Two number 3's and an extra Sausage McMuffin with Egg

...yup that was pretty much my basic breakfast at McDonald's, just about every day!!! No wonder I was almost 300 pounds! I did that so much they knew me at the local drive through ("oh, hi, we missed you yesterday", type of comment!!). I just came back from taking my Molly dog to Petsmart for her 'day of beauty' and passed a McDonalds and on this particular day it brought back memories to me -- especially as I was sipping on my protein drink as I passed it. But that was before this remarkable surgery, which I had exactly 8 months ago today. Wow - what a difference, not just in weight, but in my lifestyle! Have I ever said how thankful I am that I was able to have this life altering surgery!! I am now at 177 - starting at 189!! I can walk up and down stairs with relatively little pain in my knees, I still can't sit cross legged, I think that's due to a arthritic knee, but I can get up from a sitting on the ground (like I was yesterday when I was planting) position without getting up like a bug! I'm happy today! I hope you all are going to have a good day today, too. love donna

Hi Donna, Yeah! and Congrats for passing the Mickey D's and not stopping!!! I steal a few french fries from my kids when I get them a happy meal. I've gotten a grilled chicken salad there once or twice. It's amazing how we used to treat our bodies, isn't it? Now, we think about what we're putting into them and are conscious of what we're doing to it. That's great! Paula

Hi Paula, I don't know how you mothers do it with your children still at home and of course them getting the things that we used to love!! Oh my gosh, my hats off to you Paula!! One other thing that I've noticed, and you probably have noticed this as well, is when Igo to a restaurant, it takes me forever to decide what to get. I just ponder and pour over everything. Wondering if I can tolerate it, what's the sauce like, and on and on!! Thanks Paula, love donna

Hi Donna, I guess I can handle the fast food restaurants now because I've been heating healthy for so long now (about a year ago I started losing for surgery) that it's just second nature to ordered grilled this or that and a salad... Like I said, I do snag a couple fries once in a while and beg the kids to go to Wendy's so that I can have chili and plain grilled chicken w/o the bun. THey don't buy it and want BK or McD's. I'll just skip it and wait until I get home. It's the soda at those places that drives me nuts! I miss it sometimes and I wasn't a big soda drinker before surgery. I guess I associate fast food with soda. I don't eat the rest of the kid's food any longer at home, either. One of the huge culprits that led to so much weight gain. Must not waste it for there are children in the world that are starving! Enough of that! Paula

HI, MY NAME IS EMILY....AND I AM A FRENCH FRY STEALER! Yes, it is true...my kids get a kids meal and I have a hand in eating a few french fries..., but I am always tickled because after about 5 or 6, I'm finished. I have satisfied my craving and can go on. I usually get the yogurt parfait at McD's...it is really good and only $1. ~~em

Hi Emily, that sounds like a different meeting place!! Ha ha!! Like I told Paula I haven't tried any french fries cause I am afraid I won't stop. But if I could count on only eating 5 or 6 I would. But I can't. love donna

Hi Paula, I heard someone say that a good Wendy's meal is the taco salad with the chili used as dressing. That sounds yummy, I think I'll try it. I am, to be honest, afraid to try something like french fries, because I am afraid I won't stop. They used to be my downfall!! love donna

Donna, On my trip to nashville we stopped at taco bell. I ordered the taco salad and just ate the insides. It had the beans lettace meat sourcream tomatoes cheese. It was okay Chili sounds good pored over a taco salad Love ya Barb

I steal French Fries too. On Fridays we usually order out I get salad and "they" get fried foods. My youngest step son counts out five of his fries for me . He knows he's my favorite youngest step son . Im getting more flexible myself lately. We had a fire (arson) in the building where we have our offices last Thursday, I've been lifting, toting, running up and down the stairs (26 stairs to be exact), but I've been able to keep up altho I'm so tired by the time I get home I can barely keep my eyes open. My weight is stuck again, I'm starting to think I'll never get to the century club. I've been so thirsty I think because of the smoke smell so I've been drinking like crazy. I'm wondering if smoke etc can make you retain water . Hope all is well. Micha

Oh Micha, you made me laugh - smoke making you retain water!! I don't know, but we are such a creative bunch aren't we!!! I know when I'm up, I just say I need a hair cut!!! You'll get to the century club, hang in there. You're doing great. I think we all have slowed down. Although this month I think I've lost a whopping 7 pounds, and that is the most I've lost in a month in a long time. I have been single digits for many months!! I guess the 12 pound a month weight loss is over for me!! love to you Micha donna