200+ Haulin' Off The Weight

Pam- I love that dress! It's so pretty!

and Amy- no, you don't want bigger boobs. I'm stuck with bigger boobs and it sucks cause no tops ever fit. Shopping for a dress to wear to the wedding was difficult cause my waist down is a 16 but my boobs make me wear an 18 (or 20 in some styles) up top. I had a reduction when I was 15 and went from a DD to a C. It was fabulous. It just looked like I lost weight- no one really noticed (of course I had it over summer so my friends didn't really notice when school started back up). They've since grown back to DD and while sometimes it's nice to have tons of cleavage and I want them to be proportional to my size, I wish they'd shrink a little and make it look like I've lost more weight.

I had quite the delima thus morning - run or answer you ladies.... RunnIng won - 9 miles done and 1345 cals burned... My running buddy had plans so she wimped out at 6... Next week I bump to 10. 5 weeks until the race. I'm almost getting burned out. Race day can't come soon enough. My friend is willing to keep running outside all winter. It should be interesting.

Sorry I dont have time to reply to everyone.

Hosanna - I was friends with my husband in highschool. We didn't start dating until college. We were married at 21 and 22. This year we celebrated 20 years of ups and downs. Staying married is hard work but worth it. Cheating or abuse would be reasons to not work at it. I've been blessed to avoid those. We have our ups and downs and do argue. Making up is fun. You will grow together and apart and together again. It can be done and is worth it.

Victoria, good on you for the run!

PS... the way I respond to everyone is to take notes on a post-it. haha

A lot of the convos this morning were running along the same lines so I’m just going to write it out block style for the most part.

I am so glad I had such a liberal upbringing, and felt that I could (and sometimes still do) talk to my mother about sex. My husband, on the other hand, was raised in an ultra-conservative Southern Baptist household. When we moved in together his dad actually pulled him aside and begged for us to elope. He had great fears that my husband would go to Hell if we co-habituated. (apparently he wasn’t as concerned about me—being Anglican I must already be on Hell’s list anyway, right --he about had an heart attack when he learned that there would be real wine during the wedding service, and that when the Bishop comes we have a mimosa brunch after mass ). Needless to say, the two families, while they get along (mostly because they only talk once every 3-4 years), they don’t exactly see eye-to-eye.

I was 21 when I met my husband, 23 when we got married, and I am happy to say that I am as happy now as the wedding day. My parents are divorced, and his mom has been married seven times (she’s with number eight right now—I couldn’t even tell you his name; we just call him Ocho). I always found that ironic considering the upbringing I mentioned above, but whatever. Hubbs and I met on-line when I was in graduate school in Kentucky. He lived in Arizona (luckily he worked for an airline so was able to get free airline tickets to fly out to see me every other week or so.) Early in our relationship we instituted a “seven day rule.” That if we, for any reason, were upset with the spouse, we had seven days to complain about. If you didn’t say anything in those seven days you were silently acknowledging that whatever it was wasn’t really a problem. It was hard at first, but now it’s second nature; and I truly believe that it is the best thing we could ever have done for our relationship.


As for the bra size, I’m a DD/DDD and will be absolutely devastated if they get any bigger. And I feel your pain Kendal. When all of my friends were buying prom dresses, my mother had to make mine. I was a size 12/14 hip, size 8 waist, and size 16/18 top. She literally had to buy three dress patterns and cut and paste them together to get something that would fit me. And buying bras was all but impossible. Until I started putting on all the extra weight I wore a 32 DDD. I looked like frigging Dolly Parton. And for those of you here who were blessed enough to be A, B, or C cups and have never had to look at the larger cup sizes, let me tell you that you CAN NOT buy 32DDDs in stores. Most of the time the rib cage starts at 38/40, or the cup stops at B.


Katie...throughout my childhood my mother and Aunt had an ongoing feud about kid’s gifts. My aunt always bought make-up for the girls (i.e. me and my sister). So in retaliation my mother always bought messy educational gifts (play-dough, paints, markers, sticker books with hundreds of stickers). Personally I may just be nerdy, but I always wanted the gifts my mother bought. So maybe that would be the way to go.

Amy…don’t feel bad about Call of Duty. Look at it this way: it’s a video game so it teaches eye-hand coordination. The on-line sections are each based on actual military operations so they can be an excellent opportunity to teach about Cuba, Vietnam, Siberia, etc. It requires strategy, organization, planning, and teamwork. The weapons used in the game are real examples of weaponry. The educational aspects of the game abound. Sure it has a lot of gratuitous violence, but so does history/current events.

Okay, I think that was everything I wanted to comment on.

Check in—I’m doing crappy on the diet aspect this week, though the scale is only up one pound. Hoping I’m able to get back by Sat, as I would rather maintain at 280 then go up any. It really helps that I have to walk a mile and a half to and from work each day. The way my week has been going that’s the only exercise I’ve been getting.

Lacey: How come there was so much scarring after your reduction?

I can't believe how many of you ladies have had a reduction. I dream of one. Right now my weight is 241. I've been told like a bajillion times in my life that I carry my weight well, whatever that means. 241 is 241. But I blame it on my chest a lot. I can wear size 18 bottoms now, but still need a 22/24 top. Bra shopping in a store hasn't been possible in a looooong time. I was like a C cup in 8th grade. I hate them soooo much.

Nava: I despise my job, and coming here everyday is challenging. Thus, grad school haha. I just keep telling myself "you are heading in the right direction, it won't be much longer" So I can sympathize. I know what it is like to be unhappy at work.

As for all of the "grooming" talks, I've never been brave enough to get it done professionally but have always wanted to. I bet it hurts like heck though. I tried one of the at home kits. Never. Again. haha

Amy (blushing blushing blushing) - Chris and I have both noticed "boniness" in our nether-regions. I'm sure this is a TOTAL overshare, but it actually feels different now. Like in a good way. Like there's less in the way, which leads to awesomeness. Also we have friends with a son who is 8 and we play Gears of War online with him. His dad is a police officer, so I feel ya on the guns just being a part of life. I like that he's aware of them and understands their power and danger. I think as long as you teach them to be respectful of it, then its not gonna do any damage.

To all you gals, I REFUSE to get on ideeli. I'm makin' a stand. Cuz it will be like pandora's box, and then I'll be even more broke than I am right now. lol

Ok, I literally have no time to be on here today. Love to all of you, we'll talk soon.

Kerry - yes! Less (fat) in the way of the important bits down in the fupa region.

Rain - they've come a very long way in the reduction arena since I had my surgery over ten years ago. Essentially they cut you up the botton of the boob, around your areola and cut out sections of boob material and sew it back together...so you have a scar under your boob all the way and around the areola and up from the bottom to the areola. I also don't heal well when I get cut. Everything scars. I'm not sure if the (only one in that town) plastic surgeon who did mine was that good. I was 22 and very not into asking a man questions about what I would look like, so I seriously went into it blind. Now a days they do it completely different and some women walk out with barely any scarring at all.

Amy - when I lose the weight, I might get a lift/reduction/fake boobs all in one. And never wear a bra again. Ever. Ever.


Well meat pies sucked this year. I really truly think my tastebuds are changing to more vegetarian varieties. Now that doesn't mean I will turn down a fantastical steak when I travel for work, etc. but on a daily basis? Meh. It just doesn't taste good to me any more.

Karen: I hope you can get Melodie's hiney sorted out. The poor kid must be super-miserable!

Lacey: Oooh, I want a full body lift to get rid of saggy skin and maybe cut down on my super-hot stretch marks in my abdominal region. I don't foresee me ever actually being able to afford that procedure though. The Hubbs said he'd totally pay for a boob job though (men!). Whatevs, I'll take what I can get. And walking around without a bra would be awesome!

Kendal: I love that you love our weird conversations.

Kerry: I'm right there with you, girl! Things in the bedroom have definitely improved with the weight loss. I'd blush about it but I think it's pretty awesome so I'm not blushin'.

Kristina: Yay for one bite of cake being enough. I had an incident earlier with a vegan almond joy cookie bar and let's just say...I envy your control.

rain: I have had the grooming done professionally and done it on my own and I SWEAR to you that it's faster and hurts a helluva lot less to have a professional do it. It's not embarrassing, either. (I mean, other than the fact that it IS, in fact, your bare @ss hanging out there...I like puns) The first time I did it, it was weird but she had the attitude of a gyno - no big deal and not weird.

Pam: Ok, I tried my Gigi waxing kit again and it didn't end in tears this time. I made sure the hair was short and I did small patches and made sure to apply pressure to the area right after pulling off the wax (my waxing lady used to do that and it really helped...no idea why). I did A-OK. I didn't wax off as much as I do when I shave but it's a definite start and I can see that I will get better at it as I go on. So, thanks for giving me the courage to give it another go. Weird side note: The Hubbs got all interested in the waxing process and even tried a bit on his chest hair after watching me do it (I was NOT waxing my chest, just so u know). He said it's way too painful to to do more than that patch - guys are wussy.

I used to hwas my eyebrows at home and tried to get Jeff just to let me pluck this one eyebrow hair that gets super long and he sais HELL NO!

RainSarah - Fingers crossed that both your stomach AND boobs get smaller maybe your stomach is just shrinking faster. Also, yes, the grooming hurts like you would not believe... the first time. Then the next time it hurts a little less. I've been doing it for two years now and hardly flinch. It's still uncomfortable, but it certainly gets easier each time you do it!

Katie - I wish it wasn't as well... I'm not particularly shy about discussing such things, but i was talking about our particular problem with a couple of my friends at work, and their main response was "Are you sure you want to marry him?" Not helpful in the least. Also, i hope the wife is looking after herself... As you know from seeing it yourself, the families involved in the homecare often suffer more than the person in hospital.
Also, sorry you're having stress about job-related things. Mental health is a difficult thing to have to deal with. I've witnessed it with my family as i've grown up, and now Oher Half and I are both dealing with our own MH battles. Probably the result of our tumultuous upbringings. But i do feel for you. TGITD

Pam and Nava - I'm so excited about my Hen's party. Back when i lived in Adelaide i used to be a real party animal with the "friends" i had there. I'd always imagined my hen's night being a big boozy night out clubbing. I can't think of anything worse now, since i have no intention of ever seeing or speaking to any of my former party buddies again... So a museum trip in Melbourne with my mum and some family friends sounds wonderful.

Pam - I can't imagine doing said 'grooming' DIY... i get anxious enough getting someone else to do it!!

Amy - Kendal is SO spot on about the boob thing. I wear a 16E bra, and it's dreadful! Can't find nice lingerie to fit, i have to wear a size bigger top than pants... not to mention back aches!! I'm just waiting for them to shrink!!!

Victoria - thanks I'm sure we'll never have to worry about cheating or abuse... no one else would put up with either of us! haha!

katheryne - Your hubby's family sounds like my mum's family. Baptist upbringing, mum and dad's wedding had no alcohol and no dancing. I like the seven day rule. Although we pretty much mention things as they crop up now. we used to bottle stuff up for long periods of time before eventually exploding rage everywhere. We also met online so it's nice to hear another successful online-dating story!

Kerry - I too have managed to stay away from Ideeli

Karen - I agree with getting all the issues sorted out early. We pride ourselves on the fact that we only ever argue abotu something once, and then it gets sorted out. So we argue less and less, and now the ONLY issue that ever comes up is the sex thing... which may or may not one day not be an issue anymore. But the fact that it's the only thing we have left to argue about suggests to me that we're doing pretty well!
and OMG... Other Half and i are backwards too!!!! Thus being the entire issue hahaha!


I have to say that i agree with Kendal on how awesome it is that everyone is discussing grooming and FUPA situations I'm feeling pretty proud to have introduced the grooming convo!

I'm currently waiting for Other Half to get out of the shower so i can have the bathroom. It is weigh day today, and i've been putting it off for the last hour. Then i was just getting the courage up and he's like "i'm gonna have a shower". Pleh.
Hopefully the seat covers for our new car should arrive today, and then we'll take the dogs for a walk, then we're OFF for the weekend! Woooooo!! So excited. We need a weekend away so desperately!

I am one pound away from my goal for sep 1. I am so happy with my self.

Karen and Hosanna - I feel you on the s e x thing..except I'm in the other boat. My husband would be able to ID with you. Its like my hormones got all effed up when I had Gracie and I have no drive at all. And no ladies, I still have not gone to the doctor. My goal this autumn is to get all that stuff done when I get back from Europe...OB, dentist, etc.

Hailie - YEAY on the C25k!! You rocketh!

k2quiere - I've been okay about responding, but then I read everyone elses responses and think wow I totally missed that.

Victoria - keep up the running girl, we will be here when you get back! The race is almost here.

Amy - I'm watching Househunters Int'l right now and they are in Amsterdam. All those canals? I honestly think I am going to love Bruges more than Paris!

Pam - The wife is all for it. She doesn't like the idea of me being several hours away any more than I do, but she feels like she is holding me back by wanting to take care of her grandparents. She had been telling me to do this for the last year, we just weren't in a position for it to actually work.

Amy - I know 32 isn't old. I just think sometimes I'm tired of always doing what I SHOULD do instead of what I WANT to do. I spoke with my therapist today and I was quite surprised to find out that she thought applying for this job was a great idea and really supported me with that decision. I've never really done something because I wanted it and I REALLY want this job, she feels this job could be very therapeutic for me and that when I'm ready to start therapy again it will happen. So, we'll see how things go. Way to go on the one-armed stair dips and the loss of more clothes!

Kendal - I've never really envied overly-endowed women. The wife is a DD and I strongly believe it is the cause of much of her bad pain, that and she's a nurse. We've discussed her getting a reduction at some point. I, on the other hand, am somewhere between an A and B and never really gained weight in that area. It has been particularly difficult as I'm broad shouldered and getting to shirt or dress a fit my upper arms and shoulder usually means gaping material and/or oddly located darts in the chesticle area. However, I'm content with the smallness if it means no chronic back pain.

Nava - I'm glad to hear your parents are able to maintain their relationship even with the distance. I don't think I would go that far and we both know that it wouldn't be permanent, so that would help. As for the job, I totally understand the frustration of lack of things to do. I'm not sure that just quitting is THE answer, but it is one possible solution.

Lacey and everyone else - After I had lost about 20 pounds and had been doing yoga for a little while, I definitely started noticing I could contort my body into positions I never thought possible (sorry if TMI) and bedroom cardio did get better, not that it was bad before... I'll just stop before I get myself in trouble. As for the @$$ shelf, we use that term at our house as well as "third @$$ cheek" and mine is going away, the wife has pointed that out a number of times.

KatheryneLynne - I'm a nerd so when I was growing up and I would ask for the educational stuff and lots of books. As for my niece, my brother was an annoying brat and I don't like my niece's mom as she treated my brother like crap so I've focused on buying my niece toys that make really loud, annoying noises. Paybacks can be hell. However, she is getting older now and starting kindergarten in a few weeks so it might be time to be more practical.

Karen - I'll have to look for the bread, but I think I've seen it before. I've been using Arnold Sandwich Thins for the past several months, which is 100 calories for a whole bun. Better calorie-wise than regular bread, but sometimes I'd like a real slice of bread not a thin bun thing. That sucks about the scrooge of a stepdad, that's probably not any better than my dad that made good money but spent it all on crap before he even got the paycheck, so we lived very poorly to account for my dad's over spending. I just laughed out loud reading the lunch-lady bra comment and had to read it to the wife. Hilarious! I'm sorry about Mellie and the house, I hope both get resolved quickly.

Hailie - Way to go on the C25K!

Hosanna - Ok, I'm now totally curious as to the problem. The wife is beginning to realize she needs to take care of herself, I just hope she follows through. If not, I'm always ready to kick her in the @$$ and make her take it easy. As for the mental health, I'm feeling much better after my session today. Also, the women in this group have been extremely supportive and have listened to me vent about my mental health issues. If you ever need to let loose, feel free. Yay for the loss!

Nebraska - Awesome weight loss!

Bobbie - I think that recognizing how much your body wants to exercise is a NSV! I've learned it, but have a tendency to forget quickly. Let's call it a senior moment.

Karen, Hosanna, and Lacey - I'm with Lacey on the bedroom cardio thing. Except my lack of drive has been compounded by some of the really confusing emotional stuff I'm dealing with in therapy, like sometimes I feel like a 10 yr in an adult body so trying to do anything intimate feels really weird and REALLY wrong. I feel I should clarify that when I feel like that it is never brought on by sexual advances, it's just I'm having an emotionally unstable moment without the wife's knowledge and she decides she wants to do something. The wife has the drive of a 16 yo male, so it's led to a number of heated discussions over the past few months.


Too tired to find the cord to plug in the BodyMedia so I can do an official check-in, so.. I'll catch up on that later. But, I wanted to let everyone know that I'm feeling much more stable now and thank you for all the support. My therapist thinks getting a theatre job that I'm this excited about would be really good for me. So, my current full-time job is finding a theatre job. The wife and I have decided I'll apply for the out of town job and begin looking at other positions that are within a few hours drive of here. Chicago fits that qualification, but I don't think I want to move to there without her. I don't know I might change my mind. Anyhow, it's now time to focus on my resume and cover letter. I've also decided I'm going to relieve some of my anxiety by finding help with my cover letter. Have any of you ever used on-line resume/cover letter writing services? I'm just curious as to whether that would be a good route, or does anyone know someone that does this type of professional writing? I'm willing to pay money just to avoid the anxiety at this point. Ok, must sleep. Have a Happy Friday!

Soooooo many posts.

Soooooo many new people.

How is a gal to catch up?????

Hello all. Hope you having a good summer. Other than avoiding the scale all well here (oh and further antibiotics as chest thing still all wrong).

My goal - to weigh on 1st September and not have put on wieght (will be fairly easy as I can't remember what I was!!!!!)

Have tried to catch up with posts - you've all gotten into a typing frenzy - love it but will need hours to be able to read it all.

Keep well and will touch down asap

Love you

Annette

no time to catch up with anyone but I weighed 212.4 this morning