Andrew's off at the gym, so here I am. I was up at 8am, which I absolutely LOATHE. I am the world's WORST morning person. I have Wednesday off, so hopefully Mom & I are going to go and look at Elipticals! Not much else to post....just personals!

Ammi - Well, thanks! I really like SB...although, I won't be on it forever...once I am down to where I wanna be, I'll maintain on it for about 6 months-1 year. Then, I'm just going to pretty much count my calories, and watch what I eat, as well as exercise. I should be able to maintain that way (I hope!)
Another 2 pounds?!?! That's so GREAT!!!!

Missy - UGH! Pinkeye! Hope it goes away PRONTO!

Xena - I really liked the movie. I was laughing a lot, which is the sign of a good movie. I liked that the ending wasn't the "typical" one for a romantic comedy.

Nancy - Oooooh! LOVE the new pic!!!

Sharon - Well, not all night, no...just something that I can now do, that was impossible before... That's ALL I'm going to say here. As for people noticing...my college friends haven't really seen me since we got OUT for the summer. My other friends really haven't said anything. When I went to Wisconsin last month, after not seeing those people since I was 350 pounds, they didn't say ANYTHING. So yeah, that's just a little disappointing. But Andrew does. He'll randomly say, "you look so thin today", but of course, I'll brush it off with a "whatever". But he seems me all the time, and if HE can see it, it must be there. I always loathe going to the Doctor's simply because there's a scale there...and the nurses are always TINY. Until recently, I didn't realize that you suffered from depression....(me being dense and all). It takes so much out of a person, and I am so proud of you for the weight loss, AND coping. (I have a horrible way with words...but I know what I mean!) Have you talked to Steve about a divorce? Maybe it would make him "change his tune"?

Crock - Ooooh! Good luck with the job! That'd be so great!

Thanks for the kind words Zelma, I wondered if you were ok, I'm glad that you are just busy!!You made me laugh about toenails and flexibility, I find if you stretch regularly every few days you can reach a bit further. When I was at Uni I was as flexible as one of the girls who had been a gymnast and I astounded even the teacher ! The only reason I couldn't do some of the moves was coz my 'fat' got in the way or it would have hurt me putting so much weight on one/two joints. It's never too late to do some stretches, before long you could be painting your own toenails!!! My ex-fiance was a 6'4" 'hairy' biker and loved painting my toenails, he never 'blobbed' bits on the skin like I did!!!!
Have you heard anything about the competition yet (weightloss)???
xxsharon

yes those sure do come and go quickly dont they lol. must be fluctuations. i plan on weighing again tuesday.

Tracey - well I don't know about flying off me, but the weight definitely is moving How are things with you today?

Zelma - glad you got time to write today. It's always nice reading your news.

Sounds like you have been having some great days in school, I will have to say it again, I wish I had a teacher like you when I was in school

Sorry that your back is giving you a bit of grief. I am glad you are being sensible and keeping from exercising until you know you can do it pain free.

I will email soon and send you a pic of my Gazelle Rider. Do you watch Kath and Kim? Kath and Kel often exercise on their older version of one. In fact I think that's the original. It's really changed since then!

Kayley - you know you said how you don't plan on being on SB forever and that when you get to goal you will just calorie count? Is that what you mean on your blog as being on a modified SB diet, or do you modify it some other way?

That's cool that you are going to look for elipitcals soon, I hope that you will find one you love, that is in your price range (yours and mum's that is) and that you will love working out on it.

Sharon - hmm 6 foot 4 biker being able to paint your toe nails without any mess, that's great. I wonder if Daren could manage that, he's about the same height, well a bit shorter, and he does like art, maybe for my next treat from him for losing weight I will have a foot rub AND have him paint my toe nails

How did Aiden get on at the nursery? You got him out of nappies just in time didn't you Will he be mornings or afternoons when he starts in September?

Patti - good luck with your WI tomorrow, I know somebody who's going to be in the 200s then YOU

Take care all and bye (again) for now,

Hugs,

Ammi

Good Morning Ladies,

I got up early today and ate my breakfast and made a meal plan for the day. I am doing Phase I again to get my body back used to less carbs. I have had way to many since my birthday weekend. I have been drinking Juice and I have not been counting my carbs. So, back to it and I feel fantastic to be back on Phase I and to exercise today I hope. I am going to go to Curves a bit later. I have an appointment with the orthodontist to see what can be done about my teeth. They are not too badly crooked but they do need to be a bit straighter. I'm praying he will say some kind of retainer or something like that will do the trick. LOL.

Ammi: I am so very proud of you. Another 2 pounds is wonderful. I see you just melting away. I hope you are getting your foot rubs etc from Darren. LOL.

Wyllen: Congrats to you on another 1 pound gone. Another shrinking body. You really are an inspiration to us all.

Crock: Good luck with the job interview. My hubby was so thrilled about Jeff Gordon winning too. LOL.

Zelma: So good to see you are okay and just a very busy teacher. I'm glad your B12 shots seem to be working.

Sharon: if you have any say so about what type of medication they put you on ask for Cybalta. I haven't had one single panic attack or bout of depression since I started taking it on April 19th. It works so good for me. Hugs.

Blessings everyone,
Annie

Thanks for asking Ammi. I am doing okay. Still very hyped up from seeing that three pound loss. It's still quite humid here in NY so I'm going to lay off the exercise until it gets a little cooler. I would go out for a walk but it has been raining for days. But I definitely have to get some cleaning done today so that will burn SOME calories. I have some chicken cutlets in the freezer. I think I will grill them with some veggies for dinner.

Annie - hope all goes well at the orthodontists and that you won't need any teeth out. I think it seems so wrong especially with a teenager like Caleigh when perfectly good teeth get pulled out!!

Good luck at Curves as well, and for starting back on phase 1

Tracey - doesn't humidity just suck especially when it's raining too. The times I have had to go out on days like that with a coat on because an umbrella just won't stop the rain totally, but then I melt and can feel the sweat running down my back. I hate days like that!! I hope the humidity eases off for you soon so that you can do some exercise.

Mmmmm chicken cutlets sound delicious, it's nearly my tea time and I have NO idea what I am having yet. On the weekend Daren made a vegetarian Lasagne using quorn and it was DELICOUS. Only 6 points per serving too. Wish he had made enough to freeze so I could have some now

Well I better go decide what to have for tea. Will try to write again tonight,

Hugs,

Ammi

Job interview went well, and from the way My friend the director talked I assume she is wanting me for the position, considering she stated "CRISTIE WILL BE TRAINING YOU!" Just in general conversation she implied that I was the one for the job,. I will know something in two weeks or so. I am thinking the only way to not get it is if someone with the physical experience of the job would apply.. You never know..

Dogpal~ I almost cried I tell ya when Jeff won, Man I am so hooked on him, he is the best I know of... And did you catch he got engaged as well this weekend,, Man there goes my fantasy of being Mrs. Gordon...LOL

Zelma~And everyone else~~~ I agree with the in considerate comment my Mother made, I am noticing, when I first started this new way of life, that I have all the support, however now that I am smaller than my Mother, and now gettin eyeballed by the guys and so many NSV's are happening, the support has shifted to competition. or YOU still have a lot to lose, not wanting to reconize (sp) the fact of how successfull I have been,, Like for instance Since my injury my parents have been supporting me food, wise and necessaty wise, I work around the house and things to pay for my keep, however All of a sudden Mother cant afford to alot me grocery money for the diet food that I need, but I know their funding is vast and I know better, all of a sudden all my used to be favorite foods are being made ALOT just things I am noticing,, I have an odd family and the support has left the building.. when it comes to KIM or MOTHER< **** when I mention a victory or a weight loss, all I get now is either no comment at all or oh that is nice in a sigh.. But I do have a handfull of personal friends that are very supportive so I do still have support, but not with the ones you would expect.. just the other day I caught my Father putting Regular Peanutbutter in the brown beans when they were cookin, up on questioning him, he stated I always do that ! BS,, I know better,, I was cooken them with canola for me, and needless to say I did not eat them, and oddly enough NO one else did either,, I could rant some more but I best slow down,, Take Care.

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! <grin>

<coy smile> Miss me?

I have missed y'all terribly! I must admit I have not been to these boards for a while. I think the last thread I read was 914 or so. I am woefully behind on everyone's progress and such. But I did skim this thread and it sounds like y'all are doing well, with some challenges thrown in for good measure.

I have had a terribly difficult month. I have been working really hard at applying to jobs, going to many many interviews, but nothing has been quite right yet, so I'm still working for my ex. Though now I'm only working for her part-time as i managed to get me a couple of part-time accounting clients who need my help.

My depression seems to be going about in waves. I think it is to be expected - sadness, anger, denial, anger, sadness, repeat. But I've also managed to connect with friends and get much-needed love and support.

My food has been...well...it's been a good temporary coping tool. I've been binging a lot, which has helped get me through some serious sh*t, and trying to be good to myself by injecting a balanced approach to food the rest of the time. My therapist has been helpful, very helpful. And although I sometimes feel like I'm teetering on the edge of insanity, I think things are on the upswing. I have been binge-free for 5 days, which right now is a record for me.

My exercise has been suffering greatly too. Though I have managed to take myself out for walks around the lake by my house (3-mile perimeter or so) a couple of times per week. My body has been feeling the "disuse" though, as I am waking up with stiff legs and my old ankle injury is acting up a wee bit.

And, I'm feeling less like a recluse. I went out a lot, or at least, comparatively a lot, for Queer Pride this month. June is usually one of the most socially-active times for me (Christmas being the other) but this year I kept it low key. I saw one very good work-in-progress play from a guy I predict WILL become one of this country's premier playwrites; went to see a documentary put together by my friend's partner and distributed by my friend's film company; went to see one of my other friends perform her spoken word/poetry at a small gathering regarding disability; had one of my ex's visit from out of town last weekend for the festivities and we went to see a great performance cabaret (MC'ed by my dance class instructor); and saw my sweet guy-friend perform his "folk-rock" at a drag bar in the Castro (talk about culture shock! I learned that show-tunes and folk songs make for an interesting variety! LOL). I feel so happy to know so many creative people! And, to kick off the official celebratory weekend, this Friday I had a lunch date (Thai) with a friend, followed by a mani/pedi - it all included lots of girl talk, which is nice, and my toesies are bright-sparkly red to match my fingernails. At each performance/event I ran into lots of people I know, making the outing even more fun as I got to catch up with people I haven't seen for months. The social time really helped, I think.

I woke up yesterday and decided it was time to step on the scale and record my official weight. I've been weighing myself sporadically, to see how things are, but have decided to not worry about the numbers until I felt up to it. I think me doing that and posting here are good signs that I am ready to continue on my weight-loss path - though very slowly and gently.

I've gained 3 pounds through this "adventure" which means I've gained about 7 and lost 4 in the course of the last month and a half. That yo-yo weight cannot be good for my body! Also, a while back, I bought me a gadget to measure body fat. I used it yesterday and recorded the official % from that too.

This morning, after finishing this post, I am going to get on my bike and work out for an hour. I also have a date with a friend who is meeting me at my house on Wed. morning to walk the lake with me (finally, an early-riser who likes to walk!). I think I'll be happy with two days of working out this week and am not applying any pressure on myself to do more. I cannot handle more pressure right now. Next week I start a yoga class on Monday nights. I've never done yoga before, so I am sure I'm in for a treat! I hope I like it. I hear yoga is a great way to strengthen muscles and improve posture.

So, that is my update. :-) Hope to continue chatting with y'all from here on out.

Ammi i sure hope you are right abnout tuesday.. i am biting my nails in anticipation

Crockett - Unfortunately, the lessening of support happens and usually from the people that you expect it from the least. Folks don't mind you losing weight so long as they don't feel threatened by it. It's good though that you still have support around you though. As I lose (which I will this time), I suspect that the same will happen to me. I have my ideas on who will be the one to flip the script on me but I may be surprised. We'll see.

MariaLucia - It is so good to hear from you. I know you don't like seeing a gain but for all that you have been through, you're doing pretty good. Just glad to see you posting again. Don't forget that we are here for you. I've been down in the dumps myself lately but everyone here has been so supportive and reminded me why I love this place so much.

Tracey~~ I may have missed this, and I apologize before hand of asking, but have you began the SBD and how are you coming along with it? I do hope you have support through out your journey, you know you have you internet family here...... take care

Good evening!

I've been away a long time... Summer is here and so are allmost all of the weight too! I have had very good days and very bad days. Good ones: I have been accepted to start training to be a nurse( IF the upper level aproves it ) made a BIG lifestyle choise to not to go back to marketing career.... feel very good and calm that way!

The bad news: weight is up, diagnosed diabetes(high bloodpressure and VERY high bloodsugarlevels) started the meds for those 2. and actually feeling better. I was misdiagnosed as a depressed person. ate meds for that with no reason or affect. depression is gone, now I regognise the tiredness = high blood sugar levels... feels great!

I'm back on bpard and stert catching up with you all... see you!