I am awestruck. Speechless even, and that doesn't happen often! I am SO incredibly proud of the both of you.

Hi LuLu, Struggling? Yes, weightloss not necessarily, just emotionally. I don't know if it's from the weightloss or if it's early change of life! LOL I have just been up and down so much the past few weeks, been longer just getting more often. I feel like a YoYo. DH keeps telling me I should see the doc. It doesn't last long, I'm just tired of it happening. Anyways.. I did reach under 170 which was my goal. Made it to 169 twice. Since the last time there I have been bouncing from 170 to 174. I am currently at 171. Other than not exercising hardly like I should be, with the exception of walking, nothing much has changed foodwise. I think I eat fine, but it's apprarently not good enough to LOSE more. I feel like I am in maintenance the past few months. It took me so long to get in this weight range and now it doesn't want to budge. I wonder if this is it. I don't believe it it. I feel there is a way out there that I'll somehow accomplish another 10 to 15 lbs. It's strange I can't really say what weight I want to be. I think if I could just get in the low 160's. But you know what? I don't think that will satisfy me. It's still too much. Isn't it? Then I think in the 150's will be good. But 150 is a lot of weight, isn't it? I think I need to not compare our bodies to a 'normal' persons. I have heard that we will look smaller than what we way because our bones are heavier, if we've been heavy always. Right now though if I could get mid to low 160's I think that would be cool. I guess because I'm so short the weight makes me fatter. I hate that I have to buy a 16 suit jacket because of my chest, which isnt really there, its all the extra crap. So it makes it hard for me on tops. I can get into some larges, but mostly XL as a norm now with exception of suit jackets. The thing is I have to buy separates because I am easily in a 14 pant and do have 2 pair of 12 and 12 skirts. I want to even out!!! LOL So here are my stats. Start Weight at first visit: 350 lbs Surgery weight: 325 lbs Current weight: 171 Total loss: 179 lbs Started with 32/34 tops Pants: 30w, maybe a 28 depending on make Shoes size 10 current shoes 8.5 to 9..5 Ring size from 10 to 6.5 - 7 Bra size 56DD to 38 or 40 DD

Right before I read your post, I sent a message to M. Mays and Laura A. I only wish I lived closer to both of them to go and physically do something for each of them today. Our MARCHer sisters have been through alot this year. Thanks for your suggestion for a "RAK" - I will try to find many reasons to have a "RAK" today for my fellow human beings! Thanks for the challenge! Barb

AHHHH...as Frank Sinatra sang: My kind of town, Chicago is My kind of town, Chicago is My kind of razzmatazz And it has, all that jazz I am up for shopping and a show! Thanks for doing this STYLZ....we have a lot to do this week if we are going to get to California. Maybe we are all slowing down because we don't want to walk towards the fires. God Bless those people in California and hopefully the fires will burn out quickly. Barbara

A comfy Village called little Hazel Crest Illinois! http://www.villageofhazelcrest.com/Index.html Population is just over 14,000, its the Birthplace of Steven Winding (College basketball player for Robert Morris Colonials). Theres no big companies in our little village, just a quaint little library to visit http://www.grandeprairie.org/ Theres also 6 parks (Wolf Park, Lions Field, Oak Hill Park, Cherrywood Park, Stone Hollow Park and Hillcrest Park) for anyone that wants to check out the sites or get more walking in This area is considered part of "Chicago Southland", http://www.visitchicagosouthland.com/index.cfm We're less than 30 minutes from Chicago, anyone up for a show, shopping and lots of walking on the Magnificent Mile? you know I am!! http://www.themagnificentmile.com/ hopefully our next stop will have some pictures for us to enjoy enjoy the scenery and relaxation, we'll be back on our way in no time