Add me to the century club list

Hey folks! How are you doing?! Just wanted to post to let y'all know I passed my first century mark last Wednesday. My surgery was June 1; I lost 30 pounds beforehand and the rest since. I am pretty pleased that I am doing so well. I keep a spreadsheet of my losses, and since surgery, I have averaged a loss of 7 pounds a week. Since July 13, I have been averaging 6 pounds a week, which is wonderful. To reach my personal goal, I have another two century marks to cross, but I figure if I can maintain about a 6 pound per week loss, I'll cross the next century mark in late December of this year. Wouldn't that be a great way to start 2006!!?? Some realizations I have made after having lost this much weight: * I am smaller now than when I met my husband over five years ago. * I am able to use a standard doctor's office scale for the first time in 10 years. * With seatbelt on, I can reach all the way to the floor of my husband's van and still have seatbelt to spare. (I used to have only a couple inches of slack in the seatbelt before I lost the weight). * I can shop in "regular people" stores like Marshall's and Old Navy. * My feet even lost weight; sandals that were tight and uncomfortable last summer are comfy this summer. * I can use a regular size bathroom stall now instead of the disabled stall. * Treat yourself; find the best sugar free version of the thing that you love and give yourself some (mine is ice cream -- Skinny Cow brand ice cream sandwiches are the BEST) ! Thanks to all who have had encouraging words for me in the past and all who offered thoughts and prayers for me during my surgery in June. - Beth

Beth... Congratulations! I am so tickled for you! I have to tell you that when I first started looking into this in May I was watching your journey closely. And I am thrilled to see how you are doing. It gives me hope!! I will become a loser in 3 weeks (yikes!) and there are several people here that give me the encouragement to hang in there. And your story is one of them! Congratulations again!! Peggy ~A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step~

Oh, Peggy, that is so wonderful. I am so happy for you that you will be able to get the surgery!! It's scary and exciting, but wonderful also! I have been very fortunate in that I metabolize very well. At the same time, I have also been very diligent in my food choices and have a pretty rigid regimen right now. This regimen, in which I consume no more than 500 calories per day, lets me achieve about a 6 pound per week average loss. I also exercise regularly and vigorously at least three times per week, which I am sure has contributed to the quick weight loss. I hope to have achieved a 200 pound loss by the end of this year. I hope to hit my personal goal some time early next year, perhaps April or May timeframe. When I get closer to my goal of 150 pounds, I will move away from that rigid regimen towards a higher caloric intake in order to move towards maintenance mode. If you have any questions about it, e-mail me. Good luck and thanks for your kind words!!! - Beth