WISH Challenge Never-Give-Up November chat thread!

[pjlla]

Good evening everyone. It is cold and rainy here today. It is the first day of a week long vacation for me. We almost went to DW but since we went to Alaska in July and it was expensive we decided not to. Then dh got a part time job so it all worked out.

I didn't do much today but that is okay. The only thing s I have planned for the week is to take my mom for lunch, do some lesson plans and do some sewing of costumes for a show I am helping out with.

Getting an extra hour of sleep is a great way to start this vacation.

Have a happy and healthy night.

SOOOO glad to have you back chatting with us! You have been missed.

Hi all!

I'm just stopping in for a quick hello ... I'm finishing packing for my upcoming vacation, so I don't have much time to stop and chat, but I'll be back to chatting (hopefully) at the end of the week.

Have a great week, everyone!

WOOHOO on vacation!!

Hi all!

I'm a newbie and have seen the WISH boards, but have a silly question-- does WISH stand for anything? Just curious!

Also, trying to get healthier and slimmer and loved some of the motivational quotes on here

I just walked (and a few minutes of "jogged") my first 5K yesterday and am really trying to get up the motivation to train to actually run a 5K. My dream is to do the Disney Princess Half one day.... and to loose about 30-35 pounds in the process.

I am a newlywed and I swear the minute I put the ring on about 20 pounds followed haha! DH too--- we are trying together but he is scores ahead of me in the fitness department so he's not the best training buddy!

Anyway, happy Monday!

Welcome!!! I know that the WISH question was answered, so I'll move on. Congrats on completing your first 5K!!

Good morning everyone. So far this morning we slept to 6 (that's late for me) had breakfast, did a 10 minute pilate routine, went grocery shopping and just about done putting things away. I am going to sit for a while and knit then get on to some sewing projects I have to do.

I could get used to this.

The winds are a lot of calmer today than than they were yesterday. I am glad about that since I am in charge of the dog today.

We had good news yesterday. My ds1 got engaged. They have been dating for 11 years but a lot of that was when she was in high school and college. They have been living together for a year so we knew it was coming. He has been talking about the ring for the last 6 months so we knew. We went out for dinner the other night and he mentioned that their anniversary of starting to date was 11/3 so we thought it might be today but he surprised her yesterday. Don't know when the wedding will be.

Off to get some things done.

Have a happy and healthy day.

Congrats to your DS! You seem happy about the engagement so you must like her! Enjoy your time off!!

to our newbies!! WISH stands for We are Inspired to Stay Healthy. it was created by Webmaster Kelsie over 10 years ago as a way to find accountability friends on the dis. It actually began as a thread on the community board




Pamela -- thanks for starting our chatter thread..and for the two fantastic inspiration quotes! you are always so inspiring to me how you stay so true to your eating plan and find ways to keep the food interesting and yummy. I have listened to a couple Ted Talks on Netflix, they are really well done. i'll have to check those out!

Thanks for saying that!!

personally, I need this so I stay as focused as possible during the holidays, keep my goals realistic so I don't throw them out the window. and be more accountable to weighing myself. I have no idea what I weigh again b/c I haven't stepped on the scale in a month. that just makes me feel to comfortable and not motivated

speaking of motivated..i just tried on a pair of jeans that are too tight for public but I would LOVE to wear on thanksgiving day. I'm sitting here going back and forth between, wow I'm hungry after my awesome workout and that allows me to splurge a little on lunch...and ..NO don't eat the extra calories, go eat something sensible and healthy! those jeans are calling you!!

I have a quick trip to WDW in march and I really so much want to wear my size 10 capris and not size 12. this is reasonable but I must make EVERY DAY COUNT! (this is more for myself, thanks for listening)

You can DEFINITELY make it into those size 10 capris by March!! And you have 3 weeks to make those jeans COMFORTABLE to wear on T.giving day! You can do it!

I know I replied to this thread!!! Just after Pam started it! But it seems like the DIS post-eating-monster got to it first!

Sorry that the post disappeared!!

Sorry for being so absent! Not being subscribed to this thread made me not see it when I came to the DIS and the past few days have been rather hectic with getting sick over the weekend and then a super busy day at work yesterday!

Hope you are feeling MUCH better!!

Pam, I love both motivational quotes! And the first one is a great motto for this thread! Come here to get your daily dose of motivation!

The start of the month was mixes. I started out with a nice low weight, then due to being sick my eating was rather strange and yesterday was not better. Had to eat at the work cafeteria and chose something that was offered as the "fitness" choice, but turned out far less "fitness" than one would have thought.... And I have no idea on how to track it properly. So I kind of missed tracking yesterday and I am really annoyed about it. I made up by having butternut squash soup for dinner. Need to go out and buy some more squash to puree for the freezer. The last batch got me 5 portions and only one is left now. Such a great and easy dinner option!

Thanks for the reminder that I have some squash puree waiting in the freezer!! Hopefully I have time to make some soup this weekend.

I am back on track today. And hope to keep the full tracking mode going for the next weeks!! I am even having those ideas about trying to track while I am on vacation!. Not sure how well this will work.

Ok, I hope that now that I am signed up for November, I will be back more regularly again!!

Tracking on vacation can be really tough.... sometimes I just make an effort to make SMART choices and REASONABLE portions, I write down what I ate but don't worry too much about exact PPV count and then just move on!

Hey all!!! I'm here!

Quick drive by post today, I have a lot to do this month so I will not be in regularly.

Training for the princess 1/2 is not going well, and my weight is pretty much back up to where it was this time last year.

I need to figure out how to not settle into a routine when my weight goes down. I get lazy and then the next thing I know I'm back up again.

So glad you are here with us again!! Feel free to stop by whenever you have a minute! Sorry you are struggling.

Buffy -- I do the same thing! I get comfortable then bam! I've gained 5 lbs

Magdalene -- sorry to hear you were sick, but kudos and high five for jumping back on!!

just a quick check in to say I'm here, I made good decisions yesterday and today I plan on the same. already got the dog walked, and have plans to go ride bikes at the gym with a neighbor tonight. Now, I'm off for a mammo...see it's a healthy day!

I had my (very overdue) mammo a few weeks ago.... good for us!!!!

I like today's quote a lot! Progress is something that is achievable, perfection rarely is. I once read that in order to keep motivated, it is important to think positive. And if you strive for perfection you are just setting yourself up for failure, so difficult to keep motivated.

I had my own little failure today: I just snacked on some cheese that I should not have had. But: It was a rather low fat cheese, I did not have a lot of calcium in the recent days and it was not chocolate or cookies, but healthy calories that I snacked on. So, even though I know that this was a snack that I got mainly because I was thirsty not hungry, it was better than it could have been!

Don't beat yourself up over it..... I don't think that snacking on a lowfat cheese is anything near a FAILURE! Sure, maybe there were other options or choices that may have been better at that time.... but at least you got some calcium and protein!

Pamela your inspiration is like one in most every costume shop for theater productions.

Better Done than Perfect

AMEN! I am so guilty of not doing things for fear that I won't do them PERFECTLY! As a result, sometimes I don't do things that I really want to or really should!

I spent the morning in a fabric shop. I got fabric to make Christmas pillow cases for my sons, their gf (one is a fiance now) and dh. I also bought fabric to make Chanukah pillow cases for ds1 and his df. I want to work on a table runner for them. It will be white with silver snowflakes and a border of blue with white snowflakes. There will be 8 candles that they can velcro on and 8 Christmas ornaments that they can velcro on and maybe some snowmen for Jan.

LOVE this idea! It sounds like a family heirloom in the making!

I got to sew this afternoon. I just got dinner in the oven so that we can eat early. Dh has a meeting at 6 and a meeting at 7. While he his gone I can make one more peasant shirt. Tomorrow evening and Thursday morning I will be working on a wedding tunic for Lancelot for a local production of Spamalot. I am have never seen any Monty Python and I don't know if I am going to enjoy the show but the tickets will be free so who cares.

Off to work on dinner.

Have a happy and healthy day.

I'm not a big Monty Python fan either (although my men like it), but you should enjoy it... I think it is supposed to be pretty funny!

************************

Evening all! Busy day here, so this is my first chance to get online!

My eating has been a bit all over the place lately, but I managed to sit in Five Guys today (DH's post-colonoscopy treat ) and not eat anything! I came home and had a bowl of homemade soup instead. VICTORY OVER THE FRIES!!

And dinner was veggie burgers with avocado and a side of homemade applesauce. I need to double check my PPV for the day and see if I have enough PPV left for popcorn during Survivor! Overall I've been doing better with not eating in the evening, but I like to make Survivor an "event" (it is my all-time favorite TV show), so I like to have a treat.

Off to get a few more things done before my show starts!.................P

 

[ohMom]

I voted

and I conquered early morning fasting labs today too.

Sarahdisney -- where are you off too??

Dona -- how much did you love Alaska? we've been looking at excursions for our cruise next summer

Magdalene -- I say good choice on the cheese! could've been much worse!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi everyone! I hope you all have a marvelous day! I am - but then I am supposed to as it is my birthday today!

Had two birthday treats today: a rhubard soda as a drink for lunch and a donut. I have decided to use the birthday to treat myself to some things that I normally would not get, but combine it with otherwise healthy and sensible food and then be back on track completely tomorrow. Tonight we are going out to a lovely Italian restaurant. So that will be a treat as well.

Unfortunately I am still a bit under the weather and I notice how far more difficult it is to not just eat stupid stuff when you are low on energy and feeling not well. How stupid is that - especially in those situations the body needs good nourishments, not a lot of sugar! I have been trying to concentrate on this and have been able to hit my 5 daily portions. But that was with more fruit and less veggies than it should have been... And somehow I am just drawn to the carbs... Finding it difficult to get enough protein in.

Of course exercise is also lacking. I am still getting my daily 10.000 steps. But I just want to be fit again and run!

 

[pjlla]

GOOD MORNING everyone!! Happy THURSDAY! Anyone here a fan of posting #ThrowbackThursday pictures on Facebook? I am, but I am SO LIMITED because DD will not allow me to post old pictures of her without prior approval, DS doesn't really like me to either, but as long as I don't tag him he is okay, and of COURSE, I don't want to post any old "fat" pictures of DH or myself! So what does that leave me??? Pictures of the house or garden or of my cat or my parents!!!

Which brings me to today's idea!! TRANSFORMATION THURSDAY!! Today is a day for sharing "Before and After" pictures.... or "Before and During" pictures if you are not at your goal weight yet. Or how about pictures of you running a race or crossing the finish line??

I know I've shared these with some of you before, but to get us rolling on our TRANSFORMATION THURSDAY, here are some of my favorite "After" and of course my "before" pictures!

Here is the dreaded "before". This picture was taken at probably my heaviest, although I couldn't confirm this with an actual scale reading.

A "during" picture.... at this point I had lost some weight and gotten into the 170s, but then gained a bunch back and went to DL at close to 200 pounds.... I was so disgusted with myself that we took this "once in a lifetime" trip out West and I had to hide behind the kids for all of the pictures!

And about 90 +/- pounds lighter, this is one from my May 2013 Disney Mother/Daughter trip! There are better pictures, but they include DD and I don't want to post without her okay.... plus the best ones are on the Photopass and I don't have those uploaded to Shutterfly for some reason.

SO there you go! Anyone else want to share some pictures for our "TRANSFORMATION THURSDAY"?

I'll be back later to chat!...................P

 

[Flossbolna]

Great idea Pam!! I love your 2013 picture! You look younger than in the first picture!

I need to find some pictures as well! But won't have time to do so until the weekend!

 

[bigsis1970]

Hi Gang, how I have missed this thread.. I am completely off the wagon.. tired, frustrated, and mostly disgusted with myself that I can't just get done what needs to be done.. when I did Atkins I lost 30 then gained it all back because I have been back eating carbs for like a year again and for whatever reason can't seem to control myself to give them back up even though I know that is what works for me.. I will be popping in and out this month to chat and get motivated to do something and then not sabotage myself...

I have some stuff coming up next year .. My DS will be graduating from HS in June , my Sister in Law is getting married in Oct and I am turning 45 (10/10/15)

UGH thanks for letting me vent.. l need to just sit down and work my menu magic and find a way to make it easier for me..

 

[pjlla]

I voted

and I conquered early morning fasting labs today too.

Sarahdisney -- where are you off too??

Dona -- how much did you love Alaska? we've been looking at excursions for our cruise next summer

Magdalene -- I say good choice on the cheese! could've been much worse!!

Good job with the fasting labs! DH had his first colonoscopy yesterday and it was a full day of clear liquids only followed by an evening of "prep liquids" and a half day of no foods or drinks. ICK!

Hi everyone! I hope you all have a marvelous day! I am - but then I am supposed to as it is my birthday today!

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAAAAPPPPY BIRTHDAY to you!! I pray that it is a beautiful, fun, blessed day!!


Had two birthday treats today: a rhubard soda as a drink for lunch and a donut. I have decided to use the birthday to treat myself to some things that I normally would not get, but combine it with otherwise healthy and sensible food and then be back on track completely tomorrow. Tonight we are going out to a lovely Italian restaurant. So that will be a treat as well.

ENJOY the day to the max and then BACK on track tomorrow! Perfect plan!

Unfortunately I am still a bit under the weather and I notice how far more difficult it is to not just eat stupid stuff when you are low on energy and feeling not well. How stupid is that - especially in those situations the body needs good nourishments, not a lot of sugar! I have been trying to concentrate on this and have been able to hit my 5 daily portions. But that was with more fruit and less veggies than it should have been... And somehow I am just drawn to the carbs... Finding it difficult to get enough protein in.

Of course exercise is also lacking. I am still getting my daily 10.000 steps. But I just want to be fit again and run!

I am finding that my energy level DEFINITELY influences my "appetite" level. No energy....I am searching the cupboards randomly! SO I get it! Just try hard to stay on track despite the illness.

Great idea Pam!! I love your 2013 picture! You look younger than in the first picture!

I need to find some pictures as well! But won't have time to do so until the weekend!

Thank you! And I would love it if you (and others) would share pictures!

Hi Gang, how I have missed this thread.. I am completely off the wagon.. tired, frustrated, and mostly disgusted with myself that I can't just get done what needs to be done.. when I did Atkins I lost 30 then gained it all back because I have been back eating carbs for like a year again and for whatever reason can't seem to control myself to give them back up even though I know that is what works for me.. I will be popping in and out this month to chat and get motivated to do something and then not sabotage myself...

I have some stuff coming up next year .. My DS will be graduating from HS in June , my Sister in Law is getting married in Oct and I am turning 45 (10/10/15)

UGH thanks for letting me vent.. l need to just sit down and work my menu magic and find a way to make it easier for me..

Welcome back and FEEL FREE to vent here! We've all experienced similar things and can totally offer sympathy and a shoulder! Sounds like you've got PLENTY of events coming up next year that should provide some motivation.... now to come up with a plan! Just glad to see you here again!

******************

Afternoon everyone! I've wasted FAR too much time on crap today.... plus trying to finish up a project and the stupid can of spray paint was totally clogged, so I've been SCRAMBLING to figure out how to get this project don't without spending any $$! Thankfully I searched high and low and came up with a can of spray paint that ISN'T clogged and is a great color!

Lunch was a hodge-podge of leftovers dumped into a bowl and heated up! A bit of soy veggie crumbles leftover from the men's taco nachos last night (a last carbohydrate blow-out for DH on his post-colonoscopy treat day), a small scoop of pasta, and some sauteed red bell peppers.... tasty enough and cleaned out the fridge a bit.... but I'm still hungry so I'll be grabbing an apple in a few minutes.

I'm scheduled to work tomorrow, so I MUST go get some more laundry done before the weekend!......................P

 

[Flossbolna]

Michelle, welcome back!! Being back to chatting with us is a first step to get everything else working again!! And have you considered trying out a different method of losing weight besides Atkins? I found that what works for me changes over time. So maybe your body is telling you that it wants something else currently?

Pam, thanks for the birthday wishes! And it is good to know that this "low energy equals constant snacking" phenomenon is something others experience as well!

---

Happy Friday everyone! I had a lovely day yesterday and while I did not track (I think not tracking on your birthday and on Christmas Day is acceptable ) I think my eating was not toooooo bad! I had a lovely tuna carpaccio and then ravioli with truffles. No huge portions. Unfortunately the dessert sampler I got was rather large and I should just have skipped dessert. Well, today is not my birthday anymore - but I am going to go out with some girlfriends, so need to make good choices tonight!

The interesting thing is that I am not really hungry today. I was content with an apple for breakfast and now had a small lunch which was totally satisfying. I really am amazed how much better my body has gotten at telling me when it needs fuel and when it does not!

And, I think I am starting to get over that head cold! Feeling much better today! Tomorrow I am going to go to Ikea and then "hike" back home. It is about 6 miles from where I live and one can walk along the river. It is a nice walk and I have done it in the past (or biked there). So, that will be some nice exercise!

 

[lisah0711]

Hi everyone! I hope you all have a marvelous day! I am - but then I am supposed to as it is my birthday today!

A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, Magdalene!

Hi Gang, how I have missed this thread.. I am completely off the wagon.. tired, frustrated, and mostly disgusted with myself that I can't just get done what needs to be done.. when I did Atkins I lost 30 then gained it all back because I have been back eating carbs for like a year again and for whatever reason can't seem to control myself to give them back up even though I know that is what works for me.. I will be popping in and out this month to chat and get motivated to do something and then not sabotage myself...

I have some stuff coming up next year .. My DS will be graduating from HS in June , my Sister in Law is getting married in Oct and I am turning 45 (10/10/15)

UGH thanks for letting me vent.. l need to just sit down and work my menu magic and find a way to make it easier for me..

Michelle, nice to see you! Hang in there! You did it before and you can do it again.

 

[donac]

Good Friday morning everyone. Where has the week gone? I only have today, tomorrow and Sunday and then I go back to work.

I was supposed to go with my mom on Wed to visit relatives but that never happened. One of my aunt's broke her hip last week. I know my mom is concerned because that is the same thing that happened to my dad just before he died in April. My other aunt hurt her leg on Tues so lunch was cancelled. I still went to visit with my mom and took her out to lunch. It was just a shorter day for my. 3 hours less driving.

Pam those throw back pictures are great.

Michelle I am in the same boat that you are in and I have decided to come back and have someone to talk to.

Magdelene Happy Birthday

Ohmom Alaska was a great experience. I am putting pictures into a book for dh for Christmas so I will probably share some pictures over the next couple of months.

Well I have to finish a few blouses and a tunic for a show I am helping out with. Then I we have to start dismantling the living room and the bedroom. We are having carpeting installed next Friday. My older son will be around to help us move the big furniture to other rooms before they come. I have to take some pictures of some things today since dh wants things back the same way.

Off to get a cup of tea.

Have a happy and healthy day.

 

[ohMom]

I love TBT! great idea Pamela! and WOWSER you look soooo amazing. I had forgotten how thin and fit you are!! your diligence pays off

I will upload some here later today when I need another break, this break is over. I spent it playing candy crush, I really need to wean myself off this game .

Michelle back! so glad you are here! I have a big year next year too so we can do this together my DD is graduating and I have two Disney trips that I want to look good in pictures

dona -- looking forward to your pics!

Magdalene -- belated happy birthday! you should be so proud of yourself, you planned and succeeded in celebrating and keeping it in check!!

hi lisa!

DD is home sick today, I sure hope that doesn't mean I get it. we are both immune compromised so it lasts longer and hits harder..oh joy

tomorrow I'm making Christmas cards with my neighbor so I'm going to miss the gym. I had to do a WATP workout today with DD home and honestly I just really got hit hard yesterday with fasting labs...I had a piercing headache all day from being too dehydrated. without adrenal glands, dehydration is a big issue for me.

off for now...have a great Friday everyone!!

 

[donac]

This seems to be a big year for all of us.

I will turn 60 in May (how did I get that old), and I retire from 38 years of teaching math in June. Then dh turns 60 in Oct and we are going to DW for his birthday.

Then throw in the fact that my older son got engaged last week and no idea when they will tie the knot so I have to keep that in the back of my mind.

 

[ohMom]

quick break, have to organize for card making tomorrow

Here I am in Aug 2009, this is the fittest and leanest I was in my life. I had been half-marathoning for 4 years at this point. This was almost one year before I had full-blown Cushings

here I am in July 2011 on the Mediterranean cruise, on medication to hold Cushing's at bay until I had my first surgery the following month.

photo below is split, on the left is me the day before my adrenal surgery 10/11/12..so me at my sickest. the photo on the right is me one year later Oct 2013

and finally a picture of my family this summer in Chicago July 2014

it's been a l.o.n.g. road and my journey is not then norm here. After I had full blown Cushing's I underwent a cerebral angiogram, two transphenoid pituitary gland resections leaving me with 25% of a gland (yes folks, that's brain surgery through my nose), removal of my adrenal glands, and finally a surgical hernia repair of an incisional hernia leaving me with a belly full of mesh. I have traveled to LA to get a diagnosis, and Philadelphia for my last cushing's surgery. My body is old and not perfect, but I thank the good Lord for the health I have and take each day for the gift it is. I would love to be 20 lbs thinner and lose my steroid belly for good, but I have learned it's more about taking the best care of my body to minimize my symptoms and function to the best I can.

and you may note in the final picture, my hair is now curly and I sport a stunning "Addison's tan" for life

but I still really want to lose the last 20 lbs!!

 

[pjlla]

Michelle, welcome back!! Being back to chatting with us is a first step to get everything else working again!! And have you considered trying out a different method of losing weight besides Atkins? I found that what works for me changes over time. So maybe your body is telling you that it wants something else currently?

I agree... maybe it is time to change it up a bit??

Pam, thanks for the birthday wishes! And it is good to know that this "low energy equals constant snacking" phenomenon is something others experience as well!

It makes sense. If your body is lacking energy and you aren't resting, then it is looking for sugar to give you some energy!

---
Happy Friday everyone! I had a lovely day yesterday and while I did not track (I think not tracking on your birthday and on Christmas Day is acceptable ) I think my eating was not toooooo bad! I had a lovely tuna carpaccio and then ravioli with truffles. No huge portions. Unfortunately the dessert sampler I got was rather large and I should just have skipped dessert. Well, today is not my birthday anymore - but I am going to go out with some girlfriends, so need to make good choices tonight!

Sounds delicious!!

The interesting thing is that I am not really hungry today. I was content with an apple for breakfast and now had a small lunch which was totally satisfying. I really am amazed how much better my body has gotten at telling me when it needs fuel and when it does not!

And, I think I am starting to get over that head cold! Feeling much better today! Tomorrow I am going to go to Ikea and then "hike" back home. It is about 6 miles from where I live and one can walk along the river. It is a nice walk and I have done it in the past (or biked there). So, that will be some nice exercise!

Enjoy your Ikea visit and your hike! Glad you are feeling better!

Good Friday morning everyone. Where has the week gone? I only have today, tomorrow and Sunday and then I go back to work.

I agree... this week has ZOOMED BY!!

I was supposed to go with my mom on Wed to visit relatives but that never happened. One of my aunt's broke her hip last week. I know my mom is concerned because that is the same thing that happened to my dad just before he died in April. My other aunt hurt her leg on Tues so lunch was cancelled. I still went to visit with my mom and took her out to lunch. It was just a shorter day for my. 3 hours less driving.

Glad you got to visit your Mom. I'm sure she needed some extra love.

Pam those throw back pictures are great.

Thanks!

Michelle I am in the same boat that you are in and I have decided to come back and have someone to talk to.

Magdelene Happy Birthday

Ohmom Alaska was a great experience. I am putting pictures into a book for dh for Christmas so I will probably share some pictures over the next couple of months.

LOOOVE to see them!!

Well I have to finish a few blouses and a tunic for a show I am helping out with. Then I we have to start dismantling the living room and the bedroom. We are having carpeting installed next Friday. My older son will be around to help us move the big furniture to other rooms before they come. I have to take some pictures of some things today since dh wants things back the same way.

Off to get a cup of tea.

Have a happy and healthy day.

Ooohhh... new carpeting... how nice!!

I love TBT! great idea Pamela! and WOWSER you look soooo amazing. I had forgotten how thin and fit you are!! your diligence pays off

Sweet of you to say!

I will upload some here later today when I need another break, this break is over. I spent it playing candy crush, I really need to wean myself off this game .

Although I listened to a TED Talk (or was it an NPR Science Friday report??) about things like that being GOOD for your brain!! So maybe your Candy Crush time could be a "guilt-free" brain workout!

Michelle back! so glad you are here! I have a big year next year too so we can do this together my DD is graduating and I have two Disney trips that I want to look good in pictures

dona -- looking forward to your pics!

Magdalene -- belated happy birthday! you should be so proud of yourself, you planned and succeeded in celebrating and keeping it in check!!

hi lisa!

DD is home sick today, I sure hope that doesn't mean I get it. we are both immune compromised so it lasts longer and hits harder..oh joy

tomorrow I'm making Christmas cards with my neighbor so I'm going to miss the gym. I had to do a WATP workout today with DD home and honestly I just really got hit hard yesterday with fasting labs...I had a piercing headache all day from being too dehydrated. without adrenal glands, dehydration is a big issue for me.

off for now...have a great Friday everyone!!

Sorry your DD is sick!! This is the time of year that my DD always seemed to get bronchitis when she was in middle school and high school. Thankfully she stayed healthy last year in college and has only had a short-lived cold so far this year.

Take care of yourself and WATCH the dehydration!!

This seems to be a big year for all of us.

I will turn 60 in May (how did I get that old), and I retire from 38 years of teaching math in June. Then dh turns 60 in Oct and we are going to DW for his birthday.

Then throw in the fact that my older son got engaged last week and no idea when they will tie the knot so I have to keep that in the back of my mind.

I say you plan to hit 60 and be a Mother-of-the-Groom in the BEST shape of your life!!

quick break, have to organize for card making tomorrow

Here I am in Aug 2009, this is the fittest and leanest I was in my life. I had been half-marathoning for 4 years at this point. This was almost one year before I had full-blown Cushings

here I am in July 2011 on the Mediterranean cruise, on medication to hold Cushing's at bay until I had my first surgery the following month.

photo below is split, on the left is me the day before my adrenal surgery 10/11/12..so me at my sickest. the photo on the right is me one year later Oct 2013

and finally a picture of my family this summer in Chicago July 2014

it's been a l.o.n.g. road and my journey is not then norm here. After I had full blown Cushing's I underwent a cerebral angiogram, two transphenoid pituitary gland resections leaving me with 25% of a gland (yes folks, that's brain surgery through my nose), removal of my adrenal glands, and finally a surgical hernia repair of an incisional hernia leaving me with a belly full of mesh. I have traveled to LA to get a diagnosis, and Philadelphia for my last cushing's surgery. My body is old and not perfect, but I thank the good Lord for the health I have and take each day for the gift it is. I would love to be 20 lbs thinner and lose my steroid belly for good, but I have learned it's more about taking the best care of my body to minimize my symptoms and function to the best I can.

and you may note in the final picture, my hair is now curly and I sport a stunning "Addison's tan" for life

but I still really want to lose the last 20 lbs!!

Thank you SOOOOO much for sharing your photos and your story! I think it is SO important for all of us to know that this weight-loss journey is about so much more... it is about HEALTH! And it isn't a straight-shot... it is a trip with ups and downs... sometimes over MOUNTAINS (like with your Cushing's Disease).....but if we PERSEVERE and continue to work on being the HEALTHIEST that we can be, it pays off in the end! I think you look amazing in that last photo! And you've been through SO MUCH....so many other folks would have totally thrown in the towel and given in to the steroid-related weight gain.... which is NOT the healthiest thing! You are fighting to stay the BEST YOU you can be! WTG!!

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Happy Friday everyone! My internet (and phone) were down this morning, so I was unable post a motivational quote for today.... but I'll be here tomorrow with one!

I've got a few things to do here this evening, so I'll sign off for now! Hope you all have an AMAZING, FUN-FILLED, HEALTHY WEEKEND!!..............P

 

[SarahDisney]

Hey guys! I just (well, Friday morning) got back from an amazing Disney World trip. I ate too much on the trip, but whatever, at least I enjoyed myself. And I did get in a run around the hotel one morning, which was amazing.

I've read through everything but don't really have the patience to respond ... but it's nice to see old and new faces here!

Belated Happy Birthday, Magdalene.

I love seeing all of the before, during, and after pictures!

My starting weight and goal are not that far apart, so differences aren't really too visible, and it's hard for me to figure out what are before pictures and what are during pictures because the differences aren't that visible and I've been up and down a lot and don't remember when I was up and when I was down. So here's what I have that I can actually identify (as a plus, they're all Disney pictures!):

December 2012 - Mid-High 140s:

October 2013 - Low-Mid 140s:

November 2014 - 138 lb:

The differences aren't super visible, but they're there. It's also hard to tell because I wear semi-baggy clothing (some is baggier than others, but I won't wear anything super tight or fitted - not a weight thing so much as a personality thing). I'm hoping that once I finally reach my goal weight, the differences will be visible.

 

[pjlla]

Sarah... welcome back! Hope your trip was TERRIFIC! And I can see the difference in your FACE and around the middle in those three pictures!

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Happy Sunday all! Sorry I didn't pop on this morning with the promised motivational quote. I made a last minute decision to accompany DH when he went to help DBIL (the one who is undergoing radiation and chemo) with some stuff around the house. I wanted to be helpful and I hadn't seen DBIL in a while and so I decided to go along. Glad I went. We did some mowing and raking and put away all of his deck furniture for the winter (he lives on a lake and has a lot of chairs, etc outside). We did some re-arranging in his shed so the girls would have plenty of room for bikes, etc.

Lunch was a 6" Subway sub on the way home (although I spurged on some baked chips) and dinner is a homemade vegetable soup!

I'm working tomorrow, but I will be here to at least say a hello and get our week started right! TTY tomorrow..................P

 

[pjlla]

Are you ready for MOTIVATIONAL MONDAY??? I hope so!! And I believe that this is the PERFECT thought to start the week with!!

So whether your goal is to reach your goal weight or to run a full 5K or to finish a half marathon, today is the day to WORK toward that goal! But remember....... "A GOAL WITHOUT A PLAN IS JUST A DREAM!"

I'll be back after work to chat!...................P

 

[Flossbolna]

Molly, thanks for posting your pictures! I find it very inspirational how you are dealing with so much adversity and still manage to maintain a healthy lifestyle! The picture of you and your family with the Blue Man is a great picture!

Sarah, I loved your series of pictures! One can definitely see the differences even if they are not huge! I hope you had a fantastic trip!

Pam, great motto for the week! It is very fitting for me after getting out of a week of having a cold and a birthday! I need to have a fresh start!

---

Hope you all are having a good start into this week. For me it is now only two more weeks until vacation! I need to be really good as I am so close to being no longer overweight and I want to get down to that weight before the vacation! The last week I maintained. That's still ok for me considering that I was sick and had my birthday. I count not gaining during that week as a victory!

I had a great hike to Ikea on Saturday and a very good run yesterday. Decided to run a bit slower on purpose (still ran a pace of 7 minutes per kilometer) and was enjoying it so much that I kept going for 6 km. I really missed running the past two weeks! I have the best intentions to try to go for an early morning run tomorrow. We will see how that works...

Foodwise I am doing ok. Friday evening was a bit of a splurge and I used quite a bit of my weekly extra. Yesterday I finally managed to have a perfect OP day! And I even ate really well. I made a lovely risotto with mushrooms. It turns out that depending on how you make it, it really can be a sensible dish. Especially if you add quiet a lot of vegetables. I made a double batch and the left overs will be a perfect dinner this week!

So, things look good here! Now I am just hoping to get the scale moving!

 

[Flossbolna]

Something totally unrelated to weight loss: But I got visited by the tag fairy and just noticed it! I have no clue when I got those tags!! I am highly amused and feel like am finally a true DISer!!! Great belated birthday present!!!

 

[pjlla]

Molly, thanks for posting your pictures! I find it very inspirational how you are dealing with so much adversity and still manage to maintain a healthy lifestyle! The picture of you and your family with the Blue Man is a great picture!

I second those thoughts!!

Sarah, I loved your series of pictures! One can definitely see the differences even if they are not huge! I hope you had a fantastic trip!

Agreed!

Pam, great motto for the week! It is very fitting for me after getting out of a week of having a cold and a birthday! I need to have a fresh start!

I'm glad it fits for you this week. I know I definitely have days/weeks/months when I need to remember to NEVER QUIT! I overeat or eat badly for a day or so and MENTALLY I start thinking that I've gained all 90 pounds back overnight! And it makes me ready to throw in the towel! I need to put yesterday (or the most recent bad eating) behind me, learn from it and MOVE ON!! Fresh start for us both!!

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Hope you all are having a good start into this week. For me it is now only two more weeks until vacation! I need to be really good as I am so close to being no longer overweight and I want to get down to that weight before the vacation! The last week I maintained. That's still ok for me considering that I was sick and had my birthday. I count not gaining during that week as a victory!

I totally agree!

I had a great hike to Ikea on Saturday and a very good run yesterday. Decided to run a bit slower on purpose (still ran a pace of 7 minutes per kilometer) and was enjoying it so much that I kept going for 6 km. I really missed running the past two weeks! I have the best intentions to try to go for an early morning run tomorrow. We will see how that works...

Yeah for you for 6 km!!

Foodwise I am doing ok. Friday evening was a bit of a splurge and I used quite a bit of my weekly extra. Yesterday I finally managed to have a perfect OP day! And I even ate really well. I made a lovely risotto with mushrooms. It turns out that depending on how you make it, it really can be a sensible dish. Especially if you add quiet a lot of vegetables. I made a double batch and the left overs will be a perfect dinner this week!

So, things look good here! Now I am just hoping to get the scale moving!

YUM! Care to share the recipe???

Something totally unrelated to weight loss: But I got visited by the tag fairy and just noticed it! I have no clue when I got those tags!! I am highly amused and feel like am finally a true DISer!!! Great belated birthday present!!!

What a great birthday gift! I had to practically THREATEN the Tag Fairy to get her to visit me... and I got all of my tags at once and haven't gotten another since! But I know what you mean about feeling like a true Diser!!

*********************

Evening all! I hope you have had a great day! It was a pretty good work day for me. I had a few challenging students (I was working as a special ed. inclusion facilitator, mostly working with special needs kiddos), but the day was fast, so no complaints! And no school tomorrow, thanks to Veteran's Day (but I still have my WW meeting in the evening). I was going to relax and watch a movie with DS, but he has to leave in an hour for Quiz Bowl practice. So I'll probably just waste.....errr... SPEND some time on Pinterest after dinner!

TTYL.......................P