NO LONGER MIA !! I'm BACKKKKK!!

Everyone! I have to apologize because it seemed like I just left mid May and never posted again but I had some problems..and worked them out..but like I've told so many others-that when you find something you like- you also need to be disciplined- and many have put their "workouts" before their fun stuff.. So for me- I didn't allow myself to come back and post - until I straightened myself and my exercise out. I would go to the tanning salon and then go to the gym that was fine- then sometimes just hit the gym- and although I cant recall how I got off track- I did - and discipline is the hardest thing to learn. I discovered that without exercise- my body felt weird- I even pulled a muscle in my neck- NOT exercising- and then after some steam and sauna treatments, I discovered , the more I exercised the less pain I felt- which I thought was weird- but it worked.It took every bit of 3 weeks (plus advil) to get rid of it..Anyway, Im happy to say Im back to Tanning again and the gym..I picked a salon closer to my house and they are open till midnite, so thats really cool. Anyway- I apologize to everyone who was kinda 'blogging in" on my monthly/weekly posts and sticking to their goals. It just goes to show you- that regardless how motivated any of us are, life has a way of interfering, and its our level of committment + motivation, that gets us through. So having goals and being flexible is important as we move forward. There is a difference between being "tough" on ourselves and being a "tyrant". Dont set your goals so high that you can't achieve them. Everything can be achieved, you just have to be dedicated and expect bumps along the way! Ok- here is my update- I am now 220lbs, wearing size 16/ some 18s and got into a size 14 dress over the weekend! I Keep thinking there is something WRONG with the sized clothes that stores are selling- because I keep getting into ALL of it! Its crazy I know! Its like you get this adrenalin rush and like OMG! I can't believe how great this outfit looks on me! I just love Dress Barn and now am into their size 16s pants and tops are 14/16. I can't believe it- because back in April I posted that I was stuck in 20sville! Oh and I am going to be adding pictures to my online journal- so if you want to see some of the progress I've made- here is my link: www.donnasjournal.photosite.com. Hugs Donna 325/220/145

YAY YOU'RE BACK I Missed You................. Sounds like you're doing great.... I did the same thing with the sizes.... Just takes us a little longer to accept the fact that we're looooking goooood Hey, and even if you're not exercising POST girl.... we love hearing from you... Tam

I did a horrible job in May as well. Like Tammy said, post even if you are straying a little. By the way, you are looking GREAT!!! Sherry

Sherry Hi - Thank you for noticing! I appreciate it. I got tired of looking at myself, LOL Also- with the new changes on the individual homepages- believe it or not- I could not figure out how to get back to the August Board! I bookmark everything and did not have this board bookmarked. LOL AND I work in the IT/Internet sector! LOL Thank you again. I have to learn from my mistakes..its not a bad thing. I just have to improve! LOL and I can post all I want. Thank you! I have more pictures at: http://NYBabe.photosite.com/ Have a great day Sherry! Hugs Donna

Hey Donna! I have pretty much been MIA as well. I had ankle surgery back on 4/28 and still have to struggle with crutches, but believe or not I have lost a little more weight during this time! ....I just can't wait to be able to be my akle back to walking and exercise mode, hopefully withing the next week or two. I was only planning on 1-2 weeks on crutches, but it did not turn out that good for me Your new pics look great! I need to get some more of myself up and posted. I have not put any new ones since March, the one that posts on my forum. As of today I have lost 145 pounds! Wow, that is a whole person! I still want to get down 25 pounds to reach my personal goal and I have faith I can do it know, I just want to try to get my exercising up and running so I can tighten up some of this skin, I know I can't make it all tighten up, but I am going to try to help it out. Take care and God Bless! Nancy 5'8" 320/175/170(surgeon's goal)**(150 my personal goal)

Hey Nancy!! Thanks so much for your note and kind words.. This is like a Deja vu..Another friend I've made thru my support group is named Nancy, she is 5-8 and had surgery 8/16..LOL we call ourselves twins- cuz we're one day apart.. and she is like you- around 170 and has 20 lbs to goal... While I am happy for both you and her..I keep thinking- GOD I am so far OFF..but we all lose weight differently- and Im shorter - and losing at whatever pace my body is choosing. SO..CONGRATULATIONS GIRL!!!! ( I read your profile) and you are doing and looking so great.. AND isn't it a trip when you catch yourself out of the corner of yur eye- in a reflective mirror or window- and you say- IS THAT ME? Its so hard to believe the silhouette- becuz it was so big for so long! ..I actually make jokes now and say my ass is finally smaller, & my tummy is now smaller than my ass! PLUS I really love all my new clothes.Sized 18/ 16 and I fit into a 14 dress! This has been so liberating for me..I am finally released from the bondage food held me in. Half a sandwich (minus bread) usually fills me- or even half a wrap sandwich..(and I dont usually like the wrap) LOL, but I'm okay with it My birthday is 7/16- one month before my surgiversary- and Im going to be 50 and look 30 something and LOVE every minute of it. We are in the best health and I cannot believe it when I say- I look better NOW than I did 15 or 20 yrs ago! AND be in better health? WHO can say that? We are all so blessed. Keep up the good work. Oh and how did you get the century card? I need one for my page..its such a huge accomplishment. GO FOR THE GOLD!! HUGS Donna 325/220/145

Hey Donna! Girlfriend, don't be discouraged at all...you are doing so wonderful and look GREAT !!! I know what you mean about catching glimpses of yourself in the mirror or your reflections...I spent so many years not even wanting to look at myself or have my picture taken that it is hard to think, wait, I look pretty darn good ....I am in better health than I have been in years...no longer a diabetic, no longer have high blood pressure, all my blood work is awesome! And I too look younger than I have in years....it is amazing what this tool has done for us! You tell your friend Nancy that I said she has to be a wonderful person with her name !!! Hey clothes...isn't so wierd that you keep feeling tugged to the plus departments and you walk through and think, wait a minute, I don't belong here now...yipee! !!! I do admit I have had some depression problems, which are being addressed, but I do know that part of it is hormones and the other part is that I have just gotten off of crutches after 6-1/2 weeks from ankle surgery. I was planning on 1-2 weeks on crutches, but they fooled me . I am now able to get out and about again and moving more each day...so I hope to firm up some...too much loosey-goosey here . As far as the century card....I think you email the htlm group....it has been a little while and my mind is not as sharp as it was years ago . If you can't find their email address just email the photo group and ask them who to contact and they will get back pretty promptly to you. When you ask for them to put the century card on your profile be sure to attach any picture you would like to have on it. I did not do that first time and had to have it added later. You keep up the great work and stay well....maybe one day I will make it up to NY and we could meet. I always thought I would like to visit...not live there, but visit & Blessings to you! Nancy 320/173/170 (surgeon's goal)*(150 my personal goal)

Thanks my friend Nancy! The OTHER problem I now have? I have too many clothes and cannot fit anything else in my closet or armoire! If you could only see how crossed my eyes are now! I'm juggling clothes now! Come up to NY this summer - its my birthday in July! Come in August! HEY! We should get together a whole bunch of us- and celebrate our AUGUST anniversary together! We should begin planning this- I think that would be hugs Donna