Onederland & Big News!!!!!

I finally made it to Onederland. I weighed in at 199.6lbs. yesterday morning. I missed my goal date of Valentines by a few days but I am happy to finally be here. But I have some other news that I think I might be more excited about. I think I may have found something I want to do after I get laid off in May. I am seriously considering applying to be a Los Angeles County Sherriff. I told my Dad this the other day and I had a hard time saying it out loud. After almost 20 years at my job it is scary to think of going anywhere else. Obviously this is something I NEVER could have considered before my surgery. There are weight restrictions. For my height of 5'6" the upper limit is 155lbs but if your body fat is less than 33% for woman they bypass that criteria. My scale at home says I have 31% body fat but am sure it is not too accurate. I started my journey at 51% body fat so I have a ways to go before I would qualify. I am going to go to an orientation and find out about everything required. There is lots of testing, background checks etc that must be done. I took a sample test on the LASD website and missed 1 out of 12. My sister, Kim, and I were discussing it yesterday. I was asking about her daughters old boyfriend because he was considering being a sherriff. She said she couldn't see him being a sherriff because he is too nice, I laughed and said I noticed she didn't say that about me. She said "No you are plenty b*tchy enough for the job. We had a good laugh at that. Michelle (in onederland)

Michelle, I say GO FOR IT!!!!!! I am thinking of going to school for a career change myself... I've always wanted to be an esthetician..but am too scared to try.. NEVER would have thought it before surgery..but now I'm thinking about it.. even got all the information. I'm not very good to myself.. I used to hide behind the weight, and now I'm just hiding behind my insecurities... I don't want to continue to do that for the second half of my life!! I say nothing ventured nothing gained... reach for the stars and follow your heart! Congatulations on onederland!!!!!! Isn't it awesome????? Blessings, Kim

Thanks Kim. I say you should go for it too. There are so many things that are now within our grasp if we only reach out to them. I am no spring chicken (43) and the thought of starting over is scary. But I really have no choice since my job is moving to Kansas and I am being laid off. So my hand is being forced but I get to choose were to place it. Michelle

WOW !!! That is a huge decision and so brave!!! I come from a long line of law enforcement officers and actually am dating a cop right now so i know how hard it is but also very satisfying. I say go for it !!! Ohh and congrats on Onderland!!!!

Thank you Heather. I am not exactly sure what I can do as a sheriff but I am sure they have a place for a willing person. I will know more after the orientation. I am hoping to go next month. Michelle

Michelle congratulations on making it to onederland!!!!! You should feel really good about yourself. As for the Sheriff thing I say go fir it! That is a huge decision and a great one I think. Your soooooo brave I could never do that!

Thanks Aly. If I make it to the academy I hope I am not with all 18yo young bucks. Well actually that might not be so bad. Michelle

Congrats on the Onederland. I know that feels really great. As for the job, go for it if that's what you want to do. Good luck!

Congrats Michelle in onederland! I've said it before, and perhaps it is not very sensitive to the stress that comes with job "displacement"--I am somewhat envious of those of you who have been forced out of your comfort zone and now have to look for a new line of work. I often wish I had the guts (well...and the financial means) to go into a new type of work. Some days I wish I had gone into medicine about 10-15 years ago, but other days, that just seems like too many long hours, and not different enough from this type of work. Good luck with your sherriff plans. Isn't it wonderful that this is even an option now? Lori

Michelle- CONGRATS on Onederland!!!!! I can't wait for the day that I can report that as well. I know how hard it is lately and you made it!!! I think that if the Sheriff's dept. is what you want to do, then GO FOR IT GIRL!!!!! You can do anything that you put your mind to. I believe in you!!! Keep up the great work!! Jeanna