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.