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Dear Tenaj, You have been through so much!! May your Thanksgiving be filled with many blessings, joy and laughter!! And to you all of you here as well!!!!!

Hello, Weight Loss Warriors!!!

I love this thread...so much encouragement!!! I've been MIA and have really missed reading...but I think I've caught up.

The Optifast program (medically-supervised liquid fast) that I started in March, ended in July, when we started adding real food back into our diets. (We follow the American Diabetes Association guidelines.) I was also exercising regularly: 90 minutes of water aerobics in the therapy pool at the local rehab hospital (94 degree water); riding my adult trike, and walking.

Then it got hot, and the air quality got bad (really bad for my asthma) and all I had left was the swimming.

Then in August, I had my exchange surgery, and of course, no pool for me until the incisions closed. Well, I had some complications, and extended restrictions, so I haven't exercised for more than 3 months.

I saw the PS recently, who cleared me, but in the meantime, I had a nasty fall and ruptured the bursa in my right knee, then two weeks later, a heavy board fell across my toes in a store and that was the end of my walking.

Call the waaaaaaaambulance!!!!

But now for the good news: I have continued to stay on the Optifast program at a reduced amount. I still have 3 - 4 products a day, with some healthy protein,veggies, fruit, and dairy thrown in. Still no carbs for me....they're a real trigger. And when I DO get bread back on my list, it will have to be gluten-free.

I believe that is what helped my fibromyalgia pain go away....going gluten-free.

Last week we spent in Southern California, in Laguna Beach. I went up to Nordstroms in Fashion Island (Newport Beach) for a professional bra fitting. Oh my gosh....found some awesome bras that fit the New Girls perfectly.

And when the fitter found out I was from out of town, she arranged for me to meet with a personal stylist...a very sweet girl who looked at me and said "You're about an 8, right?"

When I stopped laughing, I told her I'd be lucky to fit into a 12 or a 14. Well, long story short, I fit into some size 8 jeans. I think I was in 5th grade the last time that happened. I was always a 16 - 18.  And I went from a size 1X-2X top to a Medium.

I stood in front of the mirror in the dressing room and nearly cried with happiness.

I knew that I'd lost 60 pounds, and more than 65 inches, but my mind could not associate that with my body size. Seeing in in front of me was life-changing.

After hearing my story, the stylist was in tears, too.

More than anything, I now know I have the ability to become the strong, healthy person I've always wanted to be. It's not too late. I'll be 62 in a week, and I want to keep up this healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life.

Thanks to all of you who have been my cheerleaders along the way. If you are just starting out to lose weight and get in shape, I will tell you the first step is the hardest.

But you just get up every morning and try to do your best. Sometimes you won't, and it doesn't matter. What matters is the big picture.

Don't ever give up...what we want is in our reach.

Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend, and hopefully, I will be back reading and posting more faithfully.

xoxoxo

Wow Blessings!!! How exciting to hear your great news & success!!! Inspirational!!!! I need to get my butt in gear as both of my children got engaged in the past month!!! I would like to loose some more weight & get my nips done before their weddings. Still undecided on exactly what procedure I'm doing....but regardless I need to loose moe weight. I follow you n other threads & you are truly a asset to this community! Thanks

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL. MAY IT BE FILLED WITH MANY BLESSINGS, JOY AND LAUGHTER. ONE MORE THING, EAT ALOT AND THEN START AGAIN ON FRIDAY!!!!

I'm in for starting fresh on Friday. Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Kindergarten I love it!  I literally laughed out loud when I read that!  That was the chuckle I so much needed.  

Thanks Kindergarten!  We've already had our Canadian Thanksgiving, and it was delicious!  Hope yours was fantastic too, and your weekend is as well!!  

Hi, Everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful  and blessed Thanksgiving. We so enjoyed having our family here for dinner, including our new grandbaby. We are so grateful for her!!!!Moving here to CA was the best thing!!!  Well, ate way too much, but today was better. Exercise today, was decorating our condo for Christmas!!! We then walked this evening. Low carb and no sweets for me. Please enjoy the rest of your weekend. Kathy

Hi, Tenaj!!!!! You have such an exciting year coming up, have fun with all the planning. You will be so busy that you won't have time to eat, he,he,he!!! Kidding aside you will do great. We did enjoy Lily so much on her first Thanksgiving. You will always find a way to see your children, no worries, they will probably come to you. They know how much you love them and life will adjust to your needs and God always has a plan to make everything work. I wish everyone here a wonderful week. We walked today and then went to see Lincoln. I would highly recommend seeing this amazing saga on Lincoln's days during the Civil War. Lots of Love, Kathy

Going to see the University symphony the coming Sunday afternoon. I can hardly wait. It is their Christmas performance. I just live the symphony! My emotions swell with the music. Haven't been able to walk much due to a stress fracture in my ankle. Big bummer as I was hoping to log some miles before I have surgery on the opposite foot. I'm really going to have to watch the eating for the six weeks I'll be laid up. I don't want to pack on more pounds. Got to see my precious granddaughter, Erin, on Thanksgiving. That baby just brightens up my whole face. Went shopping on Black Friday to buy her Christmas and birthday gifts since I won't get another opportunity prior to Christmas. My surgery is December 19th so I will be recovering over the holidays. Have really been watching my diet and trying to eat healthy. Don't know if I've lost any weight however.

Thanks Kathy. I hope the chorale was wonderful. My brother and sister-in-law will be coming for a two-day visit on Sunday after we get back from the symphony, so we expect to have a nice weekend. I can hardly wait!

Hi, Tenaj!!! I see you baking and laughing with your grandchildren. It will happen sooner than you think!!!! Rocket, the concert was amazing, filled with beautiful, time-honored Christmas music and songs. The orchestra was wonderful and the choir was unbelievable. What a wonderful way to begin this Christmas season!!!! Enjoy your visit with your brother and sister-in-law. I need to ride the elyptical today, but making lunch for my son, daughter-in-law and Lily!!!

Hi ladies! I spent the weekend in NYC & got to visit the tree, do shopping & lots of eatting. It was so much fun...now I'm back to work & eatting much better. It is so difficult to stay on track with eatting this time of year. Gotta get back on the treadmill. Have a good week & ENJOY!!!

Hi ladies. This is such a busy wonderful time of year. I have not exercised as much as I would like, but am not giving up. I am trying to eat better & not eat all the delicious goodies I make for friends & family. But......I do have to taste it to make sure it's good! Lol....I had a work Christmas party last week & made fudged with nuts & raisins. I have another party this Friday, I hope to be better at the tasting.

I saw my PS today & will be scheduling my revision/nipple surgery for the end of January beginning of February. I would like to loose at least 5 lbs before the surgery. Looks like its yogurt, green tea everyday again. It worked once, so I hope it works again.

I hope everyone is doing well & enjoying this holiday season. Blessings & healthy wishes to all!

Kindergarten, 13 lbs already!!! Wow...this Christmas will be so special for you & your family. I'm not sure what a circle party is but it sounds like fun. I have a party Friday with my old work buddies & hubbies. I'm working the weekend so I won't be partying too much but I will enjoy some of the delicious food. The yogurt & green tea is working already. That's encouraging. [ Like you :-) ]