Well....I'm still trying to lose the same 5 lb that I have been working on since Thanksgiving...but I'm at least staying more or less constant. On thother hand...I went to the doctor this morning for a follow up on my BP meds since my cholesterol tests came back with good numbers...BP this morning was 121/76...nice! But she wants to monitor me for another 6 months. She was very happy to see though that since my last appt in July I have lost over 25 lbs...yay!

Jilly: Breakfast is key...but you know that. I either eat the WW oatmeal cup, or I make oatmeal with plain oats, skim milk and a packet of SF hot chocolate mix. When I do that, I'll also slice a banana into it as well. Sometimes I skip the hot chocolate and add blueberries and some FF vanilla coffee mate. Yesterday I added brown sugar twin and SF syrup. Other days I'll do a 1/2 cantelope and FF yogurt or cottage cheese. I always have a banana. If I am going out or if I cook breakfast for Jason and I I'll do egg whites and veggies or veggie sausage. Granola is tricky so I tend to avoid it.

Before starting WW I never ate breakfast...now I can't deal without it. Keep up the good work!!

I just wanted to share that today I went downstairs in my building to the gym and joined. I hadn’t expected to be nervous, but by the time I got down there my heart was racing. I signed up, but need to go back down tomorrow morning to talk to one of the personal trainers. The first session is included with signing up, but I think I will need all the help I can get so I will probably spend the money and get a personal trainer once a week. I am lucky enough to finally be at a place in my life where I can afford it. I did get a few inquisitive looks, which felt like “what’s that really fat girl doing in the gym?”, but it could have been my imagination from being so worked up. Hopefully I can get going next week, but until then I am continuing to try and do a little bit every day, whether it is a tape or walking in front of the TV.

Dogpal – I hope you feel better soon. It seems that almost everyone at my office is sick – I am hoping I’m not next!

Ammi – I really need to take measurements too. Hopefully it should really help during times that the scale isn’t moving the way I want (which I know will probably happen!) Christmas goodies are so hard to resist. We still have some chocolates and cookies too. I am hoping my boyfriend eats them soon.

Jill – I know what you mean about wanting to not spend the calories in the morning. When you think of how you have backtracked, imagine where you might be if you hadn’t gone down to begin with. That is a big part of how I got to where I am now. I remember being about 300 and then I had a period of bad times and it seems I put on the next 50 in no time at all. There will probably always be a little bit of ups and downs.

Tracey – That is great that your holiday weight is gone. I can’t wait for healthy eating and exercise to feel normal for me too.

AlabamaChubster – I am new here too, but I will still add my I can't imagine a better place to come for support.

Well, I better get back to work. Hope everyone is having a great Thursday.

Catherine - Congratulations on finishing your gown! I don't blame you for taking it on your carry-on...you worked VERY hard on it, and I wouldn't take ANY chances either. I'll bet you are getting so very excited!!! I can't wait to see pics!!!!!

Kerri - Hello, and welcome back! I'm fairly new here, but I love it! I wish you luck on reaching your goal! I think 2006 is going to be a great year for all of us!

jimoreta - Hello and welcome to 3fatchicks. I think that you will find that this forum, and the website in general can be very inspiring for you to reach your goals. I know where you are coming from with the depression as well. Although, I haven't been diagnosed, I know I need to go to a doctor, and see why I cry all the time for no reason, and why I am just so sad over nothing.

AlabamaChubster - Welcome! I hope you find your inspiration here!!

I really need to go down and check out the YMCA about the scholarships that were mentioned...but as of yesterday, I'm SICK. Ugh. I don't get sick easily, but it's really kicking my butt! I'm going to try and do just a few little exercises, but then I'm sure I'll be back in bed... Hopefully, I'm able to shake it before tomorrow afternoon, as I have to work from 3pm-11pm, and I definately CANT be sick!

OOOOH I am SOOOO ANGRY!!! I just spent half an hour replying to posts here, copying as I went, then the Internet died on me, and then when I could get back on here and try to paste the reply onto a new page, it wouldn't let me. So I will try again, and hope that this time I can actually post this. In fact, no, I am not going to do a long post. I will answer everybody indvidually and post as I go along. Sorry I have to do it that way, but I don't want to risk losing everything again.

So here we go - First to Tracey - congratulations on losing all the weight you put on over the holiday. I am sure you will be under the 290 mark before you know it. I will be so thrilled when I get under 300 lbs. As you will see from my ticker it's my first mini goal. Those lbs lost will be wrong and I will update on Monday. I hope I haven't gained them all back.

Happy whateverdayyourreadingthis! WELCOME new friends! WELCOME 'Bamachubster!

Ammi, SO glad to see you're back! I had an up n down December, started good, then ran out of diet food on the truck and backslid, came home and really did good, then Christmas blew me out of the water, then tried to get back on track but my housemate insisted on keeping junk around until New Years so backslid again. I ended up with a net loss of 1.5 pounds, which I'll take and be very thankful for!! Bill (dh) got me a G.Foreman type grill for on the truck so I can cook on the road now. The truck has been in the shop so we're home until next Monday. I've banged up my ribs coming off a horse, so my workouts are suffering, but I haven't quit. I hope that I don't hurt too bad by Monday or won't be able to go on the truck. There it is, my life in a nutshell. ...Don't worry about starting this second to get back on track. You have a day planned, a strategy, and it's better to really Go For It when you've prepared and are determined and ready. Sometimes we do it because guilt tells us we "should" but if your heart isn't in it, you may defeat your goal and end up feeling worse because you "should" have done better or something. Monday is the day! Enjoy yourself until then, guilt free, and THAT will be YOUR day to kick this thing in the... in the... I wanna say "fanny", but I believe it means something different on your side of the pond.... Can anybody tell me how to spell Keester? Anyway, you know what I mean.

Kerri, Did you eat breakfast today?? Great goals - to eat better and work out, rather than just "lose weight." Go for it!

Jilli, sometimes I've eaten up to 60% of my calories for breakfast, and I don't like to go THAT high, but it sure has paid me to have some protein early, and I know what you mean about not getting hungry as fast! And Jilli, THIS time, you're going to make it down to 250. THEN, you are going to keep going! With everything else in your life, you've Still gotten it back under control, just like you said. As pretty as you are, you're going to be even prettier when you get where you want to be! You won't be needing those 24's anymore!!

Nancy, GOOD for you joining the gym!!! You're gong for YOU, not for any busy-bodies down there. If they wanna look, then just smile and say "WATCH ME! I'm about to transform!" Catherine has told inspirational stories about her water workouts. She once said something like "You can die from being overweight and unhealthy, but you can't die from embarrassment" ...or something like that. How true. You not only have a right to BE there, you have a right to be PROUD to be doing what you're doing! I hope you love you're workouts! ... actually I'm just a little jealous, tho - you have it right in your building, and I have to drive 7 miles to workout. Will you be taking the stairs or the 'vator?

Kayley, just cuz you're already so close to your Jan goal, doesn't mean you have time to be sick! Hope you're feeling better soon!

JULEE! That is SO cool about both your WL & your BP dropping for trip to the Dr.! You've gotta be happy!! BRAVO!!!

GO, Teahoney, GO! I know what you mean about the exercize being "normal". I'm loving it myself, and missing it now while my ribs are mending. I hope you break that "0" on your weigh-in!!

Dogpal, Sorry you're sick! Hope you're feeling better soon!!

Gotta run - ANOTHER lesson with the little girl & her mustang. The kid is getting her milage out of me while I'm home. They are doing SO great, I wish I had time to tell you. - Val

I'm really not SURE how the scholarships work. It was either Catherine or Hippievanlady who told me about them.

As for the depression, I had insurance, but it's run out now, as I was only able to be on it until December of your 19th year (my stepdad's insurance). And as it's January, I have none. My mom's won't cover me until she goes back to work after chemo, which we won't know WHEN since her last chemo is two weeks from today. I have absolutely NO money to spend, and doctors are far too expensive right now...I need to get to a gyno AND my doc, but I'll just have to wait until I have insurance again.

My mom's a trooper, and this is actually her second battle with cancer. About 11 or 12 years ago, they found out she had stomach cancer, but they were lucky and caught it before it spread. She had a hysterectomy, and was fine. Stomach cancer runs in our family, and has killed many women from it. I have to start going for my checkups, as there is a 90% chance I will get it as well. The chemo was creating a lot of pain for her, but after she had her catheter moved to the other side of her chest, the pain was gone. Today was her second to last treatment, and she's in a very good mood. She's hoping to return to work in February or March. She's been out since the beginning of July.