Hey ladies..
Been such a busy couple of days. I feel like I have so much to do. I'm still OP not sure why the scale hasn't move in a few days, but Im not too worried about it because I know Im doing what I need to do. Had to take my Mom to Walmart yesterday to get a new coffee pot and to buy a few groceries. Taking care of them is my biggest obstacle because it's always "you wanna go out to eat" we'll pay.. That kind of thing. It is so hard for me to turn down eating out, but I did it yesterday with no problems. I just reminded her that were in a weight loss challenge remember and that I need to get healthy..
Only problem I'm having this week is I always feel hungry. Last week I flew right through it without feeling like eating anything. This week thought I want to eat everything.. So frustrating!!

Jane,
I think you should talk to your Sil it's unreasonable for her to ask you to wear that dress if you are not comfortable with it. Like the other ladies said you should be able to wear a different style in that same line. I hope you figure something out. I so wish my boobs would stay the same when I loose weight. The weight seems to come off them first. I hate it..

Mapleleaf, Hi and welcome. That is so awesome that your work does that. I wish my work did that. It's always allot funner when you have some people who are in your everyday life doing it as well. Good luck!

Kerri, I hope your doing ok dealing with your teenanger. That must be hard. My little man is only 4 and I dont ever want him to grow up. I love this age and I get so sad when I realize he'll be in kindergarten next year. Hey enjoy the weather. I live in AZ so we have awesome weather too right now. I am not looking forward to the summer though. I never do. I just hope I'm lighter and not so miserable this summer..

I think the straps will probably be all I really need, and we have enough lead time to figure out what works. I think what I will do is try on a few styles in the same range when I go for the sizing, let her look, and go from there. I'm trying to keep the bride's stress level down to a minimum; I'm actually a replacement bridesmaid because the day of the first fitting, her fiance's sister in law just out of the blue announced she didn't want to be in the wedding party anymore, and this was after she refused styling appointments, makeup etc - which of course for my control freak SIL was panic inducing. Then the church gave away the time she booked and the wedding had to be bumped up to 12:30. That, coupled with the fact that I am the only one of the attendants on either side that knows all the other attendants. Before I came on board she was stressing about dumping everything on the maid of honor, her cousin, because none of the other bridesmaids had even met. I happen to know the other two bridesmaids and all of the the groomsmen, so I can sort of tie everything together. It's all good now. I managed to get appointments for hair and makeup with the people she wants, I contacted the cousin and the other bridesmaid and made arrangements to do lunch so that they can get to know each other and thus work in tandem for the shower/stagette etc, and I even ran my shoe choice by her. So she should be calm for a little while. I kind of know she's going to be a stereotypical bride - but that's ok. It's her day.

Sassy, I totally understand about summer time. There have been full days in my life I have done nothing but sit in a bath tub of cold water because I can't function in the heat. My legs and feet would swell, I was miserable in revealing clothes etc. I'm looking forward to feeling much better this summer!

Down to 348 this morning! 13 more pounds to 100!

Hey everyone! I thought I'd jump in and post, if you don't mind

I joined 3FC a couple weeks ago but haven't been around much. I guess I'm a woman of few words, right I just recently posted my bio in the appropriate thread if you're interested.

I have a wordpress blog that I started as well, which I will share once I have enough posts

I'm using the LoseIt app for my iPhone..counting and tracking EVERYTHING I eat. I'm on my 3rd week of food tracking and LOVE IT. I'm down 16lbs from my starting weight - and I can't wait to weigh-in this week. I know, strange right? me, love the scale? Who am I? I'm a firm believer that something has shifted inside of me, allowing me to be successful thus far. I've had my moments of "OMG HUNGRY" but in general, it's been a pleasant experience!

Has anyone else felt conflicted about losing weight? Maybe conflicted is the wrong word - rather, just surprised at the success? or shocked that it's actually happening?

As someone starting out over 400lbs I know I have a long road ahead and can't wait to see what the future holds!

KerriLeah - Wow, that commute does NOT sound like fun. I'm impressed that you are staying OP and exercising with a commute like that, and kids and family responsibilities. It is really cold up here right now, and we are supposed to have snow later in the week. I hope we really get snow. We've had very little the past couple of years here.

Jane - wow, so glad that you are going to be able to have straps! That's such a relief. I bet you will look smashing. Did you talk to them about your weight loss and how much they can take a dress in? I would worry about ordering one now given how quickly you are losing.

Also, dude. how awesome of you to step in and handle things. Congrats on the loss! You are doing so spectacularly!

MapleLeaf - welcome! You can make that challenge. I have been walking for a half hour every morning and doing exercise videos at night, and just on the treadmill I'm 'more than the current day' in miles this month. Do you have a pedometer? I have never gotten into the habit of wearing one, but would kinda like to.

elvislover - you know, that's interesting. I have shared bits and pieces about weight loss with one friend who was also trying to lose weight, but otherwise I keep it out of conversations, too. I mean, on some level I don't want friends/relations to feel like I'm being preachy and/or that that is all I talk about. And at the same time, I don't want the judgment that might come if I fall or fail?

dgramie - I am sure you'll be able to find a great dress, though. I have faith!

sassyangies - I bet the combination of feeling hungry and not seeing losses is hormonal. I get that too. And hmm. Have you checked nutritional info at various restaurants? If my folks want to take me out to eat, I usually say yes and try to steer them to Ruby Tuesday's if we are going to a chain restaurant. Ruby Tuesday's has a nice salad bar and a spaghetti squash marinara entree that has less than 300 calories.

Applebee's also has less than 550 calorie entrees, and I'm sure other places have options, too. So if there are places that your folks like to eat, maybe look up options on the internet and then next time surprise them with a yes! You'll be armed with good choices and feel better b/c you can both eat out and on plan.

welcome vogue! I am not far from Columbus, Ohio. In fact, I was planning to go there today to see MOrrissey in concert, but I decided it was too cold for me to enjoy the trip (which would've necessarily included some shopping), and was a bit worried about enjoying the concert while juggling the ridiculous amount of cold-weather accessories necessary to deal with 0 degrees. (It was at the LC, which is basically a bar, I think. A BIG bar, but a bar.)

Congrats on your weightloss thus far! And yes, I am... still consistently shocked that I am successful. For a while I weighed in EVERY DAY on two different scales just to prove to myself that the first results were real!

Vogue, I am totally shocked by my success on a daily basis. It's amazing what we're capable of!!!

On jan 27th I will be on this journey for 5yrs. I lost 90lbs and have kept off 55 of it. I wish i could have kept it all off but I am please to have kept this much off.

My scales showed I am back under 250. WOOHOO!! I am now hoping to lose about 25lbs before the middle of May. I think I can do it!

Im going to try and eat extra veggies each day and hopefully that will be keep me from reaching for snacky foods. I run and inhome daycare and its so easy to grab a cookie when my kids have afternoon snack or to eat a chip when they have a sandwich at lunch.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!!

dgramie - congrats on your anniversary! Maintaining 55 lbs of weight loss is absolutely something to celebrate, especially when you are surrounded by kiddie snacks. I am very impressed with your fortitude!

So glad to hear that you have breached 250. Congrats! I think eating extra veg is a great idea. I almost always have chopped veggies ready to go in my fridge just in case, these days. Plus sugar-free jello can satisfy a snacky feeling for very few calories. I don't know if you have Kroger's near you, but I've found that my local one has a store-brand pre-packaged set of sugar-free jellos - 12 or 16 to a pack - for less than $3. I've been buying those lately.

Thanks for the welcome! I've been doing well with the "100 miles in 100 days" walking challenge so far. My work is really big on encouraging fitness, so I am trying to take advantage of more opportunities. I work at a college and there are yoga and cardio classes on campus that are free for all staff members. I just need to get up the nerve and go!

dgramie - WOW! That is awesome and I hope you're proud of yourself. The veggies sound like a good idea. I should probably do the same and stock the fridge at work with veggies again.

Hey ladies..
Yesterday was a blah day!!! I wanted to eat everything in site. I didn't, but I still went over my calories.. Our AC and heater broke in our house so it's freakin cold in here right now. So glad my son was at my Mom's last night. My house got so hot yesterday 84'. And now at 9 in the morning its at 69'.

Anyway scale went up a pound so yeah somethings going on with me. Tom should be here anyday. Today I'm going to make a batch of Cabbage soup. I love the stuff it has practically no calories. I'm going to freeze a bunch of it so that if this happens again I am prepared for it.

Ramie congrats on your anniversary. That's a long time to keep that weight off and hard to do. Good for you!!

Jane you sound like you have everything under control and your doing great. 100 pounds is almost here.. your awesome and such an inspiration!!

Mnem, thanks for the tips.. I love those restraunts to next time I will think about that. Your always full of good advice and I appreciate it!!

Vogue, welcome!! Congrats on your loss and keep it up. Your doing great!!

Angelia, I know! It's tough. Trying to keep them on course is so hard when they are this age. I can throw the gauntlet at her, and now that she's 17, she can just leave if she doesn't like it. I'm trying to find a happy medium, but I don't know if I will pull that off right now. She has it good in our home, but freedom is a totally different calling when they're on the brink of adulthood. She has a lot of freedoms, and maybe too many sometimes. So I'm praying I can reel it back in til summer when she graduates home schooling!

My little one just turned five last month and is in a private Pre-K at a church. I love this for her! She reminds us every night to say grace and sometimes she does it! Then I also hear her walking around chanting the little things they learn in chapel. I love this. This age is amazing.

Jane, it all sounds so stressful! I'm sure the day will be lovely and you will be as well. Enjoy the moment, and use those photos to look back on this time next year and see how much you've changed!

elvislover, that's funny! My BFF is about 100 pounds soaking wet, so aren't we an interesting couple when out and about.

Vogue, so glad to have you! Don't worry. I'm a serious lurker. I've actually been a member (with another user name-- waited so long to log back in last year, I couldn't retrieve my info) in the 3FC forums for about 7 years! I read and learn mostly, but I'm tired of the ups and downs of weight loss (and regains!!!) that I've decided I'm going to throw myself in head first here to keep myself on task. Good luck to you! Hope to hear a lot out of you, too!

mnemosyne, I love the Applebee's choices. I haven't done it in quite some time, but the last one I tried was some kind of a sweet and sour/ spicy chicken with a huge side of steamed broccoli! It was amazing. I didnt' feel too deprived (and I stole a fry or two from my little kid for the taste I was craving without overdoing it). More restaurants need to do this.

dgramie, it's all about convenience! If the cookie's more convenient, that's what I'll grab, too. SO I started buying the bags of already chopped broccoli, carrots and cauliflower for the kids and I to snack on. I enjoy it all more this way, when I can grab and crunch!

MapleLeaf - congrats on keeping to your challenge so far! It's great that you have those opportunities at work, but I totally get the problem with attending cario and yoga classes. I mean, I am pretty self-conscious and exercise at home. I wonder if there are any that are geared toward heavier people?

Stocking the fridge with veggies is a great idea. I also always have a couple of apples sitting around at work so I have something to eat if I need a snack. Like KerriLeah, I buy those pre-cut bags of veggies when necessary. I tend to alternate between the pre-cut bags and veggies I cut up myself, actually, but the pre-cut bags are GREAT when you are like: ugh. No time. I grabbed one yesterday on my way to the movies.

sassyangies - ahh, that sounds very unpleasant. I hope that you get your heater/a/c fixed soon. Do you have a recipe for cabbage soup? I have been cutting up cabbage to add some bulk to my salads recently, but haven't mad soup with it.

KerriLeah - my dad used to coach the college debate team, and when traveling instead of ordering fries, he would take a few from each of his students. He called it the french fry tax. It's a great way to have a taste without a whole order! I went to Ruby Tuesday's last night and had grilled green beans, mashed cauliflower, and roasted spaghetti squash for dinner, with the salad bar. It was tasty and filling, and low enough in calories that I got a small popcorn at the movies instead of eating my veggies.

Heh, before the movie even started I knocked over the popcorn and spilled a bit of it, but I was kinda pleased since it reduced my serving size. And I managed to nurse that small popcorn for the whole 5.5 hour show (it was an opera, not a movie). Oh, and the opera has intermissions, so during the first intermission I walked up and down the stairs in the theater again and again. There were only 5 other people there so I was pretty sure I wasn't disturbing anyone.

Did not get home until well after midnight, so am very tired today. I still got up and exercised before work though.

PS - a new NSV! Before the movie I was walking around the mall and realised there was a CJ Banks. Usually I get to that section by walking through the big department stores there and uh, had not realized we had one. Anyway! They had a clearance sale so I wandered in, and decided to try on some pants that were 50% off the clearance price.

Bought a pair of black jeans, size 20. They are a wee bit tight, but not unwearable. The jeans I was wearing - purchased in November? - were size 24. When I started I was wearing size 32 or even size 34. Last spring, I was wearing size 30 jeans. When I went to Peru, I was in size 28s and size 30s.

Congrats Dgramie on your anniversary and Congrats mnemosyne on your NSV.

I had an nsv this week too - I bought shirts at a local thrift shop! They were intended to be goal shirts, three of them are 2X, which is my next size down, but there was one tank top without a tag in it that I picked up on a whim, and it fits right now. It's been a very long time since I could buy my clothes anywhere outside of a specialty store!

That is SO great and I know the EXACT feeling. I think the first thing I bought that wasn't in a specialty store was a purple ... suede jacket that I got at a department store. When I bought it it just fit. It didn't even ZIP, but I was like: whoa, until now I have only shopped at Catherine's. I am buying this! Such a great moment and it only gets better from there. CONGRATS!

I might have to try thrift store shopping.

My mom does the majority of her clothes shopping at "the boutique on fifth" which is the Salvation army on Fifth Street. I just happened to be in there with her. I do love buying new clothes, but it's going to be so nice to run in and grab the occasional great deal there too. I also bought a shirt at Walmart a short while back, which is something I haven't done in a long time.

Hiii ladies. I hate that I can't really join in on the conversations. I just wanted to let y'all know that I'm still kicking. I started exercising again Monday and have sucessfully exercised every day since then. I've been doing Rockin' Body and it's fun...but I wasn't into it last time. I've been kicking it's butt! I don't know if it's because I haven't exercised in months...but it feels good!

I have a confession to make. I am 26 years old and I have no clue how to drive. lolol...I took off work tomorrow to get my permit (hoping that I pass)...then within the next few weeks after that I'll be taking driving lessons (6 hours in total) for 279 dollars. It's really cheap considering what other driving places cost...plus they pick me up from home and drop me off and let me use their car to take my driving test as well as schedule it for me. Then after I get my license I'm hoping to put money down for a car with my taxes. I'm leaning towards a Kia. I'm really excited about it. And the fact that I've been staying on plan just adds to that.

I hope y'all are doing well and from what I'm reading you most certainly are! P.S Congratulations on the NSV, Jane! You'll be to your goal weight in no time!