StephC

We meet at Dr Marleys office - tonight Oct 16th at 5:30 - hope to see you there

I've said the same thing about my weight, can you imagine carrying a 50 lb bag of dog food around all day?

The t-shirt reminded me of when I was prego some 23 years ago. My husband who is an ironworker had a shirt that read for a perfect erection, my shirt said under construction - aww come on we were just kids!

I don't know if I brought this up before but do you notice that now that you have lost a lot of weight that people seem to notice more now then before? For instance, when I lost the first 20 lbs no one noticed, the next 20 lbs, people were noticing but couldn't quite put their finger on it, new haircut, outfit... other then those who knew about the band. But now these last 5 lbs I have more people noticing then ever before. I wonder if maybe I've went from looking fat to looking normal and suddenly they notice. Although these last 5 lbs have been alot harder to get off I've had alot more people notice them. Then again I think its probably bc I'm wearing clothes that actually fit me instead of clothes that were hanging on me. And speaking of clothes... I HAVE NONE!! I'm such a tightwad - going to that shower yesterday, I ended up wearing jeans and a sweater bc nothing fits. OR I had a cute outfit on that my neice gave me and didnt' have shoes to go with it - grrrrrr its so irritating. I have a pile of clothes to hang up bc nothing fit, then I think why should I even bother, I should just throw them all in a bag and give to the goodwill. Then I'd really be SOL bc I'd really have nothing to wear. And like I said I'm such a tightwad, I don't want to buy more clothes when I KNOW I'm going to lose more weight - who woulda thunk it - Steph without a smaller size in the closet?

I deleted my before pic - its so hard to look at - ugh!

I don't know if I need to resize this, its been a long time since I attached a pic Me in the bathroom at work, taken with my phone - so its not the best quality.

Boo - WOW - it doesn't look like the same person! You look great! I know you'll miss the girls but honestly I just read that by having a breast reduction it makes you look about 10 or 20 lbs thinner. Not that you don't already look thin, you look fabulous but I don't think you'll be disappointed in a C.

ok I was just looking at the yahoo pics - Annie... Nat ... you look WONDERFUL!!! So proud of you!! Nat I want to take that little guy and eat him up!!! He makes me grind my teeth, so darn cute!!! I guess I need to post some pics. Maybe I'll take a couple tongiht.

Hey Girlfriends! Everyone had a nice weekend? Sweethot - girl I am as green with envy as one can be! All those trips sound wonderful!!! I think I need to SB it too - I'm still losing, slowly one small pound at a time, I think at this rate I'll hit my goal in May 08, so if could do SB for a week or so and lose 10 lbs - wow - I'd be thrilled! Nat - I know what you're talking about with the body image. Sometimes I feel like I'm rocking it and other times I still feel morbidly obese. I don't see collar bones yet but something else, verrrrrrrrry weird. Laying in bed the other night I could feel something below my boobs and I'm thinking what is that? is it my band? Why do I feel a lump there, I kept feeling around and suddenly realized it was my ribs. How crazy is that!! Long time since I've felt bones. My dh used to count my ribs - yeah about 30 years ago! The other night in bed he was feeling all over and he kept going back to my hip bone, he was probably thinking the same thing, what the heck is that, omgoodness its a bone! HA! Kay - where was I a year ago? I was anxiously awaiting approval of my band. My last dr appt was Oct 11, and I was approved Nov 11 and had surgery Dec 11. BUT as far as food went - I saw myself in my sil yesterday. She is in her 4th month of dr visits so looks like she'll be having surgery somewhere in Jan/Feb. Anyway we were at a baby shower and of course there was a TON of food. I won't lie, I took alittle of this a little of that. Mostly desserts bc everything was pasta. I felt like I had so much, a tbls of potato salad, a T of broccoli salad, a couple celery sticks, and a T of several jello/cheesecake/fattening/yummy desserts - earlier in the day I ate 3 chicken nuggets - I was kinda thinking 'Steph you're pigging out today' - And then I saw my sil's plate. She had at least a cup or more of each pasta, her plate was piled - and she ate every bite. THAT was me a year ago. I even had said to her that everything was so good and I'd really like to eat more but my band says no and she said that sounds like a bad thing but really its a good thing. I said yes it is and then of course we got onto the whole band experience. I warned her that she wasn't going to be able to eat pasta after the band, she looked at me like :omg: - have we all been there before? LOL Anyway - thats where I was. I was 57 lbs heavier, I was several pants sizes bigger, I had grown out of my 16's but was wearing sweat pants and stretch pants bc I was determined not to get any bigger - as if I fooled anyone. Today although I'm not at goal and I'm not completely happy with my body I am HAPPY, I am smaller then I ever remember being in over 10 years and I'm not done yet. NSV - Pulled out my winter coats, they are all huge and sloppy on me, so while dd was home from college I tried on her peacoat - IT FIT - not sure if its a M or L but it looks great on me! So she gave it to me and bought herself a new one. It just blows my mind when I can fit into my daughters clothes.

How about the biscuits in the can? You can pop them out, flatten alittle and bake then top with your pizza stuff.

hello all! I've been wondering if I'm too tight but decided I'm just making some WRONG food choices. I was doing really well when I would skip breakfast - or eat a banana - then a frozen dinner for lunch and whatever for supper. But its when I try to eat breakfast that I get sick, I think its bc I just can't tolerate the 'typical' bk foods, breads, cereals, eggs. I definitely loosen up in the evenings. I got on the scale this morning and I was down a pound - woohoo. I cherish each and every pound gone. (As slow as it may be) Sweethot - I know how you feel about that smaller size and I don't know how you can do the southbeach diet - I suck at carb counting. I dont' think of myself as a big carb eater but even when I'm watching it I eat way too many carbs. Kay how'd the fill go? I know it's hard to tell when you're in the liquid/mushie phase - keep us posted. Bman - hon - don't fret about the plateau - you are a monster on the machines and probably just building muscle.

hi all! LaFS did I read you are near Bedford? I live up the mountain from you - just past the ship hotel on rt 30 at Reels Corner. We're neighbors! Sounds like you're doing good - did I understand you had your surgery in Colo? If you would like to come to our support group - Dr Marley (and yes I'm in love with him too) - we have it on the 3rd tuesday of the month. Its so good and everyone is so nice, we'd love to have you join us. PLNJC - Did you get my email? If you ever want to talk just email me, it was good to hear from you.

Hey Jill so good to hear from you!!! You're doing GREAT, over 50 lbs is great. I think I'm a slow loser too but its slow and steady and I'm ok with that. Boo - wtg on the 10's!!! Thats exactly how I was feeling when I tried on a 12, I didn't think they would go up over my leg and when they did I flipped out! I gave my neice most of my 14's but kept a couple pairs of work pants just bc I have nothing else. Well I put on a pair of slacks today and thought wow these are comfy and went to work. I just went to the restroom and theres a full length mirror on the door, I did a turn and went omg! These slacks are hanging on me. Bman - girl.. you are looking hot! size 4 - unreal!!! You look maaaaaaaaavolus! Va - good luck on the interviews hon. You know when my son was a senior I started crying, I cried for months until I finally went on Effexor - it was just so hard for me having my kids grow up - I guess I've come to terms with it now but I still have rough moments. Did I tell you how I took a pic of my youngest on the first day of school - her senior year? LOL She said MOM! I'm not in kindergarten and I said I know but I'll never have another first day of school - for my own kids - again. I'm a sap. Nat - good to hear you doing so well - you sound happy. I can't wait to see your pics. I've been sick everyday now for the past 3 days - 2 nights ago I ate eggs benedict and puked all night - blamed it on the eggs or toast - yesterday stupid me ate a english muffin with p.butte - puked for 2 hours - today I ate a very small - maybe a half - peice of french toast - puking and hurting again! Am I just STUPID!!! NO BREAD STEPH!!! Good grief I'm freeking miserable!!

LOL - so sorry! I sent it to my pastor and he wrote back "I think I peed my pants" LOL I was afraid to send it to my mom - I really thought she may have a heart attack.

Good morning lovely ladies! Va - I have you on my mind, how's things? BK? Are you moved in yet? Its exciting to get a new house. Kay - you'll feel so much better when you get that fill - and its not been a waste. Claudia - hola chickie! Sweethot - I know how you feel about having cake in the house. When my dd was home I baked her a carrot cake, its her favorite and she wasn't home for her birthday so ... I ate a piece and there it sits on my counter waiting to be thrown away. Its so weird now at my house, food just isn't a priority anymore. Speaking of how we view food. I saw a French lady on Oprah a while ago. She was talking about how they aren't fat in France bc they make eating an occasion everytime. They don't just shove food into there mouths but instead savor the whole experience. She has a book out but I don't remember it right now. Anyway - since my family has changed we are kinda like this - especially since my youngest loves the food network and cooking, we make dinner fun. Food for thought. Nat - come on back. We've missed you. Boo - how do you feel about down sizing the boobies? Is this something you have always wanted to do? http://jr-computers.com/ghost/ Since its that time of year I thought you'd like a good ghost story - click on the link and read about it. Have a good day!

Me too! Thats exactly how I feel - we went to Bermuda and climbed a lighthouse - something I've always wanted to do - I was fine going up the stairs, then when we got out to the walkway - I couldn't do it. My husband the ironworker - walked all the way around it, another man there was leaning against the railing and said I figure its been here for this long its safe, I said thats exactly why I would never lean on it, who knows how safe it may be!! Makes me kinda sick thinking about it now. My son is terrified of spiders - and he's been bite a 2 or 3 times. He just said the other day that millions of people have no fear of spiders and have never been bit and yet here he is with this fear and has gotten bit twice! Whats the odds of that? Snakes are 2nd for me - even if I run one over with the car I'm freaked out. My husband has claustraphobia - he can't do elevators so when we go to a hotel he always requests the bottom 2 floors. So we take the stairs where ever we go - needless to say we don't live in a city. I figure as long as he doesn't expect me to hot air balloon with him I won't expect him to ride the elevator with me.

Nat - that was for an iced latte - the hot latte is 150 calories.

Annie have fun - but be careful! I'm sure you're an excellent driver - enjoy! Nat - the soy latte? CalorieKing.com.au - Food Data. Nutrition information about your favourite food. fat, fibre, protein and more 120 calories?

:kiss2: kisses Natster!!! I had a good weekend, my daughter has been home from college so thats been great! We figured it had been Christmas the last time she was home for more then one night. She has been so stressed and really enjoyed being home - she leaves tonight. We went to a wedding on Sat. it was good, we left before the real partying began - I did not overeat at all - the food wasn't the greatest so it wasn't a problem. Then we went to to her boyfriends house on Sunday for dinner. His mom made this whole big thanksgiving dinner - ugh! I was so afraid of pb'ing that I took the teeniest amounts I could get away with and all was well. I told Raquel that I'd be so humilated if I had to excuse myself to go throw up - so I was actually hungry when we got home. LOL - OH I forgot, my son and his wife came over for dinner on Friday evening. It started out to be 11 people but things got changed around and it ended up being just him, dil, dd and me. But we had such a good time. Theres been alot of tension between my two oldest kids for about 3 years and on Friday it felt like old times. When my daughter broke up with her bf before she went to college my son took his side and so that hurt her, then when ds got married they didnt' have either of his sisters in the wedding, more hurt feelings, so it was just so good to see them laughing together again. I guess time heals. This was so hard on me, they are only 20 months apart and they were always so close, from when they were little and played together to teen years when they hung out with the same crowd - he dated her friends, her his friends - and then they suddenly hate each other, can't hardly be in the same room together - it was terrible but Friday was wonderful - just us laughing and having a good time. Boo - I'm glad you and dh had a good talk. Sometimes it takes something like that to make them open their eyes. I hope he really does work at it. Nat - good for you! How's the little guy? How's your love life? Still seeing the guy? And whats up with your job, didn't you get new management or something? Bk - Did you get moved in? I know its alot of work. I'm still slowly losing - I don't feel so obsessed with the weight issue and it seems to still be slowly moving down. The oddest thing is that these last 5 lbs that I've lost it seems that more people have noticed then the first 30 that I lost. Maybe its bc I'm wearing smaller clothes so they fit better and people can see my shape better? Went to church yesterday and I got into a skirt that I wore 10 years ago - and a blouse that I couldnt' get buttoned just in May. I felt really good. I realized yesterday that I don't feel FAT anymore. I still feel overweight and know I don't look as good as I want to but I don't feel obese now. Have a good Monday girls - love ya!

Ok I'm definitly in the wrong line of work - what the heck do you do for a living? WOW - nice car and wtg with the race!!!

Annie Banannie was racing - I wonder how she did. Nat - sweetie I've missed you! Horribly busy day at work today so just a quick hi ya'll!

Hello my beautiful lovely ladies!!! I love ya all! I have to laugh at how alike and unalike we are. Compliments? I walked down to the cooler today and the beer guy was delievering - he said holy cow Steph you've lost some weight!!! I didn't play it down - I twirled around with my arms spread wide and said thank you my dear, I just bought a size 12 dress today!!! LOL I hammed it up to the max!!! Although there are some people who I would just reply thank you, I'm working on it. But then there are so many others that I beam from ear to ear and say oh yeah I'm working it! Speaking of dresses - Boo you hot mama!! DH is bound to be jealous!!! I was just astounded that I could put on a 12! I don't think a 10 would've went around my boobs, my dd was with and she was a little concerned about the cleavage. Ha- not used to seeing her mama looking like a woman. Bman - I think you should call that prosecuters office and talk to him, I think the whole thing could be dropped and then you wouldn't have to pay the lawyers fees. But I'm sure you'll do what you think is best. NAT!! What is this I hear? You're a lurker!!! Shame on you - we're here missing you and you can't even say hi? Seriously miss you lovey. Caud - good for you! Hey a pound is a pound and we all know they add up. Scales - Sweet I had gotten a little ocd with the scale too - THEN I went out and bought a digital and the dang thing read 4 lbs more then the other scale so then I started to avoid the scale (it scared the pee outta me) BUT that evil heavy scale was sweet to me this morning and told me I was weighing 179! So I jumped on the old trusty scale and she told me I was 175 - oh yeah mamas happy. BTW - your scale isn't really hid if you put it there Sweet and Kay - love your pics!! You're both looking hot! The kids are cute! Are they in school, learning German? Work is slightly better - I took the morning off and went with my dd shopping, came back and it was all waiting for me - oh well, it was fun for a few. Tomorrow is a killer but then its the WEEKEND!!!! Love ya ladies

Hi Kaydoll!!! I was so happy to see your back!!! I think I have 7.5cc in a 10 cc band, my dr does the larger bands. I feel good about my restriction, I can eat a healthy choice or smart ones meal and be STUFFED - in fact I usually can't finish a whole one. Last night was horrible, my sweet daughter made chicken cordon bleu and green bean almondine, yummy but I ate the green beans and I don't think I chewed well enough (when I was in the taste testing) then I took 1/2 a peice of chicken, cut it up nice and small and ate about 3 bites when I got stuck - the omgoodness whats happening to me stuck - needless to say I was puking all evening and miserable. Finally the last time I threw up I got a chunk of almond out, so I think it all fell back to the fact that I didn't chew it well enough. As long as a take my time and chew really good I'm fine and I love my fill. I have to admit I haven't lost anything this past week, TOM is to blame and the fact that I didn't get in 4 miles of walking at all, I was lucky to get in 2/day. BUT huge nsv for me, while digging thro dd closet (the older one) I found some 12's and a 10, I held up the 10 and said .. hmmmm... slid those suckers right on and I'm happy to say I'm wearing a pair of my 21 y/o daughters corderoy pants to work today and they are a flipping size 10!!! oh yeah I'm rocking this fill!!! Maurdan - I hope you're feeling better with this unfill - and wtg with the exercise - you're doing great!!! Bman - have you found anything else out about the ticket? Attorney? I still think it sounds like a screw up somehow. I'm thinking of you, praying for you, all will be well.

Bman - hon it sounds like a mistake to me. I'm sure you'll get it all straightened out. Sucks to have it hanging around tho. Boo - you look great! I love the dress! I hope you had a wonderful time. Nikki - good to hear from you, I'm hoping you have that pink shopping spree. Bandiva - WOW girl you are doing wonderful!!! - so tell us about the obstruction, thats one we haven't covered here yet. Well ladies its the first of the month - one more month to put up with the bs here at work and then we are closed for the season!!! woohoo - today is a busy day for me so I guess I better get to work. Love ya all - you are my inspiration!!!

Survivor is my FAVORITE show, as much as I love BB and Amazing Race they don't come close to Survivor. Tonights the night, how many of you will be watching?