Brenda – How frustrating about your machine! I assume it is just going to take a while to get one to you, is that right? That seems to be a LONG time to wait. I know isolation can have its restrictions, but when your health is concerned you would think that someone would be able to fast-track getting one for you. It must have been quite the kick in the guts to finally work out what was wrong and what the solution is, but to have to wait for that solution. I will keep my fingers crossed for you that they find some way of getting you one earlier.
Isn’t it wonderful when you first find your waist!!! The first time I noticed mine was when I tried on a dress and actually saw that it went ‘in’ at the middle instead of out. I was SO excited because I have never had a waist. I had a straight up and down shape as a kid and went from that to that lovely ‘round’ shape as an adult. Enjoy your waist!
Lilion – I’ve always been the fat friend or family member too. Now I just want to go and see all my old friends to show them the ‘new’ me. I was actually lucky with my friends and none of them ever said anything about my weight. A work colleague once told me I would be beautiful if I lost weight. Oh well… she was kind of a bitter person anyway, so I took that comment with a pinch of salt. Oh… and I can certainly relate to being ‘invisible’ when I went out with my slimmer friends. I used to think it didn’t hurt, but I know it really did.
My mum was the worst culprit with me. EVERY single time I would visit or call she would talk about another diet she had found. I suppose she was just worried about me and wanted to help, but couldn’t she see that I was just moving further away from her, visiting WAY less and calling very rarely. I think that my sister may have said something to her after I had finally told my sister why I didn’t contact my parents, because she stopped talking about diets suddenly. Now, both my parents are finally proud of me I think, which is sad huh? Anyway… they are both overweight, but now talk about other overweight people as though they have no control and are just lazy. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Oh well… I still spend as little time with them as I can. I refuse to be around people I call ‘poisonous’. I want to stay positive and they just bring me down. I hope you can distance yourself from as many of these people as possible. It is wonderful to see your determination. Good for you!
Catherine – I hope that the toilet ‘operation’ went well. I really wouldn’t even know where to start with something like that. Hopeless huh? Mind you, hubby isn’t much better, so we usually just call a plumber.
How are your latest efforts at converting Alberta into a healthier lifestyle? I know that you are working successfully with your new hubby, but have you managed to show some more people how they can actually ‘survive’ on healthy food? I try to do that all the time at school and I think it is finally starting to rub off onto a few people. I had a student teacher in last year who is now teaching in the same block with me and she brings some very healthy food to school since she saw what I was eating. I have another student teacher starting next term and she has made a few visits. She was at our school 3 years ago and saw me earlier this year and was simply amazed at the change in me, so she said that from that day on she has been working towards losing weight as I have been an inspiration. It is wonderful to know that we can change the world one person at a time. They may not make life-time changes, but at least they are a little more educated.
MsCrockett – I had to laugh when I read about your friend thinking that your weight loss would affect her son. Was she serious???? What a joke! He probably doesn’t even relate his name for you with your size any more, it is just a ‘name’. She obviously has problems of her own that she has to deal with.
Good luck on trying to make healthy eating choices with what you already have. You never know, you may come up with some weird and wonderful recipes using bits and pieces you would never have put together at any other time. You’ll have to share any ideas you come up with.
Melinda – It must be confusing to be drinking but not ‘releasing’ that much. I have the opposite problem and tend to ‘go’ every 15 minutes if I drink lots. (Oh… what is AF? It is probably something really logical, but I’ve not heard of it) It sounds as though you are really doing well with exercising. You are certainly starting better than I did. Mind you, I didn’t even THINK of getting exercise videos, which would have helped immensely. Keep up the great movin’ and groovin’.
Kayley – I’m glad that you got a ‘little’ sleep, but I wish it was more. Perhaps tonight? How did your hair turn out? I’d love to see photos when you finally get the green in. I wouldn’t have thought of St Patrick’s Day being the reason for there being no green hair dye. It usually takes me a while to connect things like that. I hope you can get some before the concert.
Oh, and 1 pound short of your goal is nothing! You are doing such an incredible job, and you already know that your body is still changing, even if the scales aren’t, because you keep finding new clothes that fit now.
ThisGirlsLosing – I’m so sorry that your friend put a dampener on your great news. You have made such a wonderful change in your life and it is great to be able to share it with those you care about. Some people just don’t know how to handle the changes in others I don’t think. I have a feeling that she doesn’t really want you to become a ‘slim’ friend and may be trying to discourage you. I hope I’m wrong. I certainly understand about not doing this for looks and simply for health. Most people don’t really understand this though. I think that is why people at my work tell me not to lose any more weight. They see that I “look” OK and don’t see why I still need to reach a ‘healthy’ weight. They are two totally different things.
I hope that your friend overcomes her insecurities (if that is what it is) and will come around to supporting you as much as you deserve. I’m glad you had a talk and hopefully things will improve from here on.
Well done on losing those inches as well! I WISH I’d taken measurements early on! I would love to be able to compare.
It sounds as though you have a beautiful Saturday afternoon planned. Have fun!!!
LChin – I hope that your son is feeling better. It must be awful when the little ones aren’t well.
I hope that your doctor can help you work out why you are gaining weight. It can be frustrating when you feel as though you are doing everything right, but things aren’t showing up well on the scales.
Ammi – Sorry about this extra weight gain. It sounds very unusual. You said that you gained a pound after a week off plan. Was this last week off plan as well, or were you back on plan? I can see a little gain if you were still off plan, but not 10lbs. Hopefully your doctor can let you know the cause. It is SO frustrating and wouldn’t be helping your already ‘blah’ mood one little bit. I wish I could send you a little bit of our sunshine, to give you a little boost. Mind you, I’m sure our winter will be upon us soon enough and I’ll be wishing I had saved a little sunshine for myself. The cold and wind tends to get to me after a while too. We live in a VERY windy part of the state.
Please let us know if the doctor has any positive news for you. And just post whenever you can. We know that you will come on when you can.
Julee – I’m not sure how your friend thought that it would be helpful to show you her ‘fat’ pictures. Especially seeing as she was kinda really insinuating that she only got that way during her pregnancy, so she wasn’t really empathizing with you I don’t think. I could be wrong though. I tend to see too much negativity in others at times.
It is great that you are seeing all of the wonderful changes you have made in your life already. PLEASE don’t lose sight of what you have already achieved. 89lbs lost!!!!! WOW!!!!! You should have a smile from ear to ear. I had to do just as you are and I had to sit back and look at just how far I have come from 2 years ago. I am healthier, fitter and slimmer than I have ever been in my adult life and I wasn’t letting myself appreciate that, as I was so ‘hooked’ on getting to that target weight. And, in answer to your question about going back to the way I was… a resounding NO! I definitely know too much now about a healthy lifestyle and nutrition to ever go back to eating the way I was and being as sedentary as I was. It is such a relief to realize that.
Thank you for your post. It got me reflecting again, which is always a good thing.
Amy – I take my hat off to all working moms. Your sister certainly seems to have a grasp on how to make her lifestyle work well though. I would be a mess! I have enough trouble organizing myself, let alone kids as well.
You are right about obesity being the last acceptable prejudice. I am always amazed at how people feel they have a right to comment on the weight of others. I will NEVER understand it. I spent 30 years listening to comments that ate right into my soul and nobody seemed to care. They were usually from strangers, which was even more interesting, because these people had NO idea how I had come to be the weight I was. Yes… I may have been lazy and eaten too much, but I may have also had some kind of disease or medical condition that caused the weight gain. They didn’t really care. They just snickered and made their snide comments, then probably went on to pick on someone else. You know… no matter how many times I told myself that this was THEIR problem and they were just small-minded, cruel, ignorant people, their comments still cut to the bone. I’m not sure whether I just wasn’t tough enough, or whether nobody can be expected to put up with things like that and come out smiling.
One of the first things I try to instill into each new class I have is the old saying from Bambi (I think it was a quote from Thumper) – If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. (Or words to that effect) It works on children for the most part, but then they grow up…
Oh and WELL DONE on resisting that cup cake! Don’t you get such a rush of “power” when you do something like that? I always feel SO good when I can show that I have control over the food, instead of the other way around.
Sorry you didn’t get to see your family. What a disappointment! Especially seeing as you were actually all organized and on your way. It must have been so hard to turn around and go back home. I hope you can find something to do that will give you the lift you need. I don’t think that going to Omaha to be with your friends sounds like what you REALLY want to do. And of course, the alcohol wouldn’t be the best choice either, which may make you feel even worse. Is there somewhere you could go to volunteer to help others? I’ve often thought that I would like to do something like that when I am having a ‘lull’ in my life. Or perhaps you could find something that would thoroughly ‘pamper’ YOU! You deserve it.
Cleo – Welcome! I’m sure you will love it here. Whenever you need support, advice, encouragement, a hug or simply a chat, there are always plenty of people to provide it here.
I am like you with the SlimFast. I lost 20kg (44lbs?) on it, then stopped and gained it all back, plus another 20kg! I’m glad that it works for some people, but I obviously didn’t learn the right way of eating while I was on them. I relied upon them too much, which isn’t what you are supposed to do I don’t think.
I hope to read many posts from you.
Wyllen – Sorry to hear that you are in a rut with your weight loss. I can understand how this happens, but I hope that you don’t give in to it. It doesn’t sound as though you will, as you are still making great choices. I suppose I have had a number of times where I felt like that, but as you said, it is just mind games and I have usually come out on top feeling stronger than ever. I still feel now and then that I would love to just ‘pig out’ as I see many people doing every day around me, but then I get such a feeling of power when I make the better choice. Keep staying strong! 70lbs is amazing! I can understand the fact that you still feel ‘fat’ even after losing so much. I had to lose probably 100lbs or more before I could even shop in the larger section of regular stores. It was so exciting to be able to do that, but I knew that I was still obese and had a long way to go. It gets a little depressing at times, but the final result will be worth it.
Well, that’s about it I think. We are going out early this morning (hopefully leaving before 6:30am) to go for a walk before the markets. After shopping for fruit and veg we will bring them home and then head off again to Fremantle, which is a bustling port where there are different sorts of markets with food, souvenirs, crafts and all sorts. It is also just a lovely place to wander. We are expecting a fairly warm day so we want to get out early and back home before the real heat sets in. Then the afternoon SHOULD be spent doing school work and cleaning. We’ll have to see how that progresses.
Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!
Take care,
Zelma
!! Everyone here is so awesome, caring, and helpful. I havent been here long myself but already feel a closeness with everyone here. 
I'm sure I'll feel like that at some point, too. It must be hard to have lost all this weight but still have to shop the plus sizes. The good thing is that at a size 20 you can still shop at like Target and Shopko and stuff. I'm a size 28 but luckily can still fit into a 3X shirt. So I can still buy shirts at the "discount stores" but I have to go to Lane Bryant for pretty much anything else. And I am SO tired of spending $30 (minimum) for jeans!!!
). After I lose 35 lbs I'm having a party for myself as that is really major to me!
. I know this may come as a shock (ha, ha), but I can be kinda mello-dramatic sometimes 
. Saturdays are usually my day to sleep in but I got up early so I could hit Curves and go to the library to pick up a book on tape for the 2 hr drive and do some other errands before I left town. I spent a little too much time at the library (I LOVE the library 
) so I was running late getting out of town. I came home and rushed through my shower and getting ready and ran my errands really fast so I could get out of town. It was 1:00 and I was on the highway out of town and I decided to call my mom and let her know I was just now leaving so she wouldnt worry. She tells me Grand Island (where she lives) is supposed to get 6-17 inches of snow between tonight and tomorrow so maybe I shouldnt come. I dont know why but I just started crying. It wasnt because I felt like my mom was trying to be hurtful or anything. I know she was just trying to protect me and didnt want me to be stranded there and have to call into work or, worse have to drive home on bad roads. She was just as disappointed as I was. 
. I dunno, I'm just sad today. Could be Aunt Flo, could be the weather... Could be that I am just tired of being alone all the time. 
I really wanted to see how it compares with me trying to read my own pulse when they have you do the 10 second count. I found when I was using my HR monitor before that its really helpful at our weight/fitness level. We really don't have a good idea of what hard, moderate & easy exercise is- and it is different for someone 300+ then someone who 30 pounds over weight. Also, as we get stronger, we have to keep pushing ourselves more- and the heart rate monitor makes sure we're still in the right zone & not just coasting along.
I hope things start looking up for you soon- I know how hard it is when it seems nothing is working yet. All of us struggle finding what works best for us- I don't think anyone is successful just following one plan to a T, but by combining what they learn from different plans & finding what works best for them. I always figure even if I wasn't successful with a certain diet plan, I at least learned more about myself by trying that I wouldn't have known. 
). I just dont want to wear out my welcome so I havent been hanging out there much lately.
Nat has a knack for saying the right things in the worst situations and always makes me feel better, and I really needed that earlier. Nat lives 200 mi away and by the time we see each other again it will have been 4 weeks since we saw each other last! Connecting over the phone is really important to us and she knows that! Stupid spirit-sniper. 
I am feeling better. 
