Tried to leave - but I love you guys....

[Barb]

Ok, 2nd bit of news this week, I am not leaving Minimins. I thought I should because I have stopped 'dieting' completely and started a whole new lifestyle. However, I reckoned without Mini and her irresistable love and kindness. So, still here but in a very different frame of mind. If you read my thread about leaving you already know that I have got myself in a right turmoil about the whole dieting thing. The constant evaluation of my own behaviour/eating habits/self worth etc.. had just got beyond a joke, I found myself unable to think about any subject without it relating back to my weight. So I made a decision. No more feast or famine for me, just loads of exercise, good food and a 'normal' attitude to life. I already feel so much better, I have neither stuffed or starved, but I am back swimming (26 lengths today) and I feel calmer and happier. I know that for most people this site is very much about weight loss - and I totally understand that, but I want to lurk and encourage everyone here to be at least kind to themselves. I think we all deserve that.
With love and thanks to Mini for her unstinting and unjudgemental support. Barbxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[MadamDotty]

So glad you decided to stay Barb, you've always got so much support & advice to give, you would be missed that's for sure.

Sounds like a good plan re your eating & exercising, I'm trying to do the same thing at the moment, as I've got into a feast/famine cycle myself.

Take care
xx

 

[dizzy-n-mizzy]

OOh that good news Barb. Glad you are still going to be around and with a healthy no diet lifestyle too. I've converted over to the exercise too and am feeling so much better.

Look forward to seeing you around regularly!

Dizzy x

 

[Isobel1965]

Hooray!!!!!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Barb]

Thanks Madam D, Dizzy and Isobel - I am glad you are glad - me too! I have definately had a bit of a light bulb moment - really i have my DH to thank for it. He said 'why do you worry so, if you move a bit more, step up the swimming a bit and not do too much nibbling , you'll be fine' . Do you know what? I am. I am staying off the scales except for on the first of each month. I think that will be plenty often enough to keep an eye on myself and if my weight drops - fantastic, if it doesn't, well I will still be a healthier, happier, fitter Barb and I will happily settle for that!

Love Barb xxxxxxxxxx

 

[canireallydothis!!]

Great to see you hun x

 

[Mini]

Hi Barb,

So happy your here and I think your plan is a good one.

You always have such good advise and support for others, but you know this cuts both ways and we are here for you as well.

Love Mini xxx

 

[Russiandoll]

So glad you're staying Barb. You know, this forum may be primarily about weight loss but the underlying feeling amongst its members is one of cameraderie and support. That means supporting each other in whatever methods we choose when trying to get healthy.

You know, way back in Sept 2005 when I first moved back down South and started college, I weighed 19st 4lb. I immersed myself in college and didn't have the time nor the inclination to 'diet' and just ate sensibly. I didn't weigh myself either.
By the time I decided to start Cambridge at the end of March 2006, I weighed 18st 13lb. Now I know that half a stone isn't much of a loss in 6 months (although bearing in mind that was over Christmas too) but my point is that when I stopped obsessing, I stopped gaining.

If I hadn't had so much to lose, then I think my attitude was just about bang on and I'd have stuck with it. If I can capture that again when I reach goal then I'll be sorted! (fingers crossed!)

You are swimming regularly (and we all know how much energy THAT uses up!) and with your new relaxed, healthy attitude you have to food, I reckon you'll do just fine!

Thank you for sticking with us!

 

[Barb]

Thanks Vicky, Mini and Debbie! Yes, I think I am on the right route for me - it is going to be slow and may not result i any loss at all, but my brain feels better! I don't feel all worried and wound up like I did. This swimming is the first orgainsed exercise I have done in, in, um - EVER! I was always the kid getting out of PE, sitting down not running about in the palyground and have never had a sporty bone in my bod. Now, because we have Ozzie, I have to do a 30 minute walk everyday and I think that is what has made me fit enough to swim. Now if I can do 20-30 lengths 4-5 times a week I should be able to eat sensibly and at least not gain any more.I will weigh myself on the 1st of March (in a very non obsessive way!) and let you know if I have gained, lost or stayed the same!

Love Barb xx

 

[Roch]

Barb, hun i am so pleaesed you decided to stay.MiniMIns would not be the same without you, the care, kindness and support you show for everybody is out of this world.You are always here for all of us no matter what is going on in your life.Your are non judgemental and compassionate and i would miss you soo much if you were not around.

Wow 26 lengths that is amazing !!
Hun we all know that healthy eating and exercise is the best way to lose weight so u r doing everthing right.
Take care hun and have a lovely day xxxxxxx

 

[Barb]

Thought I should catch up with everyone and let you know how the whole 'eating sensibly, exercising and not obsessing' thing is going. Well, actually very well! I just am not thinking about food all the time and I am having what I want not what I think I 'should'. Done lots of swimming and walking and I know that is helping and I feel like I have dropped a lb or 2 but have stayed away from the scales. Only snag now is that I think I have a chest infection brewing as am coughing and wheezing which is a bit of a bugger as I am off on hols on Thursday! Still, I may pick up quickly and be ok, so long as I can stay off the steroids (which I was on for almost 10 years for my lungs) then I will be happy. So, here's to another week of getting on with my life now, instead of waiting until i am the right weight!!!!

Love Barb xx

 

[kazz]

Hi Barb, sorry your not feeling well hun....those steriods are horrible...my mum has to take them regularly as she suffers really bad with chest infections, broncitis, pluricy etc so I can understand why you dont want to have to take them

Glad your plan is working out for ye...scales are evil, your much better off away from them!

One way or another, hope you have a fab holiday!

 

[Russiandoll]

Great news that your new healthy approach to food is working for you. The whole dieting thing can be a mad merry-go-round that, once you're on it, can be almost impossible to get off (I am a long-term fully paid up passenger on this merry-go-round so I should know! lol).

Glad to see you posting again!

 

[dizzy-n-mizzy]

Hi Barb

Glad the new approach is working so well for you. Hope the chest infection doesn't come to much and wishing you a great holiday.

Dizzy x