Hi Pamela, Thanks for the kind words! I always wanted a pony!! LOL As for what I eat - well every morning for breakfast I have a protien bar - usually Power Bar Protein Plus Carb Select - my favorite is the Chocolate Caramel Crunch. For lunch I have grilled chicken with grilled veggies or maybe I get a wrap with grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella and roasted red peppers. I save half and then I eat a few bites with the wrap on and then pick out the innards of the rest. I have had pizza and a salad too, although I only take a few bites of the pizza and then eat the cheese off the top. For dinner again I have a meat - usually 3 - 4 oz of meat and then some veggies - either salad or grilled or steamed veggies. In between lunch and dinner I have a snack - either a cheese stick, or 4 wheat thins with whipped cream cheese or something like that. After dinner I have a dessert type snack... either 2 sugar free Recees peanut butter cups or a tiny bit of low carb ice cream and I mean a tiny bit, like 1/4 of cup or less or I get nasueas. I have also been enjoying fruit for snacks - strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, grapes - YUM! I always make sure to stop as soon as I am not hungry...sometimes if I eat too much I get the hiccups and I feel kinda tired and warm for a bit. I do not eat bread, pasta, rice, potatoes or sugary stuff. I have on occasion had sugar free angel food cake with fruit and whipped cream on it! very good - or I mix some whipped cream cheese with a tablespoon of sugar free hazelnut syrup and use that as a dip for fruit. I really enjoy this and I dont feel like I am missing out on things. As far as exercise goes, I try to do 3 - 4 days a week. I started doing elliptical and have recently added running and bicycling to freshen the routine up a bit. I do elliptical and running (3 miles) between 30 - 40 minutes and I bicycle about an hour (10 miles). I havent lost any more than most people here - I guess I just had less to lose. I was 100 lbs over weight. I am sure you will be close to your goal before you know it!! I look back over the past few months and think wow, it went by so quickly, although it didnt feel like it was going by quickly as I was going through. A year from now we will all be at goal and encouraging all the people just starting out! :D God bless you and keep you, ~Andrea

Still working on the amount of protein and water, but all others are good to go. No to the appetite, carbs doing well in check, exercise still needs work! Yes, people notice, most are afraid to say anything (they self admit they don't know what to say for fear of saying the wrong thing) so I am sure more people notice but are just afraid to comment. I got a raise and an award "civilian of the quarter"! whoo~ hoo~ No to the therapy. My mind is in check as well Now if I can just get my PMS undercontrol but at least that's only once a month and not daily!

Andrea.. that is just wonderful. You look amazing. I haven't lost anything in a couple of weeks. But i'm ok with it. I'm down about 67 lbs since surgery and 100 since my highest weight. I have about 35-40 lbs more that I would like to lose. But seriously .. great job! ~Angel 222/155/120 BMI 30.5

Andrea - I too am jealous!! I've been stuck on a plateau and want to scream. You are doing such a fantastic job!! You'll reach your goal in no time flat!! Keep it up Debbie

Hi everyone - Happy to say that my mom came through surgery well & she is doing her therapy... this is a big deal. My father is breathing better now that the cardiac doc reduced & eliminated some of his medications. My cat - well she's still not so great.... but seems to have a pylonephritis rather than full on kidney failure. I am going to be laid off for sure next week - & am scared about finding work... apparantly at 45 - you become less desireable... sucks. But - here's my question - I worked in the garden this weekend - pulled three beds of weeds - Excfellent I would've NEVER been able to do that last year. BUT - everytime i'd go from a down to an up position I'd get dizzy - and a couple of times during the day I had to sit - cause I was rather weak... not tired... I went & got myself a protein drink when this occured - but it didn't completely help... Have any of you experienced this? I take my B-12 & vitamin every night.... but could this be an iron issue? I haven't had any blood work yet - I'm thinking maybe I should - what are your thoughts... & before I forget - Thank you to all of you that offered me kind words and encouragement recently... Some things are better & I am greatful... The job situation concerns me so I appreciate any continuing prayers - Oh my education & skills are in Marketing & advertising - Unfortunately I picked a career path that sometimes is considered to be "extra" & expendable during times of fiscal issues - Be well! 304/232/155