300+ And Ready To Try Again #1027
 

:welcome:

We are a group of individuals who weigh or have weighed 300+, or near there. This group was formed to provide a place for others like us to find support and hope. We are aware of the distinct problems that come with weighing over 300 lbs.

We want to invite everyone to join us in our journey.
We share laughter and tears.
We share what works for us and what doesn't.
We often use a "Topic of the Day" for discussion.

Motivational Monday
Tuesday Tips
Wednesday Wish List...and what you are doing to obtain it.
Thankful Thursday
FUN Friday...don't wait until you lose your weight.
Sit-up Saturdays - any physical activity
Share Your Success Sunday

These are not required topics...just ideas to share. We often find them very helpful. We also share heartaches and fears...joys and celebrations.

We have several extra threads going on simutaneously such as Monthly Challenges, Weekly Weigh-ins, Recipes, Bios, and more. Please feel free to check them all out.

We have found this thread to be more than just a support group...
we have found it to become a home. We invite you to join us.

WELCOME!

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Melissa – I am SO impressed! That is a LONG walk. I certainly know how you feel when you finished it though. The sense of accomplishment is great huh? You are certainly taking chunks out of your exercise goal for this month.
Just read your latest post and you have been walking again! You must be feeling SO good about yourself! I am glad you were able to get some healthy food, so now you are on track in ALL areas. 5 hours is a long time to be on your feet. I have had a couple of days like that lately and I felt wonderful afterwards, but definitely ready for a rest afterwards.

Ammi – I had to chuckle at the picture of you kicking up and over Beth while she slept. That would make a great cartoon with the caption “Committed… or SHOULD be committed”. I’m sure you are a long way from the “Funny Farm”, so you are obviously just “committed”. I hope Beth is back to feeling 100% soon. Oh, and about that sore throat thing and not having tonsils. I have had a couple of colds this year and both times I felt as though I was swallowing razor blades. My throat ached too, but it wasn’t my tonsils (I still have mine), it was a different pain, but still painful enough. I don’t doubt at all that Beth has a very sore throat, but it isn’t her tonsils. It probably feels in the same area, but I know mine wasn’t my tonsils. I got a prescription for antibiotics, which I don’t normally get when I have a cold, but the doctor said that if I coughed up any more ‘gunk’ then I should fill it. Well, with having the Sydney trip ahead, I spoke to the pharmacist about it and she said that with the description I gave her of what I was coughing up (sorry to people who may be eating) I should fill it. So I did, and I am VERY glad I did. I am sure that the last time I had this it hung around for ages, but (touch wood) this time I seem to have pretty much thrown it. I’m still a little congested, but I think that is allergies as much as left-over cold.
Oh, what chance do you think you’ll have of Beth’s dad not smoking while she is in the same room? Is he considerate about things like that when they concern Beth? I know she will miss seeing her boyfriend if she doesn’t go, so it may be hard keeping her home for the weekend.

Valerie – I’m sorry that you didn’t pass that driving test (well, you may have passed, but I understand that you want to pass with flying colours). I hope you find a truck to practice on. It doesn’t sound as though you will need to do much time on it. It is a pity that the guy you did the test with couldn’t let you practice in one of theirs.
I understand you on the bus driving thing. I love teaching my kids, but I am not sure I would like to be cooped up with a lot of them, in a miniature “hormone city” at times, for hours on end. I think bus drivers must have the patience of a saint.
It is SO wonderful to hear that you rode again today, even if it was just for a little while. I can ‘feel’ your smile from here. You may have felt as though you were a little ‘rusty’, but I still know what a thrill that would have been for you. Cleaning those stables would have been a wonderful workout. You would be using muscles that you wouldn’t normally use in a regular workout, so that would be great.
Brown sugar in meatloaf… ummm… Not sure I would like that, but I suppose I shouldn’t say anything until I’ve tried it. I have become quite ‘bland’ in my tastes lately, so just plain meatloaf would be fine for me I think.

Vicki – Speaking of saints! (the bus driving kind) Good luck with the driving tests. You are obviously one of those people who are a lot calmer when driving than I am. I tend to get a little worked up at times and I would worry that a choice word or two would escape and the kids would hear.
Well done on those scales moving down again. What a relief for you. Oh, and don’t worry about not being able to exercise. You have to do the best you can, with what you have, and if that means focusing on eating, and sneaking in exercise whenever you can, then that is great. At least you are making some changes in your life, and they will certainly pay off.

Patti – I am glad you waited a while before exercising with a migraine. I wouldn’t imagine it would be too much fun to exercise with a full-blown migraine. You take care of yourself young lady!!! Even exercising with ANY kind of pain in the head may not be the best of ideas.

Amanda – I’m glad you enjoyed the water aerobics so much. I have heard that they are a great workout. I wish I was game enough to wear bathers. Well, maybe I would be able to find something to cover up the wrinkly bits, but I am also not a ‘public’ exerciser. Well, I’m not into gyms, and I kinda like using my own things at home, or walking with hubby. I think I like the ease of it all. Not having to plan things around other people’s times, or getting too organized to go. With doing things at home I can simply wear the bare essentials, and just get up and go. Oh well… I DO really like the sound of doing water aerobics. I may have to reconsider my mindset on that one. I wish I had enough money (and room in the back yard) for our own pool. I would just put the music on and dance around to my heart’s content.

Valerie – Thank you for reminding me to focus on what is great in my life, not what is currently being a pain in the butt. I am going to try to do that as my weekly goal. Each day I want to find something I like about myself and something I like about my life. I want to write these down, so I can remind myself of them any time I get down about something. I know I could fill a book with things I like about my life, but I am going to have to work on the list of things I like about myself. I have spent SO long not liking stuff, that it could take a bit of training to find things I truly like.
I will keep my fingers crossed for you that you see at LEAST a drop to 275 this weigh-in.
It is great that you are cheering about exercising. I remember the feeling I got when I realized that I was actually ENJOYING exercising, rather than just forcing myself to do it. It was a miraculous discovery. Take today for example. I never used to consider walking anywhere, but I am SO looking forward to walking 40 minutes to a local teacher supply store. I was worried that the weather would turn bad or something like that, but all looks fine at the moment, so I am really happy. What a turn of events. That is when you KNOW you are getting somewhere.

Nancy – Kickboxing! I have thought of doing that. Well I have thought of getting a DVD and trying that. Is it hard to get the moves right, or do you just have to kick, punch and make a lot of noise. It looks as though it would be a great workout.
I am sure you will get some sponsors for your walk. Can you send your sponsor form around work, or have other people beaten you to it? I can’t remember if you work with lots of people, or just a few… or even if you work on your own from home. Pathetic memory I have huh? Good luck with getting some sponsors though.
OH… I understand you TOTALLY on being able to pass up food and feeling so unemotional about it. I LOVE that feeling. It isn’t regret, or ‘poor me’, or anything like that. It is simply “I can’t have that, it wouldn’t be good for me”. Very simple and SO enlightening. Good for you to have reached that point. I may have to warn you that it doesn’t always happen. For a while there I still had moments where I thought “Why can’t I have that. Other people can!” But those moments are extremely few and far between now, as I can see the benefits of NOT having those foods.

Luan – I am glad you are in such a positive mindset about the whole ‘relationship’ thing. I know you will still feel a sense of loss for ‘what could have been’, but that will soon pass and hopefully you may still be able to restore the friendship with him (If that is what you want). It seems weird that he hasn’t answered your email, but maybe he has other things on his plate that are stopping him from doing so. It may have nothing to do with you, but I know that it would be hard to not take it personally.
I hope you still manage to have a great time at the Halloween party. There is no reason for YOU to miss out on the fun just because he is being a pain in the butt.
Just read your latest post. Is this guy dumb or what??? I know… he can’t be too bad, or you wouldn’t like him so much, but he sure is acting dumb lately. He needs a bit of a wakeup call I think.

Misti – About that ‘dip’ in your neck. I didn’t even realise that it was anything out of the ordinary, because I have an indentation just like it at the base of my neck/throat. I just figured that we had matching dents. I’ve only noticed mine since I lost weight, so yours may show up a little more now too, but it certainly doesn’t look ‘different’. I quite like mine because it makes me feel skinnier as more dents and bumps show up.
Thank you for the compliments about the TV show. I thought I came across pretty well, and I don’t think the camera added too many pounds. Oh, and thank you for the comment about the kids. They truly are a special group of children. I actually enjoy spending my days with them. Not that I also don’t enjoy holidays!LOL

Michelle – I know how frustrating it can be when you want to exercise and you can’t, but believe me, it is better to look after yourself and get better than just push on and make things worse.
Sorry to hear about the melanoma scare. You never know, things could be fine, but at least your doctor is observant and may have caught them early enough. I had a skin cancer removed earlier in the year and I know the chill that goes down your back when you first hear that it is cancer. The doctor said that she removed it all, but it is a rare form of cancer and could grow back at any time, so I have to go for regular checks. You would think that this would scare me into having a full body check, but I haven’t done that yet. Living in a country that has a very high rate of skin cancers, you would think I would have had myself checked before, but the thought of having someone looking at every square inch of my skin is NOT appealing. It isn’t as bad now, but I’m still not keen on the idea. Most people I have heard of over here, in fact EVERYONE I know who has had skin cancers removed, have been given a clean bill of health afterwards. They DO get checked regularly though, as once you have one of those, it is common for more to be found, from what I understand. I think it is great that your doctor is so observant. Good luck with the specialist appointment.

Amy – I hate to say it, but you were SUCH a convincing punk that I probably would have avoided you if I saw you in the street. Scary! You did an excellent job.
I think you did a great thing getting the toast and peanut butter. Peanut butter is a comfort food for me and it is what I crave when TOM comes visiting. The whole grain toast and PB shouldn’t be a problem at all. Good choices! I’m glad it made you feel better. I hope all is well for your apartment hunting tomorrow. How exciting for you! I can’t wait to hear which one you choose and to get a description of it. You must be getting so excited about being so close to Nat. I am sure he is excited too, but he may not be as expressive as we women.
I’m sure you will make the best choices you can while you are away. You will have to convince Nat’s dad to learn to make healthier yummy things while you are there. He obviously likes cooking, now you just have to educate him in WHAT to cook so you can indulge, whilst not overdoing things too much.
I think your dinner sounds just fine! Nothing bad that I can see, although I’m not sure what cheetos are, so maybe they are not too good. Otherwise, I think you did pretty well.

Katt – Well done on the 30lbs down!!!!!! You are going SO well! I am amazed at the late nights you have. I have always been a morning person, so I am usually asleep before 10pm and then up around 5:30am. Even during the holidays my body clock just doesn’t want me to sleep in until 6am. I tried to convince it this morning, but I really just kidded myself and lay around for half an hour before getting out of bed. A waste of time really, but hey…
You know what? You’re right! I was feeling guilty about the magazine paying for me to go to Sydney (twice) and for the makeover etc, but I KNOW they are going to get extra sales by having my story in their magazine, and I KNOW they will get extra sales from the publicity I have been getting. So, I haven’t LOST them sales/money. And, as you said, the expenses they would have spent on me would be a drop in the water out of their budget. Thank you for making me think about that. I think I will just stop feeling guilty now and just get on with things. They are not worth worrying about any more.
Sorry about your horrible weather. I have been VERY impressed with our Spring weather lately. I shouldn’t speak too soon, as I know we are going to be getting some wet weather over the next week or so, but there are going to be some beautiful days mixed in there as well. The last few days have been sitting around 25C/75F and next Monday we are expecting 30C/85F. That will be wonderful. I have been hanging out for some warmer weather since I lost all my insulation. I hope you get some warmer weather soon, but not TOO warm. Problem is, we desperately need the rain too, so I suppose it is OK that there will be some wet days mixed in with the fine ones.

Kim – Well done on having less than 200lbs to lose! What a buzz it must have been for you to realise that. It makes all of the hard work worthwhile when you get to see milestones like that.
TOM arriving would certainly account for why you had a couple of extra things to nibble today. Well, it would make sense to ME anyway. I definitely get cravings when TOM is visiting. I usually crave peanut butter with something, so I try to make sure I have some with me. You certainly didn’t do too badly at all, and should be proud of yourself for the restraint you showed.
I hope your cramps will be gone by the morning so you can exercise comfortably. Well, I suppose I should be hoping for the cramps to be gone so you can get some sleep. Oh well… I hope they are gone… full stop!

Newsnerd – I hope you are feeling 100% soon. It is no fun at all when you are feeling sick and can’t do the basic things in life, let alone any extras that are usually demanded of you. I hope you have been able to fully rest and have someone who can pamper you while you are sick. If not, then I at least hope that you don’t have other people that YOU have to pamper while you are sick. I look forward to seeing more of you when you are up to it.

Sabrosaindia – Oh! I want to more about the new love in your life!!!!! I love LOVE STORIES! I know I’m just being nosey, but I love hearing about people who have met someone special. I never believed in ‘fate’ or ‘soul mates’ until I met my second husband. Now I just want everyone else to be as happy as I am. Well… unless he is being a pain in the butt… but that isn’t TOO often.
I also can’t wait to hear about your new job. I hope all works out REALLY well with that.
I am glad you are getting inspiration from coming here. I truly wish that I had found this site when I just started out on my journey, but I am just glad that I DID find it, as I am still getting so much support, encouragement and great advice from the people here.

Well, that could be about it for me. I think I have answered all of those people I could remember, but if I missed you, then just yell at me and tell me to get my act together. I am on holidays at the moment and believe me, my brain is definitely well settled into holiday mode. I have to think twice to work out what day it is, let alone what I am actually supposed to be doing each day. Hubby asked me when I was meeting with the other grade 2 teachers yesterday and I had totally forgotten that we were meeting. Thankfully hubby was awake!

I hope you are all having a wonderful week so far and that Friday will treat you all well.

Take care,:hug:

Zelma

Hey everyone~I am up late here. The wind and snow is really heavy right now. I wanted to go out and see if I could see the northern lights...but I wasn't so brave in 45 mph winds and blowing snow! :lol:

LUAN~Thanks for sharing about the flu shot. You know most people I know that get it has gotten really sick. One year my mom got so sick that she had to go to the hospital..they asked what was wrong and she was like UM I got the flu shot! As far as the scale..I know what ya mean for sure. My weight varies so much in just a few days so I really can drive myself crazy! :dizzy:

ZELMA~Sorry you had to go through all that. And thanks for sharing that link again. You are a winner no matter what! :hug:

NIGHTKATT~Sounds like you are doing great on getting exercise! Congrats on the 2.2 pounds. You are doing so great! :cp:

Patti~Glad you are feeling better. That is cool you used to live in Alaska. I see you live in MS now. I used to live in Louisiana. Extreme difference up here compared to the south. I can't believe its still in the 90s plus down there!

Melissa~Sounds like you are doing great with working out and staying OP. Subway...I miss subway! :lol:

Valerie~Yes its great seeing any results. I usually notice it in my face and ankles/feet first. I think that is where I hold most of the water weight. The DR. told me just to worry about my eating. And of course I can still do my 5 lbs lifting. Better than nothing! I do it sitting down though. I love Grey's Anatomy.....it sucks you in and you just have to see what happens next. That is too funny your friend cancelling her date! I proably would have done that also!:D

KIM~Thanks...and like you said at least I have a doctor that is alert and willing to really help me. I have had some bad DRs in the past. But I am happy that at least he pointed it out to me. The hiding the scale thing was so funny. But at least I am not driving myself nuts every few days!

NEWSHERD~I hope you are feeling better soon!

Violet~ I LOVE LOST! I am addicted to that show. But after this last episode..I am sooooo confused! That is nice we can watch it for free on their site. :)

ZELMA~We were just posting at the same time. Thanks for the info you know about skin cancer. It is scary. But like you said as long as they can catch it things usually turn out fine. I have a few spots that are really scary looking. The good thing is none of them are bleeding...but a few are itchy. I know those are warning signs. But at least I am able to get to a derm. really soon.


Ok well I guess I am going to try to sleep now. Its about 1 am here. I hope you all have a great Friday! :)

Michelle

OH! I keep forgetting to tell you. I had an "A-HA" moment the other day when I was having a phone interview for a magazine. Almost every interview is different, and they all give me something to think about as they ask questions that I really haven't thought about before.

This lady asked me just what the weight loss means for me. I really had to think quite hard to come up with something that reflected just exactly what it means.

The best word I could come up with was "FREEDOM".

I have decided that this one word describes it all so clearly.

*****Freedom from the constraints (both physically AND mentally) of being in a morbidly obese body.*****

Freedom to be the person that you have always believed you can be.

Freedom to act the way you have always wanted to act, without the fear of people looking at the 'fat lady' and wondering what on earth she thinks she is doing. Just today, I bought a soft serve low fat yoghurt and ate it while I wandered around the mall on my own while I was waiting for hubby. Before I would have worried that people would judge me for what I was eating.

Freedom to partake in activities that non-obese people take for granted. Just the other day I went to our Royal Show (big fair) and I could go through the turnstiles just like everyone else. I didn't have to go through the pram/pusher entrance like I did the last time I went.

Freedom to take on the world. Last year hubby and I went for a holiday to the U.S. Hubby had the chance to go to a Microsoft Summit and I was SO happy to be able to share that holiday with him. He wouldn't have gone on his own and before I wouldn't have even attempted such a trip as I would have been too big for the plane seats, too big for the taxi (couldn't fit seatbelts around me), too big for climbing on the back of the truck for the photographic safari... etc... etc... He would have missed out on an incredible opportunity because of my size.

Freedom to live life to the fullest. This one I am still working on, but I constantly amaze myself with the things that I am now willing to do. I just thought I didn't LIKE them before, but it was actually that my size restricted me from doing them. For example, jogging. I used to say that I would NEVER jog, now I love it. Another example is catching public transport. I used to say that it was EASIER to just drive myself, but it is actually easier to catch public transport a lot of the time.

Freedom to eat wherever I like! No more checking out restaurants beforehand to see if the chairs have arms on them. No more worrying about going to friends' houses to eat, just in case they try to get you to sit in those small plastic white chairs.

Freedom to shop for clothes that I LIKE, not just ones that fit. I used to tell myself that clothes shopping was frivolous and only shallow people could find pleasure in such a menial task. Well, now that I can actually FIT into a wide range of clothes, I LOVE clothes shopping. I love just trying clothes on a lot of the time, simply to see that they are fit. I love having to swap clothes for a SMALLER size. I love being able to buy 4 or 5 pieces of clothing (or even more) for the same price I used to have to pay for one. I even love shopping for shoes, because my foot is still big, but not bigger than the regular sizes in stores.

Simply... FREEDOM TO BE ME

I just wanted to let you all know that FREEDOM AWAITS YOU.

Many of you may not have the same problems as those I have mentioned above, and to you I just say "I am SO envious". I used to not believe they were problems for me, but I now see that they were, but I became very good at hiding them, or finding excuses, that had nothing to do with my size, to avoid doing things. I am not saying that YOU do this, but that was something I would use to survive as a morbidly obese adult. I became a master at convincing myself that my weight wasn't a problem for me and the restrictions I had placed upon myself had to be caused by something else. I am still amazed that I believed that for so very long.

Well, that was pretty deep, but I just felt SO enlightened that I wanted to share it with you all.

Take care,

Zelma

Zelma -- Wow. What you said reflects my experiences so well. Especially when you said you used to think they were not problems for you, but now see they were. I am starting to see all the ways in which my fat and my fear held me back.

This weekend I am going to Six Flags -- my first time to an amusement park in... hmmm... maybe 15 years??? I am not going to have to worry if I "fit" in any of the seats. I will be able to walk around a lot. I will not have to worry about my abilities, or what others think of me.

I am discovering myself in so many ways in this journey, and realizing all the things I will now ALLOW myself to do, a) because I can and b) because I am pushing back my fears.

You are so right! And as you expressed it, it is not just a freedom of body, but a freedom of mind and a belief in yourself.

Hello all!

Grrrr been so busy last couple of days, havent been able to log in and see how everyone is doing. Not to mention I still havent come around to take some photos and do my avatar. :o
Hope you all are well and having a lovely day.

As for me, Im still sticking 100% to my diet :carrot: Im way too good lol..hope it's gonna last. ;)
But I didnt have time to workout yesterday, and I very much doubt its gonna happen today as my head hurts and I feel sick (you dont wanna know why :D..ok, ok, I was installing some programs on my bf's PC and also some games, and I tried to play one, but the picture was moving too fast so it made me sick LOL...now I feel my head is gonna explode. I think I got a motion deases (sp.?) :dizzy: :D )

Have a great friday :hug:

newsnerd- sorry to hear you’ve been sick. Glad you are feeling better- welcome back!

Amy- sounds like you did good for dinner! Good work- and good luck with the apartment hunting- I hope you get some good drugs too!

PPP- OMG, boys really do need some help don’t they! The nerve of him to complain to you, ask for your help- and have ignored your email for so long. As if he can just act like you never asked him to deal with something so important. I think it’s good you sent him an email telling him off- don’t let him ignore it!

Zelma- well cramps didn’t keep me awake at all, I guess I was just too exhausted. However, I did have bad cramps this morning while I was exercising, but I still got in 65 minutes on the treadmill (3 miles), and I’m feeling much better now. I think today will be a pretty good day. I know what you mean about getting into your “holiday brain”. Whenever I’m off I tend to relax, and my brain needs the break the most- so I forgot basic things. Good thing your hubby reminded you! Freedom is the perfect word to describe basically what we are all fighting for- you couldn’t have said it more perfectly. When I first read it I kind of choked up, just at the realization of how right you are!

Well- I worked out this morning- 65 minutes on treadmill and now I'm at work. i actually have to run, because Ihave a training class in like 8 minutes, but wanted to report that I'm doing well. Going out with hubby tonight for dinner, but looked up the menu and know exactly what I'm going to order, number of calories, and how to eat today so that it will fit into my plan. I'm worried that the combination of TOM being here and the fact that this training class will have tons of junk in it will throw me off, but I'm trying to remember that headache last time I let myself eat junk- plus I brought my breakfast bar since I haven't had time to eat yet- so hopefully I will be good. Okay- 7 minutes now, got to run. talk to yall latter!

good morning everyone. FFM didnt come visit me AGAIN this week! i think she doesnt like me. anyways, i had another slight headache but did my morning treadmill anyways so now i am gonna have some breakfast and wait awhile then finish up my exercise for the week!

Hello everyone!

You ladies are the QUEENS of replies and I'm just not even going to try to keep up with you! Forgive me please! :^:

Zelma - I loved what you wrote. I'm not nearly there yet, but of course, I'm getting close to as small as I can ever remember being - so maybe I really can't picture it at all! Still, even now I'm noticing some of what you mentioned. I fit in chairs now. :) That's HUGE for me. When I go to the Dr or someone's office or house or a restaurant, I was to the point where I dreaded arms on chairs and I still expect to not fit when I sit down, but I do! And just being physically able to do what I want to do! I took a hour and a half walk with my son last week! 4 or 5 miles! I'd have never considered that two years ago. Heck, two years ago I would drive my car three blocks to eat with office mates at a restaurant uptown rather than walk it. Now I PARK three times as far away, just for the exercise! I have a friend who's planning a 20 mile walk as a Toys for Tot's fundraiser. I think he's CRAZY :crazy: and have NO plans to join him...but not because I physically couldn't DO it! (MAYBE I couldn't...but I expect I'd eventually finish, although I'd regret it the next day...I'm not that healthy, if nothing else my back would KILL me! :faint: ) Still, two years ago I would have never even considered that I could the remotest possiblity - heck, I didn't think I could walk two miles, much less 20! I'm looking forward to gaining more and more freedom as I lose more and more of this weight! And YOU dear, inspire me greatly! :hug:

Wyllen: I'm going to Six Flags next weekend! :D DH and I were going to an SCA event, but we decided not to and to instead get some things done around the house and then take DS for Fright Fest. We'll go late and stay later for the scary stuff. I went last about 3 years ago. It was miserable. I'm not big on scary rides, so the roller coasters and such were not a problem, but the one ride I did ride they had to stick me in a seat next to a strange, skinny, teen boy because I didn't fit next to anyone else. It was so obvious that he was disgusted and didn't want to touch me! It was humiliating really, and I've never been one to worry about what I looked like to others. But the point is, I actually dreaded the trip last time and rightfully so, I was so tired all the time and my back ached. I went because I promised my son. This year I'm looking forward to it. I know the walking won't be a problem-I'm actually looking forward to it! I know I'll fit at least pretty well whereever I want to fit. I'm psyched!:carrot:

There are so many things now that DH and I talk about doing that I never would have considered a couple of years ago. We were talking about finding some place where we can day-trip where there are stables and riding! I haven't been on a horse since I took lessons in law school. I was only slightly smaller then than I am now. I was never very good at it, but I enjoyed it. When DS and I were taking our long walk last weekend I mentioned finding a place to go hiking in the woods, with hills! He thought I was INSANE to want to do that! :lol: My poor little couch-potato son...he may have to learn to live a little! I think we're going to have to go bike riding again before it gets too cold and maybe apple-picking! There are so many things I didn't ever do with him when he was little...

Don't get me wrong...it's not that I LIKE exercise! :no: Far from it! It's just that knowing I CAN do something I used to not be able to do makes me WANT to do things! :yes: If that makes any sense at all?

Well guys, I have work to do today so I best hit the files! :hug: to everyone! :wave:

Wel I've been MIA as my parents have been staying with us since Wednesday, they catch a plane to Spain on Saturday so we can get back to normal then. I don't have time to do replies but I am OP and walking80 mins per day, I hope to see a couple or more pounds less on the scales on Saturday. My neighbour bought me a box of chocolates yesterday, I put them away for Christmas, as long as they are unopened I can resist!!!!! He bought me flowers a few weeks ago too, if it wasn't for the fact he's seventy Steve might be worried, lol. His wife died a few months ago and we invite him over for bbqs and give him some of our apples (cooking-Bramleys I think) for his family to bake pies, he's so kind & nice, if he was 45-50 I MIGHT be tempted!!! lol. I have to go.
Valerie, I hope the anger sustains you, it can be so POSITIVE, much better than feeling sad or sorry for yourself.xxxx
Zelma, xxxxxx YOu deserved much better, but at least everyone here thinks YOU are in the rightxxxxx
xxxxxxsharon

Thank you ZELMA. Thank you and thank you and thank you. Your Freedom post spoke volumes to me. All the way though it I was thinking "Cool!" "Oh, yes!", "Wow that's great!" "Awesome - Go Zelma!" and then you said: "I just wanted to let you all know that FREEDOM AWAITS YOU." Perhaps it was the timing of my reading it. Perhaps it was the unexpectedness of that line. (Perhaps it was hormonal?) But it pierced me to my core, took me breath and brought a tear. I was looking at you and rejoicing for you, and suddenly you held up a mirror for me. We all have some similar pain here, shared fears, shared experiences and some shared hopes and dreams. I often have 'A-ha' moments or think 'Wow, THAT said it.' But you've offered to us all your success to take for ourselves. Of course it was there anyway, but when you put words to it, you make it more real.

I do fit a little better in those white plastic chairs, but I'm not done yet. I want to race go-carts and fit in airplane seats. But I want it - so bad I can taste it... (oh great, how many calories do I count for that?) Bad enough to fight for it fiercely - as though my life depended on it... (Oh yeah. It Does depend on it.) Anyway, Zelma, you've made a promise, and I'm gonna hold Myself too it! (Yes I meant it the way I said it.)

(My goodness - aren't my panties in a wad today?! I love these days - fired up and DOing something about it!)

As for you Six Flag bound skinny girls - Have a BLAST! You know you TOtally deserve it.

LILION, your poor boy is in for a lot more little 'culture shocks' in the future, isn't he? Good for you all!!

PATTI, HANG IN THERE! I'm so glad you're keeping after that treadmill and keeping after the exercise! You KNOW that rotton, lazy FFM will get back to work and you'll win in the end!! Are you drinking enough water? I think it was AMANDA who mentioned that her weight loos was better on days when she drank enough. Between that and this challenge-plan that I'm on right now, I'm RELIGIOUS about getting my minimum 8 cups a day in, and it's really working well for me. I'll keep my fingers crossed that your very next WI is the one where things break loose for you!!!

KIM - WTG! on planning your night out so carefully. It's easier to enjoy a little indulgence when you know it's all accounted for and you can do it without breaking plan. Planning is just part of the new lifestyle, huh? :cheer: on all that exercise, too!

LAVANDEL - GREAT that you're staying so OP! keep up the great progress!

WYLLENN - Hey lady! Zelma was right about the fat & fear holding a person back. Applies to me too anyway. Have fun at the park - ride something scary for us, ok? Maybe that stand-up coaster that flips you upside-down, or the thing that either shoots you straight up or drops you straight down at 10,000 MPH!? (Cuz there's NO way I'll ever be skinny enough to ride either of those! No guts where "UP" is involved.)

MICHELLE - It's good that you have those weights to keep building some muscle. EVERY little bit helps, for sure! When you get a chance to see those Northern Lights, post a pic for us if you can. That's definately a dream of mine, to see those lights in person!

Had a neat NSV this morning. At aerobics/weight class there's a mirror the full length of the room, and I'd been thinking there's some improvement in what I see over the last 5 weeks since I've been going regularly, and that was nice. But the real NSV was when someone else came up to me and said "wow, valerie, look how far you've come!" She made my day!

Well, excuse me now while I go lick the very last calorie of carefully measured peanut butter off my plate, now that the celery is gone, and then I'm off to do, you know, stuff. I'm burnin' daylight!

***SHARON - Good to have you back. I was just wondering where you were off to. I hope you had a wonderful visit with the folks, and I'm glad you've been getting all that walking in!!

valerie i may not be drinking enuff water i am drinking green tea though if that counts!yay its friday 2 days of rest!

Valerie -- Perhaps I will pick the scariest ride and go for it!!!

Lilion, you have fun too!

And Zelma, Valerie is right, you are right to offer that freedom to all of us. I teared up too! You spoke the truth!

Everyone have a great day!!

Hi ladies! Just wanted to drop by to give you guys an update. I am officially BACK on the wagon! I have done very well since last week. I've kept an eye on my calories and fat content, I've drastically cut down on my soda intake (from about 4-5 20oz drinks to maybe 1 a day!), drastically increased my water intake, and I've been movin' a bit! Nothing major, but I did decide to walk down six flights of stairs rather than take the elevator at work. It's paid off - I'm down 8lbs!

Thank you to every single one of you, because you're all an inspiration to me. I have waited for so long to be in the right frame of mind to do this, but I didn't realize that I just needed to get up and DO it. So, here's to just doing it.

glad to hear you are back on the wagon! and that cutting back on the sodas is a big step forward!

Hi Everyone!

I need moral support. Today was weighin and I gained two pounds. Its not TOM. I followed my diet carefully. I was even excellent at a fair I went to this weekend, just had a little chicken dumpling. I have even managed to drink the required 8 glasses of water for three days straight! Do I get rewarded? Nope...two pounds up!

I have half decided that since I lost five pounds last week, my body went whoa! That's too much to lose.

Sigh...I am staying on my diet...like a good girl. But at moments like this, it's not easy.

Vicky

Thanks to everyone for the get-well wishes. Feeling much better now, thank goodness. My exercise surely suffered this week, but back at it Sunday or else ;)

The good news is I lost 7 more pounds, so yay!!:carrot:

Jaleril- I completely understand where you're coming from. But I guess our bodies work in mysterious ways and sometimes, despite our best efforts, don't cooperate. Hang in there and those pounds (and more) will come back off.

Tomorrow, we're off to the Renaissance Festival. I've never been, but always wanted to go, so that should be fun. Let ya know later!

Good evening ladies! Just wanted to stop by and post since I hadn’t been able to get here today. It’s been a really rough day for me for multiple reasons but I had a small breakdown after I got home from work. I think I’m alright now. It didn’t help the situation at all that it’s TOM and I didn’t lost any weight since Monday. I’m probably just overly emotional though. I know that I’m losing inches right now and I’ll probably have a significant weight loss on Tuesday when I go in. I usually lose more on the weekends for some reason. (I know, I’m weird.)

Other than that, our extended family is having a small family reunion tomorrow in a small town north of Topeka. It will be nice because my grandmother’s sister flew in from California last night and this will be the first time we’ve seen her in probably almost 10 years. I made Cheeseburger soup tonight and I’m taking that, an orange and a stick of sharp cheddar for lunch and snack while everyone else eats potluck food. A good friend is having a Pampered Chef Party on Sunday afternoon and I’ve been to 2 in the last month so I’ve only got one thing left that I need to buy. I’m getting a hand crank cheese grater because it’s so much easier than using the stand up ones. I always end up taking off a couple of fingernails when I use those.

Zelma – I really did enjoy the water aerobics. It’s not as bad as you think with the being in the swimsuit in public. My friend assured me that I would feel comfortable in the class. Actually, there wasn’t anyone there that I felt uncomfortable in front of. There were quite a few older ladies (60s and 70s) and some ladies who were doing the exact same thing as me, trying to find a way not to look the way we do anymore.  It was pretty low-stress. What you wrote about Freedom is exactly what I needed to hear. I can’t wait to be there and I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts!

Michelle – Wow, 45mph wind and blowing snow. I don’t know if I could do Alaska. I do want to go on a cruise there sometime though. . . it’ll definitely be in the summer.

Melissa – Goodness, 3 walks? I wish my weekends were free sometime so I could at least accomplish something like that when I don’t have to work all day long. During the week, there’s no chance of getting in 2 walks, let alone 3. It’s hard enough getting one in a few times a week. Keep it up! :)

Wyllenn – It’s been ages since I’ve been to an amusement park also. I think I would be more inclined if I knew I was going to enjoy myself. I love scary rides and I am so looking forward to next summer when I know I will be able to fit on all the rides without squeezing.

Lavandel – I know how you feel with the motion sickness. If I stare at the computer for too long, my head feels like someone’s going at it with a jackhammer. And there are certain things I can’t watch on the computer without feeling ill. Hopefully, it will pass for you and things will be back to normal.

Kim – Hope the training class wasn’t too bad. I hate those classes where they put all kinds of crappy food in front of you and then they wonder why the company health insurance premiums continue to go up every year. If they weren’t enabling us, maybe we would all be healthier. :)

Toofatforu – I hope your headaches go away soon. I know they’re no fun to deal with. I am always miserable and grumpy when I have one.

Lilion – Where in Missouri are you? We might actually be pretty close to each other. I’m having a hard time keeping up with everyone’s posts. We’re all just so quick :)

Sharon – How nice of you to be so kind to your neighbor. I’m sure he appreciates you and your DH welcoming him more than you’ll ever know. I’m not married but I know that if I ever lost my spouse, I would be beside myself. Nice job staying on program and getting in all that walking!

Valerie – Glad to hear about your NSV. It’s so nice when other people notice all the hard work we’ve been doing.

Brandnewme – I completely understand not being in the right state of mind until now. It took my doctor telling me that I was a 24 year-old diabetic to kick my brain into gear. I don’t want to live the rest of my life suffering from the effects of diabetes so it was time for me to do something about the way I was living my life. Congratulations on being down 8 pounds! Keep up the good work. Every little modification helps that much more.

Vicky – Don’t you hate days like this? If you’re exercising, it could be that you’re gaining muscle, or losing inches. If you’re doing everything you’re supposed to, know that you’re being healthier, even if the scale isn’t being friendly. Regardless of what the scale says, we still think you’re awesome and doing great!

Newsnerd – RenFest sounds like fun. I wish I had someone here that would go with me. I love the RenFest. Ours only goes through Columbus Day so I’ve missed out on my chance to go this year. There’s always next year I suppose. Hope you have a bunch of fun!

Hope everyone has an amazing weekend! Good luck to you all!

Hi everyone .. just a quickie .. my hunny is having a break so I am just checkin in :)

We went out this morning and drove past the house we have bought and it was a buzz to see the "SOLD" sign on the front of the for sale board lol ... we also went to Subway (yummy) then went and got our shopping. Got a lot of walking in but I only counted 20 minutes of it lol ... also got in Richard this afternoon while Scoot went and got the gas bottle filled and then went and watched a couple of dvds on bed lol.

I put on an outfit I bought MONTHS ago when it was on sale .. was tooooo tight for me (I never try on clothes when clothes shopping lol) but today (although it was a little snug over the boobs grrr) it fit great! I showed my hunny and he wanted to know when I got it lol .. so I have popped it into my wardrobe at the "SOOOON" end :) I am even wearing xl pants!!! stretch ones .. but they fit and they dont feel like they are cuttin off my circulation lol .. if only the top part of my body would go down as well as my bottom half seems to be (have lost 8 inches from my waist .. and 1 inch each from my hips and chest - thats in 3 months ... forgot to measure the legs, arms or neck .. but have done that now lol).

ZELMA - I just had to say that while in the market today gettin the shopping I showed Scoot (my hunny) the mag that had you in ... he was STUNNED when he saw the difference and really thought overall you should have won it (he had a peek at the others too) .. he thought you looked fantastic (and for my hunny that is a BIG thing rofl). I also wanted to say THANK YOU for those beautiful words ... FREEDOM .. it is really incredible .. I hope you dont mind but Im going to print that post up and stick it on my fridge (with your pic!).
The temps are better here today (yay!) I dont really mind the rain at this time of year .. its just the cold I disagree with .. Winter is not my fave time of year lol ... unless I am inside and nice and warm lol .. I feel the cold badly regardless of the extra padding .. so eeek what I will be like when a chunk of this insulation is gone rofl. Im just hoping this summer wont give us mega days of water restrictions ... just makes things annoying lol.

Huggies all .. and well done on those that have had a good OP week, got their exercises done ... and BIG hugs to those that have had a not so good week (whether weight wise or just feeling blah or upset).

Brandnewme WOWEEEE, I KNEW you could do itxxxx I bet you feel so good, it's far better than the guilt when we're eating bad foods and know we shouldn't. I KNOW THIS TIME YOU'LL CRACK IT!!!!!xxxxx
Patti, you are a martyr (sp?) exercising with a migraine, I hope the scales are REALLY good to you, after that you deserve at least 3lbs, lolxxxxx
Jaleril, sorry about the scales, you just have to hang in there, I'm sure the scales will show a good loss next week. I used to go to a slimming club and after a really good loss some women gained the next week even though they swore they had been OP, it seems some people have this problem, you are not alone.xxxx
Newsnerd 7lbs, WOWEEEE!!!! though I'm sure you hated being ill, it helped with the weightloss, lol. Seriously though you are doing so wellxxxx
Manda, sorry about you feeling bad, I think we all have days where a good cry is in order, it's just finding the time & getting alone to do it! I hope you felt better for it, TOM stinks!!!!!! That could be the reason your weight hasn't shifted too, you may have a pleasant suprise when you get on the scales once TOM has gone, I often do!xxxxxx
Katt, you crack me up when you say 'I fitted Richard in' anyone would think you had 'another man', lol glad the house buying is going/gone well. I loved your story about your dad, it made me cry a bit (TOM making me soppy!) I'm so glad you are now close & he realises what he missed.xxxxx

Zelma, I too, may have to print out your 'MartinLuther King-style' speech/writing, instead of 'I have a dream' it's 'Freedom...' xxxxxx I hope all of the nastiness over the comp is fading & that you just retain memories of the good things.xxxxx
I have lost 3lbs, (Ammi-taking me to 17st 10lbs in 'real' weight, lol) I am pleased, especially as TOM is here and I have missed my 30-40 mins dvd/video exercises, here's to more off next week.
I have to go & sort out both bathrooms now my parents are at the airport; and get the rest of the house tidied up. I love visitors but hate having to tidy up when they go, lol.
xxxsharon

Heather – I thought you would be able to relate to what I wrote. You have said a few things lately that I KNEW were the same things I have been feeling.
I hope you have a wonderful time at Six Flags, enjoying your FREEDOM. It sounds as though you are going to make the most of the time there.
You mentioned riding on the scariest ride. You go for it!!!! And have one for me while you are at it. I am NOT into scary rides anymore. I don’t mind the scary part, but I tend to get a little motion sickness. Well, maybe I wouldn’t any more, but the last time I went on a few rides (well… actually a couple of them over and over again) I was sick afterwards. It has kind of turned me off those kinds of rides.

Lavandel – No rush for the avatar. We are all just nosey and love seeing who we are ‘talking’ to. I’ve printed off a lot of the faces (haven’t done the most recent) so I can see my ‘friends’ all the time.
I hope you are feeling better soon. Motion sickness from a computer screen does NOT sound like much fun. I can only remember that happening to me once, and I think I got over it pretty quickly. I hope your BF give you a nice head massage or something… seeing as it was caused by HIS computer.

Kim – I’m glad you got a good sleep. You are certainly committed, if you exercise with bad cramps. I am not sure I would do that, although I have exercised when I haven’t been well, so I really shouldn’t preach huh? I suppose the difference now is that I am more willing to forego exercise since I am maintaining, as I know it is OK. When I was still losing weight I couldn’t stand it if I couldn’t exercise. So perhaps I just need to remember how I USED to feel and not compare people to how I feel (and act) now. So… after that is all said, you just go ahead and exercise to your heart’s content. Ignore me and my ‘mothering’. I’m glad the exercise made you feel better. Maybe you gave your body something else to concentrate on other than the tummy area.
I’m glad you took something to the training, so you wouldn’t be as tempted to have the food they were offering. You may have to start carrying around a piece of fruit too, as that will give you something sweet in case you get tempted. It sounds as though you have your dinner out planned very nicely. I really wish restaurants here would start posting their food online, with nutrition etc. I am not sure ANYONE here does that, but I haven’t looked up a lot of places.

Patti – I am sorry the FFM didn’t visit you. I know you have been working hard and would love to see a drop on the scales. I had this happen during the first winter of my journey and I just found that I had to ride it through. I also made a few small changes (guided by my dietician friend) to what I was eating, as I was still having WAY too much processed food, and that gradually helped. The exercise will certainly help as well, but don’t push yourself too hard while you still have a headache. Every little bit helps, so even just slow walking, for small amounts of time, will make a difference.
You mentioned that you are drinking green tea. When I saw the doctor today and talked about not drinking enough she asked if I was drinking coffee or coke. She said that those will act as a diuretic (I think) and could actually make you more dehydrated. I know that tea has caffeine in it as well, but you could be drinking decaffeinated stuff, so I won’t nag you.

Lilion – Isn’t fitting into chairs wonderful!!!! I was SO thrilled the first time I fit into the chairs in the doctor’s waiting room. For some reason, not fitting into those used to really bother me. Maybe because I could avoid most other chairs, but you can only stand for SO long at the Dr’s.
You have made some amazing changes with how much you move. I can just imagine your son’s face when you mentioned hiking! He probably envisions hikes up Everest next! Poor baby!
Isn’t it wonderful to know that you are actually ABLE to do something (like a long walk), but you choose not to, for whatever reason. It isn’t your weight that is holding you back, but a CHOICE you are able to make. I love that! Your comment about exercise made total sense to me. I don’t LOVE exercise, but I don’t hate it as much anymore. I, like you, also really like the fact that I can actually DO so much more that I just want to be out and about experiencing things. I find that what I am doing is actually ‘exercise’, but it doesn’t feel like it. It just feels like I am making the absolute most of my new life.
I hope you also have a wonderful time at Six Flags. I am assuming that this is a ‘chain’ of fun parks, not the same one that Heather is going to.

Sharon – Your parents are going to Spain? Wow! That sounds SO good. I suppose it isn’t such a long trip for you guys (well, I am hopeless at geography, but I know it’s closer to YOU than me), but it sounds so exotic to me. Do they go often, or is this a special holiday?
80 mins a day of walking is GREAT! Well done! I am a little disappointed in myself as I am only managing to average 40 mins. I know I don’t have to do any more now that I am maintaining, but I would LIKE to do more. I think my body is joining my mind and just getting into ‘holiday’ mode.
Your neighbour sounds lovely. He must really appreciate having you nearby and he probably loves being able to give you little things to show his thanks.
I am EXTREMELY impressed that you have lost 3lbs with TOM visiting. THAT is something to cheer about! He was always the cause of me putting ON weight. Not very nice at all.
Have fun tidying! You need to have visitors like I have. My mum is the best visitor to have (although she tends to drive me crazy, so I don’t have her visiting very often at all) as she tends to leave the house cleaner than when she arrived.

Valerie – Let’s call it even, because YOUR post brought a tear to my eye as well. I am SO glad that people understand what I was talking about. I kind of felt as though I was just up on my soapbox ranting away, but I knew what I wanted to say, I just wasn’t sure if I was expressing myself clearly.
I am truly glad that you are going to reach for that FREEDOM I offered you. It is there, definitely within reach of all of you. Some may have to reach a little further, and some may have to hold onto it with all the strength they have, both physically and mentally, but if you don’t lose sight of it, it WILL be there for you. I have heard the saying “You don’t know what you have until you lose it.” Well, I “Didn’t know what I DIDN’T have until I found it.”
Oh dear… I do tend to go on a little too much at times. I just seem to have suddenly realized what a gift I have been granted and I am so excited about it. Why it took me this long to come to this realization I don’t know.
I am SO glad that someone else has seen how far you have come. It is great to get comments like that. I know that some people don’t like people commenting on their weight loss, but I thrived on it!
Peanut butter!!!! YUM!!! I have had TWO lots of peanut butter today (just a tablespoon each time). I just LOVE peanut butter. I go to a health food store and have them crush the nuts for me. That way I know what I am getting… just NUTS. It is very delicious and I have to watch how much I have. But I am TRYING to be good. (Can you see the sweet, innocent look on my face? Do you believe it? Huh?)

Melissa – We won’t jinx anything by saying how MUCH you may have lost, but I will keep my fingers crossed that you still see that number, or even lower, on your official weigh-in day.
Hey! I’m sure you could think of something to complain about next week if you can’t complain about not losing weight. If not, I’ll try to think of something for you. Perhaps you can complain about people who come on here and get up on their soapbox and just waffle on and on about ‘things’. Does the name “Zelma” ring a bell?
Great to hear that you got an extra walk in, even if you were freezing. It always makes me feel good when I decide to walk somewhere instead of driving. I used to never even consider walking places, and now I find all sorts of opportunities to walk.

Brandnewme – It is SO good to see you again. I am thrilled for you that you are back on the wagon. 8 pounds already!!!!! You must really be doing a great job. Good for you! You will certainly notice the difference with the reduction of the sodas. I found that after a while I didn’t want them at all. Mind you, now I have found a diet mineral water that I dilute half and half with soda water. I tend to have that every evening with dinner. I probably shouldn’t, although my dietician friend has said it is fine. I just know that water is the best thing to drink. I’m just not that INTO water.
I LOVE the way you have said that you just have to DO it! That is the perfect mindset to get yourself into. My mantra was, and probably still is, “It’s not an option Zelma.” I used to have to tell myself that all the time. I knew that it wouldn’t be fun, and I knew that I wouldn’t be happy with it all the time, and I knew that some days would be harder than others, and I knew that other people didn’t have to live this way, and I knew lots of other things, but MOST of all I knew that it was something I HAD to do. It certainly worked for me, and I truly hope it works for you.

Vicki – I am sorry that you haven’t seen a move in the right direction on the scales. My weight has crept up a little in the last couple of weeks, but I am being sensible in my thinking and I know I am doing the right things, so I also know that sooner or later the scales will creep down again. I just have to give my body time to realise that it needs to pay attention to how well I am treating it.
Give your body time. At least you know that you are doing the right thing to make yourself healthy. Your body HAS to react to that sooner or later. Hopefully sooner…
It could very well be that you lost such a good amount last week and your body is just resting after that. I’ve certainly heard of that happening. I’m not sure WHY it happens, but I’ve heard that it happens.
Try to be as positive as you can, and congratulate yourself for every good move you make, don’t kick yourself for what the scales are telling you.

Amanda – You are allowed to have meltdowns when TOM is visiting. He is also probably the reason for no weight loss this week. He is very nasty about keeping those pounds on. As if feeling overly emotional isn’t enough, he gives us another reason to feel ‘yuck’. I hope you are feeling better soon.
It sounds as though you are well prepared for tomorrow’s reunion. It will be great for you to know that you can still enjoy yourself and not feel guilty about what you are eating. I have certainly found that it helps when I do that, as I don’t have to worry about what will be served. Sometimes I find that I take food and there is something healthy that I can eat anyway. That is fine, because I just bring it home again and eat it later. It is always better to have it and not need it than the other way around. I hope you have a lovely time with your family. It will be great for you to see your great-aunt again.

Katt – Don’t you just love it when clothes tell you that you are losing weight? I used to love trying on things that hadn’t fit a while earlier, but I just kinda wanted to give them a go again. It always used to give me a buzz when they would fit that time. I hope you have many more moments like that.
You mentioned that it will be a while before your dad moves into the house. Will it need any work done to it, or will he be able to move right in? I was wondering whether there would be any gap in time between the other lady moving out and him moving in. It is great that she is going to rent it until then.
Please give Scoot a HUGE hug for me. He made my day! I am glad that other people think I should have won. It always makes me feel better, even if the magazine people didn’t think I should win, as least REAL people think I deserved to win. Oh, and DEFINITELY give him a second hug for saying I look fantastic. THAT was just the icing on the cake of my good day. He definitely sounds like a ‘keeper’ to me. Don’t let that one get away!

Ammi – I hope you are having a wonderful weekend so far… well, a good Saturday morning. I also hope that you got things sorted out with Beth and going to her dads. You don’t need her coming back even worse than she was when she left, or she will need to take even more time off school.
Oh, I keep forgetting to ask. Has anything more been decided with Daren’s eyes? I think you mentioned once that he had to go see someone else about them, but I can’t remember if that happened or not.
I hope Caleigh isn’t causing you any problems lately. She needs to realise just HOW lucky she is to have such wonderful parents. Sometimes I think some kids need to spend a few weeks with parents who don’t give a hoot about them, or who are alcoholics or drug addicts. They can tend to take a few things for granted, and they need to open their eyes a little. Mind you, I don’t really know her, so I shouldn’t make judgments. She could have a heart of gold, but just be going through those lovely hormonal times where they have to cause problems or they aren’t ‘normal’.

Well, that is about all the answers I can think of at the moment. I love having time to be able to ‘chat’ to everyone.

I went to the doctor today to get the results of the blood tests and my B12 is NORMAL!!!!!!! It is sitting very nicely in the middle of the normal range. The doctor was very happy with ALL of the results. She had taken blood for other tests as well, to check other reasons for a possible problem with my B12 (which obviously wasn’t needed) and they all came back clear. Everything is looking fine and dandy. She had the results from the gastroscopy and colonoscopy and all was fine with them as well. They took random biopsies when they did the gastroscopy, which were all clear. So, all in all, I think I am in pretty good shape.

I wasn’t as tired today, although I had to force myself to do 40 mins on the treadmill this afternoon. I am definitely a morning person. I felt better afterwards though, so I’m glad I did it. Neil and I just didn’t really know where to walk, so I decided to go on the treadmill and he worked in the garden. It was a beautiful day.

I think tomorrow we’ll try to find somewhere nice to walk then go into the city for the afternoon. I will have to think of something nice to do on Monday, as it is going to be around 30C/85F.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Take care,

Zelma

Zelma i havent thought about the caffeine in my tea! maybe i should slow it sown on that too! thanks for the kind words Sharon and Amanda... i woke up grumpy for sure about the scales.. but i think i feel a slight difference in my pants so maybe i am just working on a non scale victory

Good morning everyone! Glad to see everyone is still working so hard!

Zelma, good point about the freedom. That is certainly a good way to describe it!

Congrats to those being visited by the FFM! And for those she is ignoring... wow I sure know what you mean! The last visit she paid me was Sept. 10 and since then I have been losing and gaining the same five pounds. They are all back again this morning! But I keep thinking they just HAVE to go eventually since I am still eating right and busting my butt! Come ON FFM!! :)

This morning I am planning to go to a neat park close to home that has a nice trail through the forest beside a creek, and leads to the Sound. I have heard it is steep in places... and not paved... so if the ground is muddy in places it might be a bit tough... we really have some "serious mud" around here when it is rainy LOL. But I am fortunate to live where it is so unbelievably gorgeous!!!

http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Depar...Meadowdale.htm


I had a neat NSV the other day... the receptionist at work called to tell me that the Fed Ex driver who comes in commented on me... he has seen me out there walking all the time and he told her I deserve to be commended and how good I am looking. That helped. He told her "she is out there waving her arms around." :) I have begun doing arm exercises while I am walking... I said I probably look like an idiot but she said that is not how people are seeing it; that they are envious and wish they had that much determination. Yesterday I took my Danskin workout balls and did them while I was walking... I am trying to crank up my exercise level so that mean ole FFM will decide to pay me a visit LOL.

Zelma I didn't even notice you had a matching "dent" in your neck... I think you are the one who said that; sorry if not... sheesh I can't keep up with all the threads. :) Yeah... as someone said... it might show more as I lose weight. And someone asked if I would consider surgery... well I would not be opposed to it but had never even thought about it and LOL I will probably have a LOT more saggy skin. But even with insurance surgery costs a bundle so no, I probably will never do it. It does not bother me that much and besides, I look at it as a constant reminder of God's gift of life to me. As I said, initial tests showed pretty strong indications of cancer but the final biopsy during surgery came back benign. I went into the surgery thinking I had cancer and the first words on awakening were my doctor saying "It's over... it was benign." I only mentioned the dent to hopefully encourage Ammi about her ostomy... hey none of us have perfect bodies in THIS world but someday I'll get a brand new one in Heaven. Until then, I will just do my best to keep this one oiled up and running. :)

I wish everyone a special Saturday! Hang in there and keep up the good work. All of you are special blessings to me!

brandnewme -- Yes, yes, you just have to DO it!!! Make a COMMITMENT to you, to this process. Pay attention to what you eat (but you don't have to eat nothing!) and when you can do that regularly, wonderful things happen!

Like Zelma, I often had to convince myself to do the things that would help me lose weight... especially about exercise. Still do sometimes. I tell myself that it's not about what I want to do, but what I NEED to do to be a healthier person. It IS worlth it though.

Vicky/Jaleril -- Please do stay on plan. Scales are such imperfect measures of our progress. We want to lose fat. They measure all of our weight -- fat, water, muscle, etc. Maybe last week you were dehydrated and/or today retaining water. Either way, the weight on the scale is not only measuring fat. Hang in there. My weight fluctuates like that all the time, and to be successful, you may see this pattern a lot more!

Zelma -- I do "get" just about everything you say, especially as I am approaching a more "normal" weight. There is something about going through this process that makes you learn so much about yourself! I will have to see if those rides make me sick or not, it's just been so long! And yes, Six Flags is a chain of parks!

You told Valerie this Freedom is a gift you've been given, but you gave it to yourself!!!!

I'm really gald to hear everything came back normal! Are you still tired all the time??

Sue -- The FFM will visit you eventually, you know it. I hate the weeks when that happens, and it seems to happen more often now than before, when I weighed more, but I'm not stopping!

Lord have mercy on soul today is my hubbys birthday and he wants a cake. will temptation never end!

Patti, I hope you didn't JUST remember it!!lol Buy or bake him a VERY SMALL ONE!!!! and have just one piece, easier said than done, I know!!!xxxx Hope he has a wonderful day, do you have anything special planned? What have you got him for his birthday & does he like it? xxxx
xxxsharon

well i cooked him a small cake and bought him some new shirts which he needs! he will be home tonight sometime. and just as quick as he leaves again i will throw out any left over cake.

BRAVO to BRANDNEWME!!!!!!!!!! GREAT jump on it with those 8 pounds!! :cheer: Hang in there now- stick with us & just DO IT!

VICKY - :hug: That happens sometimes, and it STINKS! But overall you still have a loss for the 2 weeks, and next week I'm counting on it dropping back down for you. You mentioned a fair - even if you ate a reasonable amount, the high sodium in something there ( or elsewhere) might be playing with your numbers. Stick with it - it WILL pay off!

Holy Cow, NEWSNERD! 7 pounds is AWESOME!!!

SHARON - WTG! on the 3 pounds down!!!

I can't finish replies now, so I'll be back later. The puppy has been whining, and now he's pacing - gotta go.

BTW down 3 pounds at WI this am.

way to go valerie now i know where the FFM is at your house and Brandnewme's house!

Brandnewme – good to hear you're back and having a good week and loosing the 8 pounds :bravo: Way to go girl :carrot:
Sodas are poison if you ask me and I never order one when going out for a drink or coffee but I do order every single time a glass of water, no mater what I’m having there’s a glass of water with it, my friends are making fun of me and now the first thing they order is a glass of water for me lol

Vicky – thats too bad! Transform the anger into motivation and prove to that scale it can not get to you!!! ;)
But yes the best days are always when you see the number falling. We are cursed to ups and downs I guess *sigh*

Oh Amanda I do envy you for loosing the most over the weekends. For most of us weekends are…well lets just say If there were no weekends I wouldn’t miss it lol
We had some friends over for lunch today and everything smelled so yummy but I went to take a 45mins walk so I didn’t get into the temptation…oh well.. But its great to hear those days work for you...so more weekends the better ;)

That computer game made me so sick, I left work early and went to bed, wasn’t able to do anything. Even today I’m not feeling my best. Don’t know what I was thinking playing that thing afterall I do know I have problems with that…silly me :dizzy:

Zelma, yes I am feeling better thank you and my bf did ‘pay’ for it and I gonna make him pay a little bit more lol. Oh he’s not complaining :) And about avatar..here it is :)

Great to hear you’re tests came back so good. Isn’t it great knowing you’re in good shape? I cant relate to any health problem, since I never had any, but every time my doc said I’m healthy Its like some load falling off my shoulders! I mean being overweight you usually expect to at least have a high blood pressure or something and its kinda cool realizing that your body hasn’t turn on you (yet?!)

Btw, LOVED the freedom part..I think I gonna adopt it :flow2: Freedom is what we are after!

Toofatforu – oh yeah the cake temptation… :T the hardest one to overcome. I wanna piece just thinking of it lol. Throw it away its poison (or just bring it over to my house :D ) *sigh* just dont eat it!!!

To everyone: WTG on every pound lost or on staying OP or on taking exercises or for just
being here for everyone..have a great weekend

Hi everybody!

Just checking in, I haven't been around all week. PMS got the down in a big way in the last week or so. I was emotionally, physically just in a hole. I haven't had a week like that in about 6 months. I think it's partially because I've not been keeping up well with my vitamins, etc. I had been taking them faithfully and they were helping my PMS a lot (B vitamins and others). Then as we do.. I got slack, and when I ran out, I didn't go to get more. Duh.

So, I've been busy fighting off the evil one and this week coming will be better. I've gained 6 pounds of water this past week, and it's still here. I've gotten a bit slack on my sodium intake, and I need to tighten that up too. Otherwise, I've been on plan, eating as I should. So, not all is bad! :smug:

Today when hubby gets home from working I'm going to snag him into going to the health food store to get my vitamins with me. I need to get out anyway, I've been indoors too much this last week.

I hope everyone else is doing okay. I missed a LOT LOT LOT of posts and some new people I see have joined us. Welcome to you all that are new! :hug:

I've seen all the new photos in the picture thread also and you are all looking SO good :cool:

Hope you all have a good weekend, and for those of you like me, in Canada, have a good Thanksgiving. (no I'm not doing turkey dinner, I'll eat too much if I do)

~ Angie

Hi everyone!

LOL Patti, stay away from that cake! You CAN resist the temptation!!!! :woo: Good for you for making a small one! Warn him that he had best eat what he wants of it while he has the chance! :yes: And yeah I guess we found the FFM... I hope they decide to share her with us very soon. :rofl:

Heather, I know what you mean... I am not stopping either. There is NO WAY this can NOT be helping my body! I can't believe that trail I just climbed down and then back up... whew! I did count all the minutes even though there were benches on the way up I rested on for a bit so it did not all register on my aerobic steps. But LOL if I was climbing THAT hill I was counting it!!! :)

Lavandel, I agree completely with you about sodas. I always order ice water with lemon AND hot water with lemon.

Angie, sorry for you bum week, and hope this one is better! :hug:

misti dont worry that cake will go out the door soon as he is finished with it1 lol!and that FFM maybe she has some big plans for us soon lol