Dear Diary... For my 50th birthday this year, my husband purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me. Although I was doing pretty well maintaining I had put a few pounds on.  I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try. I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer Named Joe, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. My husband seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress... MONDAY Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was Well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Joe waiting for me. He is something of a Greek god - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!! Joe gave me a tour and showed me the machines. He took my pulse after Five minutes on the treadmill. He was alarmed that my pulse was so fast, but I attribute it to standing next to him in his Lycra aerobic outfit. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today.. Very inspiring! Joey was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!! TUESDAY I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Joe Made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air -- then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Joey's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT!! It's a whole new life for me. WEDNESDAY The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot. Joe was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other Club members.  His voice is a little early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Joe put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators?  Joe told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other crap too. THURSDAY Joe was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late, it took me that long to tie my shoes.  Joe took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the ladies room. He sent Muffy to find me. Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank. FRIDAY I hate that @#$%, Joe, more than any human being has ever hated any Other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without Unbearable pain, I would beat him with it. Joe wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the **** barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.  The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher.  Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director? SATURDAY Joe left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly Voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing him made me want to smash the machine with my planner. However, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel. SUNDAY I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy.

Hey Darlin, I know you have been to hell and back and still going to visit... Try the tablets, I don't think you would dump on them. I know it's hard for you to eat. Here is the nut info on them: They are called Glucose Tablets and come in oragne and raspberry. I called them sugar pills but they really have low sugar in them but work GREAT! Cals for one tablet 15 Fat 0 Carbs 4 Sugars 4 I don't dump on these as they are very low. As soon as they melt in my mouth I start to feel better. You can get them at any store like WalGreens.... Take care, Kathy

Hi Joni, Oh boy, I get to use this as an excuse for being crabby LOL It sounds like we do have an issue here. Try the tablets they work great!!! They are called Glucose Tablets and come in oragne and raspberry. I called them sugar pills but they really have low sugar in them but work GREAT! Here is the nut info: Cals for one tablet 15 Fat 0 Carbs 4 Sugars 4 I don't dump on these as they are very low. As soon as they melt in my mouth I start to feel better. You can get them at any store like WalGreens.... Take care, Kathy

Hi Molly, Well, I am sorry to hear you are having the same thing happen. Once I get the shakes and sweats then I get weird too. I find the pills the doctor recommended works better than food. They are called Glucose Tablets and come in oragne and raspberry. I called them sugar pills but they really have low sugar in them but work GREAT! Here is the nut info: Cals for one tablet 15 Fat 0 Carbs 4 Sugars 4 I don't dump on these as they are very low. As soon as they melt in my mouth I start to feel better. You can get them at any store like WalGreens.... Good luck! Take care, Kathy

Thanks Deb for the suggestion... I had a spell here and there but it's getting so I can't do anythng... What surprises me is when it happens 20 mins after eating a meal? Hello....LOL I will make some snack sacks and let ya know if it helps. Thanks again!!! Take care, Kathy

Hi Grads, I am developing serious low blood sugar issues and the more I talk to those of us 2 years out the more I find we are having this issue. Did you find around 2 years you had more and more spells where you were shaky and hot and almost passed out? I find this happens to me even after a meal. My Dr. said to buy sugar pills and eat every 2 hours and more complex carbs. I am finding this to be really hard to do and fear leaving the house.... Any thoughts, suggestions would be appreciated. Take care, Kathy

Hey Steph, You know what they say we can't pick our family LOL Well, I did great today up to the last few mins UGH..... Breakfast - Protein supp Workout at the gym - 3 miles on treadmill, Core class Snack - Protein Fruit smoothie Lunch - deviled eggs Snack - LF string cheese, handful of almonds Dinner - veggie, port stir fry Snack - 1/3 cup of ice cream I may have nore than 5 pounds to lose after that ice cream.... See ya tomorrow! ps....I ran ho****er on the rest of the icecream, chuckle, chuckle....going, going, gone

Hi Pat, Oh those vacations Don't we just love them You are right Pat, we have gotten so smart. We know exactly what put the weight on us now....where as before we just made excuses and turned the other way while we bought larger and larger size clothes. Great job getting those 12 lbs off. It's not easy is it!!! Take care, Kathy

Hi Amber, I find if I graze throughout the day (yes I know that is no no but works for me) I am not hungry and or crave carbs. For it to work though you have to have "good" food on hand. When I get back to basics here is an example of what I eat in a day..... Breakfast - Oatmeal with LF milk and Vanilla Whey Protein Snack - deviled egg or apple with peanut butter, or a handful of almonds Lunch - salad with Trader Joe's NF dressing with shirmp Snack - Protein fruit smoothie Dinner - protien like fish, grilled chicken, shrimp and veggies Snack - LF cheese, String cheese, When I am body building then I get into trouble if I don't increase my cals so I then add complex carbs, like high fiber bagels, sweet potatoes, carbs that are low in the sugar index and takes a long time to process..... I also add a protein drink in my daily food, wheat pasta and a good high fiber snack I pop one of those LF mini bags of popcorn. Try increasing your protein and water, it really does help with the craving..... Good luck!! I am down 3 lbs today so it works when we say no. But saying no is so very hard isn't it? Take care, Kathy

Hi Wendy, That is what I am learning as well. The difference between carbs and complex carbs. It really is the key, but hard. Someone suggested using the chart that shows the sugar content of carbs and the lower ones are the ones we need to eat.... This is so hard But we can do it Take care, Kathy

Hey Deb, Do you notice you don't feel as good either? I really do not feel as well and energic as when I was not eating lots of carbs. The protein, veggies and fruit really does give us that extra kick.... Back to the basics, water, protein, water, protein. If I say it enough maybe it will sink in Take care, Kath

Hi Steph, Ok, I am here.....I take it you guys are posting what you eat.... so here goes. I am trying to back off the carbs and up the exercise. Breakfast - Oatmeal with Whey Vanilla Protein Snack - Apple with peanut butter Lunch - Protein Fruit smoothie Snack - devil egg Dinner - Turkey sausage, veggie pizza Take care, Kathy

Hi Everyone, I am so excited!!! As most of you know I am the Richard Simmons of the OH board when it comes to exercise. I know this is the key to our success short and long term. The number one response and or question I get is "Where do I begin"? Please click on the link below and it will take you to our new Work Out Forum. This is a link to a Beginner Level Resistance Training Program. http://obesityhelp.com/forums/fitness/cmsID,8431/mode,content/ So if you find a few of those nasty pounds are creepy back on the hips then now is the time to "MOVE TO LOSE and or MAINTAIN":thumbsup: Take care, Kathy 330/115