  .   because I can have some.  So, try backing off from
    red light foods - I know you can do it.  
    
    Just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.
    
    Good Luck, Ann!  We know you can succeed.
    
    Val 

137.15I want to be thin!NHL::ARNOFri Nov 13 1987 08:3424
    
    Val,
    
    
    What is that Weightloss Clinic you go to?  I was going to join
    the Pyhs weight loss program and they stick with you through
    thick and thin.. I didn't do it because of the money..
    I am thinking after the Holidays I might join it so I can 
    get this fat off once and for all I have tryed all kinds of
    weight programs, groups and even Dr's...
    
    I have talked about my past to many people to see if 
    that was it.. I think I have talked enough about my
    past and there is nothing anyone can do about their past
    but they can pick them selves up know and live from
    day to day and live for this day now!
    
    Thanks Val for your advise.
    
    
    Ann
    
    

137.1620 more to goRSTS32::VERGEFri Nov 20 1987 11:0624
    Sorry I haven't answered sooner I have been out of the office. 
    Yes, it is Physicians' Weight Loss Clinic, and YES, it is expensive,
    but for me, IT WORKS!  and that's important to me.  I go everyday,
    and you get weighed in, and they (There are several nurses) talk
    to you and give you lots of support, and answer all my (sometimes
    silly) questions.  And they do have a cookbook which is a help because
    some of the restrictions make life a little boring - which actually
    helps, because with no sugars you get no sugar cravings, and with
    a limited number of things to eat, if you get bored with the foods,
    you have less of a tendency to eat instead of doing something. 
    During stabilization and maintenance, you do get to add the other
    foods back into your diet, so they don't expect you to live forever
    on alimited plan, which makes it more acceptable to me.  I hope
    to get to gaol sometime around Christmas, so in February should
    get to Maintenance.  I love the support, and weighing in every day
    is enough to prevent me from eating something I shouldn't.  
    
    It's working for me - and I average 3 pounds a week loss, and when
    you see it come off every day (for the most part - the scale measures
    in 10ths of pounds) it sure is an incentive.  Let me know what you
    decide, and if you want to send mail, or whatever,feel free!
    
    Val

137.17Just for the askingNHL::ARNOSmile for GigglesWed Mar 02 1988 08:5724
    
    I was wondering how you felt.. Like when a person loses 1/2 of a
    pound or a pound.. Some people say ghee that's great and others
    say is that all well you'll do better...
    
    How do you feel when you lost a little do you feel like I'll
    do better next time or do you feel good?
    
    I want to feel good about it sometimes but sometimes I feel about
    the same if I stay the same or gained alittle..
    
    Like no big deal...
    
    
    But then if you are going in the right direction then it is good
    right?
    
    
    Ann
    
    
    
    

137.18Slow week this week = Big week next weekSTAR::YANKOWSKASWho's bad?Wed Mar 02 1988 09:3722
    re .17:                                                
    
    >   How do you feel when you lost a little do you feel like I'll
    >	do better next time or do you feel good?
    
    >	I want to feel good about it sometimes but sometimes I feel about
    >	the same if I stay the same or gained alittle..
    
    >	Like no big deal...

        
    For what it's worth: during my weightloss program, I found that
    just about all the weeks where I stayed the same or had a slight
    gain were followed by weeks where I had a greater than usual loss.
    Several other people I know experienced the same thing.  The last
    thing one wants to hear after such a week is "hang in there and
    keep plugging away", but if one does just that, he/she may be in for
    a pleasant surprise the following week... :-)
                                                          
    
    Paul

137.19RE: Feeling GoodSRFSUP::TERASHITACalifornia NativeWed Mar 02 1988 15:339
    re .17
    
    I feel that any week I do not gain...whether I show a loss or merely
    maintain...is good.
    
    I have to take my victories where I find them.
    
    Lynn

137.20add your .02 worthNHL::ARNOSmile for GigglesTue Mar 15 1988 08:1717
    
    
    I was wondering how some of you felt .. Like they tell us in
    Weight Watchers to lose the weight only for ourselves..
    Or change your words from I can't to I can.. 
    Do any of you find this change hard ?  Did all those who lost
    all there weight is this what you did ?  
    
    
    
    Just asking
    
    
    Ann
    
    

137.21I can and I did :-)ARGUS::CORWINI don't care if I AM a lemmingTue Mar 15 1988 10:1020
Hi Ann,

Once I started losing weight I had to change my attitude from "I can't" to
"I can" because I could or I wouldn't be able to say now that I did! :-)

The sooner a dieter gets a positive attitude, the better they will feel, and the
faster they'll see results.

When I decided to start losing weight (that time), it took a while before I
stopped monkeying around a really started losing.  I think that was the attitude
change.  The monkeying around wasn't serious; I'd say I was on a diet but
then eat the wrong kinds of things and say I couldn't do it, why bother trying,
etc, etc.  But then I got the right attitude, said to myself I CAN DO IT, and
I DID IT!  Yes, you can lose weight.  You know how to do it, and you know it
will work.  It just takes some time to undo the years of damage, and a lot of
willpower to remember what you're working for and to say no to most of the
myriad temptations that come our way every day.

Jill

137.22GIAMEM::JLAMOTTEtwenty-eight and counting downTue Jan 07 1992 14:345
    When I am eating properly I feel wonderful.  I am not tired, I am
    energetic, I am happy.  I wish I could can the feeling...
    
    I often wonder what devil possesses me to overeat and why I cannot
    remember the feelings I am experiencing now.