jackie506

Good morning ALL!! I am up and already got my cleaning done and done my banking and all so thought I would check in. I have a busy day ahead of me. Have to take my mom to the dentist. She is getting all of her teeth pulled. :cursing: I am not sure how long that will take but afterwards when I get home late this afternoon I plan to hit the gym. Not real happy about breaking my routine. I have been going in the AM but I still plan to go. Even if I don't want to because 'I should have been done at this time' I will MAKE myself go. Chim I really hope you can join us. I think this is going to be so fun. I am really getting excited about it. I keep talking to DH about it getting him 'used to the idea' of me being gone. LOL I don't know yet that I can definately go either. My son has drivers ed and they haven't given us the dates yet that he will be finished but we know it will be sometime in July and we will have to wait until he is finished with that to go see my dad in Missouri. The last time we were down there was last July so we really need to go again. Have to be able to budget for both vacations. :biggrin:

I totally get the holding the head up more to hide the chin. I have done that for so long I still do it. This last time I took pics I tried to mentally put my chin down but when they were taken I noticed that the chin is still noticable. I don't know about the 57 lbs either. Like I said I was 20lbs more than what my goal was before and some people commented that I was 'too skinny'. My mom was having a fit thinking I was going to opposite and becomming anorexic. The thing is even if I lost the 57 lbs I would still be on the high end of my BMI. I don't know. My family doc thinks 57 will be way to much but I will see how I feel and look as I go. We are our own worst critics so I may have to post after another 20-30 lbs and see what you all think.

Janet- we went shopping to start the day. Then we ate a late lunch and then to the casino we went again. LOL After the casino we went to a movie and then done a little more shopping. It was a pretty good day. We are trying to get to kow 'us' again. Actually really fun!!! I agree, we need a motel with equiptment. I will know by the end of June if I can stay for the weekend or just drive up for a day. I only have 3 and 1/2 hours to drive. I have driven to the cities many times for a fun day so no big deal. :biggrin2:

Janet you look beautiful and stand with so much confidence on your face. You are amazing and such an inspiration to all of us. YOU GO GIRL!!!

Phyl- I posted a reply 2 days ago but I have no idea where it went?! I have another 57 lbs to go. I can not imagine what I will look like then!! I was 20 lbs heavier than my goal 7 years ago and I wore a size 6-7. I don't know that that will be the case this time. I can only hope!!!

Beth- I always find something on any menu that I am able to eat. I haven't told many people about my surgery either. Usually they are so focused on chatting and eating their own food that they don't notice how much I have eaten. If they do and mention it I just tell them that I am really trying to watch it so I don't eat much at a time or that I wasn't really hungry. Good luck!!

Ruby- CONGRATS on the elliptical for 30 minutes. I have worked my way up to 15 minutes at a time but I tell you that machine is hard work. A/C? What is that. LOL We got up yesterday morning and it was freakin snowing!!! Granted it didn't stick and it is already gone but IT WAS EASTER!!! Can't wait for the warmer weather. We are supposed to get to 53 tomorrow and in the 40's and 50's this week. Can't wait!!!! Lynnette and Chim I am so happy to see you 2 again. Do either of you ever talk to Dini anymore? I think about her and Sunny alot. Haven't heard from Sunny in months!!!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!! Hawaii.........I AM SOOOOOO JEALOUS!!! That is one place that I really want to go. Someday......... Janet-I know what you mean about watching some people eat. I never really noticed how my girlfriend ate prior to banding when we went out but now when we go out I off course eat a lot less so I am finished way before she is. She doesn't eat any different now than before but I guess I never noticed it. She will order a meal in a restaurant and then order almost another whole meal because she wants something out of that too and can't make up her mind which one she wants. I love her too pieces and I don't EVER say anything so I just try not to pay attention to the amount of food she eats. The other day we were in KMART and she picked up Cadburry eggs and asked if I would eat one out of the 3. I told her no and she begged me saying it is just one come on. I said I can't do that. If I had 'just one' that will end up leading to more and honestly I just don't want them. I think I upset her because she put them back and said 'it wouldn't kill you' I said no one wouldn't kill me but the problem is if I start thinking 'just one' I will end up back where I was. Don't get me wrong because I know we can have treats and such but I honestly just don't want sweets. I am soooo proud of myself this year because Cadburry eggs are one of my most favorite things along with the Shamrock shakes at McDonalds this time of year and I have not had either this year and just noticed tonight the sign at McD's says they will be ending their season for the shamrock shakes this week sometime. I made it without one!!!! LOL Big accomplishment for me. I have the traditions you have as well. My daughter is 16 and the other night she wanted to go with her friends and I said no we are coloring eggs. She was on her cell phone in the living room talking to someone on the phone and said 'no I still color eggs with my mom because it is something we have always done and I like it and it means so much to her.' Brought tears to my eyes. Chim- so happy to see you back posting!!! Congrats on the 55 lbs. I have reflux as well but I have always had it. Of course I don't get the acid discomfort because I take pepcid 2 times a day. No problem Lynette-So sorry to hear of your troubles. Very happy to see you back posting. We do have a wonderful support system here. I would be lost without this group!!! Karri- so happy you are able to eat again. I can not imagine trying to go from a life time of dieting to just maintaining. (sp?) I don't remember ever NOT dieting. Even when I weighed 116 lbs I was dieting. Hell just go for the last 2 lbs. You will prob not be happy until you get those off. Congrats on the 9 lbs and reaching the point of maintaining. We went to my MIL for lunch today. I didn't have to cook. YEAH!!! I ate some mashed tators and a very small piece of ham and 1 deviled egg. I made it through easter without a piece of chocolate. I really do look at food differently. I am on my way back to the gym tomorrow. Holiday is over. The next one will be Memorial Day but we will grill chicken that day so I will do fine with that one also. Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and made good choices. Have a great Monday tomorrow.

This was taken last night. I am 15 lbs lighter than my last picture. YIPPY!!!!!

Ok I know I need to get going!!!! I had to tell you all this though. I just read on another thread about a show that is on the TLC channel called 'I can make you thin' so I tivo'ed it. It does look like something I am going to be interested in. It is going to tape Wednesday night and this weeks is about eating until satisfied, chew chew chew and etc. Next week is how to deal with the emotional eating. Just wanted to share with anyone else who is interested. NOW I REALLY AM LEAVING FOR THE GYM!!!!!!!!!! TTYAL (anyone heard from Janet? She has never missed a morning post.)

Ok I was just getting ready to go and while getting ready I was thinking of lapband talk. I was thinking of Kathy and how she is after her fathers passing and Lynnette and Dini, ssankof. Where did they all go. I really wonder how they are all doing. Anyone ever hear from these guys?

Good morning ladies!!! Where is Janet? She always posts by this time. JANET WHERE ARE YOU!! Patti- Looks like Phyl pretty much summed it all up. She hit it right on the head so my comment would be 'DITTO'. Good luck and keep comming back and post. This group really keeps your headon straight. I have had a few periods of the same problems and I just keep coming here and they help get through. That is what we are all here for. Kristin-no St Patty's day meal for me although I really like cooked cabbage. Well I done the gym for 2 hours yesterday. (still need to update) I have a knew addiction I think. Tanning and the gym. LOL Not to bad of one to have but I think the tanning will have to back down for daily or I will be too dark. HAHA I am scheduled for M-F this week for tanning but after this week I will only go 2-3 times a week. We will see. I am really getting back into the gym. I am going to ask about a trainer today while I am there. I have never seen anyone working with one there so my guess is they don't have one but I will ask. It is the YMCA so I don't know. I am going to try doing more eliptical. I think that it will do more for me. I know it is a lot harder and I feel more worn out afterwards but I just can not do it very long. Guess I need to build up to it. I have finally gotten rid of all the weight that I gained back during Dec and Jan (7 lbs) and lost a couple more. I hope this means that I am back on the right road. Better get. Need to go to the gym come home and shower and then go tan. I know that sounds backwards but I have to go to work after I tan and believe me when I am finished at the gym the only place I really belong is home in the shower. HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!! (ok now that I read that that looks a little different. I just feel so good lately and feel pretty happy.)

Phyl- I used to have ALOT of trouble with my knees as well before lossing some of my weight and my doc had told me not to give up the treadmill just make sure I was walking at an incline on it because it takes some of the stress off the knees. I tried that and it did work for me. Just a tidbit for ya. :mad2:

Good afternoon everyone. Just checking in again. Been a pretty busy but GOOD weekend. Went to get DD prom dress fitted yesterday and then we went shopping AGAIN!!! LOL We had a lot of fun. We all got our nails done and ate a great lunch at AppleBees and I even behaved and ordered a half grilled chicken salad and then couldn't finish all of that. EXCELLENT DAY!!! I was bushed when we got home at 6pm and then DH says what are we going to do tonight? I said you seriously still want to go do something. (he stayed home yesterday) He said 'yeah you said when you got home we were going to go do something.' I said 'not going to no bar and we just went to the movie last night so now what?" He said I don't know what do you want to do? I suggested going to the casino about 1 1/2 hours away because we have never been to that one. Called my mom and her boyfriend and asked them to go and away we went again!!! I put a $10 in the dollar machine and played 3 times at $3 a pop and on the last spin I won $1386.00. Had to go find hubby and tell him because I was so freakin excited!!! I said ok we will play off the $50 that we brought each but no more. We both played with the rest of our start money and we ended up bring $1765.00 home. Not bad huh? We have decided that when the kids go to their Chicago trip in April we will go somewhere and maybe stay in a hotel because our anniversary will be the following week after the kids get home. I told him 'no casino honey. Now this was a fluke and if we take all our winning and go back we will loss it. HAHA Got home about 1am and I was so jacked up about the winnings that I done my deep cleaning of the house this morning about 2am. Now today is mine for whatever I choose. Anyway just had to check in and tell you all my news. We are heading to the gym and to tan so I gotta get. TTYAL Hope you are all having an excellent weekend.

ok I got this in an email and wanted to post it here for all of you. Something to think about. ABOUTDRINKINGWater The following will probably amaze and startle you. One glass of water shuts down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University study. Lack of water is the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should every day?

Kristin-yes we are doing what we need to do for the band. Right now our insurance will not pay for anyone under 18 and they have that supervised diet. Courtney (my DD) has been going to our family doc every month for this past year doing the supervised. Blue Cross Blue Shield made it so that you have to do a supervised for 3 years now. Well we talked with our family doc and I asked if we could be doing that and get that out of the way while she is this age so that when she is 18 IF she still needs/wants the band she would be set up and the option would be there and he said yes. Courtney has always been a bigger kid once she hit about 2nd grade. Before that she was very fine and petite. We are doing some couseling with it for her and she tries to watch but we all know how hard that is. It is hard for her with me lossing. She has lost some in a month and then regained......same as all of us. We tried like hell to get her into that study they were doing on teens in the US and inamed was doing the band for free for them but we couldn't get her in. The closest was Chicago but when we found that out it was to late and they were full. We would have traveled to Chicago no problem. She is a very happy go lucky person for the most part and very good in school (A & B honorole since she started school) and she gets very frustrated but I keep telling her 'hang on kid. If this is what you really want we will get you there.' I told her in a way she is very fortunate compared to others because she sees how hard I have to work at the loss even with the band so she will go into this is 100% knowledge of all the do's/ don't and can'ts/wont's. She will have had a front row seat to seeing the whole thing.

Kristin like you I WAY over do it with cooking. See I was always known for 'making way too much food.' 'Enough to feed an Army'. We always had a lot of left overs and then alot of throw away. I too have really tried to change this. I don't make 2 bog crock pots of something for supper. Instead I cook one. I don't made 2-3 pan of something in the oven for the 4 of us I made 1 and there is one serving a piece and then always an extra one or two because hubby and son like to eat more or hubby takes it to lunch the next day. Just Thursday night when I was making supper I said to DH are you going to eat broccoli? He said yes and I said then maybe I should make 2 bags. (the kids werern't going to eat it) He said for what it is just me and you. You'll make 2 bags and eat a little and I will have to eat the rest. Now granting broccoli is good for us and healthy but why do I still have the need to over cook. I shop for food like I do clothes. LOL WAY TO MUCH!!! We honestly don't need to go to the grocery store except for dairy for prob 2-2 1/2 months. We have no more room. I guess in the back of my head I am afraid of running out of food. LOL Wow does that sound crazy after I type it. Welp on my way out the door again this morning. Have to take DD for prom dress fitting. I think I am just as excited as her!!!!! Afterwards she is wanting to shop a bit. She needs more things for her Chicago trip comming up. My mom is spending the day with us so we are having a girls day. My mom is 53 and she suffers from depression (debilitating. she can not even work) so this day should be good for her to get out as well. I will check back in tonight. Again sorry for such a long post last night. I was so afraid I was going to loss the post before I hit submit!! :thumbup: That was a lot of typing!

WHEW you have all been busy since I was here last. Sorry in advance for this long post (probably a couple pages itself!:tt2:) I agree. For me lots of things have just lost their luster. Just like the other night when I was determined I had to buy 2 half gallons of ice cream because one wasn't going to be enough. In all reality when I got 1 cup of it and started eating a couple bites it just didn't taste very good. Not something I wanted to waste my calories on. Peaches I seen in our local paper the other day that one night next week they are doing a 'quit smoking'lose weight' hypnotisome (sp?) free one night next week. I have been doing pretty good lately (Please GOD don't let it stop now cuz I said it out loud! ) But I actually thought of going. I went 2 years ago but didn't really get anything out of it. I quit smoking shortly after that but I honestly think that was more on my own than anything. It is done in a group session that is why it is free. I have a friend who went and done an individual session and she lost 60 pounds. Maybe I should splurge and do that for the second half of my journey. I think if I get stuck again I will try it. Let us know how yours does for you. Good luck!!! Karri- I think we should all brush up with a nutritionist. I actually just talked to my doctor about this. I told him that I feel like I may have forgotten a lot of things that she suggested for protein because I have eaten mostly chicken for each meal because I know that it is a great source and I have fallen into the habit of chicken chicken chicken. Not that that is a bad thing but I am afraid that I will get sick of it. He suggests his patients to brush up 2 times a year. I haven't made an appointment yet. PI Day? Does that mean we get to eat PIE today and it doesn't count? Lindaa- It is probably water. I know it was very disappointing to see a gain but remember you did more the scale. Hang in there (((HUGS))) Karri- I am glad you are making the choice to get some fill removed so you can eat according to your doctors orders. That in itself is growth. Be proud of yourself. Brandy-Congrats on the suit. Bet you look great at a 144 lbs. Look out beaches cuz here she comes!!! Pris- I never figured out the glitter name either that is why I have never had one. Sorry!! I have a hard time with my ticker. Whenever I need to update it I have to make a whole new one. I used to be able to edit it but I don't know what happened there. :bored: Ok I think I have responded to everyone and if not I did not intentionally leave anyone out. You are all doing wonderful!!! Phyl and Kari so glad to see you both back. Now if we could just get some of the gang back we started this journey with. So I went shopping yesterday. First I went to the gym for 1 and 1/2 hours. (Have to update my hours for the moth yet) and then I went tanning. Man I was sweating like a fiend. After all that came home and showered and got ready to go. I needed some spring/summer clothes because NOTHING fits from last year. I bought 3 pair of capris at Kohls and listen to this..........2 were size 10. Now I know for a fact they are flukes because my jeans are still size 12 and every brand fits different but DAMN IT THEY ARE 10'S!!!! I bought both pair and had to show my Aunt what size they were and called my mom on the way home to tell her. Had to tell hubby when I got home and tonight called my step mom in Missouri and while talking made sure I told her what size. LOL Besides the capri I bought myself a swim suit. Now this is a MAJOR NSV for me since we have a pool and I were a t shirt and shorts into it ONLY when hubby and no one is around. Now I will probably still were a t shirt over it but I really like the suit. WHen I got home my daughter said mom let me see that on you. I said no. She goes come on so I put it on and she goes you look really good in that. You wont need to cover it up at all. Show yourself off. Now that is a major compliment because as I have told you all before my daughter struggles with her weight and she is 16. I don't tell her my sizes because i don't want to hurt her. She was pretty bitter towards me at times in the beginning of all of this but she has watched and knows how hard I work for the weight loss. She understands the whole process of the band a lot better now. She still has her moments but I am very forgiving and try to understand her because I know what it is like to be so envious of someone else even when you want to be happy for them. Anyway, today I went and got my hair highlighted and done. I really like my hair and it was feeling really good about myself because it was nice outside so I done up my make up and hair and I wore a new pair of capri with a new size Medium shirt with my cool new summer shoes. Got lots of compliments and felt very confident about myself when I was out today but the best thing that happened today was when my son came home from school and I was standing at the kitchen sink and he was stairing at me and I asked him 'do I have something on me or something' and he said 'no but look how skinny you are getting!' My daughter came in the kitchen just on the tail end of the statement and said 'mom I didn't realize just how small you really are getting.' :blushing::thumbup: That made me feel so good I could have started crying. I told them both thank you and how good that made me feel and said 'I done this for all of us. I plan to be here for a long time to keep you two in shape.' and hugged them both.

YEAH FOR YOU!!! You are doing wonderful. I was thinking of doing a trainer a couple of times to. I may just have to get really serious about that. Janet you are 10 lbs away from goal!! You are so close!!! You have done excellent. You have pretty steadley (sp?) lost too. I am so proud of you. You will be to goal in another month probably. :ohmy::thumbup: Your getting to be a real skinny!!!! Ruby- so glad you are feeling pretty good today. I would take the meds 'just in case' to stay ahead of any pain that may come later. Rest and take it easy. Ok I have some NSV to tell. Yesterday when I was having such I bad crappy emotional day while in town I went to the grocery store to buy 'food'. Ok first off my deep freeze, fridge freezers, refridgerator and cupboards are all stuffed so I truly didn't need food. I had already started marinating boneless skinless chicken breast yesterday moring so I needed nothing for supper but I was in that stupor and thought I want junk!!! I went in and I went around that store for almost an hour because I just wanted food. I would pick something up and walk through the store and then think no you can't do that. Anyway, I picked up sugar free ice cream. At least it was sugar free but the 'old jackie' came back and I thought 1 half pint isn't enough so I bought 2. Then I went to McDonalds and I bought 2 large vanilla ice coffee and thought I don't care how many calories. I love these things and limit myself on them giving myself a 'treat' once in a while. I know I know I know NO LIQUID CALORIES but we have to have something in our lives. Anyway, on the way home I started crying and I called my mom and I said "I am about to binge." and told her what I had bought and what I was feeling and blah blah blah. Mom being a mom tried to soothe me and told me that once in awhile it wouldn't hurt. Anyway, not the answer I was looking for. Got off the phone and drove about 35 miles per hour along the road trying to take my time getting home. I thought to hell with this. I am not drinking that second coffee and I will not eat a bunch of ice cream. I 'pulled up my boot straps' as Janet says and thought 'get it together Jackie. You know how long it takes to burn off all those calories you are about to absorb and is it really worth the guilt you will feel after wards and all the hard work?' I came home dumped the half of coffee I had drank out of and offered my son the other and told him if he didn't want it I was dumping it. I gave one of the 1/2 gallon ice cream to my in laws 'to try' (didn't tell them why I bought 2. Just told them I thought they would like to try it since my mother in law really likes ice cream and she is watching what she eats) and I continued making my supper. I made my chicken breast with steamed broccoli and brown rice. I ate VERY little and was FULL. I had not eaten yesterday and only had a half cup of iced coffee for calories so I figured later I would eat my ice cream. I put a cup of ice cream in a dish took a couple of bites and said to hubby 'do you want this I don't.' and I gave the rest away. I was satisfied but more than that very proud of myself for recognizing what it all was. I was angry, upset and just feeling crappy and I was on a hunt for soothing and turned to food. 8 months ago I would have prob recognized that after the fact and all the calories but I recognize it for what it is immediately now. I felt really good about that. I made it through and you know what..........the sun still came up this morning and a new day has started. OK now that I have myself all teary eyed again it is time to get going so I can get to the gym and then tan before coming home to shower and go with my aunt this afternoon. I just want to thank each and every one of you for all the support. I truly don't know where I would be without all of you but I can tell you I think this journey would have been a very lonely HARDER journey without all of you. Thank you. I love you all and care very deeply for you. You are my other family. My family that REALLY knows how I am feeling about this and other situations with food. Ok enough of that. I am on my way to the gym. I will try to check back in tonight when I get home. (Aunt flo better get here soon I am a sobbing mess with these hormones :grouphug:)

Hello all. I am just checking in for the night. I am having a terrible day. Found out today that my family doc of 15 years is possibly moving away in Jun. I trust no other doctor besides him other than my surgeon and his PA. I am sooooo upset. Then I went to the dentist and my mouth is hurting like hell tonight. They gave me tylenol with codeine and that jsut isn't cutting it. UUGGHHHHH Hoping tomorrow is better. I go back in three weeks to get the permanent crown put on. I did not exercise today. Didn't have time could have gone tonight but I figured I would 'let my tears heal' from yesterday. I worked out HARD yesterday and have felt it in my legs and hips all last night and tonight. Everytime I would roll over or move last night while sleeping I woke up. Think maybe I am overdoing it. Found out today my cholesterol is still pretty high so they put me on Crestor (sp?) I was really hoping that it wouldn't come to that but no such luck. Aunt flo is a couple of days late and I get so emotional around this time of month anyway. I swear it gets worse every month!!! That along with everything else today was just more than I could take so I am going to go to bed early tonight. Hope tomorrow is a better day. On a better note I started tanning yesterday and then again today. I can see a bit of color already. that makes me feel good. Hoping by next week I will have a nice base. Ruby-so glad to hear you are home and happy. Now rest and take it easy. Take care of yurself and your girls Janet-thank you for the invite to share a room. I am an ex smoker but honestly the majority of my friends and family smoke and it doesn't bother me. I know what it is like tohave the habit and I am just fine with others who smoke. I may just take you p on that offer. We could share the cost. Something to ponder. Karri- have you guys made your decision to have your boyfriend go part time. Sounds like you found yourself a good guy. He doesn't want you to sacrifice for him. You two sound so happy. I am envious. Especially since he is a cook. My DH's extent of cooking is grilling in the summer (when I tell him I am not doing it so he has too) or ordering up a pizza when I say I am not cooking a night or he will just eat left overs and if no left overs and he doesn't want to rive anywhere he will just eat microwave popcorn for supper. LOL He is NOT a cook but a pretty good guy for the most part. I keep telling him when the kids move out and it is just hm and I am going on strike and will not be cooking anymore meals for the first few year because I have always had to worry about cooking a meal for someone. First my younger siblings from the time I was 13 while my parents were at work and then I went right into motherhood and being a wife. I can't imagine not having to cook everynight or figure something out for a meal. He always tell me 'you won't have to cook for me. You should take a few years off." LOL Anyone else I did not mention I am sorry but I forget who posts what. LOL I hit reply with all these response and then once I am here and respond to a couple of posts I forget who said what. SORRY!!!!! I love ya all and hope you have a wonderful Thursday!! Well all I better get to bed. Have a day of the gym, tanning, straightening up around home and then shopping and supper tomorrow night with my aunt. Really looking forward to tomorrow actually. My aunt and I are really close and I love spending time with her.

Janet- I am so sorry to hear about your son. I have a brother that does as he pleases and doesn't think of others as well. Well not as much as he used to. He is married with 3 kids and his wife has put up with a lot from him. More than I ever would have and he knows that. He was into the drugs for a while. Not hard core but hell drugs are drugs (illegal ones I mean). He didn't take responsibility for nothing. His wife worked and supported the family. Three years ago he finally had an aahhaa moment. He started taking more responsibility and got himself a job. Done wonders for him. I had told him years ago that I love him very dearly but I did not want him around me, my children or my home if he was into the sh$t and we just talked when we seen one another but no real relationship. Then after his aahhaa moment he called one day and said I am coming out to your place and would like to take Austin (my son) fishing. He said I have cleaned myself up and I want to have a relationship with all of my family. No problem. He does do the drugs but he likes to drink on Firday nights after work. Not a big deal. Sorry I got off track. What I am trying to say is it is sooo hard to love someone so much and try to 'make them better' when they don't want to do anything for themselves. I spent lots of money to finally get that into my head through therapy but it was money well spent. Take care and I hope things work out. Keep us posted and talk if you need to talk. We are here for you. Karri- I agree with Janet. IF you are ok with him working part time and won't resent him I think you guys will be fine. The numbers you gave look like you would be ok. Good luck!!

Ok I am not sure about the Mall of America trip now. I went to the dentist today and have to hve a crown put on for $680 and then I am bleaching my teeth for another $250. I used to be a smoker and quit that about 2 years ago and I just feel like my teeth are stained so I decided to bleach and make them whiter. My friend told me I have very pretty teeth and they look white and don't need it but you all know how it is. When you are not comfy with something about yourself and set your mind to doing something you just do it. I wanted to do this last summer and put it off so now I am doing it. I figured since I already have to pay for the crown I might as well do them both t once. With all that being said (so sorry I get off track) I was thinking that I only live 3 hours away from Mall of America and I would be willing to drive up and if money is a bit better by then I will just find a room for a night and if not I will drive home. That way I would still get to meet everyone and hang out for the day. What do you think? I am talking really low now so that I do not jinx myself. (WHISPERING) THE scale HAS STARTED MOVING AGAIN. I WON'T SAY HOW MUCH DO TO BEING AFRAID OF JINXING IT. I AM GOING TO WAIT A WHILE AND THEN UPDATE Y TICKER. I HAVE OFFICIALLY LOST THE POUNDS THAT I HAVE REGAINED THOUGH THANK GOD. I AM REALLY HOPING THAT THINGS WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE. Yeah so anyway, today was a really good day. Done 2 hours at the gym, then came home and deep cleaned again. I know I know I just did that Sunday but I had lots of energy and figured I wouldn't have to do it tomorrow now since I started at 9:45 pm tonight. Not much can get messed up from midnight until they leave for work/school tomorrow. I have taken the past 2 days off and I have Thurs and Friday off also. I have to spend a little time in my home office tomorrow but other than that I am just doing my thing and enjoying the sunshine. :smile: Well better get. It is now 1:15am and I am going to go read for a while until I fall asleep. Nighty night all!!!

BRANDY- congrats on the 144. OMG how I so envie you!!! Size 8 and xsmall shirt. I would be saying don't pinch me and wake me up let me keep dreaming this wonderful dream. You are doing amazing!!! What is your goal weigt? KARRI- I believe you probably do burn that. I am a body bugg girl and I NEVER remove my bugg except to shower and then right back on. On an average day I burn at least 2500 calories and that is without a lot of exercise. Now that I am back to the gym I am burning about 3000-3200 a day. On a 6-7 hour nights sleep I burn between 620-660 calories just sleeping. I absolutely love my bugg!!!! I know how many steps I take each day and how many calories I burn from midnight to midnight EVERY day. :smile:

Ruby one persons short commings are anothers nightmare. I have a reduction in 2000. I was soooooo happy!! Insurance paid for that 100% also. I went from a DD and then some (looked like I had a large boob in the middle of my 2 :wink:) down to a size A-B and a size 5-6 pants. Then I let myself go again regained all my weight and lots more. My girls grew some but this time as I lose weight I am losing some of them as well. I am in a B-C cup depending on the brand. I can say that I am pretty please thus far but still have 62 lbs to go so who knows what they wil look like then. One thing is for sure. My nipples will always be soluting the stars instead of looking down at the ground. :smile: I am happy that you are doing this again for yourself though if this is what you want. Don't worryit will go fine. Like you said, at least you know what to expect this time. Good luck and get lots of rest.

Good morning Lucky 7's!!! Just wanted to check in and say good morning. I am usually not up this early but seem to be full of energy today. That is good I guess since I have a full plate today. I am going to the darn dreaded dentist today. I HATE THE DENTIST!!! I told you all of the troubles I had last summer when I went and I am petrified of them now. I didn't sleep well and kept thinking of this impending appointment today. :tt2: UUGGGHHH Have a date for the gym today. My aunt is also going. She likes to go together. I am going about an hour before she gets there though because I just feel like I get a better workout if I am going at it myself. I figure that if I go an hour before and then when she gets there I can go at it a little slower and talk while working out. :tt2: It is a win win because I am still going to get my intense hour and then another 1 -1 1/2 hours longer. :thumbup: I think I actually missed working out for the month to month and a half that I wasn't really doing it. I feel so much more energized again now that I am doing it again and so much better. That coupled with the sunshine we are FINALLY seeing the sun in Iowa with warmer tempts (we are supposed to get to 45 today. WOOHOO it is about time!!) has really gave me a boost. I do dare to say that spring really is going to come again. I was really beginning to doubt we would EVER see nicer weather again. This winter has been a VERY VERY long winter here. We have not had a winter like this one in quite a few years so it has made it seem exceptionally long. Janet I forgot to congratulate you on the size 8. WOW!!!!!!! You go girl!!!:thumbup: I am so freakin proud of you. Now with the trainer........whoa watch out!!! I have thought of getting one of those balls that you were talking about. Give me your input and tell me what you think of them? I seen that bender ball and really want that one. The problem is that I have bought exercise balls in the past and never used them. I think I would be better now but then again I had a treadmill and never used it and then went out and bought myself the eliptical and never used that either so I don't know. Thing is that there is no way that I am going to use one of them at the gym so I was thinking maybe here at home in front of the tv at night after I do my daily gym thingy. Give me your opinion. Have a wonderful day all my 7's. We are all doing excellent. There are so many compliments to hand out to each and every one of you for your achievements. Just think, summer and spring are comming and think how fast the poundage will drop then. :tongue: Hugs to all!!!!!!