Hey y'all. It's been a while since I have posted. Just thought I'd check in. The scale finally changed digits!! I have been 225ish since April. My doc said my body is fighting losing weight because all it knows is being fat. I was last 225 at age 14 so I know I have come a long way; especially when considering my highest weight ever was 368. I am grateful but I have visions of Onderland now that I am so close. Doc suggested i try something new. So I quit Curves after almost 2 years and started walking our track at work (aim for 3- 4 miles) and working out with my exercise videos at home. Also use treadmill and exercise bikes at work some. I have been having Curves withdrawals but I think they are slowly subsiding. It provided the structure I needed being new to exercise when I joined plus I liked the social aspect. So without Curves, I had to step my game up to ensure that I exercise daily or several times per week. I was so used to going there 5-6 times per week that at first felt lost without it. I got a fill on 10/1 and I feel I have good restriction. I am trying to watch my portions and carbs while getting those fluids in. Needless to say as of 10/17, I finally left the 220's (219.2) after months & months. Yesterday I was 216.8 so things seem to be going down finally even if it is kinda slow. I thought my scale was broken and would not change the middle digit to a one.

AND I got a part-time job. I have never worked a part-time job but had been thinking about it. As a single person with no kids and no man with sense in my life, I find myself bored in the evenings and some weekends which makes me more tempted to snack or eat more than I should. I'm not a club person, all my friends have kids so cannot always hang out. So I decided to give a part-time job a try to structure some of my evenings. My evenings are watching tv, talking on telephone and reading which gets boring after awhile. Just started Tuesday at this clothing store in town. Don't know if that is totally a good idea because I see so much in there i want to buy for my now size 16 body. Was trying to not buy alot in general even before I started working there because my clothes are not getting alot of longevity before becoming too baggy. But surprisingly I have not been overly tired and I look forward to continuing at least through the holidays. In my pre-band days there was no way I could have handled all that walking around and extra work. Just getting through my full-time job was a struggle. The extra money, although not a lot, definitely won't hurt either. Plus some good looking men have been coming through. I just feel good that I decided to do it and am doing it. Keep me in your prayers and i will do the same for all of you.

Good to hear you got past your wall! It's a good thing you didn't give up. The one thing my personal trainer tells me is that you have to change your exercises. She never lets me do the same routine twice. I love her and how she mixes things up so that my body doesn't get used to it.

Keep up the good work! I can't wait to get back into a size 16. I wish you much success to onederland!:rolleyes2:

I'm happy to hear that things are going well for you. You are my insperation. You are knocking on Onderland. Look how far you have come. Please check in and keep us posted on your continue progress. We will throw you an on-line party when that Onderland is reachd.

What a great update!!! You have done very, very well!!! Congrats! I think getting the part-time job was a great idea!!! Keep us posted!!!

Thanks for sharing Crishell! I can't wait to get that close to onederland! I am so proud of you and admire your dedication and optimism. Keep up the good work and keep us posted!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Since last posting, I have changed part-time jobs from the clothing store to Kirkland's Homestore in my local mall. It pays more per hour, I can get more hours and the atmosphere is a little better and calmer. Right now, I am only working 2 evenings per week plus either Saturday or Sunday so not too bad. I told them that I wanted no more than 15 hours per week. With this week being a big week with holidays, I am working 19 hours so that's pushing it. I have had enough time to get things around the house & other things done. Overall, I don't regret my decision to pursue a part-time job, my co-workers are nice and the money is definitiely useful at Christmas. I have my good and bad days. Still have to get used to the idea because I had become rather comfortable going home to a quiet house and chilling with most nights & weekends unstructured. Helps to think about fact that three years ago, it would not have been physically possible and it never even crossed my mind. No longer experiencing the Curves withdrawals but I still miss the ladies. I walk when it's not too cold (I get plenty of walking and lifting working my part-time job 4-5 hours when I go). I'm also working out with my Hip Hop Abs & belly dancing DVD's at home. Don't know if I will make 199 by end of year or even by January 19 which is my 2 year Bandiversary, but at least I am closer to it. I try to look at the big picture and reflect on where I came from to keep things in perspective & not get frustrated. I have now taken 6 loads of size 30/32 & 26/28 clothes to Goodwill and gave some to a cousin. For some reason, I cannot part with anything 22 and under. I am buying more clothes from the land of the Misses. I got some straight 16 pants the other day, not even 16W and a size L top. For all of this, I am truely grateful and thankful on this Thanksgiving Day. Looking forward to 199 in 2009. Luv U all, B

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am newly banded. I will have my one month anniversary on the 6th. I am excited about the weight that I have lost so far, but I feel that I am starting to really feel the struggle, not being filled yet. I am on mushy food (not really doing the pureed thing, as I should), and I am really experiencing the chocking thing (only 3 times, and that is enough for me). I am starting to feel more hungry in the evenings, which is starting to make me nervous. I am getting in my Protein (which I know is good), but I am not feel good about my eating.

Anyone have any helpful suggestions.

Thanks in advance for your effort to offer some support

GREAT UPDATE!!!! Congrats on how far you have come!!!Please keep checking in!

PS pass them 22s over this way embrace your new size you ain't going back!!!! lol