Mermaid, forget the wedding for a second, you are going to die
relatively soon if you continue to live like this.

Do you also have hypertension and heartburn?

It sounds like it is time for a major life overhaul. You won't be the
first person who accomplished such a change successfully.

i

Getting started is often the hardest part to a new exercise and diet
routine.  You've taken the first step by posting here so just follow through
with the rest<g>

Often it takes a program such as the Slim n 6 to give us the structure we
need to start.  I don't know anything about the program so I can't comment
on it.  Trying to change everything in the beginning often results in
frustration and we end up chucking the whole program.  How about dusting off
that Nordic track or just get outdoors and walk.  The time of day isn't
important.

Eating out doesn't have to be a problem if you plan ahead.  I eat most of my
meals away from home but I can probably pick out the healthiest entree in
every restaurant in my area.  I simply choose lean meat, fish, vegetables
and fruit.  I stay away from the dishes smothered in sauce, wrapped in
breads and cheeses, etc.

Stick around the newsgroup and post often.  You'll find lots of information
and support here.

Don't expect to lose a lot of weight in the 6 weeks.  It's more sensible and
healthy to lose 1-2 pounds a week.  Many see a large amount of loss in the
first few weeks but it soon levels off.  You didn't gain it in 6 weeks and
you can't expect to lose it in that time period.

Beverly

Hi Mermaid,

You're doing the typical woman stuff. Worry about everyone else and
forget about yourself.

If you'll get rid of every bit of stress in your life other than what
you need to exist, you might find some time to take care of yourself.

I'm sure that your daughter would like to have a grandmother for her
children. So take care of you. The rest happens one way or another.

I can speak for stress, so trust me. You're more important.

Barbara
210/124 since November 1997

Barbara Hirsch, Publisher
OBESITY MEDS AND RESEARCH NEWS
The latest in obesity research and weight loss drug development
http://www.obesity-news.com/

Mermaid,
That's a good start, but don't wait too long to find that exercise
program. Exercise is an enormous stress buster and will do more for
your mental outlook than Prozac.

I'm speaking from experience here. About 9 months ago my husband died
after a hideous 2 1/2 year illness. I was his only caretaker. I lost
86 pounds around 7 years ago (goal date is November 4), and only
through exercise was I able to deal with the stress of those 2 1/2
years as well as I did and maintain my weight loss.

Just before my hub got ill, I busted both my rotator cuffs, and so
serious weight lifting was hard to do. However, I stayed with a lot of
other activities, skating, walking, anything to keep me moving. And I
did my rotator cuff exercises prescribed by the physical therapist.

The day after Marty died, I went back to the skating rink, and the
next day to the gym. Then I started with a personal trainer because my
shoulders were too messed up to hold the weights without a spotter.
It's been 5 months since I started with the trainer, my shoulders are
about 95 percent with no surgery, and I feel great.

I went back to serious exercise before paying the bills, before
sending my husband's body to the mortuary, before worrying about my
business which had been neglected for more than a year. Before doing a
lot of things that people thought were more important.

Now 9 months later all the things I put "second" have been
accomplished, and I'm working on a retrospective of my husband's
photos for a charity auction. I'm doing a lot of things that wouldn't
have gotten done if I hadn't put me first.

Taking care of you is the most important thing you can do. If you
don't put yourself first, you can't do for anyone else. It makes all
the difference in the world.

Barbara

Barbara Hirsch, Publisher
OBESITY MEDS AND RESEARCH NEWS
The latest in obesity research and weight loss drug development
http://www.obesity-news.com/