Conference rocks::weight_control

    I guess the first thing I will do, when I am really happy with my
    silhouette, will be to buy myself a pair of blue jeans. I have not
    worn jeans since I was in college and, even though I enjoy wearing
    skirts and dresses, I think I'd really enjoy flaunting a neat back-
    side once in a while! I'll also buy myself (provided we can offord
    it!) a one-piece ski-ing suit and plan to look absolutely GORGEOUS
    in it (who is this beautiful lady in this neat pink suit, going
    down the slopes in that unearthly style? - mind you, I don't really
    think my ski-ing will get better!)
    
    It's going to be awfully different being thin - on the other hand
    we will still be ourselves, and all our problems WILL NOT have gone
    away just because we are thinner. Maybe then we will have to face
    the real problems instead of saying: "It's because I'm fat that
    ..."  Scary, but probably worthwhile.
                                         
    To go back to fantasies, maybe being thinner will give me enough
    confidence to tell a few people where they get off! (List in my
    little black book).
    
    Ah, fantasies !
    
    Joana
         

    One moment that I can't wait for is to walk into any store and 
    find an outfit that fits.. I will bless the day that I will 
    not have to hunt for a store that just has my size..
    Also to be not be treated different like anyone else.
    
    I love to dance and when I lose this weight I want to take 
    dancing lessons .. I will never be a broadway star but I
    will be a star in my own eyes...  (-:
    
    One thing I won't do is laugh or put people down for being 
    heavy or wearing glasses ...  I would want to help them as
    I have been helped..
    
    Lets make these dreams come true this year and lets start now..
    I am ready how about you?
    
    
    Good Luck,
    
    
    Ann
    
    
    
    

    I have a better idea, Ann.  Take the dancing lessons now!  Don't
    make doing what you truely want to do, what you enjoy, what gives
    you great pleasure, dependent on being thin!  Don't punish yourself
    so, don't put your life on hold; life's much too short!  Do it now!
    Your joy can only help you lose.
    
    Marcia
    

    Agreed.  The dancing will give you a positive awareness of your
    body, improve your posture (which makes you look even thinner) and
    is fun to boot.
    

    
    Hello,
    	I haven't signed in yet but I will soon.  I have been reading
    this file for a few months and I think its great.  I have started
    to watch what I eat this last week, 'again'.  I have been over-
    weight since I was eight.  Always in good proportions but always
    20 or up to 40 pounds overweight.
    	When I was 9-13 I took Irish dancing lessons and thought them
    good fun but I knew I would never be very good because I was too
    big.  Three years ago I took off 20 pounds from my high of 175
    and I have kept them off.  Now I always want to get rid of the
    rest of it.  Last winter I started adult Ceili dancing and met a
    teacher of Irish solo dancing.  She was encouraging when I said
    how much I would like to return to lessons.
    	I returned to lessons at the ripe old age of 26, the rest of
    the students are between 7 and 18 yrs old.  They are all thin
    teenagers and then there is me.  But they all accepted me, and my
    teacher is very encouraging and sometimes forgets that I'm not
    in my teens too.
    	How this relates to goals and dreams is we are going to have
    school dresses made and embroidered.  These are worn at competitions
    and exhibitions.  When I started I never thought I'd compete but
    my teacher is encouraging me to.  So I am thinking of, no, going
    to have a dress made to compete next summer.  It is quite expensive
    and when I have it made and I compete I'm going to do it right.
    I WILL loose this 20 pounds.  My dream is to look really good in
    my costume, and I know it will help my confidence in the dancing.
    	So go after your dreams.  Ann start by joining a group who
    get together for fun, like square dancing, scottish country dancing,
    ceili dancing, you don't even need a partner cause everyone enjoys
    mixing and making new friends.  Then like me you may decide to get
    into dance at a more intense level when you are ready.  And mean-
    while you meet alot of great people.
    	By the way I'm 5'5" and about 155 lbs.  	
    
    Good Luck Everyone
    
    Debra Forrest
    Kanata, Ontario
    

    
    
    I am going to set a goal for this coming week and I am 
    going to lose 4 pounds...and I will let you know how I
    did ... I also am going to cut out one thing that I can't
    stop at just one.. and that will be chips...........
    
    
    Ann
    
    

    re .6:                                     
    
    The idea of setting short term goals (as opposed to only looking
    at the end of the rainbow) is a very good one.  If you *only* think
    in terms of "I have to lose 25, or 50, or however many pounds",
    things can get discouraging...but if you take things one week or
    even one day at a time, it's that much easier.
    
    Something tells me you're going to achieve your goal...
    
    
    Paul

    
    
    I have one goal this weekend and that is to say no
    when offered food and I really don't want it and mean
    what I say............................................
    
    
    Ann
    
    

    I have set some short term goals to help me reach my long term goal.
    
    Goal #1... to fit into my present wardrobe without pulling at the
    seams.
    
    Goal #2... to weigh under 200 pounds.
    
    My long-term goal is to weigh 150 pounds. It seems to be the right
    weight for my bone structure, height and age. I'm guessing that
    it will make about a size 12. I'll let you know when I get there.
    
    The speed that I lose my weight in doesn't seem to be such a big
    issue with me anymore, just as long as I can lose it permanently.
    
                         -sunny-

      Hi everyone!
            I am also new to this notesfile and I haven't signed in
            yet either, but I always read the notes and occassionally
            respond to a topic. 
                    My goal is to lose about 30 extra pounds and keep
                    it off for good this time.
    
                    My dream is to go to my closet and be able to wear
                    all my old outfits that used to fit, instead of
                    having to buy something new in a different and 
                    larger size  every month.
               
                    My other dream is to buy a leather mini-skirt and
                    wear it to work. (Smile)
    
      My current height and weight is 5'2 1/2" tall and 145 pounds.
      

    My goals are mostly clothing-oriented.  Especially that maroon and
    pink size 10 bikini that I bought as incentive something like 10
    YEARS AGO!!!  Someday . . .
    
    The dreams have to do with running into certain Men From the Past
    and having them obviously regret being foolish enough to let me go!

    I agree with Beverly ... I am going to buy a bikini!  Preferably
    in Hawaii or Mexico or the Bahamas or in some other exotic location.
    
    (My husband may never let me wear it out of the house, but that would
    be OK, too.)
    
    Lynn

Me, I want a Mini Skirt!!!!  Yup a really *short* one!!!

I expect to see in my Birthday (July 12th) with a super duper
short one!!!!

gailann.. who *knows* she can do it!

    
    My goal this year is to lose as much weight as I can.
    To keep saying No Thank you when offered Food I don't
    need or want..
    
    My dream is to go into any store I want to to buy cloths
    I will bless that day!
    
    Think Happy thoughts and your day will be a good one for you!
    
    
    Ann
    
    

      My goal is to lose 15 pounds by the end of the summer.  Not only
    is it my goal, but it is something I *AM* going to do.  This is
    not an "if I do this" or "when I do this" kind of situation.  I
    am on my way NOW, to permanent weightloss.  The first week in August,
    I am going to buy a new bathing suit.  My present one is already
    getting tooo big!!!  Before school starts, I will buy myself a
    beautiful, new, FORM FITTING dress!! 
    
    I have another goal...that is to run in a 10 mile race that's in
    Columbia, SC every year.  Right now, I can hardly run a mile, but
    I am going to persevere!!
                                                                   
             Good luck to everyone else!!
                                         Dee Dee

    My goal -- when I've lost at least 85 of the 100 pounds I need to
    lose -- is to buy color-coordinated matching _lingerie_!  White
    and beige are not exciting, nor do they make me feel good at
    all!  I've had to shop (as I'm sure most of you have) in the large-size
    shops, and none of them have anything _sexy_.
    
    Secondly, since I sew, I'll be able to buy the patterns for some
    great-looking outfits that don't take nearly as much fabric as the
    large sizes.
    
    Ditto Beverly, .11:
    
    I would LOVE to run into some "Men From The Past," too! (Especially
    the ex).
    
    Cat
    

    .-1 made me go back to see what I'd written in .11.  Well, I found
    the bikini while moving, and it's actually a 14!  Doesn't look all
    that unattainable, either!

    Beverly

    re: .17
    
    Beverly - Keep it up! Let this be the summer...(That's what
    I tell myself, too!)           
    
    -Amy.

    
    Dear Cat,
    
    I've recently shed a couple of stone, and one of my greatest thrills
    has been "undie binges"......it's GREAT to buy really pretty colours
    and styles - believe me - I think you've got a spot-on motivation
    there!
    
    Also, as you sew, there are some lovely undie patterns around......you
    can make gorgeous French knickers in luxurious fabric with lashings
    of lace (if that's your craving) for really reasonable prices. I
    got into FK's and camisoles for myself and now make them for friends
    as presents.
    
    So keep at it.....it's really worth it and pretty undies make you
    feel so good. Wishing you all the best in beating the "sussie bulge".
    
    Abigail
    
    P.S. Not to mention non-tent-like nighties, a lot less visible pantie
    line, and the compliments!!!!!!
    

    Last time I lost all the weight, and I got down to 120 pounds I
    was able to wear jeans for the first time ever, AND IT WAS WONDERFUL,
    so that's one thing I'd like to wear when I lose it this time too.
    
    (only 85 pounds to go)
    
    
    Jenni

    ...wearing a summer dress without wearing pantyhose, and not having
    my thighs chafing against each other!  This is a first!  it's so
    much cooler not to have to wear pantihose.  I even used to wear
    shorts under my dresses, when it was really hot, to keep my thighs
    from getting something like diaper rash on them.  Now that I've
    lost that extra baggage off my legs, there's no problem.
    
    --Louise

    
    I really want to lose alot of weight this year as my Class Reunion
    will be next year and want to look as good as I can ..
    
    I seem be having a hard time at it now but must get to it..
    
    I hope once I take more off that I can keep it off..
    
    My Goal is to be out of the 200's by March.. 
    
    I will do it...if not I'll try my best..
    
    Ann
    
    

    I want to lose enough weight until I feel thin (about 50 pounds),
    then I want to KEEP IT OFF!
    
    Gail

    
    In order of importance, my goals are;
    
    o I want to be HEALTHY and FIT again.
    o I want to lose 25 pounds.  
    o I want to show my kids that it's possible (and not so hard!) to be,
      and stay, in shape.
    o I want to look at least as good as any other woman that my boyfriend
      might notice! (-:
    o I want to fit into all those damn skinny clothes that have spent most
      of their life in my closet, or plastic bags.
    o I've been *DYING* to be able to wear one of those 1/2 shirts that are
      so popular (and cool!) in the summer.
    o I want to be able to sit down and not feel like my belly just took a
      seat on my lap.
    o I want to look better naked than clothed, again.
    
    
    ...and my hidden ulterior motive .... I want to look *SOOOOOOOO* good,
    that it makes my overweight boyfriend and sister, want to do something
    for themselves too!
    
    Quite a wish-list, eh??  But I feel DETERMINED to do it!!!  And so far,
    though the rewards have been minimal, I feel like I CAN do it.
    
    I've been working out for 3 wks, and haven't really lost, but I feel a
    LOT stronger!!  I can 'dance' without feeling like I might tip over.  I
    can shovel the driveway for an hour, and not be dead-tired.  I can
    carry my 2-yr-old around for a long time, and not have sore arms the
    next day.
    
    So, I'm not thinner, but I've gone from a lump to a human ... (-:  Does
    that count??
    
    With a nickname like Fatty-Patty in my past, I'd like to keep in there ....
    
    Patty