Trust me, I already know how wonderful you all are. I feel so blessed to have found you all. Everyone here is so special! It is so nice to find a place where people understand you and are with you, not against you.

DelsT: The experience you had is horrifying! I'm so glad you're OK and still with us!

And, Vanlady: "Your character is flawed?!" Oh my Lord!

There's something seriously wrong with doctors these days. The only person I've been able to get help from has been my gynecologist as well. He is so supportive. I did have an excellent doctor, but he retired so I've been drifting for the last 10 years. Everything that doctor who retired told me was 100 percent correct, every diagnosis. They don't make them like that anymore!

Fortunately, my gynecologist just told me that the doctor I picked is very good because he does integrative medicine and he considers all kinds of treatments and alternatives (not limited just to drugs/standard medicine). That makes me feel better about going to him.

I am happy to report that I feel like I've gotten turned around and I might be going in the right direction now.

To all the newbies: you have found the right place!

P.S.: Dogpal: Thank you for that address.

Hey Thin, Lillion must have ended the thread while I was posting. That STOP sign was not there when I started!!! (Of course I could have looked at the mumber of post...)

Hello everyone…

MERTZ!!! I love that avatar!! Welcome

Sorry I missed you all the last two days… Tuesdays are my long days and I just come home and SPLAT on the couch.

Let me start off with some good news. Over the week that I have been stressing over my job situation, I gained a pound, but I weighed in this morning and it looks like it’s gone, so I guess I maintained heheh…

Next… Everything at work is fine now… although it wasn’t resolved like I wanted it to be, nothing went on my employment record and nothing went on my evaluation since my probation was up in April. So… lets start with, my two witnesses place my outside the restroom when the boy was in and out of the restroom… however, this security guard and secretary swear I was seen coming out of the restroom. The boy was spoken to and he basically said the guard confused him with the questions and he doesn’t know anymore. So that’s not exactly a win win situation, but basically my job is no longer in jeopardy. AND that security guard is no longer there. I think that was due to policies and procedures not being followed and he took the investigation into his own hands… but I could be wrong. Needless to say, I’m still stressed out from it all tho. I was also told I am not suppose to say no when I am asked to escort a student somewhere, because it’s in my job description, however, a bunch of the girls and I were talking, many of them looked over our job descriptions and no where does it say we have to do that. Maybe it falls under “assisting the teacher” but then technically in our job description, it also says we’re not allowed to be alone with a student or students. Go figure.

My next question… anyone here belong to a gym? I’m just curious as to the machines, when they read distance = 6.79 . I do 10 minutes on the bikes to get m heart rate up before I go to the weights and I’m just curious… does that mean I biked 6.70 miles??? Let me think about this tho… I was going about 70mph and in 10 mintutes of time… that means oy my head hurts LOL. I’ll have to ask the Trainers there GRIN.

Hope everyone is doing well… I have my state exam this weekend, so I’m gonna be scarce the next few days so I can get some studying in. Take care everyone!

Hugz – n – Kisses
Sue…

I haven't read all of the posts yet but the introduction seems really cool i am a former 300+ lbder and i was wondering if it was okay if I join this group? My stats are in my sig. Nice to meet you all *waving*

Welcom Mrsdawson!!!

MrsDawson..your avatar scares me but it's something I will be very happy to see here regularly as a reminder of what I am working so hard to get rid of.

I BOUGHT A SKIRT TODAY AT TARGET...IN THE JUNIOR'S SECTION..NOT IN PLUS SIZES!!! Ok it was an XXL...but that is smaller than a 2X!!! It is a hair snug across the tummy, but it's sort of large in the waist and is cute everywhere else. I tried on another awesome skirt that was really too snug in the tummy. but in January I wouldn't have been able to pull it up.so there!!! My 18/20 tshirts are too big and I got new ones at target...Juniors size XL!!!! So exciting.

Sue...once I am free this summer...we will get together for sure!!! Keep up the great work and good luck on your state boards!

Hope everyone else has a great weekend....it's another packed one here...OY.

I'm devastated.

I found out today that I have autoimmune hepatitis.

*sighs* not a good day.

Hi Gang

I've been reading up but haven't posted in a while... your stories are so interesting sometimes I get lost in thought and spend all my comp time just lapping it up!

Mertz and Mrs and anyone else I missed, WELCOME!!!

Sara, I'm so sorry about your diagnosis. I hope your treatment(?) goes well and you don't allow this to get you down. You've been doing so well... keep up the good work... you body will thank you for it!

Leanne, Lord knows I understand what you mean about other people's progress getting you down! This bug has bitten me more than once years ago. I used to post on a forum like this and I've also gone on a diet with a friend who had a lot less weight to lose.. I had this crazy idea that everyone around me had weight just dropping off and I'd stagnate even though I was working quite hard. This has always led to me just feeling depressed and giving up. Of course this is the quickest way to remain fat while my other friends lost weight... This time around, I've gone the competitive route! I'm genuinely happy for all the successes you women have posted (I even seek them out on the Success Stories Board). If I'm not doing as well, I focus more. This time around I'm thinking about myself and my overall health more than I'm thinking about how other people will see my weight. I feel empowered knowing that at least I'm working on it! And I really, really, want it this time! Use the story of someone who began where you began and is doing well to motivate you. Leanne, do this for yourself. Focus on YOU.

Shadie, for some reason I seem to attract beautiful, thin women who want someone to secret eat a chocolate fudge pint of ice cream with! It happened all through college, all through graduate school, etc. I think a lot of our thin women friends also have issues with food and feel like they can finally let their pants down and 'RELAX' in front of that fat best friend! My current best friend is an overall health nut, very beautiful, and petite. She used to call me up to hang out and have a 'naughty meal' with her whenever she was ready. Of course, I always obliged because I LOVE MY FOOD and put across this idea that I was already fat so who cares? Anyway, you're right... this is about changing our behaviours and relating to friends and family in a different way once you decide to do this FOR REAL!

Julee... MUCH CONGRATS ON YOUR LOSS!

Sue... good luck on that exam! Glad the atmosphere is better at work and that security guard got what he deserves!

Other news: I might be on a TV show here in the UK about losing weight the natural, long term, permenant way and about Natural Beauty!! eek! I think they're doing it to combat this plastic surgery age where every night there's some program on about lipo and gastric bypass, and botox. Anyway, I will do it so long as I don't have to take pictures in my underwear!
Have a good day everyone! Stay Strong!

Newfiesara: I'm sorry for your diagnosis. I hope you have a good doctor. If not, find one! We're still here to support you even though I'm sure losing weight is the farthest thing from your mind right now. Learn everything you can about autoimmune hepatitis and don't stop searching for help.

SueMarie: The resolution to the problem sounds somewhat disappointing, but maybe now you can move on. You now have a very good idea of what can be misperceived when working with kids, so you'll be better able to protect yourself in the future. (I suppose you can chalk it up as a learning experience. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.)

Thank you all for your wonderful welcome. I think I am going to browse around and look at more threads therefore please bear with me. Sometimes I lurk and other times I post but I am here nonetheless. You guys sound like a great group! julecees I know what you mean about the avatar that's why I chose it as my own LOL. A good reminder.

Workout update I went out and jog walked my usual 1.6 miles this morning and I am doing pretty good. I worked out on my legs yesterday and combined with todays run my inner thighs are really sore! But no pain no gain right? I've just recently started journaling again although I hate journaling I truly do and I want to gage myself at close to 1800-1900 cals a day. This should cause atleast a 1-3 lb loss during the week. I think with me weighing more than most people I have to take in a certain amount of cals a day to make my body understand that I am not trying to starve it. Anyhoo, great to meet you guys. and newfiesara I am going to keep you lifted up in prayer on your journey, to living with and possibly beating the autoimmune hepatitis with Gods help. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism back in Sept 2004 and that is what started my journey to a healthier me. You can do i we have faith in you sis!

Thanks for the welcome suremarie and biggirl 02 you guys are really nice and you'll see me around here alot. off I go to read more threads.....

Good Morning All!

It is once again a beautiful morning in central MO! The sun is shining, there's not a cloud in the sky and it's a perfect 72 degrees! Of course, being 72 at 8 a.m. means it'll be 85 by this afternoon with 90% humidity...but I'll take it while it lasts!

I did really well yesterday food wise. I had oatmeal (6 pts) for breakfast, pasta (7 pts) for lunch and some turkey and cheese wraps and an apple for dinner (7 pts). I had a banana for a snack (2 pts) and an ice-cream bar for dessert (4 pts). Total 26! Lowest points I've had in a day for a while, but I wasn't really hungry....Had probably too many left over.

I worked in the yard yesterday. I weeded, planted, watered and sweated! Then I sat on the patio and let the sprinkler hit me on each pass...that was the best part! At least I got my flower bed taken care of for a couple of weeks and got some exercise...DH has fighter practice on Thursdays and so I have the evening to myself. (The SCA does unchoreographed, full-contact, armored combat. Basically, they dress in armor and beat on each other with wooden swords...he gets his exercise on Thurdays for sure!)

Today is WI day! As usual, I post the new number after noon! We'll see if I really made it to the 80's!

Biggirl: A tv show! Interesting. I don't think I could do that...I'd just keep thinking about the camera adding 10 lbs. Last time I had my picture taken for my state ID I kept telling people, "you know the camera adds 100 lbs!" Was funnier at the time. I truely hate having my picture taken, can't imagine being on TV. But it does sound like something I'd watch.

Sara: I'm so sorry to hear about your illness. I also hope the treatment goes well and you stay with us here...feel free to use me as a sholder. ((hugs))

Julee: Way to go! Nothing as good as smaller new clothes! I'm waiting to get to my July 4 goal...that's 50 lbs gone...and then I'm rewarding myself with one new outfit.

MrsD: Welcome! We're a friendly bunch...I'm sure you'll like it here. Looks like you've been doing a wonderful job so far! That's an impressive slider!

Sue: I'm glad that your work problem is working out favorably. Do you know just who it was that "saw" you? That would be the thing that bugged me!

Catherine and Tina: WOW! Talk about horror stories! Especially you Tina! My God I can't believe that a Doctor would just send you away without tests! Makes me LOVE mine even more than I already did! He sends me for tests I don't even think I need!

Leanne: I have missed your posts. Please don't be discouraged...we all have times when things go better and times when things go slower. I'm sure that it is depressing when you aren't doing as well as you hoped or as well as others seem to be, but everyone goes at their own pace and I'm sure that all will work out in the end. Please stay with us or at least don't go completely away! ((Hugs))

Well, that's all since I posted last so I think I'm done. Late for my first hearing...but then again, they can't start without me!

Have a happy, healthy OP day!

Good morning ya'll!
Sara, so sorry about your illness. I'll be remembering you in prayer.
SueMarie, glad you like my avatar. I have a little Chihuahua, 6 months old. The love of my life! I never knew you could get so attached to a little ball of "energy" like I have my Bambi. She's spoiled rotten!
I have several things I need to work on to get my food plan in place. I need to start drinking more water and getting more exercise. I know what I need to do...it's just the doing it!
Thanks to all for the welcome!

Happiness,
Mertz

I know I haven't been posting much lately, but I've been lurking about.

I took an afternoon off and went to Lake Geneva with my boyfriend yesterday. We were meeting up with his mom and sisters who are in the area for a vacation. I was a little nervous about it but it was nice.

They've always been intimidating to me. I swear, his sisters are so perky and beautiful and perfect. They both had ideal high school experiences, and I admit I can get jealous since I feel I was cheated by a good portion of my childhood and teenage years (for more reasons than just the weight). But I can't let it get to me, I just can't.

And I get so concerned that people are gonna judge me by my appearance alone; it seems that I'm no better.

But like I said, it turned out nice. I think I have a different attitude now than I did before I moved away from our home town. I can at least admit that I'm taking steps to get better instead of pretending there's nothing wrong. I was able to let my defensive guard down and have a good time, even if most of the shirts I wanted to buy only went up to a size large.

Oh, and we did a ton of walking! I was very proud of myself; had I attempted this last year, I don't think my body could have handled it. In fact, my boyfriend had trouble keeping up with us, even though he sat on a bench every time we went in a store. I told him that we need to take walks together.

Have a few minutes in the work flow and thought I would touch base. Busy week, and busier weekend. Atty I work for has trial starting on Monday, so I will have to work Saturday and Sunday both. Big bummer, as the weekend is the only time hubby and I have together. But it doesn't happen very often and I am thankful for my job, as I really like it and work with some great people. Have done really well with my food since my little jump off the wagon Tuesday night, although I really need to find the time to get back on the treadmill. Going to a girls "party" tonight with a ton of gals from work, and will eat dinner before I go. The fact that I have WI at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow will keep me grounded and focused.

Hippievanlady - I loved your toilet cleaning technique with the boys. I've already discussed it with the kiddo and told him he has been pre-warned. Believe it or not, we've had a very smooth week!

Sara - I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I too will keep you on my prayer list. I also agree that you need to try and research as much as you can, and find a good doctor that you like and trust.

Speaking of doctors, Catherine and Tina, I think I would have turned both of those doctors into the AMA. I too have a wonderful, kind and caring doctor that has been our family's GP for over 19 years. He has very delicately discussed my weight with me in the past, but has never in any way ever critized me for it.

MrsD - Welcome. This is a great group of folks and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do!

JuleeCees - Girl, you are on a roll. Keep rollin'...

SueMarie - I am really glad that the issue has been resolved. I know it wasn't resolved to your complete satisfaction, but you can now at least take a big deep breath and move on. You did prevail!!!

Mertz - Yes, those little fur babies have a way of attaching themselves to your heartstrings and not letting go. We have two mini-dachshunds that my husband calls my "mid-life crisis" children!

To everyone else I missed, sorry and I don't mean to overlook anyone, just have to get back to work.

Although I do have to work tomorrow, I will at least post early a.m. with my WI results. Wish me luck!!!

Hey guys!
How is everyone? before I forget this mt. People Mag has a really good article on people that have lost a lot of wt[300-500 lbs] without surg.
To the newcomers; welcome
Newfiesara; you are in my prayers
hippygoddess; rember you are speical, and your progress is yours and yours alone.
Hippievanlady; you have done so well!!! I feel ashamed for crying so much.
JuleeCEEs; new clothes WAY TO GO! chick.
Suemarie;good luck, you'll do great!
Big GIRL; I'm excited for you!!! keep us posted
Well guys I hope that's everyone! [ just learning to type]
Me, I'm doing good and I owe a good part of this to you guys, and haveing a place to come and feel at home!!!!
Audrey