First off I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas.  I hope you all have a fantastic Holiday with your friends and famlies.

I didn't look to see when the last time I posted was so I might repeat myself I am sorry about that.

I am doing really well.  And I don't just mean with weight loss.  My life is actually really going well.

Ok so that was just ugly I did try to make it very "holiday" but ehh not so pretty HA.

I am down 138.2 lbs.  I am overjoyed with that.  I haven't hit my goal weight yet but I am no longer Morbidly Obese, Obese or even overweight I have a "normal" BMI of 24.6 so that in it's self is great for me.  I have also now lost over 100 lbs since surgery. I am completely healthy.  I got my test results for my 6 month check up and everything is looking good.  I did have to start a low dose of Iron and a dose of Vitamin D but everything else is completely within normal range.  So yeah for Normality :D

I still have 11.8 lbs to go to be to my first goal but I decided I want to lose another 15 after that so we'll see what happens.  GRANTED don't get me wrong, if I don't lose another pound I'd be completely happy with that too. I am comfortably in a size 8-10 depending on the cut and honestly when I started I swore if I could just be in a size 14 I'd be thrilled.  So an 8 to me is CRAZY.  I did try on a pair of size 6 slacks last weekend and although I couldn't wear them out anywhere cause they showed every bump and dimple I have I got them up buttoned and zipped without feeling like I was going to pass out LOL I can wear a size Medium in Shirts BUT because I do have extra skin in my lower belly area I don't feel comfortable in anything that doesn't cover my jeans so I usually stick to a Large.  BUT if you look at my WLS pictures the picture of me in the Red top in august of 2007 that was a 5X so a large I am completely ok with.

I religiously go to the gym 4-5 days a week.  I go Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat.  This week I didn't go today because being xmas eve I ran out of time.  BUT the doctors said most things become a habit after 28 days of doing them.  Working out doesn't become a habit for 6 months.  SOOO I am hoping to make this a healthy habit.  I have been going for the past 2-3 months so we'll see.  I really enjoy it.  (ok I don't ALWAYS enjoy it but I know I have to do it so I go even when I don't want to)

Now just a few non surgery things then I'll probably think about something else and go back to it so forgive me :D.

I had a fantastic Christmas Eve with my husband kids and my in laws. I am very fortunate that I have such great in laws.  I know in-laws to some people is basically a 4 letter word.  But mine are just soo wonderful. We spend the afternoon there then came home and opened presents.  I do look behind me and notice santa has been here already as well.  Santa is tired LOL.

I do however miss my own family.  It's always the hardest around Christmas.  I haven't been home for the Holidays for 14 yrs and I swear it doesn't get easier. 

BUT I did get a little spoiled and so that tends to make up for it a little bit LOL. 

Ok so back to the little things.  (like I said I will probably just have random tid bits through out this)  I bought a pair of boots and would you believe they are a size 7 1/2.  Now that might not mean much but last year my crocs were a size 10 (crocs were all I'd wear back in the day now I don't think I own any) Now most of the shoes and boots I have been buying are a size 8 but for some reason the 7 1/2 made me really think Wow I am really just shrinking all over. 

I am actually STARTING to think I look pretty ok in clothes.  (out of clothes TOTALLY different story) I don't mean to sound vain and if I do I am not meaning that at all.  And I do have my "fat" days.  But a friend of mine pointed out.  "When you were in a size 28-30 and someone in a size 8-10 said "OH I AM SOO FAT" didn't you want to ring their neck?"  So I thought "good point"  So I try to have few of those days.  But after losing just shy of 140 lbs I think I deserve to be a "lil" vain.  So I do wear make up and do my hair whenever I leave the house now which before I never did.  I mean from time to time but I figured "what's the point?"  Now I just feel better so I guess I want to look better.

Now if you are reading this and you have just started your journy either recently having surgery or haven't had surgery yet.  Just know it is VERY VERY hard work.  People call it the "easy way out" but I can promise you this has NOT been easy for me at all.  Worth all the hard work??  Absolutely.  I didn't have this surgery to look better.  I had this surgery because my health went from good to bad in a matter of 6 months and I needed to do something.  And now I am healthy.  H E A L T H Y and wearing a size 8  now that's just a bonus   I still have a lot of mental issues as I have found out most people do after losing weight so fast. But it's just a matter of working through it.  But bottom line, if I had to do it over again, woud I?  Absolutely in a second. 

So if you have any questions Please feel free to contact me I will be willing to answer any questions you may have.  I will be as honest and helpful as I can.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your holidays and I'll update sooner than I did this time I promise.

Take care,

Nicol

(copied and pasted from my myspace blog

Hi Everyone,

Sorry this is so late.  I just haven't wanted to post too much this week.  I am in a stall and those are always depressing. I was down 110 lbs then this morning 109 lbs but I knew that was coming I was self sabataging yesterday.  Grazed so I was happy honestly it was only 1 lb. 

I have come to the conclusion that I tend to do that.  I am in a stall for 4-5 days then 6-7 and then I get Pissed and think Well, screw it I am not losing anyway.  Then I graze all day and then I gain.  And the only one I am hurting is ME I know that and like today I have been very good.  BUT I have that day of "SCREW IT"  I have been at the same weight since Wednesday of last week so we're on 8 days now.  I know I need to be patient but I get impatient from time to time.

Ok so that being said My thyroid was up a little then down so I went into the doctor today she said my new results were normal but that doesnt' always mean "normal" since it was high it could mean it was low then high to make it normal so she checked around on my neck and asked if it was sore and It was a little tender on the left side.  She said right there?  And was on exactly where it was tender I said yes.  SO I have an ultra sound on the 3rd of September and she said she should have my results on the 4th. It could be nothing, it could be a small goiter (isn't that an ugly word), or it could be a centimeter or larger and if that's the case they'll have to biopsy it.  But if it's just small I'll just get on a small dose of thyroid meds.  I am hoping for the "it could be nothing" part of it LOL  I'll keep you posted on that.

Let's see what else is going on with me?  Nothing really I guess. Glad it's a 3 day weekend however my husband isn't feeling well so not sure what will come of that.  He has a doctor's appointment tomorrow.  Sounds kinda like an inner ear infection.  He has the same symptoms I have when I am dehydrated.  I think MAYBE his blood pressure meds are too high.  But who knows.  We'll find out tomorrow.  Poor guy is miserable.

Kids are good I posted some pictures of our Birdhouse painting the other day.  That was fun.  Until later I left everything out to dry and well, C decided our table and chair outside needed to be painted.  Thankfully it's metal so I could wash it off otherwise we'd have a nice red table and chair LOL.

I will try and post more often.  EVEN when I am in a slump. 

Hope all is well for you.

~Nicol

Happy tears that is. 

As of today I have lost 100 lbs.  I am in disbelief and I am honestly soo proud of myself.  I didn't think I'd be this emotional.  I wasn't this emotional yesterday at 99 lbs.  But hitting that 100 lbs is just such an amazing feeling. 

For all of you out there that have lost 100 or more.  I know you know the feeling.  For those of you who aren't there yet.  Just wait...  This feeling right now I can say is the best feeling.  And for those of you who are just starting out.  Anything is possible.  I am living proof. 

Thank you everyone for reading my blogs and all the support and encouragement it TRULY does mean soooo much to me. 

Keep dreaming the dream.

~Nicol

Happy Sunday....

Hi Everyone, Guess what!?!?!?!  I am finally in a good mood LOLOL.  No more complaining (for one day anyway).  I got up this morning and I am down 90 lbs. NINETY!  that's awesome to me.  10 more lbs and I am at 100 lost.  CRAZY!!  I am now comfortably in a size 16.  They aren't tight anymore.  I never thought I'd ever get below a 22 let alone a 16.  Soo crazy to me. I am VERY excited today.  I have a bridal shower to go to.  It's my best friend's little sister and I can't wait to see them AND go somewhere with OUT my children.  Don't get me wrong I LOVE my kids but WOW I am looking forward to the break.  :D  Now I did post a new picture yesterday for my 2 months out but I think I look bigger in this picture than the 1 month out.  Might be cause I have a good bra on that holds my girls up or the fact I am wearing white whatever the case I don't think I look smaller this month than last.  Oh well.  I know I am.  Something for thought... A fellow photographer posted this at the end of her blog after explaining she wasn't going to try and measure herself up to pictures in magazines anymore.... You do measure up. Just be aware of what you are using to as your "measuring tool" .... I am beautiful. As I am. Even with the gap between my front teeth, the pimples I still get on my chin every now and then, the dimples on my backside, the scars I have on my legs from my tomboy-ish childhood, my eyebrows that never grow in right, the stetchmarks woven across my belly .... all of it. It's me. Now I hope that one day I can be this loving with who I am inside and out.  (Thanks Skye) And on that I will end.  I hope you all love who you are.  Inside and out.  I am still in the process. Have a great Sunday. ~Nicol

Hello everyone,

Just thought I'd update today.  I am not feeling too hot today.  I did finally get all my old clothes posted on ebay (you can take a look if interested  http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZnickinic )

Anyway I was soo excited about losing those 2 lbs and I shouldn't have been SOOO excited cause I am STILL there.  LOL I know I should be happy 87 lbs is HUGE 50 lbs in 2 months is HUGE but I am irritated.  I was watching Amelia on her youtube (love her here is her link if anyone wants to add her she's just awesome http://www.youtube.com/user/massagegoddess ) any way she's always soo positive about everything. she was up a few pounds this week and was just soo overjoyed with her life that she's totally fine with it.  I can't wait to get to that point cause today I am just BLEHHHH  I am sure it has to do with the fact that I don't feel so hot but Just bitchy today. 

Let's see Need to find positive...  My mother in law's birthday is today we are going up there tomorrow and I have a bridal shower to go to on Sunday.  Looking forward to those things.  I am going shopping tonight for presents for both. 

OH I made Michelle's Basil Primavera Casserole last night and I was a bit weary if I'd like it or not (I hate mushrooms) but OH MY GOD it was sooooo good.  http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/2008/04/pastaless-cause-thats-how-i-roll.html  There is the link for it. Soo yummy.  she's a rockstar.

Let's see.  I guess that's all I have for today.  I did add pictures because my friend was giving me a hard time about wearing crocks so I showed her pictures of a pair of shoes I bought before surgery (that is one thing that never changes is my foot size LOL)  That was funny.

Hope all is good with everyone.  Take care and I'll post a new picture of me tomorrow for my 2 month out photo.

~ Nicol