Shedding Light Group - Next Step

You may still join the group at www.springpounds.gather.com

Our goal is to lose ten pounds by the first day of Spring, March 20th. Salud

What are you trying to do? Make this fun and successful! Sounds great, Mariana!

Your enthusiasm and motivation are becoming very contagious.......

Thank you Ellie - I just hope everyone posts things in the group so that everyone knows that most of us are in the same boat. I meant to tell folks to get a notebook of some sort to write down these things - I have other charts to post but want to make this simple and fun - ten pounds is about like a sack of potatoes...
Thanks Kimberly - I hope it helps others because I'm doing this for me too! Salud

My favorite water to drink is Aqual-Cal. This has Vitamin B and Calcium added, no sodium, but a sweetener is added. They have some new health drinks out shown on their web site, but I have not seen these anywhere for sale locally. Anyway, this quenches my thirst no other kind of water. I keep a bottle by my side at all times. It is also comforting like a pacifier to me.

Sounds like an interesting group.

Okay, I'm in. This is very exciting, and it is working for me already. I'm not really hungry but I was going to help myself to the leftover chicken salad in the fridge out of BOREDOM; However, I was able to stop and think and in the meantime I had a tall glass of water and am satisfied. I think a Buddy system really works.

Thank you Isabel - I know how that is - I haven't touched a drop of wine for two days - I am not into deprivation but I allow myself to drink a glass on weekends or special occasions like Hub's b-day Saturday -however, you know I was going overboard - don't know if you've read the post starting the group where I basically outlined the groups purpose etc. well, you get the gist! Thanks for joining - so good to see you and please shed light on this group and tell us about yourself in a post! Salud

Thanks Leah!

Thank you for that tip, Connie - I squeeze lemon in mine - but good to know about good water! Salud

I like the idea of shedding 10 negatives. I'll start with: 1) impatience with self and 2) intolerance of self.

Mariana! I really think you have done something here that will help many. I am certainly checking the weight...lost a pound yesterday, gained 1/2 pound back today. I had a dinner out last night, and I find that the salt in the food from restaurants always makes me gain a little. I had a cup of soup and a side of risotto, which was not low calorie, but it was a small portion, and probably better than most other things on the sauced up menu.

I did find myself waking up thirsty. I've been drinking water for only 2 days (this is the 3rd) and already my body is starting to want it. I did not do the treadmill yesterday, as I'm starting with 3 times a week so I don't hate it. Instead, it was music and moving around the room to the beat as I picked up the house.

I love your positive attitude and this posting. I would add a few things to my 10...boredom, restlessness, lack of purpose, getting in a rut (is that a word?).

Congrats on the 2 days without your wine! You keep it up...we don't want to forget to encourage you too!

Years ago, I remember some diet group talking about the "SEVEN POUNDS OF AWARENESS." They had a 7 pound bag of chicken fat on display. It looked disgusting! People were invited to pick it up ... and when they did, they discovered that 7 pounds is actually HEAVY! It was a good example ... and of course, 10 pounds is even heavier. Loosing 10 pounds will FEEL great ... 10 less pounds of fat to tote around every day has to make a big difference for our old backs and knees!

Mariana,

WOW, what a great chart! I'm going to think about this and post my article soon! If you don't mind, I'm going to try to use your chart photo in my article!

Thanks for being so upbeat and supportive and for making this journey FUN!

Sounds like a good group...I don't need to lose tho....just stopped in to say hi and that brother Dan B was asking about you. He is doing well in a group home but misses gather.

Oatmeal for breakfast again today. Raisins, wheatgerm, and the new 100% vegetable and fruit juice, then a half cup of whole oatmeal and skim milk - all mixed in one bowl and microwaved. Getting on a good routine of healthy food. Then added more blocks to my morning walk - getting there. Thanks for the support!

It does help to think about all of this. And I can see getting negativity out could allow more time for positive behaviors. Good idea.

i love the way you think... and thank you for doing this. i'll start working on my post right now.

Good morning sunshine!!! Good morning Sistahs Shed and Brother Shed Richard - Yall have to know the crazy in me - I go by my intuition - I was born an old lady and gradually became young again - I'm 59 and just now getting to my teenage years in some fabulous part of me!
Richard - I know that this will inspire you to create some great breakfast menus for yourself - you are such a creative force in this group - I do hope you find time to post this comment along with a little bit more to the Shedding Light group : www.springpounds.gather.com . This way all the things we are doing will be in one area. I love that you've joined us Richard as you'll help inspire us and not make us feel deprived. I don't believe in deprivation and when you start drinking water and eating fruits, veggies and grains, you start liking the taste of "live" food - (I have never had a microwave) but all that mixed in one bowl does sound good!

Penni - please tell your brother that I miss him and send him many hugs back. I am glad that he is doing well.

Bridget - no thank you because this is a group effort - I am just opening the door - or maybe just sitting on the porch welcoming yall! It's a journey I'm taking as well - I hope that it inspires others to pass on what I'm trying to do - open the door of awareness...
Thanks - it has to be fun or I am outta here - lol....

Marianne - I just remember picking up a 25 pound bag of cat food and thinking - omg is this what 25 pounds feels like! But...the chicken thing is good too - for the ten pounds pick up a ten pound bag of potatos and see how that feels!!! I'll be doing charts on this later down the road...right now, we are starting to know that eating and drinking and moving are a lifeforce and the pounds are going to come off - those ten pounds will be more than pounds for sure. Thanks for that example - love it!!!


Sue* you amaze me! It's true - the more you drink, the more efficient your body will become - and you won't have to worry about your thyroid - ask anyone who has ever had their tyroid taken out and you will find out they do not drink water! Now, they have to take thorex or whatever and they still take it with coca-cola! Anyway, your skin will have more elasticity and all kinds of good things will happen - water is the miracle drug!

Thanks for reminding me about my two days without wine - my head is starting to hurt and pimples are breaking out on my back - you see how many toxins I had inside of me...and girl, I have a tiny body so these bones can't take much more of this weight - thanks for the encouragement!!!

Marge - thank you - wonderful negative sentiments - we all need to be tolerant and patient that's true - maybe you consider that a self resentment but in a way they may be pushing you along a bit - I must say that I am impatient but I don't view it as a bad thing - it's sometime the wind beneath my wings - but I know what you mean - we all need to sometimes slow down and be forgiving to ourselves and in that way, forgving and tolerance of others. Thanks for the lesson!

Ok This is exciting but I would like each of you to do a post so that we can all see you in a better light - it's one of the first steps in acknowledging your need to shed those ten pounds and you can go ahead and post the ten negative sentiments in that post. Also, the group welcomes pictures. Bridget has already blessed us with her gorgeous self! Check it out - thanks everyone - keep it going! Salud

Mona, did you just slip in here? Ok girl, gotta see the posts so we can all drift along together - time flies and we'll remember this month...and you know another reason that I'm keeping so busy - have to keep my mind occupied...many hugs.

Lynn - negativity weighs - it weighs us down emotionally mentally and physically. I believe in mind, body and spirit. Our bodies show every emotion inside of us in some way - anger and resentment show themselves in the gall bladder and liver - on and on. So, in ways that is a step to begin taking - it's as important as drinking water and eating good food - but we are going to turn those negatives into a positive - they will fertilize our gardens - yes indeed but we have to dump them and keep on trucking! Salud

I will be posting this article soon

I did sign up, I am drinking lots of water & fruits & veggies,This might give me the incentive I need.

Let us all be on a positive mission.

I like this exercise, Mariana. I've posted my introduction here.

Mariana,

I have another article in the works that I will post tomorrow! I took your advice and that's what the article is about! :)

Inspirational chart,Mariana.Not only the physical weight but heart's weight, heavy with sadnes will reduce into a fine-looking cholestrol-free heart.I am amazed that you come up with such a terrific idea,People talk, preach but you said what you think in few words, with this flowing chart and all this is truly lovely.

I am joining it, NOW.

Geeta (our Buzzy) - oh thanks you for joining! You will definitely be an asset because you think with a beautiful brain and heart and you know the combination of mind, body and spirit. I believe in simplicity and not telling folks what to eat or not eat - we just need to learn the very basics and eventually folks will learn many things on their own - take different directions and find other groups - this is just to get them going and to try to achieve a goal - small goals are best for some of us and we can have fun while we're at it. Thank you my friend. Blessings. Salud

Hola everyone! I just wanted to stop in and touch base with y'all. It was a good day for me today. I put in my seventy-five minutes of yoga, had my eight glasses of water and ate sensibly, making sure to concentrate on lean protein, greens and fruits. I'm posting a sign on my dest that says "If you sit, you spread", these are the words of my Weight Watchers leader along with "If there is no change, There is no change." Mariana, Thank you for starting this group!!!!! P.S. Your namesake Marianna with the extra N says hello!

Wow - 75 minutes of yoga - oh good for you - I'm sipping water now and will have my green tea later - I ate a soy burger but I have always eaten well - just the wine - love that sign - good idea!!! Isabel - can you make this into a regular post and post to the group at www.springpounds.gather.com . You can just cut and paste it. Go up to Share and press post and then put a title Shedding Light - Sit and Spread (or whatever you want title to be) and then post! Thanks - that way we'll all stay in one spot...and others will read your post...thanks - and thank you for the Marianna hello - I can't wait to meet her - how's LSU??? My niece Lauren goes there too! Salud

Thanks for sharing

Wow, I needed to face this negativity today - you are on the money again, Mariana. Just faced my negativity and posted - whew!

I am eatin lots of fruits an veggies--im drinking lots of water too, but i still have to have atleast one can of pop otherwise i have a caffiene withdraw :(

Greatly inspiring!

Excellent advice!

Thank you Tomi! Thank you Jerri. You know everyone has to find what works for them - there are many groups out there - this is one I'm doing for myself as well as for others who like to go slow. The main thing is that we all support one another. All the articles are posted at www.springpounds.gather.com . I need to figure out how to do a blue link. Thanks for everyone's input - this has been really fun and I'm amazed at how many folks have joined. Salud

I absolutely love this diagram. I am going to get to a printer and print this out and put it on my fridge along with my other incentive sayings. I definitely need to remove the negativity in my life. I am a little behind in my postings since I joined just today. Thanks to Krissys page.

I haven't joined the group, but I have dropped 5 pounds in less than a week. Not hard to do when I am sick as a dog, sleep 24/7 and I can't eat. My clothes all hang on me. Last year at this time I was wearing a 16 jean, now I can't keep those up.
I went out today and bought me a size 12, yes a 12 jean, and I have room to spare. Not sure what's going on, but as long as my health doesn't suffer do to the drastic weight loss so fast, I'll take it. I just as soon get something out of being so sick!

Not sure how much help I can be in the info dept, but I am here for your moral support team.

Stephanie - it's not good to lose weight that quickly as it does further weaken your immune system, please try to eat lots of fruits - go pick some tangerines off someone's tree and squeeze lemon in water - I'm worried about you now - maybe you needed to lose a little but that's pretty fast - of course, lot of it was fluids...take care of yourself and thanks for the moral support - you'd be an asset to the group my friend. Salud

I've been really trying to drink 6 to 8 cups of water a day. I keep a refillable water bottle with me, and I really do eat less when I drink lots of water. My activity is something I need to bump up and that seems to be the hardest part for me. I get active in spurts. At one time I was walking 3 miles a day, and then cold weather came and I stopped all the way. I feel much better when I walk though, so I'm going to start again.

I buy fresh fruit and now grab an orange when I'm feeling hungry. I have water within reach, so I'm drinking more of it.

Cheryl, I agree that walking right now would be the best exercise - do you own an exercise ball? It's very important to walk every single day and if the weather is really bad then try moving to the radio or just do stretches - just move for 30 minutes doing something every single day. I was doing pretty good maintaining my weight but I was in La. and wasn't eating right and developed a bone spur - well, it's since gone away and so I'm trying to get rid of the weight - I have to move - so glad you joined the group! Salud

Hi Mary G. That's the trick to keep water on hand all the time - I have a few other tricks for that and one thing is to always have some kind of fresh fruit around. Salud

I am still recovering from getting unexpectedly let go after 15 years of dedicated service to my former firm. I thought that I didn't harbor any resentment or hard feelings, but since I have dreams about returning to my old work every night - I suppose on a deeper level, I have a lot to work through still.

I am trying to catch up with reading the posts for this group. But right now I am going to go and get some water, eat an orange and do at least 15 minutes on the treadmill. Then I will come back and read more posts before dinner. This evening I will do a half hour on my Wii Fit. I need to catch up with everyone. Bye for now and see you later.

I am catcvhing up and drinking water witth Lemons in it.

I took your advice and am reading all the posts in the group. I began with the first one posted and am working my way to the present. I am finding much support and great posts. I can see that we all have so much in common. Thanks for starting this group. :)

You're more than welcome Connie and thank you for joining - we welcome you and look forward to your input - thanks for following the steps - it makes it easier for all of us to be on the same page so we can move together - each person has to do all five of the steps as that's part of this group - discipline !

Thank you April H. that is wonderful.

Thank you Carol B. Sounds like you are doing wonderful.

Jennifer - well, state it in here when you do step 2 and we'll help you through it - I am truly so very sorry and I know that really upsets your whole life but don't stay sedentary - get moving - everything happens for a reason and you may find a job with National Geographic or some place where you can be your own person! Salud

What a an excellent way to rid the mind of excess baggage while shedding a few pounds!

Thank you Krista - I appreciate you dropping by as always! Salud