New Member

[Guest guest]

Hi Cherie,

Welcome to the best source of Asherman’s

information and a place to vent. First of all, have you checked our A

List to see if your Dr. is on it? If not, I strongly recommend finding an

A List Dr. in your area to do the surgery … don’t fool around

like so many of us did regretfully. Secondly, you are absolutely right

that knowledge is power. Men have different ways of dealing with problems

and although it is frustrating for you not to have him fully on board, don’t

give up your pursuit of information. Unfortunately, when I found this

site, I felt like I was reading my own story over and over … so it is

YOUR situation. Your pelvic pain may mean that you have living endometrium

and could be a good sign … don’t give up hope. But do get to

an A list Doc. Asap. Best wishes.

Kim S.

[Guest guest]

Hi Cherie,

Welcome to the best source of Asherman’s

information and a place to vent. First of all, have you checked our A

List to see if your Dr. is on it? If not, I strongly recommend finding an

A List Dr. in your area to do the surgery … don’t fool around

like so many of us did regretfully. Secondly, you are absolutely right

that knowledge is power. Men have different ways of dealing with problems

and although it is frustrating for you not to have him fully on board, don’t

give up your pursuit of information. Unfortunately, when I found this

site, I felt like I was reading my own story over and over … so it is

YOUR situation. Your pelvic pain may mean that you have living endometrium

and could be a good sign … don’t give up hope. But do get to

an A list Doc. Asap. Best wishes.

Kim S.

[Guest guest]

Helen,

I did not know where you where from when I read your last intro. My best friend is from Catheram (I am surely spelling this wrong)!

Helen King wrote:

[Guest guest]

Helen,

I am also form UK, living nr. Richmond Surrey. I was diagnosed three and a half years ago and have had three unsuccessful surgeries now in UK. My first two were with a very experienced gyn in Guildford but even he only sees about 6 AS cases a year. He eventually admitted defeat and referred me to Mr. Lower in Harley Street. Unfortunately my surgery with Mr. Lower was also not entirely successful. Although the work he did was good I have been left with scarring on the walls and the upper cavity may still be closed. I sent my operation video to Dr.Gallinat in Germany (he is our nearest A-List dr.) and he can see no normal endometrium. I have decided to see Dr.Gallinat in the near future as I have really had no luck in UK despite seeing some of our most eminent gynaecologists. Dr.Gallinat has treated many UK members and has the necessary experience with AS.Your case seems to have some similarities with mine with no normal endometrium visible and from my experiences the best advice I can give is to see an A-list doctor who truly understands the condition.

Hope this helps,

Please ask as many questions as you wish - so many members have a great knowledge of this condition. I have learnt more here than from any dr. in UK,

Good luck with your decisions

a UK

[Guest guest]

Dear Ana,

Welcome to our group although I am sorry you need to be here.

Your story is so similar to my own. I too gave birth at 24 weeks and I also had two D & C's.

I see that Corinna has already been very helpful to you. I also wanted to tell you that I have contacted another of our members who lives in Spain and am waiting for her to get back to me. I have asked her who she is seeing in Spain and if she is happy with him. I'll let you know if I get a response.

At the moment, it only seems like Dr Gallinat is the closest and best A list doctor in your area. Many members have travelled to him with the help of Corinna who we have named our "Ambassador" in Germany.

Please ask us as many questions before you make your decision and we will all try to help you with your decision.

I know you are feeling very sad right now but I want you to know that it is quite normal especially as you are coming up to the first anniversay of the birth of your baby. I know how hard it is to get through this day because I have been through it myself. I remember doing something special for my baby on that day because I didn't want to just let the day pass without me thinking of what happened to me a year before.

Hope you get some answers soon.

Poly

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your advice. After I left my ob's office this afternoon I was heading to the hospital to have their blood work done. On a whim I decided to walk into this RE's office that has been recommended several times by friends - just to see what they would say. (I think he was recently on Dateline as a fertility expert) I ended up losing my marbles in front of his whole staff! I thought it would be a good idea to be diagnosed so that I would know something immediately rather than waiting to see an A list doctor when I don't know 100% what the problem is. They said that they just recently had a patient that had a clot that blocked her from menstruating. I guess I have a small glimmer of hope that that is all it is. I'm worried that if I do have lining that each month this goes on I risk blocking my tubes and having all kinds of endometriosis. I will definately wait to see an A list doc if it turns out I need surgery!

Do you have any advice on how to deal with insurance? I don't even know if they will cover this visit to the RE since I'm not being referred by my ob.

Re: New Member

Welcome to the group, I wish we were meeting for happier occasions.Yours sounds like a classic case of Asherman's. Please don't get too distraught by reading all the bad news only. I know when I first started reading, all the articles on the internet said AS can be treated if mild, but if severe there is little hope. You can see from the Pregnancy database that that comment is not true. Also, pain is usually considered to be a "good" sign as it can indicate that you have lining (the pain is from it not being able to escape out your cervix).You are lucky to be so close to A lists. Check the archives for messages re: Dr. Palter(you can find the A list of Doctors in the Database). He has been used by LOTS of people in the group and everyone seems to like him (and I think he studied under Dr. Olive at Yale??), although he sometimes bills your condition as infertility so that may cause insurance problems. Dr. Copperman has also been used by a few with very positive results.I would skip the RE and go directly to them since you seem pretty confident that you are ovulating and progesterone is not going to bring a period. I think either will get you in in about 6 weeks time, sooner if you can get a cancellation. Whatever you do, do not let someone do surgery on you unless you know they have experience!!!I had an OB do my first surgery, and at the time I had mild AS (symptoms very much like yours). When the symptoms came back she referred me to an RE and when he did the surgery I was 100% scarred. More harm than good can come from someone who doesn't know what they're doing!!! I'm sorry for your miscarriages. The other nice thing about this group is most of us have experienced a loss and can really relate. Asherman's is scary, and I know how frightening it is to not know what's in your uterus when you know "bad news" could be devastating. Many in this group have had to remind me to "take a deep breath".Please ask all the questions you want. Good luck on your diagnosis!!!

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, I wish we were meeting for happier occasions.

Yours sounds like a classic case of Asherman's. Please don't get too

distraught by reading all the bad news only. I know when I first

started reading, all the articles on the internet said AS can be

treated if mild, but if severe there is little hope. You can see

from the Pregnancy database that that comment is not true.

Also, pain is usually considered to be a " good " sign as it can

indicate that you have lining (the pain is from it not being able to

escape out your cervix).

You are lucky to be so close to A lists. Check the archives for

messages re: Dr. Palter(you can find the A list of Doctors in the

Database). He has been used by LOTS of people in the group and

everyone seems to like him (and I think he studied under Dr. Olive at

Yale??), although he sometimes bills your condition as infertility so

that may cause insurance problems. Dr. Copperman has also been used

by a few with very positive results.

I would skip the RE and go directly to them since you seem pretty

confident that you are ovulating and progesterone is not going to

bring a period. I think either will get you in in about 6 weeks

time, sooner if you can get a cancellation. Whatever you do, do not

let someone do surgery on you unless you know they have experience!!!

I had an OB do my first surgery, and at the time I had mild AS

(symptoms very much like yours). When the symptoms came back she

referred me to an RE and when he did the surgery I was 100% scarred.

More harm than good can come from someone who doesn't know what

they're doing!!!

I'm sorry for your miscarriages. The other nice thing about this

group is most of us have experienced a loss and can really relate.

Asherman's is scary, and I know how frightening it is to not know

what's in your uterus when you know " bad news " could be devastating.

Many in this group have had to remind me to " take a deep breath " .

Please ask all the questions you want. Good luck on your diagnosis!!!

[Guest guest]

Dear Ana

Corinna told me we have a new Spanish member and I would like to

welcome you and offer my sympathy for the sadness and difficulties

you have faced recently.

Although I am English, and currently live in Italy, I lived in Madrid

for a couple of years until 2001 and was diagnosed and successfully

treated for ashermans whilst I was there.

After my treatment I went on to have another child, my daughter Ester

Ines who is now one year old.

YOu live in Coruna, is that Galcia? I was treated by Dr Marcos

Ordenes at the Ruber International hospital in Madrid. Dr Ordenes is

a wonderful man and a very popular and highly-regarded ob-gyn. I

would be confident to allow him to diagnose and treat moderate

ashermans, however if you find you have a more serious case of

ashermans, it would be wise to consider treatment by an a-list

doctor, possibily Dr Gallinat in Germany.

If you need more information or would like to speak to me, please let

me know. I am currently away from home and will not have regular

access to the internet until I will return on Sunday 16 March. I

could pass on telephone numbers etc. then.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Helena

[Guest guest]

Congrats on your pregnancy! I'll keep you in my thoughts! I'm about 30 minutes from Philly so I can get to NY. I'd love to talk to you about Dr. Copperman. Do you have to make an initial appt. for diagnosis/consultation and then wait for a second for the surgery? Or, if I get a diagnosis from the RE here can my first appt. be the surgery?

Thanks again for your help!

Re: Re: New Member

Hi , I am not sure if you are from the city, but I would be happy to diccuss Dr. Copperman with you. I had severe AS, and I am now almost 27 weeks pg. (I saw someone say you were close) susiekunin@... Czap wrote:

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am not sure if you are from the city, but I would be happy to diccuss Dr. Copperman with you. I had severe AS, and I am now almost 27 weeks pg. (I saw someone say you were close)

susiekunin@...

Czap wrote:

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

I guess I'm a little confused about the ultrasound. I thought that the scarring wouldn't show up on an ultrasound and that's why HSG or hysteroscope were required. Although how can endometrium be measured by ultrasound, but scar tissue not be visible??? My RE plans to do an ultrasound tomorrow to see if there is a blood clot blocking my cervix - again how could that show up, but not scar tissue?

Jen

Re: Re: New Member

, Someone from Philly recently went to Dr. Copperman. She followed the same process I did. You should really go for a consult, and then he will schedule surgery. During the consult, he likes to see for himself via an ultrasound. He thinks other doctors may measure too agressively. He also like you to have an HSG. I would surely do this before I went. He has a specialist in the city that does all of his HSGs. You can schedule the appts for the same day. If you email him, he will tell you what you should do before the appt. His website is www.rmaofny.com, and his personal one is acopperman@.... Feel free to ask me more questions. Kunin Czap wrote:

----- Original Message -----

[Guest guest]

,

I just figured out that Copperman is not covered on my insurance. I called Palter's office to see what they had to say and they actually couldan see me on Thursday! She's checking on how things would work with my insurance, but she doesn't think that it would be covered if I see the RE here tomorrow and then see Palter. Also, she doesn't think an HSG would be covered on the same day as a consultation so I will probably have to come back. I can tell that this insurance game will be fun! I am relieved to find out that I can get immediate care.

Thanks again!

Jen

Re: Re: New Member

Czap wrote:

----- Original Message -----

[Guest guest]

,

Someone from Philly recently went to Dr. Copperman. She followed the same process I did. You should really go for a consult, and then he will schedule surgery. During the consult, he likes to see for himself via an ultrasound. He thinks other doctors may measure too agressively. He also like you to have an HSG. I would surely do this before I went. He has a specialist in the city that does all of his HSGs. You can schedule the appts for the same day. If you email him, he will tell you what you should do before the appt. His website is www.rmaofny.com, and his personal one is acopperman@.... Feel free to ask me more questions.

Kunin

Czap wrote:

----- Original Message -----

[Guest guest]

Jen,

There are many schools of thought on this one. Dr. Copperman uses 3D u/s, and was able to see blood clots, and level of scarring. He said an HSG provided him with a better roadmap for surgery. I will say that he was right on the money in terms of his evaluation with the u/s, and what my HSG read after the u/s.

Czap wrote:

Thanks ,

I guess I'm a little confused about the ultrasound. I thought that the scarring wouldn't show up on an ultrasound and that's why HSG or hysteroscope were required. Although how can endometrium be measured by ultrasound, but scar tissue not be visible??? My RE plans to do an ultrasound tomorrow to see if there is a blood clot blocking my cervix - again how could that show up, but not scar tissue?

Jen

Re: Re: New Member

Czap wrote:

----- Original Message -----

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group, . Sounds like you already have a good

plan and you'll get lots of support from this bunch. Hope to hear

more from you.

Pat

> Hi. My name is ,I just joined this group, and thought I

would

> introduce myself a little. I've been on many diets, some

successful,

> some not, and I have found that I stick to my plans best, when I

can

> make my own choices amongst healthier choices and make small

changes

> over time, rather that following someone else's strict diet or

trying

> to make drastic changes, like all meal replacements, or avoid

carbs,

> etc. I'm also not real good with having to write down everything

I

> eat and adding up calories for the day, everyday day in day out.

I

> do know what I should and should not be eating (I am a registered

> nurse), but sometimes I eat for emotional reasons. I lost about

80#

> four years ago on a medically supervised, very-low-calorie

supplement

> diet and maitainence classes for 16 months, but have gained most

of

> it back on my own(I now weigh 223# at 5'5 " ). Very depressing, but

> educational I guess. I cannot afford to go back there again, nor

do

> I want to be dependant on their products, and I'd really like to

be

> able to kick this habit on my own.

> I guess I'm just looking for support from other folks while I make

an

> effort at controlling my compulsive eating habits.

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Annie and congratulations on your success. As you know,

the hardest part about losing weight isn't necessarily the losing

but the keeping off. I've lost weight many times in my life, vowing

to *never* let myself get back in that shape again, only to do

exactly that. One thing you will find here is people who are having

the same struggles and victories and people who are more than

willing to give support and encouragement. This group has helped me

tremendously, even tho I already belonged to TOPS. It's the *daily*

contact, I think that helps me. Stick around and let us hear more

from you. Good luck and again, welcome.

Pat

> Hi, my name is Annie and I just signed on as a member. In reading

> the past posts I think it will help me a lot to hear how other

> people are making progress with their efforts.

>

> I'm in my late 40s, and am currently hovering between 155 and 160

> pounds. About 4-5 years ago I was 260 pounds, it took about 3

years

> to get down to 175 pounds and from then on it felt like I had

> reached a point where I couldn't lose any more. By increasing my

> exercise level I've lost another 15-20 pounds over the last year

and

> a half, but it takes constant vigilance to keep from gaining it

> back. If I learned one thing over these past few years it's that

> fitness and weight maintenance truly require a lifestyle change!

>

> I'm 5'5 " so my " ideal " weight is probably 30 pounds lighter, but I

> think I would be happy with a final goal weight of about 140

> pounds. Most days I am just very happy if I feel I'm not gaining

> anything back, since it's so easy to do.

>

> I look forward to sharing ideas and hearing how you guys all stay

> motivated.

>

> Annie

[Guest guest]

Hi Libby,

I'm also new- just joined yesterday. I'm 33, weigh 166 lbs and my

height is 5'4 " . I also suffer from a bad body image. Since 4 years

ago I've gained about 10 lbs a year. My eating habits have also

gotten worse since my husband and I just drink sodas and eat out.

I've been trying to take baby steps to change my lifestyle and not

think about weight too much (yeah right!). One change I have made

is to substitute water, iced tea and lemonade for soda. I really

have stopped drinking soda, now I have to work on the junk food. Do

you want to set small goals with me? Maybe to weigh ourselves just

once per week & report to each other- that keeps me more motivated.

I also have a subscription to Fitness magazine & I'm saving up to

buy a tredmill. I'm just so tired of being overweight. We've been

trying to conceive for about 9 months now. Maybe loosing weight

will help me get pregnant. Anyway, Welcome!!!

-Liz

> Hi everyone. I am a 27 year old mom to 3 little boys. I have been

> struggling with my weight ever since my first child was born 8

years

> ago.It seems I have no will power at all. I always tell myself I

am

> going to start eating right but I never stick to it.I weigh 170

> pounds. I have a medium body frame and I am 5FT 6 inches tall.I

carry

> my weight pretty well and only look to weigh around 150 or so.I

have

> a real bad body image.Everything has went south since having and

> breastfeeding my kids.I have mitral valve prolapse syndrome also

and

> I have hardly any energy.I stay hungry all the time,but instead of

> reaching for a healthy snack I reach for junkfood.My daily eating

> plan consists of this( and i am not kidding),in the morning I

usually

> drink a 7-up and eat a large slice of cake or 2 debbie cakes.For

> snack I'll have 2 or 3 servings of chips and another 7-up,lunch

> usually consists of a couple of bologna sandwhiches,chips and

another

> debbie cake and ofcourse a 7-up.I'll eat one more time before

dinner

> and it will be a candy bar usually and then for dinner I will eat

> whatever I cook, but eat 4 or 5 servings of each thing and drink

one

> or 2 7-ups,also before bed I get hungry again and I usually eat a

> plate of leftovers around midnight.I get hardly any kind of

exercise

> and I feel terrible all the time. iI really want to change but it

> seems like my hunger is getting the best of me. If any of you have

> any

> ideas that might help me,please let me know.thanks .

>

>

> libby

[Guest guest]

Hi Libby,

My name is Eva and I'm very new to the group, but I think you'll

find a lot of good support here. I just finished looking at a book my

mom left at my house today (accidentally on purpose, I think) full of

low-carbohydrate recipes, but it also contained a few articles about

so-called " good " and " bad " carbs. The " bad " or refined carbs (cake,

chips, white bread)are bad because they are quickly absorbed by your

body, with the excess turning into fat. As the glucose from the carbs

gets turned into fat, your blood sugar drops, making you feel hungry.

So then you eat more refined carbs, but you never really satisfy your

hunger. It's a vicious cycle. What the book recommends is

substituting unrefined carbs like whole grains, beans, fruits &

vegetables. These are better because the fiber in these foods helps

slow down your body's absorption of carbs and slows the process of

turning carbs into glucose. Bottom line is, your hunger stays

satisfied longer between meals.

Anyway, I'm just getting started on my own weight-loss journey.

My primary motivation is my two little girls. I have a family history

of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer so I need to do everything I

can to lower my risk factors (obesity) so that I'll be around to watch

them grow up and have babies of their own someday. Good luck & I wish

you much success.

- Eva

My daily eating

> plan consists of this( and i am not kidding),in the morning I

usually

> drink a 7-up and eat a large slice of cake or 2 debbie cakes.For

> snack I'll have 2 or 3 servings of chips and another 7-up,lunch

> usually consists of a couple of bologna sandwhiches,chips and

another

> debbie cake and ofcourse a 7-up.I'll eat one more time before

dinner

> and it will be a candy bar usually and then for dinner I will eat

> whatever I cook, but eat 4 or 5 servings of each thing and drink

one

> or 2 7-ups,also before bed I get hungry again and I usually eat a

> plate of leftovers around midnight.I get hardly any kind of

exercise

> and I feel terrible all the time. iI really want to change but it

> seems like my hunger is getting the best of me. If any of you have

> any

> ideas that might help me,please let me know.thanks .

>

>

> libby

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group Libby! Alot of what you said has really rung

home for me. I really let myself go after having kids and figured

whatever I am a mom I had two kids I am not suppose to look like a

supermodel. I ate whatever whenever. Started my morning with a

Pepsi. The hardest part is making the changes to start off with.

Once you do it for a few weeks it becomes second nature. The first

few weeks you just have to keep reminding yourself. Maybe sit down

close family and tell them what your plans are. You need a support

system. Here is some motivation for you. One the first of September

I weighed in at 175 I am 5'4 " . Today I weigh 152. Not even three

months has went by and I am amazed.

This group is such a big part of my success so far. There are so

many motivational people here. Sherlyn and her 2 pound

challanges..Gena post so many good article and is such an

inspiration in herself. Nan always inspires me...thru all the stress

she always comes out on top! I could go on and on and on. These gals

are proof that you can do it..all of us can! We also deserve it!

Get a plan of action..Planning your meals..plan your grocery

shopping..plan your exercise. Put it in writing..plan it into your

day. Every little bit helps and before you know it you will start

feeling and seeing the changes.

Rhonda

> Hi everyone. I am a 27 year old mom to 3 little boys. I have been

> struggling with my weight ever since my first child was born 8

years

> ago.It seems I have no will power at all. I always tell myself I

am

> going to start eating right but I never stick to it.I weigh 170

> pounds. I have a medium body frame and I am 5FT 6 inches tall.I

carry

> my weight pretty well and only look to weigh around 150 or so.I

have

> a real bad body image.Everything has went south since having and

> breastfeeding my kids.I have mitral valve prolapse syndrome also

and

> I have hardly any energy.I stay hungry all the time,but instead of

> reaching for a healthy snack I reach for junkfood.My daily eating

> plan consists of this( and i am not kidding),in the morning I

usually

> drink a 7-up and eat a large slice of cake or 2 debbie cakes.For

> snack I'll have 2 or 3 servings of chips and another 7-up,lunch

> usually consists of a couple of bologna sandwhiches,chips and

another

> debbie cake and ofcourse a 7-up.I'll eat one more time before

dinner

> and it will be a candy bar usually and then for dinner I will eat

> whatever I cook, but eat 4 or 5 servings of each thing and drink

one

> or 2 7-ups,also before bed I get hungry again and I usually eat a

> plate of leftovers around midnight.I get hardly any kind of

exercise

> and I feel terrible all the time. iI really want to change but it

> seems like my hunger is getting the best of me. If any of you have

> any

> ideas that might help me,please let me know.thanks .

>

>

> libby

[Guest guest]

Hi Libby and welcome to the group. All I can say is don't let the food beat you.

Find some determination and beat it!!!!....Take care......Leanne

carefree80crazy carefree80crazy@...> wrote:Hi everyone. I am a 27 year

old mom to 3 little boys. I have been

struggling with my weight ever since my first child was born 8 years

ago.It seems I have no will power at all. I always tell myself I am

going to start eating right but I never stick to it.I weigh 170

pounds. I have a medium body frame and I am 5FT 6 inches tall.I carry

my weight pretty well and only look to weigh around 150 or so.I have

a real bad body image.Everything has went south since having and

breastfeeding my kids.I have mitral valve prolapse syndrome also and

I have hardly any energy.I stay hungry all the time,but instead of

reaching for a healthy snack I reach for junkfood.My daily eating

plan consists of this( and i am not kidding),in the morning I usually

drink a 7-up and eat a large slice of cake or 2 debbie cakes.For

snack I'll have 2 or 3 servings of chips and another 7-up,lunch

usually consists of a couple of bologna sandwhiches,chips and another

debbie cake and ofcourse a 7-up.I'll eat one more time before dinner

and it will be a candy bar usually and then for dinner I will eat

whatever I cook, but eat 4 or 5 servings of each thing and drink one

or 2 7-ups,also before bed I get hungry again and I usually eat a

plate of leftovers around midnight.I get hardly any kind of exercise

and I feel terrible all the time. iI really want to change but it

seems like my hunger is getting the best of me. If any of you have

any

ideas that might help me,please let me know.thanks .

libby

[Guest guest]

Excellent, sounds like you're off to a good start by knowing what

works for you and what doesn't. Plus you already know you can do it!

I bet I'll be seeing you post a loss in no time!!

Catalina

> Hi. My name is ,I just joined this group, and thought I would

> introduce myself a little. I've been on many diets, some

successful,

> some not, and I have found that I stick to my plans best, when I

can

> make my own choices amongst healthier choices and make small

changes

> over time, rather that following someone else's strict diet or

trying

> to make drastic changes, like all meal replacements, or avoid

carbs,

> etc. I'm also not real good with having to write down everything I

> eat and adding up calories for the day, everyday day in day out. I

> do know what I should and should not be eating (I am a registered

> nurse), but sometimes I eat for emotional reasons. I lost about 80#

> four years ago on a medically supervised, very-low-calorie

supplement

> diet and maitainence classes for 16 months, but have gained most of

> it back on my own(I now weigh 223# at 5'5 " ). Very depressing, but

> educational I guess. I cannot afford to go back there again, nor

do

> I want to be dependant on their products, and I'd really like to be

> able to kick this habit on my own.

> I guess I'm just looking for support from other folks while I make

an

> effort at controlling my compulsive eating habits.

[Guest guest]

Welcome!!! I stay motivated by reading posts like yours. =+) Your

progress is terrific!! Congrats!!

Catalina

> Hi, my name is Annie and I just signed on as a member. In reading

> the past posts I think it will help me a lot to hear how other

> people are making progress with their efforts.

>

> I'm in my late 40s, and am currently hovering between 155 and 160

> pounds. About 4-5 years ago I was 260 pounds, it took about 3

years

> to get down to 175 pounds and from then on it felt like I had

> reached a point where I couldn't lose any more. By increasing my

> exercise level I've lost another 15-20 pounds over the last year

and

> a half, but it takes constant vigilance to keep from gaining it

> back. If I learned one thing over these past few years it's that

> fitness and weight maintenance truly require a lifestyle change!

>

> I'm 5'5 " so my " ideal " weight is probably 30 pounds lighter, but I

> think I would be happy with a final goal weight of about 140

> pounds. Most days I am just very happy if I feel I'm not gaining

> anything back, since it's so easy to do.

>

> I look forward to sharing ideas and hearing how you guys all stay

> motivated.

>

> Annie

[Guest guest]

I'm late, so I'm sure someone's already said this, but I have to

say " Stop buying the junk food!! " You reach for the junk food cause

it's convenient, it's there waiting for you. So stop buying it, if

you don't feel you have enough willpower in the grocery store, get

someone to go with you as chaperone, with the explicit task of NOT

letting you purchase cake, Little Debbie's, chips, etc, no matter

what you try! You don't need it in the house, and your husband and

kids don't need it either. Not to say you'll never have these things

again, but don't keep them around, do something like designate 1 day

of the week where you go to the store and pick out 1 (and only 1,

not " 1 box " ) of your most craved " treat " . (whether you also get one

treat for each of your kids and the hubby is up to you, I just say

your biggest improvement will come from not having that stuff so

handy!) My recommendation is let this be the first thing you tackle.

Don't think you need to drastically change your life overnight, take

everything in gradual steps, look at them as " lifestyle changes " , and

permanent, not a " diet " or temporary solutions you know you can't

maintain. So the first week, make your goal to clear the house of

junk food (uh, I don't mean eat it all tonight) We're all taught not

to waste food, but that's not your step for this week, and remember

your health (physical and emotional) is more important than worrying

about wasting a couple dollars by throwing the junk food away. (If

necessary, tell yourself you're pitching it because mice have pooped

in it) Now, very important!! If you don't accomplish this completely

in the first week, I guarantee there'll be another week right after

that one. =+) So do NOT beat yourself up. Think about what was easy,

what was tough, brainstorm ways to get around the hard parts, etc. I

don't allow people on this list to beat themselves up, cause that's

my job, haha. (I've got some steel-toed boots for when you need a

kick in the rear)

Oh, and if I didn't scare you off, welcome to the group. =+)

Catalina

eightlossbuddies2 , " carefree80crazy "

wrote:

> Hi everyone. I am a 27 year old mom to 3 little boys. I have been

> struggling with my weight ever since my first child was born 8

years

> ago.It seems I have no will power at all. I always tell myself I am

> going to start eating right but I never stick to it.I weigh 170

> pounds. I have a medium body frame and I am 5FT 6 inches tall.I

carry

> my weight pretty well and only look to weigh around 150 or so.I

have

> a real bad body image.Everything has went south since having and

> breastfeeding my kids.I have mitral valve prolapse syndrome also

and

> I have hardly any energy.I stay hungry all the time,but instead of

> reaching for a healthy snack I reach for junkfood.My daily eating

> plan consists of this( and i am not kidding),in the morning I

usually

> drink a 7-up and eat a large slice of cake or 2 debbie cakes.For

> snack I'll have 2 or 3 servings of chips and another 7-up,lunch

> usually consists of a couple of bologna sandwhiches,chips and

another

> debbie cake and ofcourse a 7-up.I'll eat one more time before

dinner

> and it will be a candy bar usually and then for dinner I will eat

> whatever I cook, but eat 4 or 5 servings of each thing and drink

one

> or 2 7-ups,also before bed I get hungry again and I usually eat a

> plate of leftovers around midnight.I get hardly any kind of

exercise

> and I feel terrible all the time. iI really want to change but it

> seems like my hunger is getting the best of me. If any of you have

> any

> ideas that might help me,please let me know.thanks .

>

>

> libby

[Guest guest]

Congrats on the weight loss!! This is a great group, I am sure you

will find a lot of support here.

Cheryl

> I believe this is my first post. I've been watching the message

> board for the past week, during which time I have lost 2 lbs even

> though I can't seem to stay on my diet.

>

> Last week I weighed 175.6. Today I am 173.5.

>

> This is Day 2 on fruits and veggies. I've eaten oranges,

grapefruit,

> pears, tomatoes, collard greens and onion so far today. I'm

> optimistic about losing more and getting in shape, to say nothing

of

> improving my health, lowering my cholesterol and preventing

obesity,

> diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

>

> Ron

[Guest guest]

Whoa...all you're eating is fruits and veggies?? Where are you

getting your required amounts of protein, fiber and fat from??? Also,

no wonder you can't stay on this diet if that is all you're eating,

your body needs more than just fruits and veggies.

Catalina

> I believe this is my first post. I've been watching the message

> board for the past week, during which time I have lost 2 lbs even

> though I can't seem to stay on my diet.

>

> Last week I weighed 175.6. Today I am 173.5.

>

> This is Day 2 on fruits and veggies. I've eaten oranges,

grapefruit,

> pears, tomatoes, collard greens and onion so far today. I'm

> optimistic about losing more and getting in shape, to say nothing

of

> improving my health, lowering my cholesterol and preventing

obesity,

> diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

>

> Ron