8/23/04 ROLL CALL and goals

Ya, I'm here. I really did post a message. I don't know what happened to it. What I said was that I don't have a weekly goal but do have a goal to reach 200 by my next appt with my surgeon in late Sept. I have been hovering around 210 for the last couple weeks so I may not quite make it. Yesterday I saw my gynecologist for the first time since my surgery. He came in the door, stopped dead still & said, "My God, it worked!" The during the exam we talked about how I was doing & about all the loose skin hanging on my legs. Poor guy, I felt sorry for him being stuck between them. I started out a 4X and am now buying nothing larger than a Large or 16. On top I am smaller. Sunday I wore a 12-14 to church & someone asked me if I had last all I wanted. When I told her I was only 2/3 of the way there she was shocked. Then I pointed out that she couldn't see what my legs looked like. Saturday I walked in a 5 K run/walk. My first one! I finished but was next to last. My friend was last but we started out last & didn't do it to race. Last summer I had a hard time walking to my mailbox & back without getting winded. It was a bit embarrassing though when Chuck Grassley (senator) ran by. I mean, just how old is he & he was running? I haven't attempted that yet. Dixie

Dixie, Wow, you sure are doing wonderfully! I had to giggle about the ob/gyn exam - just what you want to talk about when you're getting an exam like that - saggy legs. LOL. I certainly do like that goal to be under 200. I have my 9 month check-up in September as well, and think I will aim for that number, too. Now, bravo for completing the race/walk. Doesn't it feel just wonderful??? Don't worry about those older men or women passing you - my hubby told me that an old, hunched over lady finished the race before me. Oh well, did he/she used to weigh what we did? Did they used to get winded walking to the mailbox and back, like you said? You are awesome! I'm proud of your accomplishment! Keep up the good work and let us know when you get below 200. I have faith that it will happen- and soon! God bless, Andrea

My goal for the week is to just stay focused (as if I can think about anything else!!) and to continue on my diet. I have surgery a week from tommorrow (wow- now I am crying- I can't believe it is finally getting here). As for the diet, I am into day 6 of two weeks of clear liquids prior to surgery. It is going better now, thanks to some great suggestions for finding creative clear liquids. Currently I am a size 22 on the bottom and a 3x on top. I have a favorite outfit from the last time I lost weight hanging on the back of my bedroom door (size XL) waiting to get into. Hope I can wear it by Thanksgiving. I went shopping with my size 0-1 teenage daughter (my kids are both adopted, so fortunately they doesn't have my fat genes) and she tried on this really cute sweater, size XL (she loves stuff big!) but she decided she didn't like it. I however loved the sweater so I bought it for myself!! It is also hanging on the bedroom door- waiting to be worn!!! I know I will never be my dughters size but boy will it be nice to shop in the "regular" size shops. I am so impressed with everyones- progress. Keep me in your prayers this week. All I can think about is getting to where you are- do you all remember that feeling?? Have a great week- Chris

Chris, My prayers go out your way for a stress-less week. I pray that you will feel calm resolve about this life-changing decision. I do remember the week before and my nerves were shot. I was a mess - yelling at the family, relentlessly cleaning, writing love letters to my kids, etc. My husband was terrific during that time and understood when I was on this site all of the time. One thing that I did and that I encourage others to do pre-surgery is to take a bath. I rarely took a bath because I didn't really fit into the tub, but someone on the main message board recommended a relaxing bath before surgery. Now, I use the tub as a sort of measure - how much water can flow beside me now where before my fat would stop the water and create a "woman-made dam", how easy it is to shave my legs in the tub and how easily can I now shut off the water by myself without asking someone else to do it or getting completely up from my sitting position? I think since surgery, I have gone through 3 boxes of Vaseline bath salts and a couple bottles of bubble bath. Besides the bathtub, try to find other ways to measure yourself now. First, take real measurements - I didn't and now regret it. Then use things like jewelry - how well does a favorite necklace fit? How tight do your rings fit? How wide are your shoes? Be prepared - all these things will change after surgery and rather quickly, too. You will do wonderfully, Chris. Hang in there, keep reading and keep posting. Remember, we are here for you. God bless, Andrea

Hey there Girl... Sounds like you are doing great.... I need to get more exercise in, Janet, Kelly, Laura and I are going to start in on Monday... My eating is pretty good, but I need to cut back on the tomatoe beers... I was a size 26/28 and a 3XL before surgery and now can get some Large shirts on, and a size 16 pants.... Feels great.... Take care Jodi

Too terrific, Jodi - can't imagine a shirt size without an X! LOL Now, lay off those tomato beers! Haven't had any sweet drinks lately, have you, my dumping buddy? (BTW, I dumped tonight on s/f pudding with some peanut butter in it for flavor and whipped cream. AHHHHHHHHHHHH) I will be looking forward to some of you ladies posting something about all of the exercise that you are doing together!!!LOL Keep up the good work and God bless, Andrea

Andrea, Lets see it is like Thursday and i am just setting goals i am so bad!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol So #1 goal is to set goals at the beginning of the week. #2 is to start coming in here more often since i got my net back. #3 is to exercise more. #4 is to spread happiness around..... ok now on sizes depends on what i wear. I can get in some larges for shirts and some xl (cuz i like baggy shirts and my mom hates when i do that) i started at 4xl but were tight. now on my pants 18 jeans are loose, one pair of shorts were 14/16 but for the most part for shorts and jogging pants and slicks i am down to larges. i started with jean were not sure cuz i didnt own any but slicks and shorts and jogging pants 3xl were just getting tight. and for you woman would understand this bras were 48 and now i am down to 36. Have fun in school!!!!!!!!!!!!! lynda

Lynda, Good goals - we expect to hear from you each Monday now that you have your net back. Glad that you added the bra sizes in there - I have gone down a bunch too - gonna need surgery in that area Double thanks for wishing me fun in school - AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (in a Jamaican sing song voice - I don't want to work, I wanna play on the drums all day. I don't wanna work........................) Have a blessed weekend, God bless, Andrea P.S. Sorry I didn't respond yesterday, but no computer time now that I am back to work. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Hi Folks: Sorry this is so late, but I am so far behind in life that I can't see straight. I havn't excersized one time this week, but I am going to as soon as I put my little one to bed tonight. I have been having technology wars at work with my 2 new computer systems and I think the computers have won! Yesterday, the storm caused a powersurge and shut down my main system and corrupted everything. It was the one I run a box office with and we have been trying to recover ticket orders all day today. It wiped out about 2 weeks of work. Andrea: Bill H. says Hi! Blackhawk did put me on the schedule to teach, so it looks like I'll miss the Wed. support group meetings in Davenport until January. I gained 3 pounds this week, don't know how but I'm sure they will go away (probably the lack of excersize and sleep.) I'm sure this next week will be much better! It has to be(I'd put a smiley face here if I wasn't on a Macintosh computer.) Hope all is well with everyone else, Peace and may everyone have a civilized week, Eileen

Eileen, Oh, man, I can't imagine the computer probs that you are having. Have they been worked out yet? Sure glad that I don't have a ticket order in. Tell Bill I said "Hello" if you see him before I do. Need to start working with him on my thesis (yuk - the thesis, not Bill - I personally love the man - I mean love the knowledge that he has and love learning from him - don't have the hots for him - but did get a big hug from him the first time he saw me after surgery the beginning of summer. Wait till he sees me now!!). Did you get your exercise in? How was the birthday party and are you ready for your little one's first day of school? Be sure to take plenty of pictures of him. Now, get back on target thinking about you and your health. You deserve it! God bless, Andrea P.S. Since you won't be able to make the support group meetings, you will have to be sure to keep in contact with others so you have the support you need. P.S.S. Congrats on the smaller sizes.