Hi All -- I just wanted to announce that I started the July exercise thread! We are doing so well as a group -- we are over halfway to our goal of 200,000 minutes for the year! But we could still use help -- the holidays and cold weather seem to make the last 2 months of the year a dead zone for exercise.

So, if you want some additional motivation to exercise, please join us! You don't have to set a goal, though many of us like to.

Help us get to 200,000 minutes and get fitter and build good habits in the meantime!!

Kymberly: You are doing so well. I am so proud of you getting to 191.2! I can only imagine the joy and pride you must be feeling. Hugs.

Patti: Good job getting moving again!

Zest: woo Hoo on another -5.

Lesley: Okay, here is the you are wanting and some for good measure. Now how bout grab my hand and jump back up on this exercise wagon. Huge on the job.

Misti: You are always rushing girl. Slow down, take a deep breath and once in a while.

Brandnewme: Good luck moving and I hope your new house is a blessings to you and your DH. Don't forget to come back. I really do miss you and notice when you are gone!

Jenn: YEssssssss! Huge on hitting the 75 pound mark. You can meet your goal for September 1st! I know it.

Heather: Okay I have signed up on the thread. How exciting we are doing so well. I will post all my exercise for this week on Saturday or Sunday. Thank you very much for being our Mod. and for running the exercise thread soooo smoothly! Hugs.

Well, it is 6 a.m. and I am off to get in my time with God and then start my cleaning and exercising for the day. I hope you are all wonderful and having great op exercise filled days. Hugs.
Blessings,
Annie

Hi Everyone. Congrats to eveyone who is losing. Your hard work is paying off and it's terrific--and inspirational. Jenn, what a milestone--Kudos!!

Some of you were discussing Body Clutter. My partner is one of the "flybabies", I guess you call them, in that she follows the program and feels very empowered by it, especially since it is written by real women with real bodies and real (non-celebrity) lives to live.

I have had a pretty tough week. I managed to drink my water every day, and walk a couple of days. I ate better than usual but I slipped a couple of times...mindlessly, I might add. After the fact I was like "oh crap, didn't mean to do that."

I am also pretty emotional about this journey, and last night even making out my grocery list had me in tears. It's just...well, I want so much to do it this time, you know? To really change my attitude toward and behavior with food. To eat healthy for life, as they say. And it is a struggle every day. Does it ever get to the point where it doesn't feel like a struggle?

Yesterday I took my staff on a retreat to a local amusement park. The morning was spent in a training, and for the afternoon they were able to enjoy the park. I walked around the park and people watched and drank water and diet sodas (this park gives them free all day). Jon (my partner) joined us in the afternoon, and she rode a lot of the rides with my staff. She said they kept asking her why I wouldn't get on any rides (they wanted me to), and she told them I just don't like them. But she knows the truth. I won't fit on most of them, and I'm too ashamed to try any others. So it was a good day in some respects (I cherish my staff and they are mostly a joy to be around) but it was bittersweet....

Oh well. Onward.

Rob
PS Nancy, I'm in New Britain. And good luck with the move. I actually love moving. It has always felt like a "fresh start" to me.

Rob: So sorry that you are feeling emotional. It is a struggle but you are doing well. Small changes will eventually turn into Big changes. Give yourself a break. We all know how you feel and we all do this one day at a time. That is the only way to tackle it. As for the amusement park. Give yourself a pat on the back for at least going there. I won't even darken the doorstep of one, so to speak. Hugs.

blessings to you,
Annie

Wow, I understand about the amusement parks. I can get free tickets once a year to Busch gardens and I don't go because I'm too fat for the rides. I went once with my nephew and just walking about killed me.

One day... I'll be able to ride a rollercoaster again! Then I'll be heading towards DisneyWorld!!!! yay!

Luv,
Ratkity

Annie-Well, my biggest fear is getting on the scale. Have you got any suggestions? I get so upset when I work hard and the scale just laughs at me (or is that a groan). I’ve been OP for two weeks, and haven’t been on the scale yet. Mostly because I really don’t feel like I have lost any weight. I know that I have dealt with this repeatedly the last several years, but it just seems to get harder every time. I’m actually thinking about waiting until the first of August. The problem with that is if I’m not losing weight, I guess I need to know so that I can change the diet again.

Rob-I found myself on an emotional rollercoaster from the beginning, pretty much upto and including today. This is the biggest thing you will probably ever have to do in your life. Plus, I found that with out my favorite sedative—food—that I just had to deal with emotions and issues that I never had to before.

Ratkity-I used to get free tickets to the Busch gardens in Tampa, and the kids always wanted me to go with them, the boy scouts or little league, and I just couldn’t do it. Even when I was in a wheelchair I knew I couldn’t make it that far. Some day I’m going to go back to Florida for a visit and do one of the parks, probably Universal after they get the Harry Potter one up, just to show myself I can.

I’ve got to go do some hemming. His tux came in the mail today, only a few days after his birthday. He’s strutting around like a kid before the prom. I think he is hoping one of the neighbors will go by so he can show off. I swear he is sitting on the patio wearing it. I’ve got to go get him before someone sees him and has him carted off.

Hi everyone

LOL Annie, I didn't mean to give the impression I am always rushing. I have plenty of "crash" time but yes I am also busy and involved in a lot. In the mornings I am rushing because I get up at 4:45 and am getting ready for work. Tonight... well I am passing through because I am going out to dinner and the casino with a friend. And with 11 hour work days including commute, and exercising an average of (this month) 75 minutes a day... well, yah I am often rushing through the computer.

LOL. Okay Misti as long as you are taking time to stop occasionally and smell the roses!

Catherine: UGH. I hate the scale too with a passion. I can say I am almost afraid of the darn thing. I don't blame you about waiting until the first of August. Just keep on plugging away and hopefully you will get an awesome surprise when you do weigh! I bet you are so proud of your sweet heart!

Storey: You will be able to exercise soon. Is there a possiblilty of you going swimming and doing some workouts in there to stay off the foot? I hope so, I see so many ladies that can't move due to arthritus or different things and in the water they are like ballerinas. Hugs.

Well, I finally managed to pin myself down long enought to completly finish cleaning my house except the windows. I have 2 windows to clean and one sliding glass door left but it is storming really bad and I don't want to stand next to a window when the lightning is a blazen. lol. I didn't make it to the pool today but I still managed to get in 75 minutes of exercise. I don't know if I will jump back on the bike today or not. I am pretty tired and I just got some very bad news about my step brother. He is going blind with retenal degeneration. If there are any of you ladies who do pray and are willing to pray for him I would so much appreciate it. His name is Erik. My Mom (step mom) is taking it really, really hard too. Please include her in your prayers. I would so appreciate it. Hugs.

Blessings to you all,
Annie

Hi everyone

I thought I would be able to keep up and login more often this week, but I was just able to check in from Monday. Thanks to everyone for the congrats on the new pant size.

Also, I would like to congratulate everyone who is losing. All of our hard work is paying off. I took a peek as well this morning and had dropped 5.8 lbs so far for June. We still have 2 more sleeps, hopefully more is off by Sunday.

Well I hope everyone has a great weekend.

dogpal i will pray for your step brother and your whole family. that must be hard . you , my girl however are doing great on the exercise. i take the weekends off to rest but will back to moving on the treadmill on monday.!

Motivated: Huge Congrats on another -5.8 almost 6! Way to go. Keep up the great work.

Patti: Thanks and a huge hugs.

I am slow going today. lol. I have had a chat with all three of my sisters. I am going to clean the frig out this morning, ride my bike, do abs and shower by 11:30 so when my DH comes home (working OT today) we can go to Costco. I hope you are all doing well and blessed.

Blessings to you all,
Annie

Hey chickies!

I wanted to start a list of some of the inspiring posts by members of the 300+ group and have started a sticky at the top of the forum to showcase them.

So far, the only one there is a post by Zelma that many of us cherish and call the "Freedom" post.

Feel free to nominate others!!!!

Check it out!
http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116546

hi everyone

Heather- awesome idea. I think i have one from val saved somewhere too

Kayley~ if you are still reading hun, I went to see buckcherry in concert last night... one word, AMAZING. pm me if you want to see pics

ok, so I have just been busy with doing "stuff". I have another wedding booked for when I get back from vacation and back to making jewellry again. We are trying to get enough money to have lots of shopping money for our trip so I have been busy busy busy Other than that, weight was the same again this week. I really have to step things up this week. That is what tomorrow am entails. I need to get my menu prepped as well as all the food for the week.

i have to go take my lenses out now and head to bed. Its a holiday weekend here and tomorrow night we go to the fireworks etc so i better hit the sack early