Conference rocks::weight_control

I'm entering my first note late Wednesday night after my first medi-fast 
meeting because I know I'll be busy tomorrow and might not get a chance to do 
it.  The meeting was good.  Our counsellor was not feeling well tonight so I 
have a feeling that in the future they will be even better.  I weighed in at a 
lower weight than I was last week at my assessment so that was a good start - 
I lost even before I started the fast!  I didn't pay much attention to the 
scale and I don't plan on making that my focus for this program.  That has 
been my stumbling block in the past.  So I will probably be giving just round 
numbers or approximations when refering to the weight loss.  But I know I lost 
because Donna, our counsellor, commented how unusual that was for someone to 
lose between the initial assessment and the first meeting.  That is usually 
the last big splurge before the fast.  But I pretty much just tried not to 
focus on food for the last week and just eat when I was hungry.  I did make 
sure I enjoyed a few choice things before tonight though!  So tomorrow morning 
I start the fast and, as I said in my first note, I'm looking forward to it.  
I will be leaving Sunday on a 1 week business trip to Augusta so I won't be 
able to make the meeting next week.  But I got enough medi-fast for the three 
days extra that I will be away and I'll go in Saturday when I get back from 
the trip to get the balance of the medi-fast for the week and to weigh in and 
make sure everything is ok.  I need to find a Tupperware shaker to take with 
me.  Anyone out there sell tupperware or know where I can get ahold of a 
shaker real quick?  I live in Leominster.  Send mail to me if you can help.  
I'll post another note in here next week if I can get to the network, 
otherwise a week from Monday will be my next entry.  Thanks so much for the 
private mail messages of encouragement.  They are a great help!  Later...Susan

    Hi Sue, good luck.   Instead of a shaker, if you have a mixer, that
    does a much better job!   I used diet soda to mix with the medifast
    supplement.  I also added a few different extracts like vinella
    and coconut and rum [not all at the same time].  Makes a bland mix
    better.  Are you on 55s or 70s?  55s taste better than 70s.
    
    also with a mixer, you can add ice and get a cooler mix.  I had
    mixed mine up in a mixer, three batches and put them in a thurmus
    bottle.   Don't get a box of orange unless you try a packet first.
    It is abosulty the worst tasteing!  ugg.  worse than eating worms.
    or pure dust.
    
    and make sure to get aerobic exercise.  that is a key ingedient
    to success.  a simple walk burns calories while you are doing it,
    an aerobic workout [even a sustained fast walk] increases your
    metibolic rate and burns extra calories even after you are through.

    keep us posted.  its a long road, but worth it.
    ed
    

I am in Maine now and on my 7th day of the fast.  Everything has gone quite
well so far.  I haven't felt hungry or deprived at all.  Last Saturday night
a bunch of people came over to watch the 93 second fight and there were a lot
of munchies, but I just enjoyed the company and the conversation and the food
didn't even bother me.  That was a real victory for me.

I am using the Medi-fast 55 supplements.  I don't like the strawberry and I
wasn't brave enough to try the orange because I hate orange anyway.  But the
chocolate and vanilla with a packet of Equal and a little vanilla extract are
real good.  The shaker dilemma was solved by a trip to K-mart.  I bought a
hand blender made by Braun.  It's real neat.  You put it right into your 
glass or cup and just squeeze it and it whips up the shakes as well as a big
countertop blender.  I am keeping it in the bathroom in my hotel room and 
using bottled water that I bought and keep in the little fridge.  I make up
supplements and put them in my thermos to bring to work then I make one for
breakfast.  It has really been much easier and more convenient NOT eating on
this business trip.  And I have gotten a lot of my cross stitch project done
because I haven't been spending my evenings eating.

I feel real good and I can tell that I've dropped some pounds.  I would be
going to my meeting tonight if I were home.  But I'm looking forward to 
checking in on Saturday, or Friday evening if I leave here early enough.  I
am drinking all of my 64 ounces of water a day plus some.  That was a habit
even before the fast.  And I am taking a walk at lunch time each day.  Next
week I will start really exercising with my bike at home.  The counsellor told
us not to exercise the first week, but to think about what kind of exercising
we would do starting the second week.  

Back to class now, the students are calling!  I'll enter a note when I get 
home and post my weight loss for the first check-in.  

Susan

    Sue,  Strawberry was my favorite flavor.  Have you tried it with
    Strawberry soda?  Could make a difference.  Thats how I've had it.
    err. make that diet strawberry soda!
    ed
    

I went to Health Stop on my way home from Maine today to check in and get the 
rest of my supplement for the week.  Down a little more than 8 pounds since my 
weigh-in 9 days ago.  I was very pleased with that.  It's nice to be back home 
where I don't have to mix my drinks in the bathroom!  I went grocery shopping 
with my husband tonight while we were out returning my rental car.  I was a 
little worried how I would handle it, but I just pushed the basket and let Tom 
pick up what he needed and I got a few boxes of jello and some crystal light 
bars.  So I had another victory in a situation with food all around me.  I 
still feel really good, both physically and mentally and I'm looking forward 
to going to the next meeting on Wednesday.  So here's my progress to date.  
I'll keep the numbers 'round', and occasionally I'll get an exact total loss 
from my record....

END OF
WEEK		LOSS		TOTAL LOSS

1 1/2		about 8		about 8		

Susan

The last half of my second week on the fast was very good.  No problems to 
report.  I still feel great.  I started exercising this week...20 minutes a 
day on my exercise bike.  That is 7 miles.  I actually ride for 20 minutes 
then finish up the mile which makes it 7 miles and takes about 21 or 22 
minutes.  After 2 weeks I think I'll add another 5 minutes for a total of 25 a 
day.  It seems like I am waking up more refreshed since I've been exercising.  
I feel really good about it.  I started reading a book while I was riding last 
night, and I left it right there by the bike so if I want to read it I have to 
be riding my bike.  That's the deal I made with myself.  And it's the kind of 
book that catches you after the 10th page.  So I'm looking forward to riding 
the bike tonight so I can read some more.  

I haven't had any great temptations this week, but I have realized some things 
about how I have handled food in the past.  My husband brought home a sandwich 
and onion rings from BK one night and sat downstairs in the family room to eat 
it.  This is where I do my needlework too.  The smell of the food seemed so 
overwhelming, it was incredible.  My first instinct was to reach over and 
'borrow' an onion ring, or ask for 'just a little bite' of his sandwich.  But 
I didn't and that was a real victory for me.  I thought about it afterwards 
and realized that I wasn't even hungry, but if I were eating, I would have 
indulged just because it was there.  I have also found myself wondering around 
the house on a few occasions not knowing what I wanted to do.  These are the 
times that I have gone to the fridge and pulled out whatever was there and 
started eating, just to relieve the boredom.  What I do now is get another big 
glass of cold water, then make a definite decision on what activity I will 
start, then do it.  The dishes don't seem to be building up in the sink, and 
I'm getting a lot of cross stitch done!

So here's my progress....I forgot to add in what I lost right before the fast 
so I'll add that in this time.  This loss is for the last half of the second 
week.         See you next week...


END OF
WEEK		LOSS		TOTAL LOSS

1 1/2		8		about 8
2		1		about 10	

Susan

    great work Susan.  You have a good exercise plan at work.
    
    It does appear that you might enlist the assistance of your husband.
    It doesn't appear that he is sensitive to your problem.  Otherwise,
    he could have elected to eat in a different location.  OK, I'm not
    gettin down on him, but he does need to be awhere of temptations.
    This time you won, but next temptation..
    I never had any luck dieting when my wife didn't.  This time she
    joined me and it made all the difference because she knew what was
    going on, and there were a few less temptations in this world that
    I had to cope with.
    
    good luck with week three.
    
    ed
    

Just finished shake 3 of day 3 of week 3 and decided to log in and see what 
was happening in notes.  I also wanted to add in a few thoughts on this 
fasting business because I wonder if other fasters felt the same way.  We 
talked about this at the meeting Wednesday night.  I feel like a great burden 
has been lifted off my shoulders (besides the 10 pounds!) since I am not 
eating food for a while.  I don't have the bad physical feelings that I
always had when food was in control, and I also am not feeling all the guilt 
that my bad eating habits brought on.  I have been free to use my energy and 
my time on things that I don't have to hide from anyone or deny to myself.  
These are all very good and positive things that are happening because I am 
seeing just how destructive my bad eating habits were to my self-image, my 
relationships and my work.  At the same time I don't see food as 'the enemy'.  
I still look at it, smell it, appreciate it and enjoy seeing other people 
enjoy it.  This fasting has really revealed a lot of things to me that I don't 
think I would have ever come to know any other way.  

As far as enlisting the assistance of my husband, which Ed mentioned in the 
previous reply.  I agree that it is most important to have the support of 
those you live and work with in order to follow through on a committment such 
as this.  Tom is a great source of support and encouragement in whatever I am 
doing, and this fast is no exception.  Just in case some of you know him 
personally, I don't want you to get the idea that he creates temptation for me 
by eating wonderfully delicous looking meals in front of me.  Most times that 
he eats when I am home, he is in another room.  But if there is a show on that 
he wants to watch on TV and I am doing my needlework in the family room, he 
will bring his dinner down and join me.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  
And since his idea of a great gourmet meal is 2 nuked hot dogs and a whole can 
of baked beans or 2 nuked frozen burritos and a whole can of peas, I am not 
usually tempted by his dinners.  He is very easy to please!  

We are going to a cook out tomorrow at my manager's house so I am looking 
forward to the challenge of getting through a summer celebration with no bad 
feeling for what I chose to eat.  It will be nice to focus on the conversation 
and the people, instead of always thinking what little tidbit I should try 
next.  

I'll report again after the next meeting.  See you all then....Susan

3 weeks down and still doing great.  I had my first re-assessment last night
before the meeting.  No problems.  They took my measurements again and I have 
lost something everywhere except my thighs which stayed the same.
I have been faithfully riding my exercise
bike every evening and am now up to 8 miles a day which takes about 25 
minutes.  I'm teaching a class in MKO this week so I don't have anymore time 
to write in here today.  Nothing major to report anyway so see you next week.


END OF
WEEK		LOSS		TOTAL LOSS

1 1/2		8		about 8
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14

Susan

I had another perfect week.  No overwhelming temptations, although there were 
quite a few times when, formerly, I would have ended up eating for no reason 
but instead I realized the situation didn't call for food since I wasn't 
hungry and just found something to keep myself busy.  I have still been riding 
my bike every night, except last night.  I got home from the meeting after 
9:30 and my husband and I went outside to watch the lunar eclipse.  What a 
beautiful night it was with all the stars and the moon slowly disappearing.  
And the bugs attacked him instead of me for a change!  Perhaps another nice 
side effect of ketosis?

I found out in the meeting last night that the Crystal Lite Frozen Bars that I 
have been buying and eating are NOT the ones we are allowed on this program 
because they have fruit juice in them.  I'm glad I found out after only 4 
weeks instead of much later.  Now maybe I'll have more consistent losses each 
week.  Not that I'm unhappy with my weekly losses so far.  I'm actually 
thrilled to see the weight just going DOWN instead of up for a change, so I 
really don't care how much each week as long as it's in the right direction!

I'm working on the system of setting small goals for myself and giving rewards 
appropriate for each goal reached.  Getting into a new set of numbers is 
always a thrill for me.   Plus that is something you notice without having to 
concentrate on the exact numbers.  What I mean by a new set of numbers is for 
instance...I started out at 189 so I was in the 180s.  When I got into the 
170s I gave myself a reward, which was a new container of Charlie powder to 
make me feel and smell pretty.  When I get into the 160s which should be in 
the next 2 weeks, I will give myself another little reward.  My rewards are 
usually things that I have wanted to get myself, but other things seem to keep 
taking priority.  But when it's reward time, the reward takes priority and the 
electric bill can wait!

I don't think I ever posted my actual weight in here.  So I'll take a deep 
breath and type it in.  I started at 189, my all-time high, at my initial 
assessment.  I'm down to 173 3/4 as of last night.  I plan on deserving 
another reward by being in the 160s in 2 weeks.  Being over the '14 pounds 
lost' mark and still doing well is a success in itself for me.  Whenever I was 
doing well on WW, I could always get to the point where I had lost about 10 
pounds and then I'd go back to the old ways and pack it all back on plus.  The 
most I ever lost at one good stretch was 14.  So having 15 1/4 gone is a 
milestone for me.

I checked my chart for an accurate account of my total loss so here it is for 
the whole noting world to see:

END OF
WEEK		LOSS		TOTAL LOSS		WEIGHT

1 1/2		8		about 8			189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4		173 3/4

Susan

I forgot to add one very positive note to my last reply...Last Saturday I got 
a reimbursement check from John Hancock!  So it looks like they might cover 
this for me after all.  I was thrilled.  I guess that means the majority of 
that loan I took out at DCU will be used to buy new clothes in a few more 
months....and in, oh, say about a size 9 or so!  I can't wait!  Now where's my 
glass of water and my exercise bike.....

This note is a little early because I had my second reassessment this 
afternoon.  Still as healthy as a horse.  Still no problems.  Still VERY 
motivated.  I cooked dinner for my husband one night this week.  It looked 
good and smelled good, but I didn't even have one taste.  I figured it was 
time I start practicing handling food without eating it.  Also Sunday night 
Tom made a meatloaf with baked potato and peas for himself for dinner.  Now 
that is my kind of dinner!  It smelled wonderful and looked even better - he's 
a good cook - but again, I was satisfied with my bowl of jello.  It was so 
nice to sit there with him, knowing that I am doing what I need to do to feel 
good about myself and at the same time he is not being deprived of what he 
likes.  I'm still riding 8 miles a day on my exercise bike, but I think it's 
time to boost it to 9.  We looked into joining the athletic club that's about 
3 minutes from home.  Don't know if we will, but it would give us something 
besides the exercise bike for activity.  We'll see.  

I made it to my next goal today...another new set of numbers.  I really wasn't 
expecting that until next week at the earliest, but I slid right under today.  
I was real happy about that.  But now I have to think of a reward.  Hmmm  

END OF
WEEK		LOSS		TOTAL LOSS		WEIGHT

1 1/2		8		about 8			189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4		173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4			169 3/4

Susan

    Congratulations, Susan and keep up the good work.  I know it's a
    feeling of accomplishment to leave a set of numbers behind.
    
    Virginia

    good great Susan!  keep it up.
    ed
    

We joined the health club last weekend and I've been every day since.  I still 
don't have the timing right to make it to one of the aerobics classes.  But 
I've been doing 1/2 hour a day on the treadmill mostly at 3.5 mph but I boost
it up to 4 mph for about 5 minutes during the 1/2 hour.  This seems to be a 
MUCH better workout than riding my bike at home was.  I also got over the '20 
pounds lost' mark which was exciting.  An old friend of mine joined the 
medi-fast program last week and she is in the same class with me so that is 
kind of nice.  She likes to know exactly how many pounds I drop so I seem to 
be paying more attention to the dreaded numbers but that's ok.  they don't 
seem to be as important as they used to be, I guess because each week I know 
they will be going down and I don't have to be nervous about it.  I went out 
to lunch with a friend that I work with this week to a restaurant that I had 
never been to before.  It was unplanned, but our shopping trip was planned.  
So before we left, I made sure I slurped down my two mid-day drinks so I 
wouldn't be hungry walking through the mall.  While she ate this meal (I won't 
go into the details of it!) that looked and smelled fabulous, I sipped on my 
glass of cold water and asked for a new one each time the waitress walked by.
I felt so good when we left because I hadn't given into the temptation of food 
and I had just enjoyed the conversation and atmosphere and watching her eat 
really didn't bother me.  So I'm still in training for 10 weeks from now when 
I will have to deal with these kinds of situations while I'm eating too.  
Practice makes perfect...it's a good thing I still have  10 more weeks of 
practice!

END OF
WEEK		LOSS		TOTAL LOSS		WEIGHT

1 1/2		8		about 8			189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4		173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4			169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2			167 1/2

Susan

    Doing GREAT, Susan!  Be glad to see less of you next time you come
    to Merrimack.
    
    #ed
    

    Susan keep it up, you are inspiring me and my wife, we are about
    to take the plunge.

To Ed B...thanks for all the encouragement...you were MY inspiration!!  You'll 
have the wonderful opportunity to see even less of me in the learning center 
next Thursday and Friday.  I'll be teaching the 2 day intro to VAX.  If you 
walk by, be sure to wave!


And to TDAVIS and wife...everyone needs inspiration...I'm glad I could be 
yours.  Good luck and be sure to keep us all posted.


Now I must get on my shorts and t-shirt and sneakers and hi-tail it to the 
health club for my 30 minute jaunt on the treadmill.  But first...where's my 
water....

Toodles...Susan

    Susan:
    
    I've been keeping tabs on you and you're doing TERRIFIC!!!  Keep
    up the good work.....looking forward to seeing less of you REAL
    SOON!  You're a true inspiration for me.....I started on a walking
    program last Sunday and am already seeing and feeling results.....
    
    Keep up the good work.....
    
    	Pam

Just got back from my re-assessment.  Everything is still on target.  My 
potassium is perfect and the pounds are still falling off.  I made it to 2 
aerobics classes since last week.  I won't be able to do them too often 
because, even though it is a low impact class, my right knee aches like crazy 
for the rest of the day after doing the class. (An old car accident injury.)
But I'm still going strong on the treadmill 30 minutes a day, now mostly at 4
mph.  This week I think I'll drop down to 20 minutes on the treadmill and pick
up 15 on the lifecycle just to give my body a little variety and to boost my
time up to 35 minutes a day. This exercise stuff is kind of addicting.  I
never thought I would ever enjoy exercising much less look forward to it every
day.  I have really learned so much about myself during the last 7 weeks. 
I've been getting brave lately too and I don't know if this is dangerous or 
smart...I've been looking at recipes and thinking about what kinds of things 
I'll be cooking in a few months.  This is also the time of year when I like to 
do canning.  I've been thinking about making a few batches of peach jam or 
apple butter to have around for the holidays to give as gifts.  I think I will 
do it just to prove to myself that I can without every other bite going into 
my mouth.  I'll be sure to post my success story when I finish my canning day
but it won't be for a while.  I don't think the peaches or apples are out yet.

END OF
WEEK		LOSS		TOTAL LOSS		WEIGHT

1 1/2		8		about 8			189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4		173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4			169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2			167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2			163 1/2

Susan

Another successful week over with and I'm at the half-way point tonight.  8 
weeks gone and 8 more to go on the fast.  Couldn't exercise 3 days this week 
and really felt the difference and missed it.  Went through a few food related 
events this week and did just fine.  I'm looking forward to a new set of 
numbers in the next week or two...time to start thinking of another reward!
I also got a copy of my chart from the nurse so I could figure out inches 
lost.  A total of 10 inches after 5 weeks.  I forgot to get my measurements 
taken last week, but have another assessment next Wednesday so I will update 
the total inches lost in my next entry.  FYI, measurements are taken at 6 
different places - mid-arm, chest, waist, hips, thigh, calf.  Inches lost at 
each place ----      1 1/4, 2 3/4, 2 1/2, 1 3/4, 3/4,   1

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4

Susan

Well, what a surprise I got tonight!  I was expecting to get into the 150's 
either this week or next week and probably just squeek under.  But I weighed 
in at a whole 2 pounds into the 150's!!  I couldn't believe it!  I was so 
excited.  It must be the amount of exercise I'm doing every day...up to 50 
minutes a day at 3.5 putting the elevation up one notch every 15 minutes.  
According to the computer on the treadmill, I burn about 250 calories in a 50 
minute session.  Plus I'm getting in all my water and sometimes even more than 
the 64 ounces a day.  Whatever it is, I'm so thrilled with the results.  I 
have a pair of jeans that didn't fit when I bought them.  They are not even 
faded and are already too big to wear.  They fall down!  This has never 
happened before.  Usually they would get all faded and ugly looking then the 
thighs would wear out and I'd have to go get a bigger size.  Can you tell I'm 
extremely excited about this tonight??!!  Got my measurements taken at my 
assessment today - lost a total of 3 1/4 chest, 4 waist, 3 hips and some off 
the other places they measure for a total of 13 1/4 inches.  
7 more weeks to go and I think I should be pretty close to my goal by the time 
I finish the fast.  So now I'm off to week 10 and still going strong.  See you 
next week...

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4
9		4 1/4		31		13 1/4		158 (Wow!!)

Susan

    Susan
    	well done! Keep going!
    
    - ���

    Susan,
    
    Congratulatons!!!  I;m so happy for you.
    
    Could you tell me what the approximate cost for this program is?  I
    think it would be something I would like to do, but I don't have
    insurance as I'm a temporary employee.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Virginia

Well, Virginia, since you asked in notes, I'll put the information in notes.  
A lot of people have sent me mail asking questions and I have answered them 
personally.  Anyone should feel free to send mail if you have any questions 
you don't want to ask in notes.  

Initial assessment		$288 You can have your lab work done anywhere
				     but Health Stop has to have the results.
				     I had mine done at Health Stop and this
				     was the cost.
Weekly meeting fee and 
supplements			$ 35 Going up to $40 Oct 1 because Health 
				     Stop's cost is going up.  They give us
				     the supplements at their cost.

Reassessment (every other week) $110

So for the 16 week fast this is what you pay:

				$288		$288   - 80%   $ 58
				  35 x 16	 560   - not covered by JH
				 110 x 8	 880   - 80%   $176
						_____         ------
                                                1728            794

When I figured out how much it would cost for me, I didn't add in the weekly 
meeting fee and supplements since that just comes out of the grocery money.  I 
think of it as my weekly "Weight Watchers" type of fee and then buying the 
food I need for the week.  So then it comes out to $234.

If insurance doesn't cover it, it's outrageously expensive.  With JH paying 
80% of all office visits and lab work it is costing me a lot less to lose this 
weight than if I had gone to WW until I got to goal.

Also this only covers the 16 week fast, not the several weeks of 
realimentation when you are still on the medi-fast supplements but are slowly 
introducing food into your diet.  The weekly fee isn't as much and the 
reassessments are every 4 weeks until you are completely off the medi-fast.   

Hope this information helps you.  Any other questions are welcome.

Susan

I had to go to my meeting a day early this week because my mother is coming up 
from Florida tomorrow night and I have to drive to Logan to pick her up.  She 
is spoiling the surprise I had planned for Christmas time when my husband and 
I are going down to Florida for the holidays with my whole family.  Up until 
last weekend, I hadn't told any of my family that I was doing this.  So it was 
going to be the surprise of a lifetime for Tom to show up at my parents' house 
with this thin chick by his side.  I'm sure everyone would have thought he 
left me at home!  But I had to break down and tell my mother about this 
because she was making all kinds of plans for her visit.  She wants to take 
Tom and I out to dinner for my birthday while she's here.  I said that would 
be fine - I'm a cheap date these days!  Also we are going to some friends 
house Thursday night for dinner.  I talked to the hostess tonight and told her 
that I wouldn't be eating and hope she understood.  She wanted to know all 
about the program and has a million questions to ask when we see each other 
Thursday night.  My mother is thrilled to death with my progress.  She 
couldn't believe I had kept it a secret for so long.  Of course, SHE'S the one 
who can never keep a secret, not me!  So I'm looking forward to the reaction I 
get when she sees me tomorrow night at the airport.  Even though my family now 
knows that I'm losing weight, it will still be quite a surprise when they 
actually see me at Christmas when I will be at my goal weight.  Last time 
anyone saw me at that weight (120) was on my wedding day at Christmas 1982.
I bet I'll feel 7 years younger, at least!

So I had another great week.  50 minutes on the treadmill every day.  Playing 
around with the elevation and can handle an elevation of 2.5 for about 5 
minutes and 2.0 for about 20 and 1.5 for the rest of the workout.  According 
to the computer on the treadmill, I'm burning about 275 calories per workout 
which I think is super.  One day I actually stayed on long enough to see the 
calorie count go over 300.  That was fun.  I'll report in again after next 
Wednesday's meeting.  By then Mom will be gone, I'll be back into my routine 
and I'll only have 5 more weeks left of fasting.  Plus I'll be oh-so-close to 
saying good-bye to the 150's forever!

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4
9		4 1/4		31		13 1/4		158 (Wow!!)
10		2 1/2		33 1/2				155 1/2

Susan

I've typed this note in twice already from home but got disconnect both times 
before being able to save it.  So I will just say that I had a good week with 
my mother visiting and all.  I've made 22 jars of peach jam and went out to 
dinner twice - once was for my birthday, and I had no problems with any of 
this.  I went for my assessment this morning and was down another 1 1/2 or so 
from Wednesday night, but that will show up in this chart next week.  I'm 
hoping to be in the 140s next Wednesday night.  Better start thinking about 
another reward!

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4
9		4 1/4		31		13 1/4		158 (Wow!!)
10		2 1/2		33 1/2				155 1/2
11		3		36 1/2				152 1/2

Susan

Susan,

I just read your most recent posting of progress. And my first instinctive 
response was "wow". I am so impressed. You are doing a fantastic job.
Keep up the good work! 

-Amy.

Had another real good week.  Had my first taste of real food while I was 
making my first batch of apple butter to can.  I had a spoonfull of it to see 
if it was the right consistency.  It tasted kind of funny because of the 
spices that I am not used to, but the consistency was perfect.  And that's all 
I needed to know so I didn't have any more.  Other than that, I stayed with 
the fast.  Exercising is still going good.  I'm keeping up with it at least 5 
days every week, but usually 7.  And I still enjoy it.  I broke into the 140s
last night which was exciting.  The big weight on 150 was moved down to 100 so
I was thrilled with that.  My husband has started calling me 'skinny'.  Of
course I like that too!  I'm spending the day on Monday making chocolate candy
with a friend so I'll let you all know how that goes next week.  4 more weeks,
then I will ease back into the real world of food.  I'm looking forward to the
challenge. 

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4
9		4 1/4		31		13 1/4		158 (Wow!!)
10		2 1/2		33 1/2				155 1/2
11		3		36 1/2				152 1/2
12		2 3/4		39 1/4				149 3/4

Susan

No more canning this week, but I did make 6 pounds of chocolate halloween 
candy.  That's not such big news, the big news is that not one morsel of it 
passed my lips!  I am so proud of myself!  I have finally proven to myself 
that I can do the things I love to do without them being a source of weight 
gain and guilt.  I added a little to my exercise routine.  I'm up to 55
minutes on the treadmill and I added 15 minutes on the stairmaster.  According
to the computer, I climb the equivalent of about 40 floors and burn over 100
calories.  So all together I'm burning off more than I'm taking in.  3 more 
weeks to go!

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4
9		4 1/4		31		13 1/4		158 (Wow!!)
10		2 1/2		33 1/2				155 1/2
11		3		36 1/2				152 1/2
12		2 3/4		39 1/4				149 3/4
13		1 1/2		40 3/4				148 1/4

Susan

I had a real exciting week this week.  I wore a pair of size 12 jeans that 
I've had for a LONG time that I think I only wore one or two times right after 
I bought them.  I wore a size 9/10 skirt that I've also had for a LONG time 
with a new pretty pink blouse that I just bought for myself.  I had a few more 
food related events that I got through with no problem at all.  I've seen 
several people this week that I haven't seen in many months and they all 
commented on how great I look.  And I got below 145 tonight at my weekly 
check-in.  Can it get any better than this?  I just don't know!  AND my 
husband told me I looked pretty when he came home tonight and I was wearing a 
new pretty pink floral flannel nightgown that I just bought before the meeting 
tonight.  (He got home at 10:15, in case you're wondering why I was already in 
my nightgown!)  This week I don't anticipate any difficult situations so it 
should be another good week.  I only have 2 more weeks of fasting before I 
start the re-alimentation phase of the program.  I am looking forward to 
starting to eat food again.  I feel like I'm ready now, but I know I will 
definitely be ready by the end of week 16.  My exercising routine is still 
going strong.  Same as last week, 55 minutes on the treadmill and 15 on the 
stairmaster.  But the last few times on the stairmaster I've raised the 
speed so I'm climbing about 47 floors I think it is.  So off to week 15 and 
I'm looking forward to being in the 130s by the time I finish the complete 
fast.

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4
9		4 1/4		31		13 1/4		158 (Wow!!)
10		2 1/2		33 1/2				155 1/2
11		3		36 1/2				152 1/2
12		2 3/4		39 1/4				149 3/4
13		1 1/2		40 3/4				148 1/4
14		3 3/4		44 1/2				144 1/2

Susan

    great work, susan!
    
    ed
    

    You must be VERY proud of yourself!  You seem to be learning some
    important skills for maintaining your weight too.

Well this is it...the home stretch.  One more week of living in this fantasy 
world where food doesn't exist.  I actually did eat a few things this week and 
I handled it very well.  At least now I know that eating one morsel of real 
food won't send me binging for weeks.  This week should be very good just like 
the past 15.  Not much exciting to report so I won't bore you with mindless 
chit-chat.  I'll report in next week when I will hopefully break into the 
130s.

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4
9		4 1/4		31		13 1/4		158 (Wow!!)
10		2 1/2		33 1/2				155 1/2
11		3		36 1/2				152 1/2
12		2 3/4		39 1/4				149 3/4
13		1 1/2		40 3/4				148 1/4
14		3 3/4		44 1/2				144 1/2
15		2 3/4		47 1/4				141 3/4

Susan

I registered my first gain in 16 weeks!  Wow, what an experience!  I was up 
one pound last night and it didn't even bother me.  I think that's because I 
can look at my progress over the last few months and see that I'm still on the 
downward slide.  I did eat some this week and the nurse said not to worry 
about this gain because my body is now beginning to retain fluid again where 
for the past 15 weeks it hasn't been retaining any fluid.  So this is normal 
at the end of the full fast.  I am cooking my first real dinner tonight for 
myself and my husband and really looking forward to that.  

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4
9		4 1/4		31		13 1/4		158 (Wow!!)
10		2 1/2		33 1/2				155 1/2
11		3		36 1/2				152 1/2
12		2 3/4		39 1/4				149 3/4
13		1 1/2		40 3/4				148 1/4
14		3 3/4		44 1/2				144 1/2
15		2 3/4		47 1/4				141 3/4
16		+1		46 1/4				142 3/4

Susan

After my first official week of eating real food again, I'm still going 
strong.  I was down 2 pounds when I got weighed in at the meeting, but half 
way through the meeting I had to excuse myself and visit the bathroom, which I 
should have probably done before getting weighed in anyway.  And on my way 
out, I weighed myself just for the fun of it and was down another 1/2 pound!  
Of course I won't add that into my official weightloss this time because it 
wasn't official.  But it should show up next week.  I'll tell you, plain 
chicken never tasted so good!  And crunching on that salad sure was great!  
This week I get to still have 4 medifast drinks a day plus a portion of 
protein, 2 cups of salad and I add in a cooked vegie.  Yum yum!

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4
9		4 1/4		31		13 1/4		158 (Wow!!)
10		2 1/2		33 1/2				155 1/2
11		3		36 1/2				152 1/2
12		2 3/4		39 1/4				149 3/4
13		1 1/2		40 3/4				148 1/4
14		3 3/4		44 1/2				144 1/2
15		2 3/4		47 1/4				141 3/4
16		+1		46 1/4				142 3/4
17		2		48 1/4				140 3/4

Susan

We didn't have an official meeting last week because of the holiday, but we 
did have kind of an informal get-together for anyone who wanted to come on 
Tuesday night.  So I went and there was only one other lady there besides the 
nurse.  We didn't get weighed in officially but I had stepped on the scale and 
was up about 2 pounds from the week before.  I had some real tough times the 
last two weeks and I think getting through the holidays will be a true 
challenge.  I realize how easy those old habits can slip back in and I've seen 
myself going in that direction several times in the last two weeks.  Anyway, 
looking at my chart here helps me keep things in perspective.  I see how far 
I've come and I can't let myself lose control.  A positive attitude and 
constant awareness will get me through the holidays thin and healthy and 
feeling great.

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4
9		4 1/4		31		13 1/4		158 (Wow!!)
10		2 1/2		33 1/2				155 1/2
11		3		36 1/2				152 1/2
12		2 3/4		39 1/4				149 3/4
13		1 1/2		40 3/4				148 1/4
14		3 3/4		44 1/2				144 1/2
15		2 3/4		47 1/4				141 3/4
16		+1		46 1/4				142 3/4
17		2		48 1/4				140 3/4
18 - no meeting
19		+2 1/2		45 3/4				143 1/4

Susan

Got through the week with my sanity, so that's a plus!  Another tough week but 
the exercise really helps me feel good about myself.  I have finally finished 
all my Christmas baking and shopping so now I can concentrate on the 
non-threatening things.  Next Wednesday will be my last night at Medi-fast so 
I am phasing out the medifast drinks over the next two weeks.  We will be on 
vacation for about 3 weeks over the holidays and I plan on joining Weight 
Watchers after we get back for the group support to help keep me in check and 
eventually become a lifetime member so I won't have to pay.  

My goal from now till after vacation is to maintain my current weight.  Happy 
Holidays to everyone!  See you all in notes next year!

END OF				TOTAL		TOTAL
WEEK		LOSS		LBS LOST	INCHES		WEIGHT
						LOST
1 1/2		8		about 8				189
2		1		about 10	
3		4		about 14
4		1 1/4		exactly 15 1/4			173 3/4
5		4		19 1/4		10		169 3/4
6		2 1/4		21 1/2				167 1/2
7		4		25 1/2				163 1/2
8		1 1/4		26 3/4				162 1/4
9		4 1/4		31		13 1/4		158 (Wow!!)
10		2 1/2		33 1/2				155 1/2
11		3		36 1/2				152 1/2
12		2 3/4		39 1/4				149 3/4
13		1 1/2		40 3/4				148 1/4
14		3 3/4		44 1/2				144 1/2
15		2 3/4		47 1/4				141 3/4
16		+1		46 1/4				142 3/4
17		2		48 1/4				140 3/4
18 - no meeting
19		+2 1/2		45 3/4				143 1/4
20		no change	45 3/4				143 1/4

Susan

Well now the holidays are over and life is back to normal (?) again.  I hope 
everyone had a good holiday season.  I did ok over the holidays and through my 
vacation, not perfect, but better than in past years.  According to the scale 
at the health club, I gained about 3 pounds since we left on vacation.  So I 
wasn't too disappointed with that.  I went to Weight Watchers last night at 
the Elks Club in Leominster and joined.  I know myself well enough to know 
that I need the support group and I need the weekly weigh in on the same scale 
at the same time.  So I am starting at 150 according to the WW scale which was 
the same as the scale at the health club.  The health club scale weighed me 
consistently about 5 pounds more than the scale at Health Stop so this is how 
I know that I gained about 3 pounds or so.  But we all know that the number 
isn't the important thing, it's the difference in the numbers from week to 
week that counts.  My goal is 126 and I plan to take this off much more slowly 
than the first 40 pounds.  By 4th of July weekend I plan to be at my goal.  
That's a little less than 6 months for 24 pounds.  Piece o' cake!   Oops...I 
mean.....Bunch o' brocoli!

BTW, the vacation was great!  It was wonderful to see everyone (and for 
everyone to see me!).  The initial reactions from each person were worth all 
the hard work it took to take the weight off.  I felt really good about myself 
and I think I enjoyed everything so much better because of that.  

Here's my new beginning for 1990:

DATE		WEIGHT 		TOTAL 		WEIGHT		TO GO
		LOSS		LOSS

1/9/90		---		---		150		24


Susan

The WW meeting last week and last night really helped me.  I am planning to go 
tomorrow night too and meet Karen Granger.  Not much else to say except keep 
up the good work everyone and see you next week.

DATE		WEIGHT 		TOTAL 		WEIGHT		TO GO
		LOSS		LOSS

1/9/90		---		---		150		24
1/16/90		1		1		149		23

Susan

I missed the meeting last week but made it last night.  Thank goodness I did 
because I needed that kick in the pants to get me on the right track again.  
When I miss a meeting, at the time I always think that it doesn't matter.  But 
after going last night I realized how much good it does to attend the meetings 
and just how much they really help me keep myself in check.  As you can see I 
didn't keep myself in check too well over the last two weeks.  Although I am 
still exercising at the health club an hour a day and chugging down the water 
like it's going out of style.  What I need to do now is just get a handle on 
the extra eating.  I'll work on that this week and report in next week.  

DATE		WEIGHT 		TOTAL 		WEIGHT		TO GO
		LOSS		LOSS

1/9/90		---		---		150		24
1/16/90		1		1		149		23
2/1/90		+4 1/2		-3 1/2		153 1/2		27 1/2

Susan

I did much better on the extra eating this week and I made it to the meeting 
last night.  Although I wasn't perfect with the eating, I did increase the 
exercise a few days and continue with the water and the results showed on the 
scale.  Next week I won't be able to go to the meeting.  We will be in Denver 
interviewing and looking at houses.  So I'll check in again in 2 weeks.  

DATE		WEIGHT 		TOTAL 		WEIGHT		TO GO
		LOSS		LOSS

1/9/90		---		---		150		24
1/16/90		1		1		149		23
2/1/90		+4 1/2		-3 1/2		153 1/2		27 1/2
2/8/90		2 1/2		-1		151		25

Susan

We had a good trip to Denver and I did real well with the food choices even 
though the company was paying.  Sometimes that's when I really go off the deep 
end, when I'm not paying and I can have anything I want.  I didn't get in much 
exercise and not near as much water as I'm used to on the trip but I still 
lost.  It's nice to be home.

DATE		WEIGHT 		TOTAL 		WEIGHT		TO GO
		LOSS		LOSS

1/9/90		---		---		150		24
1/16/90		1		1		149		23
2/1/90		+4 1/2		-3 1/2		153 1/2		27 1/2
2/8/90		2 1/2		-1		151		25
2/22/90		1/2		-1/2		150 1/2		24 1/2

Susan

Well, I guess it's time to make it official so you all won't think I'm putting 
on weight for no good reason.  I had my first doctor's appointment and the 
official due date for our first baby is my birthday - Oct 2.  How exciting!  
So you can probably figure out that the reason I haven't been to WW lately is 
because after working all day, I just don't have the energy to go out at 7:30 
and sit and listen until 8:30.  I may go back again after a few more weeks but 
we'll see.   So anyway it looks like one of my goals from the Medifast program 
has been achieved!  A long time ago, my doctor told me that being as 
overweight as I was may make it more difficult to become pregnant and now 
after losing 45 pounds, viola!  Maybe he was right!  So I won't be posting my 
replies every week now, but probably just each month after my doctor's 
appointments.  Now I have to go home and take a nap...I'm awfully sleepy!

DATE		WEIGHT 		TOTAL 		WEIGHT		TO GO
		LOSS		LOSS

1/9/90		---		---		150		24
1/16/90		1		1		149		23
2/1/90		+4 1/2		-3 1/2		153 1/2		27 1/2
2/8/90		2 1/2		-1		151		25
2/22/90		1/2		-1/2		150 1/2		24 1/2
3/6/90		+1/2		-1		151		

Susan

    Many congratulations, Susan, on both the weight loss and the new
    "weight gain"!!  ;-)
    
    Virginia

I saw the doctor again yesterday and everything is going well.  I heard the 
baby's heartbeat really strong and heard it moving around.  The gain for the 
month was 4 pounds which I was real happy with...it could have easily been 20 
knowing my past record with weight gain!  So I'm up to 155 - and happy about 
it!

Until next month....

Susan

    Congratulations, Susan!  We all miss you on Thursday night, but what
    you're doing is MUCH more exciting than anything Andrea ever does! 
    Good Luck!  Good Health!  Karen