First Name: Terri

Age: 37

Journey Began: So many years ago...this time, living it full time as I have done many part time gigs. This time, about 3 months ago.

Maintenance Began (if applicable): n/a

Pounds Lost: 7, but have to weigh myself again this week

Marital Status: Single

Children/Ages: n/a

How long on the board (FTV’s KD board, if applicable, + this board)? Again, FT..a couple of months. Registered back in Dec 2004.

Have you met KD in person? When/where? Nope, I live in Canada, so probably never will..but I always have hope.

Did you follow a commercial plan to lose weight go it on your own? (essay) OH yeah. Atkins twice ..gained weight. Weight watchers, lost a little, but then stopped losing, so got frustrated and left. Years ago my parents made me do nutrisystem...I was young..and forced on a diet..nice

If you followed a commercial plan, what plan (WW, Atkins, etc.)? Atkins, WW, Nutrisystem

If you did it on your own, what is/was the basic premise of your self-made plan? (essay) I tried going fat free at one point of my go it alone phase, found out that didn't work. Sure I lost, but felt deprived and was depressed...so that doesn't work at all.

Put an X next to the healthy eating & living concepts that you practice regularly:
_X__ Drink plenty of water (48 or more oz. per day).
__X_ Eat 5 servings or more per day of fruits & veggies.
__X_ Eat all or mostly whole grain carbs vs. white.
__X_ Portion control your food (weigh/measure/use visual cues for portion size).
___ Exercise at least 3 days a week. (but I walk around a lot..sooo ).
__X_ Incorporate strength training into your workouts.
_X__ “Everything in moderation.”
__X_ “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
__X_ Mini-meal concept (eating about every 3 hours vs. 3 meals a day)

When you think of everything you have read and learned on the board, what 2-3 concepts/thoughs/lessons have stuck with you most? (essay) 1. Not to be scared of fat, that healthy fats can help you lose weight. 2. To eat more, as you have to keep up the metabolism. 3. water water water.

Have you ever been a homework captain here on the board? If yes, what is your advice to new members about whether they should volunteer to be a captain? (essay) Yes, my first time is this month. I'd say volunteer, if you have the time and are an inquiring mind...and would like to insprire people.

As a member, what is your perspective on/what do you gain from homework assignments? Depends on the homework..but usually I learn about myself alot.

If you have a tagline or saying that expresses who you are or your perspective on weight loss, what is it? (doesn’t have to be a tagline you use in your posts) (essay) Really...the Nike slogan...Just do it. Just move, just eat right..and it will all fall into place.

Finally, if you could give one message to a new member reaching out for help with eating/living healthier, what would it be?
Don't cheat yourself..don't think that you have to give up everything you love. You don't. You can enjoy everything in moderation...have that little piece of dessert..but as KD says..leave a bite size of dinner behind. Make sure to eat well through the day that you can "afford" the dessert. Most importantly...DONT GIVE UP. You are worth it! You are worth giving yourself a healthy life, and you will see results. Believe you can..the most important thing is to believe in yourself.

Terri

First Name: Peg
Age: 38
Journey Began: 5/1/04
Maintenance Began (if applicable): around October of last year but lost a few more pounds after that
Pounds Lost: 35 or so (don't know my actual start weight)
Marital Status: Single
Children/Ages: Nope

How long on the board (FTV’s KD board, if applicable, + this board)? 5/04

Have you met KD in person? No, darnit!

Did you follow a commercial plan to lose weight go it on your own? Went it on my own.

If you did it on your own, what is/was the basic premise of your self-made plan? Just tried to eat more balanced meals and exercise regularly.


Put an X next to the healthy eating & living concepts that you practice regularly:
X Drink plenty of water (48 or more oz. per day).
X Eat 5 servings or more per day of fruits & veggies.
X Eat all or mostly whole grain carbs vs. white.
___ Portion control your food (weigh/measure/use visual cues for portion size).
X Exercise at least 3 days a week.
___ Incorporate strength training into your workouts.
X “Everything in moderation.”
X “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
X Mini-meal concept (eating about every 3 hours vs. 3 meals a day)

When you think of everything you have read and learned on the board, what 2-3 concepts/thoughs/lessons have stuck with you most? Baby steps made all the different to me. And I used the 5 point system (daily points for healthy choices like drinking water, exercising, etc) very effectively especially early on and when I get off track.

Have you ever been a homework captain here on the board? If yes, what is your advice to new members about whether they should volunteer to be a captain? Yes. It is great experience and I encourage everyone to give it a try once or twice. It's fun and gives you the oppty to look at whatever issues/challenges you might be facing.

This is awesome!

First Name: Korina or Kori

Age: 32 and holding

Journey Began: 12/03

Pounds Lost: 20 lost, 8 regained = 12

Marital Status: partnered

Children/Ages: 13 y.o. stepson

How long on the board (FTV’s KD board, if applicable, + this board)?

On the FTV one for oh, 6 months? on KD's since March of last year.

Have you met KD in person? When/where?

I'm not so lucky

Did you follow a commercial plan to lose weight go it on your own? (essay)

I have my own plan, sort of. I guess my way of eating most closely resembles South Beach.

If you did it on your own, what is/was the basic premise of your self-made plan? (essay)

It follows the concepts listed below.

Put an X next to the healthy eating & living concepts that you practice regularly:

_x_ All

When you think of everything you have read and learned on the board, what 2-3 concepts/thoughs/lessons have stuck with you most? (essay)

Portion control, my need for planning, and that it's OK to travel in fits and starts.

Have you ever been a homework captain here on the board?

Nope. Too mentally lazy and committment-phobic.

If you have a tagline or saying that expresses who you are or your perspective on weight loss, what is it?

DUM SPIRO, SPERO means "as long as I breathe, I hope." Basically, no matter how hard your circumstances, if you're living and breathing, you have the ability to hope for (and work toward) your goals.

It's a reminder for me, that people are working through a lot tougher adversity to get to their goals than I am. So when I start whining about X or Y getting in my way, to GET OVER IT and DO IT.

Finally, if you could give one message to a new member reaching out for help with eating/living healthier, what would it be?

Aim high, but start small.

First Name: Lori

Age: 37

Journey Began: The first time 2/4/03, recommitted 4/27/05

edited to add:
Location: Central CA

Maintenance Began (if applicable): n/a (YET!)

Pounds Lost: 25 from 2/03-6/03...gained back 17, have lost 7 of those....so my net losses are 15

Marital Status: married 15 1/2 years

Children/Ages: dd age 12, ds age 9, dd age 7, dd age 4 (she'll be 5 in just a few weeks)

How long on the board (FTV’s KD board, if applicable, + this board)? 2 1/2 years....since 2/4/03

Have you met KD in person? When/where? Yes, in Mar/05 in San Francisco...also saw Denise (Goingskiing...we had met last summer), MnM, and Susanrows


Did you follow a commercial plan to lose weight go it on your own? (essay) I did WW Online for a while to learn real portions and their "values", the rest of the time I've done it with the support of everyone here and an accountability partner that I've been HORRIBLE about checking in with


If you followed a commercial plan, what plan (WW, Atkins, etc.)? WW

If you did it on your own, what is/was the basic premise of your self-made plan? (essay) Portion control, drinking all of my water (my body works at it's best when I drink a gallon per day), and exercising 5-6 days a week.

Put an X next to the healthy eating & living concepts that you practice regularly:
__X_ Drink plenty of water (48 or more oz. per day).
_X__ Eat 5 servings or more per day of fruits & veggies.
_X__ Eat all or mostly whole grain carbs vs. white.
__X_ Portion control your food (weigh/measure/use visual cues for portion size).
___ Exercise at least 3 days a week. I have to be honest and say that I am not currently exercising, but when I do, I am exercising 5-6 days per week.
___ Incorporate strength training into your workouts. again, in all honesty, not right now, but I will be starting today! I am recommitting to my exercise plan TODAY!!! I kept making the excuse that I was going to wait until our gym opens...it was suposed to have opened over the weekend, but it didn't, so I need to stop using that as an excuse and get with it!
_X__ “Everything in moderation.”
_X_ “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
___ Mini-meal concept (eating about every 3 hours vs. 3 meals a day)
edited to add:
_X_ Get enough sleep most nights (whatever 'enough' is for you).
_X__ Manage and cope with stress in a healthy way.

When you think of everything you have read and learned on the board, what 2-3 concepts/thoughs/lessons have stuck with you most? (essay) Baby Steps, loving myself enough to do this for ME and only ME!, having self confidence no matter what my circumstances

Have you ever been a homework captain here on the board? If yes, what is your advice to new members about whether they should volunteer to be a captain? (essay) Yes....advice? I would say just jump right in and volunteer as captain...for me, it is an added level of accountability, as well as a learning tool for myself.



Finally, if you could give one message to a new member reaching out for help with eating/living healthier, what would it be?
Take it slow! It took you more than a few weeks/months to put the weight on, so take some time to make necessary LIFE changes, this is not a diet, this is a new lifestyle.

I just wanted to add some personal things about myself.... I am married to my best friend, and have been richly blessed with 4 children. Dh and I have chosen to home educate our children, so I am also a homemaker (I like the term homekeeper ). Some of my hobbies are: cooking/baking, reading, sewing (when I can find the power cord for my sewing machine!), crafting, singing, spending time with my family and friends.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lori4squaremom,

First Name: Kate

Age: 26

Journey Began: I truly became committed to this process a few weeks ago

Pounds Lost: 10

Marital Status: Single

How long on the board (FTV’s KD board, if applicable, + this board)?
A few months

If you did it on your own, what is/was the basic premise of your self-made plan? (essay)
In a nutshell, I exercise every day and strive to eat a balanced diet.

Put an X next to the healthy eating & living concepts that you practice regularly:
_x__ Drink plenty of water (48 or more oz. per day).
_x__ Eat 5 servings or more per day of fruits & veggies.
_x__ Eat all or mostly whole grain carbs vs. white.
_x__ Portion control your food (weigh/measure/use visual cues for portion size).
_x__ Exercise at least 3 days a week.
___ Incorporate strength training into your workouts.
_x__ “Everything in moderation.”
_x__ “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
___ Mini-meal concept (eating about every 3 hours vs. 3 meals a day)

I was not able to do the cut and paste.


Name: Pam
Age:55
Journey began:Childhood; present journey 10/12/03.
Maintenance began: on and off
# lost: This time 28
Marital: Still single.
Kids: None.
How long on board: about a year
Have you met KD? Yes, in an appearance here in Pittsburgh.
Commercial plan: I am now a member of WW but all prior weight loss on my own. When I did it on my own I reduced calories and ate lower fat and more healthfully. When I was in my teens and 20's did a lot of harsh dieting but I don't do that anymore. I have low bone density which I believe is partly due to so much dieting. I use all the healthy steps except the mini-meals.

What I have learned: how much common ground there is among people who do this, and how everyone slips up.

Since I am one who likes to grab the fruit on the vine, I thought I would do this freestyle.

Hi there. My name is Steph and I am happy to say that I have been part of this community for about 1 and a half it seems.

I am HUGE Food Network watcher and that is how I discovered the wonderful and incredible KD. It also taught me that cooking could be fun and easy.

I LOVE cookbooks because I have always LOVED food. But really food is something different to me. I love the colors, the freshness. I do love junk food, but don't think about as much as I used too.

My proudest accomplishment is that I have gotten my dh to make baby steps without him knowing it. He eats and is helpful to when I need someone to walk with. I am lucky to have him by my side being a support.

As for the rest of my family, well I am filled with love and support. As for this board, I am also filled with love and support.

I believe in each of you. We are all in this together!

First Name:
Jennifer

Age:
25

Journey Began:
February 2003

Maintenance Began (if applicable):
n/a

Pounds Lost:
Lost 54 before my wedding last July, but have gained back 15+. Working on losing 10ish.

Marital Status:
Married

Children/Ages:
None (yet)

How long on the board (FTV’s KD board, if applicable, + this board)?
Since February 2003 = 2.5 years

Have you met KD in person? When/where?
Nope.

Did you follow a commercial plan to lose weight go it on your own? (essay)
I joined WW online for the last few months before my wedding. I lost 10 pounds fairly quickly, but had stopped exercising. These came back on very quickly.

If you did it on your own, what is/was the basic premise of your self-made plan? (essay)
Eat less, move more. I counted calories sporadically and tried to exercise at least 4 times a week.

Put an X next to the healthy eating & living concepts that you practice regularly:
___ Drink plenty of water (48 or more oz. per day).
_x_ Eat 5 servings or more per day of fruits & veggies.
___ Eat all or mostly whole grain carbs vs. white.
_x_ Portion control your food (weigh/measure/use visual cues for portion size).
___ Exercise at least 3 days a week.
___ Incorporate strength training into your workouts.
_x_ “Everything in moderation.”
___ “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
_x_ Mini-meal concept (eating about every 3 hours vs. 3 meals a day)
I should be doing all of these things, but am not currently.

When you think of everything you have read and learned on the board, what 2-3 concepts/thoughs/lessons have stuck with you most? (essay)
That my worth is not inversely proportional to my pants size. I'm beautiful, amazing and wonderful regardless.

Have you ever been a homework captain here on the board? If yes, what is your advice to new members about whether they should volunteer to be a captain? (essay)
Yes, I've been a homework captain. I take it as a great opportunity for self-discovery that comes out of being in the role of teacher.

As a member, what is your perspective on/what do you gain from homework assignments?

If you have a tagline or saying that expresses who you are or your perspective on weight loss, what is it? (doesn’t have to be a tagline you use in your posts) (essay)

Finally, if you could give one message to a new member reaching out for help with eating/living healthier, what would it be?

*takes a deep breath*

ok, here goes...

I'm freestyling it here...because I'm just a maverick!

My name is Catherine, I'm 34, and single. I started this journey 2 and a half years ago. I used to be a size 24, up in the 220s at least.
I was also living with someone at the time.
I now live alone, and own my own home. I am a size 14, and hope to get down to an 8 or a 10, maybe a 6.

I've tried to maintain a sensible, baby step approach, without worrying about exact calorie counts, or actual scale weight. I actually have "goal pants" I try on to get an idea of my actual size, and to chart my progress.

I have a lot of things tied up in my eating and overweight issues, so when I've been a homework captain I've tried to focus on the emotional/self-esteem things, since that's a big thing for me.

I try to eat everything in moderation, a little chocolate, a little ice cream.. (in fact, later this month I'm going to an event where there will be more than 50 flavors of ice cream!)

To live healthy, you have to look at how you want to live the rest of your life, and pick a way to get there. You can't live your life depriving yourself of treats, so figure out how to incorporate them. Also, heavy people are quite strong, they have to be, to carry the weight around. You already have the muscles you need, you just have to tone them. You can do it just by walking for half an hour. Also, treat yourself well whatever weight you are!

I try not to identify myself just by the weight/weight loss, so I also love crosswords, reading books, cooking, designing pretty jewelry...

First Name: Sheri

Age: 52

Journey Began: 07/01/03

Maintenance Began (if applicable): N/A

Pounds Lost: 35 as of 07/04, now 30

Marital Status: Perpetually single!

Children/Ages: None.

How long on the board (FTV’s KD board, if applicable, + this board)? March 2003, so over 2 years on both boards combined.

Have you met KD in person? When/where? Yes. I met KD right at the start of my journey in June 2003 at a health fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC. I also met Cate, a member of the board, that day.

Did you follow a commercial plan to lose weight go it on your own? (essay) Technically both, since I was in Weight Watchers for about 12 weeks in the fall of 2003 but have done it on my own both before and after that 12 weeks (I actually lost more before and after my stint in WW than during it).

If you followed a commercial plan, what plan (WW, Atkins, etc.)? WW for a short time.

If you did it on your own, what is/was the basic premise of your self-made plan? (essay) Basically low fat eating with exercising 5-6 times per week.

Put an X next to the healthy eating & living concepts that you practice regularly:
_x__ Drink plenty of water (48 or more oz. per day).
_?__ Eat 5 servings or more per day of fruits & veggies. (Question mark because, while I believe in this concept and work toward it, I don't always succeed on a regular basis.)
_x__ Eat all or mostly whole grain carbs vs. white.
_x__ Portion control your food (weigh/measure/use visual cues for portion size).
_x__ Exercise at least 3 days a week.
_x__ Incorporate strength training into your workouts.
_x__ “Everything in moderation.”
_x__ “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
_x__ Mini-meal concept (eating about every 3 hours vs. 3 meals a day)

When you think of everything you have read and learned on the board, what 2-3 concepts/thoughs/lessons have stuck with you most? (essay)

People encouraging me to be kinder to myself. I beat myself up and guilt myself terribly over slips. This was especially true early this year when I ate too many sweets while visiting friends in Delaware. People here were so kind and supportive to me through that and yet also used tough love to encourage me to be kinder to myself and cut myself a break.

I have been a morning exerciser for over a year now thanks to folks here who encouraged me to try it even though I was insistent that I could not bear getting up any earlier than I already did (6 a.m.). I tried it for one month at their insistence and have never looked back. It wasn't pretty that first week or two, but now it is just part of my routine and it is such a JOY not to have to grumble all day about having to come home at 7 p.m. and exercise.

Have you ever been a homework captain here on the board? If yes, what is your advice to new members about whether they should volunteer to be a captain? (essay)

Yes, I've been a captain quite a few times--this month in fact! I would advise any new member to volunteer to be a homework captain. Not only do you become known to the members through that, but you can use it work through your own issues or work through issues that are common to a lot of people. I would advise, however, that a newbie read and participate in the board for a month or so before volunteering, so that they can get a grasp on what the culture is here and see the other homework assignments that are being offered.

As a member, what is your perspective on/what do you gain from homework assignments? I love homework. There is fun homework, like the "getting to know you" quizzes and deep, thought-provoking homework that helps you work through issues and everything in between. I know a lot of people don't like the heavy-thinking homework, but I tend to prefer it to the lighter stuff as I just feel like it helps me get to where I need to be. Of course, I wouldn't want it 7 days a week or my brain would explode.

If you have a tagline or saying that expresses who you are or your perspective on weight loss, what is it? (doesn’t have to be a tagline you use in your posts) (essay)

The one I've been using here in my posts for a while is "Progress is measured in many ways." because I have been plateauing for a very long time and I had to come to grips with the fact that there are many ways to see progress that don't deal with the numbers on a scale. That has really been a freeing thing for me and allows me to better celebrate my NSVs (non-scale victories) like better muscle tone, better cardiovascular endurance, etc.

Finally, if you could give one message to a new member reaching out for help with eating/living healthier, what would it be?

Rome wasn't built in a day; i.e., you didn't gain this weight in a week and you ain't gettin' rid of it in a week. I know it's hard to go slow...everyone wants the weight off fast...but that isn't the healthiest way to go. Slow and steady wins the prize...really! So take those baby steps, keep at it, and don't ever give up.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SheriaVa,