Melissa S

OK then... time for you and I to buckle down on this water thing.... Starting tomorrow I'm gonna start taking my big water bottle to work with me and make it my goal to finish the entire thing before leaving (I think its a 32 ounce bottle).... Are you on board with me???

I'm right there with you on that Sandra!!! I've been awful with the rules lately... I never seem to get in my water. I do however still push the protein. Hows that dress coming along? Did the alterations work out for you? We need to see some pics!!

cindy... I LOVE my new haircut... I need to get a better pic though... the one I took didnt turn out so well... its very short... Victoria Beckham style (minus the blonde... and minus the alien like face.. haha.)

I weighed this morning at my moms... down -2lbs!! hopefully by next week I'll meet my first goal of no longer morbidly obese!!!

Hello all... Just as I was thinking I needed to get back in for a fill.... SLIME and PB!!! Last night after eating a small amount of rice, chicken and broccoli up it came! Since moving I havent been able to weigh... and I've had to cancel a Dr's appt... so right now I have NO CLUE as to my weight... is that good or bad??!?!?? haha... my clothing is fitting lose.. and I'm officially in a 16. Got word last night that my 15 year old brother in law will be coming to stay with us for the holidays... I'm SO excited!! I love this kid to death! I've also made an appt to get all my hair chopped off tomorrow!!! I'll post pics!! I cant wait!

BOB DYLAN?!?!? OMG.. thats a riot!!!

I'm cracking up... take a look at this... its me, my husband, my daughter and our dog!!! HA! ElfYourself™ : Brought to you by OfficeMax®

Hello all.. I'm home, sick with the flu (yuck!)... I went back to the foot Dr yesterday and was SOOO tempted to climb onto his scale while I was waiting ... but stopped myself when I noticed his scale was unbalanced and I was wearing sweats and sneekers... dont wanna add any extra lbs!!! I may not be losing lbs, but I am noticing that my clothes are fitting much more loose these days.

hi all... Sorry its bern a while.. We are moving and do not have internet just yet.. Will update more later... Everyone is doing great!!!

Hello all... I have some pics!!! Rather than post the ones from the family (there are hundreds...) here is the link from the photographer... http://rishellsorders.com/ click on view your images & ordering go to "melissa and indy" 11/10/07 password: images enjoy!! and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

hello all... I'm now a Mrs!!! The wedding went very smooth... but was over before I knew it... We are on our honeymoon in Hawaii...and I LOVE IT HERE!!! ....I'll post some pics once I get a chance!!!

Yes Cindy... tomorrow is the big day. I can't believe its here already!!!

Hello My Bandster friends!!! ...Its been a while...but I've been CRAZY BUSY... the future inlaws arrived yesterday afternoon... We have been running some last minute errands and packing for the honeymoon... Everyone has been doing awesome!! Next time I check in ... I'll be a Mrs!!!!!!!!! I'll be sure to post pics!

I met my NSV goal for the month... I can now fit very comfortably in those size 16 dress pants I bought over 2 years ago!! I don't know about anyone else.. but I welcome NSV's almost more than the actual weight loss!!!

So.. I have 10 days until the BIG DAY!!! I cant believe its almost here!! I had my final fitting and the dress fits fine.. a little lose around the chest..but nothing to worry about. I can def. eat much more right now... and I will be calling for a fill as soon as I'm back from the honeymoon!!

Sandra- I'm glad to hear that you are doing better... that must have been scary!!

Get a good ENT and stay on it... I had ear problems from birth until age 11.. then it started back at age 19 and I'm still dealing with it after 4 sets of tubes, and having one of my ear drums rebuilt... I do have some hearing loss and constant ringing in my ears... I really feel for your daughter!!!

This morning I went to the foot Dr... turns out I have plantar fascitis and plantar fibromatosis. He wants me to do alot of stretching and icing.... and come back in 6 weeks.. as far as the fibromatosis - nothing but surgery will correct it..and Dr doesnt like to do surgery because sometimes it causes more pain than it will help.... and.... we got the marriage license today!!

Good evening all... I went shopping last night... still trying to find last minute summer items to take to Hawaii...and... I BOUGHT A SIZE 14 JEAN SHORTS...AND THEY FIT!!!! Hey.. I dont care if they are mis-sized.. they are 14's ..... I'll take it!! HAHA!!

Hi all.. I just got back from the funeral. My Dad went with me.. which I'm very happy that he did. I stayed strong and tried my best not to lose it. But when I saw my friend (the mother) I just started sobbing. Its so very unfortunate. But I know deep down.. that she is in a better place. She suffered her whole life with this disorder..and she really fought as hard and as long as she could. After visiting with the family my Dad and I went to get some dinner.. he confided in me that he often feared during my lowest moments of my life that I wouldnt make it. But somehow I did. And I'm thankful for that.

5 Ways to Break a Weight Loss Plateau If you've ever tried to lose fat for any sustained period of time - you may have hit a plateau. You have changed nothing, but suddenly the fat no longer disappears. The human body is incredibly adaptive, and will do its level best to maintain equilibrium (homeostasis). The plateauing effect has to be the biggest motivation-killer there is. Unfortunately many popular diet books are strangely quiet on the issue -- I guess the concept doesn't sell well. The best single word of advice is to make a change. Don't make the mistake of doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result (Ben Franklin's definition of insanity). What changes can you make? 1. Zig-Zag Calorie Intake Zig-zagging, or calorie cycling is the process of varying daily calorie intake, while maintaining the same weekly intake. Instead of consuming (for example) precisely 1800 calories each day - you can mix it up. Eat 1500 calories one day, and 2100 calories the next. This can be as simple as halving then doubling a portion size, or adding a post-workout shake into the plan. Just keep your body guessing. 2. Strength Training If you are not doing this as part of your program or lifestyle, then it's time to start. Working your muscles will help to strengthen bone tissue, increase lean mass, and ultimately boost metabolic rate. 3. Change Your Exercise Routine So you go walking a lot? Then try jogging, or swimming, or cycling -- anything that will change the way your body is working. If you are doing low intensity cardio work, then try some high intensity exercise (such as HIIT). 4. Alter Macro-nutrient Intake Although it sounds complicated, once again, the idea is to change what you are eating. If (for example) you are eating a moderate diet that is higher in carbs - try eating less carbs and more protein. There is no need to get super-technical over the whole thing. If you have a carbohydrate snack every day at morning tea time - change it to a protein snack. Whatever you are doing consistently - try mixing it up a bit. 5. Change Meal Frequency If you are eating three square meals a day - start adding snacks in between (which may mean reducing the portion size of the main meals). Eating often is an old and common style of eating - once again, you are trying to boost your metabolic rate. I know all that - What else is there? Some of us seem to have more adaptive bodies than others. I remember when I was eating a fairly rigid diet, having three strength training sessions per week, and as much as seven (often intense) cardio sessions a week. After 3-4 weeks - the fat simply stopped coming off. The frustration was enough to make me take my meal plans (stuck to the fridge), screw them up and throw them away in disgust. I was furious and disappointed. I felt that I was doing everything "right". So what was the answer? Chill out and back off... I was becoming obsessional. I started eating more, and gradually reduced my cardio levels. I gave my body and mind a break. In the process I have learnt to eat more intuitively. Every person is unique, and we must learn how our individual body responds - and how to work with that.

Thank you Sandra..you're right. Its something you never get over. Your fill sounds painful! I feel so bad for you!!!!!

I agree! I'm now wearing 2 pairs of size 16's from 2 different stores...and they fit fine... now if a 16 fits...why not a 17? A little more than just frustrating!!

Thank you Weazer. I dont know why... but I thought I could squeeze myself into a pair of Mossimo shorts from Target. I realized about 2 weeks ago that I have nothing to wear while in Hawaii on our honeymoon.. so I found 2 pairs of size 17 on the clearance rack at Target.. well, they may as well have taken the "1" from the front of the 17 because I could get them up...but the buttons were at my hipbones ... couldnt even stretch them to button...not even close! Oh well... They were like $3.50 a pair.. I'll just hold onto them for next summer.

Thank you Ragdoll- After reading that article I put down the small slice of pizza I've just reheated... it was making me PB anyway!