Hello ALL! CURRENT update and LONG!!!

Hey everybody! I have been very bad about not posting or even keeping my Profile up to date. It seems that since I recovered from Gall Bladder issues (see Profile) I just flew the nest. I am doing totally awesome! I am down as of 12/16/04 -85 lbs. I was in a 24/26 pant and anywhere from a 3x to 5x shirt depending on how it was made. On Monday 1/3/05 I was in 18 jeans and a XL top. Now tonight I tried on a 16w dress that I have never worn but that has been either in a closet or packed in boxes since I bought it about 7 years ago. Wishful thinking on my part back then. I tried it on tonight, curiousity was KILLING me and not only does it fit, it fits a bit loose. I am noticing a huge drop in inches as the actual lbs SLOWLY fall off. I have bones, I wanna say they are ribs and hips, but heck it's been so long since I actually felt them that I am still not sure. Skin is toning up better than I thought. I have problem areas, THIGHS are tough! And the boobs are never gonna recover. They deflate more and more daily. But hey the fact is that I am like a whirlwind most of the time now. I walk every other night about 1.5 miles at 4.0 speed on my treadmill. (sounds fast, but I am 6 ft tall so this is my basic speed) Slacked off over the holidays, but started back Monday night after meeting. I also ride my excercise bike anywhere from 1-3 miles after my walk. I seem to make better time on that than by walking. I have actually jogged a couple of times on my treadmill. Thought the dang thing was gonna break. Been so long since I have jogged ANYWHERE that I am not graceful at ALL! I am still having a HARD HARD time getting protein in. I am lactose intolerant (liquid form) and cannnnnnot stand the SOY MILK! BLEKKKKKKKKK!!!!! I try to eat chicken and fish and cheese and anything I can eat with protein, but obviously it is not enough! I like the taste of most of my powders, but CANNOT get them smooth and it grosses me out! I take my flintstones every day and tums with calcium. I take my pepcid, effexor and thiamin (whole now! YIPEE) every day. I drink anything liquid but alcohol and soft drinks. I can only drink decaf coffee, which is fine if its not full strength! If is is I am begging to be shot! I got released on 12/16 for salads and I am eating anykind anywhere! OMG never realized how good just plain ole lettuce was! I still eat too fast sometimes and pay for it. That dang ANVIL is never far away, and sometimes I feel like I can eat way toooooo much and other times 2 bites fill me to the top. I am 6 months and 3 days post op and would do this over and over again! Even with the horrible gall bladder experience I do not regret it! Arlies and Jo at the meeting called me skinny. ME?? Well I don't think so. And probably never will but man do I feel good. I actually climbed a LADDER and put lights up after Thanksgiving all over our house. ME! I am a serious SUGAR dumper! I use spenda and have no issues. But even 'no sugar added' crap makes me feel like dying, so I will eventually own stock in splenda! lol! I also have come to a very very upsetting conclusion! ME! the one that hated, despised, dreaded, fought tooth and nail not to, person have uncovered this URGE! AND I MEAN URGE to shop! Not like I used to, where I just run in grab it and runout, but I actually look at the clothes. And place the item up against me and have even TRIED things on. Less than 6 months ago I would have rather DIED! Had needles rammed into my eyeballs, whatever to avoid this horrible punishment. I even tol my husband tonight, looking through a catalog that an outfit was 'just too CUTE' I have lost not only weight, but my MIND!!! Maybe my hate shopping lobe shrunk away???? Well I am gonna close on that note. I apologize that I don't have pictures to update yet, but I will get some real soon! I will try to update more often and post even more! Arlies! You are an ANGEL! I will pray for you on surgery day and after and will SEE you in FEB at our meeting! Jo, I am so proud of you, When you said I would not recognize you, that was an understatement! And to the other beautiful folks I met Monday at the Meridian meeting! You too shall join us soon! It is a fantabulous feeling! I am finally free to be ME! Love to all! Angie 325.7/240(current) /175-180 goal PS. Dx you look awesome! I love DR. King and his Staff! They are my heroes! PPS DANG THAT WAS MUCH LONGER THAN I THOUGHT! SORRY!

The first place you lose weight is the no-shopping zone of your brain! That's proven scientific fact!! Angie, you look so wonderful, and YES YOU ARE SKINNY!!!! Woo Hoo!!!! Now if I was only a bit taller, like 20 feet, I'd be skinny too! I am so proud of and for you!!! Smooch Arlies PS can you hear my knees knocking in terror?????????

Hi Angie... you are doing great. Get us an updated pic soon, ok? Wanted to say something about the BONES.... When I take a bath now I have to position myself sideways because my TAIL BONE hurts when I sit on my hiney. NEVER did it do that before! I also feel my hips too.. haha.. isnt it amazing... We DO have BONES! Its interesting. Cant wait to see how far we get! Talk to you soon. Keep it up--- your doing great! Christine

Angie!!!!!!!!!!!! WAAAHOOO You finally posted!!!!!!!!! You look so good!!! You are my inspiration on this journey. I loved being able to see you and spend time with you. We have got to get together and check out that place in the mall that Pam was talking about. You pick out what you want off the buffet .. and they weigh your food. So you only pay for what you eat! Keep that smile on your cute face and hope to see you soon! love ya girl ~Jo~ 444/414/348/210?