Nanc....

I liked (and AGREE) with what you said about no TV......I haven't had it hooked up in about 5 years.   I came home one day from work to find one daughter in a room with the TV on, another daughter in another  room the same way, and Kevin in our room laying on the bed watching TV.  I went into the laundry room and nothing was done, went into the kitchen and dishes were still all over and then nothing was prepared for dinner.   Well, I said nothing........the next day out on my route (I was  a mail lady at the time) I called the cable company and had it shut off.   They all called me that day and said something was wrong.   Nothing's wrong I told them.....now get things done!!!!!    I will tell you honestly.........I DON'T MISS IT!!!!   I read the USA Today paper, my local paper daily and am on the computer enough to check CNN.   I don't need nor have time to get caught up in all the shows..........yes.....I've heard dancing with the stars is great, and American Idol and on and on.........NOT AT ALL FOR ME............I do keep the radio on all day for any late breaking news or weather bulletins............

Gosh.....where would I find time anyway..............with watching grands, ebay work, projects for the troops, etc....And honestly it brings us closer........nothing like a game of Monopoly or Scrabble to keep the family together.  I have an 18 (almost 19 yr old) who would rather stay home on a Fri/Sat and play a board game with me than go out!!!!   That alone says something...........

Chris.........thanks for keeping us motivated........OOOOHHHH   RAH........ooops........wrong branch of the service    I will try to email you soon.......you know how busy I am....... 

Anyway..........I've certainly put my 2cents in here (maybe $1.00 worth today!!).........Blessings to one and all..........

Love and Peace..........Anne Marie

I want you all to know that I started this thread with all of YOU ALL in mind. Everone that I had met already. Those of you that had sent us stuff and those of you who had sent others stuff. I started this for the supporters who were here when AS.com first bagan and for the ones who started it all. For the AS.commers who are here now and the ones that will stop in with the next generation. I started it to GIVE BACK TO ALL OF YOU. You see I am a fortunate one. My Father spent 20 years in the Marine Corp and did THREE tours to Vietnam. I know how he was treated when he came back EACH time and I know how we have been treated since Desert Storm and everything after. The American people... who are true Americans... have shown thier faith, beleif and SUPPORT to all of us here. I started this thread to thank you all and give you a place to share your feelings. To hear others feelings. To give advice and to get advice. I kept adding poems in hopes that it would catch on and we would all start talking to one another. Togetherness really is the greatest gift of all that we humans can impart on one another.

I was helping my Sister-in-Law with her weight loss and that one page I put on here sounded so good that I thought it could help somebody here. You all have given so much of your selves, your hearts, your time and your money... wouldn't it be nice to get something for FREE back out of it? Yes I know... time is money.... but you are coming here to find ways to help the troops... what's wrong with finding a way to help your self? And you know what a healthier body means right? It means you have to stick around in this rotten little world and keep mailing packages and sending cards and letters to people you DON'T EVEN KNOW for an even longer time BECAUSE you added ten or fifteen years to your life span. 

So, what I want us to do is start talking more here. Ask questions, answer questions. Ask for advice, give advice. Share in your victories, share in your sorrows. Take time to reach out to your fellow Americans there in America. Tell them that you love them.... I LOVE YOU ALL! Listen and FEEL when they tell you they love you.

"No greater gift does man have then when someone lays down thier life for a friend"

I will add poetry now and then and would love for anyone else willing to do so.... well err..... to do so! I have a written out a plan that is a little advanced for those of us that are just starting out.... but one day I will add it. I will try to answer any question I can... or find the answer out and then post it! I will give all the advice and guadance I have to give and do so gladly. I want this thread to be a living... breathing... thriving... thread that will be a help to anyone who takes time to read it!!! I want you all to start writing notes to each other and to me HERE and to learn from what is here and what is coming here. I want it to be so big that when anyone logs out one day and back in the next.... they will ALWAYS see a new post from someone... making it worthwhile to check in. I want it to be so good that EVERY NEW PERSON... will not only read it but they will feel free to add to it AT LEAST by their second visit. That is not too much to ask is it? If everyone starts adding things once or twice a week... and if a new person adds something every other week this place will rock our world!

So, come here and rest. Take your shoes off. Sit for a spell and soak in the great atmosphere. The love and brotherhood and sisterhood of the American way. Take what ever information you can and use it to help you better your self. Remember... you are not on a diet... you are living a new way of life. Everyday try something new. Everyday replace something unhealthy with something healthy. Everyday share a smile and wish some one a great day. Don't worry how they react. Just think of how good you feel and let the fire begin!

I am sorry that I get on the "soap box" everytime I start writing. But, I want so much for this place to help more people then could have ever been possible. I don't want to say; "If I have helped one person, my job is done". My job is not a job, it is a joy to help others. And this joy will not stop until the day I draw my last breath. And God said I can not live past the age of 120. That means I still have 75 years to go. Come get healthy with me and lets see who will make it there first!!

Thank you one and all for ALL YOU DO!

May God bless each and everyone of you and all of your incomings and outgoins too!

 Thank you, Chris.......  and God bless you right back!

Here's my contribution of a poem I wrote in the late '90's :

I look in the mirror and I see,

A part of God looking back at me.

I’ve been given life to do the best I can,

To live fully and to help my fellow man.

I don’t take for granted or waste a day,

I do work hard and take time to play.

So look in the mirror, there‘s your reflection too.

Do you see a part of God looking back at you?

 

Deni Dax – written 1 day in the late 1990’s

   

no1dunn  

You always have great uplifting posts. The hardest part of the journey IS the first step and with your guidence and support you have helped us to take that first step be it for health or heart reasons. Just as writing that first letter or sending that first carepackage to someone you don't know, but someone that you are so proud of. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.

God Bless  Alison

well, the first step just got easier!!  If we're gonna be doing all this walking, we need NEW SHOES!!  (okay, all women need new shoes, but that's beside the point)  Check out the "NEWS" page for the link to Extreme Outfitters if you haven't already. 

 I actually took my first step toward better health and happiness recently, thanks to Chris and the rest of you.  Your motivation and enthusiasm were just too much for me to keep ignoring, so up off the couch I came.  I'd like to thank you all for that. 

I've attempted to get healthier numerous times before, and if I have learned anything it's that I personally need an accountability factor, in addition to the motivation.  I'm really good out of the gate, but after a couple of weeks lapse into that "I'll do it tomorrow" mode.  I need the structure of somebody looking at me, face to face, on a regular basis and asking me if I did what I should have.  I've tried several things, but I've found one this time that is really going to work for me.  It's a scripture-based weight loss program, and it's offered in numerous churches across the country.  One thing I love about it--It's not expensive.  The budget is too tight right now for anything that comes with a weekly fee, and I'm not about to dip into my "soldier money"!    All you really have to pay for is the Bible Study book, which at my class was $15.00.  You can order a member "kit" if you like, but the only other thing you "have" to have besides the bible study guide is the member guide, which is around $30.00 I think (I was able to find a used one!)  You DO NOT have to be a member of the church where it's offered--anybody can go.  If you are interested, you can check out their website:

http://firstplace.org/index.html

you can search zip codes to find a class near you.  I really didn't mean for this to sound so much like a commercial--I promise I don't own stock in the company or anything--I just know that I'm feeling better now than I have in a while and thought some of you might be like me and need some sort of structured program. 

I had shared all this with Chris, and he urged me to share it with y'all.  I'm telling you, that man has HUGE dreams for us and this thread!

(happy now No.1???  --you know we love you too!!)

 Thanks again for all that each of you do--for our troops, for each other, and for me personally--I sure am blessed to be a part of this amazing group!

AWESOME!! BEAUTIFUL Denny, and to think you wrote it back then not even knowing that you were going to be given the chance to reach to the other side of the world to help soldiers abroad!!

I applaude your talent and appreciate that you chose to share it here with us! I hope that everyone will take a cue from you and come here and pour out thier hearts and share what is on thier minds so that we can all be a part of hearts helping hearts and minds sharing minds for as long and as far as we can go!!

 

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!

Alison....WOW a person I haven't seen before... you must have been in hiding cool!

Thank you for your kind words. We all need to know that what we do is making a difference. I am here and I see soldiers getting packages everyday and some of them are from you all! I have seen what a difference it makes and the joy in thier face and I have felt it myself each time I have gotten one of the many boxes you all have sent to us! That is why I came here to let you all know. You all have been very receptive to my comments and I wanted to give back to anyone who was willing to take what I have to give. The only thing I have is my words, my experiences and my time, and I gladly give them all to you!

 

Thank you all again and may God bless each and everyone of you for all you all do!!

Chris

Hello Everyone! Well, it seems SFC Dunn has rather convincingly nudged me back into active participation here, so I thought I’d share my favorite form of exercise with you: water aerobics. You do not need to know how to swim, as you can stay in the shallow 3’ end. You do not get your head in the water, although your hair will get wet with the splashing. You do not need to be embarrassed about how you look exercising in a bathing suit because once you’re in the water no one can see you. The water’s buoyancy holds you up and makes you feel lighter, taking pressure off your joints. I take a class where a couple of the long time students are well into their 90’s. They use walkers to get to the pool but once they’re in the water you should see them go! Imagine walking, jogging, and doing jumping jacks, leg lifts, scissor kicks in the water. The water’s resistance helps strengthen your muscles. As with most forms of exercise this can be adapted to make it more or less challenging. The best part for me is how refreshing it can be in the hotter weather--you don’t get all red faced, heated up, and sweaty! Local YMCA’s and Parks and Recreation Depts should have these classes - Give it a Try! You’ll be healthier for it and it can actually be fun! Chris: My regret about writing this is that most of you are stuck out in that desert without a pool to swim in, and with the summer months just now really kicking in. God bless you all and keep you healthy and safe! Anne

Yes, I encouraged you to write Phyllis.... but all THAT came from your heart and I am sooooooo happy it did. I am proud to call you friend.... friend!! You have given some good advice. Starting is always the hardest before you START. After that it is pretty easy for awhile ESPECIALLY when you start seeing RESULTS. But yes, many people (me too) get off track after a couple of weeks.... you see your body learns to adjust to your new program and once it does that it is harder to loose weight. That is why it is important to STICK with any program for as long as you can. Three months makes the most difference at that point if you are starting to get dicouraged or bored, you need to find a new program or new exercises. Keep your body guessing and it will keep working FOR you!

Face to face is what works for MOST people. Physcians Weight Loss program works because you start off going there three times a week and discussing things that you are eating and what you are doing daily. It holds you accountable for all you are doing and helps you to do the right thing. If you don't want one on one... The Nutra System food source is another great way. It provides you with the food for you to eat daily in the proper prtion size and you eat it when your suppose to and work out like you should. REST is a big thing that we all need to so make sure you take time to get in the bed and get some sleep. Or you can do like me and lay your head on the desk and just SNOOOOOOZE!!

 

I do hope more and more people will be attracted to this site. It took it some time to get started but now it is growing by leaps and bounds. STAY TUNED FOR MY NEXT POST.... Your BODY is a furnace and you need to feed the furnace to get it to BURN"

Burn baby burn, Disco Inferno! The heat was hot ya'll burnning to the top. The flames were burnning out of control. That's when I heard somebody say Burn baby BURN Disco INferno BURN BABY BURN!!

 

God bless you all!!

Thank you Anneel! That is fantastic information and WATER AEROBICS IS A GREAT WAY TO GET INTO SHAPE! You get to get into a pool. You get to feel lighter and you can do MORE. The more you do it the better it is for you. I am here to tell you that any diet plan WILL work.... IF you follow the plan... can you imagine eatting just grapefruit everday till you loose weight? Well if you follow the plan even that one will work. BUT, if you read the small print on every diet out there there is a couple of things it says. 1) Results may vary 2) this diet must be done with a good exercise routine and proper nutrition 3) See a phscian before starting any weightloss program. And plenty of others for some of them. I may not have the words exactly right but the meanning is the same. You see there are three key components to living a healthy life. You need to eat right, sleep right and work out right. With the proper exercises and the right amount of the right food in and the right amount of sleep and recouperation time ANYTHING is possible. Supplements are a good thing when used properly and when you know what they are for! A food suppresent pill that helps keep the hunger at bay IF it works for you may be a good thing. Your body still needs the proper minerals, nutriants, proteins and carbs to survive even when you are loosing weight.

 

Sorry...  I get carried away! More to follow!!! Got to go do some work actually! TTFN!!

May God bless you all!!

Ah, see here are my problems. Besides having no will power, I can't do Nutri-system, or the other buy the food plans because I am allergic to soy. I haven't seen any frozen foods in that group that are soy free. I have found a company (Amy's) that does have some soy free stuff, but it is not low fat or anything. I have several weirdo food allergies, like onions. I force myself to eat fish, as I don't like it generally. As to excercise I have 2 vertebra in my back that are dissolving or something. 12 years of manual labor (archaeologist) blew out my back and my knees! Walking I can do-and I do- but it seems that if I walk long enough to do any good for me, I have damaged either my knees or my back. It is just so darn frustrating. I am not any where near a YMCA or public pool, but I would love to do those water sports. I do a bit of Yoga, (doctor approved movements) and a friend lent me her Pilates dvd. I have not looked at it yet, but I will. 

So, I do my best to work around myself as much as I can. I love to walk, it just doesn't seem like the little bit I do does much good.  I have lost weight before, but hit that plateau, and nose dived. It is really hard to get back on track.

Heidi

Chris--DISCO INFERNO???  I'm afraid our age is showing!!!  love it!!!   LOL

OK... Heidi... well I gues the next thing would be just to eat two peices of toast a day... one in the mornning and one at night but before eight o'clock and the rest of the time drink water!

Just kiding. What are the possibilities of seeing a Doctor and getting a pill prescribe that is a true diet aid... or a little surgery on the stomach for a reduction, which makes you full faster and eat less. Yes, I know no one WANTS surgery, but if it if for a good reason it is worth it.

On the note of walking... Like Phyillis mentioned... shoes are PARAMOUNT and in your case Docto Sholes gel inserts on top of a great shoe will make it even that much better. To walk two miles a day at a snails pace will not do much for you. Not saying that is how you walk just saying for it to burn calories it has to be fast paced and heart racing cardio walking style. You should walk so fast that you couldn't walk any faster, that you could just barely carry on a conversation, and when your done your covered in sweat and ready to collapse. But before you do collapse, make sure you do a slow walk and get the heart beat back to normal and do some nice long stretching for at least fifteen minutes. Your muscles are ready for a stretch at that time and the strectch does them good then.

 

I hope that you find some answer (besides toast) and that God blesses you daily!!

Okay, I'm talking to myself as well as Heidi here and anyone else who is listening....now that we have listed all the I can'ts, it's time to focus on the I can's.   Have a serious discussion with your doctor if weight loss or just being more physically fit is your goal.  Remind him about the back problems...there is only one of you so you remember you have a back problem but he has many, many patients to remember.  Ask him to suggest exercises you can do without harming yourself.  Ask him if he thinks seeing a physical therapist would be a good idea.   Check with your insurance company to see if they support any fitness programs.  Many insurance companies now will pay for these wellness programs.  Ask your doctor to arrange an appointment with a dietician for you.  They can work out a plan for you that will take into account your many allergies but still promote weight loss.  Here again, many insurance companies will now pay for these consultations, the idea being keeping you healthy costs less than taking care of you when you are sick.

Will Power ...most of us are our own worse enemies.  We defeat ourselves before we even get started.   We need a jump start (which Chris has provided) and then we need a sticktoitabit plan.   Having to have will power for weeks or months can be overwhelming....but everyone can have will power for one meal....that's all we have to get through...one meal at a time.  That just might be doable!!

Smile   Make it fun.   If you enjoy what you are doing (for exercise) and what you are eating (dieting doesn't have to be boring) then you will find it not so hard to stick to.

Choices...There are many, many food plans out there and everyone has to choose to go with one of those or not.  My thoughts at the moment are that I will stay away from them.  Do I really want to spend the rest of my life buying special packaged food or do I want to learn how to shop wisely at the grocery store and learn to eat in a manner that I can use for the rest of my life. 

Okay, now I'm on a role....lol

Herbs and spices are my friends.   Proper eating does not have to be boring.  Herbs and spices can make any meal good and they don't cause you to put on weight.  Experiment. 

Shop the perimeter...Skip those center aisles.  If you notice, most grocery stores are laid out with fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meat around the perimeter of the store.  The center aisles have the baked goods, the chips, snacks, canned goods high in sodium, all the stuff you should stay away from.  If you don't go down those aisles you won't be tempted. 

Learn to read labels...this is very, very important if you want to eat healthier.

Less is better than none.....If you are trying to cut back on calories and/or carbohydrates avoid the "none" items...like those that have no fat.  When they take all the fat out they add chemicals and weird things to give the item taste.  They're not only not good for you they sometimes are higher in calories, etc.  Go with the middle of the road product.  It is healthier, doesn't taste too bad and isn't chock full of yucky stuff.

Watch when you eat....I didn't say what you eat, i said when.  That was not a typo.  Most of us have things that trigger us to eat or lie around on the couch instead of moving.  Very few of us overeat for the pure enjoyment of eating or because we are hungry.   When you find yourself sitting down with a pint of ice cream, stop and think about it.  What's going on at the time or in your life.  Get to know yourself.   Once you learn what triggers you to eat you can work at finding another outlet.

Take time for yourself...don't say you don't have time to cook proper meals or exercise.  Take care of number one and the rest will take care of itself.

Don't be discouraged...if in 14-16 weeks from now you have not lost more than half your body weight and won a kazillion dollars don't be discouraged.  The Biggest Loser show is a good thing in some respects, and in others not.  The majority of people cannot do what is done on that show in the length of time they do it.  We have lives we cannot suspend, we do not have access to our own personal trainer or a gym with every piece of exercise equipment known to man.   It took us a while to get overweight, out of shape, out of sorts, out of tune with life....whatever the case may be...and it's going to take time to reverse the process.  But we can do it....I know we can.  

 Okay, I'm done now...most of us know how to lose weight, how to be fit.  Yet here we sit.   Why.....if I knew the answer to that I'd be a millionaire.   But at least we are trying and there is lots of positive support in our little group (which is expanding by leaps and bounds)  so I reiterate....we can do it.

Rosemary

 

Well said, Rosemary! I appreciate everyone's input and support on this forum! You never know what you'll run across that can be helpful. Chris, are you following your own advice and getting enough sleep?? ;) I appreciate your encouragement and efforts to make this such a great place to visit with fellow junkies. Thank you!