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It's been a little while.... just wanted to check in with you all.. Sleevina and I are having a love/hate relationship right now.. I'm a little stuck as far as weight loss (305)... But, I'm still losing inches!! I wore a size 20/22 dress from Target!!.. I can do so many things that I couldn't do before.. And I think I'm mentally stronger... though, I still get emotional and a little down about not losing massive amounts of weight just yet. The biggest update is that I was accepted into a Doctoral Program at Concordia University-Chicago!!! And 5 classes from my Masters in Educational Leadership will transfer, shortening my program by a year and shaving 10K off of my tuition!!! It's rough teaching, going to school and taking care of ME.. but it's so worth it.. I hope all is well with you guys and that you are enjoying your journey!!!! Love and hugs, Tina

Hey Ladies... Just wanted to report that I had my 1st non-drug induced monthly cycle.. Sept 1-6... A little crampy early on.. but nothing severe enough to require meds... Didn't bleed like a slaughtered pig (though the regular tampons didn't quite work too well day 2 and 3) TMI.. sorry... but, I'm excited and hopefully, my gyn will tell me that I can get my IUD.... I was diagnosed w/ PCOS 10 years ago... I usually have to do a 5-10 cycle of Provera to bleed.. Got a Mirena Feb 2011... didn't have any more periods until this one.. Gyn wanted me to do Provera again, didn't want to .. just prayed and I think my body if finally trying to act normally... Kind of stuck at 305... but, I'm down another size.. wore a size 20/22 dress from Target yesterday!!!

I feel you!!! I'm so there!!! This week I'm doing Diva's boot camp and I'm planning my meals, super hydrating and journaling to find my triggers.. I'm also making an appointment to see my therapist... I'm 8 months out and not losing like I should.. Granted, I am a slow loser, however I know I'm not working my sleeve like I should.. As far as negative comments, sometimes it's good to take a step back from a public forum and surround yourself with your core people who are supportive, but honest!!

Hey Lady!!! Everybody this is my god-mom!!! She's awesome, wise, beautiful and now SLEEVED!!!!! I love her so much!!!...

I don't see anything wrong with that!!! Do you shop at Costco?? Well, they are for you anyway!!

Congrats!!!! That's awesome!!! Just know, the NSVs are going to keep coming!!!

AWESOME!!! I'm so happy for you!!!!

I had to the 6 month supervised weight loss.. Look at it as a way to prepare you for your new life!!! Trust me, it goes by very fast... I wish I would have been more diligent about using my 6 months to jump start my weight loss and prepare myself a little more.. You can do this... Trust me!!! Best wishes!!

Hey Guys!!!.. Yes, I know it's been a minute!! But, I'm still alive and kicking... just crazy busy and mourning the end of my summer vacation!! LOL... Well, let's see... I have kind of learned how to deal w/ my anxiety around successfully navigating my sleeved life.. I JUST DO IT!!! Most days I'm quite successful and on the "challenging" days.. I try to remember, there is always tomorrow!! Tis Life!!! I'm also learning to shed the "I wear the largest size in the store" mentality.. Went to Target yesterday to get some epsom salts to help with the aches and ACHES from this body works class I went to on Monday... the beast lady trainer tried to kill me.. I promise she did.. I did survive.. barely.. but anyway... my friends and I decided to try on some clothes... First, I've never worn ANYTHING from Target besides socks!!! So, we grab dresses and my BFF ******es a hanger from me and says... are you crazy... you don't wear that size!!! Of course I argue... She I had a 4 (26/28) she wanted me to get a 1 (18/20)... we compromised at a 2 (20/22).... I knew I would be embarrassed cause I wouldn't be able to get my big butt in this little dress (yes, little... I'm used to 28, 30 and 32s).... so.. I sashay into the dressing room... pissed off... and it FIT!!! like... really FIT!!! I couldn't believe it.. LOL... Oh, I'm in a wedding in December, so I had to go get fitted for the dress... which, I put off to the last possible minute... anyway... the consultant was amazing and tried to help me see that I wasn't a size 30 anymore... put on a very small cut size 24 gown and a size 38D corset bra!! I'm like.. WHAT??!! for real??!!! I attached a pic.. excuse the gym hair!!! Trying to get more gym time in this week before I head back to work!!! Oh, I also saw 308 on the scale this week!!! Yeah.. over 300 and wearing a 20/22.. LOL.. I don't get it, but I'll take it!! So those are the major NSVs for this week!! LOL.. I've gained a few more Tina-isms since the last time I posted.... here they are ... Find someone to share your story with... Highs, lows, in-betweens... This will definitely serve as a reminder that you have come sooo far..even if you're just starting out or making the decision to change your life... Share it... Your story sounds good being told by YOU!!! Don't worry too much about wasting food... it's called a ziploc bag, container or whatever!!! I hate left overs, but, when I did the math, I could spend $2 on a bag of frozen veggies and make my leftovers into 2-4 DIFFERENT meals!! I spent $10 at brunch yesterday and ate 4 times!!! Learn your weight loss patterns and listen to your bodyI CANNOT lose weight when eating fruit... Like.. I don't know why... so, I limit my fruit intake to weekends and spend the week doing Protein and green veggies... That may not be the case for some people... find out what works for you and DO IT!!!! Water is YOUR FRIEND!!! Feeling tired and kind of blah.... grab a couple of bottles of water.... take a leisurely stroll as your drink... I love CL pink lemonade.. YUM!!! Take a friend with you when you go shopping... You may not see the difference in your size (I drop lots of inches before pounds come off)...but, others can... CLEARLY... Finally, Learn to appreciate the things that make you unique!! You are amazingly and perfectly you.. Not perfect, but perfectly you.. Love and accept the wonder of it!! Change what you don't like... but never underestimate your power and presence!! Love and Hugs!!! Tina

Awesome job!!! You look great!!!

Lasers actually don't promote hair growth... they don't pull hair out... they send a pulse to the hair follicle and if it's strong enough, it kills the follicle and no hair grows from it again... the issue is that you have different follicles in their active growth phases at different times... I had about 3 laser treatments done 3 years ago... and I still have way less hair than before... 6-7 are recommended in 6 week intervals... they can get expensive, but it is definitely worth it.. oh, she used the Yag laser on me..

My Derm gave me a prescription for Vaniqa, but ins won't cover it... you can get it the cheapest through drugstore.com, but it's still $65-100...

Wow!! Thanks for sharing this!! I really needed to read this... I've been on the road for 3 weeks... Working out very little and struggling with eating..(some days I hardly eat, others I'm ravenous!!)... I was sitting here riding w/my brother ( from Va Beach to DC) and just really kicking myself... But, now... I am making a plan to get back into the gym when I land in Chicago tomorrow and heading to Trader Joe's to stock my fridge... Thanks again for sharing!!

Yeah Patrick!! I'm rooting for you!!! No matter what, just remember each day you are getting closer to a more free and mobile life...Keep sipping, walking and looking forward!!