Evening! Its been a hard day. I was very tired, and fell asleep on my back, propped up with pillows with a kitten curled up on my chest. Tom came home and woke me up- I nearly jumped off the bed I was so surprised. It took me another ten minutes to get my bearings and get off the bed and started on dinner!

Dinner tonight was boiled shrimp, seasoned red beans, and green beans. For dessert, I had a small bowl of oat bran cereal with almond milk. While I probably had too many starches, I think I had only legal stuff today. One step at a time!

I dropped my pedometer twice today. It seems to be working ok though. I may go get on the treadmill for a few minutes to increase the steps. I am a bit shy of 6000 for the day, but I put it on late, so its probably more like 7k. I could not go walk today due to the rain...the wind has died down but the rain has been constant. The roof is leaking again. I don't want to complain though...

I need to go clean up the kitchen, get on the treadmill, and then get in bed early. Staying up late last night really wiped me out!

Will check in before bed! :wave:

Finally back on the board as the cable finally was fixed today. We lost power for one day, and it came on at 2:30 a.m. last night. We were without power all day Sunday.
The storm was not good. We lost another tree, but just a smaller one--a holly tree at the end of our driveway. We also lost a small crepe myrtle--it just snapped off at the base because of the relentless wind all day long. We got wind up to about 70 mph for most of the day, with a few higher gusts. And lots of rain, but the rain was blowing sideways, so it was hard to tell how hard the rain was coming. I'm just glad it's all over. I hope this is it for hurricanes for FLA, but after 5 of the things to hit Fla. this season, I wouldn't be surprised at anything.

My DH is out of town until Wed. afternoon. I had neighbors over for dinner and we had non-SB food. :( London broil, baked potato,, salad, and pie. And--wine. Tomorrow's another day.

I'm kinda tired right now, so will sign off. It's nice to be able to be back on the board.

Hiya Strangers!!!
 

Well... I'm alive and kicking! I've been mostly OP, with some cheats here and there.... mostly here..LOL I dont know if any of you remember that I was very worried about DH going off to school in Atlanta because we'd never been apart before... well it's been really hard for me. Not because I'm worried about cheating, or him doing anything to hurt me, but because I miss him so badly. I've slept in the same bed with the same man for the last 11 years, since I was 19 years old... and when he's not here my world just isn't right. It's been hard on my eating, I've done a lot of comfort eating when he's gone. Mostly fixing things he likes, and then eating them all myself. Mac and cheese has been horrible to me! I'm not eating so much BAD foods, as I am just overeating everything I find. I'll eat until I LITERALLY feel like I'm going to throw up. I was once a single mom at 17 years old, and I think that has something to do with the way I feel abandoned when he's gone... I don't know and I know this isn't therapy hour.
He is leaving again tonight for the last portion of this school certification and he will be gone until Friday. This time I think I'm going to try and use the board to keep me away from the food, instead of hiding!!!!!!!

My computer is still on the fritz, and this laptop locks up once an hour, so I'm just praying I can get all this on before I go poof again! Good thing I type fast!!

My Story:
I was a very thin child. Always tall for my age and hit 5'8" by the time I was 14. When I went through puberty, I went up to a size 10 and felt chunky, but in a few months, it just came off with no help from me and I was a size 4/6 until my Senior Year. I got pregnant at 17 and got toxemia. I went from 125 pounds to 205 pounds. I was miserable. I never lost all the weight. When my son was 18 months old, I got brave enough to divorce my ex, and got down to a low of about 140 and a size 10. Funny how I saw it as "heavy" before, and then considered it a "thin" weight after. Anyway, I met a wonderful man, and got comfortable, and got back up to about 170 pounds just because. Then I got pregnant with my youngest, and only gained 28 pounds this time. While breastfeeding I managed to GAIN weight, because I took it as license to eat whatever, whenever. I breastfed for 18 months and never lost any weight after the first 2 months. I slowly crept upward until I hit almost 245 pounds. I managed to get back down to 210 before finding SB. Within 5 months of starting SB, I was down to 175 and went from a 22/24 to a 14. I fell off the wagon, went all the way back up to 220 pounds, and I've been on and off ever since. When I came back the last time, I got down to 185 pounds, but now I'm back up to 195. It's so darn hard... but I know one day it will all click for me and I'll do it!!

It's really nice reading these stories and realizing how similar some of us are. And knowing that people who started off like me have been successful.

I've pushed the luck of the lock up, and I'm gonna end this while I'm still up and running. Besides I want to spend the last couple of hours with DH before he leaves for Atlanta again. I'm so glad I don't have to go through this for another year. These trips are so hard for me.

Hugs to everyone. Thanks for always being here to welcome me back when I pick myself up and dust myself off.

Good Monday Evening
 

Hello all!

I'm wiped out! I got back from my weekend in NC today. My plane arived in Atlanta just as Jeanne was making her presence felt. Then got to ride home in the pouring rain and the wind. Glad she's gone!

The trip was good--got lots of the planning for the 50th anniversary party done. We are going to have a pig-pickin'. It will be informal, relaxed and fun--my kind of party!

Saturday I went to see my youngest niece play softball and had a good day with my girls! I took them each one of the purses I got in NY--they were thrilled. They will get another one for Christmas--I can tell they are related to me because we have the same purse fetish!

Eating was pretty good. I was able to keep on the straight and narrow for the most part with only one or two tiny slips. I went to a political fundraiser tonight, which was pretty swanky. I didn't eat anything there (mostly because I wasn't hungry and I paid attention to that). Then I went to another meeting and by the time I got out of that I went by Zaxby's. I got a cup of chicken salad thinking it would be just that, but it was in a box on a bed of lettuce with carrot and celery strips--PERFECT! It's going on my list of approved fast food--besides I love the crushed ice in their drinks.

BOB--Have a great trip! Did I remember that you are going to Charleston SC for the wedding? If so you must have she-crab soup at Hymie's. It's SB legal and WONDERFUL! The boiled peanuts they serve as an appetizer are also SB legal. Don't worry about that game on Saturday--I'll take care of all the rooting! LOL!

Gator--So glad to see you back on and through yet another storm. There is no other word for what you've been through but ridiculous!

Keng--I enjoyed reading your story. I'll type mine when I have the time. It's a long sad tale of weight gained, lost, and regained over and over again.

Beth--It's good to see you back on the board too! The yo-yo just kills us doesn't it? When does DH get back?

Monet--Hope you are feeling more energetic soon! It's not unusual to have second thoughts about the surgery. You just have to figure out whether the stuff you deal with every month is worse than the physical cost of the surgery. For me it was, but it isn't for everyone. It's major surgery, so you need to make a decision you feel comfortable with.

Heart--You've done great on this WOE--WTG on getting the rings resized!!! You've got a lot of strength--often I think you don't know how strong you are. I admire you a lot!

Pancho--Hmmm, from listening to all the stories, it sounds like husbands and children make you gain weight--but I've never had either so I ought to be thin as a stick! LOL Hmmm, must be another cause. . . I'l have to think about it! You are doing great with your steps!

OK, Belle is wanting to snuggle and since I've been away a few days I'm ready to curl up with the purring kitty.

See ya'll tomorrow!
Susan

Good Tues morning
 

Good morning,
We're getting Jeanna leftovers here this morning, lots of rain, but no wind. I'm supposed to do a woods walk today but the teacher called and I've rescheduled.
I got on the treadmill last night and walked 1.25 miles, also got on the Ab Lounge and did 40 jackknives(it's a great ab workout). Will go to the gym later today and do my workout.
I love the story idea, let's see if I can present this in some kind of cohesive format:
Never had weight issues as a child, very active, always outside doing something. Went to college and didn't get the freshman 15, but managed to gain weight sophomore year because I was dating husband-to-be who is a stick and can eat anything, and he wasn't particularly active. That continued thru to the end of college, I probably weighed around 160 or so, I'm 5'3", so that was a little chunky. Got pregnant with twins, gained 60 more pounds.
Managed to get back down to 160 after a year, but I definitely was not the same shape as I had been! Jeans were tight.... Worked at doing stuff with the kids and got down to around 140 for awhile, eased back up to between 150-160, but it didn't feel too bad. Left husband, took a new job. Stayed pretty much the same for a few years. Job was very active, which was a good thing. I was a pretty stable size 12. Job description changed, now much less active, driving 1 1/2 - 2 hours each way to work. Extreme snacking on BAD foods during drive to keep me awake on the way home. Met new hubby-to-be, he LOVES food, not always active. Between snacking, less activity and everything else, weight blossoms and reached a peak of 270. I almost cried! It was bad enough weighing 250 for my wedding. I joined a gym and worked out steadily for a year and saw no change in my weight, although I felt healthier. My Mom suggested SB, she had the books and I was checking them out while visiting her one day. I went home, ordered my own books, and went from there. I've lost more than 60 pounds (am currently a size 16), it was rapid loss in the beginning, but right now I'm on a plateau and need to find something that'll get me going down again. I haven't been strictly OP this summer, which is also part of it. But with the cooler weather I find it easier to stay OP. My goal is 135, and I'm hoping to get there within the next year or two, slow and steady wins the race! My skin is definitely looser than it was, and my rings will eventually need to be resized....
Take care everyone,
Barbara

Good Morning!

I never did get to the treadmill last night. I got pulled in other directions, and finally went to bed, stuck at about 7k steps. I need to go to Curves today, so that will help.

I just woke up, and I need to go make sure James is up. He really wants to be on a better schedule, but can't get himself up in the mornings. I told him I was going to squirt him if he did not get up when I told him too...I almost hope I get the chance to carry through on it! ;)

I will be back later!

Good morning. Its nice and cool here. The heater is going on allot, and it sure makes that morning coffee yummy and warm. I'll be walking again today. I'm so happy to have started that. I loved reading everyones stories about there weight. Guess I'll need to do a little housework today. DH got to bed from work at 2 AM this morning and had to turn around and go back to work at 6 this morning. So he'll be one tired puppy later on. Hope you got James up Monet....

Good morning....or is it??? I am so tired. Delaney ended up getting sick last night. She woke up at 11 p.m. in a pile of throw-up. I no sooner got her sheets changed and she threw up again. I then got a big bowl, and told her to try to throw up in there, since I was out of sheets. She didn't want to have anything to do with it, until I told her that that is what Britt does when she gets sick. She then stuck her head in the bowl, and the next time she threw up in it. She said to make sure to tell Britt that she did it. It was so sad and sweet. Her tummy is still sore this morning, and I have only given her a little bit of yogurt. This was pretty much non-stop until 3 a.m. I had the alarm set for 5 a.m to get up and do my Ramp-it-Up tape, but slept until 6 a.m. instead. DH took Britt to school for me.

My eating was much better yesterday. I plan to make sloppy joes for dinner if I can get to Sprouts today. I will go by there before picking Britt up from school, if Lane stays well enough today. Gheesh....the weather hasn't even changed enough for all this illness stuff.

Anyway, so far today, I have had a bowl of Kamut/hemp flaxes w/ blueberries & soy/rice milk. I have had about 20 oz of water.

I am supposed to go see a movie with some mom friends today...we'll see how tired I am when evening rolls around. I don't want to pay for a movie and then fall asleep during it :lol: .

Anyway.....

Monet: I don't think I've ever heard anyone's stories, and am so glad everyone has been willing to share...it sure brings some perspective to everyone's unique situations. Thanks for sharing yours. A miscarriage at 5 months must have been devastating. I had one at 3 months, and can't even imagine going through two more months before the loss. You have sure been through a lot!! I admire your dedication to this woe/wol; a lot of people would have thrown in the towel long ago. You are awesome!

Heart: I loved reading your story. It's funny what you can learn about someone. You are such an inspiration and have done so incredibly well on this woe. How was that ring staying on your finger???? Keep up the great work with exercise and keep that diet in check, and you will be seeing those 150's anyday now!! Yahoo!

Ken: We will both do better this week! Can I just say I hate you now...you skinny little thing :lol: . You lost your baby weight within 6 weeks of giving birth?? I am so envious. Good thing you have a thorough doctor who was able to detect this early on; he could have saved you years of frustration and grief later on. It is healthier for the entire family and Jess will learn to eat right from an early age. Thanks for sharing!

Toni: Way to go....you get out there and keep walking!!!

BOB: I still have not made many things out of my original 500 low-carb recipe book. I have a bunch of pages folded over, but haven't done too much cooking. Let me know how you like the other cookbook once you delve into it. I loved the 7 Dwarfs of Menopause; thanks for sharing. Have fun on your trip.

Gator: Glad your power was restored and you are able to get back online. I heard that there are millions of people without power in the state of Florida. I hope everyone's will be up and running soon. I can't imagine being in that humidity without power.

Beth: Please come here for support instead of to food. Tell yourself that the extra food is not worth it!! Your DH will be home soon and everything will be back to normal for you (((((hugs))))). Are you able to exercise? that may be the added boost you need to get things rolling in the right direction.

Fillise: Welcome back; it sounds as if you did great on your eating while away.

Wood: Thanks for the story. You only gained 60#'s while preg. w/twins. Bravo!!!! Keep plugging away and you will see more of that weight start dropping off...you have done so well so far.

Well, gotta go check on my baby!

Take care,
Nat

Flying by...I am doing Laundry...not my most favorite chore.

I went to Curves, yay! First time in over a week. It felt pretty good. I may go tomorrow and Thursday too. We leave Thursday evening for Texas, so I can't go Friday.

Ok, off to check on the laundry and I have to jump in the shower. I am sticky, and I am sure I smell! :lol:

Got my walk in today. I'm still not eating totally right. But will keep coming and hope soon I'll get OP. Pancho I hope your DD is better... Way to go Monet on getting to Curves.

Laundry is progressing... Trip to Texas is finalized...though its going to be a loose trip with the folks we are going with. I have rolls in the oven..100% ww of course! Someone else is fixing dinner for small group tonight! Yay! I need to go get the load of clothes out of the dryer..it has all my bras in it! :o Then I can get dressed and be ready for company. I got the cooktop all cleaned. It hasn't looked this good in months! I actually got the kitchen table cleaned off too. I have been reading that many women go into a kind of nesting mode before their hysterectomies, so I guess I am normal! I want to get my bedroom in really good shape too. My ambition extends to the closet, but I don't think I will have the time! :lol: Ok, gotta go! Later!

Hello ya'll. ((hugzz))
 

I've enjoyed reading everyone's stories and understanding a little more about you and your weight loss journey. In turn I've been thinking about mine. What to share and what not to share. :)

My first memories of food and weight are when my Uncle came to live with us. Oh my gosh could that man cook. And if you didn't want seconds he just knew you did. And dare I say there were sometimes thirds. So chuncky monkey me enjoyed very bite. And learned quickly how to bat my eyes and ask for the dishes I liked best. That is what started my love affair with food. I love the flavors and textures. There isn't too much I don't like and if it's cooked correctly I love it.:) I was never extremely overweight during this time period but always slightly chunky. By middle school I learned all the cool sing song sang to the fat kids...fatty fatty two by four can't get through the classroom door....fatty fatty two by eight can't get through the garden gate. At the time it devestated me. I went on my first real diet. I got down to about 120 for my middle school graduation. I was 5 foot 7 and slim for the first time I can remember.

In high school I put on a few pounds and learned my next lesson in life. You don't control eating disorders they control you. But man did I look good. Who cares if I never ate and exercised ALL the time. (Being a smarty pants.) Right arount 120 again. Then I got happy got married and jumped up to 150. Stayed about the same after the birth of my first son. After my daughter my weight stayed up. At one point I weighted around 195 I guess. Then that old faithful friend reared it's ugly head and I was fighting my eating disorder again. You guessed it, back down to 118. So thin you could count all the bones in my neck chest and back. But with clothes on everyone told me how wonderful I looked.

I divorce and remarried a wonderful man during this time that helped me with my eating issues. We misscarried and it broke my heart. We tried right away and I found myself preggers with Tator. I ate and ate and ate during this pregnancy. Being ten years older and less active than I was with my daugher took it's toll and I went over 200. I went back down when I was nursing to around 169. About 2 years later we moved out here and I was depressed. My weight went from around 190 to about 235. That is when I found SB and walking. The weight flew off the first eight months and that's where I've been for the last 3 years. It's hard and I won't pretend I don't battle with my eating disorder. That's one reason you will rarely see my menu. But God is good and SB had helped me lose the weight without being full blown sick again.

Since I decided to write a novel I have to get but will try to sneak on later.

Love and hugs,
Crystle
235/153/140

Evening! Small group just left. It was a small group tonight. Dinner was made by the single mom in the group. She made Shepherd's pie. It was delicious, but not totally legal. I ate too much. I made ww rolls, and ate too many of them. No prize for me this week! :(

I have about 9500 steps so far today, and that is not counting the two hours this afternoon I was doing laundry and wearing only my nightgown, so I did not have a place to clip the pedometer to. I think I can safely figure I got at least 10,000 steps today. Hooray! During that time it was off, I was running up and down the stairs, and cleaning in the kitchen. I am tired, but I feel good about the steps at least! :)

I am making some progress on my main project to complete before I go into the hospital. That is getting my room totally spic and span. I have a long way to go, but I at least got through the basket of stuff today and threw more out. Now if I can get someone to carry all the trash down for me, the room will look loads better! I have way too much clutter in here! :)

Thanks everyone for posting your stories. I have been really enjoying getting to know everyone better reading them.

Sweet dreams! :wave:

Good evening...
 

Stormy and I made the best meatballs for dinner. We used fresh chives and basil. My poor basil is just about gone. Lots of tall thick stalks but few leaves. She is so proud of herself. :) They are in there polishing off my blue bunny mint ice cream. I'll make converts of them yet...LOL

Monet...where are you going in Texas? The evenings are turning very nice.

Toni...I don't always eat right either. Lime flavored chips don't stand a chance with me in the room. Not to mention my finger somehow always finds its way into the milk gravy just to check. :) Hang in there. Try to focus on the good things and watch the bad things become less and less.

Poncho...hope Delany is feeling better this evening. And you got some rest. It's so hard when the little ones are sick. They'll be at the age soon before you know it where they can make to the bathroom.

Barbara...are your twins boys or girls? My sisters are boys and are now 17. It's hard to believe they will be 18 in January. And they are as different as night and day. One is over 6 foot and the other is only about 5' 2". They were so tiny when they were born. They wore premie cabbage patch doll clothes...LOL

Susan...not sure what a pig pickin is but is sure sounds fun. :)

Beth...sure is good to see you. I'm sorry your computer is still on the fritz.

Gator...((hugzz)) I'm so glad ya'll are okay. I watch CNN and try to keep up but I'm note exactly sure where everyone is in Florida. Maybe your crepe myrtle will grow back. They are pretty tough.

Bob...so glad you are safe as well. Thanks for the funny.

Julia..how is the driving coming?

Heart...I just know you are going to make goal one day. Keep up the good work.

Love and hugs to everybody. I don't wanna list names because I always accidentally leave someone out. But I'm thinking of all ya'll that are missing from the board.

God bless,
Crystle

Good morning...lol, I know it's after 12am and you must be wondering why I am here. Well, I haven't post a thing today although I did attempt to post twice but got interruptions on both times. Since I am still waiting for my crockpot chicken to be done (yea, I started the crockpot late today but decided to go ahead since it will be for lunch tomorrow), I thought I should at least say "hi".

I have been lazy today and didn't feel like doing much. I did go out for a walk with dd today. Eating was okay and here's my menu :

Breakfast : An egg salad sadwich (ww bread). Water.

No snack

Lunch : Stir-fry spaghetti with shrimps, spinach, sliced squash, onions, mushrooms, garlic, bell-peppers and cherry tomatoes.

Snack : Mixed fruits.

Dinner : Leftovers : 2 chicken wings, 2 pieces of thighs (cooked in crockpot), spaghetti and a mixed green salad. Ranch dressing. Too much fats at this meal.

I am really enjoying reading all the stories and that makes me respect all of you more. The fact that you are all here are to be praised for :) I do not have time to reply to each of you today but will try tomorrow.

The crockpot chicken is ready so I can go to sleep now. Night all :)

Julia