HI guys !!

Tina... you and three others posted while I was writing this post on the last thread. LOL
After I hit submit I saw you had already started a new thread so I moved it over here. LOL

My daughter is home so we are running everyday. Yesterday we hit a GOLD MINE !!! We were at Garden Ridge... (like Pottery Barn, Hobby Lobby, ect ) and they were pricing a dozen baskets full of damaged merchandise. Some of it was almost impossible to find what was wrong with it. Anyway... I SAVED $450 !! I spent $50 but saved $450. I bought this one huge picture originally $199 for $20. Another picture with beautiful frame originally $99 for $4.50
Lots of large great smelling candles for 50 cents each.
And my favorites were greenery arrangements formally $20-$50 for $2.50 each. We filled up the trunk and back seat. LOL
We spent a couple of hours going through all of it for the best stuff. It was fun.

My exercise is still good... my food only so so.
At least it is not totally bad. LOL
I actually believe I have improved my normal eating.
We went out to eat last night to a great Barbeque place and brought half of it home. BUT I did eat their awesome potatoes and hot bread.

Steph good to see you. Laura welcome back.
Okay... I am out of here. We have a lot of decorating to do with all the stuff I bought.

I'm baaaack! Man..... being without you guys for two whole days is like murder! I hate being without my computer at home. I wanted to talk to you guys so bad yesterday I almost drove into town, so I could get on the computer here at work. But I thought....."if I've got a vacation from that place...I'm staying home." Well, technically not a vacation, but anytime you get two days off in a row there and you get to keep them (meaning....no one calls in ) you take em and be happy.

I didn't want you guys to read too much into what I posted on Saturday.... I would never have the surgery. I'm too big of a scaredy cat. I have heard so many horror stories, it's not even funny. Plus, you have to so severely restrict your eating habits, I mean....why not just do it without risking your life?

Once again.... I mean no harm by saying that. I know that Jen has had the surgery and I completely support her choice to do so. I am very pleased that thus far, she has had no problems. I just know that speaking for myself, that I couldn't do it. I am a big ol'

I am so sore today. I got up yesterday morning and did my new WATP dvd (1 mile) and then put in the extra 10 minutes for the abs. Then I set out to get my messy house cleaned. I did five loads of laundry and cleaned the living room thoroughly. Dh took Trey to football practice and while he was gone, I decided I would mow the back yard for 30 minutes. My intention was not to completely mow it, just get in 30 minutes of a different type of exercise. I thought dh would complain because I only did part of it and ask me why I stopped....but instead he griped because I mowed in the first place. He said with three guys in the house, I shouldn't be mowing the yard. Whatever.

Anyways.... I'm paying for it today. Doing the exercise for the abs along with mowing the yard really has done me in. I still plan on going to Trey's football practice tonight though and will get in some more walking time though.

I haven't read the last thread yet, but I have printed it out so I can respond to you guys properly. I hope you all had a super nice weekend and I will see you tomorrow!

P.S. I was OP all day yesterday.

I thought you might like this.....

Here is a picture of Tony with the special paint scheme car he drove on Saturday in the Busch race. He was driving for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the car was representing the band 3 Doors Down and the video he and Dale Jr. shot together.

Nice, huh?

Hello ladies!
I am back on track today and feeling much better. Isn't it amazing what a difference our eating habits make? As soon as I started eating healthy again my energy and pleasant mood came back. I don't even mind being at work today.


Tina,
It's good to have you back from your mini-vacation. I don't think I could ever have surgery either. First off, it sounds way too painful. Secondly I don't understand how I would keep the weight off without changing my eating and exercise habits. I would be one of those that lost it all at first and then went right back to my old ways. I feel like the experience I'm going through now is teaching me so much about myself that I'll never be able to go back to the former me. I know that the surgery is a life saver for many people, and I'm glad for that. But for me, it's not the thing either.

Speaking of the surgery...anyone get a look at Al Roker? He had GB a couple years ago, now he's working on the food network pigging out on chocolate and giant sandwiches. What's that about?

2cute,
I love finding a good sale! It sounds like you did great! Good job on the exercise too! When it comes down to it, it's the exercise that really counts for us losing. It is so good for us, the more you exercise and the more muscle you build the more calories we'll burn just typing away!

Have a great day everyone!

Hi all! Does anyone else feel like the world is just going by without you???? I think I'm going crazy, or getting old very quickly and the days just seem to be slipping away. I keep thinking 'tomorrow I'm going to get serious.' 'Tomorrow I'm going to start anew'. Then I wake up tomorrow and say 'tomorrow I'm going to get serious.' 'Tomorrow I'm going to start anew'. Before I know it a whole dang month has gone by.

I signed up for Curves a month ago. The first couple of weeks went fine. Then I started those cosmetics resets and was exhausted when I got home and just didn't have the ambition to go. Now it's been 10 days since I've been, it's time to get weighed and measured and I have no desire to do so because I haven't been going. I'm sure I haven't lost anything.

I went and had my hair done today. I swear I fit worse in the chair than I did before. My gosh, I'm spreading instead of losing and I just feel like I'm on this giant merry-go-round and I can't seem to get off. The days spin faster and faster and I'm accomplishing nothing in the weightloss department. My mind is so bogged down and my heart is so heavy that I can't seem to care enough to make some progress.

I feel like such a failure!

Well, enough of that downer.....

Connie: I hope you're doing better today. You sounded really down in the dumps too.

Michelle: I've been more tired than bi^cHy for PMS the last few months, but this time I got tired AND bi^cHy! Must be the age.

Mel: Go back a couple of threads and read. I think it was Kat that started the discussion on authors. There were quite a few suggestions in the last couple of threads. * Yes, I did think of you. And it's because when I first met you I remembered that you were a senior in college and so was my oldest son. He graduated this Spring as well. AND still no 'full time gig' for him either!

Steph: If you promise not to disappear on me, I'll loan you my set of Evanovich paperbacks to read. I'd be happy to send them to you, of course, you better ask Mary just how quick I am about shipping books!

Barb: I'm glad you had the opportunity to lay out the plans for the cruise ahead of time. One of my least favorite vacations was when we took my mom and MIL and FIL along. Everyone thought I was supposed to be the tourguide. It got old real quick because I was constantly trying to make sure everyone else had a good time that I couldn't.

Laura: If the low carb/high protein isn't working well for you, then it's time to check out a different plan. There certainly are plenty of them out there and I'm sure you'll find one that fits YOU! Keep looking and keep coming back here for the love, support and encouragement you need.

Katrina: Sounds like you're on a roll. Keep up the good work! Hope you had a nice visit.

Pam: 'Mini vacation days'??? What's that all about??? The days are shorter??? Or you get to go somewhere for a short time??? Sorry, I'm just messin' with you!

Andria: So glad to hear you're feeling better. And 2 more pounds! Good girl!!!

2cute: WOW! What a great sale! I bet you guys are having fun with all of it. Just think, a new house is like having whole new canvases to paint on.

Tina: We miss you when you're not here too. I'm glad you had a couple of great days off.

Natalie: You're getting so close to Onederland! I'm so proud of you!!!

Well girls, I'm headed out to the store. They've got bi-color sweet corn on sale at the store and I need to go and re-buy zucchini for that squash bake. I bought some last week and they went bad in the fridge before I made the stupid recipe. Does anyone else do that? I buy all the goofy ingredients and then lose the recipe until after the ingredients have gone bad. Ok, vicious circle going on here!

Love to all.

"Persevere and never fear.
Slow and steady wins the race."

I just had the yummiest grinder

Tina, are you talking about that bariatric surgery or whatever? I've considered it actually. I talked to my brother about it the other day, actually. We reached a similar conclusion....If you're going to staple your stomach to decrease your appetite, you might as well just forge ahead and try extra hard to restrict your eating habits anyways. I'm too much of a scaredy cat too!

Good Afternoon Chicklets....

Thin, I know what you mean about time slipping away, before I started on this journey to a healthier me, (on June 5th), I felt the same way. I felt like my life was passing me by and I was powerless to do anything about it. In my mind, at least fleetingly I would "think" about getting better, but "thinking" about it was all I could manage. My life had BECOME unmanageable, I felt like I was dying, and inside I was, my spirit was dead, and it was taking a physical toll on me too, I saw no way out of it. But one day, something just told me (it really did just "click"), I was going to die if I didn't choose to try and do something different. So, I went to see a Dr (had avoided that before, like the plague), I got
some blood pressure medication, but I still ate like I had been eating, (that was in Feb of this year), so from that time on, I started to really think about how close I came to dying, and it scared me....It scared me how close I got to becoming a diabetic, and maybe losing a limb, or becoming insulin dependent, or having to go on dialysis!!, I could finally see it all clearly...I was 43 years old, and I had been punishing myself by overeating, I had been killing myself with food since I was 12 -13 years old, (but learned even earlier than that to comfort myself with food), protecting myself, insulating myself from hurt, right?? That was illogical, but I continued down that road, and it spiraled out of control, but I "thought" I was handling it, and my body was allowing it, it wasnt' talking back. Several times over the years the depression got so bad, and I felt (much of the time), a lump in my throat, an overwhelming sadness. and I lived like that for YEARS!!!! I missed out on so much in my life. Compulsive overeating, and FOOD KEPT ME FROM MY LIFE. Intellectually I knew it was, emotionally, and spiritually I was beaten!! and I reached a point "I couldn't do it ", all I could do was sit and eat, and somehow managed to go to work, but I felt like I was just exisiting! and I was. So I started making really small changes in my eating habits, I mean really small changes...then I started going to see a nutritionist/dietician that is affiliated with my Dr's office. I saw her the first time and talked about nutrition, she gave me some information to read, and a blank food diary, I took it home and set it down, and for another month, I didnt even pick it up, and yes I started eating again with no abandon!!! Then on June 5th (my day of liberation as I like to think of it), I again started slowly, I did it day after day after day, until it became a habit, and then 2mos later on July 1st I started exercising, just a few mins at a time, and now here I am August 19th and I am working out, 1.5 miles a day with the watp tape, and on some days I walk 2 laps at the fitness park with a friend. NOW THAT IS A MIRACLE.....I want to live, I DISCOVERED I WANT TO LIVE!!...and somewhere in all of that I built me up a circle for friends, and support, all of you included. I began to feel worthy of asking for what I wanted and needed, and it is getting much easier!.....I love my life now, I love myself enough to do this as long as it takes and beyond!!!, I have to do this if I want to live...I was killing myself with food, and I do not accept that in my life anymore...I WILL NOT HAVE IT!!!

SOOOO, THIN YES I HAVE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE, AS MOST ALL OF US HAVE THAT PARTICIPATE IN THIS FORUM, BUT YOU KNOW I AM GRATEFUL MY LIFE GOT THAT BAD, AND I REACHED THAT POINT OF DESPAIR THAT I DID, BECAUSE IT BROUGHT ME HERE TO THIS PLACE, AND THE VIEW FROM HERE IS WONDERFUL!!

okay girls, I am off that soap box, and Thin I appreciate all you said, it allowed me the opportunity to re-affirm just why it is that I am making these changes...

Take care of yourself thin, you deserve your life, you are worthy of eating well and exercising. YOU ARE WORTH BECOMING THE AMAZING PERSON YOU ARE!!

LOTS OF LOVE,

AMEN PAM!

Thanks Thin and Pam for those posts....

Deb

Hi Gals -
Believe me, I know where you are all coming from with the time passing by and getting healthy, etc. I have been heavy all my life, but was pretty healthy and active up until I got married. The low weight of my adult life was 211 - that was my freshman year of college. Then I crept up to 268 by my senior year, 1992, and got back to about 240 by the time I got married in 1994. Somewhere between 1994-2003 I got up to 328 I didn't realize what I was doing to myself. I was happy with my marriage, we were both TOO comfortable, eating what we wanted, doing whatever! Something just clicked in me around February! Just to take it slow and figure it out.....actually, there were a couple motivators in my life and they both really made me feel special today....can I share???

There is a man I work with - Dan. I have known him for about 5 years and he was very overweight. About 2 years ago he had his 2nd son and was on the verge of diabetes. I only see him every few months because he travels. Well, he finally realized it was time to get healthy! Since then he has dropped and amazing 175 pounds!!!! He did it the old-fashioned way --- diet and exercise. He looks amazing!!! Well, ran into him today for the first time in many months and he immediately noticed my weight loss and gave me a big old high five! He is such an inspriration to me!!!

Then, there are 3 ladies that I work with who have become very good friends over the years. They are each around 120-130 pounds. So, very petite and thin!!! However, through many conversations with each of them I began to open up, as did they about weight loss issues. Even though they are small they have thier own battles. It's hard to realize that when you see someone on the outside. I never thought they could understand my situtation, but they are wonderful!! They are so supportive and I know in some way they helped me get to a better place in my life! Every week they ask about my losses/gains, we talk about food and recipes and challenges. They have been a great support system. Anyway, I come into work today and find a card on my desk from the 3 of them --- it was a congratulations on my 40+ pound loss and a $40 gift certificate to the mall!!! Isn't that just the sweetest thing????

I just thought I would share that with you. I don't know what I would do without the above people and each and every one of you in my life!!!! Support and encouragement are essential!

I think I am going to head out for the day --- At this rate I won't be home until 7:30, but I am going to exercise no matter what. I use to act like if I got home from late I couldn't fit it in. Now I fit in exercise no matter what. Even if it means 15 minutes in front of the tv ---- ANY exercise it better than none!!!

I'm done babbling....talk to ya'll later.
Love,
Barb

I have time for only a few replies right now...then I MUST get some sleep!

Thin, sweetie, just go back to Curves. You don't have to measure now if you don't want to. Just get back into that groove, of consistent exercise. Remember how good it made you feel? I swear, it will even help with the TOM stuff, AND increase your energy. Really. And by the way, you are NOT a loser!! Don't we all feel that way at times...All it takes is that first step back. I KNOW you can do it. {{{hugs}}}

Pam, Oh dear, I can relate (as I'm sure we all can) to SO MUCH of what you said. The depression, the never ending diets, missing out on LIFE. How cool to have turned it around. Thank you for sharing that...it was very motivating!

2cute...YOU GO GIRL! Gotta love saving those $$$!!

Its been a while since I posted and you all didn't even miss me!

I'm so behind I won't be able to make up for missed posts. But just had to jump back in here after Thin's, Pam's and Barb's posts.

I haven't been really off the wagon or anything just so far behind at work and at home. I'm not sure how that happened but I hate that feeling of running hard and getting no where. Like Thin said, too much time passing too quickly.

I've also spent a lot of time getting Balance Log set up on the new laptop for DH and I.

I do have to share his success with South Beach. Sometime during the month of June, we decided to give SB a try and about the same time, his doctor left a message at home that if his diabetes measurement didn't improve at the next visit, he would have to go on insulin. All the more reason for us to go ahead with our plans of trying SB. He had his checkup yesterday and his diabetes was down into the normal range. If we keep this up, he just might be able to get off all diabetes meds and control by diet. Plus he was down 6 pounds too. So, we're going to continue to use SB as a guide and use Balance Log to help monitor overall calories and how it all breaks down. I think I'm going to stop using WW or going to the meetings.

This will be short as I need to make my exercise time a priority and get off the computer.

Thanks for the inspirational posts! I'll try to get back to more regular postings.

TaTa!

sTILL HAVEN'T HEARD FROM MY TESTS. I itch all over but what can i do but claw my self. I am setting here drinking a cup of coffee at work no body is here but me and a sub.

Hello ladies - I am printing this thread to read later, but I wanted to get a post in before I start typing these reports.

I saw the doc today - just as I suspected my "back door" problem is a rectal tear. She prescribed suppositories and stool softener and told me to drink lots and lots and lots of water and to watch my fiber intake. Not as painful this evening as yesterday. This is a recurring problem with me and I have got to start taking better care of myself in this area, cause she said that if it doesn't heal we will have to consider other measures which would mean surgery which I do not want to have. So I better start chug-a-lugging and learning to love whole wheat products (I don't like whole wheat bread). I was using bran flakes then switched to Kashi GoLean cereal (10g of fiber in a serving). I don't deal with pain very well sometimes, I eat to get it off of my mind, plus I eat as a reaction to the stress the pain causes. But I've noticed that now I am overeating on the healthy foods instead of the sugary stuff. I have planned an OP dinner break tonight.

Well, I've got to get to work; i'll catch up on this thread at dinner and try to get in a reply to everyone that has posted on this thread so far.

You all were posting on books and authors you like - I just love the Mitford series by Jan Karon (she has a new one out "Shepherds Abiding"). I also like new hard cover series by Patricia Gaffney (Flight Lessons, The Saving Graces, Circle of Three). I also like novels that are set in old England (Philippa Carr). I'm not much on romantic novels. I haven't read too many mysteries.

There's a doctor in the office, gotta go.

My weigh-in at the doc's showed a 3lb loss since I was there on 7/28; I'm now 10 lbs away from losing my first 50 lbs.