Hi again!
 

Thanks for the warm welcome! Again...it just helps so much to know there's a community of people out there who know what this struggle is like!

I weighed this morning to find that I'd lost two pounds. Hey, it's a start! ;)

I haven't done an intro, so here's me, in a rather large nutshell!

I've done all sorts of diets in the past: low carb, Slim Fast, Weight Watchers more times than I can count. I have PCOS and that makes weight loss tricky. I'm currently taking Metformin XR and that seems to help make it a little easier by eliminating the crazy blood sugar highs and lows I would ordinarily experience.

I also have been muddling through a three-year diagnostic process to find out what is wrong with my immune system. A couple of doctors thought it was lupus, but my current specialist isn't entirely sure. Something is wrong, but I don't fit neatly into any one category of autoimmune disease. My symptoms most closely match lupus (joint pain, extreme fatigue, weird skin rashes, etc.) so I have to be careful with exercise. It, and the easy weight gain of PCOS do not go well together! But I know weight loss isn't impossible...it's just a harder road to climb for me.

I'm doing the "Setting the Captives Free" weight loss Bible study, but if I were to label what I'm doing, food-wise, it would definitely be the "intuitive eating" thing...listening to my body, not making anything off-limits, trying to eat like a "normal" person would.

I gave up binging years ago, but find that I still nibble when bored or lonely. The older I get the less I can afford those nibbles!

We're in the process of moving across town, so I'm stressed now and trying hard not to cave into the stress eating habits of old. Once we get settled, I plan to walk daily (it is an awesome neighborhood for walking!) and I want to sign up for arthritis water aerobics with that city's public indoor pool. I think gentle walking and the water exercises will be a good start. I basically hate to exercise, but I know that I really have to if I am ever going to make it back to "One-derland"!

And that is my only real goal for now. My short term goal is to reach 299. After that, I swear I will never complain again if I can just get below 200. Even if I weigh 199.9 lbs. for the rest of my life! ;)

As far as not-weight-related things, I'm a mom of two boys, ages 9 and 5, and have been married to my DH for 16 years. I'm a freelance writer and I also homeschool my kids. I like reading, learning, painting and drawing. I scrapbook and like to cook, too.

Thanks for listening if you made it this far! I look forward to getting to know all of you better!

Ammi, whatever you do, please don't give up on yourself. You are a winner! Look how far you've come already. That in itself is no easy task. My gosh, woman, 110 lbs....I am in awe of you and hope to be where you are one of these days. I know things can get us down to where we just can't do it anymore, I feel that way right now, but it's something we have to get past, and I know we can do it. Just hang in there, count your blessings for what you HAVE accomplished, and go from there. I wish I was closer to you so you don't have to do it alone, but I'm not, but I'm right here for you if you ever need to talk. For now though... :hug:

Hi John
Donna, be careful out there, taxi Mama!
Hey Voodoo, welcome back!
Battleax, good deal on the 2x's.

Peggy, you are so right in it being a battle. And sometimes it does come down to every hour, sometimes every minute. The best thing I can do, is go and get my mind occupied on something besides food. That's why I'm doing more puzzles and crafts. I should get offa my behind and do more exercise, all in due time.

Meta, I hope you have the best time EVER ice skating with your son. What a great NSV!!!

Hey Annie!!! You don't live that far to where I can't come there and drag you back here!! Don't you dare think of checking just every so often. I love to hear of your progress. We are all here on the same journey, no matter what means we decide to take to get there. I want to hear your successes! You are a caring and loving person, and we can feel it thru your post...I would really miss that.

Nancy, Going to the zoo! That sounds like so much fun. It's great that your parents are coming too!

Lindsay, good for you on the walk. It is a matter of baby steps that we all must go thru. I know what you mean on being able to find shirts at Wal-mart last year...the selection this year is terrible. I did find pants though, which was the first time in ages since I've been able to buy those off of the regular store's racks.

Hi Kari, congrats on losing the 2 lbs. That is a terrific start!! I don't care much for exercise either and I'm always looking for a reason to not do it. I know I have to really get going on it instead of hit and miss like I do most of the time. The thing is to be consistent everyday, and that's my problem I can find a million reasons to not exercise, but never one to stop me from getting up to eat something I shouldn't. It's all in the discipline. I'm with ya on just getting down to 199.9 and being happy for the rest of my life!!

We are having such a storm tonight!! It started raining buckets. We got hail and the thunder was so loud it shook the house. Lightening so bright, it lit up the house. Very unexpected!! I had a pretty good OP day. I'm so sore from the gardening for 2 hours yesterday, that it's been hard to get around. But I've got my exercise all planned out for tomorrow. I didn't get in as much water as I should, but at least I did 3 liters.
To all of you struggling, just hang in there....it WILL turn around. I know we will all be going thru it time and time again..we just have to cope until it passes.
Debbie
p.s. I wanted the Blue Team to win again, darn it! (TBL)

Annie- I'll hunt you down too and drag you back kicking and screaming too! You be the light and the end of the tunnel. The pot of good at the end of the rainbow. Its you and those like you that show me this can be done. An all hope is not lost it just not hooked up to GPS.

Rat- I do to live in my own little world! Its just I try to pay attention to those around me as well :D

Hi debbie :D we musta posted near the same time.

Annie -- pish tosh. You are not going ANYWHERE woman. Goodness, when others post their successes didn't you feel inspired? You are VERY inspiring my dear and we just cannot allow you to leave. We will not allow it.

Ammi -- See above for Annie!

Catherine -- Ditto!

Hi everyone. Just wanted to check in quickly while I have a chance. Things here are pretty much status quo. My medication is working some days but not working so well some days. I had some blood drawn last weekend at the pre-screening for the upcoming health fair and will not have the results until the 29th, but that will answer a couple of the questions re: thyroid, kidney function (lasix can wreak havoc on kidneys), etc. I am nervous but know that whatever the blood work shows will only give me a direction to go in rather than get depressed and/or more stressed.

Catherine, Ammi, Donna, and everyone else who is struggling right now, I want to send you the biggest hugs possible. You are all an inspiration to the rest of us. Your bad days do not make you who you are, no matter how many you have or how often you have to start again. The fact is, if you didn't start again, you'd be much worse off than you are right now. One step forward and ten steps back seems like a huge hurdle to get over, and I know that because I've been there as well. But here's the thing.. you have an advantage because you have every single one of us there to help you get to your next step forward. You have every single one of us there to help cheer you on, pull you up when you fall down, and remind you how far you've come. You are the reason some of us are still here, plugging away. We know that you can do it, so that gives us hope that we can do it. Please hang in there. You're all wonderful!

Annie, I'm afraid we're all going to band together to keep you here. Your losses are celebrated by everyone here not just because you're one of us, and because you give us hope, but also because you are a beautiful person and you have given each and every one of us so much. Even when I'm not having any luck and the weight keeps piling on rather than coming off, you always make me smile. You, my dear, are an inspiration and a wonderful person. Please stick around and let us help you celebrate your new life.

Hello All,

I am completely overwhelmed by everybody’s caring, supportive messages since my last post. John, Donna, Patti, Sharon, Catherine, RK, Peggy, Meta, BattleAx, Annie, Nancy, Lesley, Debbie, Heather and Brandnewme, :thanks: you will never know how much everything you had to say really touched my heart and how it’s helped me to not feel so bad. Today I’m not trying to be OP, today I’m going to try the just eating normally route. Maybe I’ll exercise later. I am not giving up, I AM proud of how far I have come, and I KNOW that with all of you here to help me along I will never give up on myself and my goal of being fit and no longer obese. I am so lucky to have found this site and all of you :grouphug:

Hugs,

Ammi :chicken:

I haven't been here for about a year. :( MY life hasn't changed much which is not a good thing. I like to read and cheer on others in this weight fight. I need to renew my motivation and plan to be more active in mind and body. :D good luck to all...

:hug::hug:

Ammi I am so glad you are feeling a bit better. You have come SO far already!! You are not a failure or a fraud! No way...No how!!

I am having more of a struggle making good choices lately, but coming here everyday is helping me stay OP.

Meta...I wish my brain could wrap around the intuitive eating as it sounds so reasonable, but at this point it can't. One day perhaps....but I am not there yet.

:drill: OK EVERYONE, IT"S TIME TO HEAR THIS :drill:

As they say in High School Musical (which I have become an expert on thanks to hearing it a BAZILLION times!!:dizzy:)...
We are all in this together. There will be no more speaking of leaving. We are here to laugh, cry and enjoy eachother's lives. To lean on, when needed. To :kickbutt: when needed. To :frypan: if needed. That is what this wonderful place is all about.:grouphug: We can only learn from eachother. We may take away different things, but I believe in my heart, we are all the same. All the same struggles, victories, disapointments and joys. So now that I have said my piece, know that I love you all, and am sending :dust:, encouragement, and :goodvibes: to each one of you.

:cheer2: Have a Great Day! :cheer2:

Well said Donna!!!!!! :)

Annie we need you here dear.. you inspire me so much to keep trying!

Ammie ditto to you too Ammie... i need you here to kick my butt and keep me trying !

Hi end!!

Well said donna

:grouphug:You Guys are so sweet.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset anyone. I really want to do what is best for everyone. I will keep coming here because I do need all of you. You are all so wonderful and you have helped me through some really tough times in the past 2 years. I have made some outstanding friendships and I really do know where most of you are coming/have come from. Nobody said anything to upset or make me feel bad about coming here. I just want to do the right thing for you all. I know how hard it is to try and try and try to lose weight only to have one little slip up which can throw you into a spiral of feeling like a failure. Everyone, Keep your heads held high. This is a life struggle and I konw you all are a bunch of tough, tenacious people that just want to "live" a healthy and normal life. :hug:

Peggy: Please, I don't want to P#ss you off. lol.

Rat: :)

Donna: So, do you get any tips at least for your taxi service? lol.

Nancy: I do the Biggest Looser on DVR too. I hate watching comercials. lol. I do most tv programs I like on DVR. lol. Have a great time at the zoo with your parents.

Leslie: Yea to another -4. About the chips. Let it go hun. It is in the past. Today is a new day.

Battle: Wow, sounds like you got some great workout clothes. I think about buying some workout bras or something like that but then I think about how I would look in them. That is probably my biggest pet peeve with the Biggest Looser show. They make the ladies especially wear those tummy showing sports bras with tight spandex shorts. It is so obvious they are uncomfortable with that outfit as they always hide their tummys with their arms. I don't want to be self conscience when I work out about what I look like. lol I am happy for you that you are at a point when you are not thinking about that. Hugs.

Kari: yeah to another -2. I have done the Setting Captives Free bible study. I also did the "Lord's Table" on line. It is free. I think they are both great and I hope you do super at them!

Debbie: I wanted the Blue team to win too. lol.

John: okay, no need to use your GPS. lol. Although it is beautiful here if you want to come visit.

Brandnewme: sorry that you aer still struggling with your health. I hope all your blood tests come back with some answers with simple ways to fix any problems. Hugs.

Ammi: Hi doll. Glad you are feeling better today. Enjoy your time without thinking about what you are going to eat all the time. Hugs.

Endthereign: Come back and post often.

To everyone else. Hugs, hugs and hugs to you all. I hope everyone has a wonderful op day filled with happiness and joy.

Blessings all,
Annie

No..you don't :o :o

:p:p

Just keep showing up here and I won't have to show up on your doorstep sweetie. :hug:

Ammi, you're sooooooooo welcome!! I'm glad your not giving up on yourself. Just take it easy for a while and when things fall into place, you'll get back on track. Enjoy life! You're doing fine!!!

endthereign12, :welcome: back!! The thing is, is that you came back. So it's been a year, so maybe you didn't try as much as you could of, so what? You're here now and that's what counts. Just start small and work up to bigger and better things. When we try to change too many things at one time, we get overwhelmed and think it's impossible. I know you can do this!! We all can.

Donna, I second that!!!

Brandnewme, I'm glad the meds are working at least some of the days to where you get some relief. Hopefully they will find something that will work ALL of the time for you. Just hang in there.

Annie:hug: John, we WERE pretty much posting at the same time :rofl:

Off to watch my soaps and then do some dreaded exercise.
Debbie

well i might a wise choice today... i had a turkey breast subway instead of a big ole fat cheeseburger.. i am soo proud of myself! lol! small changes will add up in the long run!

Hey chickies!

I just wanted to announce formally my name change. Wyllenn is no more -- I am now Heather!!

Hello Everyone,

Well, today was a good day overall. I discovered last night that the cereal I've been eating (Post Good Grains w/ Pecans) is much higher in WW points than I'd thought - 4 points for a 1/2 cup, and I was eating between a cup and a cup and a half! :yikes: OK, so my SIL is getting what's left of that box, lol. Did well throughout the day, although I forgot my water bottle at home so didn't drink as much as I should. I went to an evening service at my church followed by a potluck, and instead of just coming home like I normally would, I went walking for a half hour. Then I went to the grocery store - for the last several weeks, practically everytime I've gone in there, I've stopped at the display case just inside and bought a piece of cake (cake is my number one weakness). Tonight, I walked right past and didn't give it a second glance. I was also thinking about getting some potato wedges from the deli - I hadn't eaten much at the supper, so that's how I was justifying it - but then I decided it wasn't worth it, and instead got some watermelon. I'm feeling pretty good about myself!

OK, enough about me ...

Kari, has your doctor given any thought to fibromyalgia? What part of Atlanta are you moving to? Glad to see you back!

Debbie, I love rainstorms! It hasn't rained nearly enough down here this year, we're in a serious water deficit. :(

brandnewme, I hope the blood tests don't show anything too serious, but at least hopefully you will know what's up, rather than not. :hug:

Ammi, glad you're thinking positively and not being hard on yourself today. Sometimes you have to be gentle with yourself. :)

Rene, welcome back! As you can see, this is a great place for support in your journey. You can do this!

Peggy, I'm with you on the intuitive eating - I think it's a wonderful concept, but I have to tackle my self-control issues before I can turn to trusting myself.

Donna, :hug: back to you!

toofat, :bravo: for making the better food choice! That's the way to do it!

__________________________________________________ _____

Alrighty, I'm off to bed - 'night, folks!

Lesley
 

Good for you for getting the watermelon instead! That sounds really yummy right now...wish I had some!

About fibromyalgia...it was something that my first doctor considered, but ruled out because my bloodwork consistently shows autoimmune abnormalities. Apparently if it's fibro, the symptoms are similar, but the bloodwork comes back negative for autoimmune factors. My current rheumatologist seems to feel that it's lupus and/or vasculitis (an inflammation of blood vessels). The more I learn about these disorders, the more I find that it can take years for enough symptoms to "gel" for a clear diagnosis...there are a lot of people floating out there like me, in limbo, with clear medical evidence that something is wrong, but no one can specify WHAT. It's frustrating at times, but at least we've been able to rule certain diseases out...and that's a good thing.

And that's probably more than you wanted to know! LOL:D

Hi,
I'm feeling so lonely right now. I miss my son. He's my only kid. I wonder if I'll ever see him again, and so I ate. I had cheeseits, ice cream, spaghetti for dinner and I just want to keep eating. I did 30 minutes of exercise but what for, if I'm just going to eat everything in sight. O yeah the Cheeseits were low fat, the ice cream WW, but if I eat it in excess, how is that helping?
I don't know what to do. My husband works nights, so I sit here alone and wonder what my son is doing. I think it has all finally hit me like a rock to the head. I can't seem to quit crying tonight. I've read some of his poems he wrote, and the only reason I have those is because he forgot them in their haste to move out.
I don't understand how a person who supposedly loves my son, could not want him to have his family in his life, but instead uses emotional blackmail to keep him from us.
I'm sorry for talking about this here, but I can't go to my Mom because it just makes her feel worse.....so I come here and hope you don't mind.
I WILL get past this, but between the yo-yoing on the weight, and the food intake of tonight, I'm just at my wits end. I'm sure hormones have alot to do with it too cuz it seems like I get this way once a month after TOM leaves.
I try and give encouragement to others, but can't seem to do it for myself. How sad is that?
O well, I think I will just go take a shower and then go to bed so I don't have to think anymore.
Debbie

Debbie-I miss my boys too. Eventhough they were just foster sons, I was the one who held them when they had nightmares, and played catch in the yard, and helped them with their home work. I knew coming to Canada that I would probably never see them again. I'll probably never seen any of my family again. When you give someone a life, you have to expect that they will live it the way that they want to. People want control. That's actually how I ended up with the oldest boy. His mom got sick, and his dad had married a woman that couldn't have kids. She wouldn't let him have anything to do with his son. He didn't get to see him until he was 7 years old. By then the relationship was forever stunted. Your DIL cares more about winning than she does about your son. That doesn't mean that she doesn't love him in the best way she is capable of, it just means that she isn't whole. You have to stay strong for the day that you may need to pick up the pieces. Eating yourself to death will just be a bigger win for your DIL, reinforce her bad behavior, and mean more pain for your son when he does come to his senses.

Hi again, we were offline AGAIN!!! Only just checked & found out we were 'ON' again, first place I came was here!
Annie, so glad you're not leaving us, lol! I felt the same when I did well & others were struggling, but it doesn't rub our noses in it, it INSPIRES us!! Glad everything is going well, post op, if something doesn't click for me soon it's something I'll have to consider.xxxxxx
Bebbie, so sorry about your son, I think I remember before you had problems with his wife/gf. Maybe when/if they have kids she'll realise what she's done, or she'll grow up sometime soon. I hope things get better for you soon, I've had SO MANY awful problems with my son, his gf is WAY TOO GOOD for him though, but I understand how this sort of emotional pain can cause over-eating (& drinking in my case!)xxxxxx
Thanks for the welcome backs, I HOPE that I can get back on track very soon, I broke a bone in my foot & had to go off liquids, wasn't allowed to exercise or move much for four weeks so I've gained quite a bit back. ( drinking a bottle of wine or beer each night to 'help me sleep' didn't help much either!!lol) Coming here WILL help me be accountable AND I've missed the support only people here, who are in the same boat, can offer.
Ammi, I WILL be on mSN tonight, unless we lose the internet AGAIN!!.xxxxx
xxxxsharon

hi again everyone.....
debbie i hope everything works out. i believe children do eventually go back to what they learned from their parents. i had trouble with my daughter and she eventually realised what she was doing....i hope the same for you and i can truely relate to the eating.....
thanks to all who welcomed me back. i truely came back in time. i had a gynecologist appt today (1st time with her) and let me tell you she grilled me about the weight and i understand that is her job but she kept the distasteful look on her face the whole time and when we went in her office to discuss the lump in my breast (the reason i went) she wanted to discuss my need for gastric bypass or lap band. oh well....the thing that surprises me is that it doesn't even bother me that much because it seems like it is my normal life. i hear people talking all the time. that is why i am determined to stick with all of you and lose weight. thanks for the support. rene

Debbie, I'm sorry you are feeling lonely and sad about your son. I hope he eventually comes to his senses. In the meantime, please don't hurt yourself by overeating. It will only make the pain worse for everyone.
Hugs

Debbie, I'm so sorry you're feeling down. I can almost guarantee he's thought about you as well and is missing you too. These things just take time for hurt feelings to subside and for pride and stubborness to take a back seat to the love that is of course there. I have only one child as well and can imagine how devastated you feel about it sometimes. Hang in there. As soon as you feel you can reach out and live with whatever reaction you get either way, I might try to do so. Life is too short. I'm thinking of you...:)

Ammi - I'm so glad you decided to take some pressure off yourself. Eating 'normally' after all is the ultimate goal! At some point we have to stop dieting. In intuitive eating one of the things I enjoy the most is roaming my mind to figure out exactly what I'd like at any given meal. When you consistently give yourself what you want and need there is very little temptation to overeat. Leaving a meal feeling light and satisfied is so much more enjoyable than leaving one feeling heavy and guilty. I'd encourage you to give yourself exactly what you want every meal...I think you might be pleasantly surprised at how much healthy stuff you'll still eat with all external controls removed.

Thanks for peeking at my skates LitChick! (and you for trying Nancy:)) Two days until I try them out, and I'm insanely excited. Thanks for the nice comments many of you made about this endeavour. :)

Meta-I decided that maybe you are right, and I'm going to try to loosen the reins a bit while I'm under so much stress. The last time I did that, I gained about 50 pounds, so we'll see.

I'm in total "get ready for travel" mode. When you've had a head injury that affects your memory, you can get nuts about worrying that you've forgotten something. I have to have lists and lists and lists of things to do so that I can relax that I'm not forgetting something. You'd think I was going on an arctic expedition instead of to Toronto for a week. I am terrified to the point of practically being paralyzed. I finished my pants suit that I need for Toronto, and bought new underwear for the first time in Canada. I went from a size 13 in Hanes to a 3X in Pennington's. Now if they fit, I will be happy. She said I could bring them back if they didn't fit. How weird is that? Guess there's no health laws against that above the border. I'm off to do some ironing. I iron after I get there, so I'm not sure why, but I just feel the need to only pack things that are well starched.

God Help me I bought travel chop sticks. I hope he doesn't find out how much I paid for them. They are stainless steel, and the pointy part is recycled Japanese baseball bats. I use chop sticks because it forces me to eat slower, and I can't scoop up the extra sauce at the bottom, but was getting bothered by the throw away sticks that I was getting. Now I'm worried that they will be confiscated at the airport check in. They could be used as a weapon, but then so could a sharpened pencil. Does anyone know if I can carry them on? Oh God, I need a tranquilizer. The funny part is that I get to go for free to all these things as my husband's medical escort. He has a mental illness, so they want someone to make sure he takes his medicine, and doesn't get lost. I joke that carrying the rhino trank gun to shoot him with if he gets out of hand is my job. In truth, he handles the travel better than I do. My main job is actually making sure he has a clean shirt and tie to wear when we get there.

Hi everyone,

Not much to report here. I'm doing reasonably well staying on plan, but have been really busy and struggling to fit exercise in. I'm managing to meet my minimum requirements, which is fine, really. The scale is staying the same, but my body just shrank a tiny bit more. I couldn't figure out why I was tripping over my pants, until I realized that they were sitting low on my hips.

Voodoo, I hope your internet connection improves.

Endthereign, won't it be nice the next time you go to the doctors and show them a loss!

Meta, enjoy your new skates. I used to love all kinds of skating, but ended it all when I smashed my elbow into a hundred pieces rollerblading. Two surgeries later I can't get up the nerve to skate or ski. May I suggest adding elbow guards to your list of safety equipment.

Catherine, the way I see it, there are only a few items that are important to remember on a trip, such as medication. Unless you're going to the remote wilderness, there are always stores to purchase forgotten items. Not that you want to buy something you may already have at home, but it won't be a crisis if you forget a toothbrush, for example.

I hope you have a great trip.

Debbie: Hugs. so sorry that you are having a sad day.

Patti: Great job skipping the hamburger! Small steps will all add up to where they are helpful in the end.

Heather: Glad that we can call you Heather!

Litchick: Great job passing up the cake.

Sharon: Hope your ISP stops being a pain in the butt. How is your foot now?

Catherine: Hugs about your being afraid for your trip. I would suggest putting the chop sticks in something that isn't a carry on just in case. I'd hate for you to loose them! Hope the undies fit well.

Battle: LOL. Don't trip on your pants.

Storey: Sorry that your fill didn't go well. Hope you have good luck at the Dr. tomorrow. Hugs.

Well, I went for my 3 week post op visit. Everything is good and I got cleared for exercise. I am so happy about that. I think I may go to the pool right now. I have a free 10 day pass at OZ Fitness. My weight is down to 362. I am very happy about that too. Everything was good with the Dr. He said I am doing wonderful and to exercise like crazy now. lol.

I hope you are all doing well.

Blessings,
Annie

Hi Vicki: I think we were posting at the same time. SO glad you are doing so well. I hope you continue to heal wonderfully. Great NSV too.

hugs and blessings,
Annie

Hello all!

Letsee if I can get everyone and not forget anybody!

EndTR, welcome back home! Most doctors are totally clueless. Geesh. You went for the lump in your breast, not your weight. I have yet to find a decent doctor who will listen to me and work with me. I'm beginning to think they don't really exist except in fantasy.

Toris, I don't think I'm ready for intuitive eating either. My intuition is to eat oreos.

Annie, way cool about the green light for exercise! Yay! Go girl! :carrot:

TooFFU, good deal about making a better choice with the subway instead of the cheeseburger. It's the little things that add up.

w00h00 hiya Wy.. er Heather! hehe. :hug:

LitChick, w00h00 on NSV about by passing da dreaded cake! It's my downfall too.

Kari, I hope someone can find out what's wrong with you. I hate that state of flux!!! Meanwhile, you just make good eating choices and do what exercise you can.

Debbie, no DH for support and all that stress hit you at once. I'm glad you could tell us about it so we could send you hugs!! My hormones do the *exact* same thing and even those old southern bell telephone commercials could get me crying. Good deal on taking a shower and going to bed. Things are always better after cleaning up and a good sleep. The best thing about feelings is that they are not facts.. they change. This too shall pass.

Poor voodoosharon about your ISP. I'm guessing there's no other choice where you are. Oh no about the foot!!! Take care of yourself. Staying hydrated does not include beer or wine..hehe. I hope your ISP stays up so you can keep in touch with us!

Meta, I got to see those cutie pie skates!! I just copied and pasted the Canadian postal code from the help message. hehe. It looks like they have great ankle support and fuzziness for warmth! Keep us updated on your success skating!

Catherine, I think the chopsticks are fine in checked baggage, but not carry-ons. If I remember correctly, there are stores in Toronto and the other places you are visiting if you forget something.. hehe. The hotels even give complementary stuff too! I don't have a brain injury and I make lists of lists of lists. Then I lose them. I have no excuses!!! You will be fine. Maybe you should give the tranq shot to Himself for you? hehe.

Battle, w00h00 about the pants!!! Time to go SHOPPING!

Story, sorry the fill didn't "take". Does that mean the doc looks for slippage? I hope you get your TSH fixed soon. When it's too low, you are at risk for osteoporosis. Lordy, I hate doctors!!

DolfinVickie, excellent that you are healing better than expected!! Too funny about the flirty guy. If low-carb works for you, go for it. My apron has been bothering me more and more. One day, I too shall have a TT!

Hugs Donna, BigJohn, and all my other lurking peeps!!!

I lubs you all,
Ratkity

This week, I am doing well. The gained weight from TOM is gone, which makes me happy. Mentally, I'm doing well as my hormones are in control.. hehe.

Hugs to all!
Luv,
RK

Hi all,
I want to apologize for the melt down last night. Like I said, I think it's the hormones because today I've been doing fine. I know I can get thru this. There are so many women that I have talked to that have gone thru this same thing with their son or daughter. Maybe it's just an extra boost to make us let go and let them live their own lives. :thanks: to those of you who cheered me up by your posts.

Catherine, I hope that your family will come and see you some day. I hope that your sons, whether they be foster or biological, come to visit you too. You advice to me was taken to heart and your right, there is no need for me to eat myself to death and give her even more power. I've never been a weak person, but as I get older, it just seems to come with the territory, at least in my case. But I DO realize, I'm the only one that can change that kind of behavior, and that's what I plan on doing. So thank you.
I'm so glad you got into "get ready for travel" mode. It sure makes things easier when your ready for them. I think I would keep the metal chop stix in your luggage. That way I don't think there would be a problem. That's great news on the smaller undies!!
Have fun on your trip!

Sharon, welcome back once again...that darn ol internet. Hope it gets straightened out soon for you. Sorry to hear about your foot. As soon as you are able though, I'm sure you will get back into the rhythm of things and get back on track. There's nothing worse than an injury to stop you from making your goals.

Hi Rene, Hopefully your doctor just has your best interest at hand and wants you to take care of your body. I'm sure there was a nicer way she could of done it, but I guess she doesn't have a good bedside manner..LOL. I hope the lump isn't anything too serious too. Take care

Battle, thanx for the hugs, I need 'em! :hug: back atcha
I'm all for body shrinkage!! That's great news. And it sounds like you are doing really well. Keep it up!

Meta, I'm really excited to hear how your skating adventure goes. Just take care out there!

Story, sorry about your fill not working for you this time. Nothing worse than losing confidence in your doctor because they don't carry thru with what they say they are going to do or can't make a decision in your meds.

Vicki, ahh the days of being flirted with. Such great memories..LOL. Good for you on getting a drain taken out and starting your diet again. Hopefully you won't have to wear that binder too much longer. Hope you get your other drain out soon.

Annie, I'm just so happy for you! You are doing amazingly well but I think we all knew you would with the determination you showed before your operation. You'll blow past me in no time and I'll be rootin' you on the whole time. I just love success stories.

I stayed OP very well today and even got in 50 minutes of exercise. So I'm feeling much better. Hopefully I'll see a change on the scale come Monday.
have a good night,
Debbie

Hi ladies & John! I haven't weighed in yet, but will probably attempt to in the morning. I say attempt because I still haven't gotten anything other than that darn ERR that my scale loves to taunt me with. Either way, I'm feeling a lot better mentally. Physically it's been a rough day again, but I'm hanging in there. I haven't overeaten, and I've been trying to just *DO* something, even if it's not really 'exercise' per se. I put a lot of thought into the thread about accommodating my weight and I realized that I do probably 99.9% of the things discussed. I don't want to do that anymore. I don't want DH to enable me to do that anymore. Yesterday and today have been about doing things for myself, and not always taking the shortcut. Today, I put off going to the store because I'm getting a cold again. I finally gave in and went to the two stores I needed to go to. I asked DH to run in to the final store and get what we needed and then I thought about it and realized that was yet again accommodating my weight. So I went inside and did the shopping that needed to be done and even helped unload the groceries into the car. When we got home, DH told me that I was going to go inside and sit down and rest and I told him that he needs to stop enabling me to be lazy. I told him I love him for trying to help me out, and for trying to make sure I'm okay, but as long as he's allowing me to be lazy, I'm going to have a hard time breaking my bad habits. I don't want to have to depend on him to do everything for me, because I'm much stronger than that. So, that's my 'kind of' NSV for today.

Since I am getting a cold and have severe medicine head, I'm not going to do any personals today other than to give hugs to those of you who need 'em and of course all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Debbie- :hug:

I had a few NSV. I was making my lunch for work this morning and all of sudden my pants fell down to my ankles. At first I was like WTH?!?! But then I felt good about it. The other is I can fit into my Kenpo Gee again. I haven't fit into in since 2000 after I got out of the hospital. I hope I can get back into classes soon.

:hug: to all

Big John what's this Kenpo Gee? Some sort of martial art uniform? Big LOL about your trousers, hope you had undies on!!!xxxx
Brandnewme, oh I know how you feel but we have to make excuses TO MOVE rather than not to move! Yes, I'm doing the same, feel icky, no exercise today, feel icky, won't do ANYTHING... hugsxxxxx
Dolfin, great to 'see' you again, how are you now? I see you & bf are ok now, I think last time I 'saw' you on 3FC you had split up. Great on guys flirting with you! What op did you have, if you don't mind me asking? xxxxx
Nancy, I saw your pics on the pics page, you look AMAZING!!!! Literally HALF the woman you were! WTG!!!xxxxxx
Annie, I loked at your ticker, you are really kicking those pounds into touch! Your hubby is so cute too! I love bikers, hubby is clean shaven & short haired, his hair grows OUTWARDS (an Afro, his hair is wooly rather than silky)rather than downwards & looks so gay with a beard or 'tache (nothing wrong with gay guys, just don't want a hubby who looks gay). I bet he's so proud of you. Thanks, my toe is just about normal now, no pain unless I'm getting up from the floorxxxxxx
Valerie, how's your beautiful guy, Gabe, not hubby?!! LOL Several of the mums at school have horses & I HATE THEM!!!! lol I feel so sick with jealousy, even one who has TWO Welsh Mountain foals (class'c' I think, for her three kids) I wonder how they afford it when they don't work, they have kids to feed & hubby isn't well paid. Thank God I'll be looking for work after Christmas, though most of my wages will go on doing up our house, I will make sure I get riding once a week at least, though getting some weight off before-hand ought to be a priority for me! Oh & how are you, are you still in the same job?xxxxx
Gotta go & put the washing on the line & other stuff, so
bye for now,
xxxxxsharon
ps Ammi, I keep looking for you on msn, I'm on around 9-11 & 3.30-6.30pm. Hope you are wellxxxxxx

Happy Friday all!

Debbie, I'm so glad your hormones are settling and a good sleep has you feeling better. Feel free to vent ANY time. I might not be able to give myself hugs when I'm down, but I give good comfy/cheery hugs to anyone else who needs em! As much as I hate to admit it, my exercising helps me pull out of sour moods faster. Geeesh, I hate exercising! hehe. If you can do it Debbie, *I* can do it. We are in this together girl!

Brandnew, those are GREAT NSVs!! It's the little things that add up. Taking control of the tiny things will help when talking to the doc about the big things. I hope you get rid of that cold!! I have some allergy issues right now, but they aren't bad enough to take anything for them.

BigJohn.. you ain't so big now!!!! I saw those great pictures! You are very handsome. Yup, I think that now you are in your Gee, it's time to place some classes into your busy work schedule. Gee, I hope you weren't going commando when your britches fell! hehe. Sorry, but that was the first thought that crossed my mind this morning when I read your post. I have no control over my one brain cell before caffeine kicks in.

Sharon, good to see your ISP has you connected 2 days in a row! How are you doing today? Stay off the floor so you don't push on that foot. I had my metatarsal in my right big toe broken and reset in April. I am 95% healed. I can ALMOST wear some cute clogs I bought last year. Nothing makes me happier than new shoes! Interesting, cuz I don't have that many pairs (compared to my other 3 sisters.. hehe).

Time to get to work!

Hugs and Luv to all, especially the lurkers!!!

Ratkity

Voodoo- Yes it is I posted pics up in the picture thread.

Rat- I've been known to run commando :D I did have boxers on.