Boo

oh yeah, I was really bummed to get up the next morning and still weigh 163.5.....I thought I would have a scale victory, also.

Drumroll, please...... On Monday I finally ran.... 10 MILES!!!! Tied my shoes, stepped out with my Forerunner, and at mile two decided, "This is it! I'm gonna just do it." So, with that decided, I got into a slower pace, patient frame of mind, and settled in for the long haul. The first 4-5 miles were uphill. As soon as the Forerunner registered 5 miles, I turned back for home, retracing my steps. On a couple of steep places I walked, but for the most part I shuffled along with an average pace of 11:30/mile. Not great, but hey, I DID IT!!!! Tuesday morning came and it was very difficult to get up and walk around. You get sore the day after?????? That is a new one! I'm going out tonight, but no repeat!

Hey, Betty, I've been thinking the same thing...got to get back to portion control and resting between bites. There is not much restriction here (1.4 cc) so I have had to really work with my head, heart, stomach, and move! Julie, PLEASE don't go against orders. It must be frustrating, but you have a lifetime to run. An hour on the eliptical is sometimes what I do on a regular day..haha! Go, Wonder Woman! Dawn, how cold are you? I wore shorts today to walk to the post office, and I still have excuses!! Putting on my shoes right now!! I'll check in later.

Great run last night...but didn't reach my goal. I wanted to run 10, but was with a friend that got a bad blister, and had to stop. While I was out trying to finish my run I happened upon a drug deal, got spooked, and ran like the wind home. I WILL meet the 10-mile mark, right?!!!

Oh, dear! I'm so sorry about the edema. You bounced back so quickly last time. Actually, won't this rest time be better for your breasts, anyway? Julie, in the pictures you posted your stomach is unreal!! I'll check out flylady.

Thanks, Dawn! I thought I was "cured" of my phobia. We'll see how the next flight goes. Good luck on your races!

Julie, I am so proud of your courage! Keep mending. Your legs are beautiful and short skirts are in your future for spring!

Ah, it is so good to read your post, Betty. Family time is just glorious, but then we must get back to our day-to-day routines that keep us sane and on track. I just returned from a trip this week and am a bit of a mess. (Julie, I know you can appreciate this.) The flight home was the WORST I have ever experienced. It all started with the takeoff where the plane started to fishtail so severely I wondered if the pilot would brake. Once we were in the air the plane started to violently shake and drop. A dark panic came over me as I thought, "This is it!" People on the flight were screaming and swearing. But somehow we made it into the air! Then the rest of the flight was so turbulent that no one could get out of their seat. The pilot came on an hour into the flight to apologize and explain that they could not communicate with us during the flight and to expect more "bumps." We were flying into the storm. Before landing, we needed to circle LAX for 90 minutes. UGH!!!! The flight attendant even told me that it was one of the worst flights he had been on in years. He was scared and threw up. Well, the good news is that I made it safely, physically. (AND I am still coming to NY, Julie!) During the ordeal, I kept repeating the strategies that I have learned to overcome my anxiety attacks on airplanes. Although I was able to hold it together on the plane, as soon as I stepped off I've been a wreck (not able to sleep, snapping at my husband, and spent all of yesterday eating candy)!??! So darn it!! Now I REALLY need that spa weekend! Tonight I am not going to run in the rain, but will try to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a gym day if it is still pouring. I apologize for writing a scary post, but we share almost everything here, and now I fear my stress/terror has set me back. So NO MORE FEAR!!! On a side note, has anyone read about the relationship of clutter to depression? Betty, I know you have no clutter in your home, so having 15 kids/dogs/etc, must be a bit trying. I am working to de-clutter my LIFE! The article shared that a woman organized her life/home and lost 50 pounds in the process. There were many comparisons of holding on to things to holding on to weight. My question is, how sentimental is everyone? Do we hold on to the past too much? It is an interesting idea, because I am very sentimental and loyal. It is difficult for me to part with friends, family, or reminders of the good in my life. But holding onto "things," supposedly, make stress instead of memories. I'm going to try letting go of more "things" in my life and in the process allow myself to let go of these last 20 pounds that are cluttering up my life and keeping me from my goal.

AZ Pete, I want to run a half this year (at least one!) What is the Nike ipod trainer??? How does it motivate you? Please tell me more if you can. I'm at a stage where I need help. I've trained myself to the point where I can run up to 6-7 miles, but am more comfortable with 5. My average was 10 min/mile, but lately I am SLOWING down to 11/mile. I think I am in a holiday slump. During the summer I am an avid skiier...got up on a wakeboard last summer for about 15 seconds. I'll try again! Please share any helpful hints you've got!!!

Dawn, I'm sorry to say this, but your post was a huge relief for me. On Christmas day, my stomach just felt like a bottomless pit and I ate no meals, but the entire day! I trust Julie's perspective and that we can correct this and be even stronger. It is not just an isolated experience, the entire Christmas celebrating world is probably rubbing their stomachs and shaking their heads. We CAN recover! We just have to do it soon and not waste any time feeling remorseful. Julie, I need to talk to you about my trip. Yes, I will be there on April 6th!!! (You were talking about April, right?) I have a late show the night before, but it cannot stop me from this great opportunity. I'll be staying at an apartment on Broadway and 66th? Right near Julliard. Maybe we can e-mail each other because I need to schedule my flights, and I just have to see you!! Hey, this will motivate me to step it up!!! You are gonna whiz right past me by mile 8 in your little size 0-2 red/pink running shorts-hahaha! What would I need to do to register? Betty, Happy Hanukkah with your family. XOXO Eficka, how are you? Amourette, what are you up to?

Yes! I am SICK of holiday eating!! This year I have indulged a little bit. And I was so proud of myself to limit intake and keep my weight at 163. Well, that was until Christmas eve. A huge tower of goodies arrived which had all of my favorites covered in chocolate. Also, there seemed to be no restriction and my stomach and appetite felt endless. Today, I am sick (just that yucky feeling) after two days of really indulging. The scale read 165 this morning. SO, now I have to detox and get serious. There is no extra fill in the near future for me. I feel like the fill (1.4 in a 4.0 cc band) is manageable for my medication. I never PB and there is no pain. The rest of the weight loss will have to happen through sheer determination and the little bit of restriction I do have. If I can't break through, or if I start to gain, I will attempt another fill. The best level for me seemed to be about 2.0. These two days have shown me that I can never let my guard down. Chocolate covered caramels and fruits are like cryptonite at this point. The other issues are emotional. Holidays are so special and are filled with a lifetime of memories and expectations which can make me extremely vulnerable. So as much as I love Christmas and the music and the lights, the indulgences that have accompanied the holiday are very destructive. On to a new year! Betty, yes, I wish we could go walking again. We will! I'll be up that way for many years to come, just not often enough. Where are the most reasonable spas, anyway? We could probably create our own. In about three months I will be flying out to NY. Julie, you will be SO recovered by then!! It is exciting!!!! Dawn, enjoy these days with your kids. I can so relate. When the off times come, I really miss the early days of raising my children when I was primarily a mom, friend, volunteer, homemaker, neighborhood activity planner, etc. I love my job, but don't love the time away from my family and home. Julie, don't you knit or quilt? That must bring out homey feelings. Well, I'll try to update my running. I ran 4 miles last night, but felt SO sluggish!! Good luck, my friends and let's have our best new year ever!!!

I just came in from a run. The tour of Christmas lights sure makes it enchanting. January beckons me!

Julie! Julie! Julie! You did it!! You are done! You are so brave to have faced these surgeries. Now you are only to face healing and an appreciation for this gorgeous body that you have sacrificed so much to achieve. Please don't worry about your band right now. Even if your fill is not perfect, your appetite will level off. You will start to feel full in a new way. Here's to you!! :Banane10::Banane31::Banane52::Banane41::bananalama::Banane19::Banane09::not_ripe::Banane29::Banane50::Banane39::Banane49::Banane38::Banane27::Banane05::banane58::Banane47::Banane36::Banane25::Banane25::Banane25::Banane14::Banane02::Banane24::Banane13::Banane03::Banane23::Banane12::Banane33::Banane33::Banane54::Banane43::Banane21:

I'm thinking about you!

Last night when I was running, I pushed myself on mile one, thinking that I could break a new record and run a mile in under 9:00. When I reached the mile marker my Garmin read 9:01!! I was so mad that I charged off and ran another in 8:20!! I had to keep looking at the display to see if I had made an error. Whew! So... I reached one of my new goals!! I won't be trying that again for a while because it slowed me down for the rest of my run.

Happy Holidays, everyone!!

Hey, I saw it, Dawn! You have your running number on. You look just skinny! And pretty!

Isn't it insulting to only have a second place trophy available? I know this sounds silly, but why??

And another oh yeah, I lost 3 pounds.

Oh yeah, I ran a mile in 9:02 (while sick)...2 seconds shy of my goal for the month. Gonna get there!

UHGG!!! I am sick with bronchitis and sinus infection. You are ALL my workout godesses! Here I get sick with the first wave of chill to hit Los Angeles. Last night I bundled up and went out running anyway 'cause I'm fed up with being sick. A man jumped while taking out his trash as I ran by in the dark, blowing my nose. This is always the worst time for me to get sick, considering I have singing engagements nearly every day (musician)! Julie, I don't blame you tossing out the low carb days. You look amazing and you are at an excellent weight. Instead of using the BMI calculation, you should go have your body fat tested. With all of your muscle mass, you might even be too lean.

GO, JULIE!!! 36 is the magic number for blood work! 136 is your magic scale number!!

oops! I can't edit so here:

Julie, look at your expression in the photo. Your body looks perfect and your expression is the cool kind of sexy. Now is the time for retribution! We need to throw a party for you and invite all the guys you have had "crushes" on that have been jerks! hahaha! That would be quite a scene. You can wear your sexy black dress, toss your sleek dark hair and then shoot them a look like in your photo. Look out NY, Julie is almost 136! I predict that by FRIDAY, you will be 137!!!! GO, GO, GO, GO! BETTY, great job LOSING in VEGAS! That is the best way to lose there! Eficka, you almost have on the low carb diet, too. I'm ALMOST there!!

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