Haha--Aimee, I so just posted my food for the day this morning on the 100 lb. Club forum, on the thread where everyone is listing their foods. Notice my lunch was ham with honey mustard and STRING CHEESE! That is too funny--I just bought the string cheese on Monday night, so today was the first one I'd had. I think you're psychic

I tried the pepper thing a few weeks ago. I never really ate peppers before, so I bought a yellow one, an orange one, and a red one just to try. At least I made the effort to try them before I decided I really didn't like them

I LOVE peanut butter--the only bad part is, I can't stand celery! If I could just eat a jar of peanut butter every day (my favorite is the reduced-fat Skippy--not as sticky as the full-fat kind), life would be awesome

I'm hungry again today for some reason. I did manage to stick to only the food in my bag so far, though, so I'm being strong! I'm outta here in just a few minutes--off to job #2 soon.

My toe is a little better. The side is still red and shiny (and I know shiny is bad--it means there's fluid in there that shouldn't be). I drained a little more of it last night (eww!). I'm afraid it won't get much better till the weekend since I still have to run around the restaurant every night during the week.

OH, I found out today that Jeff is coming here this weekend since his cousin isn't having a party (I was supposed to go to his house for his cousin's birthday). That means I get to go out and actually look at cars IN PERSON instead of just online. Yay! And it's only supposed to be in the mid 60s this weekend, so I won't be sweating and gross like when we went to look for Jeff's car last May. I'm so excited! I never bought a car before--my parents bought me my first one in high school and my second one in college when my first one died. This one will be ALL MINE!

Thanks for the compliments, ladies. Considering that last picture was taken in June 2004, when I weighed 266, I thought I probably ought to put up a more recent one!

Fabulous Aimee! Love it...And I think I found it, yes? http://fabulousaimee.blogspot.com/ I figured he probably set it up at Blogger, and he did. Now go post, you!

My hand and arms feel better today, thank goodness. Got a haircut today and it looks so much better, cut short over my ears and stacked in back. I finally went back to the stylist I'd been going to since the late 1980's. For a while, I went elsewhere, just for a change - for a fresh idea from someone who wouldn't be influenced by how I'd always done it in the past. Then I went to Great Clips for a while because it's so cheap...But it was hit or miss there, even with sticking to my favorite stylist.

It's just nice being back with my buddy Chris again. There's something to be said for long-standing business relationships, I think. I felt guilty for "cheating" on him for the months I went elsewhere!

Jillybean, good for you on going for more nutrition. It kinda goes back to my calories as money theory - which foods will give your body the most benefit for the calories you spend on them? I'm happy for you...Even if you don't like Kashi, LOL! My sweetness palate has changed over the last few years, because I even like my iced tea unsweetened. Insane!

Goodevening! I made it thru work, and realized that 3 of the people I worked with today, I might never see ever again. I thought I'd be more upset, we'll see though. I was a VERY good girl today, I hate horribly.. heh, BUT I took my new vitamin! I am starting to take Fish Oil pills, they help to take away my cramps and cyatic nerve pain.. this morning I also decided I should go back to taking Calcium, Vitamin C, and eccancia? I can't ever spell that word. I'm convinced my body is not in good shape and really needs to be pampered in that area. I am starting on plan tomorrow (the bf is trying to convince me not to.. I don't get him!!!), but I'll walk to the damn grocery store if thats whats gotta happen. I am determined, I always get so motivated the week before my period. heh.

Kimberley - thats totally it! I need to do some writing and thinking before I write anything, I also need to decide the point of the blog.. my brother thinks I should use it as a place to write things about my little book idea. He thinks it's a great idea for me to write a book.. this is also the boy who thinks I should lose 80 pounds and be a plus size model (plus size starts at a size 10). So I don't know... tell me what you think ladies..

Jill - I am psychic.. I tune into ESPN (ha-ha, I use that one at work all the time when I want to seem stupid). When I did a crazy diet a few years back (I lost 3 inches on my waist tho!!), I used to eat an apple with peanut butter. I'd measure out 2 tablespoons, and slice up an apple. It was very yummy.

I have crazy PMS, so I'm going to go to sleep Nite !

-Aimee

Have crazy PMS dreams, fabulous Aimee! h

Did any of you watch "Big John" on Discovery Health Channel? It was touching, seeing what he went through (and some of it so familiar to us, especially Howie). It showed that weight loss surgery isn't the easy fix people make it out to be. It did a good job showing that patients still have to take their vitamins, exercise, change their eating habits and change their thinking. Here are additional airings of the documentary.

Never caught "Big John," but I wroked with two women at my last job who had "the surgery" (funny how we all know what "the surgery" refers to, kinda like "the pill"). My boss lost I believe over 150 pounds after her surgery. She was insanely disciplined--she took vitamins and supplements at every meal and would go off carbs anytime she got above the 5-pound range she allowed herself. She just recently had surgery to removed a huge amount of extra skin--without that skin, she now weighs even 20 pounds less. 20 pounds of skin! I can't even imagine. The other woman had the surgery right before I started working there, so I got to see the transformation. In about a year, she has lost a little over 100 pounds. She is still heavy (about a size 20), but she is so much happier. She can't eat much in the way of fried foods or anything too oily or greasy because she will get sick. I just think about these people who have to be so strict about wht they eat after they have the surgery--if they could have just had that self-discipline without the surgery, they could experience almost the same weight loss (100 pounds in a year is doable with such strict discipline) and could have spent thousands of dollars less! I have also heard of people who have gotten the surgery, lost the wieght, and then gained almost all of it back My boss used to try to convince me to have the surgery, too, but having had surgery in the past, I know that's not something I want to do to myself voluntarily.

Alright, enough about that. I've been thinking about starting a blog site, too. I don't necessarily have anything special to say--just need someplace to spill my guts about stuff. I don't even care if people actually read it, and it's much easier for me to type than to sit and write in a journal (since I can pull off the typing at the office and still look like I'm doing work ). Then maybe my posts on here wouldn't be mini-novels every day

I did stick to only my packed food yesterday--no restaurant splurges (yay!). However, I also weighed myself this morning--304.5. Up a pound. I can take it...it'll be back down next week. I'm quite determined. Plus, since Jeff is now coming here this weekend, I will have time to cook and prepare and separate foods for the week. Saturday will be car shopping day, and Sunday will be food day!

I am SO tired. I didn't even take a shower this morning (good thing I didn't go to the gym and get all sweaty yesterday) because I kept hitting snooze on my alarm for 40 minutes before I was even coherent enough to actually open my eyes and see what time it was. I usually only hit snooze once and get up when the alarm goes off the second time (7 minute intervals), but today took me FOREVER. When I start serving more (I have 2 server shifts next week ) instead of hostessing all the time, I will get to leave the restaurant by 9:30 (often earlier) instead of having to stay till 11. My body will surely appreciate the extra sleep time

This morning, I officially decided to let my tongue close up. I got it pierced in October of my sophomore year in college--one of those "I want to do something people won't expect me to do" kind of things. Well, I can't wear it when I'm working at the restaurant every night (not allowed to have any piercing other than earrings), and putting it in and out every day is a pain in my butt, so I'm done with it. It's hard to let go of--it was my little reminder of how much fun I used to be (when I had time to be fun) It'll only take about a day to close up since the tongue is the fastest-healing muscle in the human body (a little bit o trivia for ya).

Aimee--have you ever tried one of those Fashion Bug fashion shows? I know they're not exactly the big time, but it's a start to building some experience, and I know they take models that are well over a size 10. I see them advertising for one almost every season, it seems.

Alright, off to try and stay awake at my desk (a very difficult task). Hang in there, all--the weekend is right around the corner!

Marge - restaurants are my downfall too, I have a hard time picking a salad.. but only because I can make a salad at home, why go out and pay 10 bucks for a salad? Just seems pointless! I'm cheap.. sorry.. heh. How much weight do you put on before TOM arrives? Sometimes I go up 7-8 pounds!!! It always scares me, I'm not weighing in this week (my scale is already saying I'm up 2 pounds, eek!) I'm going to change my weight tracker though. gotta measure my weight loss for real I guess.

I know! salads in restaurants are pricey! a burger and fries is usually one of the cheapest thing on the menu -- and a lot more tempting than a salad for me most times. These past few months I've gained 2.6 lbs the week before TOM. My TOM can change quite a bit. I've been on an even keel lately. I think the diet and exercise effects it too.

Rob hates the summer; I like it as long as it doesn't get too hot and humid. Yesterday I took my usual walk (it was in the 80s and sunny), the warm air and sun felt GREAT! We have some beautiful trees in this neighborhood too, a white magnolia and a huge white one that I pass, they're gorgeous. And the cherry trees are all blooming too. I love this time of year.

Yeah, the things that really attracted me to the Y here was that I pay monthly, have the option to stop my membership any time with a 30 days notice. I can also suspend it for up to three months in a year. That's how all gyms should be.

I also need to decide the point of the blog.. my brother thinks I should use it as a place to write things about my little book idea. He thinks it's a great idea for me to write a book.. this is also the boy who thinks I should lose 80 pounds and be a plus size model (plus size starts at a size 10). So I don't know... tell me what you think ladies..

I say jump in and let the ideas flow. Post a few times and the point will come to you, not that it even has to have a point. I say go for the book, the world can always use more inspiration. If you want to be a plus sized model go for it!

Why do you think the bf is anxious about you going on a plan?

(funny how we all know what "the surgery" refers to, kinda like "the pill"). My boss lost I believe over 150 pounds after her surgery. -- Jill

It's true, re: the surgery. ha. My brother had that surgery; from what he told me it was pretty horrendous afterwards for quite a while. He hasn't gained back all the weight, but he doesn't exercise (he was an athlete in highschool and college, and he always played sports like tennis). He went to a diet program at Durham too and lost a huge amount of weight, that was before he did the surgery -- he gained that back. It definitely is not a cure all. It's been a couple of years and he's able to eat bigger meals now. I worry that he won't be able to change his habits and stop gaining. His wife is a woman who when she feels she wants to lose weight she goes on a diet and to the gym and doesn't have any patience for anyone who struggles.

onto other topics: Good job on packing the food, Jill. I have one ear with three piercings, usually now I just wear a regular pair so I hope they don't close up. Was it painful getting your tongue pierced?

I think PSM and lack of sleep has been making me a b*tch queen the last couple of days. Want to sleep, just can't. Tomorrow morning is gym morning and weigh in. Then we'll enjoy the one day out of the weekend that should be sunny. Maybe Coney Island again.

Hey, Heather!

Diana, where are you? I miss your posts. How're you feeling? Hope you're in the garden!

Kimberley, you're making me miss my short hair. I was watching Amazing Race and when Joyce shaved her head I couldn't believe it, Rob thought she was a nut and I thought she rocked Very gutsy.

Enjoy your day, all.

morning ladies. I hope you are having a great day so far. My son was in his 3rd grade play today...it was soo cute. so i get to play hookey from school today..oh darn..lol. its actually not a good thing, but oh well.
Jill, I know what you mean about the piercings. I got my navel pierced a while back, for the same reason, and ive been thinking about getting rid of it. it never gets shown..lol. but its a reminder of times when things werent the best, but i tried to make the best of it, so i havent gotten rid of it yet....sometimes its hard to leave things behind.
i think the blog idea is a good one for anyone who wants/needs to get anything out there...it might help someone else, and will definitely help you.
well, i better go for now. Ill be back later tonite. i need to go practice for tomorrow. have a terrific thursday and Ill chat w/ you all later.

Goodmorning! I am up a little early this morning.. I'm still really tired, just can't sleep. Ugh, stupid PMS. I'm hoping this little burst of wanting to be on plan will help with my weight gain. See my weight tracker? Yup, I'm up 6 POUNDS!!! I can't even believe it. I had to weigh in this morning because today I'm officially back on plan. My plan sounds a little insane, but unfortunately its what I've got to do to lose weight, I've tried Weight Watchers, but they say not to cut foods out, but I have an allergy to wheat, and sugar does not do good in my body. Also I don't drink milk, I'm allergic to it. Poop!

Jill - what? no more mini books from you? I don't know what I'll do! I also got my tongue pierced in college, don't really know why I did it.. but it's still there. I've been looking for a reason to take it out.. I don't have one. And I'm so used to it. Soon I think I'll take it out, I'm turning 26 this year, and need to look like a grown up!

Marge - I'm not too sure why the bf doesn't want me to go on plan, partly I think it's because I have to be SO strict, which completely eliminates our midnight slurpee runs. Also I think he's avoiding his weight, he needs to lose almost 50 pounds, infact, he keeps gaining weight and we have to buy him new clothes. He says he needs new work pants, but he has a perfectly nice pair in the bedroom, but he just doesn't want to lose the 15-20 pounds to wear them. The ones in the bedroom have never been worn either! If I knew a guy who was Josh's old size, I think I'd give him all of the clothes in the bedroom. The boy seriously has 10 pairs of jeans, and probably close to 15-20 shirts, not to mention shorts, or even the 50 dollar board shorts I bought him and he hasn't worn more than 2 times! Ugh. I'm not going to let him discourage me, which isn't what he's trying to do, he just doesn't want me depressed about my weight. I have 102 pounds to lose, thats pretty scary for me. I also need his support to do this, and sometimes rely on him, he really hates that. I don't get him actually. You would think him making me meals when I'm tired, and me getting thinner faster would actually make his life easier.

I'm babbling, and I should get going to go grocery shopping. I'll bbl!

-Aimee

It's hard to stay on plan when your SO or family member(s) either knowingly or subconsciously sabotages your efforts. God bless Howie, he was able to stay on plan all the months last year when I just dilly-dallied around. Now that we're both on plan, it's so much easier.

That TOM weight gain will go away. You eat healthfully and do what's good for your body, mind and soul -- the rest will come.

Hey, I found an eBay seller who carries all sorts of Lane Bryant and other good clothes. Looks like she must shop nearby outlet stores, maybe, because they are all new with tags. Her feedback's great, too. I figure I need to take a trip to Lane Bryant and try on their various clothes so I know which ones fit me best...Then, baby, look out!

I just tried on some jeans I had set aside for "some day". They fit now, but they're relaxed fit with tapered legs and hide any weight loss I've had. They make me look like an ice cream cone (thanks to What Not to Wear, I have a term for the illusion they create!).

They're going up on the auction block soon as I get them photographed and measured. Might as well finance some new clothes. It'd be nice to have several favorite jeans, one each in descending sizes, and just work my way down.

Hey all , Sorry, just been busy crafting, and cleaning, and trying to stay focused...Love the Frankenstein thing Heather, LOL yes, He does resemble him too, That man is just vile, good riddense is what I say..

My Dh's grandmother told me I am looking great, don't know if I posted that or not yet, she can really tell I have been losing something, be it inches or weight, I no longer care, as long as it shows in some form...I only weigh in every couple of weeks and measure once a month, because, with me, I need to see something other than a pound gone, or else I will fret over it.

I have decided to just live, and stop beating myself up if I have something bad to eat sometimes. I have no candy in the house, a big deal for me, trust me, and only low-fat junk foods, but even those I hardly eat. I am trying to look at this as an adjustment in my life, as opposed to a diet. So I am basically only eating when I am truly hungry, then only eating half of what I normally would. Have been drinking tons of water too, so that helps. A handful of grapes, or something when I feel the urge to eat between meals, as opposed to a whole bag of chips...I am not allowing myself to over indulge, but I am not going to deprive myself either, because I will only pay for that in the long run. I also am looking forward to a great workout every day, so that helps. I focus on the weight or resistance aspects, M, W, F, and focus more on the aerobic aspects, Tues, Thurs. So this is what I look forward to every day. I have decided, starting Sunday morning, rain or shine, to start walking too. No dog, just me~~ sorry baby, but I need to worry about my health, that is most important. even if it takes me an hour to go the distance, I will do it. I also will start riding my Mt Bike, I have a nice, new one that really got very little use last year because it rained so much here. I will be riding that too. And working in my yard and flower beds. Dh fertilized yesteday, so was not able to go out and work my gardens yet, but this weekend we will be, and looking forward to that for sure. Planting a TON of Cosmo seeds, and some other stuff. Once my metabolism gets up to par, I can eat like a normal person again, not to excess, but not a rigid strict diet either. nothing much else to report.

I plan to get my rat's nest taken care of in OHIO...I am sick of it hanging in my face, and I want something along the lines of how I used to wear it. In a Bob. I always like them and they are easy to manage, and frame my face nicely, one around chin length works well for me. so now am just letting it grow wild until I go, lol, wearing it in Ponytails mostly. I want a dry and go look, nothing I have to fuss over all the time. I used to spend hours on my hair, in fact, in HS someone voted for me for best hair my senior year. LOL ahh, the good ol days. Of course, one year, my hair was dark purple, but that is another story.

Peircings, NO THANKS, other than my ears, have two in each. I hate it when I see great looking people that have a ring in their face, whether it be a nose, or eyebrow, makes me cringe every time. I do have 2 tattoos, that I regret immensely . Costs thousands to get removed so am stuck with them til I am old and wrinkled. One is of a small butterfly just above my left boob, the other is of 4 intertwining butterflies on my right calf just above my ankle. Craziness..

Aimee~ Go for the modeling thing. I was always told, when I was in HS, and much thinner, to become a runway model, my parents of course never supported me in anything, so I had no confidense. then as I gained some weight, everyone told me to become a plus-sized model. I wished I would have, maybe then I would have some self-esteem. I have zero. Even with all of the beautiful men I have dated, and my handsome hubby, I still have zero...Nice how your family can play with your mind eh?

And I love the Amazing race. She was amazing and I really like them, I hope they win. Rob and Amber are such a cute couple too, but they won Survivor so it is time for that other couple to win. and any woman who would do something like that deserves it.

Okay, sorry for babbling...Gotta run, HAGD e1!

PS: DH is biting the bullet, we are going car shopping this weekend too..woo-hoo...he loves new cars, and is ready for the change...Okay by me...

Hey now, we've not watched our tape of this week's Amazing Race yet! We hope Rob and Amber win...They're good players in whatever they do, why not let them excel? I would love to have even half the competitive spirit those two do. *sigh*

It's hard getting past the lies we've heard and told ourselves all our lives, I hear you. The only way to even start getting past them and to build up that missing self confidence is to start acknowledging the good things about ourselves, treat ourselves right, and stay focused on that.

I am back! We went MAJORLY grocery shopping, so I am pretty stocked up, we'll make a trip to the fruit stand tomorrow for spahgetti squash and lettuce. Josh seems to have smarten up, he was going to get some coke, but got the C2 coke instead, because I can have it (very limited amounts). Also he didn't pick anything out that would be a huge temptation for me (usually frozen pizza and coke), so I'm happy enough. We'll see how the week will go though, I have 2 weeks of being completely sugar free before I will start adding things in. I loosely follow the South Beach diet, very loosely. I am now eating this odd dish, I was hungry one day and threw together extra lean ground beef, celery + garlic (the flavor base), and a can of crushed tomatos, and of course random seasoning. It tastes really yummy! This is my lunch, and for dinner I'll have a stirfry with chicken, asparagus, and broccoli in a curry sauce. As for snacks, fat free yogurt, and cheese strings (Jill.. ). So besides my breakfast, it's going to be a perfectly on plan day

Diana - you are back! Glad to hear everything is all good on your end I can't wait to hear your measurements! If people are noticing, there has to be some inches lost! You did take your measurements right? As for modelling for me? I'm thinking about it, I have a bit of weight to lose, so it might be a few months, but I'm entertaining the idea. I'm like you though, I don't have the confidence, I just fake it! Mine isn't from my family though, my mom always told me I was beautiful and perfect, but I've always been really sensitive to what people think of me. And turns out a lot of people think that a size 5 is fat! Stupid people.

Kimberley - Those jeans sound horrible!! Get rid of them! Thank you, it's hard to remember that the TOM weight will go away, seeing a 6 pound gain was frightening. It WILL go, I just can't wait! heh. It's most definitely TOM weight, when Josh and I were in the grocery store I started to tear up as we passed by the butter. Not for any real reason.. but just because. BTW, Dr Phil isn't a good show to watch with PMS, it was really a tear jerker today!

Okay, I gotta go get my Glamour workout in before my friend calls and we go for coffee (we'll see about that.. she's a flake). Either way, the workout has to be done! I'm thinking I might even do a 1mile WATP workout.

-Aimee

Alright, no WATP tape, that Glamour workout really tired me out! My legs feel like jelly, I think thats a good thing though. It only took 30 minutes, and it was a full body workout with some intervals of cardio. Alright, dinner time!

-Aimee

Just checking in...Was out at the arboretum this evening taking pictures of the gorgeous blooming crabapples, then I went grocery shopping. MMMM-MMMM! Good stuff in the cart, cabinets now full of canned veggies and the fridge is full of all manner of veggies. My feetsa's is killin' me, though...Note to self: Do not wear your comfy sandals to traipse through the apple grove and supermarkets. They're comfy for the brief jaunt here and there, but not for the long haul.