{Diet and Exercise} by Dolly Mama's GIVEAWAY!!!

[Jami Johnson]

Did you make a New Year's resolution to lose weight and/or exercise more? Only two month's into the new year and have you already broken it? Need some humor to get you going again? Watch for the release of this hilarious new set in the coming days!

In the meantime though, since diet and exercise is such a fun (not) topic to discuss, tell us your best diet/exercise story and you could win this set (http://www.embroidables.com/store.php?page=product&collection=143)for FREE!!! It can either be a personal story of victory or one where maybe you need a little encouraging. I'll pick TWO winners Monday evening, March 1st. One winner will be randomly chosen and the other winner will be one that inspires me the most.

So, what are you waiting for? Get those fingers exercising and tell us your story! We can't wait to hear it!!!

Fine Print: Dolly Mama's Diet and Exercise Set (http://www.embroidables.com/store.php?page=product&collection=143)consists of 7 designs and will retail for $34.95.

[GINNYK54]

Did you make a New Year's resolution to lose weight and/or exercise more? Only two month's into the new year and have you already broken it? Need some humor to get you going again? Watch for the release of this hilarious new set in the coming days!

In the meantime though, since diet and exercise is such a fun (not) topic to discuss, tell us your best diet/exercise story and you could win this set for FREE!!! It can either be a personal story of victory or one where maybe you need a little encouraging. I'll pick TWO winners Monday evening, March 1st. One winner will be randomly chosen and the other winner will be one that inspires me the most.

So, what are you waiting for? Get those fingers exercising and tell us your story! We can't wait to hear it!!!

Fine Print: Dolly Mama's Diet and Exercise Set consists of 7 designs and will retail for $34.95.

Hi,
I needed to lose 30-35 pounds which I never lost from the birth of my last child. So finally after 22 years I lost it!! I started over a year ago by not so much dieting as just changing things in my life. I am a little obsessive compulsive, so I told myself I can NOT eat after 7pm ever!! And, I pretty much lived up to that and still do. I just have this in my head not to eat after 7pm and I eat as much as I can until then :-) Also, I tried different exercise videos, but I pretty much just walk my dog or do the treadmill. Walking is free and it's so nice to go outside and enjoy God's great earth!!
Not much of a super fantastic story, but it's what really worked for me.
Happy to be a loser ?:-) Ginny K

[fun2sew]

Oh Jami..... This Design was on my Birthday Card this pass year!!! I love it! Well, I had to lose 30-35 pounds too and Did it with Weight Watchers... Great Program! Writing down everthing that goes in your mouth is Really an eye opener. Well I weighed in the week I left for a Disney Cruise....Hit GOAL !!! Well the cruise was awesome, my eating habits turned bad and gained it back slowly... that was back in 2004, but now I lost another 10 pounds and slowly getting it back off, walking everday is a plus and My hubby does it with me and we keep track on a chart near the treadmill..... in the summer I walk my pool. Also Eating in my sewing room does not mix as I don't like my projects to get food on them, sooooooooooo when I work in my sewing room ... NO FOOD ALLOWED IN MY SEWING ROOM !!! I also try not to eat after 7.00pm It does not bother me when my Hubby sits and has a BIG BOWL of Ice Cream for a late snack ...But Its been a stuggle for me but I think you have to have your mind set/straight and OF COURSE these designs will give us a laugh and that burns more calories!!!
Can't wait to see the rest of the designs Jami!

[craftmama]

you ladies crack me up. I could lose about 50-60 pounds. Actually I have lost 60 pounds, BUTT (haha) it just keeps coming back. Sort of like a yo-yo. Here today, gone tomorrow, here today, gone tomorrow. Actually I started weight watchers AGAIN, but this time I have a friend going with me. I have lost 5% (10 lbs) so far and am delighted. My problem is excercise, I have everything out in the garage, but just looking at it doesn't work, so I set up a tv and the treadmill and watch General Hospital after work while suffering thru excercising. Hopefully I will lose it this time and not find it. Somethings are better lost.

[Joanne Dillon]

My Daddy had a funny saying for everything and one day he said to me - "Watch what you put in your mouth or you'll look just like your Mother." Dang if he wasn't right. I wasn't watching what I put in my mouth and one day I looked in the mirror and there stood my Mother. I tell that story to the younger ladies in my life and remind them that there is truth in the statement. Not that it is a bad thing, but it doesn't hurt to reflect once in a while and make positive changes in your diet that will reflect in the mirror. Daddy also said "watch your waistline or no one else will."

I always try to watch what I put in my mouth.

Thanks for listening..... Joanne Dillon

[StitchinGrandma]

Oh my gosh Jami~ Those are going to be super cute.
My best story is from years ago when I worked really hard and lost over 80 lbs. My husband at the time also lost approx. 60lbs. Since I am a very good cook and baker I got new cookbooks and learned how to adapt our favorite recipes using ingredient substitutions and still end up with a great tasting dinner or dessert. Not all of those worked well however and some things turned out more like I was creating a new line of play food for little kids play kitchens. LOL

Gosh, that feels like a lifetime ago now when my husband (then) and I lost so much weight doing that. It was a HUGE amount of work though because back then there weren't all these food substitutions they have now. I am not one that likes the substitutions though because the ingredient labels scare me in reading some of those things. I figure if I can't say/pronounce the ingredient then it's probably not something that I should be putting into my mouth.

And then one day, after all that work I was doing in spending hours weekly reading recipes and adapting them, making grocery lists, putting them in order of the store we shopped in, printing the weekly menus, I found that he had given up and had been stopping at McDonald's on the way home after work to buy an entire meal :eek: ...then he'd come home where I had been cooking for hours and eat again. UGH. That was SO discouraging that I was not very happy, or nice to him and I quit doing it all. :rolleyes:

ETA: Just because I am such a competitive person I went out later and found all that weight I'd lost. I don't like losing things you know. :D (Diana you aren't the only one with that big yo-yo following you around. ;) )

[Jeaner]

I haven't held my promise to myself this year of losing the weight gained as a result of my happiness. Five-and-a-half years ago, I decided after being divorced for 9 years and raising my fabulous daughter with not much help from her dad, that I had reached the point where it would be nice to have someone special in my life. Luckily, the office where I worked decided to promote Weight Watchers and hold the meetings in our office at lunch. It doesn't get any easier than that - and hard to make excuses not to join in. This was about me becoming the woman I always wanted to be - the confidant woman with a great figure crying to escape within me. I was very successful with WW and lost 35 lbs. I looked and felt fabulous. With my new found happiness in myself, I embarked on a journey that was a little scary - I joined eharmony! I know, is not something I would have ever done before. But, I am so glad I did. I actually met the man of my dreams! I know, totally amazing, and just like the TV commercials! After dating for a year, we have now been married almost 4 years, and it's still just wonderful. Fairy tales do come true - and like the saying, one shoe can change your life, my motto is 5 pounds can change your life! Thank you! Jean Marie[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[omaknits]

I went to the doctor last June. He told me I had had a heart attack. I didn't think so, but knew I needed to loose some weight. I went home and threw out the sugar and the dairy. I drank 24 oz of water every day, ate fruit and vegetables and chicken. In six weeks I had lost over 30 lbs. Now here we are through the holidays and I have NOT gained it back! I changed my lifestyle to reduce the sugar and dairy (cheese- which has a lot of salt). I walk a fast mile per day and I have put myself number 1. My husband is number 2 in my life. I am now a better person.

Laugh, if you can't laugh, you are buried too far into the daily woes.

Pat in Colorado

[Boo Grandma]

Dieting is something I've done most of my life. Losing, gaining, losing, gaining. My baby is 34 yrs. old and I haven't lost the baby fat yet. Retired from teaching after 38 years and tried to start walking but bad knees and a hip kept me comfortable at the sewing machine. Well, I'm 6 years out from good knees and 10 weeks out from hip surgery and finally I can exercise free of pain. The program that is working for me is "Silver Sneakers". I am exercising with a group 3days a week and feel great...walking on other days. Like others I limit the intake and drink lots of water. The new embroidables will be perfect for a jacket or workout pants. Love your work.

[Rbaxter]

It seems like evey 10 years I get serious about dieting and finally lose weight. I'm on a constant diet it seems, and the intentions are aways good but I don't lose weight. Now the weight creeps up ever so slowly and in 10 years I'm that 1 to 2 pounds up. But in 10 years your up 10 to 20, 30 lbs. I've tried Weight Watchers, Slim Fast , Adkins, Calotrend, you name it. I really don''t think it matters what your on except that don't waste your money till you have your head on straight. You've got to be committed and no excuses. Since October I went on Nutri Systems and lost 30 lbs and have had a lot of determnation. I have had lots of compliments and feel good. I promised myself that I would keep it off this time and feel good. But now I feel myself slipping back. I really need to lose about 20 more pounds and am trying to get myself back in the grove but it is so hard. The rewards are great but I can't figure out how you comnstantly keep the monentum up. I love your design and will get it. There are lots of people I know that will love this on a T-Shirt or :) jacket.

[Sisterbill]

I've always had weight issues. I'm a "stress eater". My mother in law was always very supportive of my efforts but she really "got my goat" a couple of times. Once when my husband's uncle came to visit, as she was introducing him to me she said "this is Bill's wife, Sue, she lost 40 lbs but she's gained it all back." I thought I would die!! Later, I joined Weight Watchers and got it under much better control So...when introducing me to the ladies that she worked with, she said "this is Bill's wife, Sue. She used to be fat." ;)

[StitchinGrandma]

I've always had weight issues. I'm a "stress eater". My mother in law was always very supportive of my efforts but she really "got my goat" a couple of times. Once when my husband's uncle came to visit, as she was introducing him to me she said "this is Bill's wife, Sue, she lost 40 lbs but she's gained it all back." I thought I would die!! Later, I joined Weight Watchers and got it under much better control So...when introducing me to the ladies that she worked with, she said "this is Bill's wife, Sue. She used to be fat." ;)

:eek: You need to enroll that woman into a program called "Manners and how they apply to YOU too" Wow. I am sitting here with my mouth open. Anyone introducing me that way would have gotten a few choice words from me right there in front of her friends or co-workers. There is NO reason for anyone to act like that.
I've got a very sharp tongue when necessary though and am very good at 'come-backs' I'm afraid that would have been one of those times when I used both of those characteristics. :D

[Steff]

A few years ago my adult daughter and I were walking a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) along a walkway. The walkers had started 45 minutes prior to the runners. As we were walking we heard the runners approaching us from behind. We moved to the right but maintained our stride, complete with arms swinging. Now, the runners could see us as they came up to us from behind - keep that in mind. As the first runner passed, I was in mid-arm swing, my left arm swinging back. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending upon how you look at it) the front runner contacted my open left hand just as it was closing and I "had a good grab" so to speak. He jumped and his pace picked up as he passed us! We continue to joke about that to this day and I'm sure the "winner of the 1/2" has considered it on more than on occassion when he is passing a walker.

[craftmama]

I've always had weight issues. I'm a "stress eater". My mother in law was always very supportive of my efforts but she really "got my goat" a couple of times. Once when my husband's uncle came to visit, as she was introducing him to me she said "this is Bill's wife, Sue, she lost 40 lbs but she's gained it all back." I thought I would die!! Later, I joined Weight Watchers and got it under much better control So...when introducing me to the ladies that she worked with, she said "this is Bill's wife, Sue. She used to be fat." ;)
I know how you feel, my FIL's new wife comes to visit and says.....ahhhh I see you went off the diet again. (and this is after I lost 30 lbs and was still dieting, know wonder I yo-yo'd it back on.)

[fossilsam]

I've tried many times to lose weight but have not had my head in the right place. I remember going to Weight Watchers with a couple of friends and then going out and eating a big meal after the meet. I also found myself eating ice cream while watching The Biggest Loser. With God's help, my mind is in the right place and I'm on track. Back at Weight Watchers and still eating out after the meeting but having a healthy sandwich instead. I'm also walking outside if it's not raining or at the gym after work if it is. I feel great and know that this is my time to focus on taking care of me. I'm 13.6 pounds down in 4 weeks with a ways to go yet but feel great.

[astack229]

Ok, this is not exactly what I call inspirational but it's a theory (not based in fact at all) that I have come up with and it works for me.

I believe that the Universe is a constant weight. When someone else looses weight someone else has to gain weight in order to maintain equilibrium. So when I gain weight, I'm just doing my part for the universe and all of mankind!!!

Want to hear my theory on aging??

8)
Anne

[sewsprint1]

I needed to lose 225 pounds for almost 20 years. I finally divorced him!!!!!

No, seriously, years ago I decided to get back into shape. I decided to start with sit-ups. That decision truly saved my life. When I laid down on the floor I discovered a pea sized lump on my left breast right next to my breastbone. I called the doctor the next day and together we discovered it was breast cancer!! The next week I had a mastectomy followed by 6 weeks of radiation treatments. This happened almost 30 years ago (April of 1980) and had I not decided to do the sit-ups I doubt I would have ever found the lump!!!

Brenda L. (sewsprint)
Kokomo, IN

[BettyA]

At the time my diet story was not funny. But now when looking back, I have to laugh and say - "what was I thinking".
As always I needed to lose a few pounds - okay more than a few - and I wanted a diet that was easy to follow. The kind that tells me what to eat each day and how much. I found a diet that had a plan for each day - 1st day each 7 boiled eggs, 2nd day eat 3 ounces of beef and 4 tomatoes and so on. I did really good keeping up with each day and even lost weight and thought - now this is the diet for me - UNTIL - the 3rd week. One day I was to eat 7 hotdogs - piece of cake (oops) right? When I took the hotdogs out of the frig, I thought they smelled funny, but I dismissed the smell as - I am hungry, my nose is just off, I just bought them yesterday. I cooked 3 of the hotdogs and ate them. About an hour later my stomach felt a little sick. As the day went on, I got sicker and sicker. I was sick for two days and swore never to eat another hotdog in my life. It was about 5 years before I could eat a hotdog.
Looking back, it is funny, but not then. I now stay with diets - like eat more fruits and vegatables and get more exercise.
My mother always told me - "if you are going to be stupid, you gotta be tough". She was soooooooo right.

[Nette]

Nine years ago, I lost 47 pounds after my daughter's friend told her I was a "hippo." On my 40th birthday, I hit that 42 pound mark, 2 pounds better than my goal. How did I do it? I made up my very own motto, "Eat less, Eat healthy, Exercise and Pray." It worked for me, and now, nine years later, I need it to work again. Bad habits are so hard to break, especially when 50 is just around the corner. This time, I have another goal, more of a health issue type of goal than "not looking like a hippo." I want to eat less, which I just started doing this week. I want to eat healthy, which is also a major undertaking with a junk food-a-holic teen in the house, but I'm doing it! I don't especially want to exercise, but it is part of the motto and I KNOW I'll feel better once I get into the routine. Which brings me to prayer. I spend much time in prayer daily, but not really asking for stuff for myself. I need to start that up again. I know blessings come, but we have to ask for them. I haven't weighed in this time, but I think I'm down about 2 pounds. I'll keep trying and look forward to feeling better. As for that "hippo" thing.....

[Embroidables]

Just after Jami and I got married, we went out with my parents while they shopped for a treadmill. At one of the stores Jami decided that she would like to try a test walk on one of the treadmills, so she hopped up on it and started walking, jogging, pushing buttons etc… Once satisfied that she had thoroughly evaluated all of the features she turned around to walk off the tread mill without turning it off first. Within a matter of a fraction of a second her legs shot out from under her, she landed on her butt right on the track and then shot out the back of the treadmill and onto the floor. I still laugh about it anytime I drive by that treadmill store.

[LaKay]

I do alot of embroidery work on my own clothes. I love to do Wrangler pants legs. I had about five pair that I had done. I decided to quit smoking last year and yes I gained weight and could not get into my designed jeans. So I went on a protein diet. In forty days I lost the twenty pounds I gained and was back in my designed jeans. I feel great and am designing a jacket with humming birds on it

[Librarygail]

Hello all!

I'm on a big girl panties diet!

I was a chubby child who weighed more than the other children...and I heard the mantra "you have such a pretty face, if you lost weight you'd be really beautiful." Funny...no one tells me I have such a pretty face any more....one of the benefits of age and wisdom. Well, that's my story anyway.

I look back at pictures in various stages of my life and realize that I wasn't as unattractive and fat as I thought I was. For a long time I postponed my life and various activites until I lost weight, setting a very unrealistic goal.

I've been on every diet you can think of from buying their food, to fads, to Weight Watchers. Some don't work and some do. Weight Watchers works and you get to enjoy food. And that's the diet I am on now--enjoy my life. I keep the food part in perspective.

A couple of years ago I did have to put on my big girl panties and address the weight and exercise. I lose weight more slowly than most people so even though I was following WW and now I'm supporting my husband by following a low-carb diet for diabetics. It works too. But it's part of my life and living!

Losing weight has enabled me to be more active and more creative. I'm more relaxed so I can sew, knit and embroider, walk the dog, go to the gym and do more things. I dance like no one is watching because I love it and I eat food that is good for me and tastes good.

Oh, and my big girl panties are a couple of sizes smaller now. They are--ahem--rather large but that's okay too.

Best wishes to everyone
Gail

[Nanny Carol]

Everytime I mention that I need to diet my husband immediately decides to bring home my favorite ice cream as a surprise. Of course I could ignor the ice cream, but what about the surprise cookies he hands me when he comes home from work?! He is so precious to bring me surprises so how do i refuse? He must like me plump.

[Imk]

I guess I am one of the fortunate ones who has never had a huge weight problem but I have to watch my diet because of an inherited vascular system which has caused me to have by-pass surgery. I check the fat and salt content of everything I buy and eat lots of fruit and vegetables. I also try to walk on the treadmill at least three times a week, plus my sewing room is the bonus room over the garage, so I do stairs several times a day.

Imk

[Earlene]

I have been trying to lose weight for 26 years. I have tried lots of things over the years. I lose weight so slow that I give up. But after seeing myself in pictures at my sons wedding, I knew it was time to stop making excuses and start working on my weight lose. Its been a whole year and I have taken off 22 pounds so far. Its been a up hill battle, but I'm doing it. I have a slow thyroid which I'm on meds. for. I'm not giving in this time. My goal is over a 100 pounds. I will make it this time, No EXCUSES!

[hardworkfhe]

So many great stories.
Mine has been simple. I, too maybe need to lose 225plus pounds. :stupido2: But I am still married. A told me when we were dating that if I ever weight 200 pounds he'd leave me. I was worried all the time, pregrant with baby number 7, and less then 2 years apart from number 6, I weighted 190 when I deliveried Josh. I remember crying in the shower after having Josh praying that I could lose the weight. A was always on me about it. (he now is obese). I ended up with so many health problems it hasn't been funny. Prayers can get answered in interesting ways. I did lose some of the weight. Never down to MY PERFECT weight.
Since this last moved I had gain 10 pounds that I didn't need. I had two choices keep eating and buy new clothes a bigger size or watch what I'm eating and fit into all my clothes. I have lost 11 pounds. Almost everthing in my closet fits! I would like to lose another 10, but if I don't it will be okay. I decided instead of trying to make a husband happy, who only cares about what is in it for him. I need to do what is best for me. When I do that I am the best Mom and person that I can be. I can look in the mirror now, and not hear the things I have been told all my life. I am looking in the mirror and telling myself I can do it. Little by little is just fine.
I am worth it. I am a Daughter of God!! We have a loving Father in Heaven that only wants the best for each of us. When I remember to ask for His help in this area I am successfull. For some dumb reason I had thought this was one I had to do alone. Not like I think like this about anything else. Some things just take longer to learn.;) If I don't lose the next 10 pounds it is okay. I have gotten to know that some control is good, and I don't have to have total control. I have learned that loving yourself is part of the dieting process. Getting rid of some of the stress does make a difference. If Heavenly Father loves me with all my faults then it's okay for me to like myself and to love some of the things about myself. I don't have to love everything about myself, because there are things that I need to improve and still work on. But for the first time I am loving myself enough to take care of myself, just enough not to be selfish. A balance that is important for all in this life.
Hoping all of us can do a little better somewhere in our life.

[SusieSew]

At leased 20 pounds over weight, I was determined to do something about it. I thought for days, just what method I would use. Watching Jane Fonda pitch her exercise video on television one day, I was inspired. The video arrived in the mail in a timely manner. It sat on my coffee table for a week. Every time I looked at it I felt guilty. I finally got up enough gumption to watch it. So I went into the kitchen and popped me a large bowl of popcorn, poured butter all over it, put the video in the machine, laid down on my bed and stuffed my face as I watched.

[phillips]

I am at the point in my life where every doctors comment begins with "well for your age..." Last doctors visit he began again, "well for your age you really need to combine healthy diet and exercise". I hate the "E" word but thought I would give it a try. I knew it was not for me when I got my heart rate in the target zone just trying to put on my cute workout outfit!

[Darla jo]

I have been on so many diets before. I lost over 225 pounds as well (divorce)and have now remarried but the weight just keeps coming and going. I have realized through this whole process that it's in my mind! I have come to realize that I need God's help to overcome the negative thoughts that keep me from taking care of myself. When I allow the negative thoughts to over take the postive ones is when I fall off the wagon. When I allow the postive thoughts to take over I seem to do much better. I have decided that I am going to give this one more try. I have two daughters that are real close to be getting married and I want to be the knock out mom that the X wish he still had (LOL) when that days comes. I deserve to feel better and look better too. I believe that this design will inspire alot of people to keep on keeping on...thank you!

[Sew Fun]

For most of my adult life I was amazed by my friends with weight problems and the fact they couldn't seem to lose what they wanted. Low and behold, I stopped smoking and va va voom I quickly understood. My goal right now is to lose ~30# but had shoulder surgery on the 7th of last month and quickly was heading in the opposite direction. Just got my wedge/sling off and hope to start a walking program and STOP grazing!

[mawmaw12]

Ur, design is so cute as always, well i guess my story isn't alot different than anone elses ,but i could use any help or suggestions from anyone. so here i go . I'm a disabeled nurse ,worked for 16 yrs , even after my back injury,had to finaly quit 2 yrs ago, i am on enough drugs to kill a horse and all i was doing was sleeping and working , no quality of life.i hurt my back while transfereing a pt.long stor y short , the md didn't do surgery in time the disc ruptured left me with paraylsis in left leg ,vaganial area, bowels don't work bladder doesn't work ,chronic pain had 16 surgeries no help, no 3 disc in my neck a bulging.ok so to my wieht gain of 60lbs. i have a difficult time exercsing because it makes my chronic pain worse, walking is about all i can do and only very short distance at a time.my husband is always telling how fat i am. oh and did i tell u i love chocolate always have . don't like vegetables or fruit .just ur basic west tx. pottato . steak kinda gal.if tried cutting back on my junk food ,but thats about all i eat,love butterfinger blizzards, and they love my gut.i'm in bed 2 days each week because of laxatives , they make me sick but no choice when ur bowels don't work and hence my weight gain , i 'm depressed have alwys been very out going person , love people, never met a stranger , love to work . so now i'm depreesed , unhappy , so my chocolate makes feel better for awhile till i see my self in the mirror.the best paart of my day is my embroiderying , i enjoy it so much , if i could do it all day i would .sorru to ramble i haven't told anyone all this ever,it easy when ur only a name. so anyone with suggestions it would greatly be apprecited.

[Davida]

In October 08 my Dr. informed me I had Type 2 Diabetes. I have been fat all my life but getting T2D never crossed my mind! My MIL had it and had died as a result so to say I was scared is an understatement. Along with that diagnosis I also already had years of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc, and was taking 6 medications to try to control it all. I did some serious soul searching over the next couple of months and decided I had to do a complete lifestyle make over. Luckily my fantastic husband was right there with me, supporting me the whole way.

In January 09 I started counting not just calories but eating a high protein, low carb, reasonable fat diet. I also gave up ALL fast food, that included stuff out of the freezer you nuke in a few minutes...that's fast, right? haha! I started planning our meals and cooking every day or fixing left overs. Going back to the way Grandma did it only healthier with no fried foods. The night before, I plan each meal and snacks on an online food tracker so I don't have to make decisions on the fly what to eat. If I leave home, I pack a small lunch. It really takes very little effort once you get in the swing of things.

I also went back to Weight Watchers. I don't follow their points plan, as they don't track carbs and proteins, but I need that weekly support and accountability. In the last year I have lost 128lb! I can't describe all the ways my mental 'place' has changed. I think having a Dr. tell you you'll be dead in 5 yrs if you don't do something really does change things!

I'd love to be able to say I turned into a freakish gym rat but I just hate the gym! But I do walk every day and I got out the old Richard Simmons Dancin to the Oldies and act like a fool all by myself! 'Exercise' means lots of things that don't include going to a big building with torture machines and sweaty people! Although sewing is a big part of my life I make myself get up every 2 hours and move. Even if it's just to walk down the driveway. Movement to me is the key.

Yes, I do have some loose skin but I also have some awesome muscles underneath. Imiagine my surprise at finding collar and shin bones after all these years! At 56 years old I can keep up with anyone! I can't wait for our next scuba diving trip in June! This will be the first time in 15 yrs I've dived as a normal size person! I still have 50lbs to go but I know I will get there and will finally keep it off.

I do have a funny story. I hate to shop for clothes.After so many years of having to buy clothes with X's in them you get to where it just isn't fun to shop. And losing an average of 10lbs a month I seemed to be changing sizes so often it wasn't feasible to spend alot of money on clothes. So I'm in WalMart doing my weekly grocery shopping in a big denim dress and underwear at least 2-3 sizes too big. I am on the dog food isle and bend over to pick up a big bag of dog food. As I stand up, with my arms full of 25lb of kibble, those large size 14 drawers hit the floor! Of course the first thing I did was to look around to see if anyone else was on the isle. Whew! I'm there by myself. So I put the bag of dog food in the basket, step out of the underwear and toss them up behind the other bags on the shelf. Now, you have to understand that my brain was in shock from standing there half naked under my dress and all I wanted to do was hide the evidence! I quickly left the per department and finished my shopping with no one being the wiser. There is something to be said for shopping ala commando! I do wonder what that person who found those XXXLg panties thought upon discovering them! :eek:

I laughed all the way home and couldn't wait to call my BFF and tell her about it. Imagine my shock when she tells me there's a website where they post hidden camera shots of people in Walmart doing all sorts of things! I still check it occasionally to see if I'm the star of the day!

Dee

[Pat Murphy]

Jami, my story is like everyone else's...weigh too much, eat too much, don't exercise enough. But last year when my husband said to me " you really need to loose some weight" and "you're not going outside in those(shorts), are you? that I knew I had to do some serious life style changes. I mean, whose husband says that to their wife? Well now I am in better shape, and a smaller size...thanks to him, and we are still married!!! Sometimes we just need a little push.

[hardworkfhe]

Oh, Dee I can't image the shock you had! Very Funny. A good reason to make suspenders!! Maybe you could use the old fashion garters attach to your bra and panties.

[Grandma Lynn]

Just breathing the aroma of food I gain 5 pounds!

[trish4656]

Jami,
For years I was in a marriage I knew was a mistake, but was afraid to leave….He never hit me, but I lived in fear that day would come because of his destructive temper outbursts. One day he said to me if I got any bigger he would divorce me…that was the motivation I needed…I lost weight, gained confidence and found the courage to leave him and never looked back. My Weight Watcher leader became my mentor and a best friend. She had lost 110 pounds and kept it off for 20 years. Once I no longer had to shop the plus size racks was such an accomplishment…..I still need to lose more weight, but I have learned to love myself just as I am and to embrace my struggles with food and emotional eating and learn from them….I hope I can continue to lose the remaining weight I want and I look forward to the release of the new Dolly Mama set to help me keep a positive yet not too serious attitude about my struggles…..As my friend says… there are those who eat to live and those who live to eat…..I know I am one of the latter!!

[Donna Redd]

Not sure that this is exactly what you were looking for - but I thought it was a funny story.

Being overweight in the later years of my life, I have always looked for ways to get back into that pair of jeans that I loved so much or any one of the back half of my closet that houses all those items "I'm going to get back intos"!

With this in mind, I have always said that if I could find an exercise that I could do inside, on my butt, in front of the TV - it would be for me! Well lo and behold - they came out with such a thing called "The Red". It is a glorified short barstool that swivels. It has handles on either side for your hands and a knob to adjust the tension. The just of it is that you hold onto the handles and swivel to the right and then back to the left. Well, being as good as my word, I found it on sale and trotted right down and purchased me one for $100 (on sale now). I brought it home and read each side of the box noting that it had a DVD included to describe how to use it and what it would do.

I went on about my normal routine and days turned into weeks and then months and the "Red" box had gotten pushed to the side and almost forgotten. I was at lunch one day by myself in a little hole in the wall place I like to go where all the waitresses call you by name and they have "blue plate specials" for every day of the week with good home cooking. Somehow I struck up a conversation with a couple that is always in there when I go, and it turned to diet/exercise for some reason.....maybe because we were all eating such delicious, fattening foods. I began to tell them the story of my promise to get involved if diet/exercise ever came to something I could do "sitting on my butt in front of the TV".

They seemed like really nice people so I also told them that it was still in the box, slid to side of my living room. This lady put down her fork and looked straight at me. I thought oops I'm gonna get blasted now because she was an attractive, slim lady. Looking right at me she said, "Darling, you have to take it out of the box - how else can you hang clothes on it!"

[Jan P.]

In October of 2006 I decided I was going to take part in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day 60 mile walk for breast cancer. I began training 1 year prior to the walk. I got up every morning and walked 2 miles. I did this for 6 months as well as following Weight Watchers. 6 months in I then began to follow the training schedule as suggested by the Koman Foundation. By the time the weekend of the walk had rolled around, I had basically walked off 37 pounds and I was in the best shape of my life. I completed the 3 Days, all 60 miles and raised $2,550 for breast cancer research! There were days when the pillow was so much more comfortable than putting on my walking shoes to walk in 20 degree temperatures but I was determined to lose the weight and complete the walk. I amazed myself with the will power and determination and I met a lot of fabulous people throughout the entire year of preparing and at the walk. It was probably one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had!

[Merilyn]

;) Boy do I need to lose the weight, I weigh double what I did when in my twenties. So the object is to feel full in the morning so you dont feel hungry the rest of the day. I get a bowl of different kinds of fruit, put some of my favorite yougurt on it and then sprinkle with walnuts, pecan, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and dried cranberries. this will make you feel quite full and satisfies any cravings. I find it is flavor I crave so make things tasty but fill up on it. It hold the cravings and hunger off for the rest of the day so I can eat reasonable amounts at each meal. Always drink water with a little lemon and then you are not adding extra calories in drink form with each meal. Eat on luncheon size plate instead of a dinner plate and you mind sees that as a lot of food. I try to leave a tablespoon size of left overs on my plate as well.
I have placed my favorite toffee in the freezer broken into small bite size pieces and that way I can suck on a piece and it lasts longer and I have controlled the size and only take ONE piece every other day. So I have my sweets and then do not binge.:lollypop:

[GarBaby]

OK-after reaching that point where your doctor tells you your metabalisim has changed I really watch what I put in because it grows and not necessarily comes out......

[Cindy lou who]

After a rough last year, the death of my mom and sister inlaw within 6 weeks of each other I gained weight because I was sad and have just been miserable about it. Also, during this time, my thryoid took a leave of absence which helped pack on the pounds. My daughter got engaged in September and is getting married this July. So before the holiday I thought maybe I should buy my 17 year old son a Wii console and I'll get myself the Wii fit. Little did I know what it took to enter your information into the system so it can keep track of your progress. But I did and everytime I step on the Wii balance board it "groans". The funniest part of the whole thing is that when it took my weight and figured my body mass index for my height, my cute little Wii person that I created to look like me went from skinny to plump. She's always turning to look at how big her butt is!! I just say I know, I know stop looking back there. Everytime I turn that thing on, it comments after you've done the weigh in. Things like: did you eat already tonight?, my it's been a while since I've seen you!, you've gained a pound and a half do you know why? Was it late night snacking, just over eating, skipping meals? The Wii is quite an exercise trainer. I need to lose 24 lbs before the wedding and things are going slowly...it has made me laugh and if you can't laugh at yourself - you're taking life to serious! So as my mom used to say in what she called her heavier days, I guess I'll just have to call Omar the tentmaker for my dress! anybody have Omar's phone number?? I may need it!
Cindy lou who;)

[kimber]

Did you make a New Year's resolution to lose weight and/or exercise more? Only two month's into the new year and have you already broken it? Need some humor to get you going again? Watch for the release of this hilarious new set in the coming days!

In the meantime though, since diet and exercise is such a fun (not) topic to discuss, tell us your best diet/exercise story and you could win this set for FREE!!! It can either be a personal story of victory or one where maybe you need a little encouraging. I'll pick TWO winners Monday evening, March 1st. One winner will be randomly chosen and the other winner will be one that inspires me the most.

So, what are you waiting for? Get those fingers exercising and tell us your story! We can't wait to hear it!!!

Fine Print: Dolly Mama's Diet and Exercise Set consists of 7 designs and will retail for $34.95.

Well , ....I quit smoking, they took me off of my estrigen cold turkey (yes I still have my mind barely...) I had some major health issues, some major surgeries, I gained 100lbs. Then it happened my Daughter gave birth to our first grandson Bailey..God new what I needed....Due to lack of funds and loss of job my Daughter and her husband needed me to watch Bailey for them 4-6 days a week. Almost 1 year later (he was born on St. Paddy's Day) I have lost thirty pounds, and am still losing....I am blessed....

[57bamagirl]

I wish I had a funny story to tell, like getting my foot caught in the treadmill & getting "dragged" for miles, but alas..... I have been overweight my entire life.It's always been a love/hate relationship with food. My father, who was an alcoholic, would both reward and punish with food, so I grew up with a screwed up concept of reward and punishment. I would "try" diets, only to fail because I was doing it for someone else. Starting in my late 20's I moved around quite a bit for my job and fell into such a deep depression about being alone that I ate constantly. Things finally came to a head last spring when I was diagnosed with osteoarthtitis in both knees and ankles. When I was able to see my doctor we had a "come to Jesus" meeting. He made me finally realize that I had to lose weight for me. I started Weight Watchers in June and have lost 61 pounds. I know that Weight Watchers will be my lifestyle for the rest of my life. I only wish I had figured it out 25 years ago!

[Embroidables]

While I was at school at BYU I worked as a white water river guide in Moab during the summers. It was a great job, but I got into a few bad eating as a result. When you are rowing a boat all day long you really can’t eat too much. One of the perks of the job was that we also ate really well. I remember we once had a bunch of vegetarian passengers on a trip and our food packer didn’t realize it and packed them each a stake. That night I ended up eating eight stakes, along with the other stuff we cooked for dinner. I ate like this every day and never gained a pound. After graduating I took a desk job and my activity level changed dramatically, but my eating habits didn’t. After two years of sitting at my desk, eating fast food, and drinking sugary soda I had gained 60 lbs. Around that time I left the desk job to start Embroidables with my wife Jami. I also got back into mountain biking and even an occasional white water rafting trip. It was kind of tough at first. My first time mountain biking after I gained all that weight I pushed my bike up the first hill, puked, turned around and went home. I kept exercising, gave up soda with sugar in it, cut back on the fast food, and eventually I lost the weight and got back into shape. Since then I’ve done a couple triathlons and I’m currently training for the St. George Ironman in May.

[Quilt Mom]

I don't really have any great stories to tell about my weight. I keep losing and finding the same 25 pounds. I just really want to win the Embroidery set. I love the Dolly Mama's and have about five cross-stitch says that I've done over the years. Embroidery would be so much easier.

[Diet & exercise]

I quit smoking about 1 year ago. When I quit I was down by about 50 lbs for over a year or so and was thrilled to need a size 12 in pants. That hadn't happened since high school. ANy how I was quite cranky for a while and steadily gained weight. The 1st of the year I promised my self I'd lose weight and start exercising. I cleaned a room in the basement and set up all my equipment. It's probably cause I'm blonde, left handed and married to my husband 138 years(according to my oldest son), but while on the treadmill I was at a full walk, at 2 miles and hour and found myself somehow with my back against the wall. Some how I went off the treadmill. I didn't share it with mu hubby til 2 days later. Now he keeps asking me how the wall is. Still trying to work out and diet. And I am still smoke free and according to my hubbie cranky to put it nicely. Thank heaven for machine embroidery!!

[jfoster]

I consider exercise as a spectator sport!

[jrob]

If you answer "yes" to six or more of these questions, you might want to consider restricting your future calorie intake.

Has your neighborhood grocery store ever offered to send a limo to pick you up? (Saturday at 9:30am if you don't mind)
After ordering lunch at a fast food restaurant drive-through window, has it ever been delivered to your car on a hand truck? (um no, but one time they did push it out on trays...)
Within the last month, have you burned out more than two refrigerator bulbs?
(Doesn't everyone?)
Do people ever decide to wait for another elevator after they see you entering one? (not as far as you know)
Has your fork ever suddenly come up missing? (um, yes....)
Have you ever broken out in a cold sweat when you realized you were more than a mile from the nearest Taco Bell? (well of course not, that means I'm turning into McDonalds)
Is there a restraining order against you by the Association of All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants? (Please, I've been asked to leave much nicer places than that!)
On a recent Caribbean cruise, did the captain order you to stay in the center of the ship? (He WAS letting me drive)
Do your picnics in the country involve renting a U-Haul? (nope, we have a dually)
Does the left side of your car seem to bottom out a lot? (that's why I always take my hubby....evens it out.)
Does your street always seem to have more potholes than other streets? (those are not speed bumps?)

[Blossom52]

My Doctor very sweetly told me that I have a very serious "height" problem as I need to be a good 6" taller for my weight to be OK, unfortunately as there aren't any tablets to make me grow his suggestion was that I should watch (literally- look at food but not put it in my mouth) what I eat until medical science can solve the problem!!!!! So good luck to all the other "under tall" people out there ( we aren't overweight after all)

[madamevicky]

The design reminded me of a friend I taught with. She would tell me she was on a diet every day. I think her diets ran 365 days a year. She would go into the lunch room and return with a slice of pizza and chocolate pie.

[crazykat323]

This Dolly Mama is a riot! For me, I would have to change the 30 day to at least 30 year!! And 15 days, would have to be in the thousands !!!!!!!! At 15 yrs old, I reaized it wasnt "babyfat" !! I went on a lettuce & hamburger diet.... I know- but I was a kid.... lost about 30 lbs & kept it off for about 4 yrs. & then my boyfriend became my fiance. he was a skinny thing with a passion for milk shakes!! He insisted his car couldnt make it past the ice cream store with out stopping!! but he COULDNT bare to eat alone! :eek: noooooo! He had to bring me my favorite B & W icecream soda.... man was that good!!! :p we both worked late & usually wound up eating dinner out every nite by 10 pm. Well those 30 pounds had been looking for me for 4 years. :mad: Some of them found me, & I believe they sent out s.o.s.'s to the "troops", because they eventually all rallied around!!! Marriage agreed with us. :D The troops felt they needed reinforcements since I seemed to be slowly loosing my mind with the HORRIFIC thought :eek: & attempt to LOOSE weight!!!!!! 30 yrs later, I stand defeated. :( I look at the skinny little Dolly Mama w/ her sign & think: "now WHY didnt I try to loose the 15 days before it turned into 15,000000 days!!!" :confused: Anyway- we all know what we need to do, but life always seems to get in the way. I SWORE I would loose the weight before my 10 yr class reunion... then 20.. then before my Godsons wedding. I SWORE it would be off before I reached 50!! NO way was I going to be FIFTY & FAT!! well, I still have some time before the 60 yr goal.... wish me luck! You all have MY best, to YOU! :) crazykat323

[Mimi123]

My friend and I were both in our early 30's (I'm in late 60's now) decided we would join Jazzersize Class - and unfortunately picked an advanced class by mistake. We tried our best to keep up with "Miss Perky" for nearly an hour. At the end of the class we both barely made it to our respective cars and somehow drove home. The next morning neither of us could get out of bed with out help. That was our first and last Jazzersize Class - we both still remember it to this day.

[Dolly Mama contest Diets]

Strange to think I am almost 60 and have been on a diet for the last 16 years!
I must have the metabolism of a turtle (you know the ones that live for a hundred years). It is not that I am fat, my Mother calls it fluffy. Thanks Mom, that always helps. I have decided I can be a fit chubby girl. My Hubby thinks I am "hot" no matter what. I feel good, am healthy and, have lots of energy, and can keep up with my kids and grandkids. So I am Blessed.
I still go to Weight Watchers and eat well but I will never be skinny again.
At least If I ever get sick I will have some reserve to count on.
I feel like I am married to "Jack Sprat" He is tall and thin I am short and "Fluffy".
But Who cares, I am happy, Give me my sewing machine/embroid. machine and I am in Heaven.
Terrie Bentle

[marleneravey]

I have put on fifty pounds over the past several years, due largely to the medications that I must take for Lupus. The list of medicines is long, and had included prednisone, notorious for causing great amounts of weight gain. Well, I recently took a medical retirement from twenty years of teaching and with the help of a dear friend have joined Curves. In the past, I had occasionally tried to work out every so often, but due to muscle and joint pain, would get easily encouraged. Having a friend offer to pick me up each day, both physically and emotionally, has really encouraged me to stick to it this time. I've only been going for a couple of months, but am feeling better and better. I have not lost a great deal of weight yet, but am not going to give up this time. Sewing and Embroidery are my great hobbies, and allow the creative side of me to flourish, so I am thinking that embroidering some cute work-out shirts for my friend and myself, will be a great way of encouraging both of us to keep going, and to thank her for all of her love and support. Thank you Jami for offering all of us this wonderful opportunity to share our stories! Best of luck to everyone! Marlene

[riverqueen]

Love the new embroidery. This year I have decided to be the DIVA! If I lose wieght, great, if not it will be all about me. I need to get healthier by eating better and excersizing. So I joined the biggest loser website last month and have longged onto it once. Printed out excersize routines and they are still in a folder. Baby steps!!!!! But I have been making green grocery bags with the DIVA MAMA's on them. Love them. And these new diet ones will be great
Thank you for the insperation...60lbs to loose

[Emma]

Well lets see.. I lost 28kg a couple of years ago. Unfortunately put it all back on. So I started again this new year, was going great and biking daily for 9km or so. until someone on a car did not give way to me, and I hit the car (couldn't brake in time and thinking about it now, I wouldve come off a lot worse if I had braked and not just clipped their car, I would've slammed straight into them). So I clipped the back of their car, got flown off and had a great thud onto the sidewalk! thank goodness for helmets.

The person just kept driving. Now I dunno about you guys, but if I felt a 100kg person clip my car, I think I'd know! LOL.
Im a bit nervous to get back on the bike though, and avoid that area as much as I can now.

[katiedoodles]

Well lets see.. I lost 28kg a couple of years ago. Unfortunately put it all back on. So I started again this new year, was going great and biking daily for 9km or so. until someone on a car did not give way to me, and I hit the car (couldn't brake in time and thinking about it now, I wouldve come off a lot worse if I had braked and not just clipped their car, I would've slammed straight into them). So I clipped the back of their car, got flown off and had a great thud onto the sidewalk! thank goodness for helmets.

The person just kept driving. Now I dunno about you guys, but if I felt a 100kg person clip my car, I think I'd know! LOL.
Im a bit nervous to get back on the bike though, and avoid that area as much as I can now.

I can't believe that someone would hit you and keep on driving! The same thing happened to my husband when he was in graduate school in Florida. Someone was driving too closely to him and hit his rear tire, he went flying over the handlebars and his bike was then run over by the driver. No one stopped the car and even though there were plenty of witnesses nothing was ever done to find the person. Good thing....both of you were able to walk away!

[katiedoodles]

http://www.guy-sports.com/fun_pictures/diet_word_sm.jpg

[Jami Johnson]

I'm loving all the replies, EXCEPT, the one from David. I wish I could say it wasn't true, but we all know I'm a bit of a spaz. ;) Hopefully, my boys will take after their dad and not me. David's great at sports. In fact, he's doing a full Ironman this May...isn't he amazing?

Great stories, ladies...I've laughed and cried! Hopefully you've enjoyed reading them, too.

[KAM214]

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in April, 2001, at the age of 50. Knowing what an insidious cancer this is, after I finished chemotherapy, I figured that I might as well enjoy life and stop denying myself the "treats" that I loved the most. The result was that my weight ballooned. Fortunately, my cancer didn't recur, but I hated the way I looked and never wanted to shop for new clothes. Then, in the summer of 2008, I decided to do something about it. My whole attitude changed and I decided that since I was apparently going to LIVE, I ought to be the best I could be. Lots of people told me it would be nearly impossible to lose weight at the age of 57, but I joined Weight Watchers and began exercising. At first, I could only walk for about ten minutes on the treadmill without becoming breathless. Gradually, as I lost weight and strengthened my legs, I increased my time to one hour. I even woke up at 5:30 every morning to do half of my walking before work! Ultimately, I lost 70 pounds and have kept it off for 7 months now. I still walk everyday, and I am careful not to make choices that will defeat me. While some might say I am on a DIE-t, I prefer to think I am on a LIVE-it. Cancer and being overweight were in my yesterdays, but health, fitness, and energy are here for today, and hopefully for a long time to come.

[cab102361]

Well I must tell you a sort of a humorous way I lost weight. For the past several years, I have had 14 surgeries. Six for foot problems (same foot) and then I found out I had breast cancer about 2 and a half years ago. Finding that I needed a mastectomy only on one side and that the other side would be reduced to match a implant. I woke up from having the mastectomy, well when they went to change the bandages, I realized that my roll of fat that was right below my breast line was now gone. Okkkkkk, when my surgeon came in, I made a comment. Turns out she is so wonderful and when she does a surgical procedure she sucks a little fat out to be nice. Okkkk so now this is fabulous, I look like a pear...Or as if someone squeezed all my fat down to my butt. With all the surgeries I have had mostly on the right side of my body. I was starting to look like two different people depending on which side you look at. I was either a bit tubby or the other side since I lost muscle, it looked oddly skinny. So my fabulous husband offered to get me the money if I wanted to have a few more places sucked out. Since I have always battled my weight I was so thankful. I went on to lose more weight by making changes to my diet and snacking habits. So even though I am still having procedures for recontruction. I look better than I ever have. I know this was not the hard work a lot of people go through. but sometimes you just have to realize that no matter what you do to lose the weight,,,,its just not gonna happen. I hope you all good luck with your weight loss.. I know how difficult it is to do. Ive always been active and thats how I controlled my weight. Hard to do when your foot is fused blah de blah. Im just thankful Im alive. Go ladies. Cab

[craftmama]

I was reading a few of the stories to my daughter when she reminded me of the time we took a spinning class at the gym. Needless to say I was to embarressed to leave in the middle of the class so we stayed and "tortured" ourselves for the full hour. When the class was over DD jumped off the bike and says, "wasn't that fun? why aren't you getting off the bike mom?" Didn't have the heart to tell her I had NO FEELING from my crotch down. Never did go back to that class again. Actually, I don't think I ever walked correctly again. Funny how some things get buried in our minds, but our kids are so quick to remind us.

[Jodi S.]

I decided to start the "30 Day Shred" with Jillian Michaels on DVD. I did it the first day, but then needed to "rest" for almost a week because I couldn't move! I did it a second time and am still "resting". I think the "30 day shred" is going to take me 6 to 9 months to get through!

[LindaV923]

The only results I have gotten from dieting though the years is thin lips from talking about it so much.

[Adgeria]

I decided to attempt to use one of the Ski Glider type machines for inside exercise - had a health issue in my hip which I was unaware of - used machine a couple of times. Ended up with surgery & on a walker for eight months. No problem with the machine - it worked fine!!
Gave up that idea...better just walk rather than ski!!

[Julie B]

Hi, like everyone I joined a gym, it is great, where I work at pays for it, So I am all set right? Well, I am having a really hard time finding the right to go to the gym for a workout. I don't want to get up and go before work, and after work I need to be home and cook dinner. Please help!!! Lunch is out of the question, 30 minutes is not enough time.

[bobbiejo1948]

I have fought a weight battle for most of my life and have tried just about every method known to mankind to rid me of the weight. Several years ago, a friend convinced me to attend a senior women's water aerobics class with her. Although I wasn't quite ready to classify myself a senior, I was able to choke down the term "mature" and signed up with her. My friend who was familiar with the class warned me up front that the shower room was one large room with numerous shower heads and that most, if not all, of the swimmers showered sans swimsuit. Horrors! I made her promise me that she wouldn't do that and wouldn't expect me to do it either. We did our best to dart in and out of the shower, keeping our eyes focused on the floor and moving as quickly as we could without risking safety. On the third day, she said she was ready to throw caution to the wind and shower in her birthday suit along with the rest of them. I just couldn't do it.........my modesty is too ingrained into my heart and soul. At the end of the session that day, she joined the rest of the silver-haired ladies au naturale while I, again, tried darting in and out as quickly as I could. Unfortunately, in my rush, I slipped on the wet shower room floor and fell flat on my back. As everyone in the shower room ran to rescue me, I lay there with my eyes closed, asking myself how bad could it be? So what if there were 9 naked, senior ladies trying to help me up? As I opened my eyes, I saw how bad it really could be----not only were there 9 naked, senior ladies hovering over me in a circle extending their helping hands to me, there were 18 naked, pendulous breasts hanging in a circle between me and their silver hair. Sheesh! I finished out the term and chose not to go back. Unfortunately, I still carry the extra pounds around.

[Dodie]

Four weeks into a liquids-only diet I put on my cutest outfit, took way to long applying makeup perfectly, and drove into the city to meet old girlfriends. Just inside the skirts of the city was my favorite doughnut shop which had its "Hot and Fresh" neon sign blinking. The sign must have triggered a computerized thingy in my car, causing it to turn it automatically
into the parking lot. Since I was already there, I thought I'd just grab my favorite, a creme-filled, hot doughnut - after all, who would know? I scarfed down the yummy delight in record time and met my friends for an afternoon of shopping in a new, exclusive mall, all the while telling them about this wonderful diet I was on and how wonderfully I was doing.

Exhausted from shopping, we decided on my favorite swishy restaurant for dinner. Inside the restaurant I went to the ladies' room to check my makeup and wash my hands. There, staring back at me in the mirror, was an absolute goofus with creme filling lining my lips, on my chin, and even on the end of my nose! We all burst into laughter and laughed until tears were streaming down our faces.

They still refer to me as "Creme Delay"!

[ccwebb]

Like many people, I have gained weight over the years. I know that I need to lose weight. My husband, who has also gained a bit, loves to comment on my weight or food choices. When I have had enough, I will tell him "I can lose 250 lbs in an instant - pack your bags!" This always stops him cold!

[alzenamom]

Managed to control weight for many years, then all of a sudden the pounds started to add on. Tried many methods but did the yo-yo. Started exercise and was doing well and then went through several surgerys and couldn't exercise and of couse here came the extra pounds. Sometimes it feels like an endless battle. Conclusion - love yourself for who you are. alzenamom

[lizanne]

I ran into an old friend, she looked fabulous, she'd lost at least 30lbs, so I asked her how she did it.

She said "It's not rocket science, anyone can do it, it's a seven day plan, but you have to be ready to stick to it."

Tell me more I said.

"Day 1 - Eat less and move more.
Day 2 - Eat less and move more.
Day 3 - Eat less and move more.
Day 4 - Eat less and move more.
Day 5 - Eat less and move more.

By day 6 it's getting pretty boring so that's when I really mix it up and -

Day 6 - Move more and eat less!
Day 7 - Eat less and move more."

Well, I tried it and who'd have thought it, it works!

[sandyk]

I am new to the posting and am a constant yo yo dieter. need all your inspiration. i do alot of thiking about exercising but never just do it. in my head i am very fit !!!!

[Lu Lu T]

How do we commit to a lifestyle change whe the first three words are DIE?
At first when I started this journey i would think "Oh my gosh I am going to die while I'm trying to exercise". But I kept it up. "Oh my gosh I am going to die if I cant eat ice cream, chocolate, bread...and all those things I love to eat."
Then one day as I am on the treadmill my husband walks by with his usual Jethro bowl of ice cream I thought wow I really dont crave that ice cream.
So far I am 22 lbs down and it has come thru small changes.
I do get on the treamill three nights a week, I park farther from the store, I take the stairs. If I want a bite of something sweet I try to grab a piece of fruit first, but if I want chocolate, i take a bite, and not feel guilty about it.
I have started with fish twice a week, chicken or turkey three days a week, and veggies on two.
My husband and I both work and sometimes we are not home until 7 pm so not eating late is not possible. Our Sunday night routine is now hopping in bed, checking out Eating Well , Weight watchers, biggest Loser books and magazines to choose a weeks worth of recipes. Making a menu for the week and shopping for that week on Monday.
When I started this journey I consulted with my doctor. Had my cholesterol, basic metabolic panel and complete blood count done. My goal is 40 lbs off. My doctor says that would place me at a great weight and BMI range for my age and build. My recent cholesterol level is down and into a normal range, my blood sugars are staying in a normal range and my stamina has increased.
With a family history of heart disease and with heart disease being the largest killer of women I have come to realize that word DIE in diet is there for a great reason,,,, if we do not take care of ourselves that ugly word die is going to come quick.
So dieting is not a matter of sacrifice its a matter of putting yourself first, putting yourself in control of your life, so you can be there for your family and friends and those that you love.

[idesign]

I think I could head up the Lost and Found Department of the Weight of the world. I have twice lost 45 pounds and then slipped and slid on that downhill slide until the weight gain became an avalanche of weight gained back.

Then there were the zillions of small losses and gains since I was introduced to the concept of "diet" in a teen magazine. As I recall, I was going to walk to the store to buy a little notebook to write down everything that I ate (not a bad idea), but needed to borrow the money from my Mother to do so. My Mother told me that I didn't need anything complicated and to just remember, "If it tastes good, don't eat it." (this works if your definition of "tastes good" is proportional to the sugar, fat, and salt in food) LOL. I tell people that our family motto is, "Last one standing in a famine."

In 2004 I found out about South Beach diet, and managed to lose 45 pounds. Then we bought a house an hour away and went there every weekend to paint and patch. We started calling Pizza Hut, and running to the grocery store for cookies, etc. We had two mortgages, and I had to keep my old house spotless for showings, so healthy cooking was a bit harder when showings conflicted with prep time or eating times. I slowly started back with my old bad habits. I tried to stem the tide with exercise, and went faithfully to the gym, but then developed major foot problems in both feet, and am scheduled for surgery in March. My hope is that I can get past the recovery, and start to slowly walk again for exercise, then eventually start back to the gym.

I think David hit the nail on the head when he told his story about matching his food intake to his energy use. Eight steaks David? LOL. I could keep up if we were talking dozens of cookies!

Carol

[mom2boys]

This happened the other day to me at the gym LOL!
The cardio room where I work out is being remodled so the machines are all over, I am a spaz about what machine I want, well my machine is moved by the main lobby and racket ball courts for the whole world to see me UGH! I have my headphones turned up super loud to drown out the kids running by and the sound of the balls hitting the walls. About 20 minutes into my workout I fall off the machine, my head started to hurt so I thought I hit it on something and went to the desk to ask for ice. Where the lady was so kind to piont out the 2 inch round red mark on my forhead. I was so embarssed I fell of the machine I didn't realize one of the balls flew over the wall and hit me.
I think next week I will try a new machine, mine might not be so lucky:stickyman:

Ginger

[embladies]

I am in a car most of my waking hours. My job takes me back and forth across northTexas from El Paso to the Louisana border. I really have tried to lose these extra 100lbs I've gained over the past 20yrs but I have failed each time. It's those darn fast food signs that beckoning me mile after mile. And the Texas Highway Department is no help. They are nice enough to announce these tasty temptations miles before I get to the exits with cute signs along the way. All this does for me is start the tastebuds screaming. Well I thnk I have figured out the perfect visual reality check. I recently used my phone and took pictures of myself in the bathroom mirror. Oh how pitiful! But each time I get the urge now to take an exit, out comes my phone. All I can say is I am sorry for the person that finds this phone should I end up in the ditch on the side of the road. In the meantime just remember, I am not texting and driving. I am on the visual diet plan.

Happy in Texas

[Zibby]

This is my story. Last April 1st, I decided I wasn't going to be an April Fool anymore and did my own thing. I lost 34 pounds! In about 5-1/2 months and have kept it off! I started walking and got up to abou 4 miles 3 times a week or so. I found a free website to keep track of my weight and put in some recipes to see how many calories a helping was! I became a 1/2 cupper of everything, ice cream or whatever! And the pounds started to roll. There are certain things I couldn't handle like the turkey bacon, so I cooked it with my husband's pork bacon. Well, whatever works for you, right? Thank you, Zibby

[brbtyler]

After recovering from a knee implant, another week in the hospital with pneumonia. I did loose weight! However, I have little muscle tone left in my upper body and need to further strengthen my legs.

I talked my youngest son into helping me learn how to just "Tone Up" working out my core muscles. ( He is a Green Beret, and Special Forces guy in the US Army. He is always in great shape, as you can imagine.) After the first day at the gym with him. I was literally CRAWLING up the stairs to my bedroom and asked my husband to help get me down the stairs the next morning. Moral to my story: Sometimes things just need to be left alone.

[jcdancefun]

Ok, here's my story.
I start yet another (but this time for sure!) diet in 1983 after meeting future husband who takes me out to eat every day and I gain 30 pounds in 2 weeks. We take a trip to Europe and while I was there I gained so much that I could not fit into my tiny jeans and I had to keep them unzipped and pulled down around my hips (not in style at that time unfortunately). OK OK, now I am really going to lose weight........wait, that will have to be after the baby is born and then fOR SURE I am going to lose that extra 30 pounds. I want to be very healthy too, so I quit smokin my cigs and guess what? After my son is born I now have 50 pounds to lose! YIKES. ok NOW I go on that for sure I really am going to lose weight diet ......maybe I should secretely start smokin' behind the house. That works for about 10 pounds until the quilt kicks in. I have managed to take off enough weight over the last 24 years since my son was born that now I need to only lose 25 pounds instead of thirty! YEAH. 5 overall pounds in 27 years.... but TOMORROW i am really really really going to get started on that last 25! I love my life!!!!!!!!!!:D
Judi C

[sewfunlibrarian]

My story starts in 2003 when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer. My two sisters, Judy and Joan, worried excessively about my impending demise. They were sure that chemo and radiation would kill me if cancer didn’t. I got through that just fine with the help of my fabulous oncologist and was sailing through year two when I got the news that it had come back. No more chemo, no more boobs.

One would think that my breasts weighed about 15 pounds a piece. That’s the kind of weight I had packed on over the two years. So, I thought it would just come right off after surgery. No such luck! I waited… I waited… The weight just wouldn’t leave. So, I decided I had better face my fears, (breast cancer was nothing compared to having to get into shape and learn to eat better.) I joined Weight Watchers and was the slowest loser in the class. It took me two years to lose 25 pounds! I never gave up and I kept plodding away. I faced the unforgiving scale every week. A quarter pound, .2 pounds. That’s just the way it was and it was pretty depressing. But I did make it to lifetime member!

Judy decided that I could be her poster child for getting into shape. She said that I had inspired her to compete in the Danskin Triathlon in Seattle. But that wasn’t all. She decided that we, Joan and I, could do it with her. I was already an avid cyclist, gosh, I rode at least, let me see, fifteen miles a week! I knew how to swim pretty well. The problem is my “running”. But all of these are minimum requirements at triathlon “sprints”. I could do minimum. We all could do minimum.

I received my first metal as an athlete at the age of 55! (My oldest sister got one there, too, at the age of 58!) We will be competing in our third joint triathlon this summer. Judy emails Joan and me and nags us constantly. My husband has taken up this line of “coaching” and we are trying to do more interval training now. I am finding that exercise has finally “taken” for me and that I enjoy the challenge. I may lose another 5 pounds in another year or so, if I keep this dedication up. Life is so good! (Thank you Judy!)

[JLMCH]

Jamie,
Your design is awesome! I can relate. I believe that I am a human yo-yo. I have a switch in my brain that makes me very good or very bad on a diet. I have no in between. Running to the donut shop evens out my donuts, right? The best that I have ever done is with WW however whatever I have lost I have gained back and more. I am a classic.

[Sewsitall]

I am a blessed mommy, especially with weight gain! I have never had to watch my weight until I had my twins 7 years ago! I turned 30, had twins, and gained a few extra pounds (times 20ish)...yee haw! I have tried here and there to lose my weight and it goes down very slow and then creeps back up very quickly. It's not fair and I can't figure that one out.

A few months ago one of my twins were praying at bedtime and he thanked God for his mommy being so skinny like Mary (Jesus' mother). I thought my husband and I were going to crack up during the prayer. I think we did laugh outloud and acted like we were couphing! I am far from skinny...and I still don't know where he got that from!

Today we were getting ready to go to the end of the year "celebration" for Upward Basketball and one of my twins said, "Hey mommy, if your hair was curly you would look just like Mrs. Kim (name has been changed in case she sees this) from behind." Okay, just for the record...she is no small woman! Again, my husband and I looked at each other and about fell out from laughter! From the mouth of babes....

The funny thing is when I look in the mirror I think I look okay. I have a good friend that we always laugh because for some reason the mall mirrors don't look as good as ours at home. When I leave the house I always look cute and stylish....I get to the mall and get a glimpse in the mirror and I think...ewwww. Why???

I guess I have got to get moving...or at least cut back!!! I do not like exercise at all...until there is a magic pill you can take I guess it's time to get moving!!!!

Oh yeah...I would love the design pack! I love all of the designs!! CUTE!!!!

[DRSsmom]

I joined WW in another town just so no one would know me and I didn't tell
my family. When I had lost 20 lbs, my husband finally said something. Then
I went to the doctor and found out I had a low functioning thyroid. I kept losing weight despite the ailment. I did this just before I turned 50 and have kept the weight off for almost 5 years now! I still go to the weekly meetings and I am living proof (45 lbs total) it works!

[Dream Girl]

This is the story of my daughter. Her daughter was to be married July, 2008. My daughter became the "fat Nazi" to everyone around her. Not only did she rigid3ly stay on this diet, everyone was chastized for any fat content in their eating. She also began walking 5 days a week at lunch and 3 evenings a week. She looked great. Then she became pregnant with our newest granddaughter. She maintained a healthy diet and exercise program during and now after her pregnancy. She also had given up smoking when took up this new regimen. Many Kudos to her.

[quilter mom]

Several years ago, I successfully lost weight thru weight watchers and reached my goal - 28 lbs. I combined counting points, walking to Sansone's tape, and swimming. I was true-blue, then. I have to relate one humourous and desperate act I commited. On weigh day, I weighed 147.5. My magic number, and goal was 147. So, what does a desparate lady do, but go into the ladies room, remove her undies (bra, panties) redress, and go out and weigh again. BINGO! Right on the money. My leader was shocked, but, hey, I was close.. Do you blame me?
Anyway, I've slid and need to get back (justice?). That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Sandicrafts]

Back to the yoyo again. Quit smoking and lost 50 pounds, then had some health issues and ended up gaining some back. So as of today again I am quitting smoking and going to get back to my goal. I find it easier to watch what I eat and quit smoking at the same time as it gives me more then one thing to focus on. Exercise is also always a plus. Need to keep my bone mass up as I'm getting older so I do not have issues later. Since it appears to be that I am going to live past 50 I'd better get on the right track to be able to do the things I love when I retire. I will accomplish my goal and be happy with the progress. Positive thinking is number 1.

[lmq0205]

I promised myself that I would get in better shape this year and lose some weight so I went out and bought myself a Wii Fit and set it up. I went throught the balance tests and the weight tests and the stupid machince asked me if I fell over my own feet because I had no balance then it made me ten years older than I was and made my Wii character fat and old. I hate that machine. But I continue to try and work out and eat better for the new year but the stupid machine still makes fun of me some day its going to be a pile of microchips I swear it!!!

[Del Vallee]

Did you make a New Year's resolution to lose weight and/or exercise more? Only two month's into the new year and have you already broken it? Need some humor to get you going again? Watch for the release of this hilarious new set in the coming days!

In the meantime though, since diet and exercise is such a fun (not) topic to discuss, tell us your best diet/exercise story and you could win this set for FREE!!! It can either be a personal story of victory or one where maybe you need a little encouraging. I'll pick TWO winners Monday evening, March 1st. One winner will be randomly chosen and the other winner will be one that inspires me the most.

So, what are you waiting for? Get those fingers exercising and tell us your story! We can't wait to hear it!!!

Fine Print: Dolly Mama's Diet and Exercise Set consists of 7 designs and will retail for $34.95.

This is the greatest exercise program I have ever found!

Exercise for People over 50

The older we get the more important it is to incorporate exercise into our daily routine. This is necessary to maintain cardiovascular health and maintain muscle mass.

If you're over 50, you might want to take it easy at first, then do more repetitions as you become more proficient and build stamina.

Always consult your doctor before starting any exercise program!

SCROLL DOWN..............


























NOW SCROLL UP..

That's enough for the first day. Great job.

Have a glass of wine.

[Kim in Canada]

Hi Jami! The new designs are very exciting and I would love to have them in my design folder.
My best "diet" story involves a recent visit to my naturopath. For years and years, I have been struggling with various digestion issues and migraine headaches that just could not be solved. Testing and doctor visits never really did the trick and I was feeling ill and nauseous so much of the time. My naturopath suggested a food sensitivity and allergy blood test. The results came back indicating I was allergic to so many dairy products, including milk and eggs, and virtually all grains - as the test showed a distinct sensitivity to gluten. Yeast overgrowth also indicated no sugar, caffeine or alcohol!
At first, changing my diet to accommodate such drastic changes in food choice was overwhelming. But I stuck to eating only the foods on my "unrestricted" list - which was a very short list! Immediately, I began to feel better. As a result, I have had no headaches or stomach issues for four months now - this coming from someone who was used to taking advil almost everyday.
Although I was physically fit prior to beginning on the naturopathic regime, I have since lost 12 pounds and feel strong and powerful. I continue to swim, do yoga and visit the gym at my neighborhood Y five times per week. I can honestly say that at age 53, I have never felt better or more healthy in my life.
My husband told me recently, "you go on a diet and I lose 10 pounds"!

[KJames0189]

I don't really have any memorable diet or exercise stories...none of that seems to work, I'm just destined to be overweight!

I do love these designs and can't wait for them to be released.

[Buggsy]

I have been complaining about gaining weight to various doctors:

10 lbs - I am over 55
20 lbs - I have low insulin count
30 lbs - low thyroid
40 lbs - low estrogen
47 lbs - I am not following the diet

I have used weight watcher, low carb, high protein, Atikins and belly fat cure diets.

[Jami Johnson]

Still trying to decide on my favorite post. (As I sit here eating a brownie.;) )It's so hard. But, the random winner is easy, so thought I'd go ahead and announce it.

The lucky winner is #67! Congrats to bobbiejo1948! Watch your inbox for your FREE Dolly Mama Diet Collection!!! :)

Here's the proof (I took out my first and last post and crossed my fingers that it didn't land on David's post! Haha.)

[Jami Johnson]

Tada, I have FINALLY chosen a winner. It was so tough that I couldn't just choose one winner though. I couldn't even choose just two. I probably could have chosen ten or twelve, but had to be realistic, so I narrowed it down to three.

Sewfunlibrarian wins the complete collection of Diet and Exercise (http://www.embroidables.com/store.php?page=product&collection=143)! What a fantastic story!!! Check it out here:
http://www.embroidables.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3060&page=6

I also loved Kam214's (http://www.embroidables.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3060&page=4) and Davida's (http://www.embroidables.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3060&page=3) stories! You both get a $15 gift certificate to use on our site.

Thanks to everyone who shared their stories with us!!! And no matter what size you are, alzenamom (http://www.embroidables.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3060&page=5) summed it best when she said, "love yourself for who you are." I truly believe it's what's on the inside that counts!

[StitchinGrandma]

Congratulations to everyone who won AND to those who are still trying and doing so well.

All of us yo-yo dieters will raise a glass of wine and have some chocolate cake in your honor. :D (kidding .....kinda :rofl: )

[craftmama]

Vicki-
Wahooooo!!!!! chocolate cake and a glass of wine sounds great. After the morning I've had I may through in a large cheeseburger with that mix.

Congratulations to the lucky winners. As for those that didn't win, the stories were great and at least we know we aren't alone in this fight. Plus the designs are on sale for only $29.95.

[StitchinGrandma]

Diana ~ you have NO idea what is sitting in my kitchen right now. :D I made it last night to go WITH supper. Of course, everyone else in the house decided that it should just BE supper. LOL

My hand is still not back to being overly usable and I have problems lifting and stirring things as well as opening things so making supper isn't on the top of my list of things to do each day. It's very frustrating to me since I LOVE to cook. Add that to my horrible knees and I give up very easily right now so I was not going to argue. But this cake while having a terrible craving over the weekend for a gooey chocolate anything was something I wanted to make. I started pulling things out to make it and found I had no cocoa so I put everything away again and pouted back to my computer. Hubby got the cocoa when he ran to the store but I never noticed it so that cake got made last night. AND then I made fresh whipped cream to put on it. OH was it good and SOOOOOOOOOO bad at the same time. I actually told hubby he was going to go into a diabetic coma overnight. LOL

[craftmama]

ohhhhhhh Vicki,
That sounds delicious. Have a piece for me. AND ENJOY IT. I will think about you eating it then go to the WW meeting. hehehe

[StitchinGrandma]

ohhhhhhh Vicki,
That sounds delicious. Have a piece for me. AND ENJOY IT. I will think about you eating it then go to the WW meeting. hehehe

I'm trying to ignore it. Funny though, I keep hearing psst Vicki...come in here...we want to speak to you...psst where are you?
coming from my kitchen. :confused:

[katiedoodles]

I'm trying to ignore it. Funny though, I keep hearing psst Vicki...come in here...we want to speak to you...psst where are you?
coming from my kitchen. :confused:

Vicki,

That'a pretty funny! The same thing happens to me anytime there is cake in the house...no matter where I am, I'm drawn to the kitchen to take a bite...then another bite :eating: It doesn't happen with anything else I make, just the trance-inducing cake! (Oh, and the sopapilla cheescake recipe you posted a few months ago seems to talk to me the most!)

[StitchinGrandma]

Tsk tsk Katie ~ LOOK at all that wear and tear you are doing to your knees and the floor in the kitchen not to mention any carpeting on the route taken to get into that kitchen. You should save all that wear and tear on those things so as not to create the need to replace those items and just take a big piece and enjoy it. :D

[Kim in Canada]

Jami - Good choices on the winners of this contest! SewFunLibrarian had a fantastic story.

[Carolina]

Hello from New Zaland, have read the diet storys and I could say I am on the same band wagon. Is it because we like to sit on our bottoms to do our craft work??? I too am on a diet and this time it is working. Good luck to all the others that are dieting and keep up the good work.