Debbie -- I guess the secret is that I really am NOT excited about exercise -- especially cardio -- but I make myself do it anyway. For me, making an exercise goal is a real commitment. Once I set a goal of X minutes/month, I work hard to make it. It's important to make it challenging and yet realistic for me. I think I've missed it twice in the 20 months I've been doing this (illness and injury), but I almost never soar past my goal like others do. I usually just make it.

If I didn't make a commitment to myself, there is no way I would exercise as much as I do. For me, that's what works.

Catherine - Your pics are just - WOW! I remember your wedding pics and the difference is AMAZING. Thank you so much for posting those.

Hey everyone!

It's been awhile since I visited the weekly thread. Congrats to everyone with losses and everyone who's on the right track regardless. I haven't been very well this week (stomach flu) and as a result I lost a whopping 11¾lbs! It's so weird, but I was feeling a little 'blah' and even though I'm still unwell I feel like I've gotten a head start....:shrug:

Anyway ladies, keep your heads up and I'll check back in when I'm feeling a little better. You are my inspiration!!!! :)

I just had to post to say WOW.. all the before/current/after pictures are fabulous and definitely inspiring. You guys are awesome!

Everyone's progress/after picture updates are amazing and inspiring... and most of all you guys look HAPPY!

One of these days maybe I'll post pictures but not really enough difference yet. Plus the only "Before" I have I have on one of those Spanx type tummy suckers so I look much better then I actually did on a daily basis (because they are pictures from my broters wedding)

Figures the one time you WANT before pictures they come out nicer then they have a right to be!

I haven't stepped infront of a camera since then though.

I loved seeing all the photos before and afters. You guys are doing soooo great. I will post some day when I figure out how to do it. lol. I just can't figure it out but wanted to say you all look wonderful. Such inspiration.

Peggy: Congrats on loosing 40 pounds. You are doing so great. I hope they get your thyroid meds straightened out soon!

Ideal: Congrats on another -2 pounds.

Luan: Have a great time on TBL job. How fun.

Battle: Congrats on another -2 to you also. Good girl putting the scale away.

Ammi: LOL you crack me up. I doubt I will be making a record or anything. Hugs. I'm glad I can inspire you to exercise because you sure inspired me with all the emails and stuff when I was first getting into it and well, every day.

PNW Red: Welcome. This is an amazing group of people! I'm sure you will find the support you need here.

Debbie: I hope you are in the teens next week like you want to be.

Jillybean and Ammyblue and Brandnewme: Welcome back. Hope things are going well and I hope you get better soon Amyblue.

Well, I went to my final preop group meeting today. It was pretty informative and exactly what I needed right now. I have really been struggling with eating. I have been doing it. Nothing bad but I'm not supposed to be eating at all. I have been 100% op today with no eating at all. I talked to the group about it and she told me if I can make it 3 days op then I should be good to go. I need to stop "tasting" or having "one last meal". I have come too far to give up or blow it now. I am more determined than ever to do what I'm supposed to do. I gained 2 pounds. I don't know if it is water weight from all the sodium or what because I have been exercising like crazy and not eating out of control but, eating non the less. So, today is back on track. Downward in the weight!

I had such a wonderful NSV today that I think is helping me tremendously to stay on track. Ever since I have been going to my dentist/orthodontist's office I have not been able to fit into the chairs in the waiting room. I mean, I couldn't fit at all not just that it may hurt my hips to squeeze in but I truly couldn't prymyself in for nothing. Today, I FIT! I was even not hurting. I was comfortable. My hips still touch the sides but they didn't hurt and I didn't get stuck. I was/am so excited by this. I almost floated around all day. I celebrated by going to swim this morning directly after going to the dentist then taking a 90 minute walk in the park with my niece and my dogs and stop at the river to swim for another 1/2 hour with my dogs. It was great.

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying today or rather enjoyed today.

Blessings,
Annie

OK, so we have been pretty lucky down here in TX. With all the rain we had been getting it kept the summer temps from reaching 100 until today. And then what happens on the first 100 degree day? Can you guess? Yep, AC is out. GAH!!!!! It is so miserably hot in here. The repairman is coming tomorrow at 10AM so I will just have to be hot and sweaty until then. Even my dog is panting. Oh well, maybe I'll sweat off a pound or two. ;)

Heather - You've been holding out on us, girl. Yes, you've shown us your beautiful face, but damn! Check out those gams! You look awesome. You are a testament to the benefit of lifting weights. You look so toned and healthy.

Nancy - Wowza to you too. You have made AMAZING progress. You look younger. And you just look tiny! Congratulations on your accomplishment. You are cute as a button!

OK, I am going to drink some ice water and try to stay cool til tomorrow.

Annie -- What a fantastic NSV!!!! I BET you were floating! And swimming... and walking. Wowsa!! Don't worry about those 2 pounds, but don't take your eyes off the prize! :woohoo:

Xena -- Ugh. Sounds awful. Try to stay cool. Let the dog lie on a cool blanket... see if it likes to eat ice cubes!

I should take a pic where you can see my triceps. For some reason, once I started working 'em, my triceps just popped out! :lol: Catherine's said it before, and I believe it -- we are strong! We have to be to carry around all the weight. So, lifting weights is something we can DO! So far, it's my favorite way to exercise!

Heather-I can remember my own name now. I am feeling much better. As for finding wedding picture, I don’t even remember posting the photos everyone is commenting about. I guess I did though.

Nancy-I didn’t actually hit my head, or I’d have gone down like a sack of potatoes. I swear it is tempting to just wear a helmet everywhere. I’ve had 3 grade 3 concussions in the past, and several grade 2’s. I can get a concussion from just a mild whiplash. I’ve got no headache, and am no longer dizzy, so I think I just got my bell rung.

Debbie-I was on a bus that someone decided to hit. I don’t know about Canada, but when I took my driver’s test, the right turn on red was supposed to be only after you stop, and only if it is clear. How can you not see a bus? It wasn’t even a last minute thing either, he hit from halfway down. The driver was slowing down because the next stop was about 5 yards from the intersection, so maybe he thought she was going faster, or just accidentally hit the gas. I am the textbook of the “egg shell” patient. Give me a good bump on the head, and I forget who I am. My life revolves around making lists, my daytimer, and my 5 alarm watch. On the plus side, I can get away with telling himself, “I don’t remember agreeing to that.”

Annie-I remember the first time I was able to sit in the chair at the dentist’s office. I kept getting up and down to the magazine rack just to keep testing it. I think the other people in the waiting room thought I was really a fast reader. What you’re feeling is very natural. My ex-roommate told me once that she had never gone to rehab sober, and she’d never seen anyone come in after her sober. That “one for the road” is so common, especially when you’re having natural before surgery fears.

Xena-I remember growing up in Oklahoma without air conditioning when it got above 100. How the heck did we survive it back then? I remember sleeping in wet t-shirts with the fan on me. I hope you get yours fixed soon.

I’m listening to a baseball game, and then I’m going to watch a Harry Potter movie. I’m trying to take it easy. It’s a good thing my professor has been late sending me my final exam. I can just imagine what kind of answers I’d put right now.

Hi all,

For the last few days I have been doing pretty well OP. And I feel less anxious, so that's good.

Catherine, glad to hear you are feeling better.

Annie, congrats on getting through your last pre-OP visit. I am sure everything will go well for you, but if you ever feel "not well"....go to the Dr immediately!! (That's an order. ;))

Nancy, you look FABULOUS. What a difference, I would never think you were the same person.

I still can't get good enough at this to write personals to everyone...sorry about that.

Do/did any of you do much on WW here? Just curious what you found to be the most filling/satisfying treats. Right now I am enjoying nuts...but they are high in fat therefore relatively high in points. At my weight, I am allowed LOTS of points, but at some point I will need to cut back. And I really would like to find other snacks. I love the Fiber One Chocolate Oat bars (only 2 points), but can only eat one (LOTS of fiber does a nice intestine cleansing...LOL). Carrots are ok, but boring. Popcorn is good, eat that on regular occasion. Celery is good, but only with peanut butter or LF cream cheese. LF string cheese is good. Any other ideas?

OK, enough rambling. Your pictures were truly inspirational. Congrats to all of you!

Real...

Heather - If you got it, flaunt it! Let's see those triceps. I wish there was a wolf whistle smiley. ;)

Nancy - I never answered your question about sleeping in your workout clothes. Yep, bra too. It's crazy, I know, but it did help. I only did it at the beginning while I was trying to make the habit. Once it was ingrained in me to get up and go to the gym I was able to go back to normal PJ's.

Catherine - Ooooo....a wet t-shirt and a fan sounds like bliss right about now.

wow. i dont think i even need the gym. im EXHAUSTED. i worked my butt off today. i even walked almost 10,000 steps. night all

i have to comment on the pics tho - Brenda, Nancy, Catherine and Heather - you are all such an inspiration! you all look amazing. i cant wait to be there with you :)

it hit 110 here today. Worked out in it all day today and then did my workout tonight. Even at 10pm it was 85 degrees out. It was almost painful to breath felt like my feet were burning cause the pavement was still so hot. I'm disappointed I didn't get as far as I wanted to but I just couldn't push myself any farther. (got about 2 miles in instead of my normal 3 miles)

Thanks Annie on my 40 lbs lost since the Drs visit in May. I want to lose some more before i actually have to SEE her again. I only go and get blood drawn at a Lab every 7-8 weeks to get my thyroid meds regulated. I am close now!

I am REALLY wanting to hit that 100 lbs lost mark! DH said last night that he thinks he will be sending me off to have my "spa treatment" (to celebrate that milestone) in the not so distant future. That would be GREAT!!

I had a couple of NSVs yesterday.

Someone that I used to work with last Fall stopped by my office yesterday. She said to me "You look different. I don't know what it is. Did you change your hair?" LOL! I said that I was still me and this person was really struggling to figure out WHAT was different. LOL! Too funny.

Also a co-worker said I was looking really good. I said "Thanks. I am working on it." Must have been the denim skirt that was too big. ;)

Oh well...gotta love those NSVs!!! Have a great OP day everyone. I gotta FLY!!! :hug::hug:

Xena: Sorry that your AC isn't working. I hope it gets fixed quick.

Heather: Thanks!

Catherine: I'm so glad that you are feeling better. I am finished having "one for the road" now. Day to back on Optifast 100%.

Realist: I promise if I feel anything not right I will go to the Dr. Hugs.

Well, I am so tired today. I wish it was tomorrow because that is when I don't have to do anything at all. I am really pushing myself today to get things done exercise wise and around my house before tomorrow. I ended up doing 200 minutes of exercise yesterday. Hmmmm. Maybe that is why I'm so tired today. lol.

Hope you are all doing wonderful and having great op water drinking, exercise filled days.

Blessings,
Annie

Luan: Hope you are enjoying your new job even though you are working so hard.

Peggy: Great NSV's. I hope you reach the 100 pounds lost soon too and get to go to a spa! Good luck hun. I know you can do it.

Blessings,
Annie

Hi everyone. I'm having a lousy day, but am OP...so far so good. At least one area of my life is on track today.

Have a great afternoon and evening, all.

Well, I have lost 85 lbs since February. So the last time this person saw me I was 85 lbs heavier. I have lost 40 lbs since I went in for my physical in May.

Yay!! Go Peggy!!

Luv,
Ratkity

Peggy, does the person you are seeing know that you have lost 85 pounds? What a fun suprise if they don't!

I am feeling pretty wiped out tonight. It is so hot here. I think it will be my first night using my air conditioner. I haven't wanted to turn it on yet because I hate to pay for the electricity, but tonight I need it! It is actually more humid than hot, but ugh!!!

I went to my second yoga class. The teacher is very nice and she understands my limitations on doing a lot of the moves. It isn't so much that I'm not flexible enough to do things, it is that I can't put things into certain places because there is too much in the way! :lol: The one thing I really couldn't do tonight was standing on one leg and holding the leg off the ground with a strap. I am just not there yet with my balance. I am going to try working on it when I remember. She says she practices it while she does her dishes.

Other than that. . . it’s hot! I think I will retreat to the bedroom and read. The dishes can wait til tomorrow. . . :)

Annie - im totally loving it :)

I can relate Nancy. It hit 102 @ work today and it was 111 with the humidy. Then after 10hrs I came home and did a 3 mile walk outdoors it was still in the 80's but the humidy was less.

I'm just glad I don't ride metro. Red line was shut during middle of rush hour for a black box wrapped in brown paper that was left on a train. So yeah they blew it up. DC was a mess.

John -- What a pain! Was it a bomb?

It got cold here today. 12 degrees and rain. It is supposed to get down to 8 degrees tonight. In American that means 40's. It was in the high 90's just a few days ago. I have a sore throat. I'll bet everyone is town is going to have one at this rate. It turns cold, and I want to eat. Some kind of primal hibernation thing I guess. Oh well, that's the first day in a couple of months, so I'm not going to beat myself up, and just start over again tomorrow.

It was harmless was just a cardboard box.

Normally when the bomb squad is called its normally blow what ever it is to kingdom come then ask questions.

We get something like this about every 3 months.

Just checking in quickly. I have lost some weight, but a majority of it was due to scale error. Who knew putting new batteries in would make it run better? ;)

I've been sick the last couple days. Today was the first day of feeling 'normal'. I have not been exercising AT ALL lately. My legs have been very swollen (water retention rather than from injury), and to top it all off, I broke my #(@*#$ pinky toe on my right foot - yes, that's right, the foot I have the most trouble with. Lucky me. That was Sunday night, and today it finally stopped swelling as much and the bruising was mostly gone. Until about 30 minutes ago when I was chasing my cat and hit it on the vacuum. Argh!

Anyhow, other than that, things are status quo. Congrats to all the losers and all of you who stick with it. Many hugs and well wishes to those who are having difficulties of any kind right now. And as always, welcome to all the new people! Take care!

Just posted pics of me in the picture section. I took them this AM.

Peggy -- Wow, I see a HUGE difference. YOU are so much smaller and your face so much thinner!!!

BTW, right below your post I posted a link to your first pics so people could see for themselves!!!!

:congrat: you're looking great!!!!

Hi all you picture posters,

All I can say is WOW! You ladies ROCK! I'm so proud of each of you. :hug:

I didn't have a pity party this week, but was on the edge until I saw such success. Just know that I am blind to my own success. I will post pictures of my before and current picts soon. I see all you beautiful ladies and then have this irrational thought that I am not worthy! ugh.. can someone just erase those old tapes?? :dizzy:

I was OP yesterday by the skin of my teeth. I did end the day with a double serving of green beans, so that was a plus. My healthy choices were few and far between, but I stayed within my point (calories) range. I managed 10 minutes on the treadmill. My energy is low and I'm tired (Dang that TOM!!). I'm due for a vitamin B12 shot soon, but I am taking all my vitamins!! Just fyi, I have to take a monthly B12 shot due to a partial gastrectomy in 2004 for ulcers.. makes binge eating impossible, but dang it.. I can still pack away calories!!! :devil:

Hug and luv to all,
RK

Hey everyone, I have an NSV to share. Today was the first day I made it all the way through to the end of the 2 mile WATP. Yay me!

Peggy – You look great in your progress pics! There is quite a difference all over! You look great!

Heather – I think I was neglectful in saying something about your full body pics – wow!!! You look so great! I would love to see a shot of your arm muscles. :)

Keep the pics coming everyone! They are such a great inspiration for all of us!

Work is really heating up because my office is moving at the end of the month! There is so much to do and very little time to do it. It is a really long story, but we are moving from the 6th floor of our building down to the 3rd floor. I need to buy new furniture, get movers lined up, pick carpet colors, the whole thing! It is going to be really stressful. We just moved in here 2 years ago, so I feel like I just did all this stuff!

I did have a great NSV though. We have these old monster 21” monitors that are REALLY heavy. I used to hardly be able to lift them at all. Now I can move them without too much difficulty (I wouldn’t want to take them out for a walk, but transporting one from one side of the office to the other isn’t too bad :D). I am putting them together in one cubicle so they can be picked up for recycling. I am actually happy to be able to have an excuse to do some more physical stuff at work.

I am also down another pound this week in spite of TOM. :woohoo:

Just a quick question about those 3FC Journals....

Does anyone look at them? I have an off-site health related Journal, and just wondering if I should move or mirror it over here if it's worth the time? Do you get many comments at all?

Hope everyone is surviving the heat! Its much cooler here today but still scarey humid, so I think I will exercise inside again today.

-muse

HI all. I had my first weigh-in today and lost 4.3 pounds after 6 days on the program! Not too bad!

More importantly, I'm not ravenously hungry all day, every day. I feel full after my meals now, at least for a short time ;), so it's easier to make it to the next snack.

Congrats PnWRed! It's always fun the first few weeks to have those large loss #s.

I've been a lot less hungry too... I think my stomach really has shrunk some in the past 3 months. It's a nice change.

Hi everyone,

I've been MIA again. Life in general has been busy and stressful. Believe me, in the whole scheme of things, I realize how lucky I am but sometimes I just want things to go a little smoother!

DS is finally feeling better and now I have what he had. It's being treated as bronchitis. I ache. All over. I have been coughing so hard that my entire body just hurts. It's been almost a week and the antibiotics can kick in ANY TIME NOW! I fear that it is viral and will just have to work it's course but I am continuing with the antibiotics just in case they are working slowly. This is probably Karma because every time one of my kids is ill I always say I would rather be the one who is sick. Careful what you wish for.

These symptoms started the same day one of our dogs decided to investigate the little black and white kitty that was wandering around our yard at 3:00AM. Yeah...that was us on the deck at 3:00AM with our poor little lab who got it square in the face. We found plenty of remedies online but all of them say to be careful around the eyes but that's where he got hit so it was difficult to de-scent him. And, it happened right under our open bathroom window so the master bath and bedroom reek!

I'm not doing personals...just doing this short post has me thinking it's time to go lay down again. I did check out the pictures and read what everyone has been writing and I am inspired to get right back on track as soon as I feel better. I can't even walk to the bathroom without starting a coughing spell so excercising is out of the question for a few days more anyway. Luckily I have had no appetite while I've been feeling badly so I am right at the same weight I've been at for WEEKS. Better than a gain, but time to start downward motion again!

Hope everyone is well,

Cris

BattleAx -- That is an awesome NSV!!!! Wait till you can say that about the 3 mile one! etc.!

Nancy -- functional fitness is da bomb! I love being able to easily hoist big bags of dog food and what not like it's nothing!!

Muse -- are you talking about the blogs or the old journals?

Cris -- This is definitely not a time to be focused on weight loss. Get better first! ANd I feel for your poor poochy and all of you. Those "black and white kitties" have never gotten one of mine, but we do have them here too!


I just ate frozen grapes for the first time. What an awesome snack!!!!!

PNW: Congrats on your weight loss! Keep up the good work.

33tek: I hope you feel better soon. I had the crud late last week/early this week. With a little rest I was back to my old self.

Heather: I've never tried the frozen grapes. Maybe I'll buy some and give it a try.

John: I give you a lot of credit for working and working out in that heat and humidity. I never could manage to work out on high heat. Most of the time it doesn't get super hot here, but I exercise in the early morning before the day heats up.

Catherine: you'll find your equilibrium, I'm sure. Just think--cooler temps mean it's easier to move around and get some exercise in.

Brandnew: Owie on the toe. Youch. Yay on the weight loss despite your challenges.

Ratkitty: I know about hanging on by the skin. I am having one of those days myself where I am consuming right up to the max limit, maybe a little more. But it's still progress.

Nancy: great NSV on moving the monitors. It's nice to feel strong and able to move around with ease. I can't wait to feel that way again.

Ideal: If you are talking about the blogs, I read them sometimes. I don't usually leave comments.