Good Morning all,

Walrus: I say go for it and it sounds like a few ladies here would be interested. Who knows, maybe I'll do it with you guys.

Xena: Hi girl. Huge hugs and welcome back. Okay, you've heard it all throughout but you absolutely deserve it. If I could afford meals like that I would sooooo do it. You go girl. Do all that you want to do.

Debbie: Great job exercising. Sorry you were board. I felt board last night too. lol. I think the sudden clouds again are getting me blue.

Sharon: Hi. Have fun in your class.

Heather: I'm so happy that you are going to scuba dive. I can't wait until you come back and tell us about your adventure! Thanks for all you do here for us. Just want you to know that I sooo appreciate you and all of your hard work.

Carol: Yipee! Congrats on getting down another 1.25 pounds. I am up 2 pounds today. I wish that HeatherDW were here to see that we all go through ups and downs and you just have to be patient and keep trying. Hugs.

Julee: hope that car is fixed soon once and for all.

Well, I am getting some of my braces off today! I can't wait. They are taking molds of my mouth for my retainer. I don't have any braces on my bottom teeth, just top but I am soooo ready for them to come off. I think by the end of May they will be all gone! Hope everyone has a wonderful op, water drinking butt moving day. I know that I am going to up my water. I ate low cal popcorn last night and I think that is why I'm up today.

Blessings all,
Annie

Julee,TOM???What's that? ;)lol, normally I can manage or at least do 'damage limitation' but this time there's no TOM, no sore boobs, nothing, apart from a bloated tummy and the runs. At least I'm not pregnant, at my age, weight & medical history it could be serious. Yep, I really need to drink more water, I find it so hard when the weather is cold, as soon as it warms up it gets easier. thanks:hug:xxxxxx
Ratkitten, good for you! When you're biking as long as you're comfy & safe no one should be able to say you're too big to wear spandex! It isn't like you're mincing around in a spandex mini-skirt, high heels and crop top is it?lol;) You're being 'sporty' and looking the part.xxxxx
Writing class went well & I have two or three ideas for new stories..now to get on with them.lol
xxxxsharon:hug:

I'm still in a holding pattern with the doctor, waiting on blood test results. I saw two doctors yesterday, and will see two next Monday too. I really hate doctors. If they don't let me go back to the pool soon, I'm not going to have the strength to when they do release me.

Hello Chicks!

The sun is out, humidity is down and I'm feeling sooooo much better.

Bernice - Belated :bday2you: Loved your pictures, looked like your were having a great time. And down 1 also....WTG

Debi - Glad to hear your hubby is calmer. Good job on your weight with TOM and all the other stresses you have in your life right now. Hope all your little seeds survived the frost last night.

Catherine - Sorry about the holding pattern with the doctors. Isn't it irritating waiting for test results.

Annie - How wonderful all the job choices you have and less than 100 lbs to goal!! Couldn't happen to a more deserving gal. Great news that the braces are starting to come off.

Julee - Temps close to 100 and no a/c....Yikes!! But is sounds like the day chasing the a/c turned out to be a really good day.

Battle - Your new pics are wonderful...how beautiful you look!

Anne - Did you get that indoor stuff done. I really don't like housework, but then again who does, just one of those necessities in life.

Rat aka "Biker Chick" - Hope your weather is better today so you can get a ride in.

Xena - Welcome Back. With your schedule you definitely deserve those delivered meals. I agree with Carol in that in the long run those meals won't cost much more than fast food and so much better for you. Follow your new mantra and be good to yourself.

Carol - Great news on the -1.25...celebrate yourself, my friend.

Walrus - I didn't sign up for TBL challenge but I also might join in with the people here.

For all those I missed :hug: and I hope everyone is having a great OP, water drinking, body moving day.

Argh - it's such a beautiful sunny day out. Too bad that it's freaking cold out. Okay, it's not snow cold, but still - not warm enough. I was outside earlier and if you find the right spot on the patio and there's no wind you could almost forget that it's less than 50F (<10C). And no, I haven't really done much cleaning today. I've just been playing around on the computer, although I have done 60 mins on the treadmill but now I'm procrastinating on the last 30 mins.

Anyway, hope everyone is having a good on plan day!

Carol, good news on the 1.25 lbs gone. You're doing really well!!

Ratkity, I didn't realize you've been biking that long!! You are truly a BikerChick!!

Lauren, so do I! Mine's just too unpredictable.

Annie, We have sunbreaks and then a downpour, so you can be happy and blue all at the same time....I'm feeling the same way. Just that little exercise yesterday and I hurt. I plan on doing DDR today and then weights later. I had popcorn and cashews last night so I've got to up my water too. TOM just totally screws with me!

Anne, have you heard of the C25K routine? I checked it out and it looks pretty interesting. I think you said that you were incorporating jogging into you routine. This takes you from a couch potato to a 5K runner in a short period. When I get better at it, I think I might try it out.

Not much else is going on here. I did join the BL challenge for our thread though. Now just to get the scale moving down again.
Hope everyone is having a great day !
Debbie

Hi everyone,

I'm having a frustrating day, with waiting for important matters to sort out and feeling very stressed. I'm not going to overeat, and I am going to find some time to take a good long walk to try and release some of my anxiety and frustration. As it is I am 6 lbs. over ticker weight, and it's real weight, not a temporary, salt-induced blip. It's still a result of the bad week I had a little while ago. Anyone who tells you 3500 calories equals a lb. is not living in a body that wants to be morbidly obese.

Have a great day everyone. Stay the course.

Sharon...if plain water isn't doing it for you, try some of the flavored zero-calorie water mix ins...or drink tea. Tea is water. On days when I cannot stand the taste of water anymore I reach fo iced or hot tea. Thats helps me out a lot.

Cross your fingers..the car is supposed to be ready in about an hour!!!

Xena, it is nice to see you. I can relate to a lot of what you said.

When I was going for my MBA and working full-time, I let go of absolutely every nonessential task I could think of. I spent every precious free minute taking care of myself by resting, going out with friends, spending it with the then-DH, or doing something fun alone--not on more work or chores. I just put one foot in front of the other because I made the commitment to finally complete my schooling, for myself (the third try was the charm).

If the meal delivery enables you to eat nutritious food where you would eat poorly otherwise, go for it without guilt. Your health is very, very important, and whatever you can do to support it with your busy schedule is worth the cost.

I think it's great that you are looking at your life and asking who you're living it for. Obviously, trying to meet some ever-out-of-reach standard of perfection in productivity, or measure du jour, is not making you happy. This is an area I am familiar with, and one I have, for the most part, successfully reworked for myself. The shoulds can kill you.

Good luck, and I hope you are as gentle with yourself as possible.

Hi all,

Back braces are off. It feels weird after a year and a half to have them gone but it feels wonderful. I went and got a pedicure for reaching my last goal. It felt heavenly. I went someplace other than the school and what a difference. I feel like a princess and my feet look so good you could kiss them at the very least. lol. I picked out a orangy/red summer color that makes me look way more tan than my skin is. I got a manicure too and that also felt wonderful. I got a call from the county and they want me to come back in on Thursday to talk to her in the morning. I said I would. I am really thinking hard on taking a job if they offer it to me. I know it is the county and the benefits are good but, it is doing pretty much the same thing I was before and I just think it is too depressing to hear all the depressing stories etc. I want to have a happier job. That is so selfish of me but do feel that way about things right now. I am leaning more and more at keeping the job at the insurance company and giving it my all. Like I said, I will keep all doors open and go to the interview on Thursday at Salvation ARmy and 2nd interview with county. I feel a lot more positive about financial things now knowing I will be bringing in a paycheck again starting on the 2nd Friday of May. I get paid weekly at the insurance job so, that will be so helpful.

Sharon: I hope you have fun writing you short stories. Hope TOm comes to call soon.

Catherine: Hugs. Sorry the Dr is not releasing you when you want him/her to.

Johnnie: I am so happy to have my braces off. I get the rest of them off on June 10th. It is a long way away but, 2 days later on the 12th I am going to see my sisters so It should be an added plus to have them off by them.

Anne: sorry it is getting cold there. It actually is a lot cooler here too and they are saying it may......SN....ooooooow again this week. UGH!

Debbie: Did you see what I told Anne about the snow? Ugh. I hope your weather clears up soon and then you can share. lol.

Battle: Hugs to you on all the stress you are feeling right now. Hang in there sweetie.

Well, Hope you all have a nice evening. I am going to group therapy for weight loss surgery tonight. Hope it is a good one. I need to go feed my doggies and get giong now.

Blessings all,
Annie

Hi everyone. Just popping on for a quick minute between work and studying for my Econ final, which is on Thursday. After that, I have my Finance final next Tuesday and then I have 3 blissful weeks off!!!! I can't wait.

Ratkitten - Your comment about not posting and isolating yourself....I never really thought of it that way before, but as someone just coming back to the board I totally get it. In "real life" I don't really have anyone that understands what it's like to be morbidly obese and to try to lose alot of weight. It definitely can feel lonely and so I am glad this place is here for all of us.


JuleeCees - Yep, punishing ourselves without knowing it is exactly what we do sometimes. I had a therapist ask me that question once regarding binge eating....why are you punishing yourself? I don't think I ever really answered that question.

Sharon - I really admire the creative streak that you have with your writing. I admire anyone who can do creative things. Being an accountant, I am more of a numbers person and feel pretty lacking in the creativity department. Maybe one of these days you will share one of your stories with us?? Hint, hint....:)

Battle - I really appreciate your sharing your MBA experience...how you let go of non-essential tasks. I don't think I really anticipated how much going back to school would change my lifestyle! How long did it take you to complete your degree? I'd love to hear more about your experience if you ever have the time or inclination to share it.

Annie - Yay for getting the braces off! Sounds like you are in high demand on the job front. It's great that you have options so will be able to choose something that makes you happiest.

OK, I better get to studying. There is still some daylight outside and the weather's nice so I think I will sit outside and do some of my studying there for awhile.

Take care, everyone. :grouphug:

Hello all,

I hope you don't mind if I slink back after a year (or more...I can't remember!) away. After having successfully lost 35lbs, somehow or another I lost my focus and gained all of it back, plus an additional 10lbs for good measure. I'm not even sure why; life is as stressful as it has always been. I did get a new job, but teaching high school students seems to be the same, regardless of the school.

So, I'm starting over yet again and hope to lose a good 40lbs by the next school year. I'm hoping Walrus's Biggest Loser competition will help keep me motivated. I wanted to join the Biggest Loser competition at my new high school, but just didn't want my coworkers to know my weight.

BattleAx, I totally agree with the statement about 3500 calories = 1lb. Sometimes it seems like just an additional 2000 calories = 2lb gain. Maybe it has to do with how many carbs vs protein or fat the calories are? I'm not sure, but I have definitely noticed that trend as well.

Anyway, I've never been an excessive poster, but wanted to come back out of lurk mode and say hello.

Hey Peeps - another busy day here with you all.

Annie - have I said how proud I am of you? Thanks for the nice comments. I actually was able to achieve 1000 minutes of exercise in April - I don't set a goal because when I don't reach a date/loss/etc goal it throws me in a tailspin. Slow and steady.

Catherine - any test results yet?

Sharon - you can join me on the other side of menopause any time you want - do not miss it at all. Sometimes I can't believe it's been so long. Any new stories to share?

Jen - welcome back. I wasn't here when you were before but please keep posting. I look forward to getting to know you.

Battle - did your day settle down? Hugs to you.

Xena - can you send some warm weather our way - please. Glad you were able to get some fresh air combining it with studying. Do you have plans for the 3 week break? I hope not too much.

Debbie - glad to see you joined Walrus' challenge too. I meant to ask - did you buy any bulbs the other day?

Debi - how's your day? Warm enough to take the kids outside to play?

Julee - hope all if taken care of with the car now. I did buy fit flops - and ended up buying a pair for two of my nieces too. They were so comfortable the minute I put them on - kinda justified the cost for casual flip flops.

When I went to workout tonight I was warming up on the treadmill before circuit training. The next thing I knew I was at 2.5 miles - I went on and did a 5k - yes, I'm still glowing. Thinking back less than 4 months ago when I started exercising I never would have imagined I would have progressed to this point - especially still weighing near 300 pounds.

Hugs to everyone - smile,
Carol

I know it has been a couple of long weeks since I have checked in here. But I am down 6 lbs. in that time. Only 7 lbs away from 50 lb. loss goal. Not sure what the goal will be yet though. I cannot begin to try and catch up on everyone. I just pray you have all been doing well. I am getting closer to being off of full time 6 days a week work. This Friday will be my last full day and then on Monday the office transfer. So I am kind of looking forward to the summer off and only filling in some. Paychecks will be smaller but I will just have to survive. Getting anxious to camp and ride bike. I don't have it out of the shed yet. Husband and kids picked out a dog this past weekend so yeah! It will still new to the girls so they are walking him. I know it won't last, so I am preparing myself ahead of time. HA! HA! Since I won't have the hours at work, ya think I need something else!!!! Like my schedule is not busy enough running. You would think I would be thin as a toothpick! Anyway I need to do better at getting my water in as these past couple weeks I have been bad about it. And I haven't worked out at the Y much either. I am so out of the loop of it. I MUST get back doing it. Any suggestions would help. Thanks for all the support! Penny

Taking a brief study break....

Carol - My only plan for my 3 weeks off is to spend my evenings reading for pleasure instead of reading to study. I plan to read "The Other Boleyn Girl". A friend of mine read it and her review of it was "It's SAUCY!!!!" :lol: I've been intrigued ever since! Kudos on the 5K on the treadmill. Making gains in what you can do in terms of exercise always feels great!

Jen - Welcome back. I just returned to the boards myself after a month or two away.

Penny - Hiya, I don't think I've "met" you before. I noticed you are from Iowa. Me too, originally. Grew up there and went to college there (Go Cyclones!). But I have lived in TX since 1995. My family is still in Iowa so I go up there at least once a year, generally around the holidays.


OK, back to the books. Have a great evening everyone.