HI EVERYONE!!!!!!!

I'm sorry I haven't been online lately. I actually haven't touched my computer much at all. I have been getting my rest, reading, sewing, and trying very hard to heal. I have had this brace on my back for over a month and I am dying to get the ok to have it off for good. But in all honesty, I know my back isn't ready. I did a major cleaning yesterday of my very neglected house and I needed 2 percecet, one muscle relaxant and a trazadone to help with the pain and sleep. Today, it is hurting. On a better note, it is so nice to be able to get online for a minute to see how you all are doing. You all seem to be doing so great. My weight loss has stopped! I was 193-195 before I broke my back and it is 195 today. I have lost nothing. I have also noticed I am grazing a lot more. On sugar free stuff, but I am grazing too much. I can't seem to stop right now. it is like the only thing that is keeping me sane. At least I haven't gained. Where are all of you in your journey? How much have you lost? I see guite a few have made it to the century mark. CONGRATUATIONS to all of you!!!!!!! Those of you who haven't, where are you? I have lost 80lbs. I feel like it is such a slow loss. Please people, someone tell me they are in the same boat so I don't feel so alone. At 8 1/2 months, That is only about 10lbs a month. I feel like a failure. I still have about 20-25 to go. I just stopped. Is it over already???? Joanne

Hi Joanne - sorry to hear that you're still in your brace and not feeling all that great. I have not hit the century mark yet either - I am holding at -92lbs. I now weigh 182, and would like to lose another 30 pounds. It's not over, but I noticed that I will be stuck at the same weight for 4-6 weeks, then all of a sudden, I will lose 10lbs in a week and a half. You are definatley not a failure if you only have between 20 and 25lbs to go - I think you are doing excellent, especially with all of the crap that has been thrown your way lately!! I give you a tremendous amount of credit! Keep up the good work and if you have to graze (we all do at certain times), just try to graze with foods that are not so bad. I personally have fallen victim to those evil little snicker bars that my husband thinks he is hiding in the refridgerator. Feel better!! Barb

That is too funny that he thinks they are hidden. I don't know about other "larger" people but I know me and if there is candy in the house, I know about it. I can sniff the suckers out!!!! When I want snickers, I have an oddessy protein bar. I eat the caramel nut one. It is almost like one but with the protein added. I have been doing so poorly on my protein and meds, and vitamins. I was doing great before all this. I have to start getting back to where I was. Congratulations on the 92 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh I wish I could say that. I have never been big into exercising but I did more than I do now with just everyday things. I hope that I can have a drop in weight again. It seems like it was an eternity ago. Thanks for the talk Honey. It really helps to know I am not alone. I figure I have another 2-4 weeks with the brace and then I can get back to normal. Can't wait. Joanne

Considering you broke your back, I'd say that's not too bad of a recovery time!! I too can sniff out any chocolate or candy in the house. I am like a bloodhound when it comes to candy. Sugar does not make me sick or dump, but I still try to limit what I eat. I am not as strict as most people when it comes to what I eat. I don't limit what I can or can't eat, because once I am in that frame of mind, I feel like I am on a restrictive diet and then all I want to do is cheat! That's why regular diets never worked for me. But I know that if I can have it, I probably will make a better decision because the point is, that I have the option. I'm rambling.... Anyway, don't let the numbers on the scale get to you. I look at it this way - I may not be in the century club, but I have gone from a size 28 to a 14 (I can fit into a size twelve as long as I can hold my breath). That is really what matters to me, not so much the number. I am sure that you are looking fabulous!! Keep up the good work and remember - you are definatley NOT alone - you and I have been on pretty much the same track since day one... Barb

Before the brace, I could wear some 12's in pants. Now it has to be 14's to make up for the bulk. But in shirts, I wear a med (8-10) for most, some a 12. I just need to start focusing again. I know this site helped me tremendously. I need to get back to it. I HATE that I can eat all the time. I HATE that I am relying on food again for comfort. it seems to be my best friend now when I am worried, bored, or scared. Food is like a wolf in sheep's clothing. You think it is your friend and in actuality it is your enemy. I have to try to kick that wolf to the curb. I got my hair cut short to help with my overall view of myself. I like it this way better. I am not losing hair anymore...finally. But I don't see the regrowth yet either. My hair is naturally thin as it is. Ugh. After this brace comes off, I'll have another pic taken. Then maybe I will see some success. Joanne

Hello Joanne, I am in the same boat as you; I have lost about the same amount of weight (83 pounds). I also have about 25 pounds until I reach my surgeons goal of 202 pounds. My own goal is to reach 180 pounds. I need to hit the gym everyday like I was doing pre-op but just have a hard time finding the right motivation to get there at all. I look at all the people who have made it to the century club and feel like I will never get there, but then I remember my highest weight was 320 pounds last year and I am now 224. So I guess I can give myself some credit. I ask myself everyday if the weight loss is over, but maybe I am just stuck on a 2 month plateau that needs to be jump started with a change in the old routine. Good luck to you in your journey. Lulu

WOW!!! Awesome pic!!!!! I don't think my weight loss is that dramatic. You look great! Motivation is my biggest problem too. I don't know anyone in my town and we are secluded in the woods so we have no neighbors. Everyone else I know lives a hour away. Ugh. Have you done any grazing??? I am. I graze on sf foods and lc foods but they still have calories. I just wish I could stop. It is my comfort right now. Good luck to you also in your journey and I hope we both get what we want. Here's to goal Joanne

Hi Joanne, Thanks for the update. I've been wondering how you were doing inthe healing process. Glad you're doing well. I'm still not in the century club either, and probably won't be for at least another couple of months (or more), but I'm still satisfied even though my losses are also slow. I'm down about 90# now, but can't run like I was doing before since gall bladder surgery. It still hurts at the belly button incision, so I'll wait till Monday and see if it's better yet. My husband thinks I'm doing too much, though, and that I should slow down some anyway. But I've decided that I'm not going to tell him anymore when I have pain. He just worries too much. I'm assuming Dan is doing better since his illness since you didn't say anything to the contrary. I sincerely hope that is the case. Take Care, Linn

Hey, Joanne, it's been too long. Glad to hear you are doing well. It was a good summer and I'm ready for fall. My daughter turns 3 in about 1 month. I'm trying to sell some old clothes. Some to e-bay, some donated and today I tried consigning. we'll see where we end up ahead. Dont' be a stranger. Denise

Hi Joanne, Congratulations! Don't feel bad about the numbers low, honey......I've been stuck on -66 pounds for over 90 days now. Nothing else will move, despite the fact I go to the gym three times a week for a couple hours and walk consistantly 5 miles a day. But what the heck, I am still alive and that's what matters most. Love and blessings, Katherine