Hello ladies. :]
It's another snow day here although it's turning to ice. More snowfall is expected tomorrow. :]
I did nothing much today - just went to the shops to get my weeky magazines and to top up my phone credit.

purpleorc
Well done for the nine stone loss! Scales are evil. Why did you get new scales, anyway? I like to use the typical scales, not the digital ones.
I only have told my boyfriend and parents that I am dieting because I'm too scared to tell the others in case they would ask me silly questions like, "Should you be eating that?" and so on.
Swansea is still snowed in and it's expected that there's more heavy snowfall to come tomorrow and Friday. :]
Bambi on ice? Aaw bless. I suppose that MS affects your legs? I don't really understand MS but it seems that everyone's MS is different?

kayleystar
That's a great loss even though you have been boozing on the weekend, hehe. :]
I have actually, as you put it, graduated high school. I'm still in school because I'm in 6th form doing A levels, which you can do at college although we had the option of going into 6th form or go to college. I am in the last year of my A levels, I am finishing school in May and I have the exams in June. The A levels qualification is necessary for university entry.

Debbie54
Thanks for caring. :]
I don't know how I would cope without electricity for three weeks, let alone an hour.

Accounttess
Hugs to you. I am disgusted at the way you were treated by the sales people at the stores. People often give me a funny look when I go shopping for clothes, grr!

Annie
Having snow is rare in the UK so we are not really prepared for the snow, so it's understandable with the chaos. It's been the worst snowfall in 18 years and it's still snowing so it's costing businesses millions of pounds or more because people are unable to turn up for work nor children going to school because it's dangerous to travel.

Beth
xx

Hi Peeps

Beth - I didn't tell anyone other than my dear wonderful hubby I was changing the way I took care of myself (I don''t use the D**T word). I didn't tell anyone because I knew they would roll their eyes at me and say - here she goes again. It took 50 pounds for anyone to notice, including me. Now when I see someone I haven't seen in awhile and they comment I've learned to simply say "thank you". It took awhile to get there though.

Accountess - I continue to shake my head at the way you were treated. I wish saying "I'm sorry" would take away the injustices we all face. I'm glad we have this board to come to though where others understand in a type of shorthand communication. Hugs and I wanna see pics in the dress please!

Rosie - I'm glad you found a doctor who sees you and not the weight. What a healthy focus this will create for you. Keep up the great work by the way!

Ally and Debi - welcome back to the world of power!

Kayley - you are a busy girl - how was the gym today?

Sharon - here I was missing you and up you pop! Do you have any snow from the storm? Take care of yourself.

Annie - what did I miss - I thought it was your back - is it your hip instead? I overdid my exercise on Monday and felt my body scream back at me so I am having 2 days off recovering. Hugs hun. You are right - we are down to single digits in counting the days until vacation. I'm ready for fun in the sun.

I'm trying a new recipe tonight - shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to fix - if it works out I'll clue you in on the secret. I need these quick meals during the week.

Sorry - my old memory isn't working very well - hugs to everyone I missed.

Good Wed. Eve all,

Becca: Hugs. I hope you recover quickly. I wish you would be able to be on line and let us know how you are. Come back when you can. You will be missed.

Kayly: I am going to workout on my exercise bike. I am going to watch the Biggest Looser that was tivod last night and ride like the wind. lol. Great job getting to the gym.

Debi: I am so happy that your brother is expected to make a full recovery! Sorry you are on overload. Take a deep breath and take one thing at a time. I would volunteer to help you sew but uh... you wouldn't like the outcome. lol.

Sharon: Green eyed monster, lol. I'm sorry that your tummy is not doing so well. Good luck on the job hunt hon. Things are so rough right now. I sure hope you are right and I get out of the 200's soon. My weight is trickling off now.

Ally: Woo hoo on loosing another .4. Glad you are back too.

DChound: Hi there.

Beth: Please be careful and tell your Mom to be careful too. It is so slippery out there. I have been pretty lucky and not fallen on the ice. Joel on the other hand has fallen about 3 times. Luckily he hasn't hurt himself. Just our doggies giving him kisses to lift him up. lol.

Carol: Yep. It is my hips. Both of them are severly out of alignment. My right one is going forward and my left one is sideways and backwards. It is causing my back to ache so much but it is actually my hips. I have been doing physical therapy for 3 weeks or so now and it is helping tons. They do a thing that looks like a flashlight that is a lazer and it really helps the nerves. It is slowly improving and for that I am thankful To God. I have been in constant pain for about 3 years now and at times it is worse then other times so I am thankful to have a reprieve. I can't wait to see some photos from your vacation. I can live vicariously through you and Ed. lol.

Well, I hope everyone that is MIA is doing well. I sure miss Ratkitty. I hope if you are ever lurking you will swing in and say Hello.

Blessings all,
Annie

Brand new-I'm so sorry you got hurt. I had the same thing happen to me last winter, and it was such a set back. Get well soon.

Still hanging in there. I keep forgetting how quickly an injury can set back a diet/exercise plan. That's incentive enough to avoid getting hurt. We are in melt and then refreeze mode on our sidewalks, so they are skating rinks. I want to get out, but I'm afraid of getting hurt again.

Beth – Wow, seems like a LOT of work to get into the Universities over there. I wish there was more preparation here in the states for people looking to attend. I’ve been keeping up with the news over there via BBC.com, and definitely doesn’t look good over that way! Kind of looks like Michigan (where I live), which is crazy!

Carol – Hope the recipe is a success! Be sure to share if all goes well! I love trying new recipes and especially when they are simple and quick! The gym was great! It was so good to get back there. Looking forward to going tomorrow.

Annie – Well, just be sure to take it easy! Gotta love The Biggest Loser. Such inspiration.

Catherine – I’d say if you don’t have to go out, don’t. Just to be safe! Although it can get tiring staying in day in, day out.

Just checking in before I call it an EARLY night. I’m absolutely exhausted. I only got about 3 hours of sleep last night, and added to the gym, plus errand-running, PLUS class, I’m due for a good night’s sleep! So, I’m going to finish up a bit more of my homework, and head off. Have a great night, all!!

Accounttess, that's so sad that you were treated so badly. Those people should be ashamed of themselves. I'm so glad that you found a couple of dresses for yourself though and they were 2 sizes smaller! What a great NSV!! Forget those ill mannered people!

Annie, I'm doing good here. Just busy with beads. Sorry your hips are giving you trouble. It's hard when the body doesn't want to cooperate!

brandnewme, o that's terrible that you had such a bad fall and now you need surgery. Please take care and post when you can.

kayley, love the bangs!!

Debi, that's great about your brother. I bet he is so relieved to know that he will make a full recovery. Sure was scary though while all that was going on. I sure hope you don't lose power again. Take care!

Sharon, hope you feel better soon.

Ally, .4 is better than nothing! Glad you had a warm place to stay. Sure hope you keep your power too!

DCHound, sounds like you've got a good mind set and moving right along. I wish you all the best luck to get to your Valentine's goal.
Tell us your secret on how you stay motivated to lose. You've done exceptionally well and to lose 100 lbs in 6 months, WOW~!

As for me, went and got my ring. I still can't believe it's mine and it's so pretty! I've gotten quite a few steps in today. Walked the mall and then came home and did Wii Fit and thinking about hopping on the treadmill. Now if I could just get my food under control, I think I would actually be losing weight again. I get so mad at myself at night when I sit here and eat for no reason except to be putting something in my mouth. I'm gonna go get some gum right now and chew chew chew!
toodles!

Wow, my secret on staying motivated... honestly I don't know, for sure. This is a really short and simple explanation--the whole story would honestly be really long, boring and weird--but basically I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, to the very core of my being, that once I lose this weight this time I will never, ever put it back on. I feel as though, in fact I know, my entire body chemistry has permanently changed.

I have been blocking and holding myself back from joy, peace, happiness and moving my life forward for the last 20 years. I got "off-track" so to speak and gave up "myself" for the horrible relationship I was in. It ended in divorce in 2003 but it took me until 2007/2008 to really begin to get over it.

In 2008 I began to know I was ready to move forward, then a friend provided the catalyst I needed to get back on the path to health. When I began on 8/14/2008 I had a really high and excited level of motivation. Since then, it's settled down into a slow, steady, calm, peaceful and periodically joyful putt-putt-putting along. The enthusiasm has subsided into calm and peaceful permanent commitment.

Nothing is more important to me than losing this weight so I can move my life forward. And to cheat would make my journey take longer than it needs to, and I'm ready to be done RIGHT NOW and move on. But life doesn't work that way, and every day I have to remind myself to be patient and stay steady.

I'm not saying I haven't been tempted--Hallowe'en was hard, but I ended up giving away all the candy and eating none. One day at work I unwrapped a Kraft caramel--someone had left a giant bag of them in the kitchen--but I ended up putting it down the dispos-all after smelling it. Yesterday there was a big Whitman's sampler at work--I refused to walk past it so I didn't have to smell it. But 99% of the time I don't even think about carbs. (Or cigarettes--I quit smoking cold-turkey in October via the same method. Whatever it is, LOL.)

My life and my health are far more important to me than are random carbs or cigarettes. I keep telling myself that I love myself. I haven't absorbed it yet--I'm still faking it--but eventually it will be true. I do finally love the person I was at 360 lbs. I can look at those pictures of me at that weight and all I feel for her (me) is love.

Sorry, that wasn't short at all and probably didn't even answer your question...

Oh no DCHound!!! I loved it... I too am getting there on loving myself. And not holding myself back. I was going to lurk on this thread but I had to tell you that you are such an inspiration to me and to others. Keep up the great work!!! BTW, I have a gratitude journal and it is really helping me to love myself and other situations better!!!

Accounttess, girl, I am so sorry for what they did to you... and how stupid of them since most of them live off their commissions. But, it has happened to me. And not even in the clothing department. I came up to a counter to buy some perfume and the person walked away from the counter and over to her friend and they just looked and laughed. I turned and walked out. I happened to see a supervisor on my way out and I told him what had happened. He offered to assist me himself and I told him that I would not be back - EVER!!! and I havent. I took my business to their competitor and I tell ALL my friends!!! I am so happy though that you found someone who would help you... as my gratitude journal would say - think about the good stuff and it will keep happening to you... So, here is my thought... be grateful you found someone who would really help you - those other bi-otches didnt deserve your money for commission Be grateful that you are down two sizes and can zip it without an issue - YOU GO GIRL!!!! and know that you did ALL this for you!!!!

BTW, someone mentioned that they get angry when others tell them what to eat... I am so there with you!!!! That makes me so angry. I know I cant have something... however, if you tell me I cant have it - I want it more and I will eat it even if I dont want it!!!

Reinjured my knee this week also, so I am taking the exercise easy this week. That ice has been a real hazard to all of us I think. Please, please, please let there be spring - SOON!!!

What does DH/DF mean? I have figured out TOM, but not DH... in my lingo it means Designated Hitter. and I dont think that is it. I've heard of SO's before (Significant Other). Thanks...

BTW, I am so excited - I'm a real member as of today!!! I got a signature today!!!! Yeah!!!

Debbie – Glad you got your ring back. How do you enjoy the Wii Fit? I used to be quite the night-time snacker, and the gum definitely helps! I get the most potent gum there is, or I brush my teeth, and it takes that urge to eat away.

DCHound – I take it you are doing a low-carb diet? If so, what form? Congrats, not only on the weight loss, but on quitting smoking as well!

Lorrie – That’s kind of how I am, too. But it’s more like, the more people torment me/make fun of me for my weight, the LESS I want to lose it. Makes NO sense at all! I’ve got my fingers crossed for an early spring. We usually get a January thaw, but it’s been below freezing every day here in Michigan, so I’m hoping we get some 20’s-30’s here soon. Oh how that would be nice! I’m not sure what DF means, but DH means Dear Husband, I do believe. At least that’s what I’ve always known it to stand for….

Well, I’ve got a long day ahead of me! I’ll be heading to the gym in about 3 hours. I’m going to do some weights, and then I have a cardio class at 12:15-12:45. It’s one I’ve done before, and it’s definitely a killer workout! Then, I’ve got class until 9pm this evening. I’m growing tired of having these night classes.

At least it’s Thursday! Have a great one!!

Thanks everyone. So far so good we have power. I'm very tired today got to bed late. Our cat brought us a surprise last night when we we're in bed a FREAKING MOUSE!!!!!! I'm freaking scared of mice and the dang thing wasn't dead either. I jumped up on the bed and about freaked. My husband and the cat took care of the that nasty mouse. Well best run for now boys have therapy today got to get the house picked up.

Good morning!

Lorrie, DH, DF, and the like are generally abbreviations for Dear Husband, Dear Fiance, etc. You'll also see DS (Dear Son), DD (Dear Daughter)--occasionally, one will be slightly difficult to figure out until you read the whole thing to put it into context (for example, I've seen DS as meaning son or sister).

DCHound, sounds like you are doing fabulously! I have had the most success with low-carb plans in the past. Once I get going, it's pretty easy for me to stick to. But once I'm off track, it's that getting oing part that is sometimes the hardest!

Debbie, I must have missed the story with your ring, but I'm glad you got it back! I know I feel kinda naked when mine isn't on my finger!

Kayley, hope you got that much needed sleep! I can't so that stuff anymore--I'm in bed by 10 most nights, sometimes earlier, so I can get up at 5am. Man, I sound old

gggirls, let us know about the recipe--I don't like to cook much, so fast recipes are super helpful!

dgramie, glad to hear your brother is doing well. My father had emergency gall bladder surgery in the late summer, and he was sent home with one of those drains and a feeding tube. My mother learned some basic nursing skills very quickly and was so relieved when he was finally unattached from everything.

brandnewme, hi! I just snuck back in here last week--nice to see you again! That tibia sounds painful--rest up and take care of yourself!

Annie, 218, wow! I know it's frustrating that you're stuck, but look how far you've come! I can't even fully comprehend ever getting below 250. I haven't weighed less than 250 since early high school, I don't think. My many diet attempts never got me below 264 on the scale--that's the lowest I can remember.

Accounttess, I'm sorry you felt shunned by the employees at those stores. For as long as I've been shopping on my own, I've been fat, so I really don't know how differently thin people are treated. I do think sometimes we assume we're getting poor service because of our weight since that is OUR focus, but I can tell you after many years of working retail, there were some days I didn't want to help ANYONE, fat, thin, short, tall, black, white, or anything in between! And especially nowadays, I swear many who work retail are never taught even basic manners. For example, even at someplace like a grocery store, I get so frustrated when the cashier doesn't even say hi or make eye contact, or how they sometimes even carry on a conversation with another employee while I'm standing there and completely ignore me! SO annoying! Oops, sorry for the little rant haha, I could go on and on...

PurpleOrc, wow, I had no idea about your background! I don't think I could work with murderers and rapists. I briefly considered a career in psychology when I was in college, but it was just too much for me. As interesting as it was, I think I'm just too short-tempered and cynical.

Ally, whoops, you snuck in while I was still typing up my post! That is so funny about the mouse (I'm sure it wasn't funny for you at the time). My cat did that all the time. We let her outside on a leash (we lived on a busy road, so we kept her up by the house), and she would catch moles, snakes, chipmunks, you name it! And, of course, they were rarely actually dead; she would just sit at the door with it in her mouth meowing until someone came to congratulate her on her catch.

As for me, nothing too exciting to report. I have a gyn appointment tomorrow with a high-risk obgyn recommended to me by a coworker. I'm hoping that, with specializing in high risk patients, they've had some experience with WLS patients. I'm currently on birth control pills to prevent ovarian cysts (been on the pill since I had a huge one removed when I was 16), but after my surgery, the pill may not be sufficient, as it may get malabsorbed (not to mention women typically become much more fertile as they lose weight), so I need to discuss possibilities other than pills. I've heard good things about the NuvaRing, so we'll see.

Oh, and on Saturday, I signed up to take my pups to a Corgi playgroup! It's about an hour away, but my pups are Corgi mixes, and Jeff LOVES Corgis, so I thought it would be fun. We've taken them to "Yorkies and friends" meetups before, and they do well around other dogs, so it should be fine. Saturday looks like it will be up to 50 degrees, too!

Good Morning all,

Catherine: You are wise to stay inside if possible. That ice is so dangerous. Hugs.

Kayley: Glad that you got some sleep. Sounds like another busy day for you.

Debbie: Woo hoo for your new ring. I can't wait to see it in person some day this spring I hope!

DCHound: Great story. Thanks for sharing. I too made a decision to make myself matter back in Nov. 2006 and I tried so hard to loose weight for 6 months before realizing it wasn't going to happen and that to save my life I needed something drastic. I'm happy that you are doing so well. Keep up the great work.

Lorrie: Welcome. I'm happy to have you here. This is such a wonderful and safe place. I hope you jump right in whenever you feel like sharing or adding something. Hugs and welcome.

Ally: I was laughing at your mouse show. I am really afraid of them too. Glad DH and kitty were there to save the day. lol.

Jilly: I think you will be so surprised how your weight goes down with your surgery and exercise. That is the key because you won't loose it all without adding the exercise and it sounds to me like you are well on your way. Good luck at the gym and I hope it is a wonderful place. Your puppy play day sounds fun! I love to watch animals they are so entertaining. My dogs don't play well with others. They love each other but any other dogs come around and my male has a fit. lol.

Well, I'm off to work. Hoping that today is a great day for everyone. Drink your water and move your booties.

Blessings,
Annie

Good morning everyone.

Lorrie7, thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot. It is wonderful that anyone would find me inspiring! And I hope your knee feels better soon.

Kayley, I am doing a very strict version of Atkins Induction. I eat meat (steak, baked chicken, tenderloin, pork, canned tuna, a bit of bacon), eggs, romaine lettuce, green beans, decaf coffee, club soda. Mayo, butter. Occasionally I will have a bit of cheese (like maybe 2 oz every two weeks), half a glass of diet tonic water with a splash (like a teaspoon) of gin, a bit of sausage . . . I’ve had broccoli four times, uh, two Atkins bars in the last six months (gross! avoid!!).

When I first quit smoking I chewed sugar-free gum but it stalled my weight loss for SIX WEEKS because each piece had 1 carb, and I was chewing about 9 pieces a day. Did that for 2 weeks before I figured out the correlation/causation then it took another month to start losing again. Just more proof that my body is utterly sensitive to carbs and can’t handle them at all. I think most people can have healthy carbs in moderation and still lose weight ~ I am one of the unlucky few who cannot. So, I have given them up.

When I reach goal, whatever that is (somewhere between 130 – 170; I’ll know when I get there LOL), I will be able to add in a wider variety of vegetables and maybe, possibly, a bit of fruit. But I can never, ever have starchy or sugary carbs again. And I’m OK with that, because I finally figured out that food is neither a punishment nor a reward. It’s just food.

Jillybean, I know what you mean about it being easy to stay on but hard to get on. It took me from 2003 to 2008 to get back on Atkins. I sort of wanted to the whole time but it really took a giant catalyst for me to get back on it. And I know not to stray again. No moderation and no more “just one bite won’t hurt.”

DCHound, we are about the same height and you are a few pounds under me, and the best thing of all is we both love Basset hounds! I have had 4 in my life, the last one was the best dog of my life. The one you remember, the one my kids will remember as THE dog. Ellie Mae was her name.

Tonilight, yay bassets! Yes I really love mine. Ellie Mae is a GREAT name.

Here is a picture of my two girls and me at my highest weight, June 2008. I don't have any good pictures of me at my current weight, with or without them, but I was 350+/size 32 in that pic and right now I'm 268/a size 22. My hair isn't that long anymore.