Hey Teah! I'm so proud of you!!! I've been missing in action. Having a great time though. My weight, well... I've stabilized at 219! Not bad considering this time last year I was 232! I wear a size 16, so I've lost inches too. I've come to terms with my weight. I've looked at some of my old pictures and I am proud of myself. I'm getting so much attention from men, I don't know how to act. I am dating one special guy. I'm thinking about following your lead and going to Vegas! We've talked about it, but I'm too gunshy. I'm just getting used to all the attention. At 326 lbs., I wasn't at the forefront of anybody's vision, beyond blocking the view!! Anyway... hope you have a wonderful holiday and I'll be checking in more often. I've missed the MTL gang! Hugs! Denise

Hi Everyone, I hope you are making it through the holidays ok. I continue to amaze myself with this exercise thing. I tried something new last week - - the stair climber. I was always intimidated by those things in my prior life. But anyway I overcame my fear and decided to give it a whirl. Again, my fears overtook and I only tried the machine on level 1. Well today, I went for it, and worked out at level 4!!! I'm amazed at how easily I can move. I got on the scale 182. Its been two months and only 1 pound. But I have lost inches and this weekend I got all sorts of compliments from family that i had not seen in a couple of weeks. Maintaining is better than gaining. I also did much better with the grazing while at home. It helps that there are not many snacks in the house and I took the kids out for christmas pictures, which we never took, we stopped at my sisters and then never left. So we'll try again next week. But I also made a concious effort to exchange the chips for fruit. I'm working on it. Today we have a buffet of cheeses and crackers, fruit and all kind of chocolate covered snacks, including potato chips. I know I've got to be strong and not grab something everytime I walk by. I hope everyone has a great week. Teah

Hello to all and just a quick note to send happy weekend wishes. At a time when we are all struggling with the extra demands of the month of December...let us not forget to take time to remember the simple pleasures and joys of life...starting with ourselves and those dear to us...Hugs to all....Karen

Hi Pamela, Thanks for keeping these posts going. I worked out four days in a row last week. Then friday with the storm, i didn't go to work, so I had 3 days at home and boy did it disrupt my eating as well. I tried to focus on doing house work and laundry, etc, etc, but every time I walked past the kitchen, I swear I had to put something in my mouth. Never mind that I had fruit and yogurt in the fridge, I grabbed a chip, a cookie, popcorn, anything but the healthy stuff. Any progress I made from the excercise is surely wasted. I struggle with this daily, some days I make the best choices, but other days, I can't even begin to explain. Then I try to tell myself that eating those exact things led me to the weight I was before, yet and still it's hard to control. I also skipped exercise this morning. Because I had so much work to do, with being out on Friday. So why am I not working yet? In this time I could have completed my workout. I'm going to try to get down there before the day is over. Have a great week. Teah

Hi Pam...just to respond...I just went cold turkey this week and the first day was terrible but I made it through.......coffee and what not....now I am on my 4th day and all is well....I know you can do it.....it seems to be the only thing to jolt me into action and to get rid of pain and terrible gas and those nasty carbs.....I go back to the diet that they sent me home with after surgery and that is under 1000 a day for sure....you can do it....If I can do it anyone can because I am a a sucker for carbs..... Have a great week.....sip diet pop....coffee...protein drinks...ho****er...anything ...lite hot chocolate....after I have all my protein in I try anything...I know it won't last but it is just a jump start for me.....Hugs Karen