Group Therapy and Weight Loss

I struggle with weight loss. I want to organize a group where a group of people can get together in a casual setting and socialize.
My goal is that each member will teach each other something to help us through our obstacles. Also my desire is that the group will collectively have input on how to market the group, and invite a psychiatrist to meet with us.

The cost of the group is free. Based on feedback, a location will be assigned for 1-18-08. Bring yourselves, a pen, paper, and an old photo (if you have it) from what you think was a more wonderful time in your life.

Disclaimer: Please note that I am not a professional psychiatrist (please read on).

Group Meeting Duration: At least 2 hours so it makes it worth it for everyone to talk and any commute they have.

Focus of Group: Therapy by socializing, and gaining knowledge and perspectives of each member. Providing a good mental state for myself and others and no cost. This is a personal growth group. Be focused, committed, and most of all... SHOW UP.

Group Fee: FREE

Food and Beverage / Additional Costs: Undetermined. Probably to each its own.

Location: ALWAYS IN LAS VEGAS OR HENDERSON, NV.
VARIES WEEK TO WEEK

Group Lifespan: Group will exist until no one is no longer interested.

Recruiting: If someone would like to join, have them email me dreamcatcher3232@gmail.com.

Group Therapy & Fitness Registration Form:
Sign up for Local 702: Group Therapy & Fitness

Poor Stomachs, Weak Minds

Poor Stomachs, Weak Minds

My family and I went to dinner at a buffet and if you have ever been to Las Vegas, Nevada you are aware of the abundance of food choices offered. When I came to Vegas about eleven years ago, it was shocking. Such an over indulgence over things you don't get at home like seafood, or prime rib.

I learned to deal with all the enticing options found on the buffet line and limit myself to eating only what I didn't prepare at home unless it was something common like a vegetable. Yes, I do eat my vegetables. Popeye would be proud. Learning that everything did not need to be consumed and that I can go back to get some other dish again and again instead of everything on one plate. I thought I had controlled the oohs and ahs of what was in front of me and take only the portion size I would eat. I don't like to be wasteful, but I am usually not one to finish every single bite either.

Through the years I have better and worse dining experiences and most often it is because of me and not the establishment. Tonight, was definitely a bad experience. I was faced with a scrumptious seafood buffet with shrimp, crab legs, mussels prepared in three or four different ways, seafood neuberg, and many options from Asian to New Orleans Southern Style cuisine. For the fact that I didn't go to the buffet with a big appetite, surely didn't help the cause of not overeating. And it certainly inspired me to write this blog.

I had dined here once before so as far as menu items I knew what to except and what dishes I couldn't miss out on. I took Asian first since that station was closest to the table and put on my plate clams in a wine sauce, pad thai noodles, a piece of fish, and one egg roll trying to conform to my rule “don't take too much, you can go back.” As I tried to eat slowly, I couldn't hold back. I felt like my body was on automatic pilot and my brain was left at the control tower. I ate few too many courses after that, enjoying what I tasted but not sure my body agreed even though I waited in between courses to digest.

Everything I tasted was delicious. And the few things I ate that I didn't feel a yearning to try again stayed on my plate not to be touched again.

This is certainly a big issue everyone faces. It is not that are stomachs are saying:

“I'm hungry.”

It is are brain controlling what we do and how much we do it or in this case; eat it! Drinking a beverage only combats the problem because you become more full. The only relief is to, pardon me, belch. Silently or loudly a belch is the only relief in sight but then do you quit or go back for more?

Survey says; “More!”

Obviously, I am not represented well here but understand that I wasn't ill mannered or eating like a hog. It was my digestive system not working fast enough to digest, and not at all working smoothly with neurons. (Checking scientific terms on Yahoo Answers.)

Part of the issue tonight was that it was a treat to go out, and the cost of the buffet was quite high compared to what I would normally pay if it had not been seafood night. The objection is not the price exactly, for all the seafood dishes offered I could understand the value in the price. Still, since it was a treat meaning not an everyday occurrence I felt the need to “eat to its worth.”

My mom suggested I take a walk outside the buffet to better digest my food. Of course I didn't let on I had any issues. My overeating habit tonight was either going to leave my feeling incredibility stuffed or hunched over a porcelain bowl. I had drank quite a lot so I opted to use the restroom and relieve the excess water. By then I was less full so of course when I went back to the buffet, I had to have dessert. Dessert is my favorite part of the meal. Ask anyone who knows me, I can eat healthy but if I had the option of a Smörgåsbord of chocolates and desserts bye bye veggies, chicken, and fish. I will have the desserts. At this buffet, my palette was very discriminate over the desserts as it wasn't of a gourmet quality. The meal ended with mom saying;

“If you don't like it, don't waste the calories.”

I left cursing myself why couldn't I have had the willpower to just STOP! This is a common question each one of us faces when it comes to food, and the answer is that we overeat because of our 5 senses: it looks good, smells good, tastes good, someone told you about it so hearing, and touch as you handle the food to your mouth. Cookies are especially tempting right out of the oven with the gooey filling and the aroma. Fried food, pizza, anything we put in our mouths that the doctor says: “NO!” is a food item we know better than to not have too often and to stay healthy small portions. Now, I sit here writing and its been hours later I don't feel sick except for bloated but I feel remorse over the indulgence and trauma to my tummy.

In conclusion, I reiterate the title of this blog Poor Stomach, Weak Mind saying that our stomachs endure allot from our brains dictating our food choices and each one of us not having enough willpower to stop it. With all this wavering willpower is it a wonder fitness centers make so much money? Guilt is the cause of gym membership skyrocketing, but I digress that is another blog entry.

Who am I?

Who am I? (F/Jewish/31 yrs old)

About me: I am a Writer first and foremost. My career in writing is developing over the years slowly. I wasn't sure I wanted to expose my precious, personal writing to the world.

I changed my mind quickly when the economy turned, and it became my only source of income. Though it is a struggle to find jobs even in writing, nothing can be accomplished without a challenge. I have a degree in Hospitality which I worked in prior to the recession. It had been a incredible experience where I met people that have had a profound influence to my Front Office career, teaching me, guiding me, and the value of leadership.

What do I say about my life?
**** I am an only child so I thrive on being around people all the time. I love my alone time to spend with my laptop, TIVO, or dog but I prefer being out and doing something even if its getting a coffee/tea. I want to find a man who enjoys some of the same interests as me and can get me interested in what I don't know or don't like.

I know what they want out of life, some idea of how to get there and together we will conquer it. I truly admire and respect those who value themselves enough to want more out of life. This is extremely important in my search for a man. My outlook on life is positive, and I will go to the ends of the earth to help someone. All I ask is to respect and support me and I'll do the same for you.
OkCupid: Now in Hebrew!
I cannot type in Hebrew.

Who am I?

About me: I am a Writer, a Web Designer, and a Guest Service Representative at a hotel. To be fair, the first two are hobbies, the last is my job. LOL. I am a Jane of all trades meaning I multi-task and have many interests for job, and hobbies. My strengths are my creativity, sensitivity, warmth, humor, being adventurous, and definitely being a hopeless romantic. I love my life but I desire more.

I most attracted to someone who knows what they want out of life, some idea of how to get there and together we will conquer it. I truly admire and respect those who value themselves enough to want more out of life. I love to travel and hope your the guy to do it with me!

What I'm doing with my life
Taking steps to empower myself to lose a few pounds, exercise, and be healthy. through some volunteer work feel like I have made a difference in someone's life that significantly needed it. My goal is to empower myself to help and empower others to do the same in regards to volunteer work.

Currently, volunteering at Make A Wish Foundation.
Activities: Fitness, Outdoors, Writing.
I'm really good at
Being a friend, a good listener, being open and helping others. Taking care of my family, and still be my own person.

Interests:
Nature and Travel and PhotographyCrafts and Writing and Dancing and Computers and Photography
The first thing(s) people usually notice about me
My grace, innocence, and my compassion towards anyone and anything. My atong will and commitment towards situations or people. I find life to be unpredictable so when someone enters your life hold on to it and be appreciative of who you are with.

What do people say about me?
Tara's strengths are her creativity, sensitivity, open hearted, goal setter, and a hopeless romantic.
My favorite books, movies, music, and food
Though I do enjoy books, movies, music. I regard myself as a foodie in the sense that I am familiar with each cuisine, recipes, and have knowledge of how it should be cooked. I love watching Food Network to educate myself on the different cultures and cuisines. I also enjoy eating good food.

Movies anything comedy, drama, or romance. If I could be a character in a romantic movie I would say I am;
Meg Ryan in her romantic movies. I draw from her because of how she resistant she is to love or the person and by the end of the movie she is hopelessly in love. If only that were real life... Ahhh.
movies books music travel food karaoke
The six things I could never do without
Family/Dog included as family.

My Eyes (I have to be able to see the world and enjoy what I am seeing... travel, people, animals, etc.)

My Faith - Being Jewish. It has made me who I am today.

Boyfriend / Friends

Technology
I spend a lot of time thinking about
... who I want to spend the rest of my life with.

A compassionate, loving, open hearted, spirited, goal setter, businessman with a medium to large family. When I get married I want to know that there are going to be many family occasions where to congregate around the table, talk, play games, and be a family.

I am an only child and a big family even just 1 brother or sister makes my heart warmed and to know I can be apart of the joy and happiness.

A family man is important to as I do want to build a family. As I grow in age, I think about the long term future. As such I want to meet someone with the same focus.
On a typical Friday night I am
Out with friends or at home writing.

Dancing, karaoke, bowling, movies.
The most private thing I'm willing to admit here
My fear that I won't measure up in life and fail at my own expectations of myself.
You should message me if
You feel we have something in common.

Have same or similar interests.

Career and goal oriented.

Interested in knowing more about who I am.

If you have a job I am qualified for please see my resume at: www.linkedin.com/taraphillips