Story-My husband doesn’t even wear a coat in 30 degree weather, but I look like I’m making an assault on Everest. Who cares how you look as long as you are comfortable enough to get your walking in.
Carol-One of the 7 habits of highly successful weight loss maintainers is to start taking the stairs and parking farther away. They did a survey up here where they put signs up near elevators about which way the stairs are, and found a much larger percentage of people will take the stairs if they simply know where they are.
Zelma-I do miss the sidewalks. It might not seem normal, but I take pride in the little things like keeping house just because I can’t get the pride of doing a job out of the home. I’m not sure I’m ready to give him cooking lessons. I was raised where men folk had no business being in the kitchen. I’m also not the best teacher. I always learned things really fast, and seem to expect everyone else to pick things up just as fast, and that’s unreasonable. My mom was the same way, that’s why she didn’t attempt to teach me to sew. I learned by watching instead. I’m very good in a lecture situation, but trying to teach someone hands on, I’m just grueling.
Angie-Don’t feel bad. I’ve been down for 3 weeks, and I think I eat to cover the pain and boredom. Plus, I just don’t lose weight until I can exercise because my metabolism is just non-existent.
Annie-I can go to the pool as soon as I can walk a block to the bus stop. I’m pretty close. I also need to be able to bend good enough to shave the back of my legs good. I’m going to freak people out walking in there in my bathing suit, so I don’t want them to think I’m an escaped gorilla. My skin is very light and my skin hair is very dark, and very thick, so even if I’m willing to be seen in public in a bathing suit, I have my limits, and don’t even suggest that I let him do it. I’d be worried that he might enjoy it a tad too much, and I draw the line at that kind of weirdness.
Sharon-I wear Hanes Beefy-T’s, and the arms on those are plenty long. You can always buy long sleeved t-shirts, and hem them to the length you want. I knew someone in St. Pete who had had WLS, and had serious saggy skin, and she wore a body suit like a bike rider or runner might wear. She could work out without it flopping around. I read an article not too long ago that lack of physical support in other areas, and not just lack of a good sport’s bra, was one of the things that kept obese individuals from working out long term. I only really need to make sure my swim suit is tight across the shoulders at this point to keep my tummy flab from flopping in the pool too much, but hopefully, there will come a time when I will need more support, and I’m prepared to wear a dive skin under my exercise stuff if necessary.
Judo-don’t worry if you can’t keep up with personals. It takes time. Good job on getting all your ducks in a row. Planning will make just about any endeavor more successful.
Jeanne-I want to go to the candy store too. I am PMSing, and need some chocolate—BAD. At this point I’d eat a chocolate scented candle.
Donna-I did that “I don’t want to get on the scales because A) I don’t want to know, B) I’m sure it is the same as last time, or C) What I don’t know won’t hurt me,” for about 200 pounds. When they stuck me on the scale in the hospital, and I saw that the first number was a 5, I actually got into a shouting match with the nurse. We are only as sick as our secrets. Get on the scale. It won’t kill you.
Johnnie-I am still trying to figure out how he ripped his pants. I mean it would have made more sense if he had torn his parka. The tear was under his coat. I’m visualizing him trying to scratch his back with the ice chopper or something. He is of course clueless. I would have felt the breeze down my backside.
Heather-I spent half my life saying to myself that as soon as I lost weight, I’d do A or B. I was waiting to start my life, even as my life went on without me. I’m so glad that I quit waiting. I’m not where I want to be, or even where I thought I’d be, but by God, I’m not where I was either.
Meta-It is sure hard to get back on the horse. It seems like the longer you are off, the longer it takes until you get past the chewing fingernails point.
I’m starting to walk a few steps without the crutch, but taking it easy and one step at a time literally. I am counting the days until I can get in the pool. I know everything will be easier then, including the recovery. I’m still too scared to venture out onto the ice. I guess there’s no hurry.
Sure enough, I have a cold. I hope it's just a cold and not a full-blown flu. I'm afraid it is flu. Ugh. I want to crawl in bed and stay there for a long time. Luckily, or not so luckily depending on how one views lost needed income, my clients scheduled for tomorrow canceled, so I can sleep in.
I bought a chicken and necessary ingredients for chicken soup, and hope that will cure me quickly.
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Catherine, I'm happy that you are making progress in your ability to walk. I'm sorry to read about your sewing machine. I don't know why it had to break now.
I've met a few other women from your area of the US, and they were all very traditional when it came to gender roles. I must admit the culture is way different in my world, and it's interesting to see how we all think about what's right and proper.
Meta, good for you for working back from the binge. It's hard to come back. I am always shocked at how quickly the body turns into the enemy when we have carefully cultivated its friendship. And every time I start to feel confident about the changes I've made, some challenge comes along to humble me again.
Carol, have a wonderful time on your cruise. You deserve it!
Annie, thank you for your words of support. You have a wonderful way and are a true healer.
Zelma, I love reading your updates and seeing your picture.
Battle-The culture about things is much different here. I have had to explain to him, several times, that he's not to just drop in with people when the house is a wreck. His definition of clean and mine are light years apart. On the positive side, he has never once complained about my housekeeping or cooking. I have learned to tolerate him vacuuming for me, but I still want to do it again after he has left the house. As to the kitchen, it is also a small galley kitchen, and the two of us in there together is just scary. I'm afraid we will get wedged together between the stove and dishwasher, and have to call fire rescue. Wouldn't that look great on the 11o'clock news? "Two behemoths caught in kitchen fetish mystery."
Well, I've decided to stop being silly, follow Battle's lead, and join a dating site. While it would be lovely to connect with someone, it's not something I'm dying for just now. Probably a great, stress free time to try the whole thing! This has required pictures (ahhh!). As I result, I've come out of my cozy Canadian closet and added one of them to my profile here too.
I'm 3 pounds over ticker weight today and I got in a workout earlier. I'm going to try to brave the cold now and go for a wee walk.
Donna: You can do it when you are ready. I know you can. I like Billy Joel a lot and I was laughing about Christie Brinkley. I think most of us look a bit better with make up. lol.
Johnnie: Great job staying positive. 50 pounds is a LOT of weight to be proud of loosing. Try to pick up a 50 pound sack of dog food and carry it around the store without a cart! You'll see and then be proud of yourself again. Hugs.
Heather: Good job with the positive thinking. I really think it helps us to get through the rough patches.
Meta: Hey, keep 2 hands on the wheel as long as you need to! I am so excited that you posted a photo. I will go try to find you after this. Maybe you can post one on your avatar soon. Good luck with the dating. Anyone that snags up you and Battle will be blessed!
Catherine: I can't wait for you to be able to go back to the pool I think you going to the pool will honestly help me to go more steadily. Stupid I know but, hey, that's just my feelings. I was cracking up about the "kitchen fetish". Also. don't worry. Your Dear hubby will learn in a few years not to bring in drop in guests without cheking the status of the "house" first. lol. I know that after 23 years of marriage, Joel sure knows the way to play that game. lol.
Battle: So sorry that you have a cold. I hope it isn't a full on flu bug. I have a bad cold too. I have been sneezing and coughing all day. I am going to take some Tylenol cold meds and hit the hay. It is after all almost 2 a.m. I have been very silly today with my body, not resting enough. I hope you have used your brain better than I have today. Hugs.
I went to a Xmas party last night. The food was incredibly rich and plentiful, as well as the spirits (I don't drink). There was an excellent bluegrass band and the house was festively decorated. This was the boss's boss's boss's party. Much fun was had by all. I ate an appropriate amount of the favorites, but the richness was a bit much for my tummy. Much fun was had by all!
Nancy, I hope you are feeling better about yourself more and more each day. I bounce up and down mentally and there is no rhyme or reason for the roller coaster. I've decided that it's an integral part of this journey and to expect those "emo" periods. The key is to hang in there!! It's a good thing feelings are not facts, and they will eventually change. Your dancing is so wonderful! Keep it up!
Battle and Meta, you both are inspirations. I am slowly becoming female and am not yet at the mental stage where I want to date. Battle, eat some chicken/matza soup!! I heard that cures all colds and flu. I'm guessing your sink catastrophy is over?
Annie, I think of you every time I zip my coat! I bought 2 coats from the London Fog outlet and they were snug in the hips a year ago. Today they are not! I want a small child size left in there one day too. I'll be sad when I can't wear them cuz they are too big, but will remember to be HAPPY for the bizillion other great things with those 2 coats becoming too big. Thanks for the pep talk. OMGosh, amazing how much TOM water weight hangs around. Eight pounds is an entire gallon of water! That's some major tinkling too hehe. At least you know your kidneys still work.
Sandy, I hope the bake sale went well and you made lots of money.
Jeanne, I'm sorry your hubby was so sick for so long. I know him going off to work makes things feel back to normal. Stay Warm!!
Catherine, Himself is an enigma (referring to the mystery hole in his pants). Despite that and his slow learning curve about house rules, he sounds like winner! One day, I'll get one of my own. Meanwhile, I love all your stories. So sorry your motor in your beloved sewing machine flopped. Wow that you can wind it yourself and put new brushes in!
Story, I get the same allergy and lightheadedness symptoms. I'm hoping yours have calmed down some. My mom and I have pvc's (not mitral valve stuff, though). Mine show up when my thyroid meds are off. Mom's show up when she drinks caffeine.
GGG, I hope you had a great bday!! I freak out when that camera comes out, but I have so very limited amounts of pictures of me. You'll regret it in this journey. I'm wishing that your cruise is going fabbo! I want to hear details when you get back.
Zelma, yay for Aussie summer! I know you are sad to leave your little kiddos, but it sounds like they are sad too! I loved all the little notes you got from them and parents. I hope your voice returns so you don't have to lip sync your chorus stuff.
Realist, as I told Nancy.. hang in there. Don't give up. Come back and post often and make yourself accountable!
Sharon, I love your new pictures. I have the flattest straightest hair and would love hair like yours. My nephew is autistic and is going to a new school this year (private). He has made honor roll 2 grading periods in a row!! I had to laugh at the visual of "stick insect" women because it's so true! I used to get coldsores a lot and started taking 500mg of lysine (over the counter vitamin/amino acid). It stops the little virus from replicating and I've dropped my coldsore outbreaks to just 1-2 a year. I don't know if you can get some of that in the UK, but it's been fabulous.
Judo, you are doing great!! Keep up the great work! Don't worry about personals. Just post here often and tell us how we are doing.
Donna, I'm the same way when it comes to the evening. It's so easy to revert to old habits! I'd be so excited about seeing John Edwards too!! Tell us how it went. The holidaze will be over soon.
Johnnie, my goal is to stay the same during these holidays. If I lose, I'd be happier (of course). I'd have to put more effort in not sampling stuff at Xmas parties to do that!!
Heather, I felt exactly the same way about my self-image. At my highest, I was a big blob and concentrated on things I was good at.
Meta, I am trying to learn about IE. Someone once said "Today, I refuse to hurt myself" when referring to a potential binge. I'm trying to incorporate self love stuff and the IE cues. I want to hear about your dating experiment! It's scary and thrilling at the same time.
Hugs and Luv to all! If I missed anyone, please know it wasn't intentional and I appreciate ALL of you lovely people.
Meta- You look lovely in your profile pic. Your blue eyes are very striking. I look at you and cannot imagine that you were ever at your start weight. Good luck on the dating site. I admire you brave ladies!
Not much to report here. I've mostly been lurking for a few days. My eating's been a bit out of control and am trying to reign it in.
Deb – It can be really tough to reign eating back in once it has escaped – especially this time of year.
Ratkity – That is fantastic that you were able to enjoy yourself at the party and eat the right amount. Thanks for the concern. I have been a lot better. It really is a weird thing. I have long known that part of the issue on the way up was that I always felt an equal level of fatness. I always felt huge. That feeling really didn’t change in flavor too much from about 200 – 300 pounds, which in itself is such a weird thing. I guess I am surprised that I am having a similar reaction on the way down, but I am not sure why I am so surprised. I guess part of it is that I felt like I had gotten completely past the point of getting down on myself because of how I look. It is a bit disappointing to know that I haven’t. It also tells me that my body image is still quite skewed. But at least here I know that I am not alone because so many people on this site from a whole range of weights have the same issue. Yes – the important thing is that we keep going and hang on despite the feelings.
Annie – I am so excited for you with how close you are to your 200 pounds lost goal! It is just so fantastic and inspirational!
Meta – You look beautiful in your picture! You have amazing blue eyes (and good choice of shirt color to set them off). That is great that you feel ready to take the plunge into online dating.
Catherine - You have such an amazing way with words that brings whatever you are describing to life. The behemoths in the kitchen had me rolling.
Battle – I hope some rest and some nice chicken soup have helped with the cold. I also swear by those emergen-c packets, although I am not sure how much they really help and how much is in my head.
Heather – I think the thing about having given up caring at my highest weight is a big part of it. Also the reality of how I still feel so fat with how much I have lost. I think part of that is realizing just how much damage I have done to my body and it makes me sad. But you are definitely right – the important part is that we are reclaiming our lives.
Johnnie – I also relax things around the holidays. I have to make sure that I don’t go crazy and eat more than I need because I only allow myself the opportunity on those few days, but I also don’t want the stress of calorie counting when I am trying to relax and enjoy my time with my family.
Donna – The trip to John Edwards was finally here! It seemed like a long time ago when you got your tickets. I would love to hear how it went. I’m sorry to hear you have been struggling lately. It can be really hard when people notice your loss but you don’t feel like you are living up to what they are seeing in you. Don’t make me come over to LI to really beat you with that stick!
Judo – As others have said, definitely don’t worry about personals. I have a Mr. Bento lunchbox and I totally love it. It is great at keeping my portion sizes in line. Did you get Walk Away the Pounds? How did it go? Please join us on the exercise thread and track your minutes. It can be so motivating.
Sharon – I am absolutely dumbfounded at the tiny arm thing. Who the heck is designing these clothes? Definitely not someone who knows any larger women. Good for you to treat yourself to some lovely perfume. I got some recently that I keep forgetting to wear.
Angie – Sorry to hear you have been having back troubles and are struggling. Don’t be disgusted with yourself. You ask why you do this. My reasoning is that eating has been my best and only way to show myself comfort and love. By feeding myself I was trying to do a nice thing but it was the wrong thing and backfired. We need to find other ways to pamper ourselves in times of stress, but don’t be too hard on yourself that you have reverted to this form of comfort.
Zelma – Your students are so sweet! I hope you felt better enough to sing.
Carol – If you are reading this, have a great time on your cruise!!! Sunrises over the water sound divine. We will want some pictures!
Story – I am glad to hear you are feeling better. 30 degrees in SoCal? Ugh! I thought it was supposed to be warm there.
It isn’t warm here either. In fact it is a weird day of mixed snow and rain that looks downright nasty. Luckily my only task for the day is to stay home and clean. My parents are staying over on Christmas Even and Christmas Day and of course I want it to be sparkling when they are here.
I have an NSV that I have been forgetting to mention. I have to use safety pins to cinch in every one of my skirts so that they don’t sag halfway down my hips. Of course I am still wearing some of the clothes that I had at my highest weight (not all, and at my highest they were getting really tight) so it isn’t THAT surprising. I am waiting for the after Christmas sales to hopefully buy myself some new stuff.
I am (mostly) prepped for my audit which starts Monday. I was worried that I would have to work over the weekend, but I ended up getting almost everything done last week. After this week I am going to have some nice time off. I think I will have to go into work on Thursday the 27th to do payroll and check up on things, but other than that I will have off until the 2nd. I am not sure yet what I am going to do with the time, except that I hope to take some extra classes when I can.
Ratkitten: so glad that you had fun at the party. Great job eating only what your body needed/wanted. LOL on the tinkling thing. Congrats on the coats getting too big. I sometimes zip my coats up and just sigh at how far I have come. I can remember the frustration I had when I purchased my coats from Lane Bryant Catalog because no store had one big enough for me only to get it out of the box and it still is too small. It is such a nice feeling.
Deb: Hugs. It sure is difficult to get back on track. I remember it so well. I know you can do it Deb. Hang tough and take one day at a time.
Nancy: Yeah for your skirts getting too big. That is so great. I have 3 of them that are doing that on me right now. I do like the skirts and wish I had Catherine's know how to sew them a bit more tightly down the seams or something without messings them up. I think that in 16 more pounds when I get out of the 300's I will go through all my clothes on a Saturday again and put the ones that are just too large into a give away pile. Hopefully by that time some of the things that I have in my closet that other people have given me will be just right then.
Well, I finally had a smashing of the 2 scales party for myself today. I used a hammer and a pair of safety glasses and smashed those two scales that I had to use for the past 3 or 4 years. It felt so freeing to know that I will not hve to use 2 scales to weigh myself on ever again. My DH took some photos of me doing it so I will post them later this week. I hope you all have a wonderful op, water filled week. For those of you who are catching flu bugs and such, hugs and drink extra water.
Annie -- Breaking those 2 scales! Talk about a victory!! What a great way to celebrate! And get in a workout too!
I well remember ordering clothes online in the largest sizes made only to find them too small. That was one of the factors that led me to start down this road... Never again I say.
Just wanted to say thank you for those of you who asked where I was/how I was doing. Things have been all over the place for the last several months, but I think they are mostly settling down at this point. We are waiting on some test results for my dad that may or may not change everything, but at this point, I know there are absolutely no guarantees and I am trying to stay positive rather than stew over it. Whatever happens will happen, ready or not.
My weight loss is still where it was a couple months ago - going nowhere. Still trying to get my synthroid dosage right, and have had to up it again. I feel a lot better most days, but there are still some days where I am just downright exhausted and not functioning well. Plus the winter really hurts me, and some days it literally brings me to tears when I try to get up and around. I'm not entirely sure what I did (or didn't do for that matter), but I have had a lot of pain in my left shoulder and in my tailbone, in addition to the pain in my ankle & my hips. I worry that I may have the same nerve disorder that my dad has, but at this point, I fear it is more a paranoia issue than a real consideration.
I started work again the 26th of November. I love it. The pay isn't that great, but it's a job and it's something I feel I am meant to do. I have to start somewhere, so this is as good of a place as any. I had to miss three days last week due to not being able to get up and around.. guess I am going to have to start doing more preventative treatments and see where that gets me.
Anyhow, hate to sound like such a downer because I'm really not feeling that down in the dumps. Despite the issues, I am still managing to hold it together, and that's all I can ask right now. One step at a time.. as long as I can take that step I will be okay. Hope everyone is well, and I will try to stop in more often. Take care.
You have such an amazing way with words that brings whatever you are describing to life. The behemoths in the kitchen had me rolling.
