Greetings my sweet chickies!! I know i haven't posted in a while but I am here every single day reading up on everyone and sending out the and sweet prayers to all of you.
My news is all good stuff. I weighed in for my monthly WI and I lost another 10 lbs. More good news is that now my own scale weighs me. I won't have to go to the hospital to do it any more.. I have been doing very well with my food. I have even began walking around a little more. I have started having people ask me what I'm doing. I haven't been to church for awhile and I went last week, I'll tell you why in a bit. Any way, at least 6 different people said nice things to me and wanted to know where my chair was. I only need it if I have to stand for any period of time or walk too far. It was nice to have others say things when I know I hadn't cued them too. LOL. Last week my 16 yr old junior graduated. Yes I am sooo proud, but anyway, I put on the dress I was wearing to the festivities and it just dropped! I used to have to pull the, ( high waist band over my giant boobs. But this time it just dropped down and the band was lower than my waist. WOW that was a surprise I hadn't expected. I knew some of my clothes were getting funny big, but that one was wayyy cool. I wore it anyway but the neck was pretty revealing...LOL. My oldest girl told me the other day that my pants looked like balloons. That gave me a great laugh.
I was wondering if any of you have this feeling: I feel like I am trying to fool people by saying I'm working on my weight or how much I've lost. It doesn't feel real. I look down and still see the same huge body down there. I feel the loss and I can almost point out where every lost pound has come off of, but it still feels like a trick. Am I just nuts or is it something anyone else has felt??.
Any how, I was at church for another baptism. My friend of 30 yrs, and mom of 7 kids ( 4 of which I helped deliver ) got a new grand daughter on Memorial day. The new mommy had her 2nd daughter. I was there for her birth and now for both of her daughters. It is sooo special. I hope I get to help her daughters have their babies someday too. The baby was 4 weeks early, but A1 perfect. 8lbs 8 oz 18 1/2 inches long. Her name is Gabriela Maria. Mom and dad are tired but all are so happy.
I do want to get in a few personals since I have just been peeking in here for awhile and not helping.
ANNIE: I miss you. I am soooo proud of you girl. Dropping all that extra weight, moving around sooo much, visiting and traveling all over. Way to go !
NANCY: YYEEAAHHH on a new home for you at last. Once you're moved and settled you will breath again. Good for you.
DEBBIE54: Welcome and greetings to you. Where is it in washington do you live?? I am in Salem OR. Maybe Sue is close to one of us?? Great strength to you sister.
Jilly bean, Sandy,Em, Ammi, Chimmi, WHERE HAVE ALL THE COWBOYS GONE???? I pray you are all doing well. Hurry home. I miss your chat.
Not any pretties since I talked sooo much. Love and strength to us all.XOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXOX Love Shadie
Just a quick to everyone. Not much to report...although everyone must be outside enjoying the weather since it seems to be moving really slowly around here! I did finally get a Dr.'s appointment for my heel on Friday. I'll fill you in what happens...hopefully nothing too bad so I can get back to exercising!!
I must go pick up Princess Sammi , (her last test is today) and then off to WalMart to buy new bras...I am down a cup size!! I never thought I would be happy my "girls" are getting smaller!!!!
Misti - You are an excercise inspiration, that's for sure! I sometimes will think I moved pretty well on a certain day, then I'll come read your post and need a nap! Good for you!
Catherine - I hear you about being a vet. I could never do it. In fact, DD is annoyed with me because the local shelter won't let her volunteer by herself until she is 13. I told her I would love to be able to accompany her now but I would be a useless mass of quivering crying blob seeing all those animals that need to be adopted. She seems to think she can handle all aspects of animal care including euthanizing them so we'll see what the next few years bring!
Meta and inadreem - congrats on the losses!
Donna - Your deck sounds lovely with the gazebo and the lights. BTW - I found a calorie counting site that has an activity list with things on it like "walk to car", "drive car", etc. It's a hoot! And it reinforces what I've said all along - shuttling kids IS excercise!
Story - congrats on the -50! Hope your back is feeling better soon.
Shadie - I understand about looking at yourself and not feeling like you've lost anything. When someone asked me recently if I had lost weight, that was reinforcement for me that it was actually happening. But I look in the mirror and see the same old me most of the time.
I've been good about staying op for a couple of days and have been experimenting with counting calories instead of WW points. I'm actually counting both right now to see how they compare at the end of the day because I'd like to just count calories rather than points but points works for me so I'm nervous to just stop. Nice run on sentence there.
My son had his award ceremony yesterday and he received the Good Citizen award in his school. I am very proud of both my kids! He was also very proud of himself! This was their first year in this school district because we moved last summer, so it makes me feel good that they settled in so nicely and achieved so much this year. I am fortunate to be able to work form home now (also new since last summer) and I honestly can say that I think my being here for them on a daily basis has made quite a difference.
That's it for me...the kids have 1/2 day of school today and there's a million things I would like to get done before they get home so I better get moving!
Hi, all--just wanted to pop in and say I am alive and well. Work has been insane lately. I work for a private company putting together proposals for federal government work. Typically, I have 1 or 2 small proposals going on at a time. Currently, I have 7 and 1/2 (the 1/2 is for one that my boss is mostly working on off-site, but I still have to keep track of due dates and such), so I've been putting in a lot of extra hours, and with my boss working off-site at a partner's facility, I've been taking care of a lot of things she would normally do if she were here. It's been pretty insane, but I am really enjoying having more responsibility and really being fully involved in lots of things all at once.
When I'm not juggling work (both in and out of the office--hooray for laptops ), Jeff and I are speaking with mortgage lenders, comparing loan programs, researching available homes online, and looking at homes with our realtor (we're actually going out again tonight). As first-time homebuyers, we're also struggling to actually get in touch with someone in the Virginia Housing Department who can help us figure out if we want to work through them for a first-time homebuyers program through the state that offers lower interest rates.
So yeah--I'm back over 300 pounds (somewehere around 305, I'd guess), so diet and exercise have obviously taken a back seat to the rest of the hectic things in life. It needs to become more of a priority, not only to save my health, but also to save my wallet, as we've ben eating out WAY too often for the sake of speed and convenience.
Not much to report here. I weighed in yesterday but no loss, in fact I was up .3 pounds - but I'm not stressing over it, my eating has been mainly in control but I haven't been exercising hardly at all, so I know that's probably to blame for the slow down. I'm woefully behind in my goal for this month's exercise challenge and I know there's mostly likely no way I'm going to meet it but I'm gonna try my best. This morning, after going for my gallbladder ultrasound (fun, fun!) I went walking, even though it was starting to rain - which I'd normally use as an excuse to put it off - and walked my standard 3 miles. I still haven't broken out the stepper but I might do that later today.
inadreem, congrats on losing another 3lbs!
Meta, I think you should just enjoy your 1.2lb loss! That's really good and nothing to sniff at, lol.
Donna, having people visit can be so stressful! Not really the visit itself but I always feel I need to have the house looking at spotless and presentable as possible, and I start seeing all the little projects that I haven't gotten around to. The week before I have people visiting wears me out! Speaking of which, I've got my aunt, her husband, their four kids and his parents coming to visit us for a couple days next week.
Sharon, how scary that must have been! I love thunder and lightning storms but I hate to hear about people or homes getting struck. I'm glad, minus some soiled panties, that you're OK.
Nancy, on finally finding an apartment! I can just imagine how relieved you must be, and for it to be such a nice place as well. I'm very happy for you.
Story, on losing 50lbs - that's awesome! Be sure to take it easy this week and I hope you're feeling better soon.
Stormie, check the stickie threads at the top of this forum. There's one for exercise, another for weighing in. And congrats on being down 15lbs!
Shadie, on the losses and the awesome NSVs! You certainly deserve them.
Cris, although I don't attend the WW meetings anymore, I still use the point system, so I'll be curious to see how your calories vs. points experiment works out. Keep us posted!
Jilly, whoa, sounds like you definitely have your plate overflowing! Remember to take some time for yourself amidst all the furor. I hope things calm down to a normal level soon.
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OK, that's it for me. I'm off to do some job-hunting - wish me luck!
The story-I hope that it does end up being something more serious. I messed my back up and was literally on my back unable to move for 7 weeks, and then in a wheelchair for 8 years, so I know how unpleasant back pain can be.
Shadie-That is great that your home scale will weigh you now. I of all people know how embarrassing it is to have to find someplace to weigh. I also remember how great it felt to be able to walk into church again. My husband calls some of my bigger pants that I only wear around the house to do house work in my parachute pants. I certainly understand how you feel. I feel like a fraud sometimes. Like I am just pretending to be normal, and that any minute I’m going to hear that scream like at the end of the “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” movie. I had this protective layer of flesh around me keeping everyone literally and figuratively away for so long, I don’t know how to act when someone comes close. When people hug me, I just about freak out. Half the time I check to see if my wallet is still in my pocket, because that is the only reason that someone would want to touch me, Right? I’ve heard it said that an addict or alcoholic or abuse victim becomes emotionally frozen at the age they were when they first started using or were abused, and when they get into treatment, they have to learn to do stuff, deal with stuff that the rest of us learned years ago. I convinced that also works for the super morbidly obese. There were so many things I never learn how to do, or experienced because of my size that I am having to play catch up with now. Just keep up doing what you are doing, taking it one step at a time. I need to take this slow, not just because it is better for my body, and makes it easier to maintain the loss, but because I need the time to slowly get used to the changes. I think that is the biggest hurdle people face when having the surgery, it just happens too fast to deal with the change.
Sue-When my husband teases me about how big my pants are, I just say that it’s better to have big pants than the big butt that used to fill them.
Donna-I just bought new bras too. I’ve lost 15 or so inches off my bust, but have gone up a cup size. The short pregnancies added to my once A-B size to where I’m now a C. I actually have to put powder under the things. I’ve rarely worn a bra because it never seemed worth the trouble, but now, I have to wear one, and I get to blame my husband for the whole thing. He’s not complaining for some reason.
Tek-When I was in high school, I got to go to this summer thing at the Vet College at OSU. That was all it took. I worked in a hospital morgue for awhile, and had no problem with people parts (it was like just large plastic and rubber dolls in a way), but doing the same with animals, No Way. Just seeing a dog under anesthetic with the tube coming out of his mouth, and I was crying, and he was just having a bad mole removed. Sometimes your local Vet can be talked into letting you volunteer after school to walk the boarded animals. She’ll have to really hit the books because right now there is a bigger competition for Vet spots than Med spots. There are fewer Vet schools, and people who were going to Med are going to Vet instead because there is starting to be more money in it because there are no HMO’s for animals yet. It is a great choice for women who want to have families though. There are many more part time Vet slots than Med slots. I also think my being home when my foster sons came home made a difference too. It seemed like I ended up being house mom for every latch key kid in the apartment complex. I was always fixing owies and feeding kids whose moms had to work late at the last minute.
Jill-I understand about hectic jobs. I remember rat racing it until I would forget what day it was. We are going through a re-finance right now. Now that I’m a Permanent Resident, we can get a conventional fixed rate mortgage. That’s bad enough, but house hunting on top of everything else. Take advantage of all the state/federal stuff you can. It not only lowers your interest rate, but gets you some extra guarantees incase you end up with a lemon, or something over a toxic waste dump or sink hole.
Lesley-I’m way behind on my exercise too. I decided to wait until I had a change to heal some. I had tendonitis in just about every joint, and that is just no way to be. There is an advantage to living at the North Pole practically, is that no one comes to visit. If I want to see family, I have to go see them.
Well ladies, I now have 5 days OP in a row for the first time in, well, I’m not sure I can remember, but months anyway. It just took some tweaking of my meds, a diet change, and some thought put into rearranging how I was doing things to give myself some options to succeed instead of reasons to fail. I also found out last night that I am getting a scholarship for my graduate school that will pay for everything. A church in one of the wealthy bedroom communities outside of Edmonton is going to pay my way. I guess I had the best sob story. I’m probably the only person they had apply who had spent 8 years in a wheelchair, and is trying to rebuild their lives. I have to write them a thank you note, and send a copy to the Dean of Students, so I’d better get busy.
Take advantage of all the state/federal stuff you can. It not only lowers your interest rate, but gets you some extra guarantees incase you end up with a lemon, or something over a toxic waste dump or sink hole.
It is so funny you mention toxic waste dumps. I used to work on a contract for the EPA, and I learned all about Superfund sites and that they have a website where you can enter any address, and it will tell you where the nearest Superfund site is located. Some are scary--I've talked to people who literally found out they had some scary stuff in their back yards Luckily, I haven't found anything too scary in the area in which we're looking (yet).
Warning, this is a looong post to catch up a tiny bit with you all.
Emily: I am so proud of you! Only 6 weeks more and you are a full time nurse! You are working your tail off too. I hope that you get the shift/job you want!
Donna: Congrats on your son's graduation! I hope you can relax some and enjoy your parent's visit.
Sunshine: I adore these ladies. They have truly become some of my very best friends in the world. It is so nice to know people who have gone through the same struggles that you are with your weight and can lend you support, encouragement, love and an occasional if you need it. I hope you really enjoy it here.
Kymberly: Woooooo Whoooooo! I am so happy for you. Down another 2.6. You must be absolutely shrinking. You have to post before and afters my friend.
Brenda: Yeah, Yeah and another yea! Under 300 is so awesome. So proud of you girl.
Val: Hope your horse is much better. How are you doing sweetie?
Leanne: Congrats on another -1 and lots of inches. You are doing so well.
Catlover: I'm glad you are not giving up. Hugs.
Laura G: back. Here is some for you.
Melissa: I will have to go vote for Jas. Hope she wins.
Leslie: Good luck on the job hunt hun.
Kayley: So glad it was nothing serious wrong with you.
Zelma: I just got back but I will look over your new photos soon. I'm sure they are
Catherine: I'm so happy you are feeling better. Congrats on day 5 op. What a wonderful surprise to get your entire graduate school paid for! Happy Birthday to your hubby!
Meta: Congrats on another 2.7 down!
Peggy: Sorry you stayed the same but so happy you didn't have a gain.
Storey: Wow! on -50 so far and hope you feel better soon with the back muscle.
Stormie: Hope you were able to fix your washer. I would have been lol.
Shadie: on another -10 pounds. You are rockin it! I miss you too girl. I am so proud of you! Wow to weigh on your home scale. Especially just one of them at a time lol. I can't wait! I too feel the same way as you about my body. Yesterday I saw my Dr. at the weight loss clinic and she was so impressed at my weight loss etc. I told her I still look the same though and she made me go into the bathroom with her. She showed me the photos that they took of me on my first day and pointed out that you couldn't see my ears in the photos because my face was so fat. She then said," look in the mirror and see your ears now?" I did see a difference in my face. I guess it is just going to take a major amount for me to really see a difference. I hope we all will be able to rejoice in the differences we see in ourselves and not be feeling like frauds! Here's to all of us for trying.
Jilly: Good luck house hunting hun. Glad to see you are well and just busy busy busy.
Nancy: on finding an apartment. I'm so happy for you. I knew that God would have something wonderful for you.
Cris: Great NSV with your inlaws. I think I could weigh 120 and some of my inlaws wouldn't say a word but I can gain another 5 pounds and they would be all lol. Huge congrats on your daughter's award too. I bet you are so proud.
Misti: I'm glad this ride was much nice than the last one.
Lisa: on loosing another -3 pounds. You are doing so well. How is your foot feeling?
Sharon: Scary on the lightning hitting your home. I am so thankful that you are all okay! Tell Ammi love and hugs if you talk to her. I sure hope she is okay.
Dream: Congrats on -3. Keep up the great work.
Ammi: Where are you my friend?
If I didn't mention your name please don't feel slighted. I love you all.
I had a great weekend. All day Friday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. we were cutting and wrapping over 600 pounds of beef. It was hard work. At one point I had the super bright (causing more work for myself. lol) idea of weighing all the ground beef before I wrapped it so I could get them in 1 pound packages. So I was doing that and when I had a box of them I kept track of how many were in there knowing that I have lost 54 pounds. As soon as I got to 54 pounds, I tried to pick it up. It was sooooo heavy. I started to get very emotional about it. My dad looked over and asked what is wrong. I told him this box is how much weight I've lost and it is so heavy yet I was carrying that around every second of the day. He came over and gave me a hug and told me that it was wonderful and that I have only just begun. It was a sweet moment for me. My dad adores me but he is not very touchy lovey so that was a nice hug moment. The next day we went to Boise area and we were walking around Costco. My dad bought me a pair of beautiful and quite expensive gold hoop ear rings and later that evening he gave them to me and said they were just a treat for me because he is so proud of me for loosing all that weight and staying so strong. I was so touched. It wasn't mean or anything it was just his way of telling me he is proud.
On Sunday we had a bar b q for Father's day and my birthday. They had all the bar b q things: bread, salads, meat and a home made cherry cheese cake. Later we played poker for pennies and then another card game and I never touched any food the whole trip. I stayed on my liquid diet completly. I was so proud of myself for not saying oh, it is my birthday I will indulge. No one would have said anything negative about it being my birthday but I was strong. We got home just in time for my DH to drop me off at my Weight loss clinic appointment while he went and got our dogs from "Jail" the kennel. lol. I lost 13.5 pounds in one week! I am so pleased. I am 25.5 pounds away from being the proper BMI for my surgery.
I hope you are all doing well my dear friends. Have wonderful OP days, I'm off to swim and go get a blood test from the DR.
I am in a slump. I don't want to leave the house. I don't to do anything but read, and not the stuff I am supposed to read. I have so many things to do that I am doing nothing.
Just thought I would hop on here and see what's been happin'.
StormieAngel- hope you got the washer fixed. I think you will look pretty "hot" in that halter time by the time rolls around for your anniversary
Catherine- I don't want you to take this the wrong way or anything, but when I look at how much you used to weigh, and how much you weigh now, I'm just astounded...in a good way!! You are such an inspiration to me. You show strength and courage. On top of all that, you're going to go to school! Congrats for staying OP for 5 days in a row. I know that is sooooo hard sometimes but when we have an accomplishment like that, it's so rewarding and makes us stronger to continue on. Also congrats on the scholarship, you are just AMAZING!!!!
TheStory-another pound...whohooooo!!!
Shadie-10 lbs-congrats!!!!! I live in Sedro-Woolley which is a little northeast of Mount Vernon.
Donna-the cup sizes you lose, could you send them to me. I'm president of the itty bitty titty committee
Jill- sounds like you are having alot to deal with right now. I hope you find a house soon and things will get back to normal for you so you can concentrate more on yourself and get back on the wagon.
Jen-You're back and that's what counts so hang in there.
Annie-What a great moment with your Dad. That must of been so special. And the weight loss...13.5 lbs in a week...that's fantastic!!! And to stay OP thru your birthday and all the festivities, that's just wonderful. It's amazing what we can do when we set our minds to it.
SoulBliss- I hope whatever problems your having right now work themselves out and you can continue on your journey. Sometimes things just happen and get to us but hopefully we all bounce back once we figure out what it was that got us into the funk in the first place.
Well, that's it for me for now. Just gotta do some sanding and painting around here to get the house in shape.
Have a great day and stay OP!!
One week in and I've got movement on my little signature progress bar. It's funny... I've told people that I "might" have lost some weight this week instead of "have." That is because I am not sure if the loss is actual or if it's just the difference between my doctor's scale and the new one I just got this weekend. Either way, I like my new number better!
Also... if anyone else is trying to eat more veggies/lean meat, do you notice that you are more... um... gassy?
I know i haven't posted in a while but I am here every single day reading up on everyone and sending out the 
and sweet prayers to all of you.
I weighed in for my monthly WI and I lost another 10 lbs
. More good news is that now my own scale weighs me. I won't have to go to the hospital to do it any more.. I have been doing very well with my food. I have even began walking around a little more. I have started having people ask me what I'm doing.
I haven't been to church for awhile and I went last week, I'll tell you why in a bit. Any way, at least 6 different people said nice things to me and wanted to know where my chair was. I only need it if I have to stand for any period of time or walk too far. It was nice to have others say things when I know I hadn't cued them too. 
LOL. Last week my 16 yr old junior graduated. 
Yes I am sooo proud, but anyway, I put on the dress I was wearing to the festivities and it just dropped! I used to have to pull the, ( high waist band over my giant boobs. But this time it just dropped down and the band was lower than my waist. WOW that was a surprise I hadn't expected. I knew some of my clothes were getting funny big, but that one was wayyy cool. I wore it anyway but the neck was pretty revealing...LOL. My oldest girl told me the other day that my pants looked like balloons. That gave me a great laugh.
huge body down there. I feel the loss and I can almost point out where every lost pound has come off of, but it still feels like a
on a new home for you at last. Once you're moved and settled you will breath again. Good for you.
Welcome and greetings to you. Where is it in washington do you live?? I am in Salem OR. Maybe Sue is close to one of us?? Great strength to you sister.
for you
to everyone. Not much to report...although everyone must be outside enjoying the weather since it seems to be moving really slowly around here!
I did finally get a Dr.'s appointment for my heel on Friday. I'll fill you in what happens...hopefully nothing too bad so I can get back to exercising!! 
, (her last test is today) and then off to WalMart to buy new bras...I am down a cup size!! I never thought I would be happy my "girls" are getting smaller!!!!
), Jeff and I are speaking with mortgage lenders, comparing loan programs, researching available homes online, and looking at homes with our realtor (we're actually going out again tonight). As first-time homebuyers, we're also struggling to actually get in touch with someone in the Virginia Housing Department who can help us figure out if we want to work through them for a first-time homebuyers program through the state that offers lower interest rates.
and I know there's mostly likely no way I'm going to meet it but I'm gonna try my best. This morning, after going for my gallbladder ultrasound (fun, fun!) I went walking, even though it was starting to rain - which I'd normally use as an excuse to put it off - and walked my standard 3 miles. I still haven't broken out the stepper but I might do that later today.
I can just imagine how relieved you must be, and for it to be such a nice place as well. I'm very happy for you.
Luckily, I haven't found anything too scary in the area in which we're looking (yet).
to catch up a tiny bit with you all.
relax some and enjoy your parent's visit.
I adore these ladies. They have truly become some of my very best 
friends in the world. It is so nice to know people who have gone through the same struggles that you are with your weight and can lend you support, encouragement, love and an occasional 
if you need it. I hope you really enjoy it here.
back. Here is some 
on the job hunt hun. 
ride was much nice than the last one. 
Scary on the lightning hitting your home. I am so thankful that you are all okay! 
Keep up the great work.
