G'afternoon my Peeps,

BikerChick was determined to go out and ride today. The lawn was mowed and most of the chores done. Then TOM appeared. Undeterred, she took 2 midol, donned her spandex and was off!

I managed 45 min of riding (about 8.7 miles). Dang that TOM! I definitely feel weaker than last season at this time. Still, it was good to get outside, soak up some rays and look for psychosquirrels.

I feel like I'm crawling out of a black hole. My eating hasn't improved and I'm lucky to be maintaining. Yesterday, I bought some salad stuff and then actually ate one last night instead of letting it rot in the frig! Baby steps :)

Hugs to all my chickies and roosters! Yay for bike rides, getting outside, walking, doing Home Depot runs and just hanging in there despite life. I lubs you all.

Luv,
Ratkity

Hey the darlin's,

Good Sunday to ya all. I feel great and empowered today, I made it to church this morning and it was a wonderful service, all the things I needed to hear and now put into action.

I am excited, yesterday I bought two new dresses and cannot wait to wear them, also Rat has made me soooo happy, I think I have found the trike that I want thanks to her. Love you Ratkity. And heres cheers to you for your bike ride today over eight miles, I would have been sitting on the crub calling a cab to pick me up. LOL What an inspiration you are.

Hope everyone else is having a blessed day. See you dolls later.

Ags

Hi ladies,

It has been 5 weeks of being in the same 5 lb range. I keep going up and down within this 5 lb range and it's making me crazy. I have had many OP days, and a smattering of bad days, but overall I have been eating less and moving more. This week has been 6 days of POP and 1 day not so great, but not a huge binge at all. I have been meeting my exercise goals. Normally I allow some slack with exercise during my TOM week because I get really sick, but not this time--I kept to my exercise schedule anyway.

I know my pattern is to stay stuck for a few weeks and have a good whoosh, but for crying out loud I didn't expect to be in this situation only worse than ever while being this high in weight. I will just keep on keeping on and if my whoosh doesn't come within a couple of weeks I'll look at some changes. Today I was feeling discouraged and got that what's-the-use attitude, but instead of giving in I went for my walk anyway and stayed with my eating plan.

So I have those slightly too small new clothes in my closet. I wonder when they will fit. I thought a 10 lbs. loss should do it and by now I'd be wearing them regularly. Maybe next year?

Thanks for listening to the whine. No one said this would be easy or fair.

Catwuv: I know for me, being able to enjoy outings and keep up with others on trips is a big motivator. It is at those times when I realize how much of life I am either living or not living depending on my weight and stamina.

Cyn: Please don't blame yourself for your doctor not taking your complaints seriously enough because you are overweight. It makes me so angry how often larger people are brushed off by doctors. In any case, it sounds like you are finally getting some answers and will get the care you need.

Annie: Thank you for the prayers on my job interviews. May I return them for you. Good luck tomorrow.

Sharon: I hope you are feeling better today.

Rat: Good job on going out for a bike ride when you had a good excuse not to. Thumbs up!

Ags: You are sounding so positive. Enjoy your new dresses. I've made a vow to buy some dresses too. I usually only wear pants.

Kayley..welcome back!! PM me with your online store!!!!

Today I went to my brothers and him and I took my two boys and our niece to the mall. I HATE the mall! I am even an 80's child that grew up in malls but have sence hated it! BUT today was fun. Zoe my niece wanted to ride the carosel so my brother took her on it. It brought me such joy to see her smile and laughing. She is 2. We got a good bit of exercise in too! Then we went to my sisters house and just chatted for a bit. For the first time in months I allowed myself to smile!! It really felt great!

Cyn, you have every right to be angry with your Doc! I will tell you that on Christmas Eve, after feeling lousy for WEEKS...sleeping 12 plus hours a day and still being exhausted, I nearly passed out at Macy's. I *knew* my thyroid meds levels were OFF and I needed a new prescription with a different dosage. I told my doc that I had been eating ON PLAN and within my calorie range to lose and I was GAINING. Of course, she did not believe me...heck...I was nearly 330 lbs! She figured I was not being truthful and looking for a quick fix. I was NOT! I just wanted to feel NORMAL again.

Well, let me tell you, I got a VERY apologetic phone call that very night when my labs came back saying my levels had tripled and it was a wonder that I could even get out of bed. She now takes me very seriously when I say things are not feeling right. Your thyroid being off can produce the symptoms you are having... I hope you get it straightened out. Good Luck!