Good morning, ladies (we seem to have lost our one man from a couple threads back already)!

ThisGirlsLosing, you cracked me up about not caring about what's between their legs I'm sorry you're feeling so down right now, but you summed it up best when you said break ups SUCK! All I can suggest is to use it as motivation, not an excuse to overeat. After all, even if a break up occurs on mutual grounds or in a positive way, it's always nice to see that ex in the future and KNOW you are even hotter than when you were together

Kayley, hope your final is going well! Also, congrats on getting out there and applying for a million jobs! Even the ones that turn out to not be what you expected give you more experience in interviewing that you can use the next itme you walk into an interviewer's office.

So, I have new motivation to pay off my credit card once and for all. I talked with Jeff, and I said once I paid off my card, I'd like to get a cat, and he didn't say no! I have been petless for far too long, and I can't have dogs in our current apartment building, so I really want a cat. Besides, they are good pets for those of us who can't be home to care for them all day--very independent, unlike a dog I would have to train and walk and whatnot. I know it will be months until it actually happens (I'm guessing maybe December-January), but I am still so excited

I'm not going to be able to post individuals I don't think... just too much to catch up on and I have had to do a little more school work now we are back for Term 2.

I just wanted to post another picture. I know... you've seen a few lately, but... this one is a GOOD one.

I asked one of the teachers at school to see if she had any 'before' shots of me, as I know she loves taking pictures at any event. Well, she brought this one in today and I think it is the BEST 'before' shot I've seen yet. I have almost gotten to the stage where I can now 'see' myself as smaller, and seeing this picture made that even clearer I think. It is still so easy to picture how I felt at that size. I have heard that you can still 'feel' a limb after it has been removed, and I think I can still 'feel' that fat person. Does that make any sense? I think that is perhaps why I am having trouble with body image, but I don't really know what I'm talking about, so perhaps I should just keep my 'waffling' to myself.

Anyway... here's the pic...



I was showing people at school my 'before' and 'after' pics for the competition and they were absolutely amazed. I got a lot of compliments about the 'after' pics and a lot of stunned looks at the 'before' pics. People kept saying that it was hard to remember me at that size. That is a GOOD thing I think.

Well, I'm off to bed to read and rest my knee. It has been bothering me for a while, but not too badly. Today I jogged some laps of the oval with the kids and our oval is in REALLY bad condition. I think that avoiding the potholes put too much strain on my knee as it has been hurting all day. I'm going to see how it is tomorrow before I decide to exercise. I may have to go to the doc to see if I have actually damaged it. Oh dear... I didn't really want this. Perhaps I should have just stayed with WALKING those laps. I am just SO impressed that I can actually jog now, that I got a little carried away.

I want to respond to a few people, but that will have to wait. Please forgive me and know that my heart is with those facing hardships and my cheers are ringing out from over here, for those who are seeing successes. May the hard times improve and the successes continue.

Take care,

Zelma

woow what a difference... i so want to be like you after!

Hello All,

It's Tuesday afternoon and there is peace in my house. Both girls are back in school and I love it I managed to sort out their room, what a mess it was, I was looking for a lost exam paper of Caleigh's so I just threw out a load of junk at the same time. And no, I didn't find the paper. I had a few hours sleep after that, not that I wanted it, but Daren did, and it's so rare that he sleeps in the day that I joined him. Now I am up again, had lunch, and want to catch up on things here before I go figure out what I am making us all for tea. (evening meal).

Zelma - It is so hard to believe that that big lady was you! I have often read magazines showing where people have lost a lot of weight, but it's not the same as actually knowing somebody who's done it. You look amazing, and you may not be huge in size now, but you are one HUGE inspiration, thank you

Nancy - thanks so much for being pleased at my weight loss. I have to say that when I see a good start like that it does inspire me to keep going. I just have to remember now that when I get on the scale and see an unearned gain, that it will go again, and try not to let it get me down.

I think perhaps that that is what is missing with your BF, fun. At the moment you can only focus on the stuff that worries you. It would be good if you could have some fun days out, or take a couple of trips like he mentioned. I am sure there is a way to do both without it costing the Earth. I will look forward to hearing what you have planned.

I am the same as you when it comes to changing diets, especially when I wasn't losing the last time I tried doing the WW diet. I looked into all the various diet plans, and in honesty they all seem like so much hard work and way to regimented for my liking. Perhaps when I have lost 100 lbs and am struggling to lose any more I will be ready for a change, and all it entails, but for now I am sticking to what I know and love, WW.

As for not losing as fast as some of the other ladies here, I guess we have to remember that we all have different metabolisms. We all have different health issues, or even financial situations that stop us exercising perhaps as much as others. We just have to focus on doing what we can do, and enjoying every lb that comes off no matter how slowly it happens.

I used to watch the old Doctor Who when I was a kid, watching them now just makes me laugh. I laugh at the memories of me being so engrossed in the show as a kid and not noticing how bad the sets and costumes were etc. That's why I LOVE the new series so much, still got the great stories, but now with up to date graphics etc to go with it.

Patti - I am sorry that you saw a gain on the scales, but remember that muscle weighs more than fat. Maybe all those extra minutes on the tread mill are making extra muscle and that's what has moved the scales upwards. I was watching Celebrity Fit Club earlier this year (UK) and one of the celebs didn't lose any weight one week. He was so miffed because he had worked so hard at it. He said he should have lost at least 5 lbs, and the experts said, well he had, because his body fat percentage had gone down, and his mucsle percentage had gone up by 5 lbs. So just remember, you may weigh more some weeks, but it's not fat, it's all muscle.

Annie - thanks for the congrats, now I just hope I can carry on with the downward trend.

Sounds like you are doing well with Curves, I bet you love that you are getting out and about now and doing something to aid your weight loss. Good for you

MariaLucia - break ups are so hard, and being lonely is even worse, and it can't help that you still see your ex so often and crave what you would have liked in a relationship with her. You made the right choice in ending the relationship, now you just need to try to be strong, keep busy, keep losing weight, and one day when you least expect it, Ms or Mr Right will come into your life. Yes yes, I know I sound corny, but it happens, and it will happen for you. Until then, big virtual hugs from me

Kayley - thanks for the congrats, onwards and downwards now

I am sorry that your job interviews for one reason or another ended up not going so well, it sounds like you have a lot more to go for though, and I just hope one of them will be for a job you will really enjoy and that you get it.

You have a busy week this week, try not to stress out, and please look after yourself. I guess all your running around will just add to your exercise for this week, and hey, way to go on the eliptical work out!!

Xena - thanks for the congrats on my 6 lbs gone, it's wonderful to be losing, and it's so lovely to be able to come here to tell people and have them genuinely pleased for me

I am so glad you rang your friend, and that no iminent date to meet up has been made. Have you ever thought that he hates being tall and lanky as much as you hate your extra lbs?? He may come across as super confident, and let's face it, you would have to be to go sky diving lol, but deep down he might be very insecure when it comes to how tall and thin he is. It's a thought.

I hope you work up the courage to ask your therapist for the meds. I know what you mean about not wanting to do it. I was the same when I first suggested to my doctor that I was feeling depressed. I thought she would just tell me to pull myself together and get on with it. She didn't though, she got me started on meds, and then eventually signed me up with a counselor, and just recently she changed my meds to ones that seem to be working YAY. So be brave, you know what they say, you can't get if you don't ask.

Wyllen - that is great that you have such a wonderful acceptance of that lb you gained. You know you didn't earn it, and that it can't be a lb of fat, and you realise it will go soon enough. Now I have to keep telling myself the same thing in preparation for when I have an unearned gain. Far better to honestly accept it for what it is than to pig out because there was no loss showing!

Crock - it must feel good to get rid of your bigger clothes and move into the smaller sizes. You will soon be back into the 16s and 18s you have probably kept

That's great that you and your dad bought a jeep, now just you make sure that you are the main investor in it and if he doesn't tow the line you save up and buy his share from him

Sharon - that is so great that you walked so much when you were away, I can definitely feel a great loss showing on the scale this time when you weigh.

It's good news too that your parents didn't moan about anything....were they feeling ok, had they been taken by aliens and replaced with non moaning parents Well whatever the reason I bet it made for a much more enjoyable visit.

Oh don't you hate it when you don't get introduced, especially when one of the people is a smarmy, ***** who thinks she can be all over your husband. My ex NEVER introduced me to people, and towards the end of our relationship if we were out and met people he started talking to and who I didn't know, I would say, oh hi, I'm his wife, Ann-marie, and you are? It didn't happen often but I made sure I wasn't left out. I am sure you would have done the same, and some, had you been feeling well, maybe it's a good thing that you weren't. How are you feeling now, is your tummy any better?

Jill - that is a great incentive to get the credit cards paid off, a lovely little kitten at the end of it. I love cats, but Daren doesn't, whereas we both like dogs. When we eventually get a pet, it will be a dog or maybe two, Beagles

Tracey - I hope you got your fridge sorted out in the end and that you managed to get rid of those unidentified objects without them coming to life and attacking you LOL

Ok I have half an hour spare before the kids come home, think I am going to go clean the bathroom.

Take care all, and bye for now.

Hugs,

Ammi

Ammi~ Thanks for commenting on the clothes, It tickled me and gets a new kind of motivation to soldier on. I still have a ways to go.. but I am getten there. Yep Me and Pop will have to have a chat about the Jeep.. I like it, I will show you a pic next time we chat...I have one of me in my Girl pants also...

Sharon~ Thanks to you to for noticing my clothes victory.

MariaLucia~ Have you tried writting down all of your feelings about this break-up, then in 3 days read it and see if you still feel the same way, when I am in a perdicament, I will journal it all down, then foget about it, and not read it for 3 days then I will see how I feel and re write untill it becomes some what logical and easy for me to handle...

Zelma~ with your before and after pic,, girl I am buying what every you are doing.... Take Care and Man you have done so well.. Keep showing pics.. it gives me motivation.... You rock!

well i knew not to step on those scales this morning ha ha! anyway i added 5 more minutes to my treadmill so i should see a loss soon .. and i am drinking more water too. my clothes are getting so loose so i guess it is turning into muscle.. but i want it to disappear! oh well no more grumping today!

Hey there everyone!

Zelma ~ WOW on those pics girlfriend! I kept a pair of my fat pants too I can't wait till I can do that!

Ammi ~ yeah!!!! 6 lbs is too cool!!

Crock ~ aw shucks! You missed me! *L* Way to go on the 3lbs! Seems like that is your magic number!

I have been crazy busy and certainly have read all the posts. ya know, only took me an hour this morning *L* I was home sick yesterday,,, not really sick, just feelin like crap. better today but busy. worked in my garden and now going to clean up downstairs.... then off to visit my MIL before I head to work. I am SO sick of working! I am almost looking forward to having the summer off.

ok guys, sorry I can't chat longer... time is precious this week. Will try to pop back on later tonight.

Have a great day!
Brenda

Brenda~ I am glad to see you.. I was just preparring to put your face on the back of a milk carton, ( that is what we do here for missing people)

Got a little phobia going on here... the Excercise thing, should I wait for a weight stall .. or just do it now.. I dont want to turn some fat into muscle if I can lose it.. Not sure what thinking I am in concerning it.. but I am second thinking it for right now...

crock ~ Exercise is going to tone too!! I have to put my butt in gear cause things that didn't flap before are starting to *L* I even have loose skin under my face/neck area.... THAT is not acceptable *L* I told hubby the other night that I wish I fit inside the dryer... he could try and shrink me

Dear lord Brenda, I can just see the drier incident.. to funny.. perhaps I may look into that.... lol

Crock - I am so glad to see your new avatar picture, now everybody can see how much weight you have lost!!

I look forward to seeing you in your girly pants, and of course a pic of your jeep. How about you sit on the bonnet (hood) of the jeep, in your girly pants, and a top of course, and NO baseball cap doing a real girly poster type pose Hmm, can I see you doing that, ummm, NO,

Patti - yes you are bad girl aren't you, you weigh on Friday's which means no weighing after that, tut tut, Now you are going to do what you did last week, and keep working out and jumping straight on the scales Well I guess if it works for you then that's what counts

Brenda - thanks so much for the congrats, a girl could get a big head from all the praise she is getting

Sorry you haven't felt the best lately, is it the job thing, or a bit of everything? I hope you feel a bit better soon!

I managed to get my bathroom lovely shiny clean, and had time to come on here to finish getting a badge on Pogo (games site), now here I am catching up. This staying up lark sure does get a lot done in a day

Anyway going to see who's about for a chat before I have to go make tea. Bye til later,

Hugs,

Ammi

You said it Ammi NO on the girly pose,, just too much tomboy here for that, Now when I lose 50 more lbs. we will see about that! LOL

Just a quick note--Crock, fat does not turn into muscle. Fat is fat and will always be fat until it is burned off. Muscle is built from proteins and all kinds of other fun stuff in our bodies, but NOT fat. Therefore, exercising may add new muscle and help to burn more fat, but it does not change fat into muscle.

Personally, I think you would want to start exercising ASAP! Adding muscle slightly increases your resting metabolism, so you'll burn even more calories at rest. Also, by adding muscle while burning fat, you may not see the scale fly by as quickly, BUT you should be losing inches faster since muscle is so much more dense than fat. I don't know about you, but if I could weigh the same amount and yet be smaller, I would SO do it, and that's what working out can do for us

In addition, it depends on what kind of exercise you're thinking of doing. If you'll be doing just cardio (walking, using an elliptical, dancing, etc.) you won't build nearly as much muscle as you would with actual weights and strength training. Also, we women just don't have the hormones necessary to increase our muscle mass by much, so you certainly won't be gaining weight because of it (and if you do, it's likely the water retention required to heal muscles that have been worked, not actual muscles bulking up--but either way, it certainly won't be fat!).

Now, if I could just take my own advice...

Thanks Jill... I went and did some reading up on the Excercise threads,, and I have made the decision to begin,, the Gazelle and Ab Scissors.. 3 times a week for now.. Thanks for the input..it is always welcome.