I'm here to help...

[Apples2 19]

Great...yes, your thoughts DO make sense. We are all on this journey together but have individual struggles. It's not different with accepting the body you end up with. If you are willing to go through the expense of fixing what you want fixed and spending the $$$ to do so...go for it. But, if not, then a certain acceptance has to be put in place and somehow be at peace with what God has given us and just deal. It's tough to get to the place but it is so worth it to work on getting there and letting certain things go.

One person's goal may not be anothers...even if they are at the same height and build. Just so many factors come into play. And, I learned a long time ago that the grass is NEVER greener on the other side of the fence. I have always liked my side of the fence. We should all strive to finally make the statement "I love who I am and I'm OK with the body I have". Some things we just have to accept and move on. And, it sounds like you are doing just that. Accept the fact that you gained, do what it takes to be where you want to be once again, learn from it and be at peace with yourself again. (Not a lecture....just proud of you for realizing what you have). OK...down off the soap box and out the door. My truck is running and dog is waiting for mom.

Yes, my boys are close, Lori. Growing up on the farm, they were all they had and had great times together. Smacked each other once in awhile, called each other idiot but all in all, good friends.

[Great2BThin 5]

Thanks Apples, you are much more gifted in words than me. I grew up with nothing ever being 'good enough' that I always felt someone or something else was better. It's taken me a long time to come to acceptance that I am who I am and how God made me and be good with that. Unless of course I win the lottery (kind of hard though with UT and being one of only 2 states without a lottery) and decide to get my legs done. LOL Heck even with my extra 15 lbs it's not the extra 126 I had and it will come off.

My kids are close too, we moved a lot so they had to rely on each other a lot. They fought some but are super close now, I like seeing that. Does a mother's heart good.

[llkb4me 1]

Lori,

Love the analogy. I'll take my grass.

Utah is in the Mega Millions and Power ball with many other states. I bought tickets there on my way thru.

LauraK

[Great2BThin 5]

Lori,

Love the analogy. I'll take my grass.

Utah is in the Mega Millions and Power ball with many other states. I bought tickets there on my way thru.

LauraK

Really? I thought I read they had no lottery. HMMMM maybe my legs have a chance! LOL

[llkb4me 1]

Yep, just my luck I didn't win. Checked my tickets online when I got back

[IndioGirl55 32]

Ah Janet so sorry about having to give up the dog, but so happy he found a good home with a playmate as well. Sounds like it was the best for both you and the dog though.

Thanks Great – Yep it was the best thing but as we all know doing the right thing is hard sometime – last night Andrew said do you think he’s missing us.. I’m still teary eyed about it today..

Janet...it IS a sad day. Never easy to give a dog away but common sense told you it was necessary. We had to do that once. We live close to a paved road that has lots of grain hauling semis on it. We had two black lab puppies. Went to town and when I got home I found DH holding the male dog and crying really hard. I thought one of his parents or siblings died. The female got hit by a truck and he felt so bad cuz he was supposed to watch them and he loved that dog. I never wanted to have another after that. So tough to see him cry like that. Well, we did get another and he was so trainable with everything. Some dogs are easy...some not so much. We gave the dog to someone we knew so we could check in on him once in awhile. That really helped and reaffirmed that we did the right thing.

I am very sorry you and Andrew are having such a tough time. You did what you needed to do. Hugs.

Great...thanks for the multi-quote info. We'll see how it goes....or maybe not.

Aha....let the junking begin!

Thanks, Great...Janet is going to get after you for sharing your info with me

OMG – Great why did you tell her :0) lol – Thanks Apples – yep it’s the best thing all around – but my heart is so sad even today..

OMG, no! don't teach Apples to multi! She multi tasks enough at home! LOL.

On a serious note... HUGS Janet, can only imagine how hard that was. Reinforces my puppy wanting phase is just a phase. My other friend who rescued the 3 week old puppy after the mom wouldn't care for it... she is a WRECK these days. Bottle fed for a few weeks, no sleep, no life, now he's eating wet food but poop and pee EVERYWHERE. I defiinitely don't have the patience for that. I'd rather be ignored by my cats. Of course every once in a while they comes and give me the love I need. (on their terms)

Apples~ We leave Friday. OMG OMG OMG. I am so excited! I haven't been this excited in a long time for a trip. We have lots of fun things planned. The fast train to London, lunch in the Eiffel tower, boat tour, dinner at the REAL Ratatouille restaurant (if you saw the movie). Nelson will likely not eat anything but the bread...LOL... but we still want to go for the experience. It is all classical french food. Hey, he might surprise us! He won't eat escargot I am sure!

Judy~ Holy cracking me up! Your story of Paris! ha ha. I agree with the others about the comment. Just that... healthy. I will say I took offense once to one of my doctor's history and physical reports when he wrote I was "well nourished"!

Lori~ I am still just smiling since hearing your news! It's the only baby smiley I could find quickly. : )

ok.. gotta pack lunch for the happy camper and get outta here. love you guys! will CBL and write more!!!!!!!!!!!!! peas

Laura Thanks !!! Yep animals take a lot of work and there is a big diff between little dogs and big dogs… Little dogs can tear up stuff but not the amount of damage a big dog can do..

Have a great time in Paris & London – You are so blessed… They have McDonalds lol he won’t starve ;0) – Don’t tell him what it is – just have him taste it – I love escargot !!! Have some for me too :0)

I think you are right. I take FM medication and bp medication. The dr told me the bp med I am on causes weight gain. I have been counting my calories and Protein, but I haven't been monitoring my carbs. I need to go back and stay under 50 carbs a day like my shake diet. I forgot that you eat a lot of calories to maintain. We all have different metabolisms. I will probably buy the Optifast products today to supplement my new food diet. I don't think I am ready for a totally food diet.

Great, thanks for the carb reminder!

Janet, thanks for the pep talk!

Apples, you and the gang keep me in check . Thanks for letting me vent.

Okay, I walked.......gotta go shower.....go to nutrition class.....weigh.....babysit. Will check in later! HUGS!

Charlene – Hugs – IMHO Dr Janet’s – The shakes were good for a minute – but you have to re-learn how to eat and what to eat – You can’t live on shakes and 1 meal a day.

You have to learn to eat real food that you enjoy – Remember this is a lifetime lifestyle change not a diet (shakes were a diet imho) – and yes eventually your body is going to crave veggies and meat more than carbs – You can still have them but not every meal – limited quantities – Since this last fill in January I really have been watching – were I use to have rice every night w/dinner - now a days I may have some sort of starch w/dinner maybe 3 days a week – I am usually full after my meat & veggies and don’t think I don’t want I do – but I have been easily maintaining my weight since January and that feels really good.

You do have control – you just have to realize it – you are not helpless – food is not stronger than you. It’s not a living thing that imposes it’s will on use – it just food – it can’t control you.. I believe that we do have to give ourselves credit for being stronger than food – we give food it’s power over us – so it’s in our power to take it away !!! To take back our lives !!!!!

That book women food and god – sounds really good – Oprah made a statement on Monday that made a lot of sense to me – you know when something happens like stress and we good looking for food – thinking that handful of almonds is going to fix it – ya the chemical reaction does seem to calm us (our drug of choice) we avoid our feelings – what’s wrong with feeling stressed – tired – sad. Those are all real emotions – and we need to learn to accept them and deal w/them and quit trying to avoiding them – we need to quit trying to self medicate w/food..

Oprah made the comment – Oh I’m not stress – I don’t have stress in my life – but then she realized that every time she did she self medicated w/food – even healthy foods (almonds) but as we all know too much of a good thing is just as bad as too much of a bad thing :0)

This is a journey and we have a lot of things to work thru – it’s not an easy trip – a lot of soul searching is needed and that’s hard at time – we don’t want to deal w/our issues – we would rather eat them away…

Judy, So funny the comments on Paris. Loved that story. Have fun with the new BF, who cares how old if you are having a good time together.

Laura, Have fun in Paris, love the Halloween pic of Nels.

Janet, so sorry on having to give Rider away.

Yeah I tend to lead with my heart too. Trying to be cautious. We have a lot of talking to do and I won't be satisfied til it's all out there. That was part of our problem, he is one that thinks it's not a problem if you don't talk about it. Oh is that going to change.

Have a great day!

Laurak

Thanks LauraK – Yep from what you have posted you and I are a lot alike in the heart depart etc – I know that it will over power my head – I know this now – I know I ignored things w/xdh – You will never change him and that’s the part that we all have to accept w/our relationships -

No BF!!!!

No BF!!!!

Judy – he doesn’t have to be BF – Hell just enjoy his company if you like him

Ok.. Confession is good for the soul.I was on my way to the gym and stopped to get a mani/pedi instead! It's the only day I have time. Tomorrow dh is on call and I have hair (get younger) in the a.m.. I couldn't go to France with my peasant feet (cracked from wearing flipflops). I have been good w exercise last week or so- but today and tom will be out. Can't sweat after having hair done! Right? Phew, feeling better. Thanks for listening. Laura

Laura – LOL ya sometimes life gets in the way..

Laura...have the best trip ever. Get Nels a little daily (dated) journal so that he can keep notes and jot down his own thoughts on the trips. Gives him something to do and something to look back on when he is older. We did that with our boys on our trips and we get such a kick today reading what they wrote.

Eat some escargot for me. Do a toast to all of us and just have a great time. Hope you will have many photos to share. Safe travels.

Just popping on to say "Bye-Bye". Heading out to have some family fun time. You all have a great week. Talk to you Tuesday (if not Monday night). Take care....sending the love.

Have a wonderful weekend Karen !!!!

Good morning. DH comes home today! Wish I would've went with him they had an awesome hotel in San Francisco and the weather was perfect he said.

Laura, sounds good to me about the pedicure. LOL I'd take a pedicure over the gym anyday. Then again I'd take about anything over the gym except maybe the dentist.

Apples, have a great time at the lake. Enjoy both those boys being home. Are they close? Have they been hanging out a lot with them both there?

Well I sortta had a light bulb moment last night. It started out when I was typing my post to Arlene about Apples and her struggle to maintain with more calories. You know the grass is always greener type thing. I'd think I'd trade places with her any day, then I read how she sometimes gets up in the night just to get some calories in and has to really schedule her eating. Then I remember when I was 305 lbs and would hear folks at Weight Watchers or something say how losing the weight is the easy part, maintaining is the hard part. I'd think the same type things and actually in my mind (ok this is the not so nice part of me) would think only a fool would get to goal weight and think it was hard and gain any weight back after that struggle. Well here I am, was at goal for a year and now have 15 lbs or so to take off again, who's the fool now in that line of thinking? The thing is, it is all hard, and we all need to take care of our own grass that we've been given and quit wishing for someone else's greener grass. they are working just as hard to maintain their grass as we are at our's if that makes sense. Even folks without weight problems have their own issues and think someone else has it easier than they do or they aren't happy with their bodies, etc. So it's time to accept myself as I am and stop thinking others have it easier or better, they may or may not, and make the best of what I have. Who knows while we are thinking someone else's grass is greener they may be thinking the same about us. Hope that makes sense if not ignore it was theraputic for me just to get out there.

Great – Very well said – I was always afraid of goal weight – getting there was the easy part – but the mental anguish of staying here has been hard – and all those talks w/Idrise has helped me – I am the one who’s making the choices – I do have the power – I can do this – I have been doing this – and just cuz I have chocolate every now and then doesn’t mean I am going to go back to being 250 - it’s all head games – and we do have to have a healthy dose of fear – the operative word is healthy. You can and will do this – you will get those 15 lbs off – I have no doubt – you have gone threw some stress in the last few months – Love yourself for who you are – you are human and we make mistakes – but we can change those mistakes.

Great...yes, your thoughts DO make sense. We are all on this journey together but have individual struggles. It's not different with accepting the body you end up with. If you are willing to go through the expense of fixing what you want fixed and spending the $$$ to do so...go for it. But, if not, then a certain acceptance has to be put in place and somehow be at peace with what God has given us and just deal. It's tough to get to the place but it is so worth it to work on getting there and letting certain things go.

One person's goal may not be anothers...even if they are at the same height and build. Just so many factors come into play. And, I learned a long time ago that the grass is NEVER greener on the other side of the fence. I have always liked my side of the fence. We should all strive to finally make the statement "I love who I am and I'm OK with the body I have". Some things we just have to accept and move on. And, it sounds like you are doing just that. Accept the fact that you gained, do what it takes to be where you want to be once again, learn from it and be at peace with yourself again. (Not a lecture....just proud of you for realizing what you have). OK...down off the soap box and out the door. My truck is running and dog is waiting for mom.

Yes, my boys are close, Lori. Growing up on the farm, they were all they had and had great times together. Smacked each other once in awhile, called each other idiot but all in all, good friends.

Yep girl – we all need love smacks :0)

Well gang I need to get to work – it’s almost 10 and I haven’t done anything – well 2 certificates – not in the mood to work – but it has to get done…

Cbl

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

whoa............. ditto everything Janet just said! That's what I have been wanting to write! Hit the nail on the head with everything. All the comments to everyone and all! I saw that Oprah and it was an ahh--haa moment statement! So true.

ok.. my new luggage came from Amazon (free overnight shipping with Prime........... and 75% off the retail price!) It's Samsonite Spinner something. VERY light and got great reviews. My cats won't get out of it though. My 20 lb, 16 year old cat, Ricky makes the 28" suitcase look small! LOL..... he's just sooooooooooo big! Hmmmm... Need to get clothes in there before Nelson gets home from camp and realizes they have 4 wheels!

HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

It's POURING raining today and making it hard for me to get things done...... ughhhhhhhhhhhhh

[IndioGirl55 32]

whoa............. ditto everything Janet just said! That's what I have been wanting to write! Hit the nail on the head with everything. All the comments to everyone and all! I saw that Oprah and it was an ahh--haa moment statement! So true.

ok.. my new luggage came from Amazon (free overnight shipping with Prime........... and 75% off the retail price!) It's Samsonite Spinner something. VERY light and got great reviews. My cats won't get out of it though. My 20 lb, 16 year old cat, Ricky makes the 28" suitcase look small! LOL..... he's just sooooooooooo big! Hmmmm... Need to get clothes in there before Nelson gets home from camp and realizes they have 4 wheels!

HUGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

It's POURING raining today and making it hard for me to get things done...... ughhhhhhhhhhhhh

Laura

My stepmom had cats that big and furry too - WTG on the luggage !!!! Paris here you come :0)

[ifyourstomachoffendsyou 1]

JB--No bf! Fo shuh! My mom's 77. My Dad's 81. They both drive super slow and overly cautious. And some of their worst traits are coming back as their brains deteriorate. Actually, my Dad is diagnosed with early Alzheimer's and told my mother not to tell anyone so she kept the secret for a year until the Dr.s said he needed to restrict his driving and she needed to start watching him more closely. I'm totally exasperated with her suffering victim mentality and I'm really going to have to keep a lid on my own anger when he makes judgemental or bossy statements. I live the closest of the siblings and I'm the least able to deal with them. We've (my siblings and I) got an e-mail chain going with my mom on the various issues. My brother Scott's going to come out from Michigan and sit down with my dad and tell him we all know (officially anyway, we've known for some time that his memory is going so my mother's handwringing tearful announcement was no shock) and he's also going to talk to him and reinforce the Dr.'s driving restrictions.

Scott's the only one who's ever been able to tell my dad anything and get through to him. That's because he's a male and a Dr. and he doesn't get mad. He just laughs at my Dad and makes a joke.

Once he tells Dad we all know (which will, hopefully, keep Dad from getting mad at Mom) then I'm going to tell my children because they're all in the area and can help with phone calls and drop ins for wellness checks. My dad loves little kids and is at his best with them, so I'll ask them to start dropping in with my grandchildren.

The Dr (my Dad's) said arguing with my Dad was useless as he won't remember anyway, and, he'll get angry because his cognitive skills are declining and he won't be able to hold his own in an argument and will turn to anger.

So like my brother Scott commented, "It took four specialists and a ton of testing to let us know it doesn't do any good to argue with Dad." LOL. Snorted when I read that. We could have told them that.

Cheri

[ljv52 2]

Hi all.

Arlene, you and me will have to link our arms and stay strong cause we both have similar problems (fibromylgia) and I think you said you are short too (or am I confused?). We WILL win this battle, but we do have some special issues to deal with.

I have a true story about the grass is always greener -- I hope I'm not repeating myself if I shared this before, please forgive me for the repeat. I have a friend here who was completely drop dead gorgeous, successful and married to a handsome and successful man -- they had moved back to Iowa after living in Vegas for many years and appeared to have the world by the tail - they traveled the world -- she would fly to NYC just to "shop" and they had a gorgeous home and bought new luxury cars every year. She seemed to have it "all" UNTIL one night in the middle of the night she got up to go potty. There was a cell phone on the bathroom counter and she head it "beep" with a message. She thought it was her phone as her and her DH had the same phones. Well, the text message she read was a love message (extremely detailed by the way) to her DH from another woman (someone she knew). Come to find out they had been having an affair for quite some time (later on her DH confessed that he hadn't really wanted a divorce as he didn't want to "lose" so much money and his GF didn't mind!)So at that moment, her life as she knew it was over -- it totally destroyed her and she's obsessed with revenge - she literally had to move to a different town (several hours away) because she couldn't control herself -- she would attack the woman at the mall, supermarket, etc. -- physically attack her (this is a very small town with a population of about 1400). She still talks about her ex constantly to the point where no one wants to be around her because we are so sick of hearing about it and want to her "move on". I will admit to you that I was one of the ones who was envious of her "before" -- I thought how wonderful her life was, etc.

LauraK, good luck with everything with your ex. I've always told my kids that "things happen for a reason" and I truly believe that. I had a very long relationship with someone that was on again/off again -- mostly "off" as he lived in Vegas and lived in Reno -- it didn't bother me at the time cause my DS was young and frankly, I wasn't interested in getting married while my DS was still at home so I let it go on forever. Well, after DS grew up, I wanted more and the BF said he did too, so I quit my job of 12 years and moved to Vegas to see where the relationship would go. Well, it didn't go anywhere. 18 months later we were still "friends with benefits" so to speak. I was so ready for marriage and he obviously was not. I was embarrased (because I had given up so much for this guy) and also terribly hurt. I spent so many nights sobbing into my pillow -- and then one night I met my current DH and our relationship moved at rocket ship speed - it reconfirmed for me that everything truly does happen for a reason - had I never moved to Vegas I would never have met my current DH and if I had wound up with guy No. 1 I wouldn't have met the man who truly loved me as I had always wished someone would love me. It's weird how things happen sometime, so you just never know. If you can just let it go with the flow or whatever the saying is.

Janet, as always, well said! Yes, my huge fear is going back to 245. I am so afraid that I over worry and over stress I think. I'm not enjoying this weight loss like I did last time I lost it -- I worry constantly about it. I think I really need some counseling about it - I obsess over it (as you all obviously know already).

So sorry about Ryder, hugs on that. That is tough, but you did the right thing. He probably wasn't happy being cooped up in a house either -- I've always had small dogs cause they're a better fit for me. At least someone took him that you know so you can see him and/or ask about him occasionally. Another good lesson for Andrew and a hard one too.

Lori, you also said it well -- I agree it seems almost harder being at goal than at the weight loss phase cause during weight loss we are constanly "rewarded" with weight loss where during maintence we don't see anything really happening. I was constantly excited and emotionally on a "high" every time I stepped on the scale when I was losing - now it's just ho hum. We need to get our "weight loss mojo" back some how. I think our trip to Vegas is helping a lot - makes me excited to think of meeting everyone!! Something to look forward to.

Laura, have a great time -- I loved the picture of "little Nelson" -- how precious he was -- and still is. You, your DH and Nelson all deserve to have a really fabulous time -- you've had so much on your plate this year -- please cut loose and have a blast!!

Well, girls, it's 98 degrees real temperature and 90 something humidity for a heat index of 112. Now that's miserable! Thank goodness for central air.

Apples, enjoy this week and weekend!

Cheri, sorry to hear about your DF. It's going to be tough to deal with all of that and your poor DM will have a tough time and need support as well. I think it's harder on those that aren't afflicted than on the afflicted.

Stay cool and I'll cbl. Love you all!!

Linda

[Charlene K 1]

Cheri......I am so sorry you dad has Alzheimer's. It sounds like you have a real loving family. Hopefully everyone will do their part in helping your parents.

Janet, You should have taught my nutrition class today. We talked about everything you wrote. I haven't gained or lost. I am having another metabolism test on Friday. This one is free.....Yay! My last test was a year ago. She wants to make sure the 1300 calories is still my resting rate. I am sure Dr. Davis will make an adjustment on my plan.

Great, you can get those stress lbs off. Yep, that grass is never greener than our own.

Apples, I guess you are gone, but you will be missed. Have fun with the kiddos!

Laura, I would love to buy a spinner. I will have to hint to DH that he needs a new suitcase.

[Great2BThin 5]

Good afternoon, I came to the computer to pay bills, but, alas, here I am. LOL Who wants to pay bills anyway? Kindda like the gym, it is just something that's got to be done though!

I have a similar 'grass is greener' type story, Linda. For me it was my sister. Growing up all I ever heard was (and I am using a different name not her real name) Sally was the 'perfect size, she can put anything on and it will look good on her' whereas, I got, 'you have to be really careful with what you wear and will always have to watch your weight'. Also, Sally is so graceful and I was the clumsy one. After marriage, Sally was so lucky to have a great career whereas I was 'stuck' at home with the kids (my choice btw). And Sally was so lucky to have a houseboat, boat, camper, fancy cars, etc. Sally even liked to rub it in and made comments about being around snot faced kids, etc. Don't get me wrong I never doubted my decision to have kids and stay at home, but comments like that made me feel like a 'frumpy housewife' which I was also called and continually asked 'don't you get bored'. Well over 10 yrs into her marriage in the middle of the night her doorbell rings. Her stands her husbands girlfriend, holding his baby. Needless to say her marraige ended as did another one and more relationships after. She ended up disowning me for 7 yrs because I 'was never there' for her and said in her last email that I had everything she ever wanted, it was her dream to be a stay at home mom and have kids. So while I was admiring her grass, she was insanely jealous of mine. Ironic, huh? She speaks to me now but we are not close, she is in her 50's, never had those kids and single. So even if someones grass looks green, you don't know what kind of weeds are growing in it. HMMM, maybe I've had sod on my mind too much this past week. LOL I'm constantly out watering it as it's so hot and dry. LOL

Linda, you are so right about being rewarded in the weight loss phase with the losses on the scale but not only that with all the comments from people about how much you are losing, how great you look etc. After being at goal for awhile that all stops, the scale stops and all your 'rewards' are gone. We just gotta come up with our own rewards for maintainance.

Cheri, my parents are in failing health as well and it's so tough. You know how they call us the sandwich generation as we have aging parents that need help and care as well as our own kids many times. When DD has her baby I will have 2 generations older than me and 2 younger, so does that make it a double decker? LOL It's so hard to bring these issues up to the parents, but you are so right that it does no good to argue.

Janet, preach it!!

Arlene, curious to hear if you metabo test changes.

[Charlene K 1]

Linda, yeah, this FM is a real nuisance. So is being SHORT! lol

[IndioGirl55 32]

JB--No bf! Fo shuh! My mom's 77. My Dad's 81. They both drive super slow and overly cautious. And some of their worst traits are coming back as their brains deteriorate. Actually, my Dad is diagnosed with early Alzheimer's and told my mother not to tell anyone so she kept the secret for a year until the Dr.s said he needed to restrict his driving and she needed to start watching him more closely. I'm totally exasperated with her suffering victim mentality and I'm really going to have to keep a lid on my own anger when he makes judgemental or bossy statements. I live the closest of the siblings and I'm the least able to deal with them. We've (my siblings and I) got an e-mail chain going with my mom on the various issues. My brother Scott's going to come out from Michigan and sit down with my dad and tell him we all know (officially anyway, we've known for some time that his memory is going so my mother's handwringing tearful announcement was no shock) and he's also going to talk to him and reinforce the Dr.'s driving restrictions.

Scott's the only one who's ever been able to tell my dad anything and get through to him. That's because he's a male and a Dr. and he doesn't get mad. He just laughs at my Dad and makes a joke.

Once he tells Dad we all know (which will, hopefully, keep Dad from getting mad at Mom) then I'm going to tell my children because they're all in the area and can help with phone calls and drop ins for wellness checks. My dad loves little kids and is at his best with them, so I'll ask them to start dropping in with my grandchildren.

The Dr (my Dad's) said arguing with my Dad was useless as he won't remember anyway, and, he'll get angry because his cognitive skills are declining and he won't be able to hold his own in an argument and will turn to anger.

So like my brother Scott commented, "It took four specialists and a ton of testing to let us know it doesn't do any good to argue with Dad." LOL. Snorted when I read that. We could have told them that.

Cheri

Hugs Cheri !!!! Tough situation !!! Hugs !!!

Hi all.

Arlene, you and me will have to link our arms and stay strong cause we both have similar problems (fibromylgia) and I think you said you are short too (or am I confused?). We WILL win this battle, but we do have some special issues to deal with.

I have a true story about the grass is always greener -- I hope I'm not repeating myself if I shared this before, please forgive me for the repeat. I have a friend here who was completely drop dead gorgeous, successful and married to a handsome and successful man -- they had moved back to Iowa after living in Vegas for many years and appeared to have the world by the tail - they traveled the world -- she would fly to NYC just to "shop" and they had a gorgeous home and bought new luxury cars every year. She seemed to have it "all" UNTIL one night in the middle of the night she got up to go potty. There was a cell phone on the bathroom counter and she head it "beep" with a message. She thought it was her phone as her and her DH had the same phones. Well, the text message she read was a love message (extremely detailed by the way) to her DH from another woman (someone she knew). Come to find out they had been having an affair for quite some time (later on her DH confessed that he hadn't really wanted a divorce as he didn't want to "lose" so much money and his GF didn't mind!)So at that moment, her life as she knew it was over -- it totally destroyed her and she's obsessed with revenge - she literally had to move to a different town (several hours away) because she couldn't control herself -- she would attack the woman at the mall, supermarket, etc. -- physically attack her (this is a very small town with a population of about 1400). She still talks about her ex constantly to the point where no one wants to be around her because we are so sick of hearing about it and want to her "move on". I will admit to you that I was one of the ones who was envious of her "before" -- I thought how wonderful her life was, etc.

LauraK, good luck with everything with your ex. I've always told my kids that "things happen for a reason" and I truly believe that. I had a very long relationship with someone that was on again/off again -- mostly "off" as he lived in Vegas and lived in Reno -- it didn't bother me at the time cause my DS was young and frankly, I wasn't interested in getting married while my DS was still at home so I let it go on forever. Well, after DS grew up, I wanted more and the BF said he did too, so I quit my job of 12 years and moved to Vegas to see where the relationship would go. Well, it didn't go anywhere. 18 months later we were still "friends with benefits" so to speak. I was so ready for marriage and he obviously was not. I was embarrased (because I had given up so much for this guy) and also terribly hurt. I spent so many nights sobbing into my pillow -- and then one night I met my current DH and our relationship moved at rocket ship speed - it reconfirmed for me that everything truly does happen for a reason - had I never moved to Vegas I would never have met my current DH and if I had wound up with guy No. 1 I wouldn't have met the man who truly loved me as I had always wished someone would love me. It's weird how things happen sometime, so you just never know. If you can just let it go with the flow or whatever the saying is.

Janet, as always, well said! Yes, my huge fear is going back to 245. I am so afraid that I over worry and over stress I think. I'm not enjoying this weight loss like I did last time I lost it -- I worry constantly about it. I think I really need some counseling about it - I obsess over it (as you all obviously know already).

So sorry about Ryder, hugs on that. That is tough, but you did the right thing. He probably wasn't happy being cooped up in a house either -- I've always had small dogs cause they're a better fit for me. At least someone took him that you know so you can see him and/or ask about him occasionally. Another good lesson for Andrew and a hard one too.

Lori, you also said it well -- I agree it seems almost harder being at goal than at the weight loss phase cause during weight loss we are constanly "rewarded" with weight loss where during maintence we don't see anything really happening. I was constantly excited and emotionally on a "high" every time I stepped on the scale when I was losing - now it's just ho hum. We need to get our "weight loss mojo" back some how. I think our trip to Vegas is helping a lot - makes me excited to think of meeting everyone!! Something to look forward to.

Laura, have a great time -- I loved the picture of "little Nelson" -- how precious he was -- and still is. You, your DH and Nelson all deserve to have a really fabulous time -- you've had so much on your plate this year -- please cut loose and have a blast!!

Well, girls, it's 98 degrees real temperature and 90 something humidity for a heat index of 112. Now that's miserable! Thank goodness for central air.

Apples, enjoy this week and weekend!

Cheri, sorry to hear about your DF. It's going to be tough to deal with all of that and your poor DM will have a tough time and need support as well. I think it's harder on those that aren't afflicted than on the afflicted.

Stay cool and I'll cbl. Love you all!!

Linda

Linda - love that story - so sad that she couldn't move on..

Yep I was where you are the 1st yr after losing the weight and then all the discusstions w/Idrise lately (you know the ones where I have been bitching about him) well if I let that wall down and really listen to him - I have been doing this I am making good choices - I am the one who chooses not to surround myself with junk - I am the one who chooses that Saturday is my treat day - I'm the one who chooses to go to the gym - I am the one who chose to start boot camp - I have changed... The diff now is that I have a healthy dose of fear - I am not wigging all the time if I have had a few Cookies - I am in control.. I have the power... So do you - relax and enjoy - you have changed your lifestyle - you understand that it's all about eating healthy with a few (planed treats) and exercise..

Maintaining is a process - just like making the lifestyle change

Cheri......I am so sorry you dad has Alzheimer's. It sounds like you have a real loving family. Hopefully everyone will do their part in helping your parents.

Janet, You should have taught my nutrition class today. We talked about everything you wrote. I haven't gained or lost. I am having another metabolism test on Friday. This one is free.....Yay! My last test was a year ago. She wants to make sure the 1300 calories is still my resting rate. I am sure Dr. Davis will make an adjustment on my plan.

Great, you can get those stress lbs off. Yep, that grass is never greener than our own.

Apples, I guess you are gone, but you will be missed. Have fun with the kiddos!

Laura, I would love to buy a spinner. I will have to hint to DH that he needs a new suitcase.

Charlene - Thanks :0) I know what has worked for me :0)

[Great2BThin 5]

Hey at least you shorties didn't always get sent to the back of the class, back of the line, back of the class photo, because you were too tall. LOL I had to hold on to DH when I met him in HS as I could wear my platform shoes (when they were in style the first time) and not be taller than him. LOL