For a while, I posted pretty regularly. I didn't stop posting because of anything bad... it was actually a good thing! With the encouragement of Jay (aka Hunky Trainer Dude) and the confidence I got from my Peeps, I started leaving my house and "doing things". When I stopped posting, I promised to keep the Peeps updated on any significant events in my life.
Well...... check out my new bling.
On January 1st, I weighed 330 lbs and wore 4X/5X and 28/30/32 size stretchy clothes. Today, I weigh 229.8 lbs and wear size 18 jeans/shorts and my 1X workout clothes are getting too big. Not sure of the exact inches I've lost (cause I didn't have up-to-date starting ones), but I know I've lost at least 3 inches in my chest, over 5 from my waist, about 7 from my abdomen, 5 more from my hips, and 3 from each thigh.
I've gained enourmous amounts of energy and self confidence. My mood and outlook has skyrocketed... for 20 years, I was always on the depressive end of the spectrum; now, I'm way over in the manic category. My Disney "how do I feel today" magnet on my fridge is almost always set to "ecstatic". And I've made lots of new friends... some really special, like Jay (just friends
).
My friend Christy and I have been to the River Walk in San Antonio (which ya'll knew about) and 6th Street in Austin (which ya'll didn't know about). There happened to be a gigantic motorcycle rally while we were there (Christy came back and bought herself a Harley). I must say, it does wonders for the ego to have a cute and funny young man (23) flirting with me and insisting I didn't look like I was 42 years old one evening. Also didn't hurt the ego to have 30/40 year old men flirting with me the next evening. We're currently planning to head to New Orleans French Quarter in a couple of weeks.
Of course, life's bed of roses has had a few thorns. My 37 yo brother had to have 3 brain surgeries in 3 weeks. The first removed an egg sized cyst. Pressure built up so they then had to put in a permanent drain. The drain clogged, so they had to go in and fix it. He's now home and getting better and stronger all the time. His fellow firefighters have been wonderful... when he runs out of time off, they are going to donate their time to him. And since he had two seizures during and after the first surgery, he can't drive for 6 months, so they are going to pick him up when he can return to work.
My newfound confidence and assertiveness (I now tell people when they upset, anger, or hurt me instead of stuffing it down with food) have had an unexpected consequence. I've also reconnected with old friends. I was tracked down by the people planning my 25th high school reunion (I've never been to any of my reunions). The girl mentioned several classmates, including one in particular that was my "boyfriend" off and on through high school and college. He was living in New Zealand and wouldn't be attending, but was in classmates.com. Well, 23 years ago something very, very, very bad happened and we parted on terrible terms. I looked him up on classmates, read that he was doing well now, and sent him a message. I told him I was happy he was doing well and that I couldn't have said that long ago because he was the only person in the world that I ever really, truly hated and that he knew why. I said I've been working on things in my life and that I have decided to just let things go from the past. I also apologized for anything I had ever done that had hurt him. I never expected a response... but about a week later, I got one. He's thought of me off and on over the years, and that he knew he had hurt me but never realized just how much, and we've both been punishing ourselves for something that happened when we were young and stupid. And, he's moving back to the states and will come to the reunion so we can talk. A friend at school warned me about "hooking up with old boyfriends"... but that isn't what this is about. Hate eats you up... this is about closure and forgiveness of both each other and ourselves.
And sometime next week, I'm going to meet up with my best friend from high school so we can reconnect (she just lives 60 miles away).
So, I've got 4 months to hit one-derland (just 29.8 lbs). If I don't make it, that's okay, but that's the goal I've got (I need goals). I also don't just want to look good compared to 6 months ago... I want to get a "darn! you look hot!" from someone I haven't seen in 23 years.
But for now, Jay is throwing me a "100" party... I'll be sure to get pix so you can see my progress (and Hunky Trainer Dude
).
Love ya... and you'll never know how much you all helped me and you mean to me.
Dene'
roll those hips and tummies!!
I am going tonight and I double checked to make sure I have a right and a left sneaker in the bag today.
And I believe a large apple would be around 100 calories, depending on how large. 
Has anyone ever done spray tanning? I am looking into going this week to get it done. I don't tan naturally so I need so help in that area. I don't want to come out looking like a pumpkin though!
I hope everyone is having a good day!
You are very talented! Looks like a great bag to carry all the families "stuff"
