HOW IS EVERYONE? HOPE YOU ALL HAD A WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY!!! I have been MIA for the last 2 weeks- one thing after another..I returned to my iron IV treatments last week - this in itself is not a bad thing, but since I write mostly when Im at work- and work has been busy- I had less time..Plus I had not worked out for 2 weeks.. Discipline is the hardest thing to learn I think..and I believe in what I say, so for those that know me- will understand- I couldnt come back and post anything until I got BACK to the gym and worked out..so here I am I like being here but in order for me to post- I have to be participating as well . One week I was really not well and this last week- I had a painful stiff neck ( stil have it partially) and believe it or not - returning to the gym really helped- the hot sauna and hot tub.. and in order to get into the hot tub..I had to work out..LOL.. So I'm back and working at it, like everyone else. This past Monday- it was my 9 MOS SURGIVERSARY.. ( Tammy too ) I'm still at 224/225 - so I will not hit my goal- but Im just gonna DO IT anyway... OH and I got into a sexy size 16 dress from Dress Barn, and a beaded 14/16 top- which actually slips right over my head..and this beautiful size 18 dress I bought- has to be returned- its gorgeous enough to wear to a wedding- but guess what- Its TOO BIG!! I'm trying to adjust to buying these SMALLER SIZES the best I can! LOL sometimes it is challenging mentally.. I have no jeans that fit me correctly- just capris and I own the largest number of jeans Ive ever owned- and they are all too loose again! I have been a little depressed I think- becuz my girlfriend just had her one year anniversary yesterday..She's lost 110 lbs, now 138 and into size 8 from 24. Janean & I met in my surgeons office- so we've been through this whole last year together..I'm optimistic- but I have no idea how or when I am ever going to get to a 25-BMI. BUT on the other hand- Im really enjoying how I look fitting into these new clothes..which is refueling my committment to working out. Has anyone from August noticed an increase in their appetite? Im not saying an increase in how much we are eating- but these past few days- noticed a stronger heartiness for eating? . Last Night I went to a Boxing Match &for once, I did not feel like the fattest one there. LOL I was dressed very sexy and there were some women with killer bodies- but I was happy and I watched what I ate- it was like a wedding- I had VIP tickets- so it was all food & drinks included...from ****tail hour with 3 buffets, to sit down dinner..the only thing I did finish was a slice of cheesecake. I paced myself and ate a little bit of everything. SORRY this is so long..but I hope everyone is doing well with their goals..and I missed each and everyone of you!! Donna 325/224/145?

Hi Dawn! I'm a little late with this- but long on praise! C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PROUD OF YOU!!! DONNA

Hey Tammy! It's nice to see the old HAPPY EXCITED BOUNCY Tammy again! And I mean no disrespect either. Great job on the walking this morning! That is awesome! I will walk my mile today at lunchtime. I walked 2.5 yesterday in my minskirt! I kept worrying that my butt was hanging out! But I got through it and it felt great. My legs are looking so much shaplier since I started walking. But I hate hate hate my thighs! GROSS! They look so bad! Has your daughter started her period yet? I remember when my daughter first started she was feeling faint alot too. She never actually fainted but she always said she felt like she was going to pass out. I sure hope you get that figured out. Good that you are there and can keep an eye on her. How scary! My son does track too. I watched his meet on Wednesday night. He got 1st in the shotput and discus, 3rd in the pole vault (7ft!!!) and a 4th in the relay. He isn't a runner! But boy can he huck that discus! He is 13 and 6'1"!! He loves standing by me and resting his elbow on my head! Little shat! But he is such a good boy. My daughter is a freshman, 15, and is suiting up for varsity fastpitch. They are at districts this week and hopefully to state next weekend! I am so excited for her. She lettered in varsity basketball this year too. The only freshman on the team! She ROCKS! And she is MY rock! I love being able to be a more active mom. It just makes me so darn proud of myself. How far I have come. I have decided to put the scale away. I have barely lost any weight this past two months but I have gone from a 14 to a 10. I tried on all of my 14's last night and have a big pile of jeans to give my sister. None of them fit! I have 3 pairs of size 10's that I can wear. But mostly 12's now. I know that I am losing inches and that is more important to me than lbs. So... out the window the scales goes! I wish I lived closer so I could attend the conferences over there. I would LOVE to meet you and your sister. You are so inspirational and motivating! I love you!!!! Those cruises do sound like so much fun. I just don't think hubby would like it. I guess I COULD go alone... Anyhoo... hope you have a GREAT Friday! And a wonderful weekend! Lori 281/183/140

Hi August Buddies, Just thought I would update you all with my bold move of asking my client out. He arrived at the office and we talked for a few moments before my boss came to greet him. Then after the meeting my boss left (to give me time to be alone with him). We went over the rest of his information from the meeting and just before he was going to walk out the door, I asked him. I said, "I don't know if you are dating right now, but if you would ever like to, I would really enjoy going out with you." He was very sweet but let me know he has been seeing someone for 13 months right now. To say that I felt foolish was an understatement, but I have had time to get over the shock of not knowing. ( I still can't believe in all our conversations that was never mentioned.) On Wed. he called to see if I was doing alright and talk to my boss. I thought that was really a wonderful gesture and still think the world of him. I don't know if I should hold out any hope but just hearing from him was a big pick me up after feeling so foolish. We were both the same and there was no tension in our conversation at all. We even talked about what we were doing this weekend. It is the most interesting and frustrating thing in the world to me. I still feel like I am always just going to be seen as the guy's friend, never the girlfriend. I'm glad I asked, but I don't know if I will put myself out there like that again. Thanks for all the encouragement from everyone. You've been great! On a fantastic note. I weighed in today at 202.5 so I am 3 pounds from being in onederland and 9.5 pounds to century club. I am so excited. I've also noticed that my image in the mirror is smaller and my stomach is shrinking. I had a little boy (friend of the family) playing with my batwings last night. I could have been insulted, but instead we had fun and laughed our heads off. His parents were mortified at first, but I just laughed it off as part of the journey and one day know it will be gone forever with PS. Have a wonderful weekend my friends and here's to this amazing journey!! Lori 293/202.5/135/130

Hi Sherry, I started at month 3 taking Biotin and haven't seen this problem. My hair looked awful at three months post-op. It was really getting thin and brittle looking, so I decided to cut it short and start on biotin. I buy it from Walmart for about 3.00 for 260 pills. When I started it, I took 2 pills a day for the first 2 months. Now I take one a day and have great skin, thicker hair and really strong nails! My nails were starting to split around that time too, but the Biotin has really helped. Now they don't split but when I hit my nail on something hard they will chip or break. I never had that happen before, they were always flexible to the point of too soft. Now they are great too. Hope this helps. Lori 293/202.5/135/130