Oh thank goodness! I woke up worrying last night as to whether we'd all disappear or not from hurt feelings over yesterday's post. Phew!

JenK - Congrats on the 1/2 marathon. I walked the Disney 1/2 marathon in January. I'd trained a lot for it but it was still a challenge - I'm very impressed by anyone running that distance.

Kierie - do share the wedding planning. I've put my own on hold until the job situation stabilizes a bit so I need to live vicariously through you. Plus maybe if you survive planning, I won't be so diffident about planning mine.

Lynnie - great job on doing 3 miles this morning. I had a 4 mile walk planned but couldn't face it so I did the 2 Mile WATP too and will walk 2 miles on my lunch hour.

Lisa - What is your secret to success? It's my first month of lifetime status and I've gained 7lbs. Not good. How do you keep from significant gains?

Jayne - Your kitchen sounds gorgeous. I'm doing a little happy dance for you. New appliances are so cool. Glad you finally got your refrigerator. Pancit is a traditional Filipino dish that is served on special occasions. According to CB, it is because the noodles in the dish represent long life. His mom makes it in their family. He's been asking me to learn to make it but his mom has avoided my requests to make it with her sometime so that I can learn. So last time she made it, I very carefully watched from a safe distance. Between that and the recipe I pulled from a cookbook, I think I can make it.

Well, I need to get going so I can use the rest of my lunch hour in the gym.

you will love it

Hey girls! Jayne OMG FRIDGE AND KITCHEN ENVY!!!! when james and I move into our new place (he's moving March 1st if we can get all we need for it the apts goign to have a brand spanking new kitchen
Lynnie!!!! you big loser I'm proud of you!!
Lex I LOVE NIGELLA
Lisa we're both going to need my rescue inhaler soon
Oh so Drumroll because I dont need or want a hardroll
(I haven't used t hat line in soo long I missed it)
I'm going to ireland in a month for spring break and one last girlie fling 3/14-21 I can't wait~~!~ and its extra incentive to work out so i can go dancing with my girlies!!!

I have to do some research on anti descrimination laws so DF and I can ensure we can get a ramp and stuff
bbl
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
I'm even excited for my 1st WI since nov I know there will be a gain but all I can go is down right?

Ali - I just caught on to the fact that you and BF are buying a house!!!! Congratulations girlfriend! Owning your own home is one of the best parts about being an adult.

Hey all,


I am still sick... argh!!! Anyhoo, I slept all morning and had to pop out to the store since we were out of fruit and a whole bunch of other stuff (my BF won't be back untill 11pm tonight so there's no point in asking him).

Jen: you bought real-estate too? That rocks!!! We're waiting to here on our mortgage being approved.... shoudn't be a problem but still frustrating waiting (my broker keeps making fun of me for being paranoid)... I am planning to join a running club in the spring and hopefully do some sort of race this year (I am a wimp and don't feel like outdoor running in the winter <though I think temps here and in Chicago are comparable).

Lisa: it's funny, I used to feel that way about not wanting to tell a guy about my inital weight or anything, but now I am really open about it. Trust me, the only negative comment I got was "my cousin lost the same amount of weight as you and then gained it back", but that woman then used my weight loss to motivate herself. 3 years later I am not quite where I want to be, but my size is still in the single digits and I am 100 lbs less than I was!! How many people can say they have lost 88lbs through sensible eating and exercise? See you rock!!

Lynnie: 1.6lbs down is good

Jayne: I am excited by the kitchen in our new place... we're taking their appliances which are about 5 years old (15 years younger than our current).. We already have recent washer and dryer so we're taking those with us. But the cabinets in our kitchen are gorgeous... Lot's of space yah

Lexxy:

My cat is being a pain right now (they're renovating the unit next door and I think she hates the noise)... oh well, I am going off to take it easy...



Cheers!

Ali

Lynnie - I just noticed that you are in the 200's now!! That is awesome! Congrats!!

I'll try to write more later....

Laura: yup!! It's a raised bungalow! I am so excited!

Take care!

Ali

Well, I really didn't want to post anything, but I guess I will. I really was hurt yesterday. And maybe it sounds stupid to some, but I was always asking where everyone was and why no one posts... then 2 people come and hit me with something I didn't feel was happening here. And for the record, I still don't see this place as being negative. I am very self conscious lately about everything from weight to how people talk to me... ever since Kate was born. I swear my hormones are still screwed up. So that may be why I am struggling so much.

But I have managed to do some sort of exercise 3 days in a row now. So I guess I am not all that bad. I really try, I just don't get results like I want.

WOW... everyone here is so awesome.

Lynnie - what is WATP? Whatever it is... be proud... 3 miles is awesome! And 1.6 is awesome too. Let it come off slowly. I seriously think the slower it comes off, the easier it is to keep it off. A lady in my WW group lost 80 pounds in a year and 2 years later she's back where she was. I used to be jealous of her because it took me 3 years to lose 88 pounds, but guess what... today I'm in a much better situtation. Keep up the awesome work.

Lexxy - To be honest... I work out and strength train... and some parts are still mushy. It makes me so mad sometimes that I've worked this hard to have some loose skin. My arms have tones up, and they are fine.. it's my abdomen and thighs that bother me. People think now that I'm a size 6 or 8 that I can wear a bathing suit and look good, so they don't understand why I'm always covering up... I still am glad I lost the weight... and one day I would love to have some "help." Its awful that if you get gastric bypass and cost your insurance $30,000 that they'll pay the $10,00o for the extra skin removal... but that if you work hard, lose it yourself, and save your insurance company the $30,000 they won't give you a cent. I used to think that surgery was a cop out, but after 2-3 years of hard core strength training, I know that there are some areas that aren't going to get any better. I doubt I'll ever have the money to get it done... but maybe I'll win the lottery or something

Laura - please! You're asking me for advice? You're the one who made it to lifetime.. I should be asking you your secret I haven't made it to goal yet (13 pounds to go)... so i guess my "secret" is that I'm still in losing mode... although I'm the same weight I was last year at this time. But it's better than gaining, so I'm thankful. My only advice is that exercise is the #1 key to keeping weight off... now what was your secret to getting to goal?????

Ali - thanks. He knew I had lost weight and saw some pictures, but I never told anyone that awful number I was hiding... but I know he loves me, and so I'll get over it. You're wonderful! Thanks for the advice and congrat on the house!

See why I don't come here every day? I have to post like a thousand times.

Lisa

Lisa: I know, that's why I won't be getting the extra skin taken from my upper arms and inner thighs removed any time soon... The tummy tuck won't happen until I have had my kids and a tubal ligation.... also I dunno, for some reason I'd prefer to travel, dirve a nice car then get my loose skin removed...but if I won the lottery Also think of it this way about you losing weight.... It shows that you can be ultra comitted and motivated!!! See it's all good... I find losing weight near goal always takes a lot longer... maybe add some more monosaturated fats?


Jen: exercising 3 times in a row is great!! be proud of yourself. I am always amazed at how you manage your job, family and your hobbies!! You show us how balance can be done!


Oh the best news.... our second condition has been met for our house's sale... Our mortgage has been approved

We just need the home inspection (that's tomorrow)... we had it appraised today too... apparently the house we're buying could have easily been sold for $10K more or so... But we gave the vendors what we they were asking (though we got a couple of extras like the fridge, stove, dishwasher and blinds) so I don't feel too bad.... It's also in an area where housing prices are starting to skyrocket!!

So there's a free ice cream social in the cafeteria and so far I'm being strong and haven't gone. I just had my 2-point afternoon snack, but I still want to go!!!! AGH!

Jen - Yesterday's comments were not directed at you. I'm sorry if you felt they were.

Ali - Congrats!! I agree with Laura, owning your own home is one of the best parts about being an adult. (even if mine is only 800 sq. ft.!!)

Sorry I don't have time for a full post guys. It's a busy day at work and took forever to read through everything. It's good to have a lot of you back. And it's GREAT to celebrate all our successes. I've been feeling sorry for myself because of my injury and not being able to work out but reading this thread makes me look at the 40# I've lost and know I can get back on it. There are exercises that won't affect my ankle - maybe I'll go swimming this weekend. For the record, it's still very sore (a 2nd degree sprain) and not healing as quickly as I'd like.

Someone mentioned John Mayer. I am working at his concert here on Saturday night. Tonight I have to work at Linkin Park. Probably a night of babysitting drunk teenagers because I have to sit in the first aid room because of the ankle. At least the kids will be enjoying themselves. I'll check in tomorrow and try to post right.

KT

ok, not much time for a real post, but I had to share that I am actually giddy because a boy I might like is going to be at this bar tonight I did my nails, by the way!

Jen, I'm glad you decided to post. I know it sucks that it takes so long to get the weight off, but hang in there. I can imagine things are so crazy after having a baby, that you have a million other things to worry about. Maybe focusing on keeping yourself healthy would be something easier to wrap yourself around then thinking it off having to lose all this weight (you DID just have a baby and this is the real world, not movie-star land). 3 days of exercise is a lot more than most people get - so just think of how much healthier a lifestyle you are leading then most!

KT, I actually really like Linkin Park, I'm jealous!

Lisa, stay strong with the ice cream! NO BAD ICE CREAM!! The cow peed in it anyway...and a friend of mine is doing gastric bypass and I kind of have the same opinions you do on it. But I'm not going to tell her that! Just think of how much stronger we are for it!

Ali, I'm so jealous of your home purchase, but that's great news, congrats!

JenK, 800sq ft!! You own a palace!! I'll be lucky with 650.

Ok, gotta run, leaving work early to pretty up for this boy. I am SO 14 years old!

Tilley: WATP stands for Walk Away The Pounds ( its a dvd)

Thanks everyone for the support...