Les: Good for you w/the pictures. Sometimes even a slight bit of weight is extremely noticeable. Pictures I find you can study and study and see where the weight is coming off. And besides too, you may start to see what others are seeing. Yes there is the mirror, but I think we find those to make us hypercritical about every stinking little thing we see. So good for you for taking me up on that challenge. Keep doing them. I need to get DH to take some new ones of me. I know my chin is not as waddly as it once was, one day maybe it will not have the somewhat triangular pull from my neck to my chin. That's a small goal for me!

Mam: Good for the cleaning and moving. Any little bit helps. We did a corn maze today, I had planned to go to the gym but the maze was an hour long on terrain that was unsteady. I was hoofing it w/my kids in tow, so that is counting as my exercise today. The weather was beautiful for this. I do hope you have been able to get back outside before you return to work!

AM: I have too many projects in my head, on my table, on a list etc. AND I KEEP ADDING MORE w/o finishing the others. I am still working on the baby gifts, if I chose to finish four of them tonight, I'd get one box wrapped up and ready to ship monday. The other is taking some time - that's the quilt. I am dragging my heels because I don't know where my paper is to make a label and therefore I don't want to finish it before I get that label done (I'd rather it on before finishing). Oh, I am a good one for giving excuses when they are my own dumb projects.

As for weight, it'd be lovely if none of us had struggles and it came off as fast as it can go on w/some days. But it doesn't. Steady wins the race I guess. Now I just need to find what steady really is for me. Some days I do really well, somedays I feel off the rails. But in the end, I know what will help at least some and I need to stick to that.

Happy evening to you. Tomorrow is more yard stuff and maybe that quilt will see how the old brain settles in to things!

Mam, I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better and are able to be more active! Also glad you're off the sugar again and feeing better from that as well.

Lemon, definitely make your dh take some new pictures! I am shocked by how different I look. I knew my stomach wasn't as large as before, but I had no idea what a huge difference it actually is! I just keep staring at both photos, haha. Also, lotion on my neck everyday seems to be helping, worth a shot for sure. Good for you on the crafting! I know how easy it is to let your own projects get behind. I have a beautiful crochet blanket that is half finished and stares at me everyday, haha. And I need to get started on some Christmas presents, because wow, it will be here so soon!

And yeah, it would be nice if all these pounds would just melt off, haha. I know it will be a long journey, but we will all be better off afterwards. My weight was coming off quickly, about 3 Pounds per week, but I knew it would level off and maybe now it has. That's ok, I will keep going at whatever my new rate is, because this weight has to come off no matter how long it takes. I will not be fat forever, I have already spent too much time this way.

Good luck everyone, and enjoy your Sunday!

Hey violets,

Thanks to both of you for staying with me on this journey. It really helps. I look forward to both of your posts each day. And know I think of you guys often.

Lemon you sound like me want to do so much but so little time. I am very blessed cause my DH is just as clean as I am and he does a lot now that he is retired. It keeps him busy while I am at work. When I get home he talks non stop for a while. LOL.

Plus both of you like to craft. If you would like to exchange cellphone numbers it's ok with me. Lemon I already sent you mine it's in your private messages.. I figured it was easier to talk about gardening then typing it all.

Les I know what you mean about having half finished projects around I do too.

I am starting to look for kids crafts to do with Marley for this year. I love to go on Pinterest there many ideas there. I usually pick something simple and inexpensive.

Well I am ready as I'm ever gonna be for work tomorrow.

LG

Mam: have a good start to your return to work - don't forget if you feel tired slow down a little bit and take a breath. It will be helpful if you had a few more breaks in the day but expect by the end you may just want to crawl into bed. Glad to see we help you along your journey as well. Its good to have someone to share the struggles with. You can do this! I need to see your flower move some on your chart just as my apple has stalled and needs to move some more. WE CAN DO IT!

As for crafts I am forever giving myself new projects to work on before I finish the ones in front of it. Somewhat ADHD when it comes to projects as well as house cleaning (I drive my DH nuts w.that). He doesn't understand my need and craziness to get it all done in the manner of which I work.

Les: Oh an afghan - I have never had patience w/knitting or crochet, though my mom has tried to teach me numerous times. It's like line dancing - I can't do that to save my life either. I swear I was the only bride in history who sat out those crazy dances like the electric slide and other crazy things that so often appear at receptions! I always go the opposite direction, I am a right handed person, but do a lot w/my left when I craft or sport play, so maybe it's a bit of ambidextrous. Who knows, but it messes w/me something bad.

Yeah for good photos and seeing some progress. I am about ready to throw myself out w/my scale! What lotion are you using on your neck? I use oil of old lady, my grandma used that forever and always had fairly nice skin up until she died at 92. I also used to like to use ROC at night but discontinued while pregnant or trying because retinol type products can lead towards birth defects or other issues. One of these days I'd like to get back to that - left my face looking good and feeling happy. Not sure what it's doing to me, but hey good skin is a nice place to be!

Amber: How are you? How is your journey going?

Fire: Headache gone yet?

Hello Violets!

AM: I had my egg this am, and 1/2 an avocado (not doing this daily) for the helpful omegas. And my usual coffee and string cheese and a bit of salsa to make my plate colorful now that berry season is drawing to an end. Of course, I wasn't eating berries for breakfast often, but they sure make a colorful plate!

I have been in a good frame of mind of late, which is certainly helpful for this journey and for getting over my last loss. That can be a heavy shroud to carry with you in life. I am going to try really hard this week and work to drop into the 230s. I can do this right? That is my goal, to at least hit 239 and STAY in the 230s! I remember when I thought 224 was horrible, hey now I'd be happy to get there. So I am making my small goals today - at least 239 and then the rest can follow.

Anyone have any good ideas for when it's time for dessert? I have been trying to avoid but did have a flaming smore the other night. I don't do that often but it was a close to the warmer weather into cold nights thing w/our fire pit and our kids. Of late I try to do a 1/2 piece of fruit w/peanut butter or my string cheese when a dessert mood hits. When and how do you deal w/a bit of sugar into your diet? I am not saying I avoid completely (I am not that nuts) but I am trying to keep my consumption low. Somedays I do ok, somedays not so much.

Does anyone here watch project.runway? I am glad to see Ashley on the show - she's a gal who wants to design for plus size ladies. She designs/dresses the size 6 models on the show well usually too. Finally someone who doesn't want to hide the ladies in oversized bags or tunics. Good for her! I usually bike on thursday nights to watch it w/o kid intervention.

Happy day to you all starting your week. I aim to be good, I aim to get to 239, I aim to get all my water in me daily and thensome, and I aim to be happy all week!

Mam- Good luck at work today! I hope it goes well and it is an easy transition back. Thank you for being here as well, it is so helpful to have some people on a similar journey that I can check in with. I will send my #, but fair warning, I am horrible at chatting on the phone/returning calls, awesome at texting, haha.

Lemon- The only lotion I have used for the last few years is Vaseline Intensive Rescue. It really saves my hands in the winter, and now it's all I use. It's fragrance free, doesn't make me feel greasy, and leaves me feeling soft for days. No clue if it's actually helping my skin or if it's just a placebo. Desserts are tough sometimes, I broke down and ate a cupcake the other day, and it wasn't even worth the calories. Last night I was craving something sweet so badly, and I put a little peanut butter on top of a flax pita bread, and drizzled a little raw honey on top. The whole thing was 120 calories, very filling, and definitely took care of my sweet tooth. It felt much better than eating that cupcake! Fruit is usually my go to, but I've been out and need to hit the store.

I'm down to 206 flat the last couple of days, and I'm trying to be happy about that, but my rate of loss has definitely slowed down (I was predicted to be at 205 a week ago). Thank goodness for these photos which I still stare at when I don't feel awesome. Makes me feel better for sure.

And you're right Lemon, we can do this, every one of us. We are strong women who can beat the fat!

Hey violets,

So tired and sore today. I work like a crazy women. Got everything done, but boy do I feel it. I was huffing and puffing. (HR puffinstuff).

It went by very quickly. Felt funny without my old co-workers that retire but changes do happen in life.

I gave in and ate m&m after work. Oh well time to start a new now. Can't let that derail me. It is only a bump in the road and I am sure there will be many.

Lemon I like to have sugarfree pudding with a little cool whip when I crave sweets that helps me. Your saying about thinking 224 was heavy reminds me of how when I was in high school I thought I was so fat 192. I would LOVE to be that now.

Les I found your # and texted you. I sent a notice to FB also. So glad the pictures are helping you. Just remember you are so close to wonderland keep chugging along... If you want to lose faster you might have to tweek your calories and movement. More exercise or less calories or a little of both whatever works better for you.

I have an aftersun lotion that I just love to use. It is not greasy and it works really well, When I remember to put it on. HEHE...

I am not a girlie girl.. I like no make up or flashy clothes. Just plain Jane. I am squeegee clean but not one to go out dolled up.

Well I am off to go read and relax.

LG (later gators) in case I never told you guys what this is.

Mam: So glad your return to work went fairly well. Keep the body moving, you might find some pounds that fall off quickly now that you are back to your routine.

I can't do the sugar frees - anything sugar free w/substitutes gives me a wicked headache. Which has been my issue when I really would like to have something sweet I don't have much to fall back on unless I can be "really" good and stop with just one. But as evidence by my weight, I don't stop at just one.

Les: Yes, I'd have to agree w/mam that you may need to alter your calories again if you see you are stationary for a while. That's what I had to do to get mine to move again, that and actually move, but I guess I am complacent to be a rock!

AM: Making a minestrone for dinner - it's been gray all day and my DD had to go to the dentist and it's soft foods due to flouride treatment. Yippee. The house smells good, oh how I long to make some good bread w/it. But like sweets, warm bread can be another bad thing for me. Oh, I could surely probably eat 1/3 of the loaf before I registered as full and then have a belly ache - but thats not what I am doing tonight, though we will have store bought bread w/it, w/that I can stop at one. It's not the same!

I was going to work out but I forgot DH has a meeting tonight and its one of those that never ends on time. So I will go tomorrow if it fits the schedule. There are some downfalls to living in the middle of no where and having him w/a commute to and from work that's an hour each way. And my kids aren't old enough to watch themselves, and sitters are usually my ILs, but that's w/advanced notice. So I will count my laundry and house cleaning as a bit of movement.

Water intake great today - got in 66 oz on top of my coffee. Meals - not too bad, I have to enter them yet for today, but my easy in mind tracker says I am ok. Will see what actually happens when I enter them!

Happy evening all!

I'm eating at a deficit that should give me a loss of 2 pounds per week, so I'll give it a little more time to see if things balance out. Might just be a rough couple weeks haha. At first I was losing my 3.5/week, but I know a lot of that was just beginner's water weight or what have you. 2 pounds a week would be perfect, so if that's how it shakes out, I'm good. But if it doesn't, I'll reassess and maybe drop the calories a little. Right now, my lose it app has me at 1,420 calories per day (it drops just a little with each lower weigh in), which seems about right.

Mam, I don't have a Facebook request so maybe you sent it to a different person with my same name, haha. I'm glad your first day back went well. Don't worry about the m&m's, that happens. Especially after a stressful day. You can always make a better choice the next time. I am not a girlie girl either, haha. No makeup ever. I wouldn't even know where to start even if I wanted to, haha.

Lemon, that soup sounds great, and perfect for the weather. Yes, I could also eat a loaf (yes, the whole thing, not just 1/3, haha) of fresh bread, but alas, not in the cards any longer. Sorry you are stuck at home instead of getting your gym time. Hopefully tomorrow. Good job on the water! I'm at 1.5 liters, so I'm only halfway done with my mine. Hoping to get another 1.5 liters in before bed.

Hope you guys have a great night and an awesome Tuesday! I'm hoping for a good weigh in tomorrow for the Christmas challenge. Fingers crossed!

Morning Violets!

Les: Oh one of these days maybe we can have that fresh bread and we will have finally figured out moderation Strangely though since a little one I have loved warm bread from the oven w/butter. Not heavy on the butter, but still, it's a fond memory of the smells, the tastes etc. Now I have to find comfort in a leaf of romaine. Hah. Any new outfits for you these days?

Mam: Good luck on the job today. Hopefully it just gets easier for you. When will you be hopping on the scale? Any estate sales that you'll be trekking to? it's nice that your man helps you out at home. Mine has a tendency not to see anything past his own belly (precludes what is on the floor or any other place our LOs pull things out and don't put away). I'd like a helper for a day once a month to deep clean - but that helper will be me, and it's a daily chore that feels it never gets completed. My mom tells me in 20 years I will feel differently and miss the mess as my kids grow and leave.

Hello all!

AM: The scale. I tried to this am, but unsuccessful. My kids prevent me from taking my time in doing so. I don't always want to be on display while doing my weigh in and since it's a shared bath it's hard to fit in among 3 others getting ready in the am. Since it's an old house, no locks, so therefore, display.

I will admit, I have been bad on tracking my calories. I need to, it holds me accountable and keeps me on track. Is this what my life will be if I do get the weight off? I know they say the whole habit vs lifestyle type thing on anything new you'd like to do in life. I just wish it were easier for me when I put things in my mouth I don't always stop. Hence, why I keep trying w/the water, I don't eat as much then.

I sound like I am a bunch of excuses today. Well, I guess I am. I am also zapped for energy right now. Maybe it's the fall allergies. As they cut corn and beans (right now) I tend to have issues w/the crazy dust and molds they stir up. Or maybe it's that I just need a catch up somewhere along here.

QOD: What piece of clothing do you hope to be able to wear at least once from your past wardrobe when you were smaller? I know we all have something like that lurking in our closets or totes in storage. What would it be?

Ok, I am off to deal w/getting the day started and my game face on - therapy day for my LO and I am not quite seeing the benefits yet and sometimes her direction is kind of loopy but I have to trust she knows what she's doing.

Oh Lemon, I have always loved warm fresh bread, too. Had a college roommate who had her mother's bread maker, and we would make a loaf and just eat the whole thing with warm tea and butter. So good!

Tracking calories was hard for me at first, but it has gotten much easier. I don't even think twice about pulling out my phone and adding everything up while my food cooks. I think this IS what the rest of my life will look like, and I'm ok with that. If I have to spend ten minutes everyday just counting it all on my phone, it is worth it!

As for clothing I am waiting to wear, I have a few expensive t-shirts that I bought online that were the smallest XL's I have ever seen. I have never been able to wear them, but I love them (a couple are for bands I love, etc). So I think a few more pounds and those shirts will fit. Also, I did save a few favorite jeans, which may fit right now. I'll try them soon.

Today I am down to 204.4, and I am so happy! I tried to stay away from the salty snacks yesterday, and drank 2.5 liters (not my goal of 3) of water, so in sure that helped. But it's officially 25 pounds gone, almost a third of the way to my goal. Yay! I can't tell you how good this feels. I'm finally taking control and changing my body and life. I spent my whole life thinking it was impossible, and I'm glad I finally decided to actually try.

Hope you all have a really awesome day!

Les: good for you! I have some of those crazy shirts and I've never fit into them (most were online orders) you'd think an XL would be an XL an XL fitted not so much. Enjoy your new finds. That's got to be a nice feeling. I was just rejoicing this am in being able to shave my legs. I usually don't have huge amounts of time for myself in my day but this morning I said I need to get back to doing that. I even put on makeup today since I'm a SAHM I don't usually make the time for me. I'm going to start making those small changes to my day maybe it will help me with the weight. Keep moving the weight off. I'm here to cheer you on.

Hey violets,

Today was better but I am still tired. I guess I will be for a while now.

Lemon I have lost 5 pounds, I just don't know how to change the number on my scale. LOL I am not that good with this modern technology. Enjoy your kids they will be older and not be bothered with you soon enough. They will be more interested in going out with their friends.

Les your kids are so cute. I just LOVE all your cookies they are beautiful. Good thing you friended me cause I sent to the wrong one HEHE.

As for fresh baked bread out of the oven Yummo!!!!! I too do not baked it. It is like a dessert for us. DH just loves it.

I have this beautiful sweater that my DH bought me before my weight gain that I want to get back into. It is expensive also so I refused to give it to the goodwill. I too have some jeans that I saved.

As far as clothes sizes go you can pick up a size XL in one store and another in another store and they are completely different sizes. Even the same shirts but in different colors can be different in size I have found.

Also a size 14 when I was growing up is a lot smaller then I size 14 is now.

Well I am off to take my nap.

LG

Mam, I actually don't have any kids, those two cuties belong to my brother. But thanks for saying they are cute; we think so, too, lol. I can see where you would think they are mine with those posts, haha. I can't get enough of them. Hopefully the cookies won't tempt you too much. I don't even eat them, it's the cupcakes and brownies that can get me in trouble. You popped up in people you may know, haha, so I added you. Sorry work was so tiring, but yeah, you probably have to get used to it all over again. I bet the weight will start falling off with all the increased activity, though. To change your ticker, you go to edit signature under the quick links tab up top. Where it says 307, you just delete it and type in your new weight.

Lemon, you can feel free to add me if you want also, if you want a new Facebook friend. Good for you for taking some time for yourself. It's important to do things that make you feel good.

Les: Thanks for the offer - I am one of those not on fB. Glad you can stay away from your cookies. That's always a plus when you can turn down a sweet.

Mam: Hope today goes easier for you. It will get better it just takes time.

Hello Violets!

AM: I am far from shrinking. I drank 132 oz of water yesterday, the first 66 were because I made myself the rest were because my dinner was spicy and then I went to go ride the bike. So when i stopped and added it up - I had a lot. It was not reflected on my scale this morning. I was hopeful but I went up almost 2 lbs. It'd certainly be nice if we could program our bodies to just loose when we wanted to and then secondly if we could tell it where we'd like weight to fall off from. Oh, the thought of that! So I guess more hard work needs to ensue if I ever aim to get out of the 240s. Right now they are kind of like an albatross for me. Well, all this weight is.

The day is slow to move for me. I am tired, I have a ton to do, my DH is working from home this morning, so he took my workspace over (my kitchen table) because I had cleaned it off for me to do my projects but he's too unequipped to clean off another work surface. I am trying to be diplomatic, right now I'd love to yell, I can't so I sit at this desk getting my emails and news reading completed.

Why is it that when you don't see success you get down on yourself? And then the curse of that is you are kind of like WTH and you want to just eat. Which right now I am ignoring. Maybe I will go outside and pull my frosted over plants out of their planters and get them in the garage instead. I just feel like my journey today is stalled and not going anywhere. Pity party for me I am afraid is how it sounds. I just need to take the ownership of what I am doing back. Find a happy spot to be in and just go from there. Did I say that this is hard for me? I am one who likes to see progress and changes happen immediately if not sooner. I struggle w/the waiting to see (same w/DCs therapy). Patience is not my strong area and I struggle w/that.

Anyone else on that type of boat?

Off to go pull my plants out and tidy my front porch. Maybe I can burn a few calories that way.

Lemon, be patient with the therapy, and yourself! The therapy takes a while to make progress, at least in my experience. My nephew has gone for over a year and now we are seeing really big gains in speech and vocabulary. Do not stress! If you really don't like the therapist, see what you can do about finding another, if possible. But these things do take time, and it will all work out eventually.

And really, try to be patient with yourself. Weight loss can take forever, and it is sometimes really hard. I am seeing progress, but I think I have really shocked my body. When I add up a typical day for my former self, I was eating and drinking easily 3500 calories or more. Just the amount of soda alone is shocking. So I have taken away more than 2000 calories per day. My body is bound to change with a huge difference like that. You probably weren't as bad as I was, and the difference might not make such a big impact up front. But If you keep eating right and moving, the scale will eventually reflect that. Even if it takes time, everyday that you are a little better is still a victory!

I have had these same issues with so many things in my life. No patience at all. But I am trying to be more relaxed about everything. Stress isn't doing me or my body any favors. I am focusing on how much better I feel, and trying to find things to be happy about each day. It's a struggle some days, especially those that have the scale gains, but I'm working on it. And I am much happier than I was two months ago, and less stressed for sure.

Enjoy the gardening, and I hope it helps you feel a little better today.