Hi Jennifer, I bought mine at Brookstone for $40 just because it was convenient. I checked out Target and Dicks and they had a brand called sportline or something like that and on the internet I found those rated poorly with many complaints. I did find two companies that seemed to be more reliable -Omron and Gaiam but I didn't find them in any local stores. Normally I might order online, but we were eagar to get the pedometer. Mine is a little fancier than what I originally planned to buy in that it stores data for 7 days and gives you both steps, mileage and calories expended (don't trust this because all of this kind of calorie stuff is an estimate and can be very wrong). What I like about mine and is something to consider is that it is very accurate at picking up actual footsteps and not jiggles. I can carry it and have it record in my purse instead of on my body and it doesn't make a ticking noise like the cheaper ones do. OTOH, for my purposes the cheapest would have been fine too.

Can anyone recommend good BP monitors and pedometers, and post places to find them and avg prices please?

Hi again, well I think you are extremely lucky to have that clinic and I'm surprised that OHIP is paying for it knowing they are so stingy. What a wonderful resource ,all those classes. I envy you.  I'm also iimpressed that you have 4 kids under 7 yo - that has got to keep you busy with little time for yourself (((HUGS))) this is hard.

As for exercise, anything that can get you moving will work - and even stuff that you can have the kids participate along with you. I'm thinking of something like those old Dancing to the Oldies tapes from Richard Simmonds - or whatever is similar that you can follow the routine while the kids do whatever kids do when they hear music and start jumping around. We have cable tv and I often listen to the music channels like "hit list" etc. where the music has strong dance beats - just get up and move your arms and legs and everything else. It will be hard to start getting a routine going with the kids, but the rewards is if you keep it up both you and the kids will be healthier for it. Remember kids watch everything you do and they will do as you do and not as you say. Soooooo if you get them dancing to music every day they will grow up with both fond memories of dancing with Mommy and loving to move. I'm sure if you think about it, you will find other ways to get exercise with your kids. I'm like you, I'm not crazy about walking alone at night too.

It seems like such a big goal that I have a hard time overcoming it.

The Wharton Medical clinic  is an OHIP covered clinic (thre are so few here) that actually have doctors, bariatric educators, and people who perform additional tests that can support you in fidning out exactly what your metabolism is doing and then tailor a protein and fibre first plan to the caloric setting that you need to lose 1-2 pounds per week. As your body changes, they ammend your plan. Then adhering tothe plan becomes the issue.

They can recommend you for WLS, but they wouldn't even go there or even medications until the diet and excercise stuff is in line. (Which is my preference)

It's set up that you have several main appointments, as well as having spirometry/calorimeter tests done and stress tests on the side. They also have mandatory classes to attend ; subjects being food labelling, meal planning excercise, etc. They also have several classes to do with emotional eating and anxiety. I have attended most classes, but the ones on the emotions I haven't had a chance to get yet (schedule sidelines, a family emergency, and a sick husband in the past few weeks haven't helped in conjunction with knowing that the one teacher that teaches the course is boring as all get out and they run the class once a month- so I get to wait for the next time my schedule suits and the interesting teacher is in,)

They stress a high protein/slightly reduced carbs plan. Works with the medical science azvailable out there today. Obviously if you are on a low carb diet you get crabby- but I haven't noticed that at all. They suggest eating 6 times per day (small meals and snacks and using a fibre supplement to level the blood sugars- where diabetic or not)

They are all about self directed learning. so they have a  recommended reading list:
"You on a diet" (OZ)- I am finding this book excellent for understanding the problem.
"The Cognitive Behavioural Workbook for Weight Management" (Laliberte)- I'll get to this one shortly.
The Hormone Diet (? Sorry don't own this one)

They advocate excercising 3-4 times per week 1/2 hour per day.

As to my family doc, I don't think I'd get much help. I get terrible support from her when I last spoke to her on the matter. Felt like the bigger I got, the less she had time for me, even though I was asking for help.
Infact, to get a doctor's referral to the clinic, I had to approach the walk in clinic doctor that I had been dealing with on an obesity oriented/exarcerbated problem.

My family doctor doesn't have a nurse.

I have been encouraged to call in for cancellations at the WMC clinic; I like the idea, but finding someone who will mind my four small children is very tough on little notice.
So you see my quandry.

I feel like if I can watch someone else who has done it it'll help motivate me in the moments that it's hard, where it doesn't feel worth the effort.

I have seen another big girl lose weight and yo-yo for years.... but that's it..... yo-yoing- I need my solution to be more permanent. I need to see someone actually doing it.

I think that in small snippets of time, I will try to wade through the posts and see what people suggest on those things, and post new topics as well....

Thanks for the warm welcome,

Hi Jen....glad you found us!  This board can be slow at times, but lots of good support and encouragement and lots of success stories here (like Skylar) and lots of those of us who are still struggling (like me).

Since this center is so popular....why don't you suggest that they start a weekly/monthly/whatever support group for those who would like to participate?  Or maybe for those who wanted the extra support, if you even started your own email/phone chain type of support or a buddy system?  I think it would be helpful for all of you doing the same type of program.

Are you incorporating any type of exercise program?  Maybe you could find some people within the group that could get together for walks, etc?  Meanwhile, this board comes up with lots of good ideas and I've learned a lot from the struggles and successes of others.