At Goal after 9 months

Dear Anna: Thanks for your friendship... you are really an inspiration too... wishing the best for you God Bless you and your family... Alejandro from Guadalajara Mexico

Alex, You know how proud of you I am....for what you have accomplished and achieved, not just with your weight loss but in every endeavor, and in all aspects of adversity. You are a wonderful inspiration to me and all who are blessed to know you! Always, Chele

Hey Chickie, I am totally hijacking Alex's post. You look GREAT in your picture! 108 pounds is awesome. You must be feeling as good as you look. So much for you thinking you were a slow loser - wow girl - congrats on your success so far! I hope you stop by the board more often or send me an email some. God Bless! Jen

HIJACK!! That's so nice of you, Jen. My life has been in havoc since my mother (61) fell down a flight of 18 stairs in her home and was not expected to survive that evening in the middle of August. I left immediately as she was life flighted to a larger hospital in Cleveland ...the number one Trauma Center there, arriving about 4.5 hours later from MI. I was there while she was in ICU in a coma and vent for two weeks, away from my family. She was then transferred the Rehab Dept for TBI (traumatic brain injury) where she had been since last week. She is home now but needs constant supervision and care, which my father isn't exactly ensuring ( more stress for me). I mention all of this because while I was stuck around 197 for the longest time, the sheer adrenaline and stress one experiences in such a tragedy results in weight loss.. After the first two weeks when I arrived home I was down 10lbs. I live half of my life in Ohio at my parent's home and half here in MI as a result of this situation. As you know, I do have 5 children of my own including toddler twins so this has not been an easy feat for me in the least. I am usually in Ohio Wed night through Sunday night and the rest of the time here at home in MI. This plan will continue indefinitely as my mother is now permanently disabled and I do everything I possibly can for them. Still, I am burned out. I do what I can...vitamins (multi/B12), make the attempt at protein drinks (premade Muscle Milk as I didn't want to deal with mixing on the road and in the hospital) but I have no appetite. I never get enough fluids in (it's difficult between meetings and other appointments) and am on my third UTI/antibiotic in two months. I work out/run nearly every day cardio and weight training/resistance which helps. I am now in a misses size small sweater and my 8's are getting bigger. I don't care about the weight as much as I did because I know a LOT is muscle. I am well balanced physically and feel really wonderful when I am not completely stressed or exhausted (which is never lol) As long as I am healthy enough to keep up the schedule I am currently having to endure, then that is acceptable to me. The exercise helps me tremendously in that department, not to mention it is a great stress reliever....and Lord knows I need that now. Now back to Alex's post. lol sorry Alex. Chele

Dear Chele... You know that you have been a constant source of support and frindship to me... I really am thankful to have you close to me... I hope to support you in the same way you have supported me... My life starts to change and much of it is thanks to the change of life that we all have dicided to have... because it is not just a physical change... it comes with mind and spirtual changes too... it is a matter of taking the right decitions and take life under our own control... there is always a way out... God always allows a window open when all the doors seem to be closed... God Bless you always... Alejandro from Guadalajara Mexico

Chele!! It is SO great to see you on the board!!! You look fantastic!!! Love and hugs, Jersey

Jersey Mom, Thanks so much! It's nice to be back, if only but a brief moment. Chele

Hello Alejandro, Wow your profile is amazing with the pictures and everything. You look really handsome and thin and your have a beautiful family. Guadalajara looks really pretty. I flew into the airport there years ago but didn't have a chance to visit the city. That was so nice that you wre able to visit with Chele. Congratulations on making goal weight! Keep up the good work and I always look forward to your posts as they are so encouraging. Karen S.

Dear Karen: Thank you for the kind words... I feel soooo fine now... it seems like life is starting again with me... I hope the change will be positive with all of us... I have seen the profile of several of us... and looks like we really are changing not just physically... I love that... Best Regards Alejandro from Guadalajara Mexico

Congratulations, You have alot to be proud of. How great that you got to meet Chele. I am jealous. When I was working I used to be up in the Detroit area every month. I went to Auburn Hills which is not far from where Chele lives. I will keep you close in my thoughts regarding your work situation. I know that it will all work out well for you Take good care of yourself. Sending many hugs, Ronna