It is pouring here but the voter turn out is suppose to still be good. I hope so. I will be out to vote later this evening. I am a stay at home Mom and all of my nieces and nephews called yesterday. None of them wanted to go to daycare and literally begged me to let them stay with me today (school is out). My husband thinks that I am crazy for having 7 kids in a house while it is raining outside (all day according to the weather). But how can Aunt Rhonda say no. I just couldn't. I don't get to see 2 of my nephews very much and when they call to come over it is always a yes. I am such a sucker. Oh well, wish me luck! I don't have any limitations anymore. I love having energy to do anything I really want. Trick or treating was a wonderful experience this year. WE WALKED!!! I out walked my 5 and 8 year olds. Remember to VOTE VOTE VOTE!!! Rhonda

As of this morning, I lost more than 1/2 of my starting weight and more than I currently weigh! This morning I weighed in at 172.5 lbs and I started at 347 lbs which means I have lost a total of 174.5 lbs - more than I weigh today. What an amazing feeling knowing I lost more than I weigh and more than 1/2 of me is gone. The other 1/2 of me which is here is happy as a clam!! Have a great day, and DON'T FORGET TO EXERCISE AND TREAT YOUR POUCH GOOD. Kim 347/172.5/??? -174.5 lbs

How has your life changed ? I love it when I see someone I haven't seen for a while and they don't recognize me. That is such a hoot. Do you still have the limitations of the things you can do or have they gotten better? Some. Usually FM related. I still suffer with that pain, that will never go away completely, but it is more manageable. If I can keep the weight where it is, and not gain any more, I'll be good. Nona

Hi there my friends, Today I was up early and was at the polls at 6:30 am. Funny how the energy levels are there now. Last year I waited until the end of the day. Getting out with my diabetic nueropathy was such a chore. Once I was out standing on lines were a killer to me. The nueropathy was so bad. Between the numbing and the pain I was very limited to what I could do. Halloween trick or treating and now I have voted. I am now going for a walk on the boardwalk. Life is great now. How has your life changed ? Do you still have the limitations of the things you can do or have they gotten better? Happy Voting day...Lorraine

Hi Chris. You definitely want to look at your calories to be sure you are not taking in too much. It doesn't look like it but when you put it all down on the paper you might be surprised of your caloric intake. In my opinion during this critical weight loss stage you really want to keep your calories low. Do you use fitday? (www.fitday - it will add up your calories, carbs, fats, protein, etc. based on the foods you intake.) Really do your best not to drink with your meals - (1) it washes the nutrients through and (2) it washes the food through which makes you more hungry. You definitely need to get back to the basics and I wish you the best of luck. A few days of just liquids may be the trick. I'm doing a 2 day of only protein shakes to cleanse my body of the junk food I ate yesterday on Halloween so join me! You can do this Chris and I wish you the best of luck. Like I said I really hope that the surgery in December will kick start your weight loss. Getting that hernia out, taking off some tummy skin and removing some excess breast skin will definitely add up to some pounds lost and give you the motivation to keep it going by keeping to a low calorie diet and exercise when the doctor clears you. I'm just letting you know what has worked for me (may not work for you) and I've lost 172.5 pounds so far. Take care.