Lil: well thank goodness it’s not in regards to the weight! And on top of: you’d think your doctor would have said in regards to shingles what your protocol was following from dental to possible surgery to daily encounters. Holy pain in the butt. I hope they say sure your fine but I guess too they don’t want to do things on you w a compromised immune system per say. I hope you get the right answer your looking for and can move on and feel better.

Now - what furniture piece did you get? A new bed? A sofa? Do tell.

Btw: how’s that sewing room?!

Am: I’m so rocking my regular 16s - hey it’s an improvement and a mood booster! And maybe just maybe whatever it is I’m doing is helping even though I still feel like an out of shape footballer (US based football toasted!) big and bulky through the back.

No cavities either! Woot. Always a good thing and no longer have the 6 month furry teeth feel. I love clean teeth. We discussed future issues w some teeth that are on their tale end of usefulness due to fillings and the like. But there is a game plan in place should they deteriorate further. So that’s good.

So I’m off to my basement to locate my tote of 16 jeans and get those 20s ready to send to goodwill. Some other lady can use them on her journey down too.

Happy day all. I send you good vibes to a start of a new week!

I really don't like my doctor. Really, as soon as this gallbladder thing is over, I'm finding another. It's not that she's bad, she's just...Remote? Indifferent? Inattentive? I don't actually know what adjective to use. She doesn't seem to care about her patients. I don't want a doctor weeping and holding my hand and being my buddy...but I'd like to think they'd feel a pang if they screwed up and I died. Maybe she just has too many patients or maybe it's her personality, I don't know. but other than telling me I wasn't contagious unless someone touched the ooze from the blisters (which mine never even blistered) and not to scratch it, she didn't say anything! She didn't tell me to come back, she didn't tell me to use any type of creams, she didn't say ONE WORD. Which is kind of typical...hence, the reason I'm looking for a new doctor. :(

The surgeon didn't tell me to get released from the primary either! He just sent me down and told me he wouldn't schedule surgery until I was over it. I was over it, so I called and scheduled.

Anyway, I called at 8:15 this morning. It's now 11. Still waiting for that phone call back.

We bought a bed. We have a 2 year old memory foam mattress, but it's a king and the store threw in "free" box springs - they were overpriced. You put a foam mattress on cheap box springs and you end up with a hump in the middle, because you sink in the spring part and then you have to roll uphill. So, we wanted a platform bed. But, we also have a small, oddly shaped, bedroom. We'd like to get rid of all our dressers, so we decided to get a storage bed. After looking at like 6 stores we found this one and while I'm not wild about the look of it, it did have a TON of storage; six drawers (two of which are double-depth) plus a large "crawl space" underneath.

I hate dumb doctors ie the type that are there for the check and checked out on the patient!

I went to a dermatologist once w horrible itch. Every other one in the past would touch my arm or leg wherever the problem and look close. This particular one sat in gloves, perched on a stool, 8 feet away from me to say “maybe” I had a reaction but she wasn’t sure because she only glanced at me from her stool. Without any real looking, investigating or the like; she left some cream on the counter to try and to call if I wanted a prescription later. She took off her gloves and left the room. 9 months later I finally got a bill for $350. RIGHT. Let me tell you I protested that one.

A new bed sounds great! We did that a few years back and what I got was not what I ordered. It had to go back for adjustments as I got a traditional mattress. I’m not a fan of foam as I never move all night long and then everything hurts. Anywho - I get when mattresses are super pain in the butt! Enjoy your new setting - your crawl space comment cracks me up.

Lilion: Ugh! What a pain! No wonder we all want to avoid health stuff! I feel like they are assuming that you know exactly what to do, and I don't see why you would! None of us do this everyday. Well, hopefully it all gets wrapped up soon for you!! Enjoy that new bed!!

Lemonthyme: Congrats on the NSV jeans!! That's always such a good thing to see some new sizes! Gives you a good boost to keep you going on your food plan! It is exciting to think about planting and such. I'll have a little ways to go yet, but I also don't do the planting ahead like you do. I should! But I don't.

As for me, I had a good weigh in today and the weekend was much better overall than I've been doing. I had a little mini goal in mind for today, being the last official weigh in for January, but I didn't make it. I need to be ok with that, and I am ok with it. Overall for January I lost 8.2. I was kind of hoping for 10, but my real goal is to lose 1 pound per week. I wanted to take advantage of a quicker start so that when those weeks come when nothing comes off, I'd still have a buffer. Time to stop overthinking it all.

I ended up going to the gym on Friday after work and lifting some weights, and then Saturday morning I went to a spin class. I ended up with a little tweak in my back, and I felt pretty stiff the rest of the weekend, but it isn't horribly damaged. I wanted to hike, but there is still a little snow around in places and I didn't want to be in any icy conditions. In talking to a few people who did hike, I could have gone. Oh well. Next weekend looks to be better for that since we are having a little bit of a warm up this week. I'd like to hike, so I hope it stays nice.

Went to Spin this morning. I really like this particular instructor, so I had sent a note to the manager of the gym saying that I really liked her and that she was so helpful in keeping me engaged and focused. I talked to her today and she said that in the 6 years that she has been an instructor, this is the first time that someone has written a praise letter like that. She was a little choked up over it. How cute! Makes me glad that I sent it.

Diane: I’m a firm believer everyone needs to be told a special thank you when warranted for such. You probably made that woman’s day - too often people take and never say thanks. When I worked that was one of the things that drive me nuts. The only one that got accolades was the sales staff - not the rest of us that provided all the things to support the sales staff. Anyway - I’m happy you did that for her - boost others when you feel helped is always a good thing.

AM: I should be doing my laundry but today it excites me like having to clean toilets (I loathe). I have thrown it all down the stairs now it’s just me grabbing and sorting and starting the machine. I’m also going to the tote in the basement and get the other 16s and get them laundered so totally excited big time. It makes me feel inches smaller. I haven’t worn 16s for 9-10 years. Hence my wanting to dance!

So I’m off to slay dirty clothes and maybe melt some more of at least back to Friday’s weight. Then onward and downward. I think it’s a soup night at this house. I’ll have to see what I have to throw into a pot and simmer.

Happy afternoon all!

FINALLY got the word - after calling the doctor's office again and being told, rather huffily, by the nurse I spoke with, that they are understaffed and phone calls take time - that I am good to go on Friday. Still not holding my breath.

Gosh Lemon - I'm so happy for you! I remember 16s. Well, I remember buying 16's. Women's 16s, not misses, but they fit, mostly. Really I had a bunch that ended up out the door with tags still on them since I got them off season on sale and then by the time summer rolled around they didn't fit again. :( :bravo: on that slim behind! :D

Diane! 8.2 lbs in ONE MONTH??? And you're complaining about what??? That's 2 lbs a week and NO responsible weight loss plan would shoot for better than that! You are doing GREAT! :D

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Well I’m not perfect and coming off the weekend so I float up to come back down. It is what it is and I am not Popeye but I’ll borrow his sentiments.

Lil: if I don’t get on here before you go to the hospital - best wishes for easy surgery and get back on track with a quick heal! I hope all goes well for you and the scar tissue isn’t an issue. Will you have to be on medicine at all with its removal? Treat yourself well and I’m sure your DH will nurse you through just fine!

Diane: you go on all your exercise! I’m really impressed with all your movement. I can’t commit to sticking to any of it and yet here you are day after day and doing all of these activities and it looks like you have had nice success this past month! 9 lbs done is a nice change in your weight so keep up the good work!

Hello Laurie and toasted and whomever else I’m forgetting.

AM: Doctor trip for one child today and maybe I’ll swing by the goodwill and see what is out there. I’m hoping in the next few weeks starting to clean out drawers and closets of old tired things I had been hanging onto because of my size. Some was just to make do and get by- it was neither flattering or maybe my color, it was just that I needed something to fit. So I’ll be venturing on that soon.

Darn it’s brrrr cold again this morning it’s -5 out right now. As I said I’m more than ready for spring to come and winter to go away. It’d be great if you could go outside and shiver and loose a few pounds. However it’s not the case.

Alrighty well nothing stupendous today. My weight I’ll try to bring back down and move into those teens. My little goal for myself by Friday is 219 - I pushed water last night going to bed with 8.25lbs in. It sounds much heavier than 132 oz. again ounces sound light lets go for the meaty sounding.

May you all have a good start to your days and may your scale be kind.

Hey all. Pre-admission testing done and I'm on for Friday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m. central standard time. So, of course I have to be there at 9 and sit around for two hours. Hospitals.

But we're good to go, apparently.

Lemon, thanks for the well-wishes. Have fun shopping for those NEW sizes! :D

I have nothing to report....really, until this surgery is over, I'm just not even going to worry about my weight. I'm not going to have my last meal possibly be broccoli. Yes, I know that sounds morbid and stupid...after all, every meal may be your last meal, LOL - but I just hate being put under, it scares me. And...I do have to not eat anything on Friday. So...there's that. LOL!!!

Peace out ladies! :wave:

Lil: just no tomatoes. I’d agree broccoli sounds blah besides gaseous on top of post-anesthetic. Have something you enjoy and you’ll be fine with your surgery. Thousands do this daily, just as you will be doing. It’s like flying. Sure I had the fleeting thought about a crash before I went but then I said to myself how many planes takeoff and land daily? Ok then, then it made it doable and since the percentage is very small, I said we take off and we land and then didn’t think much more about it except for the airbus ride at night and them humidifying the plane (or that’s what my seat mate said it was) which made it look like smoke billowing in a dimly lit cabin as it comes out right near the lights - but I fly like once every 5 years these days so to others it was normal. Think good thoughts and turn it over to God to get you through. Does your church have a prayer chain? Give them your worries and focus on feeling better.

AM: child’s appointment was just fine and on to another year! I think the nurse wrote down the wrong amount for height as I swear he’s 3” taller than what was written. Alas I’ll check later once I can find the tape measure that said child hides or plays with often.

I’m in another 16 jeans today. By the end of drinking my water they were snug around the tum by bed time. But I also had lots of water. But they fit comfortably around the butt so I’m still secretly smiling a bit still about that achievement.

Goodwill was a bit of a bust because of my child - we didn’t stay long. Ants in the pants and all for him and if it’s mom browsing for herself it becomes horribly long to remain patient for him. Another day to go look. I had looked online at amazon - we’ll just did a google search for a button down floral shirt and one popped up. It comes from China (what doesn’t) and I looked at their sizing. SADLY what would be a US xl is a Chinese marked 4XL. talk about an old bubble burster. I’d sew my own but I’ve yet to find a pattern that I don’t have fitting issues with due to my shoulder width, heavier upper arms (though shrinking!), sleeve length and overall length. Throw in the wonky bust and I’d just rather buy a shirt. Or a T-shirt and just let it move with me. Nothings worse than getting a shirt on that’s like being trapped. I feel claustrophobic then and almost panic if I can’t move my arms.

It’s been quiet here - I hope everyone is doing well.

Alrighty off to get the kid down for a nap and off to my basement that kind of calls my name that I choose to ignore. But I should go check out the plant babies. Maybe there will be some movement on that front.

Happy afternoon all.

Lilion: Definitely no broccoli for the last meal!! Should be something awesome! You can get back to worrying about weight loss once you get through all of the turmoil of surgery. One thing at a time! Concentrate on getting through it and getting back to feeling good soon! I hope all goes well and is much easier than the pre-surgery roller coaster you have been on!

Lemonthyme: 16's are awesome! I always think it is just so nice to get to a size that you can get in regular sizing of clothes. You should be so happy with that! Makes it almost fun to do laundry. Ok, maybe not. Shopping with youngsters is just not a great time, is it? It depends on the day as to what you can get done, that's for sure. Oh and I agree with you on saying "good job" to someone you feel deserves it. Too many times it just isn't said, even if you think it!

For me, I didn't weigh this morning. I was kind of off on my routine and didn't get to it. I have a little pain in my back, so I didn't go lifting today. I might go back to the gym after work to run, but we'll see how it goes. Might be a rest day. :) I'll go to spin class tomorrow though.

Back for just a brief fly-by check-in. I planned to take vacation days next week, and all of our stuff is non-refundable, so I will take those vacation days. However, another attorney announced his retirement, so I have taken over half of his workload in addition to my regular workload while he mentors me in learning another type of law. Good opportunity. Bad, bad timing to miss an unexpected week.

I am renewing my commitment to checking in, to monitoring my food intake, and to working out consistently. I love you guys. I miss you guys. I will be more consistent about checking in. At least until next week, when I will be in Puerto Vallarta.

Laurie: welcome back! Your reducing workload didn’t last too long did it? Oh it’s always something isn’t it. Well I hope you find strength to get it all done and fit your personal world around it just fine. Days off are always so nice. Enjoy them! Will you be with your entire family or just your hubs?

Diane: did you get to exercise this evening? I hope all is going well for you with that. I’m glad you make time for it because I haven’t been super good myself and I hope soon I can take your example and add it to my own.

Lil: what will your dinner be or do you have to do clear diet 12 hours before? If that’s the case have a fantastic lunch!

Toasted: you vanished again. Hope your work load is going well. What fun things will you explore in Bali? How many days will you be there? I’ve not had a desire to travel that way ever, but I’m sure it’s lush looking with all the greenery and the ocean - but hot and humid I’d guess? Hope you are loosing your weight well.

AM: well I was bad with salt this evening. I used it to lightly season my roasted veg (seasoned salt) and I’m usually not an additional salt user in general except on eggs or noodle boiling. So when I say it seemed saltier it may have just been fine to everyone else. I guess I’ll see what the scale says tomorrow. I have already done 99 oz of water so another 33 I hope helps.

I was looking at sewing patterns tonight. I have a weekend event w DH in April that I’ll need fancier dress for one night and since I’m in flux with size I’m going to make an outfit. I was looking at some brocades (ie more oriental and brighter color) and looking to see what might work with what’s in my head. And maybe, just maybe in 3 months - I’ll be a bit trimmer yet.

Ok I’m off to watch the state of the union, and my real housewives thereafter. Here’s to shrinking the body I hope!

Ugh I just lost my post. This site needs an update I think - just a small one to make it not dump messages when you pause to think or help your kid.

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I’m back to where I was Friday and it’s Wednesday. I’m hopeful I can still find the teens this week. TOM was due here the last few days but since it’s gone to that wonky schedule I just have to coast. I haven’t been wanting sweets or chocolate like I usually do. Which is good for the diet but wreaks a bit of havoc on my calendar and who likes being in the realm of unknown when you have always been consistent?NOT ME.

And my shoulder is in great pain today. I’m sure it’s an -itis which one I don’t know and I don’t need to go to the doctor and be told to ice and take ibuprofen. I’ll try doctoring myself and if it doesn’t improve I’ll go in. Right now the phrase that begins with an S and ends with a B is about equal to what My hurty feeling is. I don’t know if it’s due to sleeping on it or if it’s from lugging too heavy of a bag through the airport and holding a kids hand. Whichever the cause I hope there is a remedy.

Did I say I hate aging?

The good part of my day - the scale is back down and I’m thinking teens and below. I was looking at a thinner silhouette then what I have now. Thinking about it all makes me happy that it is a possibility. I have yet to try those number I haven’t seen for 11+ years - prepregnancy with number one to be exact, I was 203 when I got pregnant with this sweet child. So hence my giddiness.

I need to shout out to you all for cheering me on - and just being able to talk about my weight and diets and how it can be frustration and help me celebrate even a scale moving 1/10s as celebratory! So thank you all ladies! Plus I enjoy reading of your days - as a SAHM without close friends (or siblings that want to talk to me) your daily info makes me feel part of a group having coffee and a good chat.

So what are you each thinking of for spring outfits? I think I want some sassy cropped pants but I can’t wear tall heels with them. Of course sometimes those can look like the flood is coming - hah! And I’d like to try a partial circle skirt - not a full one I have a butt and will always have a butt - thanks grandma! I’d like to try some fun patterns or florals on the bottom half. I have stayed in the plain colors or limited small pattern for years: it’s time to celebrate some changes to my body with getting out of my comfort zone.

Oh and my big early spring purchase will be some new bras. We’ll hike those gals up and not have all the back fat to deal with as much. Woot for the hoots! :D

Wishing you all well. Celebrate yourselves on this hump day! I’ll pop in later as the day goes along as I avoid something I should be doing because sitting on my butt at some point is a nice thing to do. But today is working on my basement some. Specifically all my fabric and the like and that will help immensely to opening my walking path up to have things in the totes and up on a shelf.

Happy day all! We can do this!

Laurie, Wow….there’s nothing like having to learn a whole new area of the law. Hope that goes well and I hope you have a GREAT vacation! Go somewhere warm!

Diane, Hope you enjoyed your rest day and you're feeling better. I’m always amazed by your energy and all the exercise you do…but then that’s why you’re losing and I’m not.

Lemon…I have no idea about my “last meal”, LOL! I was planning on lunch out with coworkers today or tomorrow…but right now, I don’t know. Last night hubby called after work (he gets off an hour before me) and was in such a lousy mood. His work is being a bear – basically suddenly tossing projects with immediate deadlines at him, when he tried to get the project started 6 months ago and was told he had to wait. Now, they say “GO! And be done by Monday!” In an effort to make him smile, I suggested we go out to our favorite place for dinner – Our lovely capitol’s only Irish Pub. It’s a great place…but my GOD the FOOD! Their burgers START at ½ lb. Really, ridiculously HUGE portions and they have the best draft hard cider. So of course we went. I may count that, as I’m still full. :ink: Sorry about your shoulder. Getting old sucks, huh?

My Spring clothes…are my winter clothes only with shorter sleeves. ;) Well, that and skirts instead of pants. I do own a few pairs of capri’s and since I’m so tall they are quite short – no flood pants. My job just announced the new dress code! Basically, casual but professional…totally in the supervisor’s discretion. So as long as we don’t have an in-person hearing (which is very rare, we’re usually on the phone) we can do blue jeans every day or whatever. That’s pretty cool actually. Wore jeans yesterday…just because I could. Once I’m done with my SCA sewing though – I may be thinking about some new mundane (that is to say, not-medieval) clothing. It’s been years since I’ve sewn real, everyday clothes.

Nothing to report. Had my lovely fattening pub food and cider and today I'm back on track...as much as I care to be.

Hope you all have a glorious day! :wave:

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Laurie: Hey! Good to see you post! So glad that you get to have a good vacation in such a great place! Try not to think about the stuff at home, and just deal with it when you get back. You'll get this new area of law figured out, but I'm sure it will be a lot of work for you. Hopefully, they can get some help for you!

Lemonthyme: I'm pretty much like Lilion. No big changes for spring clothes, just shorter sleeves. I do wear capris occasionally, but typically just dress pants. I used to wear dresses/skirts all the time, but I've lost my desire for those. I am wondering what I'll do for shoes. The inserts have helped my feet so much, I don't want to give that up. I don't think inserts go well with sandals and such, so might have to actually do some shoe shopping. Ugh.

Lilion: That sounds like a great place to go to eat - your Irish pub. I'm glad you were able to go, and I'll bet your husband enjoyed the treat. You have to just have some times that you do those things!! I do have trouble at those places, though. I am not good at being self-disciplined to not overeat!

As for me, I didn't go to the gym last night, but I went to spin class this morning. It was a great workout, one that left you breathless most of the way through. I needed that after my scale was so mean to me this morning. It's my fault... I did not do well with food at all yesterday. I don't think it will stay that high, I hope, but I really was off track yesterday. Oh well. Onward.

Although I really wanted a big drop in weight last month, I am making myself be ok with averaging a pound a week for February. It is just going to take a while and I have to be ok with that. I don't need to have it go up, like it did today, so I need to be mindful of that. I'm just so ready to be back down to where I was before.