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CathyWe
Member
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Posted: 4 Jan 2008 07:32 pm |
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Hi! I have just joined and am jumping right in to introduce myself. I usually look around first, but decided that since this board seems active, that I could just start posting. I imagine there are several new members around the first of the year. I hope that I am one that sticks around for longer than a couple of weeks, and think that "this time" I will since I have enlisted the support of my husband, instead of trying on my own to get the job done.
My name is Cathy, and I live in Stockholm, Sweden. I am from Iowa originally, but moved here because I married a man from here, and when I lost my job & health insurance in the States, it made sense to move here since I am disabled and could not get insurance for pre-existing conditions. I miss my family terribly, including two sons and two grandsons, but we keep in touch regularly by phone and internet. I miss so much about the States, but love the new experiences here too. I never thought that I, a simple Iowa farmgirl, would live abroad....
Now to the reason I am here. When I became disabled, well, it was a slow process. I gradually had to slow my activity level, but unfortunately never slowed my eating! In fact, I relied very much more on "comfort" foods and gained weight quite quickly. I went from a size 16 (where I am comfortable, I really AM big boned), to a size 28! Now, I am wheelchair bound, but able to walk a little around the apartment. I also have neck and arm problems, so I really can do very little in the way of exercise.
Now, I am planning a trip back in the fall. I would like to lose 10lbs a month until then. I won't be back to where I want to be by then, but I think it is a safe amount to lose a month and have it be more than just water and muscle. I am not using any kind of diet plan, just counting calories, staying away from too much processed food and junk food, and changing the way I eat from a terrible diet, to a healthy diet. I have a sweet tooth that has to be satisfied, and the urge to be full at least once a day. I am allowing myself 10 ginger snaps a day for the sweet tooth, but I am never full when I eat fruit or vegetables. I need to find a "stick to your ribs" comfort food that is healthy. If any of you have ideas, I would sure appreciate them! Please remember, I have a lot of trouble getting around the kitchen, so long drawn out recipes are unfortunately out. I just don't have the ability, and do not want to impose on my husband if at all possible. He does so much for me already...I am so lucky to have him!
Anyway, that is enough of a book for now. I am anxious to meet you all, and look forward to establishing some new friendships!
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clarinetgurl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 4 Jan 2008 09:24 pm |
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Hi Cathy,
Wow Sweden!
Sorry about your health problems :(
Welcome to CPH!
CG
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CathyWe
Member
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Posted: 5 Jan 2008 06:37 am |
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Thank-you clarinetgirl! Yeah, never in a million years did I ever think that I would live here! I met my husband online, and since I owned my home and wanted to stay in Iowa and watch my grandkids grow up, he moved there. But you know what they say, if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans.  So, we moved here and my grandkids will have to grow up without me. I do love it here though. I thought it took a lot of courage for a short, fat, brunette to move to the land of leggy blondes, but it is not like that at all. I feel quite at home here except for the language. With all of the medications that I take for chronic pain...tons of oxycontin and more...I have not been able to pick up the language. My memory and concentration are shot! Still, so many of the people here know english that I don't have many problems, and my husband is a great translator! Geez, I wrote another book! Thanks for the welcome and I hope to talk more soon!
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 5 Jan 2008 11:51 am |
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CathyWe wrote: if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans.
I love that expression. (I see it regularly on some OA email loops.)
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Angel44
Member
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Posted: 5 Jan 2008 03:59 pm |
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Welcome Cathy. I see a lot of foreign people on this message board which is really cool.
See you on the board
Angel44
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