4 weeks out (tomorrow)

(( ((  WHOO HOO! )) )) Happy OneMonthiversary!  How awesome!! I agree that we sometimes have to find other measures besides the scale to tell us how we're doing.  Like our increased energy levels, the little things we hear from others, the fact that we're being persistent and fiesty.  Or the steps up from our three-kabillionth cup of Jell-O to -- WHOO HOO! -- scrambled eggs.  You've come a long way, baby! To be honest, sometimes as a  Bandit I get a little discouraged hanging out with the RNY Divas because of the pounds-lost differences over a few months.  But then I do a little self-talk and tell myself, "Myself, when was the last time you even WANTED to go out and ride a bike or spend a whole hour walking?  And here you are, happily-go-luckily cleaning out closets and vainly attempting to use your power drill on hopeless household projects run amok and still having the gumption to strap on the ol' iPod and go out and spy on the neighbors' gardens in the evenings."  And I take a look at the NC Arboretum's Web site with its appealing little spiel about guided Segway scooter tours and know that by summer, I'll meet the weight guidelines to ride a Segway!  Six months ago, I wouldn't even have wasted the brain cells it took to dream about something like that.   So go to the kitchen right now and take out a pound of butter.  And then visualize sixteen more of 'em stacked up on the counter.  That's what you've lost in the past FOUR WEEKS!  Yowzas!  Seventeen pounds is half my granddaughter, for cryin' out loud!   Smile for the camera when you take your one-month photos, and don't forget how much you're adored here.  You cutie, you!

Many, many thanks to you all!!!! You certainly know how to lift a girls spirits up. It's one of the many reasons I love my OH family! I guess it's just easy to focus on what you don't have versus what you do have. I know I've done great. It just helps to "see" it too. It's coming...I know it! Just tonight I joined Greenville Aquatics and Fitness and went to my firs****er aerobics class. It was a blast and after that hour I swam 5 laps (10 if you can down as 1 and back as 1). WOOHOO. I really hate exercise, but hopefully since I love swimming I'll keep this up. Any Greenville ladies want to join me? Membership isn't terrible...it breaks down to about 21 bucks a month if you pay quarterly.... Thanks again everyone! Becky

Congrats on the 17 lbs weight loss, that is terrific. I can't wait to see the pictures. Pink

Congratulations Becky!! 17 lbs is awesome hon. You are doing wonderfully and I know how easy it is to feel discouraged, but you just keep posting up here when you need some support sweetie. It's easier for us to see the good parts sometimes that it is for you to see them yourself, that's what we're here for though! We've got your back!!

You really are doing great hon and those wow moments will come. The next year of your life will be filled with them in fact!

{{Hugs}}

((((Becky)))),

While some strip of the weight at what seems to be lightening speed, others of us move along more slowly. Go look at my profile and you will see what I mean. Honestly, when I looked at some of my first photos, I had trouble seeing the loss ... but as you know, that has changed. I used www.thinnerself.com to help me project how I was doing on my journey ... sometimes I stepped up my exercise etc ... because of it ... At any rate, it helped me see that when compared to others that matched my demographics I was actually doing fine ... no, better than fine. I think you may well find that to be true too. Also be sure to take your measurements ... it can really tell the story when you the scale isn't moving and your aren't 'noticing' the changes.

Keep doing what you need to ... it's happening, I promise!

Barb