hello everyone,
I came back here after being gone about 10 months...I was trying a site(pay)
that gave you the menu and exersize and steps...well it worked for a while than It just didn't....so I came back here. I like the support here.

rene- HI and welcome back.

zelma hun I am so sorry to hear about your brother. Please take care of yourself while you taking care of everyone else!!

Great day here yesterday and looking forward to today. Food is easy again, exercise is addicting, water is wonderful. I got to play in the dirt a bit yesterday and have pansies out now. Today will be much of the same,got bulbs that have to go in the ground this week. Cant wait to start my garden, my plants really growing and getting real leaves now. Cant wait to watch them grow again this year and eat the veggies on them!!
hugs to all

Zelma - lots of thoughts and prayers coming your way for your family. I'm glad you are able to be there with and for your brother. Keep us posted as you can.

Cyn - please focus on getting the infection taken care of first. This urgent health issue once handled will help you focus on your overall health and well being and get the weight loss under way hopefully. Unfortunately sometimes it takes a scare to get us going.

Annie - how did it go with the doc? I know Angie wasn't preaching but after reading her post I agree with what she said. My job is something no one would ask for - but I am paid well for what they ask me to do. I constantly remind myself that it is a means to an end - it makes my life outside the workplace so much better. I also have trained myself to leave it at the office - I can't bring it home (well very rarely) because then it takes me over. It is not who I am just what I do for money.

So how have the bike rides been? Any time now I expect Rat to give you a new "name" as you two virtually ride together.

Sharon - I gave Johnnie your thoughts. She is doing better each day. Sorry about the drama in your house - I know it will be better for the little ones when he is gone - are you OK with all this? Hugs

Catherine - so will this conference be girls gone wild? Enjoy your weekend!

Rat - how are you? We are opening the pool today so I've had to find the stash of yellow dog towels to have handy - won't be able to keep her out of it. It's kinda funny - the labradoodle won't get in once we open other than to sunbathe in the steps - but boy right now she goes out on the safety cover and lays in the water. I do wish she could swim though in case she fell in - she's a sinker.

OK - that's all the personal I can remember - memory is first thing to go. I don't mean to miss anyone - Hugs to all.

I'm doing well OP, water and exercisewise. I've been walking to and from my classes at the local hospital so that also is adding about 20 minutes to each workout time. I do love walking outside - not the chore the treadmill is. I hope to get the scale moving after last weeks blip and keep it going steadily. I'm not one to put dates with numbers on the scale BUT I would love to be at 100 lbs released by the late September family wedding. Last summer I purposely attempted maintenance - not going to do that this summer. I know with the entertaining I will face challenges but hope to handle them more appropriately. I also plan to not stop the formal exercise classes this summer like I did last summer.

That cathches me up a little bit - seems like the weeks fly by lately. I read each of your posts daily and think of you often. Thank you for the support you each give me -

Move your bodies, drink your water and SMILE (try it in the mirror)

Hugs,
Carol

Zelma: I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I will keep him and your family in my prayers. KNow we are here for you!

Rene: Welcome back. The support here is great!

Rough night last night. The fever spiked a little, but not past where the Dr said I had to go back to ER. I now have Diarhea from all the antibiotics. Not fun. I am staying home from work today, mainly for rest. I swear I was up every hour on the hour last night.

Hi Everyone,

Sometimes I need a kick in the pants too. Thanks for that Angie. I didn't think it was a lecture but rather a reminder of things. I agree with what you and Carol are both saying. My meeting with the Dr. went well but, he doesn't feel like he needs that kind of service at this time. He does want me to continue to support other people like I have been and I told him I would do that. The rest of my appt. with him was great. He looked over all of my icky lose skin and told me he could do the panectomy with my insurance paying for it but would rather I check with the plastic surgeon first to see if he could do it because my Dr. said the plastic surgeon could do a better job and he wants me to have the best. I have an appointment with the plastic surgeon on Monday at 3:30 p.m. I am praying that he excepts my insurance and he feels that they will pay for it too. My Dr. said most of my back problems are most likey caused by the extra skin I am carrying around so low. He also said that the insurance would cover my breasts which is wonderful. I had no idea they would but he said they would. My arms well, I'm on my own with them but I feel so much better about other things. He did some math figures and said I am about 26 pounds from where he wants me to be. I have a high amount of muscle mass and free fat fass and he wants me to keep it. My fat percent is only .04 points away from normal for a woman. All in all it was a great visit and I have Monday to look forward to.

Zelma: So sorry about your brother's illness. I will continue to pray for him and your family. Hugs.

Cyn: Big hugs to you and I will pray for your health as well.

Sharon: I'm so sorry that your oldest is being such a poo to you. Hugs sweetie.

Carol: Hi doll. Wish I could swim with you in your sunny warm pool. It is rainy here today but hopefully supposed to be nice tomorrow.

Rene: Welcome back. Glad to see you back.

Debi: Hope your day is fantastic!

Debbie: Thanks for the info about the Dr.'s, I went there immediately and wrote them a not. They said that they have been having tons of people replying to the request so they will try to get back to everyone if they can. That would be a dream come true and I sure appreciate you thinking about me.

Well, I think I am all caught up now. I am planning on going to the Dr. appt. on MOnday with the plastic surgeon and seeing what he says. If he says that he doesn't except my insurance then I will go back to my Dr. and set up a surgery date with him. My Dr. believes that I have aprox. 12-15 pounds of skin on my belly area to be removed. I can see why my back is hurting so much.

Blessings to you all,
Annie

Hi all,

This weekend is "understand your money" weekend here. DH is very worried his company will be closing sometime, and that makes for some life adjustments. He told me this morning, and I have been very nervous ever since. All I have wanted to do is eat eat eat. And it pisses me off, because I am soooo near 300. Trying to be good, but it's hard. I feel like I have been very stressed lately (we knew DH was laying off some people and that makes things uneasy)...and I feel like that has caused me to be less patient with people in general. So Annie, I am sorry. I really didn't mean offense. I hope none was taken.

That's all from me.

Take care all,
Angie

Hiya my Peeps,

Today just seemed to go on and on and on. I had a great guitar lesson and my widdle fingers are sore. It's supposed to be nice tomorrow. The yard needs lotsa love. I'm hoping for at least 1 bike ride this weekend. The squirrels are out plotting BikerChick's next adventure.

Annie, sorry the doc didn't want your wonderful services yet. I think he's missing out! Meanwhile, the plastics consult is exciting!!

Realist, money is on everyone's mind these days. I doubt telling you that eases your fears, but I wanted to let you know that I do the same thing.. eat over big stresses like that. Hang in there. I made it through a horrid few months this winter, I know you'll get thru this tough time. Ya know, I believe we have some tough as nails women here. There's nothing that hasn't come to any of us that hasn't been hit head on. I'm proud to call all of you my friends. You all lead by example. *hugs*

Cyn, I hope you have a better night tonight. If you can take buffered aspirin or some tylenol, that'll help your night sweats as the fever breaks. Try to get some rest! *Dr. Rat fluffs your pillows and tucks you in*

GGG,I hear ya about the wet doggies! There's a reason I never put in my dream koi pond/garden. The thought of 2 goofy goldens playing "Catch da Fishie" was too much for me. Hard to believe your labropoodle is a sinker! At first I thought you typed Stinker.. hehe.

Reign, welcome back home

Catherine, I hope your weekend is fabbo!!

Sharon, sorry the older boy is giving you such fits. It's best he leaves as he finds his way. Hugs!

Zelma, healing thoughts sent to the other side of the world to you and your family!!

Hugs to all my lurkers and hiding roosters,

Luv,
Ratkitten

Zelma -- I'm wishing your brother all the best.

Hi Prof Heather! BTW, your dinner the other night with your hubby sounded very relaxing.

Hugs,
Ratkity

I have been telling my husband the exact same thing for 10 years. As a truck driver he loves to do that job. But he is always thinking life at another company will be better. I hate to be a party pooper. But we have been together for 11 years, and each move to a different company has just given a different set of issues. I honestly agree with you and Carol. Find a balence. There is no perfect job. There is stress with every job. A person needs to figure out what they can live with "crap" wise.

There are days I serverely dislike being a stay at home mom with a home child care. Parents take advantage of you forget you have a pap smear appointment and bring there kids over anyways expecting you to bring thier kids with you. Yet they would never dream of taking thier own kids to an obgyn appt with them why would I? But in the big picture I remember why I am doing this in the first place. To mother my kids. I had a job interview last week and by the time I did the math. Wages-taxes-sitter-gas=$25 ahead a week. Hmmm I will continue to to the childcare. I need to set better boundaries! Opps this got alittle long winded. But I am up early for a saturday and its quiet here and dd is done itching from her chicken pox and is sleeping soundly finally!

mornign all.

Julia: my friend is a stay at home mom..and has been for 12 years. She also does daycare. After one of her friends literally took $4000 worth of daycare advantage from her she put a stop to that. She had a "special meeting" will all the moms. She make an outline of her rules..again..and gave them all a copy. She told them there is no acceptions AT ALL. She has only lost watching 2 children. Although, those spots were quickly filled. I know its hard because some moms think stay at home moms that "babysit" other kids dont really work! They are wrong


Angie: Great topic for the weekend. I HATE discussing finances with hubby. We did do these a month back when we found out howmuch we were spending on fast food. BUT atleast you are talking about it before he gets laid off if he does.


Well yesterday went ok most of the day. Then around 1030 after watching a movie with hubby and kids i went to go to bed. I noticed that I had a spot of blood on my pants where my infection was. I took of the bandaid and literally blood and puss poured out for about 20 min. I was scared, crying and frantic! Finally it stopped enough to get another bandage on. It was one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen. The Dr didnt tell me this would happen, but I know by reading up on it that they do have to drain. I have heard them draining for weeks if the infection doesnt clear up. SO I could not sleep at all. Was up til 2am. Just trying to remember why I use to think my life was so bad. And yes begging with GOD to please help it heal and me too. I got up this morning and now have a cold sore forming on my lip. Right on time. Everytime I am stressed this is what happens. I have to say I was very mad at hubby last night too. He seemed irritated while I was changing my bandage. I know he was tired and he had to work. He kept telling me it has to drain your gonna be fine stop crying. I didnt feel any compashion from him. That made it worse. I am sure its because he is not going through it. I layed in bed swearing that I was going to wake up with a soaked bandage and blood everywhere, but it didnt. We will see how today goes.

Thanks to eeryone who listens to me ramble. It really means alot that my 3FC friends really care.

Woohoo just got a new PINK anti burst fitness ball! Gotta get back into evening tv time turning into exercise time again!

Lets move it groove it and drink our H2O!

Now off to the market we go! Fresh produce yumm!

Ratkitten - It does come on fast. That scares the pants off of me. I mean I start to panic and then I freak out, emotionally eat, and gain more weight! ACK! It is one of those things I need to stop. You're right, baby steps.

dogpal - You're absolutely right. I do need to wake up and stop with the "feeling sorries" for myself. I mean I've been through so much in my life and I managed this far. I can do this! The thought of gaining back all my weight scares me and I know it is possible. I only lost 60 pounds, which means to me I'm still in that "zone" of possibly gaining back all of it. I will feel much better when I can fit into my size 22s! That means I've lost a lot more than just 60 pounds! I'm currently stuck at 26/28...

zelma - I'm so so sorry to hear about your brother. My thoughts are with you. I'll light a candle for you and your family. *HUGS* I hope that he can get the help he needs. Thinking of you...

rene - Welcome back!

cyn - I hope you are feeling better. I hope you get well. Thoughts are with you too. I hope your infection is better. I know how the antibiotics can really screw with your system. I'm trying to get my crap healed up as well and it takes so much frustrating time. One thing I do is use tea tree oil, Hibiclens and plain old yellow Dial Anti-Bacterial soap, and I also air dry my body with a fan after I shower. It helps dry things out and actually can make my bad areas better. I hope you feel better. *HUGS* I think your hubby may just be focusing on "solving the problem" and not emotionally invested the way you are. My boyfriend does that. I'll sit there and cry and he'll be trying to get me to focus on the problem and not all the emotional things. Of course that makes me cry more... yeah men suck.

******

Sometimes I do need a kick in the bum in order to just get over this little bump..well big bump, I'm in. I carry around a lot of baggage...guilt, dark thoughts, things I don't let out a lot. I did at one time in my life and the darkness, which is what I call it, almost took me completely over. That was a very dark chapter in my life...now there is a lot of light around. I've been through a lot and all those bad bad things made me hide, build a wall of fat, because I didn't know how to live a life of joy and happiness with so much baggage weighing me down. I basically just hid within myself so no one would hurt me anymore.

So, now I'm trying to learn so many things. How to deal with life? How to be independent? How to just do this and be happy? It is a hard thing to learn for me, but I know it isn't just me. We all have these issues, which is why this forum and all of you are so important. You understand.

I need to let things go. I want to live! I want to be happy and want to be healthy. So, no more feeling sorry for myself...going to put myself through my boot camp and rock. :P to you all...

I hope everyone is well. Thinking of all you.

Jacquie - HOORAY for you! Your post made me smile - we learn from the past and become better.

Julia - I gave my fitness ball to the neighbor so I could go buy a larger one - I'm gonna find a pink one so we can work it together!

Annie - I'm sorry the doc didn't see value in your proposal - obviously he really does though or he wouldn't want you to continue to do it as you have been. I really hope you didn't think I was preachy - I've had to learn my job makes the important things in my life better - the important things are here at home and my family. The pool is open but wait awhile before you come float with me - the water was only 64 yesterday - I'm a wimp when it comes to cold water. I've got your raft reserved.

Well DH is out of town which means we don't sleep so well around here. I was up at 4 am and painted the bathroom, went for groceries all before my 830 water class. I see a nap in my crystal ball today - plus it's a rainy one - now if we could get a little thunder I could sleep like a baby.

Hugs to all,
Carol

Even though I so wanted to have snacky goodness yesterday, I didn't. And I was rewarded this morning with being UNDER 300 pounds. 299.8