Kellylynn

Have you tried the Master Gardeners Extensions?
http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/
http://extension.arizona.edu/maricopamg
http://www.phxgardening.com/grow-vegetables.html
http://www.phoenixtropicals.com/vegetables.html
http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/outdoors/articles/20100317arizona-spring-planting-guide.html
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/azgard/msg1116045925629.html
They all can show and help you to grow crops in the heat. I've used the ones here in Virginia. They're great. Some of them even will allow you to swap stuff with them or teach you things like dehydration, canning, etc.
Speaking of which, what about homesteading? Have you looked into that?
http://homesteading-arizona.blogspot.com/
http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/yavapai-county-zmaz87jfzgoe.aspx
http://thepaleomama.com/2013/10/urbanhomesteading/
http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/general-homesteading-forums/homesteading-questions/285458-az-homesteading.html
All of these are ways that you can save money and use less resources, conserve. Things you can do around the house. I know here there are groups that allow you to trade, swap and barter.
If you can get to a library also, there are ways of getting books on that, or info.
What else have you checked into like this?

TIFF!! OMG you are straight out gorgeous! And check out those outfits - super super cute. I miss my pal!

Hi there! I'm just down the road from you in Upper Marlboro. I had my surgery in May at Washington Hospital a Center with Dr. Timothy Shope & his group.
They are/were excellent. The process was smooth albeit long (6 months with my insurance). I highly recommend WHC.
Good luck to you!

TIFF!! OMG you are straight out gorgeous! And check out those outfits - super super cute. I miss my pal!

How much has every one lost? 46lbs down here!

Down 48 :-) my only complaint is back pain. Oh yeah and I still can't tolerate bread. That makes me kind of sad, but it could be worse.

49 here. I have body pain all over mostly at night but I work through it.

I am almost five months out and still eat them. I don't eat them as much as I did at first (maybe I wasn't getting in as much liquid at that point) but still love them.
I buy the Popsicle brand (they're 15 calories each and taste fine) and the Dreyer's/Edy's brand. The Dreyer's/Edy brand are 25 calories each and a bit more expensive -- but they're SO good. They're not as easy for me to come by, but when I find them I almost have to buy them.

OMG... I don't know if it is the warmer weather or what but I am like a popsicle fiend! I seriously eat 2 or 3 a day!! I used to love fudgcicles but not so much now... I love those Edy's ones too but our local ShopRite has had the popsicle brand ones on sale for $2.27 a box so I stocked up on the sugar free ones!

Yes!
Afrodite82, it will also make a difference in your legs! You will be rockin cute summer dresses in no time.

I love popsicles!!! I get the sugar free ones and eat the red and orange ones like it's my JOB!!

OMG ... a topic I actually know a little something about lol!
Regardless of my size I have always loved cloths, shoes, handbags, belts, etc. Dressing well has always been an important part of my life (note: funny enough, although dressing well is important to me - I rarely notice how others dress. I care more about attitude - ironic, right?! I think I may be a physiologists dream!). Anyway...
I love love love dresses. They are so easy and require no thinking and little to no preparation. Dresses you buy in the spring can transition into the summer just by adding leggings and cute little booties. Sheath dresses are the best. I have many of these and plan to belt them as I begin to drop weight.
Belts are key! Wrapped around the outside of an oversized cardigan, sweater, button up blouses, with leggings - super cute;
wrapped around sheath dresses to define your new waist line - amazing
Recommended Reading:
- How to Look Expensive, Andrea Pomerantz
- Anything by Nina Garcia
- InStyle Mag (a monthly super market pub) - my favorite!
So, I just realized I'm coming from the angle of a professional working atmosphere. I work for the govt - but even outside of work, with the kids at school functions, etc, I always try to make an effort. Perhaps this was because I was/am overweight. I could never get away with throwing on sweats and a t-shirt and look "cute" so I had to do a little more to look effortless.
Skinny or chubby - it is amazing how feeling good about how you are dressed can make you feel. Some of my favorite stores include:
Ann Taylor Loft
Ann Taylor
White House Black Market
TJ Max
Marshells
Target
Macy's
I am so excited for you (and all of us!) as we move forward on our journey! I wish you the best of luck and I am certain you will be/are already fabulous!

A question was asked to people who are in a similar situation. I think your personal lectures on "backsliding" and such is really uncalled for and rude. We all have vices but they're not the same. The analogy using AA was good except when you go to a meeting and admit you fell off they don't get lectured they get support to fight another day.
The purpose of this forum so I thought was for support. The purpose of our new tool is ultimately to learn how to live life with things in moderation. If you can drink soda, eat dessert, drink alcohol and any other taboo behaviors in moderation then your on point!! Less judgment people we get enough of that from "regular" people no place for it here.
Have a blessed day! ; )

Newat52 from your response one is left to assume this really strikes a cord with you. I didn't see any name calling or labeling - she/he seemed to just be making an observation.

Yes!
Afrodite82, it will also make a difference in your legs! You will be rockin cute summer dresses in no time.

Only some of the people at my job know where I've been the last two weeks. You could just tell people diet and exercise and leave it at that. Or you can tell all of it, been a "sleeve evangelist" and talk about how great it is.
Either way, people are going to talk about you. It's just the nature of working with catty women. But whichever way you go, own it and be proud.

Neneh!!
A coke bottle - I never thought of that but that is a perfect description for me too! I love it! I've consistently been a size 16 boarder line 18 from time to time.
Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft don't carry beyond a size 14 in the store but online they go up to 18. They weren't always like this. It was aprox 3 yrs ago they stopped carrying size 16 (and 0's) in the store.

Ha! maybe - but you with skinny little body would still look cute in your sweatpants and T! :-)

OMG ... a topic I actually know a little something about lol!
Regardless of my size I have always loved cloths, shoes, handbags, belts, etc. Dressing well has always been an important part of my life (note: funny enough, although dressing well is important to me - I rarely notice how others dress. I care more about attitude - ironic, right?! I think I may be a physiologists dream!). Anyway...
I love love love dresses. They are so easy and require no thinking and little to no preparation. Dresses you buy in the spring can transition into the summer just by adding leggings and cute little booties. Sheath dresses are the best. I have many of these and plan to belt them as I begin to drop weight.
Belts are key! Wrapped around the outside of an oversized cardigan, sweater, button up blouses, with leggings - super cute;
wrapped around sheath dresses to define your new waist line - amazing
Recommended Reading:
- How to Look Expensive, Andrea Pomerantz
- Anything by Nina Garcia
- InStyle Mag (a monthly super market pub) - my favorite!
So, I just realized I'm coming from the angle of a professional working atmosphere. I work for the govt - but even outside of work, with the kids at school functions, etc, I always try to make an effort. Perhaps this was because I was/am overweight. I could never get away with throwing on sweats and a t-shirt and look "cute" so I had to do a little more to look effortless.
Skinny or chubby - it is amazing how feeling good about how you are dressed can make you feel. Some of my favorite stores include:
Ann Taylor Loft
Ann Taylor
White House Black Market
TJ Max
Marshells
Target
Macy's
I am so excited for you (and all of us!) as we move forward on our journey! I wish you the best of luck and I am certain you will be/are already fabulous!

OMG ... a topic I actually know a little something about lol!
Regardless of my size I have always loved cloths, shoes, handbags, belts, etc. Dressing well has always been an important part of my life (note: funny enough, although dressing well is important to me - I rarely notice how others dress. I care more about attitude - ironic, right?! I think I may be a physiologists dream!). Anyway...
I love love love dresses. They are so easy and require no thinking and little to no preparation. Dresses you buy in the spring can transition into the summer just by adding leggings and cute little booties. Sheath dresses are the best. I have many of these and plan to belt them as I begin to drop weight.
Belts are key! Wrapped around the outside of an oversized cardigan, sweater, button up blouses, with leggings - super cute;
wrapped around sheath dresses to define your new waist line - amazing
Recommended Reading:
- How to Look Expensive, Andrea Pomerantz
- Anything by Nina Garcia
- InStyle Mag (a monthly super market pub) - my favorite!
So, I just realized I'm coming from the angle of a professional working atmosphere. I work for the govt - but even outside of work, with the kids at school functions, etc, I always try to make an effort. Perhaps this was because I was/am overweight. I could never get away with throwing on sweats and a t-shirt and look "cute" so I had to do a little more to look effortless.
Skinny or chubby - it is amazing how feeling good about how you are dressed can make you feel. Some of my favorite stores include:
Ann Taylor Loft
Ann Taylor
White House Black Market
TJ Max
Marshells
Target
Macy's
I am so excited for you (and all of us!) as we move forward on our journey! I wish you the best of luck and I am certain you will be/are already fabulous!

Newat52 from your response one is left to assume this really strikes a cord with you. I didn't see any name calling or labeling - she/he seemed to just be making an observation.

Dear body-
As I sit here just a little more than 48 hours from my surgery day, I am thinking about you...there have been so many times over the years when I looked upon you in disdain, and, body, I am sorry for that. It wasn't you...it was me. It was the emotional part of me that found food as a comfort for the times I was lonely, the times I was sad, the times I was rewarding myself for any number of things...the disdain I had was for me, not you. Truly, body, you deserve my praise and appreciation...I appreciate that over the last 15 years, as the numbers have crept up on the scale and now top 300 pounds, that you have taken it all in stride and not (yet) succumbed to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or any of the other weight-related issues that I know would have come had I not taken steps to have this surgery. I am sorry that I am choosing to remove a large portion of a perfectly good stomach in order to having a fighting chance of overcoming obesity, but I truly believe this is the best course for us. I'm sure you remember last year when I got the tattoo of the cover of The Giving Tree on my hip...and you know that one of the reasons that was special to me was that I viewed you as the tree, and me as the little boy...up to this point in my life, I have acted just like the little boy, taking from you without regard for what you needed...but I knew I needed to be better than the little boy in the story, and take better care of you so that you would be able to keep me strong for as long as possible. That starts Wednesday. Promise. I'm not saying I will be perfect, but I do promise to be emotionally "present" from here on out, and not automatically self-soothe with food.

You honestly look great in both pics! I will say though, your eyes shine brighter in the thinner u photo.
Congratulations! Simply beautiful.

I just find this post rude. Everyone has the right to ask whatever questions they want, it doesn't matter if its been posted before, they can still ask.
This place is supposed to be for support. Should people just read what other people have posted and never get involved? That person might not find much support just reading other people's posts compared to if they posted the thread themselves.
Besides if every topic was only posted once there wouldn't be anyone posting anything because its all been said!!
If you see a topic that you already know about or have already read, why don't you just keep scrolling. It doesn't even effect you at all really