coops

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Well I guess I have a new boyfriend already. I can't believe it. I had met him awhile ago while out dancing. We have met up for dancing a few times since. Yesterday he called and said it was a female friend's birthday and would I go out with them to Celebrate. I always love to go out and dance so I was game.
We had a lot of fun. Sheila is his friend's name and his name is John. So sheila tells me that John really like me as more than a friend. I was really surprised to hear that because he's 12 years younger than me. Sheila said John didn't care. I've always thought he was hot and has a great body. So today he calls me and asks me if I want to go to the beach. So we did that, and hiked all around the cliffs around the ocean. We stropped at the fish market and he bought all sorts of fillets of white fish and 2 crabs. We went home and made dinner, and after dinner he kissed me. I told him he really surprised me and he said he's wanted to do that since the day he met me. 12 years younger did I mention? So we spent the evening talking and kissing and he said the age difference meant nothing to him. He said he wants us to just date and see what happens. I'm game! He's handsome,. has a great bod, funny, easy to get along with , and loves to dance. I hope I can dance again after surgery..
Anyway, we shall see where this goes. Wow is all I can say.

Glad things are looking clear.... no new surgery!
Not that I'm going to let it stop me from posting, but I feel like my "maintenance" is just not trying to gain any more! and maybe losing a little.... can I have a 15 pound bounce range? If this new forum fills in with people who only have reached goal and not gone over it, I don't really belong there..... there are people under a year that are in "maintenance". Seriously, I don't want their advice!.... not that they shouldn't have a forum.... The Vets forum was about so much more than maintenance. It was about the wisdom and experience of the long view.... with or without reaching or maintaining goal at the moment!

Hey,
I don't have a lot of chin hair, but I do have more than I should...lol... I haven't noticed a significant change at the moment. The hair on my head however, is coming out in handfuls!!
I was sleeved beg July btw!!! =]

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

I may be going to Scotland next year... my husband has family there in the old family "manse"

Congrats girl! Selling art is righteous livelihood!
Bikinis! That is great! I haven't worn a bikini in 45 years! Have so much fun.... and do take pics!

Coops I'm off on holiday too tomorrow. Kevin and I are taking a river cruise down the Rhine. He has had a stressful few months so a relaxing holiday is on the cards. I don't have any bikinis to wear, the thought just makes me shudder. But you coops you have the figure for it, so go get em girl. Come back lovely relaxed and brown.

Enjoy yourself Coops, we will be looking forward to pics of you rockin' your bikini!!!!

Hi ladies...
I've been reading but not posting - not much to report here, except that manic time before you go away on holiday!
Glad the MRI results are good... hopefully the worst is behind you now you know that the impants are leaking. Keep us posted Sheryl.
Kim, you always have wise words... I too should print them off...
Florinda, I wish there was something I could do or say, I have tried to find words of wisdom, but they either sound too cheesy or fail me. Anyway, I think you know that I am thinking of you.
So, we are going away tomorrow for a long awaited holiday... been a tough year so far in one respect or another, and we are looking forward to doing very little for 2 weeks. There are 19 of us altogether... 13 of them are already there, we are the last troop to go. Never been away in a big group before. The other familes are staying in a different apartment to us, so if it does get to much at least we can 'go home'. I have bought two new bikinis... gonna be brave a strut my stuff - someone once said to be 'fake it whilst you make it' and that is what I am going to do...lol.
I have been working on self acceptance. Part of me thinks that at 44 I should just let loose and go for it!
Anyway, if I can't get onto the boards whilst I am away... I am thinking of you all xx

Love Amy, really want to see it....
Had my knee shot up today, so far so good. My other knee was starting to hurt because I was favoring it... hope this gets me back on track for a while.....

School's summer holidays have started... we are a week into it already - no break for me yet - went into school Mon,Tue, and Weds. Thursday I had a dentist appointment - two fillings - grrrr! In the evening I cut my son's hair, my friend's hair and cut and coloured her daughter's hair. Then Friday I cut my dad's hair and cut and permed my mam's hair! No rest for the wicked eh?
All week the weather has been sh"te - rain rain rain, but yesterday it was sunny. Yes! Sun in Wales... so I took advantage. In the morning we had to run the kids around... Hywel was training first thing (you should see the physic on this teenager... my! I am so proud but slightly envious of his muscle...lol) and Betty was working, so Steve and I met up and had some Breakfast out! That was lovely and something we don't do normally. In the afternoon - the sun was still out - we sat outside, with our books and read in the sun... did I say the sun was out...lol. That was a great feeling. I love reading and I love the sun, so a perfect afternoon was had. In the evening I went to the pub, it is my friends birthday, and we drank plenty of cider, had a lil dance and laughed a lot... yesterday was a good day.
Whilst I was out I was talking to my friend's mates - two guys. The one is a runner and has been for many years. We started chatting about how I never 'got the hang' of running, even though I really wanted to but because I felt I could never get the distance up I felt I had failed at it. He found this odd. He said that I should just do what I can do... walk -run, run - run, walk - walk; whatever is right for me... and that is not failing. It put a whole new perspective on it for me. I need to reignite my fitness - I know I keep saying it, but I really do... can't find my mojo but thinking about what he said has helped. He also said that perhaps I need new goals; that made sense too because even though I haven't reached my weight loss goal, I've reached and maintained my size goal.
Perhaps that is why I have stalled with the weight loss - might be a subconscious thing. I am certainly feeling and acting a little complacent about my size. I am at the very top end of my bounce now, and would like to get back down. I think after my holiday - we go away in 10 days! I will sort my head out... holiday time often leads to reflection for me so I am going to use it wisely!

I just love the length and breath of the topics we talk about on here...
Florinda, I love Macklemore - wel-jel you saw him live - I love going to concerts too haven't been to one in years, the last one was Take That with my hero Robbie! That was freaking awesome!
And Cathy! Mr Jones! That is too cool for school...again, wel-jel. He might be older but he can still belt out those anthems... love it. And enjoy your son's graduation and your proud mam moment.
It is horrid to read everyone's troubles - and I wish I could just give you all a big welsh cwtch! I agree with Sheryl, there isn't enough affection and it really does help... so a cyber cwtch to you all.
If I ever win the lottery, once I've bought my dream home, I would fly over and give you all a cwtch in person and then buy coffee!

I just love the length and breath of the topics we talk about on here...
Florinda, I love Macklemore - wel-jel you saw him live - I love going to concerts too haven't been to one in years, the last one was Take That with my hero Robbie! That was freaking awesome!
And Cathy! Mr Jones! That is too cool for school...again, wel-jel. He might be older but he can still belt out those anthems... love it. And enjoy your son's graduation and your proud mam moment.
It is horrid to read everyone's troubles - and I wish I could just give you all a big welsh cwtch! I agree with Sheryl, there isn't enough affection and it really does help... so a cyber cwtch to you all.
If I ever win the lottery, once I've bought my dream home, I would fly over and give you all a cwtch in person and then buy coffee!

Talking of live music I saw Tom Jones in concert last night. Went to horse racing in York ( came out ahead!) then Tom Jones had a concert on the race course. It was really good and approx 40,000 people there. Tom is older but still great performer and of course Coops he is Welsh!!
Weight is up a bit ???????? but I'm drinking too many of my calories.
Going to Oxford tomorrow as my sons graduation is Monday. Proud Mum.

The concert was fantastic, the actual music only lasted two hours between the two acts, and I stood in line for almost that long but it was totally worth it, beautiful music with thoughtful lyrics - awesome!
212 this morning, I have no gone from constant diarrhea into the exact opposite, so ......

Glad you are enjoying Chicago - that is the land of my peoples - well the boonies 40 miles outside of Chicago to be more exact, in the land of corn Beautiful but far too humid for me.
Florinda, I am sad you are angry - I get that way too - but it quickly goes to "poor old me" - have been working on snapping out of that madness more quickly and it seems to help.
I love my husband dearly, more than anything, but if anything happened to him I do not know if I would be interested in marrying again - we have been together over 15 years, met when I was 35 and we get along swimmingly, we got into an altercation yesterday (which happens every few years) and it was about the frequency of sex - we can hump like rabbits and he still thinks it isn't enough at times, then he gets his feelings hurt if he gets turned down (like wanting sex at 3:30 in the morning when he gets up for work when I am in deep rem sleep - I'm lucky when I can even get to sleep these days) - this happened yesterday and he fumed all day and when he got home basically let me know that he feels that he is a chore to me...wont go into it, but I am very lovely dovey but he can be a spoiled brat sometimes lol. Get over I say. If he spent half the time worried about my pleasure that he does with his own - things might be different! Okay, Rant over - I really hope folks cant read this board other than our own group members.
Good news - the scale is down - I need to go confirm the exact number but its 5-7 lbs. My Aria scale is finally far enough away from hubbies weight that it doesn't confuse us and ask me which one of us is on the scale - that means I am at least 8 lbs away from him - i'll take it
I've been doing my best to try and reign in the carbs, haven't been eating any bread - and have switched from vanilla latte's to cappuccinos - been eating Protein Shakes, lots of hard-boiled eggs, and ground turkey and feeling good. As always working on the hydration, which can be better. And so can the Vitamins, and waiting to drink after meals lol - working on those post rules that are so easy to break when one is far out.

Denise, since before your recent surgery I have felt the need for you to have a stong(er) advocacy system in place, I feel like your doctors are just poking around, throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks, without any real concern for you as a patient, you need a patient advocate. I mean, was the first surgery even necessary? As necessary as they are now claiming this second one to be? Hmm....
CherylJane, Atlanta, yuk. Hot AND humid, worst traffic in the continental US (Honolulu has worst overall) and exorbitant cost of living. Having said that, you would probably enjoy the surplus of activities and the very social culture.
213.2 this morning. I don't believe it though, since it is just a result of three days of non stop diarrhea (sorry) and not eating.
Huge concert tonight of my favorite band, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, so stoked!!!!

Florinda, I should have gone to the surgeon I am going to now, instead of the one I went to in the first place. The new one is a nuerosurgeon. I just didn't want to go to Eugene since it's 2 hours away for me. I should have bit the bullet and had him look at my original MRI and gone from there. He might have done then what he is going to do now, which is a much more extensive surgery. I trusted my original surgeon because I had been under his care for 10 years. He obviously knew nothing about post op infections because he completely screwed that up.
I love being in Chicago. Since I can barely walk, we went to the casino and for the first time ever, I got a royal flush and won $200. It would have paid a lot more but I was playing nickel machines cause I am too cheap to put money in those machines. My brother won $2600 cause he was playing quarter machines betting the max. Even betting the max, it's only 200 on a nickel machine. I'm happy though cause I didn't lose any money. It was entertaining for an afternoon. I don't know how people do that as a regular activity though.
Lake Michigan is so beautiful with all the yachts and skyscrapers as a background of sparkling Water that goes for miles. Maybe tomorrow, I'll go to the beach and people watch.

I too never reached goal. I am 5 years out now. My closest was a pound away from my surgeon's - now that is 6lb! I have been bouncing around the same weight for two years. My body is just being really resistant to lose any more!
Unlike you I am only 5'2', so each pound, I feel, make a difference... I haven't given up per se, but I am happy where I am. As you said, healthier fitter and as a pure bonus I look better... but there is still that yearning to reach a 'magic' number!
Even after the first 6 months I had to work for every pound lost, so now I guess I am just a bit bored!
I will keep on keeping on though... good luck to you and remember this is a great place to come for advise and motivation.

Went to an art opening at my local gallery, here is a pic of my friend and gallery owner Mima, my crazy neighbor Robert and me....Cant really see my figure there... Bill Cosby sweater around hips and fake snake purse in the way... Had a fun night, saw lots of old friends, glass of wine... nice weather. Got home and Craig messaged he was on the way home early... he went on a motorcycle trip to Montana for 9 days.

Florinda, I went 'high fat' a few years ago - when I was looking into the Paleo (sp?) diet... I read on the board that if you take an oil shot, it can help break a set point. What I did was use a shot glass, add a tablespoon of pure virgin olive oil with Water and downed it in one (with my nose pegged...lol). The one rule is that you can't have anything that 'tastes' an hour before and an hour after.
I did it for several weeks and it broke my set point... I lost a few pounds, where I was stuck for ages.
Infact, you've reminded me of that time, so I might start it again - thank you x