MAJOR Weight Gain

Lea - You have done so well.  That little 20 lbs. over so many years is nothing.  I started at like 360? and got down to 160.  To thin for my frame.  I looked bad.  I liked the bottom half of me, because I tend to me bottom heavy anyway, so I liked how I looked in jeans, but on top, my arms were stick thin and bones sticking out all over my chest.  Anyway, I do have degernative disc disease as well as spinal stenosis from my neck all the way down.  I have been pretty active since I first posted this message and have stayed around 235.  I gain a few lbs. and then I lose it again.  There are still those days when I can't get out of bed.  I would have thought that with all the extra exercise that I would have started losing, but it didn't happen.  I don't really eat much.  Most days it's around 4:00 p.m. and I'm wondering why my energy level is so low and then I realize that I haven't eaten anything all day long.  Maybe I'm just supposed to be at this weight.  I have no idea.

But you my friend, look wonderful.  You have done a great job.  You should be soo proud of yourself.

Hugs and Lots of Love,
*Carol*

Thanks Carol!  I feel the same way--that perhaps this is where my body is meant to be.  One thing that keeps coming to me is the fact that I am still 50 pounds lighter than I was when I graduated from high school 25 years ago.  They had our 25 year reunion this past weekend.  I did not get to go (though I live here in town again now), but I was looking at pics from it and thinking about how much weight many of them have gained while I am 50 pounds down from then and almost 200 lighter than the last time we had a reunion in 2005!
Lea

See - that is way cool.  You are doing really well.  And you look great.  I could never figure out how to get a picture posted on here and now I don't have a current picture anyway, just the one when I was 160 or so lbs. I had a yard sale this past weekend and went through some old clothes from a few years ago.  Size 8 and 10 jeans.  WOW, do they ever look small.  I still can't believe that I fit in those.  Of course I didn't have a butt at all.  It was completely flat.  I would be happy if I lost about 25 lbs.  I also wonder if it would help my back if I had my tummy removed.  You know the hangy stuff.  It's not horribly bad, but sure would be nice.  My arms could knock someone out if they got too close, but you know what I don't care.  This year is the first year that I have worm sleeveless shirts all summer long and I figure if people don't like to see my fat arms, they don't have to look at me.  They were really wrinkly and sagging at the lower weight, now they aren't as wrinkly, but still sag big time.  I've always had heavy legs my whole life.  I can't wear shorts, never have been able to.  I do actually around the house, but not out in public.  Even when I was at the 160 mark in pants my legs looked good, but under those pants YIKES!!!!  Really wrinkly.....Oh well, we got what we got and who cares what it looks like right????????

I wish I could do something about the tummy too.  I do have medical insurance.  I may look in to whether they'd cover it and start thinking about when I could have it done.  As a teacher it is hard to plan surgery/recovery time as you have so few opportunities to take several days off without losing pay.  Maybe over Christmas break....  

I can understand that, plus it's a very painful surgery from what I understand.  I saw a doctor once about something else I can't remember what and then I asked him about a tummy tuck and he said I really didn't need one.  Now as far as I can tell, he's not the one stuffing the loose fat into my jeans...ROFL.  Seriously though, that's what it feels like sometimes.  I like my pants tight and I literally have to stuff it in.......Where do you live?  I'm in California up by Yosemite National Park?

Yeah, it is very much an individual decision and the only one who gets a vote is the one living in the body!  I hate that it makes pants fit poorly.  I really hate the gapped waists!  Some of that is hip, but much of it is having to having to have about 2 sizes larger because of the belly flab...

I'm in southern FL, near Fort Myers on the Gulf of Mexico...
Lea

LOL - I refuse to accomodate.  I won't purchase a size larger I will just stuff it all in.  LOL  Plus something that I learned from this whole experience.  I ONLY shop at thrift stores.  Goodwill, Salvation Army those types of stores.  I haven't bought anything new since...geesh I can't remember when.  And the funny thing is, nobody knows.  I'm always getting compliments on my clothing.  Of course, my panties and bras's I do buy at Wal-Mart, but that's it.  I would rather buy 3 huge bags of clothes for $30 than to buy a simple little top.  It's crazy.  If you haven't tried it, you just have to.  Plus almost everything that I buy is brand new from them as well.  Tags are still on the clothes and/or they clothes are stiff so I know they are new.  My shoes I buy at thrift stores if I can find them if not it's off to Payless..........Let me know where you shop?  Also, what kind of protein drinks do you like?