Marli *\o/*

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Hi All and welcome to the Wendesday update! I am really slammed today, so it is going to be short but sweet. I didn't lose any more weight this week. Holding at 204. And while it is sometimes frustrating, Monday I went to Macy's and fit into my first MEDIUM top! Woo Hoo! The personal training is paying off. So I feel really good.

Here is me in a medium top and a size 12 skirt. Woot!!!

My post today is not about my weight. My weight stayed the same. I am good with that. Here is what I want to talk about:



I was talking to my boss yesterday - a man who voted McCain and is a right of center Republican. He said that he thought Obama was going to win and while it made him a bit scared, he remembered when Bill Clinton was elected. He told me that Bill Clinton scared the shit out of him - didn't know him from Adam and had no idea what he stood for or where he would take the country and thought for sure he was a socialist. Fast Forward 4 years and this man voted to Re-Elect Bill Clinton. Why? Because his business was thriving, he had money in his pockets, and the county was doing well. I think we will see a repeat of that.

I voted for Obama because I believe a woman has the right to choose. That Roe V Wade is holding in the supreme court at 5 to 4. That the next President will probably appoint 2 more justices to the highest court in the land and I am not willing to risk Roe V Wade being overturned.

I voted for Obama because I believe we need alternative fuel sources and that "Drill Baby Drill" is not going to do it for us. We must reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I believe Global Warming is a real thing. I believe in investing in clean energy, in renewable energy and creating green jobs.

I voted for Obama because I believe in tax cuts for the middle class. I believe that tax cuts for businesses that move their jobs overseas should be eliminated. I believe in a trade policy that opens up foreign markets to support good American jobs. I believe in eliminating all capital gains taxes on startup and small businesses to encourage growth and job creation.

I voted for Obama because I believe in our children. I believe No Child Left Behind is a failed policy and needs to be reformed. I have always believed that teachers are not paid enough and that is why we lose so many teaches to other, higher paying, jobs. We must adequately fund our public schools. These kids are the ones who will be running the country when I am old and grey and I want them to be educated.

I voted for Obama because I believe health care in this country is in need of a serious overhaul. How many times on this very site have we seen people not be able to get their WLS covered by insurance? I believe in a plan that builds on the existing health care system, and uses existing providers, doctors and plans. And if you don’t have health insurance, you will have a choice of new, affordable health insurance options. We need that in this country. I am currently paying $688 / month for my health insurance - and that is fucking ridiculous.

I voted for Obama because I believe in getting the hell out of Iraq in the next 16 months. I believe in refocusing our resources on al Qaeda in Afghanistan and finish the fight with the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11.

I voted for Obama because, as a woman, I believe in equal pay for equal work. Period.

And I voted for Barack Obama because I believe it is important that people all around the world like and respect us! I have traveled this world in the last 8 years and under GW we have not been respected at all. When I was in Africa this past summer and China last November I talked with people from all over the world (many Europeans go on safari for their holiday) and every last one of them said "We are counting on you American's to do the right thing and vote in Obama." This was all walks of life - young, old, white, black, all ethnic backgrounds. They would tell me "What happens to you, happens to us" and they all were looking for an Obama Presidency. I, for one, will be happy to again travel overseas and when I tell someone I am from America I won't have to follow that up with "But I didn't vote for Bush." There is something to be said for being loved and respected around the world, and like it or not folks, we have not had that for a long time.

The following few quotes are Reactions From Around The World:
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/reactions-from -around-the-world/ 

"This is a historic moment not only for the United States, but so we can all get away from perceptions about religion and race and instead consider the quality of the person,”

“The way the world has been enthralled by the contest is a message that the dominant sentiment, after the Bush presidency, is not so much anti-Americanism, but exasperation with the uses of American power and a concurrent belief that with adequate political will the superpower can repair its agenda for the greater global good.”

“The biggest economy in the world has a leader that the world can talk to,” said Alejandro Saks, an Argentine television scriptwriter. “There is the feeling that for the first time since Kennedy, America has a different type of leader.”

“It’s kind of nice to feel good about the United States again.”

That speaks VOLUMES.

I did not vote for Barack Obama because he is black. But I am glad he is. I do think it is important and I do think it matters. It is another wall torn down. Our country has a history of discrimination - not just based on race but also on gender. Hell, fat people are discriminated against all the time. Women couldn't vote. Segregation. All that shit. This further breaks down those barriers, and I think that matters.

I have not felt this optimistic about the future in a long time. I hope this country can come together and mend its fences and move forward. It is important for all of us. This was a historic vote. And it was won by a landslide. There is a reason it was.

In the words of Barack Obama: "We are not Red America, we are not Blue America, we are and always will be The United States of America." Today I am so proud to be an American.

Oh. My. God. Becky! This morning I weigh 204!!! Woo Hoo!! That is a loss of 2.5 pounds this week. And now I have OFFICALLY lost over 150 pounds! 152 to be exact. That is 152 pounds GONE FOREVER BABY! Hooray! And now I am within 5 pounds of of ONDERLAND! I can't wait to get there.



It has been a fun week. This weekend I went to our TOPS fall rally where I got a bunch of awards. I was awarded for losing over 100 pounds. I was awarded for being the person in my chapter with the most weeks of consecutive weight loss. And the most special award was for Chapter Angel. The chapter votes for the two people in their club who goes out of their way to be supportive, inspiring and contributes to the meetings and my chapter voted for me and Pattilyn. This was so awesome. I just love the gals in my TOPS club.

On Sunday I went to see the play The Wizard of Oz. I had not seen the stage adaptation before. It sticks pretty close to the movie and it was awesome. Both me and mom were bawling our eyes out at the end. It was so good. We have new seats at the Bobb Carr Theatre this season - closer. They are great seats! And I fit right down in them!! Can cross my legs and everything! Man, this surgery ROCKS! I am so glad every day that I had it done.

Last night I went to the Neil Diamond concert and it was THE KILLER! I had such a blast dancing around. Just being able to dance around! And, again, to fit in the seat!

Thats about all for this week. It is cold here in Florida today, so I am wearing my cool zebra print coat. Here is a picture I took in the bathroom mirror here at work with my cell phone camera. Not the greatest picture, but the coat is awesome so I had to share. It is an XL and I bought it at the end of last winter on sale at Macys for $35! What a bargan!



Have a great week everyone!

I didn't lose any more weight this week. But guess what I did do? I went to the Barack Obama / Hillary Clinton Rally on Monday evening! And I went ALL BY MYSELF! This is something I never ever ever would have done before surgery. And not only because of all the walking and all the standing - but because I would not have wanted to be the big fat blob in line all by herself. But I am not the big fat blob! I had not problem making "line buddies" and watching the speeches by myself. And I have to say that I am so very very happy I went. It was amazing. I will never forget it.







And now I am going to get political. It is my blog, so I can. I know that some of you who read this probably feel differently, and I do respect that. But this is how I feel.

On Sunday on Meet The Press, Colin Powell endorsed Obama for President. It was a thing of beauty and you can watch it here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27265369/. He calls out the Republican party on their scare tactics like trying to link Obama to terrorists and implying he is a Muslim. Which he says the answer should be 'so what if he is' and not have to go over the fact that Obama is a Christian for the 100th time. (To which I say, 'so what if he is.' This is not what we should be basing our decision on.)  He also questions McCain's decision in selecting Palin and talks about not liking how his own party is moving even further to the right. He says he is not comfortable with 2 more conservative supreme court justice appointments which is what we would be looking at if McCain is elected. I loved his reference to the Muslim soldier who was born in America and was 11 years old when 9/11 happened who joined the armed services and gave his life for this senseless war in Iraq.

Colin Powell - you are the awesome.    

What an exciting time to be an American. What an amazing piece of history we are fortunate enough to witness. I saw so many young people at the Obama rally. But there were also so many older people as well. This country needs change and we will get that with Barack Obama. I get excited every time I see the electoral map and there is more and more blue. Hell, even Florida is light blue right now. We are looking at the first black President of these United States of America and it is damn awesome. Our stock with foreign nations will go up over night. When we were in Africa over the summer there were so many who said they were counting on us to elect Obama. That what happens to us happens to them. Our housing market tanks, their housing market tanks. All the eyes of the world are on this election, and this time I don't think we are going to let them down. I am so very proud to be an American. And I am feeling very optimistic today.

And, hopefully, I will lose a few more pounds this week. :o)

I do believe I will be under 200 by mid November!
 

Well, no weight loss this week, but I am ok with that. I didn't expect it after a three pound loss last week. The scale bounced around all week between 205.5 and 206.5 and ended on the higher number today. But it is all good. As long as we doing see the scale going in the wrong direction that is all that matters.

So this week has been a week of connecting with old friends I have talked to a lot of people this week that I used to be great friends with up on MA when we lived there. (We moved to Florida when I was 15 but I kep in touch with these friends into my early 20s.) I think I felt OK to seek them out because I am not fat anymore. What I mean is that if I had contacted them 2 years ago it would have been akward if they wanted to get together because I would not have wanted them to see how fat I had gotten, but now I feel great about seeing people. I am going to try to plan a trip to MA for a visit. I can't wait to see my old friends!

Sorry for the short update. The personal training is still going great and I bet I have a loss to report next week. Working my way to under 200!

First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAM!!!! Pam, you are my best friend and I don't know what I would do without you in my life. Seriously, I would be a mess. I love you so very much.

And, now on to the scale...

Finally!!!! Finally!!!! Finally!!!! The scale has finally moved and I didn’t have to do that stupid “diet” as I did not get my guts rearranged to have to diet ever again. I do believe the extra day at personal training and just continuing to eat right is paying off big time. So this morning the scale said 206.5. Yeah Baby! Today is a very good day.

 

So this week has been a good week. Last Thursday I went to a leads lunch for the Maitland Chamber and saw some people that I had not seen in a while. That is always nice. And on Monday we went to the pre-season opening game for The Orlando Magic and Nick Anderson was talking with my mom and dad and he make a comment on my weight loss! He said I was glowing. GLOWONG! Me? These days… I guess I am. Nick Freaking Anderson – Basket Ball Player Extraordinaire and the best three point shooter we ever had. He is a retired player and is working for the Magic now and has known my parents from the games since they sit right behind the Magic bench. He is a very nice guy. Here is a picture of me and Nick.

 

So, I was talking to a friend that I don’t see very often and told her that I could not wait to get under 200 pounds and she gave me this blank stare like she could not believe that I was not already well under 200 pounds. Oh, good clothing and dressing well hides so very much. I have really begun to think about plastic surgery. I hate the skin that just hangs on my stomach – my most hated pannus. And I hate the skin that hangs from my arms – my most hated bat wings. And I hate my thighs and the way the skin kinda gathers at my knees. And don’t even get me started on my boobs that hang like oranges in tube socks without a bra on. I abused my body for so long and I really wish I had not let everything get so out of hand. But I did and I can’t go back and change it. I think I have a good 20 pounds of skin that needs to be removed.  I was talking with my dear friend Jenny here on OH and she suggested that I go ahead and get a plastics consultation. That way I will know what can be removed and when it can be removed and what weight the doc wants me to be at before surgery.

 

So, a really good week. I know all you blog readers are so happy for me that the scale finally moved! I thank you all for checking up on me every week. My mom told me how many nice comments many of you all made about me at her high school reunion this past weekend. Thank you for your prayers, your well wishes and your support. I mean that for all of my friends – I love you guys.

 

Another week at the same weight. This is starting to get to me. So, here is the plan. I know I am not overeating, so I am going to up the exercise. I am going to the personal trainer three days a week instead of two days a week starting this week. I think that will help a lot. My mini goal is to get below 200 by mid November and I think with the increased exercise I can make that happen.  

Great week this week. Last Saturday I went to the Walk From Obesity charity walk at Celebration Hospital. It was so awesome. I walked 2 miles with out a problem. I would have walked more but it is Florida and it was getting HOT outside. Then, that night Troy and I went to the reunion dinner with my friend Diane who had surgery 3 years ago. Diane has been so supportive of me throughout this whole thing and I could not have maintained my sanity without here. Here is a picture of me with Dr. Kim - the surgeon who saved my life. He is the kindest, most excellent bariatric surgeon around and if you are considering surgery and live in the Orlando area I highly recommend going to Dr. Kim. Here is also a picture of me and Diane. They took professional pictures at the party and I will post the one of me and Troy as soon as I am able to get out to Celebration to pick it up.



  

And, as promised, here is a shot of me in the large top that mom gave me for my birthday last week. I love it!

  

We will see how the extra exercise goes. Hoping for a loss next week, but as long as I am not gaining, it's all good! Stalls are normal and I have seen many people on the message boards here on OH talk about stalls that lasted months. So I am not going to sweat it.

First off, last Sunday was my birthday. Hooray! Happy Birthday To Me!



And a Rocking Birthday it was.

42 - I am 42 now and life it pretty damn good. Ya know, I didn't lose any weight this week, but it is OK because my mom gave me a gorgeous zebra print top - size LARGE - and IT FITS! I feel good and I look good and life is good. By the way, I promise that I will take a picture of me is said zebra top and post it next week.

Here are a few shots from my birthday dinner that was catered at my parents house. My aunt Janet (dad's sister) was here and it was so good to see her. The last time she was here I avoided her because I didn't want her to see how fat I had gotten. I was so ashamed. Not any more. I will never feel that way again. The rest of the pictures can be seen here: http://flickr.com/photos/marlibonjovi/sets/72157607479057786/





The was the Appetizer - Seared Ahi Tuna over Seaweed Salad and Chinese Noodles - and it was yummy. It is so nice to be able to eat real food (I didn't finish everything on my plate for any of the courses - I even left most of my small slice of birthday cake), enjoy it, and know you aren't going to gain 5 pounds the next day because your pouch (God I LOVE my pouch!) won't let you over eat. Thanks Mom and Dad for making this surgery possible for me. Thanks to my husband for taking care of me. Thanks to my sister and her husband for supporting me. I love you all so very much.



Still hoping for a drop on the scale dial next week. But I am not gaining and I know the loss is not over. It will come. I work out with my person trainer twice a week, I walk almost every day, and I don't over eat. It will happen.

Well, I bounced around the scale all week and ended up at 209.4 today  which I round up to the nearest half pound - so suck still at 209.5. This is getting old. And it is my birthday this weekend - I will be 42 years young! I hope the scale gives me a nice present next Wednesday. At least I weigh less than I did on my last birthday ( I was 287.5 last year ) and weight a whole heck of a lot less than I did on my 40th birthday - the dreaded 356 pound blob. Those are good things. And at least I am not gaining.

That is about it for today. I am annoyed at the scale. I hope I am a lot less annoyed next week.

Gah. I hate the scale this week. I did not do one of those stupid "diets" because I didn't have this surgery to diet. And this weekend I was feeling REALLY GREAT about my decision. Why? Because by Sunday I was down to 207.5. But by this morning I was back up to 209.5. Damn! I don't know what is up with that. I am not eating differently on the weekends than I am during the week. But I do get a lot more sleep on the weekends and I don't feel nearly as stressed out on the weekends. Maybe that is it. I dunno. I work out. I eat right. So I will just wait out this stall, however long it lasts.

Tomorrow is September 11th. There are worse things in this world than not losing weight this week.