QOTD: As far as being better, I hope to be able to relax about health concerns (my dad had LOTS and I hope to avoid them!). I can't wait to enjoy shopping again, instead of dreading it only to come home w/ a purse and shoes. I want to feel sexy for my dh....he tells me I am, but I want to FEEL it.

Maas river, Maas town.. Around there I *think*. That's the only thing that I have found in the books. lol Not really sure. I remember when I was little like 3 my family would ask me, What's your heritage and I would say DUTCH!! and scream it. lol Then they would ask where are the Dutch from and I would say Dutchland.. haha before I knew of course and still get teasted.

I went to Germany for a week and it was awesome! Lots and lots of castles and history. It was in Idar that I visited.. Very beautiful town. They don't like Americans though lol..

How do you quote multiple people in your responses?

I've got bad knees as well - floating kneecaps and swelling issues. I stick to to power walking on a treadmill (with a slight incline), or elliptical. Unfortunately I will never be a runner!

Squats and lunges are out for me as well

(Thanks to whoever made the blue-pom cheerleader - hope you don't mind that I borrowed her!)
Cindy

bfl_cat - Can you swim? Do you enjoy swimming? I think that swimming is more of a cardio to me than running. lol I get winded a lot faster..

Whoa.. you ladies can chat!

QOTD---What do you think losing weight will change in your life? What do you think will be different? Better? Worse?

Obviously I'm on a journey to find Fawn. Fawn was my alter ego in my very late teens and early 20s. Before the weight, before kids, she would come out to play. I would do silly things all the time.. it didn't matter where I was or who was around. I didn't mind being silly or carefree in public. Now I am constantly straight faced in public, because I am constantly in fear that someone is going to tease me or laugh at me. I think when I get rid of this weight I keep carrying around I will be able to lighten up a whole lot more.

I can list a million things that will be better.. I will be able to run after my kids, hubby and I will have a much better bedroom life.. heck we may even be able to break in my truck

Things that will be worse.. you all are going to die, but buying new clothes! I hate to shop, always have! Also I'm very frugal (I have to be to keep being a stay at home mommy), I never ever buy anything for myself. One of my biggest struggles with this whole weightloss journey is the fact that I have to buy some special foods for me... I will have a nervous breakdown when it comes time to build a whole new wardrobe!

QOTD: What do you think losing weight will change in your life? What do you think will be different? Better? Worse?

Better - I won't be the fat friend anymore. I will be able to keep up with my kids as they get older. They won't be embarrassed by having the fat mom. The shopping for new clothes doesn't make much of a difference to me as long as they aren't plus size I will be happy.

Worse - I won't have my weight to hide behind.

QOTD---What do you think losing weight will change in your life? What do you think will be different? Better? Worse?

I don't have to "think" about this - three years ago I was 50# lighter, so I know what it changed. It allowed me to start living my life again - to stop worrying so much about what everyone thinks and really be myself. I remember at one point realizing that I was no longer "invisible" - men would actual look at me in public, which had not happened in a very long time.

I remember one day that I was driving to the gym and thinking "wow, I'm a person who works out - just like everyone else", and I felt like I finally fit in.

So, I can only think that it will be better - I can't think of anything that would be worse.
Cindy

I have my next tattoo all picked out. Two small flowers to join the butterfly on my ankle. I have to wait until early September to get it though as my best friend is paying for it and she won't be here until then. DH is saddened about the location and he is currently looking for something else for me to get in a slightly more adult location. Maybe when I'm thinner.

That same best friend just had her nipples pierced a few weeks ago. Within a week of having them done she was out trying to jog with her DD-DDD self. Ouch. I think the only way I would ever get my nipples pierced is if I had rings and a chain around my neck to hold them back up where they belong. I've thought about getting my tongue done but I am afraid of the pain.

This baby factory is CLOSED!!!! It was pretty much guaranteed that I was gonna have a c-section and I wanted my ob to tie my tubes while he was in there. He told me nope he wouldn't do it until the kids were at least 6 months old. I was so glad when they transferred me to a larger hospital to give birth that the doc there never even questioned our decision to have it done. Other peoples babies are great but now that the kids are sleeping through the night I never want to experience that again.

Kudos to all you homeschooling moms. I'm pretty sure I don't have the patience to try. If we end up moving somewhere considerably larger where a homeschooling group and activities would be closer I would consider trying but right now I can't wait for them to go to school.

Daffy--Haven't heard of Kathy Reichs but I love John Grisham and Patricia Cornwell. So I think you might like Sue Grafton, James Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark. I can read a Mary Higgins Clark book in one weekend day.

Jill--The cola chicken is really good. It does taste like BBQ. I don't even like BBQ chicken but I like cola chicken.

tkglenn & kimprobable--My BF is the same. The last time I lost a ton of weight he complained I lost some of my booty. He's a butt man.

Dana--Sorry to hear about the breakup.

Tattoos--I got one on a whim on my b-day 4 years ago. The original plan was to put it above my belly button when I got skinny. I got tired of waiting. I got the butterfly on the top of my right foot. My next tattoo will be the butterfly above my belly button.

QOTD:
Change--Will take more time to work on my appearance. Right now I don't care much. I'm dressing for comfort
Better--Quality of life
Worse--Just like Francie: My shopping addiction will get worse. I love accessories too. I do like a bargain though so I do hope to get a lot for a little money.

I am not inking or piercing anything. I had pierced ears when I was younger, but they have grown back. Maybe in my 70s.

I probably should answer my own question.

What do you think losing weight will change in your life?
I think I will feel a great sense of accomplishment. I think I will stop comparing myself other bodies unfavorably.



What do you think will be different?
The way I walk.
Better? I won't feel like the girl has *ALMOST* reached her potential.
Worse? I don't use my weight as an excuse or to hide behind, so I can only hope things will only be better.

What do you think losing weight will change in your life? I hope to feel more like a woman. I've always just worn jeans and t-shirts because of my size. Once in a while, a nice top. I want to get down to a weight that I will feel comfortable in a dress and look nice in it. So I'm hoping as my weight goes down, I will feel more girly and do girly things.

What do you think will be different? I'll be happier with myself and be happier with those around me.
Better? More self-esteem
Worse? A very high clothing bill.

My Corky the Yorkie pees and poops in her litter box too, it just has a piece of newspaper on it, except when she goes RIGHT next to it, YECK! Her paws are all in the bin, but some how her butt isn't. LOL!

CHANGE: Better Chances of staying healthier longer, no diabetes, no heart attack!
BETTER: I know this ISN'T the true, but maybe I will like myself a little bit and have more confidence too!
WORSE: Being selfish? Isn't that what we are all afraid of to some degree?

Debbie - That's crazy that you mention the whole "feeling girlier" thing. Because just the other day I was thinking about how I already feel more girly, and was wondering just much girlier I'll be down at goal! I, too, especially in high school, just wore t-shirt & jeans to feel comfortable in. (Read: Hide myself in.) I never felt "right" being all girly before. :-/

I never was much for dresses or skirts, but I'm thinking I am going to go crazy girly when I get to my goal! I did the same thing Faerie, I always wear jeans and a t-shirt because it makes me "feel" like I'm hiding the fact that I'm a big girl. In fact I almost never wear shorts and will barely wear capris, I hate my legs. That will be a great NSV when I finally wear shorts and feel comfortable in them.

Will they add your blue cheerleader so we can use it????? We NEED a blue one!!!

Thanks for welcoming Bryan Anna. That was sweet. I told him, he'll never see it since he is never on. LOL. He said 'cool.' LOL. Men! Ha! Too funny.

Ok, gotta go for now, hugs you all!!!!