Hello my peeps!

Happy 2007 to you! I'm already starting this year as my best ever. My biggest New Year's resolution was to quit smoking. I am now on day two and going strong. Yesterday evening was tough, I kept reaching for one or starting to ask my hubby for one then I caught myself and did something else.

I am now officially down 60 pounds since May 06! It amazes me each and every time I step on the scale. I did some major purging in my closet and now have 7 huge trash bags full of clothes to give away. I went to Old Navy on Saturday with the intention of getting some smaller jeans. They didn't have the size I wanted (14!!!) but I did get some cute camo pants and a sweater (XL!). I also did some online shopping at Torrid yesterday, so hopefully I will have some things to get me through awhile longer.

As this new years begins I can't help but reflect on 2006 a bit. I have made some amazing connections with people here and I can't thank you enough for cheering me on and being in my corner. You guys rawk!!

Here's to 2007!!

Peace.

Drewslou - Thanks once again for creating a new months thread. You are doing so well. I wish everyone a happy new year. I con't remember entering a new year with so much hope. Its a great feeling. I am down to a size 36 waist pants and a large shirt. That feels weird not having to put at least one "X" in front of large. I went to a Dallas Stars hockey game for New Year's eve and felt comfortable in the seat for the first time. The last time I went I had to wedge myself in the seat. This time I sat comfortably and my whole arm fit in between me and the arm rest. Hope everyone had as good of one as I did.

As I was cleaning out my closet this weekend I came across what used to be my fave jeans. These are a size 22 and used to be pretty tight on me.

Look at me now!

I need to do somemore closet purging! I cleaned it about about 2 months ago. I have a friend at work that was banded about 1 month before me and she can usually wear my clothes after I get to small for them. It's time to clean out again. It feels absolutely incredible to not wear plus sizes or anything with X in it. My large shirts are getting too big and I am in 12 or 14 pants now. There are so much more clothing selections now! I think my old shopping habit may start creeping back. I just called my surgeon's office to find out my pre-surgery measurements. I will post those once I have a chance to compare tonight.

Drews- way to go on the smoking...or not smoking I should say. Hang in there! That's a great idea of the pics of the jeans..I have some tight 22's I have been saving as well. I may see if hubby will take a pic for comparison.

Neal - that is awesome on the hockey seats! I can't wait to go to Six Flags this spring and see how I fit in all of the rides.

Can't wait to hear from everyone else! You all have meant so much to me!

Kim - to answer you question you posted in the December thread - the difference between womens/misses sizing is usually an inch or so in the waist/hips. For example measurements for Lands End:

Misses 16 waist 34.5-36 and hips 44.5

Womens 16 waist 37-38 and hips 45

I found that I could always wear the one size larger in misses than I did in plus/womens sizes. Now that I am a misses 12/14, I can no longer wear plus sizes...WAHOO!

Thanks for the info Alicia. Can't wait til I get completely out of the plus sizes, congrats on that!

Drews - looking good girl! Come up with that roller derby name yet?

I called my surgeon's office to get my pre-surgery stats and measured last night. Here they are!

3/6/06 (pre-surgery)

Neck: 15 1/8

R. Arm 15 1/4

L. Arm 14 1/2

Bust: 46 3/4

Waist: 41 1/2

Hips: 53 1/4

1/3/07 (almost 8 months out)

Neck: 13 1/2

R. Arm: 12

L. Arm 12

Bust: 39

Waist: 33 1/2

Hips: 42 1/2

Hey Drews - Thanks for starting the new month's thread!

Alicia - those measurment changes are great! Its interesting your arms are now even

Thank you! I thought that was odd too!

Congrats on the inches lost Alicia... I'll see if I can't dig mine up and post them here too.

Can't wait to see the change Kim. With 88 lbs lost, I am sure you have shed some major inchage!

Okay.. dug out my initial measurements from my first meeting with Dr. Rose and my 6 month exam measurements... I think I've lost around 36 inches! WOW! They didn't measure thighs and I wish I had done so, because I think they are a lot smaller.

05/01/06 (pre-surgery)

Neck: 16

R. Arm 19 1/2

L. Arm 18 3/4

Bust: 53 1/2

Waist: 52

Hips: 58

12/11/06 (almost 6 months out)

Neck: 14

R. Arm: 14 1/2

L. Arm 14

Bust: 47 1/4

Waist: 39

Hips: 47 1/2

Thanks for bringing this up Alicia! I love any NSV! Anyone else wanna share?

Wow Kim - you are really shrinking!!! I also wished I had measured my thighs! I may start now and keep it up on a monthly basis.

I wish I knew mine. Maybe my doctor's office will have them. The only thing I know is my pant size has gone from a 54/56 inch waist to a 36 inch waist. Us guys just don't think about stuff like that I guess.

Happy 2007!

Congrats, Alicia, Drew and OU for your great losses!

I'm stuck at 201.....why can't I lose that last two lbs to get to Onederland???????? I was hoping so much that I could be at 199 on New Years, but it just didn't happen.:phanvan

My mom told me to quit worrying, that it makes it harder to lose when you worry about it. And she's right! She told me to concentrate on the 70 I've loss and not stress about 2 silly lbs.

And of course again, mom is always right.

So I'm going back, doing the stuff that I know will get me to my goal and perhaps I shouldn't weigh myself every morning.

We'll see...........