Hey ladies! Hope you all had a good start to your week.

Today was Day 8 of the 30 Day Shred. Man, my calves are definitely feeling it! There's a lot of jogging, jumping around, etc. Got in a nice little walk with my boyfriend in the evening. It was quite chilly, but still fun. It was nice to just go walking and look at all the leaves changing. Did some Yoga in the evening to wind it all down.

Tomorrow, I'm going shopping for some new clothes for my Internship. You know, dress pants, tops, etc. I'm excited, yet nervous...about trying on all those clothes. Hoping it goes well! The pants I'm not so worried about, but I'm very top heavy (back fat, ew), so that's what I'm nervous about. Hopefully, I can find some things that actually look decent on me.

OH! And tonight, I was sorting through some clothes, and came across my size 24 jeans that I love, but haven't been able to even pull on for a long long time. I figured why not, and tried them on. Well, they fit! Of course, plus size jeans have that stretch in them, so I'm sure over the years, they've gotten a bit stretched out, so I'm sure that I'm not a true size 24 yet (we'll see tomorrow), but still! They FIT!!! And they're a smaller size, so I'm excited. lol. Feels so good to get back into some of my old clothes! And since my size 30/32 pants were getting TIGHT when I started this on August 1st...I'll call this progress.

Now, if my top half would just cooperate.......

Pink - Yep, the 30 Day Shred is a workout dvd by Jillian Micheals...and it's a butt-kicker! How did it go today with eating and the temptation for steak? lol.

Heather hb - Never heard of that. Hope you get lots of use out of it.

Andrea - Congrats on the 4 lbs! That's just so awesome that you are so close to being under 300!!

Mexican Food is a big temptation for me as well. Last time I went, I ordered a salad, but munched on far too many chips. Oi. If my boyfriend didn't love the chips, I'd have them not even bring them to the table!

Fixing to take my kitty to the vet to see about her heart murmur...I hope something informative comes out of this, but we'll see. Worried about her a bit...

Did my morning walk this morning and I plan on doing something exercisey every day this week ...

And...mexican food rocks, but I can't really eat it anymore as I don't eat cheese. GRRRRR! lol..I do love SALSA though! And Guacamole!

ANNIE: Definatley get a 2nd opinion! Not all Dr's know what they should know. I will keep you close to my heart and my prayers!

AS for me: Surgery went well. The nausea..and pain are gone..amazing! Now I am just on percasets for the pain of the surgery..but actually it isnt aht bad. I ended up staying in recovery/observation til 730pm last night because I was so sleepy..So they kept me till I was able to eat someting. I got home and took another percaset and I was out for 12 hours. Felt really good to sleep. They said I need to walk atleast 4 times today for a little bit. They said if I come home and be a couch potato I could develop blood clots..nice huh? lol

Wil try and check in tomorrow.

Hi everyone, I’m back.

First and foremost…Annie: I’m so sorry to hear of your situation. I hope and pray things will be just fine for you. You’ve done so well and definitely get a second opinion. I know it’s probably hard for you right now but keep the faith. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.

I’ve been lurking a lot lately. Having a hard time dealing with my own issues and I’m the type of person who normally just “hides away”. My problems certainly don’t compare to Annie’s problems or many of the others problems that you guys are facing but please know that it doesn’t meant I don’t care or that I’m not thinking of you all and praying for your health, happiness and success.

I’ve started to see a psychotherapist because the issues of my marriage ending, weight issues and all of that have suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks (well really for the past 9 months) to where it’s now affecting everything including just getting out of bed in the morning. I’m not on medications yet but likely soon will be to help me begin to deal with these things and move on so I can concentrate more on my weight issues before those affect my health so bad that it’s too late.

But part of my treatment is to open up more and I’m just not at that place yet, though I have been trying. I’ve met a woman who has lost nearly 150 pounds since February 2007 and she’s been helping me directly with dealing with some weight issues because like you all, she understands what it’s like to be this size and what is needed to succeed.

As some of you know, right now walking a mile is about all I can do before my feet scream at me and I can’t go any further. This Saturday there is a walk for Cancer walkathon and 5K run. A friend and I are going to walk the walkathon part and I’m just going to push myself to see how far I can go. Anything over a mile will be a bonus. Wish me luck.

Again, I hope to be back posting more often. I miss the wonderful warmth and support of the people on this site.

Hello ladies! Hope you all had a lovely Tuesday.

Got Day 9 of the 30 Day Shred done. Woo. Almost 1/3 of the way there!

Went shopping for 'professional' clothes today. Was a little bummed with what happened. I couldn't find any pants that fit! The 26's wouldn't even come up. Ugh! They had zero give to them, so they were smaller than my jeans for sure. I know I'm doing well, but it was still kind of a slap in the face that they didn't fit. But the 26 skirts fit fine (and they aren't stretch at all...same material as the pants). So maybe it was just the brand. Blah. All of my shirts still had to be the 30/32, but they fit a LOT better than they would have 2 months ago! I know very soon, I'll be out of those, and into the 26 tops. So I just took that in stride.

I went for a job interview today, just for something part time. I need it to supplement the free work I have to do for my Internship. It's just at a video store, but I hope I get it, so I can at least afford to DRIVE to my Internship. lol. The thing I have to remember is that soon...very soon...I won't have to work there, since I'll graduate in May.


Cyn - So glad that your surgery went well. Here's to a speedy recovery!

Dani - First off, WELCOME BACK! Sounds like it's definitely been a rough time for you...and I applaud you for coming back, and focusing on YOU. You can do this!

Annie, I just read what happened to you and I just can't believe it. Definitely get the second opinion. The body DOES do things that doctors don't understand. My Dad is one of those that grew extra veins.
I'll keep you in my prayers and thoughts and wish you good news from the second opinion. Take care of yourself for all of us who think of you as a friend and a treasure.

Cyn - I'm so happy to hear your surgery went well. You'll be on a fast recovery I'm sure.

Dani - Welcome back! It sounds like you've had a rough time. I hope you are feeling better about things and healing. I know how hard things can be and how slow the healing process can be. You can totally do this and I bet you someday soon you'll look back and go "I used to be there and now I'm here." *HUGS*

Kayleystar - While I find shopping fun, it can be frustrating. One store has this set of sizing and another store has this...I tend to focus on the fit now and yeah I get excited about the "numbers," but I have no problem getting something in a bigger size if it will fit better. My problem is getting crap to fit over my ginormous hips and thighs. Big on the bottom, so shirts are always an issue. I think I'm also short lol...So "average" lengths drag on the ground for me so pants are a bit of an issue too. Usually if something fits over my hips the top half is too big lol. I suck. haha.

***

This morning I am a bit fussy so I had some roasted veggies for breakfast with spinach. It was good, I couldn't eat it all, but I'm STILL feeling full lol. Going to have fruit for lunch/snack and then perhaps a salad for dinner. I dunno...I'm kind of craving mini-cupcakes, but I don't want them, I like the IDEA of them. Hopefully that makes sense. Bah just hormones...TOM is around the corner.

Going to do my workout soon.

*HUGS* I hope everyone is well...

Good morning ladies. Pretty new here, but thought i'd just jump in and say hi.. and let you know that as of this morning, i am completely insane lol. i have not exercised in years... in fact my idea of exercise has been walking to the restroom and back.. no lie... anyhow, why i have decided i am insane, is this am i went to wal mart and while there picked up a copy of the 30 day shred... wth was i thinking? lol... i havnt even opened it yet.. its across the room taunting me right now lol... i prob wont last 2 mins.. i dont know why i couldnt have started with some nice, mellow, beginners dvd.. oh well, thats me, just go for the gusto lol... if i dont get on this forum for a couple days, you will all know that i am lyin in bed on painkillers.. wish me luck

^^ lol...when I started I went out and bought a TaeBo DVD set and I got through like 2 minutes I think lol. I was panting and puffing and I went "**** NO" and opted for walking. I did pick up two other DVDs that I still do, in fact I did one today to give me a TaeBo break (i can do that one now!).

So, if you can only go 5 minutes then you did it! Little by little! I used to only be able to get to through the warmup of the one I did today. I got through the entire cardio section, but couldn't do the strength and toning sections just yet. Got worn out, of course stupid me I have new wrist weights I wear now lol...so I get like a more intense workout now hahaha.

You can do it! Little by little!

*******
And big news....I have hips now! Like I used to do my workout and put my hands on the hips and do the "step touch" thing and I would have to put my hands a bit lower as I was too fat. Today I was doing the "steppy touchy" and felt something hard on my hips and I went "What is that? Oh yeah my hips..." lol... And my tummy doesn't make that awful belly flap sound when I do my jumps...it isn't "thud THUMP" it is just "thud...thhhhh..." lol...it is the little things that get you all excited.

Dani, welcome! these chicks are great folks to lean on for support while you are struggling to learn a new way of eating for your healthy new you life!

kayleystar as usual you do an incredible amount of exercise, can I be you when I grow up?

Cyn, glad you are feeling better, keep recovering!

Hi Dani! Nice to meet you!

Kayley ~ You amaze me as well with your workouts. Wow! I'm in awe.

Jacquie ~ Congratulations on the hips!!

My biggest problem area is my abdomen, or lack there of. Lots of fat and 3 c-sections. It's horrific. I spend a lot of time doing crunches and ab exercises... belly dancing.... I would love to be comfortable in a shirt and not have it HAVE to hang down to cover my belly. Luckily the flowy hippie cut has become popular over the past years. lol. But it'd be lovely to be able to change it up.

SO sore today from the class at the Y yesterday that I don't think I'm going to make the one today. I'll do something a lil different. Boy, I feel it EVERYWHERE today! Really enjoyed it though... and got on a stability ball for the first time. Freaked me out it was in a class of like, 12 people... but I didn't fall! Woo!

Good Afternoon...the last 2 days i have done horribly with my eating because there was company in from out of town and there were pizza and snacks and i couldnt resist them the good news is that yesterday we took them to the cider mill and they had a walking path and we did ALOT of walking yesterday so i hope that helped with burning some of the calories i ate yesterday and then today my mom made a big french toast breakfast so i am not to happy with myself right now but i am getting back on tomorrow with diet and exercise..im just really disappointed in myself plus i know there is probably no possible way that i will make my 2nd mini goal this week cause i would need to lose 4.3 lbs and i know i wont be losing that i will probably have a gain but now that i have come one here and poured this all out to you ladies i feel better and tomorrow will be back to eating healthier i just had a little minor setback but i am not going to give up and quit! I have come to far now to stop!

Heather

Kayley - love the new avatar!

hbieber2006 - we all have times like that, hang in there! the only thing I have found that helps - because when the food is out I'm probably gonna eat something sooner or later - is to put out things that are good and at least reasonably healthy - after all we love our family and friends enough to give them yummy healthy foods too. I like mousses, pita pizza's, pretzels (or a spicy pretzel mix) little stuffed cherry tomatoes!

Kayley - That is a beautiful picture of you!

I did well eating-wise yesterday, but I woke up several times having nightmares that I had binged! I am coming off my medication and it's making me irritable. I see the psychiatrist again tomorrow, and hopefully she will recommend something that actually WORKS for my OCD. I am excited because I have not changed meds in a long time (years and years) and maybe this time she will find something that helps. My butt still hurts from my bike ride a few days ago! But it's been too cold to go again (it snowed today). I went to see my pastor today and had a nice chat, and she made me feel better because I was feeling very low. Sometimes it means everything to talk to someone who cares and get a hug. Food today hasn't been very healthy but I have managed to keep my calories low at least. I am going to go do some swimming tomorrow, and I am going to weigh then, although I am not sure if I should put it off by a few days because my tummy is a bit crampy although my TOM stopped, but wondering if I could still be retaining water or something? I don't want to have a disheartening weigh-in.

xox