I have not been good about writing and keeping up with everyone on here, so my apologies!  I guess in some ways that can be a sign that I'm doing good and things are going well and I'm too busy to get online all the time.  Or it might be interpreted as withdrawing and isolating and doing bad... but I'm here to say, it's all GOOD!  I am very happy and healthy and happy and .... did I say HAPPY???

Dan and I have been dating for over a month now and I can't believe how well it is going.  We have so much in common and enjoy a lot of the same things, yet we also have so much to learn from each other and adventures to have together.  I can talk to him about almost anything so far, including the surgery, and he is a good listener and understanding and supportive.  He's very thoughtful and considerate and makes me smile just by being himself.  I never thought I would find someone like this who likes me the way he does and makes me feel so good about myself.  I don't know where this is all leading to, but I hope it's leading to something very long term.  I'm just trying to stay in the moment and enjoy each day as it comes.

My sister and I went to the Walk from Obesity yesterday and met up with Patty and Erik.  It was nice to see some of the other folks from Fresh Start.  It was not a competitive 5K - wasn't even timed or measured - but it was more about people just getting together and moving.  Lots of vendors - I won a book!  Later in the day I went to Highbanks by myself and walked so I didn't have to do anything tonight.  Tomorrow is a gym day.

Work is good, family is good, weather is great!  Am going to Illinois on Thursday and then the following weekend planning an overnighter to Hocking Hills with Dan!  We are really excited about doing some hiking and relaxing and adventuring together.

Hope everyone out there is good.  I should proably take some more pictures to post but I"m pretty much hovering around 184 and in sizes 16-18, XL, etc.  If I stay this size forever, I'm happy.  I feel good.

A year ago I couldn't walk upstairs without being out of breath.
Last week I took the stairs at McConnell by twos.

A year ago I couldn't walk a mile in 45 minutes.
Yesterday I finished 3.5 miles in under 49 minutes.

A year ago I was depressed and lonely.
The other night I cooked dinner for my new "friend" and had a great evening.  I am hopeful and excited about the future.

A year ago I routinely ordered pizza for dinner and chased it with ice cream.
Yesterday I made a small serving of nachos and chased it with some sugar-free, fat-free creamsicles.  And was very satisfied.

A year ago I was having to buy size 4X clothes.
This past week I wore some size 16 pants.

A year ago my BMI was over 47.
Today it's just over 29.

A year ago I was on my way to dying.
Today I am definitely LIVING!!!

I hit 189 today!  And redoing my BMI calculation, I went under 30 and am now out of the "obese" category and in the overweight group.

I am sooooooooooooooooo happy!

More later... have a meeting with my boss now!

I just finished my first 5K!  Walked in the "Run for the Jug" and came in third from the last.  It was a bit overwhelming.  My time was about 49 minutes for 3.5 miles.  Kristy and Jordy walked with me.  Jordy finished in 41 minutes - she ran part of the way.  Kristy and another woman, Diane, were behind me by a few seconds.

I did not envision the streets lined with so many people - I thought we'd have a large group walking together but there ended up being only 8 or so walkers and we were so spread out that it was like you were the only one in the streets and hundreds of people were looking at you.  I felt too  much on display - I like to hide in the background and be invisible!  It was fun though and I'm glad we did it.  I won some socks in a raffle!

Actually walked 4 miles - but much slower - at Alum Creek with Dan yesterday.  And was at the gym Friday night.  So feel like I am back on track with exercise and glad for that.  I am about 192 and ready to break in to the 180's.  Maybe I'll be 170 by my birthday in November!

Dan is the guy I met on e-harmony.  I really like him - so far we've had coffee (last Thursday) and met for a walk.    I'm excited about things!

Hope things are okay out there!

Hello!  I'm officially on Rogaine now - for MEN.  The dermatologist recommended it, and the store brand is perfectly fine so you can save $$$.  She also said that Nioxin does NOT work.  I guess I could have told you that after 8 months on it too... but I kept thinking that maybe if I wasn't using it I'd be even balder than I feel now.

I know I am only getting a taste of what people going through chemo must deal with, so I shouldn't be all worried about it and just deal with it.  However... I am just dipping my toe in the dating pool and it feels like just when I start to feel OK about my body then the hair takes a turn for the worse.  So I need to find someone who can really, really, love the inside of me enough to love the lack of hair and the extra skin issues!  And all my other flaws... Lordy.

I'm not vain, really, I'm not...  I just liked feeling pretty for the first time and it seems to be backfiring. 

I am writing four men on e-Harmony and talking "coffee" already with one of them.  I'm moving forward, ready to brace rejection!  Not going to expect a lot so if something good happens I'll be really excited!  And if it doesn't, I'll move forward!

Hope all is well out there...