WELCOME!

We want to invite everyone to join us in our journey.
We share laughter and tears.
We share what works for us and what doesn't.
We recently started a Topic of the Day.

Monday........Motivation Monday
Tuesday.......Tuesday Tips
Wednesday.....Wednesday Weigh ins
Thursday......Thankful Thursday
Friday........Friday Facials, Fingernails and Fun
Saturday.......Sit-up Saturdays - any physical activity
Sunday.........Soup and Salad Sunday - recipes

These are not required topics ...just ideas to share. We have found them very helpful. We also share heartaches and fears...joys and celebrations.

Please feel free to jump right in with us.
And be sure to check if there is a second page. We don't want anyone to miss any posts.

WELCOME!

I was just coming out of the gym...and heard this loud noise...I really didn't give it much thought...even when I saw the huge plume of black smoke in the distance. When I got home a neighbor came running over to ask me if I heard anything on the news about the explosion...since it just happened, nothing has been said yet...I'm waiting. NYC is across the bay from here. We could clearly see the WTC smoke when that happened. This sucks not knowing. I have to go back to the news now. I'll keep you posted.

to tell you two things I am very excited about!! First of all, last week during the race, my digital cable company was offering a free preview of IN DEMAND in car viewing. In case you're not familiar with this, 7 drivers have allowed cameras in their car along with allowing their audio to be broadcast over the channel as well. It is normally a pay per view item, but were offering the free preview last Sunday. Tony was one of the drivers and of course, I spent half (what there was of it) of the race looking through his front windshield. It was really neat. He was having trouble with his audio, so we couldn't hear conversation between him and his crew chief, but we could see him driving inside the car and see exactly what he sees and could see him changing gears and stuff like that. I know it probably doesn't sound real exciting, but we loved it. Only problem is....it costs $120.00 for the racing season. If you ordered it before Feb 22nd, they cut the price down to only $99.00. If you think of it in those terms, with the racing season being 10 mos long, that's only about $10.00 a month or an average of about 2.50 a race. I know lots of people that rent scanners at the races so they can hear in-car audio and they can cost anywhere from 20.00 to 30.00 just to rent them. Anyways...I wanted to order it, but decided against it, and dh called me at work yesterday and said he had ordered it for us. Very nice of him, I thought.

Then, along those lines...you know I've told you guys that I'm going to the Atlanta race in March. Well, I just found out yesterday that Tony is having a personal appearance on the Wednesday before the race in Atlanta at the Bass Pro Shop and when I looked at my schedule, guess who is off that day!! No, not 2cute.... ME! So I guess I know where I'll be that day. March is looking better and better!

Have a great day all...dh just called and whined his way into me bringing him lunch. The nerve!

You and I were posting at the same time. Keep us posted as to what is going on and I'll turn on the radio on the way into town.

Hi,

Hope you don't mind my crashing your thread. I just read on Yahoo! that there was some kind of explosion/fire at the Staten Island Oil Refinery. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp.../refinery_fire
I thought I'd post it since you were wondering.

It's a Mobil refinery on Staten Island. It's weird to see the gigantic tower of smoke and flame on TV and out the front door. Well, we can't see the flames from here. Apparently, a barge was being filled with fuel oil and something exploded. The scary thing is to see all the other tanks all lined up, not too far from the fire. No word on casualties yet. Scary. But I'm glad we're not being attacked.

On a brighter note, I WENT TO THE GYM! I walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes...I would have gone longer, but I couldn't take another second of Regis & Kelly! yuk! It was either that or 5 different sports channels to choose from...(and NO NASCAR on any of 'em!) Next time I'll bring my own tunes, or better still a book on tape. I'm about to prepare a lovely low points breakfast, (well, brunch, now!) consisting of an eggwhite omelet with peppers and mushrooms and cheese, whole grain toast, and an orange...around 8 points or so. Lunch will be tuna salad on greens, (no bread) an apple and milk. 7 points. Dinner...I'm making Chicken Marsala with brown rice and salad...I haven't figured out points yet for that, I'm thinking around 10-12, for the whole meal. More exercise, in the form of housework, should burn off a few more cals!

That's it for now...fascinating, huh?

See you all later.

ps...thanks, Jo, for the info!

Tina: oooh how exciting to maybe get up close and personal with Tony. I bet you are just dying!

Kat: I saw there was some huge club fire last night too. Was it Boston? A lot of people died in that one. I guess the moron band that was playing set off pyrotechnics and they set the ceiling on fire and it was totally engulfed in THREE minutes. One lady said she was standing next to the exit and the smoke was so bad she couldn't find the door.

Thanks Jo for the heads up!

Well, I did my scheduled cleaning and one walk so I only have the other to do. I am going downstairs and eating in a few and then getting it over with.

You know how nutty I am about my nails and darned if I didn't break another one somewhere when I was cleaning. I just went and had one repaired day before yesterday and now I have to go again. Darn thing cost $3 to get fixed too! Blasted all!!!

Well, I am starving so I am going to go get some lunch. Today's specialty of the house is a WW Pizza.

Talk to everyone later.

D

HI guys this is short I had to take my computer in for a tune up so I'll have to check in at work so I'll get in when I can.

I'm kinda bored at the moment. I'm just passing time until I start to cook dinner and decided to post instead of snooping around the kitchen looking for things to snack on!

Earlier today I wandered around an outlet mall with a friend of mine but resisted buying anything! Whew! I DID try on a couple of pairs of pants though... size 7/8. They fit... but I didn't LOVE them. Who would have ever believed it? I WAS in a snug size 22 last year at this time! The friend that I accompanied is heavy so we spent a lot of time in the plus sized store chain that I used to purchase 95% of my wardrobe in. It was strange... being there now. I was SO reminded of that sinking, depressive mood that used to hit me every time I went shopping because my friend was having a hard time finding things she felt attractive in. I could sympathize with her so much!

It's weird. While I'm am SO happy to be able to find clothes in whatever store I choose to patron, I think how I actually FELT before is starting to slip away. I NEED to remember how limited my purchases were, how expensive they were, how I was never REALLY satisfied with the way any new clothes looked on me, no matter how nice they were.

Shopping is such a different experience now.

Donna: Us women and our nails! My hubby asked me if I wanted to go bowling tonight and, without even thinking about it, I said "No way!" Last time I went, I broke every single nail on my bowling hand!

Kat: Good job on the exercise! I've completely been slacking off for the last week... and I'm fine with that but I need to get my butt back in gear this weekend. I'm SOOO looking forward to a little warmer weather so I can get outside and jog/hike/play tennis and not have to be couped up in a gym!

Alright then. Hopefully my snacking urges have subsided!

Sara
Highest Weight: 270
Current Weight: 145

Hey girly girls!!!

I never got to post today cause my boss stayed there all day, the nerve huh??

Tina, I think thats great the inside the car view. It must be strange, I mean I've seen the views that they put on tv during a race and stuff, but to watch the whole race that way would be kinda neato, I'm happy your hubby bought it for you!!! You deserve it!!!

Kat, your post about Mobile was the first thing I had heard of it, I will have to go check it out later on the web, or will see it tonight on the nightly news.

Donna, sorry about your nail, but thats a good way to reward yourself is to have the nails done. It seems I can grow mine to the ends of my fingertips and a little bit more, then they either break or peel or I bite em off. I have really never been to girly about my nails. I seem to go through phases with them.

Hope everyones day was great and op as much as possible. Just remember your dreams are in your reach, you just have to want it bad enough, and I DO!!!!!

Hey everybody! I'm pooped! We just got through doing our shop til we drop and then we had to carry everything into the house and most of it was HEAVY! His new computer desk must weigh 200 lbs. On top of that it was raining and of course as soon as we got home it started a downpour so we got soaked, I had on a fleece top so it started to itch and as two of the things were in the trunk we HAD to get them in. We rolled out an old computer chair and hoisted the desk box on it and rolled it as far as we could, but we have a redwood deck and it has a wheelchair incline and we could not get it up and past it so we took it off and Jack kind of jockeyed it back and forth until he got it in. I hurt my back a little lifting it, so it is the ICY HOT for me tonight and lots of Advil. I told Jack "This was kind of a late Christmas present because we didn't buy anything for each other, but to tell the truth my idea of a Christmas present is not a carpet steamer, cleaning supplies and a 4 slot toaster!" (you'd never know it the way I am always talking about cleaning now would you!!!) He did offer to let me go to Tunica to the leather outlet and buy a handbag which happens to be my passion besides, shoes, and having my nails done every two weeks. Vanity thy name is Donna! At least I didn't break another nail carrying in the boxes. You guys would love coming to my house and borrowing a handbag. I must have about 50-75 every shape, size color, leather, suede, vinyl, crocheted, whatever. When we moved, it took 3 boxes to put them all in!

I swore I was not going to weigh myself so Sandy feel free to let lose on me! I was cleaning the bathroom and decided to go ahead and weigh. I have lost another 3 lbs so I am down to 307 now! I think that deserves a new handbag!

Sandy: You go get em girl! I think you have made the connection and are going to do it this time! I am so very very proud of you!

Sara: I absolutely refuse to bowl! You know, I am always having people tell me how beautiful my nails are and are they mine. I always tell them, "Absolutely, I paid for them!" I have worn acrylic nails for years and I go to an absolutely fantastic salon. This lady is Vietnamese and runs a tight ship. The place is so clean you could eat on the floor, they provide you with individual kit boxes so you never share the files etc, everyone wears smocks and name tags with American names and they are very reasonable. I am a clutz though as you can see and either booge up my polish or break a nail (or 2 or 3) between visits.

Well, Jack is downstairs putting his new leather chair and my steam cleaner together so I probably should go help him. The only thing I did was replace my toaster when I got home. My toaster believe is or not is a Sears toaster and for you ladies that remember this disgusting color in Harvest Gold. It is OVER 30 years old. I got it as a wedding present. It still works, but the slots are too skinny for bagels (nobody but NYC folks knew what bagels were back then) and you get your toast one color regardless of where you set it. I now have a nice 4 slot bagel toaster.

You guys have a good night and I will take a digital pic and let you see my handbag tomorrow after I get home!!!!

Donna

Boy... the traffic here tonight is a lot slower than it has been of late! I betcha all my chickies are out living it up seeing as how it IS Friday. Me and hubby are just having a quiet night at home... which suits me just fine because tomorrow night we plan to live it up!

So... I've been sitting here, perusing the various threads at 3FC and I noticed that a number of women, while indicating they are significantly overweight, are not all that forthcoming when it comes to actually stating their weight. THEN... I got to thinking about the question posed by Donna a while back: "How many women (who are significantly overweight) actually tell people how much they weigh?" I remember answering truthfully that, when I weighed 270 pounds, I would have been HORRIFIED if ANYONE found out my weight.

I would literally have felt sick.

In a later post, Donna challenged women to take back their power. That really hit me... in a good way.

I feel like being ashamed of the number associated with one's weight, for most women, is a reflection of their feelings of inferiority, of somehow being lesser. This doesn't have to be the case. A heavy woman that states her weight without shame (when the proper situation presents itself) is refusing to allow herself to be deemed subordinate. I now hold a lot of respect and admiration for heavy women who defy the societal ideology equating power with thinness. Self-confidence is really a beautiful and powerful thing.

When I was heavy, I allowed myself to be ashamed. If I was suddenly the weight I was last year, I would like to think that I would retain the perspective I've developed recently and not allow my power to be taken from me.

Yes, I'm thinner now. I'm healthier now. I'm happier now. I never want to gain back those 125 pounds that I lost BUT... I'm also wiser now. This journey has been all about self-discovery. It's been about taking my power back.

Hmmm... maybe this should have been a journal entry. It's getting pretty philosophical! Kat's thinking... "Sara's wasted no time getting into the party mode (the liquor cabinet) this weekend!"

Come to think of it, I may post this in my journal too.

Catch all my lovelies later,
Sara
Highest weight: 270
Current weight: 145

Well.... here it is 1am and I am here writing. Except this time I just woke up. I went to be at 9:30 pm Friday night and here I am at 1am WIDE AWAKE now. Grrrrr
I just don't understand why I can't sleep like normal people. ????

I haven't been here a lot lately. To be honest.... I really just did not have anything worth sharing. LOL
I have thought about putting on this "fake" happy and jolly face I keep with me .... but I don't even have the energy to put that on.

I wanted to thank Sara for posting again. You are a valuable part of this group and we (all overweight people) need to see and hear from you. It is the success stories that give us the HOPE to carry on. AND we have a lot of success stories here.

I would mention them all but I am so afraid I would miss someone and I don't want anyones feelings to be hurt.
Sara just happened to be MIA lately.

My husband and I are going on a road trip today. We are not sure where... LOL ... we just hop in the car start driving.
We will probably stay in a hotel tonight somewhere... but who knows where. I love these kind of trips. We haven't even decided if we are going north, south , east or west yet. LOL
We will probably flip a coin. There are soooo many things we have not seen in our own state... it is a shame. Tomorrow/today we will find a few of them.

I love you all. I miss all of you too. I especially miss those of you who are NOT posting. Thin, Lucky, Bailey, Duckie, Mary, Michelle, Steph, gee.... see there I go again... forgetting someone and hurting their feelings. Grrrr. Even if I forgot to mention you by name... I miss you !!!! PLEASE come and share with us again.
WE NEED EACH OTHER... well, I NEED YOU even if you don't need me.

Sara: BINGO, girl! You are exactly right and hit the nail on the head. Though no one here would say this, I would venture to say that some would chalk your comments up to the fact that you are now a healthy weight and it is easy for you to say. Fact of the matter is, when we are embarrassed about any aspect of our life be it our weight, our looks, our bank account, our car, our kids, etc., we are EMPOWERING OTHERS, not ourselves. I saw a Dr Phil show yesterday where women would not go out without makeup, a man wouldn't take his hat off because he was going bald, etc. because of self-esteem. Why let others control how you live your life? I do not go out without makeup etc, not because of self-esteem, but because I always try and look my best out in public Besides, if I look nice I feel nice and it adds to my well-being not take it away. Heck, this country could care less about fat men, but a woman with 20 extra lbs is fodder for rumor. That is pretty sad.

2cute: Have fun on your road trip, sweety! I will try and remember you are going to be gone this time! You are greatly missed when you are not here so don't be absent too much. We need you as much as you say you need us!

Brother, I am up at 4 in the morning when I should be sound asleep. It is Saturday, my house is cleaned (except for the mess dragged in by all the boxes last night of course), and instead I hurt like the devil, didn't go to sleep until around midnight and woke up at 3. URGH! I hate being old and fat! On top of that, I am ovulating and my boobs hurt so I can't sleep on my stomach which when my hip hurts is the only way I don't.

Well, I better try and go back to sleep for a couple hours. We have lots we want to do today.

Donna

VICTORY IS MINE!!!

My WATP 3miles came yesterday.....I did it this am at 7:30 and I've gained so much respect and admiration for all of you who do it and some that do it 2 times in one day. Since this is the first time I've seen the tape you can picture me in my jammie top, no bra and sneakers walking away in the livingroom and talking back to this woman on the tv. At 1 1/2 miles she says okay if you want to be done you can!! Just remember to do cooldown. Well in my mind that little is saying OKAY THATS IT SOMEONE GAVE US PERMISSION TO BE DONE!!!! But guess what??? The on the other side of my brain was saying, you want this to bad to poop out at the 1/2 way point. So in the end with lots of self talking and urging I did the whole tape and when she asked if your still smiling I said NO!!!!! And I ment it!!! But when I got all done and recovered I did smile as I felt I reached another small victory along my way. Like we all say, 1 day at a time and for this one day I already have my exercise in, and to think 3 miles of it .

Sara & Donna/ I'm sorry I'm still not telling anyone but you all on this site what my true weight is!! You can call it insecurity or whatever, but I figure they can see I'm fat do they need a number to go with it? I think Not!!! Isn't it not worrying about the number that you are always telling me? Sometimes I go out of the house with no makeup on, it depends on how Im feeling, but I would never go out looking like a bum or without doing my hair. I have really thin hair (female family trait) and I have to wash it daily or it looks like it hasn't been washed in a week.

2cute/ hope your adventure is a fun filled one for you and hubby. And how romantic too. Usually in the Spring here in Maine dh and I have the inlaws watch the kids for a weekend and we go away and stay overnight just to get away, this weekend is kinda like just for us, even if we do nothing but lay in bed and talk and well enough said. We also get a weekend away alone close to our anniversary too August

Tina/ where are you??? I miss your posting, I know you posted yesterday, but where are you now??? Probably watching some kind of racing, hope your having fun!!!!

I'm not meaning to hurt feelings if I did not put your name in personally, but only so much time to post....lol, but you know I care and love you all!!! Hope everyone is doing great and having and OP time.

Hugs....