Morning friends. Just a quick post before we head off to the ball field.

Fi, I hope you are able to find some relief soon. I think I would be so much more than frustrated by this point. Please keep us posted on anything you find out.

Sam, congrats on losing 6 lbs. this week. That is wonderful. I am so happy for you and your accomplishment gives me hope that one day I may be able to do that too. I love the beach but have not been in years. I'm afraid if I were to go now, someone would notify the nearest marine rescue about a beached whale.

I lost 2 lbs. this week, and that is with the stuff I ate yesterday that I shouldn't have, so I'm happy (and relieved) about that. I am also wearing a shirt today I have not worn in 3 years. Woo Hoo!

My meal prep is done for the week and dinner is in the crock pot so when we get home I should be able to relax. Just have to stop at Wal-Mart on the way home and get DH some new jeans. He is outgrowing his, and not in a good way. Oh well, I still hope my good habits will wear off on him one of these days.

Sam, congratulations! I'm not sure what will happen when I hit my 100 pounds lost mark. I may fall over sobbing or I may start dancing like a crazy person in my bedroom!

Planning on taking it easy this afternoon, and then keeping my nose in my A&P lab manual the rest of the day to study for my exam next weekend. Hope everyone is doing well!

Random thought I've had as I am prepping all of my breakfast, lunch and snacks for the week. Maybe I should start a food blog....I like finding awesome recipes on Pinterest and tweaking them to make them my own but the one part I hate is there's always some long post about what someone did as they were making this or something like that and when I'm reading it I'm just like, get to the recipe already!!!! So maybe if I do a blog it would just be photos and the recipe. I don't even know WHERE I'm going to find time to do this but it's just a thought. What do you guys think?

Thank you Mandy!!! I'm so close so I know I'll hit it next week for sure...I'm not doing my official happy dance until next week

Sam: Congrats on the 100 loss! And the food blog sounds like a good idea. I cannot count the times where I've scrolled by the descriptions of what people were doing while making a recipe, just to get to the recipe. I always thought: If you want to talk about what you did, fine, just do it after you post the recipe.

Cindy: Those non scale victories are the best! Congrats for wearing a shirt that you haven't worn in 3 years!

Mae: Good luck on that exam.

Fi: Still hoping that you get better soon, and back to making masterpieces.

Betsy, Ubee, and Rapid: Hoping that things are going well for you. Good job on keeping carbs in check, Betsy. I don't know that I'd be able to do that.

Things are going okay here. I was a bit over on calories yesterday. We went a distance to get family portraits done. My daughter and I had our hair done, and I had my make-up done. I don't usually wear make-up, do my hair, or dress up in the slightest, so I felt weird. My husband was surprised. The lady that did my hair and make-up did a good job of bringing out my eyes, and making my natural curls look nice, and not the untamed mess that they usually are. I still didn't feel pretty, but I didn't feel ugly, like I do must of the time, either. Our pictures turned out okay. My husband surprised me by asking for all family portraits. We had originally planned on getting shots of the kids individually, and as a group. We only planned on getting one photo of all of us. My spouse was cracking jokes and making the photographer laugh. My oldest son was being a ham. My husband keeps talking about going to Vegas and renewing our vows. We didn't have a wedding ceremony the first time around. So, maybe I have that to look forward to.

Back from my tea party and it was much fun, everyone was dressed up in their 1940s (or so) dresses and hats and such. I had three cups of English breakfast tea, and sampled a lot: deviled egg, a spoonful of a really elaborate trifle, a scone with lemon curd and clotted cream, and a Vienna Whirl (which is a type of cookie, or 'biscuit' as the Brits would say). And now I'm stuck doing work-for-work, boo.

Rather spontaneously today, I also signed up for a 5K race! There is no way I am running, I don't run. I don't even really walk, I stroll. My 'steady' pace is about 2.8 mph on a treadmill, and up to 3.3 mph for short periods of time. And my longest distance thus far is 2.5 miles, so a bit under the race (plus there will surely be a half mile walk to and from the car just to get to the starting point). So, I plan to stroll. If it's too much distance, I'll take a short cut or call a cab. The event runs from 7-10am and the race starts at 8am, so I am hoping they won't kick us off the course until 10am, as it'll take me more than an hour.

Anyway, I was encouraged from my online friend who is 260 pounds and has run a half marathon! Well, mostly walked a half a marathon, but she's done it. Plus I googled 'can you walk a 5K' and read about a guy who lost weight from 480 pounds to 420 pounds and walked one. I've only been walking about a month, and when I started I got winded after 5 minutes. So doing a 5K would be huge.

Rapid: Good job on making a goal! Even if you only do half of it, that's half more than you are doing if you don't do it at all! I think that you can do it though!

Small addition: I was a little nervous about being allowed to finish the race since it started at 8, and the 'award ceremony' was at 9:15, and streets open at 9:30. I emailed the organizer, a local doctor, to see if it was okay if I went to walk the race given that it would probably take me 75-85 minutes. And asked if there were sidewalks open for me to finish it out if the 'race proper' was over. Her response:

"We are happy you are coming out with us... Yes the sidewalks will be open for you! You go girl!"

Very awesome. Now I can't chicken out of going, that was nice and encouraging.

Good Afternoon Ladies - I cant believe its May already, The months are just flying by. I have alot of t.v shows to watch today and Sunday, Those are the only two days I'll be able to stay at home all day and catch up my shows but I'm still gonna make sure I go for my daily walk though. Anyway I thought all books that you order from Amazon took so long to get to you but I ordered my books on Friday and I got them today so I guess I was wrong. I'm looking forward to reading my new books though. I ordered what I thought was Britney Spear's autobiography but its not, Its a book written by her and her mother. I'm still gonna read it but I'm bummed that what I thought I ordered was not what I got, Oh well, I guess next time I will look closer at the book. The other book I got was Jennifer Lopez's autobiography.

tootsie Thanks! I'm not quite there...still got .2 pounds but I guess it's close enough to call it a victory Your DH sounds hilarious and a great guy to be around. Go to Vegas girl!! That would be such a fun trip!!

Mandy Thank you!! If you stay on the right path and keep going, don't give up it will happen faster than you know. It's been a great journey and to lose 100 pounds in 1 year 4 months just about is pretty good I think. You can do this, I know you can!! Good luck on exams!

Rabid Good for you on joining a 5K!!!! That is amazing!!! I've thought about joining one here, seems like there's always some sort of 5K going on here for different causes so I might just join one and use you as my inspiration!!! It doesn't matter how long it takes to finish in my opinion as long as you try your hardest! You're doing a great job...keep going!

Terra The months are flying by you're right!!! I always thought Amazon books took forever to deliver too...Glad you got yours fast. Hope you enjoy them!!

Ok so I didn't say anything in the group about something going on with me because I didn't want to alarm anyone until I knew what it was. For the past couple of years I have had a lump on the left side of my abdomen. I could barely feel it when I was heavier and put it off as maybe my organs or something, but as I've lost weight it has become more prominent and I decided to go check it out. I haven't had a primary care doctor in close to 10 years because I haven't had insurance, so I went to a place that is close to home and work. The staff was so nice!! The nurse and the doctor were so happy to hear of my weight loss efforts and congratulated me on all that I've done. The lump turned out just to be some fatty tissue and the doctor said if I start to feel pain from it then I should come in and they can have it removed. My blood pressure was 128/70 and that's the best it's been in a looonnngggg time....They said I don't have to take any medicine anymore so I no longer have high blood pressure!!!!! That is an amazing feeling because that is one of the things I wanted to accomplish. I also had to talk to them about my bi-polar disorder and depression that I have to deal with. I was hoping she would give me a prescription because in all honesty I am taking medication that wasn't prescribed to me to help me out until I could see the doctor. She wants to have a psych evaluation done on me so I am waiting to hear from the doctor's office to schedule my appointment. I'm quite nervous because it has been a long time since I've seen a psychiatrist and it's awkward for me to open up to people I don't know like that. Hopefully I get a good doctor at the place they referred me to.

I also wanted to note, I weighed in at 239 at the doctor today!! So that puts me at 101 lost, but I'm not going to update my ticker or anything until Sunday's weigh in just in case it goes up and because that's my official weigh in day.

Just had a snack of some zucchini "bagel bites" that I made on Sunday during meal prep, they're one of my new favorites and only 117 calories, 5.2g fat, 8.3g carbs and 9g protien per serving!! I'm using MFP still and I guess it's going ok. It's a good way for me to track the fat and stuff which I am noticing I'm taking in more fat than I was before. This week I'm testing how how having more fat in my diet than I have before affects my weight loss. I'm hoping to have a good loss again this week but I am not sure how it's going to turn out. I've switched my oatmeal for these ham & egg cups. It's high in fat but I guess for the beginning of the day that's not so bad, but we'll see how it changes things.

Ok time to workout before DH has band practice. Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their day!

Hi everyone.

Sam: I'm glad that you had a pleasant weigh in at the doctor and that the lump turned out to be benign.

Terra: The months sure do pass quickly. This is my favorite time of year. All the sunshine, and growing things. Amazon seems to be prompt in delivering books here. I don't have a lot of time to read much, though. Or at least it feels like I don't. It stinks that you didn't get what you thought you did. That sometimes happens to me and I end up with a gem, though.

Rapid: You inspired me to start training for a 5k. I did the first half of the first couch to 5k workout today. Not much, but I can keep trying until I get it. I did the 3 mile HIIT training workout today as well, so I didn't think that it would be prudent to continue when I got a bit winded. I still have a week until I'm likely to be healed from my surgery. My husband chewed me out. I feel good, and don't feel as though I went beyond what I'm capable of.

Sam ~ Yeah usually when I order books from Amazon, It took forever to get them so I was surprised to get them so fast this time around.

Tootsie ~ I'm glad when you order books you dont have to wait a long time to get them. Usually it takes almost a whole month to get books that I order from amazon.

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Good Afternoon Ladies, I havent been up too much today. Just went to a Med. appt. today and thats it. I still have to walk today which I will do. I'm also slowly getting through my shows so thats good. I hope everyone is having a great day. Take Care everybody.

I walked about 3.5 miles on the treadmill today. Took me about 80 minutes but I did it! I wanted to make sure I'm good to go for the 5k (walking!) on Saturday. Though now I see it's supposed to rain, I hope it starts later in the day, and I am sick of it raining on the weekend.

It kinda amazes me how I can go from 'tired after walking 5 minutes' to 'able to walk over 3 miles, even if slowly' in just a little over a month.

Tootsie I'm glad too. Thanks for the shout out! If you aren't 100% healed just still be careful when exercising, but good to know that you are getting better

Terra Sounds like a pretty relaxing day for you today. Hope you enjoyed it.

Rabid It's crazy to see how much we can accomplish in a month isn't it?? You're doing a great job!!

Fi Thinking about you. Hoping you're getting some sort of relief my dear. Always here for you so don't be afraid to reach out <3

Ubee Where are you?? I'm starting to feel the way you did when I went missing for a period of time. You need to get your butt back here!!! I'm rooting for you and I know you will pull through this....YOU WILL DO IT!!!! Don't ever forget how awesomely strong you are!!!!

For real though guys even though Betsy is gone and she's usually the one that keeps everybody together, we gotta keep posting and interacting. It's a great think for everyone during their journeys! BTW, Missing you Betsy if you ever read up on what we were doing while you were gone

Today was like any other day at work...boring!! Sometimes I hate having to be a grown up and do grown up things like work LOL....I came home to a nice surprise in the mail for me. The girlfriend to my late friend Silviu sent me a package of a remembrance t-shirt and some patches to put on my vest and leather jacket. I started to cry when I pulled it out the mailbox because I knew exactly what it was. I've been having a pretty good day and it really did just send me over the moon. I was so happy to have received it, especially since I couldn't attend his funeral in Canada. I miss him so much and still am going through the grievance of him being gone. This is the first friend I've ever had die, so it's definitely something and someone I'll never forget because of how amazing of a person he was. It's weird living this life without him...I don't think he really truly knew how much he changed my life just being the friend that he was.

Today is abs day!!! Just had my snack and it's time to lace up those sneaks and get going on my balance ball!! Hope everyone enjoys their evening!!!

Sam, I'm glad that the lump turned out to be nothing serious, DH has one also that was concerning until we had it checked out. Great news on the weight loss and lower blood pressure too. So sorry about the loss of your friend as well.

Tootsie, great job on the workout, but glad you're listening to your body and not overdoing it.

Terra, sounds like you had a good day. I love relaxing days at home. Now that the warmer weather is here I don't have too many of those anymore.

Rabidstoat, awesome job on the walking. Also, your tea party sounds like lots of fun.

Ubee and Betsy, I miss both of you, too.

Yesterday was a busy, crazy day at work, but today was more manageable. I was in bed last night by 8 o'clock, really unusual for me. I watched some tv but still went to sleep early. I found a few more shirts in my closet that fit and two pairs of jeans I can almost squeeze into.

I hope you all have a good day tomorrow.