Hi, i'll post more tomorrow before class...but about the file...MOST files you'll try to post will be too big...especially since it comes from a digi cam it's prolly gonna be 3 to 4 times too big..you need to resize it in a pain program...do you have adobe photoshop or pain shop pro? you might even be able to shrink it in windows paint...though that might just deal with bitmap files and not jpg's...see how that works and we'll go from there, LOL.

i'll post more tomorrow.

SO... I THINK Moses is going to be alright! We picked him up from the Emergency Animal Hospital today at 6pm. He still has the IV plug in his leg in case he has some sort of relaspe. If all goes well, our regular vet will remove it (and the bandages) tomorrow. They still have no idea what exactly happened to him; they did x-rays, blood work, etc. but, according to the vet, sometimes these things remain mysteries. We are not 100% in the clear yet but he's looking MUCH better. Thanks so much everyone for your concern! It's amazing how much I was affected by the possibility of losing him; I couldn't sleep, felt sick... ANYWAYS, the little guy is curled up on the bed next to me right now!

All's well on the diet front. This evening a couple of our friends dropped by for a visit and we ended up going through a bunch a pictures from the last few years with them. Man! I can REALLY see a difference in my size! I'm SO happy I started dieting when I did! 65 down, 55 to go!

Baylee... Your portabella mushroom sounded really yummy! You're doing awesome with your diet! Steaming veggies because you can't eat anything too crispy is a great idea! I'll be happy for you when that darn tooth has been taken care of!

Lucky... Good luck with journalling! I know you'll do it because you can't resist us... and you're not allowed to post unless you've faithfully journalled!

Thin... I prefer printed out pictures over digital ones although I DO recognise the ease of transferring pics to your computer with a digital one. I just had this conversation with my hubby; there's something to be said about holding the pics and passing them around with friends! My hubby has been dying to get a digital camera. Tonight when Moses got home from the clinic, my hubby said affectionately "You had better appreciate us, Cat; you just cost me a really nice digital camera!"

Michelle... You did exactly what I would have done--thrown the cake out! If something unhealthy is sitting in front of me for a long period of time, I find it irresistable! So... I just keep that bad stuff outta the house. Just like you, if I have a party with "junky" leftovers, I throw them out just as the last person walks out the door!

J-Ann... Ahhh! Poor little kitty you found! It was nice that you took the time to bury him. Thanks so much for your concern about Moses! Btw, good plan about establishing healthy eating patterns while your housemates are away. I'm sure you'll do it--you've already come so far!

Mary... I've got my fingers crossed for your son's job! Sounds like you got an awesome deal on the fan!

Mel... Those pictures were great! It seems like you have a talent for photography! Thanks for your concern about Moses!

Kat... Your post was hilarious but you came to an all too true conclusion: There is no magic pill or program that will make you lose weight. You have to commit yourself to eating healthy and exercising! Why, oh why, does it take us so long to figure that out?! Seriously though, it seems that you're really ready to do what you need to do to lose weight. That's awesome!

Well, I should start thinking about getting to bed. I'm not sure what time I have to take Moses to the vet but it could be early.

See all you lovely chickies in a bit!
Sara

I remembered one more "diet thing..." A girl friend and I had signed up for one of those group hypnosis seminars...{Yes, there's a sucker born every minute!} At one point during the session, we were to close our eyes and do some visualization or some such...I was looking all around the room and swiveled around to find my friend doing the exact same thing! The biggest GUFFAW came out of me (you know the kind, where you stage a little coughing fit to "cover" the laughter) when the instructor was speaking of the benefits of drinking water and asked if we knew of any ways to flavor it if we don't like it plain...my friend leaned over to me and whispered, "Yeah, with a cheeseburger!"

Gee, I wonder why the hypnosis didn't work?

Alas...more $$$ down the drain!

I've stayed away for a day or so, because I've been wallowing in a big ol' puddle of self pity and I didn't want to bring anyone else down into the pits with me. I know you may wonder how I could be so down especially after my day with Tony? I don't know.........well, yes I do. It's the whole weight issue. Weight issue? Hmmm, we never talk about that, do we?

Even though I try to tell myself that I haven't gained that much back, I can't hide from myself. Pants that I was THRILLED to get into, have now been shoved into the back of the closet that they were pulled from, because I look like a pig in a sack in them. You try to tell yourself that you really look about the same, and then you see a picture of yourself and all 18 of your chins and you just want to die. Don't get me wrong...........meeting Tony and getting to have my picture made with him was one of the highlights of my life, but when I saw my picture with him, all I could think of, was "My God, what a pig I look like." I know you may think, "Oh big deal. So she had her picture made with Tony Stewart." Well, it was a VERY big deal to me. I know alot of you gals may not watch it, but I am a huge (emphasis on the word "huge") Nascar fan and I just love Tony! And despite what you might think, it is not because of the way he looks. That is only a bonus to the racing package. I wouldn't care if he looked like Uncle Fester, if he drove the way that Tony does. I was the only one there that day (except for the Nascar Speedpark employees) that got to actually stand with Tony and have their picture made with him. (except for two elderly ladies who could not stand in line that long) and Tony was such a ham when they asked if they could have their picture with him. He said, "Of course, I never turn down a chance to have my picture made with good looking women." I've got a picture with him and them and it is so cute. I haven't scanned it yet, but when I do, I'll post it. Anyways, I know this probably seems pretty trivial to you when you think about all the other important issues that go on in one person's life, but this day was so extra special for me and when I saw all the pictures from that day.......pictures where I thought I looked halfway decent......and it turns out that I looked, oh well, to me, I looked like such a mess. I just want out of this vicious cycle that I am in. Gain......lose. Gain......lose. Gain.....lose. My Mom asks me almost every day, "Are you still trying to lose weight?" And lying through my teeth, I say, "Yes Mom, I am." Even though she can see the spare tire around my middle getting bigger, the cheeks getting puffier and exercise? What's that? I hate food. I literally hate food. I don't ever ever want to eat again. I just want someone to lock me in a room until I look human. I know my cholesterol is through the roof. My bloodpressure is high. My knees and back hurts all the time. I'm 32 years old and I'm falling apart. I am so depressed right now, it hurts to breathe. I've already looked like a fool far too often in front of my WW leader. I'll probably never go back. I don't want her to look at me and think, "Why does she even bother giving us her money when in a week or two, she's gonna stop trying again?" I don't want anyone shaking their head at me and thinking what an idiot I am. That pleasure is reserved for me. I know I have probably brought you all down, but you are the only ones I can talk to about this. NO ONE else understands. I was going to make individual replys, but you'll have to excuse me this morning. I just don't have it in me. I hope each and everyone of you know that I have read the thread and I know what's going on with you. I hope that Moses continues to get better. I'm glad Andrew had a nice birthday. I'm glad that Kat is on such a high right now. I miss 2cute. Mary's working her butt off, Lucky's on a man hunt ..........I'm aware of what is going on in ALL of your lives, but selfish me is so preocupied with her big fat self right at this very moment, she is not taking the time to reply to you all. Please know I do love each and every one of you and I do care about what you do and how your doing. I'm gonna get off here now. I wouldn't be surprised after I come back and read all the garbage that has spewed out of my mouth if I just deleted the whole post. I'm sorry.

Hi everybody! I'm up early this morning as DH has left the building. He is gone to Mexico for four days on business. I have to get to my first job by 8:00 so I wasn't going to post, but after reading Tina's, I just have to respond.

Tina, honey, get a grip!!! *said in just the nicest way* You go to those WW meetings and you don't quit.....ever! I know exactly where you are coming from. When I started WW in May of 1998 I weighed 374#. I actually hit 285# somewhere after that. I'm now back at 335#. Yes, it is hard to walk in and get weighed in and go up.....and down.....and up.....and down. I've gotten to the point where they don't even give me stars anymore when I do lose (that really hurts too and we won't even go into how unmotivating that is). But you have to go. If you don't go, you will put it all back on and that's not where you want to be either. [[[hugs]]]

Post that picture of you and Tony on the fridge. Heck, make copies of it and post it above your computer, on the mirror in the bathroom, on your dresser.....everywhere. Make it your 'before' picture. Don't worry that 'before' was a long time ago, make 'before' right now!

With your activity on Tony's website, I'm sure you will get an additional chance for a pic at some point in time in the future. Make sure that one is of the new thinner you....an 'after' picture.

You can do this. It is NOT impossible. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes the ups and downs.

I know you're feeling sad about not staying OP as you should, but yesterday is in the past, tomorrow is uncertain, DO THIS THING TODAY!!!!

Love ya, honey! We really can do this!

OH Tina, Honey we all know just how you're feeling. Sadly we can't just stop eating forever to break what is very likely an addiciton to food. Eating is essential to life. Eating too much isn't.
You have so many things you can be proud of, your wonderful family, a job you love , you've even managed to meet your other "dream guy", Tony. You can lose the weight. It's not going to come off overnight but you'll have to work at it just like you work at keeping your family happy and healthy. This week work out a plan, if you're on WW try to do one thing that will either keep you w/i your point range, or do something create one food challenge that you can win. Exercise does become a habit but you have to start somewhere. Try parking the car at the end of the parking lot away from the door. This used to work for me at the grocery store if I was stopping just to pick up a snack for myself. By the time I parked at the end and saw how far I'd have to walk just to get into the store I'd decide I didn't need to go there after all. (Talk about reverse psychology!) Of couse then I didn't get the snack OR the exercise.

We're all here for you Tina,
Take care,

Sara:
Glad Moses is better. Give hig a hug for me.

Tina: Chin up girl you can do this. Just keep plugging away.

Baylee: No I am fine eating out I usually eat what I want but I pick good things. I did have a staek and baked potato Sat night with a salad though.

To everyone else have a great day I'll check in later

I'm just about to pop in the shower and take Moses to get the IV plug outta his leg but, like all you other awesome ladies here, just wanted to take a second to reply to Tina!

Tina... we understand how you feel completely! Being overweight has made us all feel terrible on occasions where we should have been estatic! I know meeting Tony was SUCH an important day in your life... making the terrible feeling all the more intense! We are all so hard on ourselves! J-ann is right! You have SO many things going for you!... a family that loves you, a job you enjoy, you're intelligent, funny.... the list goes on! PLUS... given the right frame of mind, YOU CAN LOSE THE WEIGHT! You already have an awesome, determined spirit (You keep going back to WW) so you're halfway there! Do WHATEVER you have to do to make your weight loss goals a reality! We'll be there to support you! By the way, this thread is made to provide support to all of us. DON'T feel bad for receiving some support once in a while instead of giving it! It's what we're all here for and it's human nature! We love you!

Gotta get moving! See everyone shortly!
Sara

I just IM'd Tina to give some 'sisterly' advice and came up with an idea that I think we ALL can use...I told Tina that in order for us to make any positive changes, we need to LOVE ourselves as we are, RIGHT NOW and not wait til we're thin and supposedly deserving of love. That would be called an "Attitude Adjustment."

I'm going to suggest that we make a list of 10 good things about ourselves. Anything positive...big or small. Let's try to see ourselves through other's (kids/dh's/friends/family's) eyes. And then cherish all the good that we have to offer. We spend so much time putting oursleves down, (I do, anyway) let's celebrate our good qualities!!!

With that in mind, I guess I have to go first, huh?

1. I have a great sense of humor, wicked, at times, but I can always find the humor in a situation.
2. I have a curious nature, have always loved to read and learn new stuff.
3. I am sensitive...I cry at movies, plays, my kid's concerts...even been know to cry at commercials...
4. I ADORE my children...they are bright, independent, funny, caring people that I love to spend time with...which has got to be a reflection of how they have been raised...OK, partial credit to dh on this one!
5. I have pretty eyes...green, with long eyelashes. (I had a putdown to go with this one AND the next three, but decided against it...so hard to praise myself without tearing down at the same time!)
6. I have good hair...not too much gray yet, (and what there IS, is covered) and curls that people pay big bucks for!
7. I have always had good skin...no problems as a teen ager, and despite my past efforts to the contrary, (too much sun, smoking) there are no lines...(well, maybe a few laugh lines!
8. I have nice legs...(looking through dh's eyes now) I think they are good from the knees down...nice calves, slender ankles...
9. I am a good Mother. Honest and straightforward, understanding, empathetic...trying to be everything my parents weren't.
10. I am a good Wife...not June Cleaver, mind you...but it's easy when you have such a good husband!

Boy, that took some doing...it's SO mcuh easier to find fault with ourselves, isn't it?

Come on, gang, give it a try...

Well, Moses and I are back from the vet. He had the IV plug removed from his leg and he's looking pretty good. He meowed the whole time he was in his carrying-case in the car. At the end of last week, it made me so sad that he just laid in the car quietly so I smiled the whole time he was miserably complaining there today!

Baylee... Woohoo to you for riding your exercise bike this morning! You're doing an amazing job and I'm sure you'll have an awesome WI later this week too! Your post was so refreshing to my spirit today! It made me wanna walk carefree in the sunlight... pick daisies... hum a tune.

Howdy to all my other lovelies today: Steph, Tina, Mary, Michelle, Mel, Malia, Susie, Thin, 2Cute, Lucky, J-Ann, Kat, and anyone else reading this.

I don't have any students on Mondays so I have a bunch of errands lined up for today. My car has a lubrication appointment at the garage at 3:00pm. I'm gonna get the pictures from the wedding yesterday developed. The list goes on.

TTFN,
Sara

Hey everyone!!

I'm running a little late, but I wanted to pop in...and like Thin said I felt I needed to respond to Tina's entry.

TINA. I am 22 years old and I have never been within an ideal weight. EVER. Yeah, it really really sucks...but you know whe we need to do? We need to show the world what it's missing...it's missing cool people like us who are so self conscious about our weight, that a lot of the time our rawkin' personalities are compromised.

I will not lie...in high school I had hardly any friends..perhaps it was the combination of coming from a family without a lot of money, and being overweight (sad yes, but kids are really mean...that's the way it is....) But you know what happened when I got to college? I made so many new friends..and I don't know what I would do without them....funny thing is...if someone had told me in high school that I would have tons of friends one day I would have laughed at them because I thought I needed to lose weight for that to happen.

I still think that way sometimes. I never had a boyfriend in high school, and I always thought it was cause I was fat. I STILL haven't had a boyfriend actually..but that's because I really haven't met anyone in person that I would be interested in...and the ones I that ARE interested in me are losers...I think about this and wonder...I thinkt that there are still aspects of me that are held back by my weight, and I've come to realize the only way to set them free is to lose that weight.

I'm losing for me now, no one else. No more diets, I am going to embrace a new kid of life though, day by day

Ok....10 cool things about me....


1. I am passionate about things, I am not just a lump of indifference...I care about issues, and I always have an opinion about things (ok that can be bad too but shh!)

2. I have a really good singing voice, something I always dreamed I would have as a child.

3. I love to learn, learn, learn. I'm always ACTIVELY trying to do this...reading the news, chatting to people in spanish so i can pick it up better...reading history for fun, etc.

4. Another goal I always had as a child was to be able to speak Spanish...which I can now with relative fluency...but I know one day I will speak it as easily as I speak English.

5. When I tell myself something is going to happen, I make it happen. ALWAYS. Back to the singing and speaking spanish...it was never an issue...I always KNEW that one day I would be able to do both. Apparently until just recently I never REALLY believed I was going to lose this weight. But I am.

6. I am funny...I have the ability to make people laugh...true I have sort of a dry/witty sense of humor but most people seem to appreciate it.

7. I do good impressions...as Robin Williams would say "I do voices"...I have a knack for languages...which includes being good with accents.

8. I have the coolest network of friends...both on AND offline...I have friends from all over the world that I cannot CANNOT wait to meet.

9. I love to write, that's another gift that I have been bestowed.

10. I'm lucky to have a leader, someone who can help me and guide me...I'm talking about God here.

What a great idea Kat! Just think about my list makes me feel good.

Here goes:

1. I can get along with people that no one else can tolerate.

2. I retain my friends. The friends I have will always be by my side. I'm really lucky I have them.

3. I can keep confidences. I may say I know someone who .... but not if there's any chance that the person I'm talking to might know whow I'm talking about.

4. I love being outdoors and enjoy watching birds and walking with my dogs.

5. I too, have great eyes and my legs ain't half bad either.

6. I adore working with people to help them understand their animals. Taught dog obedience for years. Now work with folks who are learning that they may think that they're teaching their dogs to track people, but they are really just encouraging them to do something that we have no knowledge of how they go about doing.

7. I have a GREAT sense of humor!

8. I am sensative to others.

9. I love to learn and get right into something new with a vengance.

10. I can organize anything. I just need the time to plan and I can get things done!