Toot Your Horn

OK Guys, Like Mike says, we dwell far too much on the negative. Time to toot your horn. Tell us what you're most proud of. What accomplishment since wls really stands out in your mind? What would you normally not brag about except that I'm here goading you on? OK, OK, if you insist, I'll go first. I'm really happy about my strength and stamina as well as coming out of my shell. This morning at the butt crack of dawn, I was out doing a 5K and raised 500.00 to end domestic violence. When we hit the finish line, the rest of the people in my group were complaining about wobbly legs and being exhausted. I went home, showered and hit the stores for some power shopping. I had tons of energy. So much so that I was out dancing tonight until 1:00 am. I now have the band leader's phone number and he made me promise to call him soon. He kept handing his guitar and the mike to someone else to come out and dance with me. So come on guys..... share your successes. Connie

When do you sleep, woman??? I think a lot about strength, too. In fact, the memories of that woman who felt crushing pain in her chest when attempting to walk is fading fast; and that scares me, I want to hold onto her so she knows I'm taking good care of her, and to never forget where I came from. I love to MOVE. I love my workout every day, I love that I bound up those 123 steps back to my office and arrive not at all winded; the first time I took those steps I thought I was going to die. Now I say bring 'em on! Rocky Balboa ain't got nothin' on me...as for that bandleader, Connie, go for it. I've got a good feeling about this one! Love to you and I've missed you too. Reenie

Reenie, I don't seem to sleep anymore. I was in bed at 2:30 and up at 4:30 to drive my girlfriend to the airport. Can't seem to go back to sleep now. As for the band guy, I'm sure I'm probably the 4,000th woman that he's given his number to this month. This guy is pretty reknown in these parts and Europe. He's opened for BB King, Santana and Albert King, REO Speedwagon and has performed with Joe ****er and the Fabulous Thunderbird's. The band will be heading for Ireland for a couple of months in May or June. I'll give him a call as he asked and I promised him I'd go back to see him next weekend, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm so proud of you Reenie. I remember your post when your doctor told you that you wouldn't go below 200. You sure showed him. I remember all the fears you had about weight stalls. I'm so glad that I had this opportunity to take this journey with you. Love ya, Connie

Hey Connie..... It's great to have you posting again!!! This board is so much better with your input. I feel so much more energetic these days, but I can't hold a candle to you. How do you do it??!!! Anyway.....I think that I'd like to brag about my stamina on my daily walks. My wife is not a tiny woman, but she's in very good condition and has always avoided weight problems by staying active and clamping down hard when she notices the scale moving upward. The woman has inhuman self-control! She also loves to walk and doesn't seem to sweat much. She has always had to hold back when we walk to keep from running me into the ground. Lately, however, we've noticed that it's she that is winded and sweaty at the end of our walks!! She told me recently that we have pretty much reached the limit of her walking speed. Now don't get me wrong.....I'm not gloating about winning some kind of "Battle of the Sexes" competition. I have the advantage of longer legs and therefore a longer stride. I'm just really pleased that my strength and stamina are such that I'm on her level of fitness!! She does not look like a "gym rat", but I've always admired her for finding a comfortable weight range and staying there. Other than when she was pregnant, and keeping in mind the effects of gravity on a 50 year old, she has been wearing the same size clothing for the 24 years we have been married! If I can keep myself on her level of fitness, I'll be delighted!! Anyway,Connie, my mouth (and keyboard) runneth over as usual. I'm glad to know that all's well with you and I wish you luck with the band leader!! Cheers Mike

OH this is a good thread to read! I love that I can teach kindergarten the way it should be taught up and down on the floor crawling with the kids to look at bugs in the dirt...all that fun stuff that I would NEVER have done before! My own kids are making quite a list of things we have to do this summer, they got a taste of the new momma last summer but this summer I already know what my body can tolerate and I don't have to obsess about everything that goes into my mouth so we are going to be doing much more camping and fishing (since we can all go in the boat without being over the weight limit@@ this year!!!!) I am also very proud of my husband, since I couldn't have pop/fast food he gave it up too, now that he doesn't travel anymore for work, and has lost about 25 pounds since the beginning of 2005. He has done so well! hmmm...I think that is more than one thing. oh well, I just enojy things much more now! Nic 291/161/150

I love that I can shop in the same stores as my size 2 beautiful skinny daughter. She loves it too! Use to be we'd head to west farms mall for the day and I'd be in the plus sizes stores while she'd be in all those skinny stores. I'd wait for her out in the mall because #1 nothing in those places was going to fit me! #2 the walk ways between clothing racks weren't made to fit me either! I'd knock everything on the floor then call attention to myself trying to pick it all up. Now I go in there and SHOP! I LOVE IT!!!!

Connie, This was a great post, I think we have been stressing too much over the small stuff. I feel wonderful & also don't sleep much. I get 5 hours sometime & thats a lot for me. Mostly its around 4 & I am up and doing stuff. Once i am awake I don't go back to sleep either. So you are not alone it that matter. I recently changed jobs & I am much more active then sitting at a desk. I am now a main cashier in a casino where I can throw bags of coin (heavy Bags) very easy these days. It sure is a lot easier than a year or so ago. I had an old employee come by the other day the hasn't seen me for months & he said Marilyn is that really you. He couldn't believe I had lost so much. His aunt had the surgury & hasn't done as well at it as me. So that certainly made me feel good. I have 't been exercising much lately, but am trying to get back into the swing of things on that issue. I could not afford the gym foir a couple of months, but I think I can swing it now so I will be going back real soon. Even if I don't I have to start walking again at least. As for relationships that pretty much still sucks. My boyfriend and I have had problems for months & its doesn't seem to be getting any better. so I will be moving by myself very soon & hopefull I will find that band leader out there Too! Love to you all for getting me this far & sure hope you will all be there for this year too! Marilyn, the Bearlady

hmph... now how did I miss this post? Lets see... - I LOVE racing my son to the door or to the car..."last one there is a rotten egg" Where he giggles uncontrollably when I "just about" beat him (got to let him win sometime!) - I love being able to finally feel like a girl again and wear nice clothes! - Just being able to twist around and move my body and have much more flexability than before. - I love being able to go out in public and not feel like the center of attention for all the WRONG reasons. I no longer feel like a freak of nature! I feel like I finally fit in. - Speaking of fitting in....walking into a restaurant and not feel the anxiety in my chest building because I am afraid the waitress is going to lead us to a booth and I will not be able to fit!!! Its soooo awesome being able to slip right on into those booths with room to spare! - Having more energy and wanting to do things and feeling that sense of boredome is WONDERFUL! I was never bored sitting on my butt in front of the tv. Now I am! And boy is it great! - I love being able to get down onto the ground and do some gardening But out of everything...I love fitting in with society again. Feeling like a person and having my self worth back P.S. I want to have inhuman self control! What strength! Im gonna work on that! Elizabeth M