The 280s Ladies - Thread #2
 

Sorry ladies,

I didn't realize we had to start a new thread already.

I HOPE EVERYONE FINDS THEIR WAY OVER HERE! DON'T WANT TO LOSE EVERYONE!

New thread! Wooooo! Good way to kick off the spring/summer season!

I am soooo ready for April to be over. It's been a pretty bad year academically, socially, mentally, emotionally...and I can't wait to be back home again. I binged this weekend a couple of times, but today I got back on track, about 1300 calories today? Not too bad. And I tried limiting my carbs/sugar--had a little bit of rice with lunch, and two pieces of cookie dough (my biggest *whoops* of the day! 170 calories...guess it could be worse)! I didn't weigh myself this morning but I'm going to assume I'm 280 or 279. I'm going to do even better tomorrow cause the scale NEEDS to move!

Shelly, I can completely relate to your shopping story. I haven't been clothes shopping with friends in YEARS--I believe the last time I did, I was in 8th grade and a size 14/16 (so I barely made my way into the regular sizes, depending on the store). Most recently, however, a size 8 friend and I were in the mall and said she wanted to stop at Victoria's Secret. OK, that's fine. I made the mistake of mentioning that I needed new bras, and she asked me if I wanted to try any on while we were there. Ugh. "Um...they don't carry my size." She gave me a confused look, said "What?" and when I shrugged, she said, "They go up to DD, I'm sure you can find one here." Then there was a few minutes of me reassuring her that, no, they don't carry my BAND size (though, after checking on the website, they do have a few with a 40 band size, even though I usually get a 42). I think after I looked like I was about to cry, she felt really bad and we left the store. It's just something normal sized women will never understand. They don't know what it's like to walk into a clothing store and not be able to buy anything because of their size--let alone TRY anything on. Oh, and by the way, don't know if you know, but Forever 21 has a plus line. I ordered a dress and a sweater and they're pretty cute; I'm thinking of making another purchase sometime soon...thing is, it's only online. Sigh!

Speaking of clothes, I have a good find! I LOVE clothes/fashion, and that's one of the most difficult things about being heavy; I can't express myself through what I wear, if that makes any sense...I'm not saying that I want to express who I am solely on appearance, but I want to have my own style that sort of reflects who I am, and unfortunately the selection of clothing in my size is pretty limited. Anyway, I somehow found THIS and think it's great! Haven't bought anything because I'm poor (blegh!) but I have my eye on a couple of the dresses. :D

OH, and HUGE congrats on your hitting your 50 pound mark, Shelly! 50 pounds! WOW!! That's friggen amazing! I hope to catch up to you there soon!

Merissa, VERY happy to hear of your 257 & that you are BACK ON TRACK! Ohhh I'm so excited! Loooove all this good news.

I carry my weight fairly proportionally, though if any part of me is bigger than the other, at least while I'm obese, it'd probably be my bottom half. At my lightest, 210ish pounds, I was a solid size 16 (on the verge of 14!) and wore L and XL tops. At my heaviest, 315+ pounds, I was probably a 26 and wore 2x & 3x tops. I was only over 315 for a short time--probably got over 300 sometime in late 2009 (like December maybe?) and gained to 323 in May of last year. That being said, once I couldn't fit into my 22s anymore, I stopped wearing most of my clothes, and didn't buy any new ones--meaning, I wore mostly leggings and the one pair of size 24 pants I could fit into. Right now, I'm a 22 again and wear 2x tops. With dresses, though, I'm more like a 20. I actually went into Old Navy two weeks ago to try on a pair of size 20 jeans. To my surprise, I could get them on! Granted, they were still too small and I had to suck it in to button them, but I was OVERJOYED that I could even pull them up over my big butt! This time a year ago, I couldn't get my 22s over my knees...it was awful. So I'm happy that I can fit into all of my old clothes again.

According to my own history, size wise...in the 270s I'm a 22, in the 250s I'm a 20, 230s an 18, and 210s a 16. I know in another 20 pounds or so I'll be down a size, so I'm excited. :D

Hey Ladies! I hope everyone had a great Monday. I went to my gym today, I had a trainer to work with me the first day it went well. I'll be there tomorrow working out for about 2 hours trying to burn as many cals as possible. So Im back on plan lol

I wish I knew what size I am currently. I only wear huge t shirts and sweat pants right now.

I'm also ready for April to be over, hopefully we can all end April on a successful note :)

Taliee - I think your calorie intake sounds good! Not to much, not to little! :) I AGREE! I am soooo ready for April to be done and gone! I haven't done well in April either, especially this past week. You are still doing great, and you've made a lot of good changes over the past year. Can you believe it's been a year since we've gotten to know each other? It amazes me!

Shelly - YAY! You are really moving down the ladder girl! Keep it up!

Merissa - Yay for 257, that's great! Glad you are getting back on track, don't worry about how many times you get knocked off (I promise, it will get less and less as your weight loss efforts start to show on the scale constantly!) :)

Imtry - WAY TO GO AT THE GYM! That's fantastic! keep it up!

Ok, for sizes - At my heaviest (301) I was pregnant and only wore maternity clothes, so I'm really not sure.
At 260 - I wear a size 16/18 and I wear XL shirts - I am 5'9 so being tall helps a lot.
At the lowest I can remember in my adult life (which was 210) I wore a 12/14 with a L top. I am pretty well proportioned although I have gained a lot of extra skin (sorry I know, TMI) from being pregnant with the 3 big baby boys and subsequent c-ssections.

April hasn't really been my month. We have had a lot going on, from sick kiddos to school work to everything else, it has just been crazy. I just started back on my "no plan, plan" Monday and so far so good. I don't expect to lose anything this week, since I was totally binging last week, but if I can stay right under 260, I'll be ok with that because with kicking up my treadmill workout and lowering my cal intake to around 1300 calories, I expect the scale to start moving pretty quick (at least that's what I'm hopeing).

I hope everyone finds their way to our new thread, next time I'll catch the "end" before hand and redirect before the monitors do, it seems easier to alert everyone that way. Keep up the great work ladies!

glenlorie- wow! you are very proportioned, thats awesome. Im not so lucky. I have a dancers shape underneath all this fat lol So that means now at my highest weight I look slightly dis proportioned. I'm so ready to see my hips and waist again.

I go to the gym like 4 days for about 4 hours. I thought I would get bored but I didn't. I packed a lunch and found other things to do in between my workouts. I have to do this because I cant stay on a machine for longer than 10-15 mins without getting bored and wanting to quit. So I do 3 machines for about 15 mins each and then repeat 2 more times.

Imtry - WAY TO GO AT THE GYM!! I'm glad you found a way to keep the gym interesting for you! Keep it up girl!

I hope we didn't lose anyone when we had to switch threads. I tried to send a message to everyone, but I'm sure I may have missed one or two people. Hopefully they find their way, I love your little group and I couldn't have come this far without you guys!

Well, I haven't weighed in, and won't til Monday, but I've pretty much been living off gatorade and smoothies (sick with a stomach virus), so I'm hopeing just to maintain right under 260, then when I'm over this (which I'm starting to get better) I'll get back in full gear. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

glenlorie- I hope you feel better! Hopefully you stay right under 260 or even lower!

I'm doing well I weighed in at 278 this morning so far 7.2 down!

OMG I have been far too embarrassed to even post. I have been lurking around and reading but I am so ashamed of my actions lately. I got my TOM and since then I haven't been able to control myself. I've polished off 2 bags of pizza rolls, a pint of Half Baked Ben and Jerry's, 1/4 of a pizza, 2 dr. peppers, half a sprite, and I had some mall food today. This is all within the last 4 days or so. I haven't gotten on the scale once. I'm far to scared. More scared than just the number. I'm scared that I might be getting to that time where people fall off because I'm forgetting how to be good. What the good foods are, what my old recipes are and how to cook healthy! I'm going crazy! I can't seem to get back on the horse! I'm hoping it's just my hormones and this crazy period!

SHELLY!! I am with you girl! This past weekend was a nightmare! I ate like crazy, ate WHATEVER I WANTED...it was awful! I too am not getting on the scale. I have been overwhelmed with school, PMSing like crazy, and finally got my TOM last night. Last time I weighed, which was right before I got TOM, I was 284. I was like, WHAT?! How do you gain 6 pounds in like 3 days?? So yeah, I haven't weighed myself in a week. I'm back on track today--only sugar I've had is what's in my Oolong tea--and I am determined. I am going back on my antidepressants which should help a lot, too. Last time I was on them, I lost 25 pounds without trying! I am going to work really hard the next couple weeks. I want 267 by May 17!!

hi ladies! I haven't been doing too well, I recently moved but I am definately getting back on track. My weight has been between 280 and 275 so I haven't gained too much weight back that's a good thing. I have been exercising regularly too so that has helped me a lot.

Morning all.
I hope no one minds if I join you here? I know I am currently 279, but I've been stuck on a plateau of 282 forever, and would like to chat with others who know where I am and where I'm going. I actually wrote a big long post yesterday, but my computer froze so I lost it, but in a nutshell here's my bio:
34 year old mother of one 2 year year old DD, married 4 1/2 yrs, work as an admin assistant, bought our first house last Aug and my mother lives with us.
My highest weight was 336, I worked hard in college and got to 292. I spent years stuck at 292, and then almost 2 years stuck at 282. I don't want anymore sticky periods, so here I am.
Hope everyone is doing well and staying on the path to lightness.

ok so I guess i've had one of those embarrassing moments when I dont want to post lol I was great all weekend. Monday hit and I was a little down because I totally expected the scale to say 276 lol it didn't more like 278.12 when i weighed 278.8 last on the sat before. I guess i was being childish. So i did a little working out then i would weigh after about 30 mins of treadmill lol I think I jinxed myself because I was all over the place 287 277 279 280! I was making the scale go crazy lol and pissing myself off. Soooo long story short I got off plan for like Monday and Tuesday BUT Im not going to do like I usually do and wait a month to get back on today is Wednesday and im on. So I decided im just going to start weighing on Sat of each week and not daily lol

TOM is almost over and I've been good the past couple of days, so I was 280.4 this morning. I know there's only a week and a half left in April, but I am hoping to be 275 by the end. My original goal was 273, but I'll take anything under 278 at this point (which would give me a loss for the month, even if it's just a pound). I'm eating a LOT of fruits and veggies, and haven't had soda since Sunday (experienced major caffeine withdrawals yesterday)! I am determined again, like I was before spring break when I lost 10 pounds, so YAY!

Honeybee- I hear you about the not doing so well. Last weekend I had no limits when it came to food! I ate and ate and ate, and there was nothing redeeming about what I was eating! But we all fall down, we just have to get up again! :D Keep up the exercising, that helps a lot.

Laura- WELCOME! We are always happy to see new people join our thread! Good luck with everything, this forum is awesome for support. :)

Imtrying- OMG! I totally avoid 3FC when I know I haven't done well. But then I'm like, blegh, I really need to own up to my mistakes and not ignore them, and come to terms with what ever bad eating I've done! And then move on...and posting here helps with that. I might try weekly weighing, too, because I get so carried away when I do it daily.

Hope all the other ladies are doing well! Lorie, I hope you're feeling better. :)

Hi Tailee! I am also stuck at 278 because of TOM :(. But I have been eating really clean & light so I should be losing by the end of this week *I hope*

Hi Laura! Welcome! & we all know how you feel, we've all had the hard times.

Hi Imtryingtotry! it seems like 278 is haunting a lot of us lol great job on getting back on track sooner than later.

Good luck ladies!!!!

Omg! Im scared now. I havent even hit my TOM yet and I'm already slipping! Actually I might not even have a TOM this month sometimes I can go months with out. I'm so tired of going back and forth I just want to keep going forward its just sooo hard but oh well thats life!

Finally back down to 278.4 today. Whew! Which means I still have a week to have a loss since April 1. It's the most stressful week of the semester and I am managing to stay completely on track! YAY! Hopefully I will be rewarded next week when the scale graces me with 276. 275? 274? Would be ecstatic if 273 but know that's a little lofty. We'll see.

Hope the other ladies are doing well--keep chugging along!

Ok ladies...Sorry I have been gone for a bit. I have been in the hospital with Abel since Sunday and we have just arrived home. He had (still has) pneumnia and also had a stomach virus last week, so he couldn't hold anything down and became dehydrated. We started out in the ER and ended up in the pediatric pod for almost a whole week. His chest xray looks much better though and the IV with fluids and constant antibiotics helped a lot. He is doing much better, he is enjoying being home and just resting his little body. He is worn out.

Since I was in the hospital and couldn't leave his room, I didn't get a whole lot of calorie burning in and wasn't focused on what I ate. So, I don't expect to have a loss and I may have gained a pound or two, as long as I am in the low 260s I am not going to complain too much. I am just glad my little man is home and getting better. Now, to top it all off, TOM has arrived. That just figures doesn't it? Oh well, at least I'll get all of this over at the same time this month and will have a great 4 weeks to look forward too and focus again. I don't really want to weigh-in on Monday, because I know I have gained, I have to just hope it isn't to much and I REALLY need to watch my binge eating now that I am home. I've noticed I am still pretty bad about that, especially since I get up periodically through the night feeding the baby.



Shelly - I have noticed myself slipping a lot too lately. But look how far you have come! I have decided to carry around a photo of myself at my heighest weight, it seems to keep me a little bit more on track because I know I don't want to get back to that and start over. I'm sure you are mentally and physically tired and having to be aware of everything you eat, but look how close you are to onederland! You are amazing!

Honey - You are doing well! When I first started out I focused on NOT GAINING, no matter if I lost or not. And once I could seem to not gain, then I started focusing on losing the pounds! Just keep your head up, you will do great!

Laura - WELCOME! I think you will really love it here. Many of us have known each other for over a year now and everyone here is so nice and inspirational!

Imtry - Oh goodness, I know it is hard. Just take it one day at a time! Really, just focus on today. It took me forever to really grasp that concept, but since I have gotten better at taking baby steps, things have gotten much better. You can do this, just take it slow!

Taliee - OMG Way to go!! YES! One more week to lose, you can do this girlie! You should be soooo proud! You have had a VERY hard week and you are staying on track! If that isn't proof that you can meet your goals I don't know what it! So proud of you! Keep it up!

Lorie! I was wondering what happened to you! No need to apologize, I'm just glad you're OK! Poor little Abel--pneumonia, that's terrible. :( I hope he is completely healthy soon. I don't blame you at all for putting weight loss efforts on the back burner, since you are more than justified. As an aside, I have to say, you are so inspiring. You always have a positive attitude and I REALLY admire you for it. Maintaining is always better than gaining, and I am glad you are looking at things optimistically!

Imtrying & Honey- WOW, I completely forgot to respond to your posts! XD Honeybee, I'm glad you're doing well food-wise! I hate how TOM screws everything up. I was as high as 285 last week and now I'm 278--mostly because of TOM. Annoying, to say the least.

Imtrying- I know, it's tough! :( And especially when things like TOM get in the way. Maybe you should check in with your doctor or gyno, though, to see what is going on with your cycle (or lack of)? There could be something going on with your hormones--and affecting your ability to lose weight. If I was having those problems, I'd definitely see a doctor. Either way, try to keep up! And like I said to Lorie, remember that while losing is great, maintaining is better than gaining. :) You can do it, and we are all rooting for you!! <3

OK ladies! There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel! I feel better about school and talked to my advisor, who assured me that everything will be alright (e.g., if I do what I need to do this weekend I won't flunk out. lol). I have a TON of work to do this weekend, but I feel a ton better. So here's to the last week/weekend of my junior year--I will NOT miss you!

Have a great weekend everyone! xoxo

[IMG]http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/...cellpic076.jpg[/IMG]

This was my little angel while he was in the hospital. Glad he is home!

Taliee - OH!!! I am sooooo glad you talked with your advisor! I know you'll work hard and get everything done this weekend so you can kiss junior year goodbye! So proud of you! You are going to be a senior soon! Soooo excited for you!!!!

Oh your baby is soooo precious. I know you're so happy to have him home with you!

That is a beautiful and precious baby, congratulations!

I (think) I am new to this thread so hello all.

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I hope everyone had a great long weekend.
Thursday night I took my first Zumba class - I had a ball. I looked ridiculous, but I enjoyed myself anyways. It's a very small group, so I was pretty comfortable. I'm hoping to be able to go every week, but it'll depend on my DH's work schedule and my daughter's 2 year old behaviour!
So Friday, I woke up wth soem energy, even if I was a little sore. I did some major housecleaning - washed walls and scrubbed floors on my hands and knees. Ouch. Saturday I volunteered to help out at a wedding doing some bartending - so I was running for 8 hours serving drinks - it's been a while since I was on my feet for that long at a time. Sunday - I slept! My DD got up at 8am, my mom watched her from 11 - 12 so I could nap. I tried to put her to sleep at 2, but that didn't work - I woke up at 3, and mom had had enough of watching her (again). But, by 6:30 DD was ready for bed. I laid down with her, just for minute.... next thing I knew it was 5:30 am! I am sore from all the activity, but I feel good.

Lorie: Abel is such a beautiful little boy. I love his lips - angel kissers! I pray he is completely healthy again soon.

Imtrying: I also obsess with the scale - 3 or 4 times daily. But I've determined that Friday is my ticker changing day, and I don't count anything in between.

Honeybee: I'm sure if you keep up the great effort you will have a super wi. Don't get discouraged, keep on plugging. We all know it's not a race, just one step at a time.

Taliee: Good luck with your school stuff!

See you ladies lighter!

Imtrying - Thanks so much! YES, I am soooo happy he is home!

SRT - Thank you so much! WELCOME TO THE THREAD!

Laura - Thanks so much for the prayers and kind words! WOW! You were busy, busy and did some major calorie burning this weekend! That is fantastic! I'm glad you tried Zumba class, I hear it is a lot of fun! Isn't it strange how you actually gain some energy after working out? It is fantastic though!

Well, as I feared I did gain some weight while we were in the hospital. I'm back up to 263. I am not surprised, but I'm glad it wasn't more. Now that Abel is home and doing well, I am getting back on track. I asked my husband to get my treadmill out of storage, it is going to start getting hot here in Oklahoma (and nasty weather has already started) so I want to be able to get my workouts in everyday no matter what. I also ordered the Michael Thurman's six week body makeover, it is basically a no salt, no sugar, no flour type of program. I have heard good things about it from people who suffer from high blood pressure (which I have developed after having pre-eclampsia with both Abel and Peanut). So, I am giving it a try.

Well ladies, I just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing! Hope all is well! Keep up the good work everyone!!!

Lorie!! Abel is ADORABLE. I'm glad he's feeling better, and that you're getting back on track! 263 isn't bad--I bet you can work those pounds right off pretty quickly. :)

Ladies! A new low of 276.2 today! YAY! I haven't had soda in over a week, too, which is a huge NSV for me (I am pretty much a soda-holic). I'm just happy my efforts are paying off. I want to conquer the 270s as quickly as possible; I am sooo ready to reach my next goal of 267, which is now only 9 pounds away!

By the way, Shelly, I saw your thread a little while ago about hitting your 50 mark and it not being as exciting as it sounds, and I totally hear you on that one. I have 2-3 pounds before I'm at my 50 pound loss, and I'm still fat--really fat, actually: another 15 pounds to go until I have a BMI under 40 (ugh). But I try to think of it this way: at least I'm not where I was a year ago. A year ago today, I was somewhere near 320 pounds, couldn't fit into any of my clothes, and felt pretty awful in general. I'm still big but I can fit into all my 22s, my face isn't as puffed out, and I feel better.

In fact, the anniversary of my start date is three weeks from tomorrow. If I'm really good, I bet I could get to 267 by then (which would be AWESOME)!

OK ladies, I still have a toooon of work to do. Talk to you all soon--have a GREAT week!

Hey everyone! I hope you ladies had a fab weekend and a wonderful Monday! I'm off and on again. So I'm going to the gym tomorrow to see what kind of damage i've been doing lol

Lorie-So glad to hear you and the baby are doing well! Look how far you've come. The 60's will be gone soon!

Tailee-Congrats on a new low!! How fantastic. It's great when you get there-but like you had mentioned when you hit a new low it's like yay-ok on to the next new low!!

I had the bachelorette party this weekend and I'm sure I've gained several pounds back. I wore a new black dress and I thought I looked huge. It was still really awkward being next to my beautiful thin friends, going to clubs, dancing, drinking...and not getting a second look from guys...well from guys you want to be looked at by. I have my carb cravings back again and it's driving me crazy. I can't seem to get bread off my mind! I'm hoping that when I weigh tomorrow I'll have evened out. I know I'm not back in the 30's but I will be soon. My friends are all in town for the wedding and thankfully (but regretfully) we haven't hung out as much as I thought. We are all busy trying to get everything together. When we all get together there tends to be a lot of food and a lot of drinking so it's blessing that we are all still too busy to do anything as a group. The wedding is this weekend and I'm having my bridesmaid dress taken in on Thursday-well doing the measurements anyway. The maid of honor is Bill's soon to be sister-in-law and one of my bestfriends so when she started drinking the comments about Bill and all the crazy things he has done in the past, and current times, began to come out. I wasn't fully out to the whole group as to him and I talking or even dating (sorta?) and well...now I am. Comments about him and his ex were made and how they still hang out and occassionally get together. Anyway, the whole night was just full of stories I didn't want to hear about him and I was a little turned off. We haven't spoken to one another since Friday and ironically, even after all the stories and the poking fun, I desperately was waiting for a text from him all day today. Sad....I know. I think it's hard for me to let go of him because he's one of the first guys who has shown affection toward me in a long time; albeit the wrong kind of affection I'm beginning to realize. He won't commit even though I keep holding out hope for it. Ugh, boys. I keep wanting to just concentrate on me and get my body back where I want it before I even worry about guys but it comes down to my loneliness. I'm lonely and I want to have a guy around again. Bah! GUYS! Nothing but trouble.

So my goal of hitting onederland by graduation is slowly starting to slip away. I have a Vegas trip planned for September that I'm really hoping to hit 187 by...hit the 100 lbs mark so I may be moving my goal to that instead. Thats about 50 pounds in 4 months. EEE! Well, here's to trying! I'm trying to contemplate making another goal and hitting 150 by my birthday, next February. I want to go out and make a big splash for my 24th and not feel like the fatty in the group. That would be 90 pounds in 10 months. I'll have to keep on it and average about 9 pounds a month. A challenge with all the events I have planned for the year but not impossible. Just need to keep on the positive side! I'm at the same weight right now as I was back in April of 2007....I pulled out an old Weight Watchers card and saw that and I wanted to cry. I can't believe I've allowed myself to gain as much as I have, regardless of illness, but maybe this just needs to be seen as a learning experience. I need to be more cautious of what I'm eating and watching what I'm eating now has really made an impact on my reality. I sometimes cannot believe how much I use to eat in one sitting or in the course of a full day sometimes. It blows my mind. I even now have to start my calorie counting up again just to bring myself back to the ground after the weekends I've been having lately. It really puts it into perspective that I cannot go back to my old ways and I will not reach my goals by reverting to eating anything and everything. The amount I have learned by just researching and being attentive to the newest health information, both in my degree program and in my own research, has just been astounding. When I hear some of my very heavy friends talk about their steak dinner with potatoes and cheese doused broccoli as being "healthy" I cringe because those were my same words not that long ago. "These foods really aren't all that bad" and "I have all my major food groups" are phrases I hear a lot from them and I just want to scream, YES THEY ARE! I could preach all day long to them but it's really going to have to be their own responsibility to open their eyes to it--just as it was my own. I'm hoping they will get there.

My one year anniversary to when I began my dieting journal is next month and it kind of saddens me that I've only lost 50 pounds. I was really hoping to be more. I didn't want to take this long to lose but I guess about 5 pounds a month is pretty good and the slower the better, right? It sometimes makes me concerned that even now, one bad weekend can make me gain 5 pounds back. While it may be water weight it still makes me worry about what I will have to do to maintain once I hit my goal weight and will I revert back? Become to comfortable? Hmm, well I guess the battle isn't always going to be losing the weight but keeping it there. Unfortunately that will probably always be a battle I'll have to fight but I figure if I lose 100 plus pounds the right way and don't drive myself crazy in the mean time then that fight just might be that much more important and worth it in the end.

I apologize if I am not commenting on other posts as I know I have gone on a rant here but I wanted to check in before my thoughts drove me crazy and I'm very tired and must go to bed. I will check back in later and read the remaining posts to catch up.

Buenas noches mujeres! (Good night ladies!) :)

Shelly- Bill better spend as much time with you now because once you hit your goal weight and your confidence is off the charts he's gonna be a memory lol its kinda crazy how some things seem so acceptable when we aren't feeling the most confident then when we are it's nothing but the best from then on out.

Sorry it has been almost a week since I've checked in ladies. Since the hospital stay, I have been so backed up on laundry, household chores, and school work, this is the last two weeks of this semester so I am trying to get caught up and get my finals done....so I've been a little distant from any site that isn't school related :(

Imtrying - Just keep your head up and keep getting yourself back "on". I cannot tell you how many times I got off track, especially when I first started, it does get easier once you get a routine, but I still have to make a conscious effort to stay on track some days, a lot of my days more often lately it seems like. You can do it, just keep trying!

Shelly - Thank you for the well wishes :) I'm glad Abel is home! I am with you, I thought I'd be so much farther in a year, but I'm glad we have both lost and not gained! You have come SO FAR from a year ago! Just go back and look at your pictures! You can def. meet your Vegas goal! I know how you can be and how much you can loose when you put your mind to it! As for boys, Bill will wish he would have treated you the way you deserve to be treated once you get your self-esteem up and start to feel good! Just keep your head up sweety! I know you can get to your goals, I've seen you do it!

As for me, nothing new to update yet. I don't weigh-in until tomorrow and I'm still afraid. I am starting my 6 week body makeover tomorrow though, and I think I can stick with it! The plan is a little restrictive, but lately that hasn't seemed to bother me. Wish me luck ladies! :) Until next time.......Keep reaching for the stars girls!

Hi ladies, llooonnnngg time since I last posted. Well, seem's I have some good news and some bad news. Good news is, I'm starting to get back on track. My first move has been my portion sizes, this was my major change in the past and its already making a difference in my appetite. Tonight we had tacos for supper. Years ago I used to eat like 4 of them plus rice and at least one tall glass of pop or milk etc. I had 2 tacos, and a decent serving of tater-tots, a tiny bit of diet Pepsi from the can i had been sipping on all afternoon and a glass of unsweetened iced tea. And, I'm stuffed! that never used to happen when I was little. Of course, it hasn't been without a hitch, still trying to battle old habits.

Bad news is, while I was maintaining for several months, the uncontrolled eating started taking its toll. I gained somewhere around 10 pounds in the last couple months. Yeck. Seeing 250s again kind of snapped me out of it, I hope anyways. At least I seem to be bouncing back already, somewhere around 248 or 247 now.

I'm starting to get worried about my Japan trip in almost a month. I was hoping to be much slimmer by now, and I'm certainly worried about the stares I'm probably going to get over there. Most everywhere I've read or seen, those women are SKINNY!!! I'm worried about my host families thinking they will have to prepare more food for me or something or feeling really uncomfortable taking seconds..All I've ever heard is that the Japanese take considerations and manners pretty seriously. EEEkk..what if i do something really stupid and rude? Im really excited about everything else but this is bothering me..


Sorry that I'm not responding to your posts everyone, its been so long since i last posted that i havent really caught up on everyones progress. hope you all are doing well.

Hi ladies,

I'm alive, really! I've been reading your posts, just haven't felt like posting one myself, lol. Good news is junior year is FINALLY over and I did well enough that I'm off academic probation (thank GOD)! I'm home in Maine again for the summer and right now I'm trying to find a job. I have a 4:00 interview at the hotel my friend's husband works at (a Hilton brand--which means insane discounts on really awesome hotels!!) for part-time at the front desk. I REALLY hope I get it!

I've been flip-flopping between "good" and "bad" days since I've gotten home, which means after a good day I'm 275 and after a bad day I'm 276. lol. Yesterday was a bit of a pig-out day so I didn't bother weighing myself this morning, but today has been good so far so I'm pretty sure I'll be at 275 tomorrow. Ideally, I want to lose 35 pounds this summer. I would LOVE to be an 18 by the time I go back to school, and 240 pounds puts me at a size 18, if I remember correctly--definitely at least a 20, which is better than the 22 I'm at right now. Losing weight is one of my top priorities this summer. I'm also going to try to be more active in general.

Also, I was looking through one of my journals and found an entry from May 16 (the day before I started Jenny Craig/broke up with my ex)...and apparently I was 326. Hmm. If that's the case, I've already lost 50 pounds (yikes!) but I'll keep my official starting point at 323 since that's what it was at Jenny, and what I've used this whole time. It's only a 3 pound difference haha.

I still can't believe how far I've come...that just a year ago I was looking at pictures of myself from the summer before I started college and feeling terrible, like I could never get back there. Well, I'm "back there" now (I think I was in the 270s before I started college) and I still feel GINORMOUS! Haha. Oh well, 275 is a bazillion times better than 323 or 326. It also seems a lot less daunting--like, the amount of weight I need to lose. At over 300 pounds, I had over 100 to lose before I saw a 1 as the first number. Now it's only 75-80ish...a lot, but not as much. Just have to keep plugging away! I'll get there eventually. We all will! :)

Shelly- guys SUCK. They suck a lot! You definitely deserve better than Bill, even though I think I know how you're feeling. That online guy that I mentioned a while ago? Well, in March we talked every day; one night we talked on the phone for FIVE HOURS. It was crazy, but I loved it! I loved having "someone" to talk to and be interested in me. It was a really great feeling after all the crap that happened with my ex. Well, I haven't heard from him at ALL in over a month. At the beginning of April, he stopped talking to me completely. I've tried texting, calling, sending a message on Facebook, even writing a letter...nothing. Nothing at all. I don't want to sound desperate or crazy so I haven't attempted to contact him in a couple of weeks, but I'm still a little upset about it. I know I need to let it go, though. I KNOW I deserve better than that. Just like you and Bill. He needs to be into you completely, and not be "hanging out" with his ex (I know it's not impossible for ex's to be friends, but I personally wouldn't feel comfortable with it if I was his girlfriend). I think staying optimistic is great, even if you don't lose 50 by your Vegas trip I'm sure you will lose a lot if you stick to it! You can do it, Shelly!!

Lorie- Hope you're hanging in there with all the school stuff! It's such a relief to be over, and you'll feel that too, soon! Keep us posted on how the 6 week body makeover works for you, I'm curious!! I hope it goes well! :)

Phoenix- SO good to see you! I was wondering if you were still around and so glad you are. I'm very happy you're back on track, despite gaining a few pounds (I'm sure you can get those 10 off quicker than you think). I can understand why you're nervous--Asian women are TINY and it seems a little intimidating when you're surrounded by millions of them! Maybe you can post a thread about your concerns? Perhaps some of the ladies in this forum would have better insight, lol. I guess I'd say have fun and don't stress to much over it. I'm sure you'll have a BLAST! :)

OK ladies, time to get ready for my interview! Talk to you all soon...hope everyone's doing well!

Hello all!
It seems like alot of us went awol for a while, but glad to see everyone is doing well overall.

Taliee: WTG! good for you for getting of academic probabtion. You showed some serious determination. Now, transfer that determination to your weight loss goals, and you'll be a size 18 in no time!

Phoenix: congratulations on taking back control! Don't stress too much over your Japan trip. The point is to go and have a good time. People come in all sizes in every nation. I'm sure there are some heavier Japanese ladies. Remeber, all the pics and movies you see are models, not the average. If you get really uncomfortable in your skin, just remember, Sumo wrestlers are national heroes! :rofl: So put on a diaper baby, and show us your moves! As for taking seconds and things, eat slowly, show your family that you are enjoying their food. They will be complimented if you ask for more. And, eat with chop sticks - it really slows down the amount you eat when it takes forever to get a decent mouthful! Don't worry about any "manner" hitches - visitors are treated well, and if you make an honest mistake it will be tolerated. (if it isn't, then they don't really take good manners to heart themselves!)

Lorie: so glad everyone is home and doing well. Laundry will wait - you appreciate that little boy every single moment of your day! You're going to rock your school work, big time. Are you doing 6 week body by beachbody? I had that dvd once, and stupidly loaned it to a "friend" I really miss having it - I loved the workouts. It helped me lose my first 50 in a year- from 336 to 286. Then I gave it away, and have only maintained / lost 13 lbs in the last 2 years! Wish I could afford another copy!

Shelly - don't beat yourself up. This is an endurance test, not a sprint!

Imtry: how'd wi go? Crossing my fingers for you.

As for me, I'm overcoming a little stress, but doing it with out food. My weight is all over the place - water, salt, tom, etc. My official wi was last friday, and I'll do it again this friday. I don't really count my losses as official until I've seen the same number or lower for two weeks in a row. So even though fri was 273, monday was 279 again. Sigh. If this friday is less than my last official wi of 279, I'll count those pounds. - IS anyone else confused? lol
Anyways, here's hoping for 273 or less on Friday, and not too diappointed if it's 275. Anything more, and I'll be sad.

I am so excited to have found this thread. I've been stuck in the 280s for the last 4 1/2 months. I think I just got worn out. It's hard work losing weight! :) But this thread is just the inspiration I need! Hopefully within the next few weeks I'll be able to break into the 270s (And there's a thread for that too! Why oh why didn't I find this site earlier?!)! Thanks everyone for giving me the motivation I sorely need!

Welcome Deb! I too was stuck in 280`s forever! (read years!) I`m down now, but still can`t beleive it. So I`m sticking around a little longer. There are a great bunch of people on this thread! You can do it, have faith in yourself and your program.

Deb- congrats on getting into the 80's. They willl come and go just like the 70s and 60's will. Like Laura said, it's an endurance test and I will add that it is a challenging one. Not just for our bodies but our minds.

Tailee--That guy sounds like a serious d-bag and you are fabulous love! No need to waste time on him. If only I could take my own advice, right? You are doing good and you will get there, just as all of us will.

Laurie- hope you and the kids are doing well. How are you?

Phoenix- really glad to hear from you. I think we are all going through challenging times now and we have to keep our heads up. As easy as it is to put our heads down and forget about everything, it's a million times harder to pick yourself back up to continue on. I know that has been my fight in the last couple of weeks.

I keep trying to get back on track. The wedding has come and gone, and 5 pounds came with it! I was up to 241 yesterday morning. Wasn't too bad but I was hoping to be out of the 30's by now. Hmm, just have to jump on the train again. I drank quite a bit and ate horribly with all the partying surrounding the wedding. My maid of honor of this wedding asked me to be a bridesmaid for her wedding. My dress will be TANGERINE. Yea. Well This is anothe milestone to add to my graduation, Vegas, and now thee wedding. Evenmore so now because Bill is the best man in the wedding in October. I want to look stinkin' sexy! Will be hard in a tangerine dress but my rehearsal dinner outfit will have to just make up for that now. I have been sucked into the club scene too. My good friend Kayla and I went out before the wedding, then the girls and I went out the night before and the night after the wedding and I've gone to the bars twice this week with friends. I've been having so much fun and my wasitline is showing it. I put on a cute pair of jeans on Tuesday and I could really feel the influx. It was depressing.

Bill and I are talking quite a bit now..or in the last couple of days I should say. We still text on a daily basis but now it's allllll day, versus once here and there. He proposed getting a few drinks and catching up the other day. Why does he toy with me!? I can't seem to let him go. I still light up like a Christmas tree when I get a text from him, especially a flirty text. I guess i am not helping it by feeding the fire. I just don't want to lose those texts are those butterflies just yet. I am so not use to this weird insecure side of me yet. This is a whole new battle I am facing. Talked to my brother about it a little tonight but his reaction was similar to my mom-the brush off. So frustrating. I have one friend with whom I talk to about it and the others just kinda give me the same reaction as my family. I figure they are just sick of hearing about him and I with really no progression. We arent going anywhere and I know I need to drill that into my head and accept it but its so hard. When i finally think I am getting over it just not happening I get a, "Hey Beautiful, whats up" text. Ugh I get sucked back in like a rip tide! Boys....poooop.

I start school again for a graduate certificate program next Tuesday.Pretty excited about it. Starting to look into other grad programs to continue with. It may sound silly but I want to do my grad program now so that if I do meet the man of my dreams I can start a family and not have to worry about finishing school. I would like to look into settling down in the next 5 years. I'm not getting any younger. I'm only 23 still but I feel like my weight really is what will help me move on with my life. My 1 year journey anniversary is iin a couple of weeks and I cannot believe I am barely hitting 50pounds. It's better than nothing thats for sure but I was really hoping to be down so much more. I can't seem to get past it and accept that I am still progressing. I dote on this and I'm sure you guys are rolling your eyes as you read this but it's my obsession right now. My obsession is very much so my weight and it probably always will be until I can find my inner or true happiness. I still can't help but see that as me being healthy.

My smoking has cut down a bit since my smoking buddy friend has been busy with school and I have been surrounded by wedding planning and running errands for the bride. I'm hoping I can keep that up!

I'mtrying-you are right. He better soak up time with me now because when I get hot I will have many more opportunities than I do now. I'm asking for so much trouble with Bill-has has his own issues-but I can't help it. I like the guy. BAH! How are you dear? How is everything going?

How's everyone doing out there? This thread went quiet, so I'm bumping it!
I am doing wonderfully! Lots of positives in my life right now - had a great POP day yesterday and today (so far) and got in lots of activity. I'm really looking forward to hearing from y'all!

OMG! I am soooo behind on everyone's posts. I'm soooo sorry ladies. I promise by the end of the week I will get caught back up and respond to each post. Things have been crazy after Abel getting out of the hospital. I am still behind on laundry and house chores, my daughter's 6th birthday party is Saturday (actual bday Tuesday) and it is finals week, so I am working on getting all of my finals done, then I'll have much more free time. So, I will get back shortly! I'm still around, just waaaaaayyyy behind! I will find my way back shortly (in about a week)! Hope you are are doing great! Again, sorry for the lag, my world is crazy right now!

Phoenix - I'm glad to see you posting again. I am excited to see pictures from your trip to Japan!! I can't wait! I am glad you are getting back on track, I've been in the same boat lately and been way of track, but hopefully I can be like you and get back in gear!

Taliee - How did your job interview go? YAY for junior year being almost over!! You are getting close to the end of school girlie, so proud of you! I understand about falling behind, this is the last week of the semester and I am trying to cram all sorts of things into one week, what a mess!

Laura - You are right, a lot of us have been missing for a while, it has been a crazy few months for me, after this week things will slow down though. Yes, that is the program I am starting. I've read through my notebook twice and watched the DVD several times now, so I am starting this Monday! Isn't that funny how we "loan" things to people, never to see hide nor hair of it again? WOW! 50lbs is great! I can see you are determined and you will reach all your goals I'm sure! I'm excited to be a small part of your journey! I am with you with the weigh-ins, I can fluctuate so much, I like to see the same number several times before I count it. OH! Please don't be sad, you are doing great and making lifestyle changes and that is great! Keep up the good work Laura and thanks so much for all the kind words!

Deborah - WELCOME! I am so glad you found us too! I think you'll find a lot of people here that are very inspirational and just all around good friends!

Shelly - Me and the kids are doing great! I am sorry about Bill....you are right, most boys...poooop!!! However, there is nothing to say you can't use Bill for practice to bigger and better things! Congrats on school! So proud of you! YOu are right, get your education out of the way before you start your family, I am telling you from experience, trying to work, go to college, do household chores, take care of a husband and take care of kids is a HARD, HARD thing to do. There are days I can barely find time to breathe, much less relax! I think you will rock that tangerine dress and use seeing Bill as an inspiration to get motivated and back on track!

As for me, I haven't even weighed in in two weeks! I have been cramming for finals and they are going to be over tomorrow thank goodness! I have read and watched all the info about the 6 week body makeover program and I'm actually excited to start it Monday. I know I have probably gained at least ten pounds since Abel was in the hospital, but I am just glad he is home!!! I am ready so ready for this week to be over so I can start losing again! I am NOT looking forward to the summer! My kids are old enough to start going on mini-vacations and they are wanting to go to waterparks and six flags, things like that. Well, I have not worn shorts, much less a bathing suit in years, so I am afraid of that! Well ladies, I am getting back on track and I will be posting more again after this week is over. Sorry for the awol action, it has been one crazy month! Until next time....keep up the great work ladies!!!!

Good Friday morning all!
It's official wi day for me - up .5 lbs. Not worried about it though, because I have been completely POP this week, and I've started a walking/jogging program. So I'm going to say - I gained .5lbs of muscle. I'm hooping for a bit of a whoosh next week, because if not, it may be hard to be discouraged. You know, when you try so hard, and you don't see the scale move? But, for this week I'm not upset, because of the walk/jog interval program, and beacuse I can see all the other positive changes in my body. I don't think I've lost too many inches (in my belly anyways) but overall my skin seems to be looser - like it doesn't fit right. You know, like when it's time for a new bathing suit, because all the elasticity is gone? (PS - I also need a new bathing suit...). So looser skin, and my energy has been thru the roof! I'm happy a lot, and I have so much more stamina and energy to do things. I'm kind of on a high, waiting for the crash I hope never comes.

That being said, I hope everyone else out there is having a fantastic week.

Lorie: I so wish I could do the 6 wk body makeover with you - it's so life changing! Be aware - it's difficult at first - just do what you can. I could never do a complete ab routine! But the difference in your body, if you truly stick to it, will happen so fast you'll wish you had started years ago. Have a blast doing it! My love for little Abel - hope he is still well and mending.

See you all around the boards! Keep on keepin' on!

Hi Ladies! I hope everyone is doing wonderful! I've been avoiding the forum like crazy again just lurking lol I've been off plan for about 3 weeks so you know how that goes lol I'll be getting back on plan monday morning for sure. I'm going to try the smoothie diets for about 2 weeks and see how that goes. Wish me luck

Laura - You are always so sweet, thank you for the kind thoughts for Abel :) I am so glad you are getting into an exercise routine, that is awesome!! The rush of energy is awesome isn't it?? I'm super excited about your happy feelings, AND don't wait for a crash, just enjoy the happy, there are many more happy days to come! :) PS Thank you for the tips for the 6 week body makeover, it does look difficult, but I think once I get started and into a routine, I'll be ok (at least I hope so!)

Imtrying - I have been off for about 3 weeks now and I feel awful! I'm glad to see you are still here though! OH! Smoothie diets are pretty fantastic! I made my own fruit smoothies back when I was pregnant, it helped me not gain weight and my skin felt so much better, not to mention the energy! Good luck!!!

As for me, tomorrow is Day 1 for my 6 week body makeover! As long as I can stay at home, I think I will be ok. I am going to try to pre-cook most everything today, so I can just open the fridge, nuke food and eat. I am afraid to find out my start weight tomorrow, I am probably back around the 270 mark, yea I know, I want to cry. So....No more dilly dallying. I am hopeing school will slow down a bit, I am only taking one summer class and next semester I am only taking one nursing class and clinical (it will still be a M-F thing, but not all day long). The kids will be out for summer in two weeks, I am planning some fun things for them that involve me being active (ie zoo trips, the dinosaur park, swimming etc)... They are 7, 6, 3,and 2 so they are full of energy and will love it. Since Abel is just about to turn 5 months old we decided not to do a big , distance vacation and we are just going to do small things close to the house. The Dallas area is only about 1.5 hours from us, so we should be able to find plenty of adventure. (And better, no eating out all the time, that is a bad weakness of mine!).

Well, I better quit jabbering. The kids are going to be asking for lunch soon and I have a lot of prep-work to do for the week. I hope everyone is doing ok!!!! Enjoy your Sunday everyone!