Helen, you and me both. But these guys are sure inspiring!

Wow - Andrea, Those photos are amazing. 77 lbs is incredible. Are you still doing the same plan you started with?

Don, yes, out of the plus department is really great.

Way to go! Back home now and back in the saddle. Actually, we did a mini hike and a lot of walking on our most wonderful adventure in the Great Northwest - so we start our morning walk routine tomorrow too. I was so happy to have done all the walking we did. I won't weigh in for a couple days, just to lose some of the extra from eating differently for a week.

Helen, you will do it, I know! Don't stress out too much about it. We are here for you whenever you are ready!

Kathy, welcome back home. I know it is hard being away and then getting back to it, but knowing your determination, you will get right after it!

Andrea, I just showed Diana your before and after pictures and she had the same comment! WOW! It is especially impressive being a woman. It is so much easier for us guys to lose weight! I know life ain't fair!

Tonight I was shocked when I walked into our gym and found my name at the very top of the leader board in FitPoints (for both men and women and in all age groups) for last week with 6354. Second and Third had somewhere in the 4800's. Also even though I only lost a little over a pound last week, I still lost another 1/2 inch in my waist. <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Kathy, glad you're home and had such a wonderful time! Don't worry about any extra weight from eating different food - it will be gone before you know it. Water, water, water! Yes, I am still using Jenny Craig foods for breakfast and a few dinners per week. I can't beat the convenience, especially in the morning.

Don - congrats on being #1 (even though we already knew it)!! That's awesome, and I think I said before I would love to have a tracking program at my gym. Please give Diana my thanks...this is the first time I've ever been "results not typical"!

Don that is great about being #1 at your gym! :banana:

OK, I knew it was too good to be true! There are people that live at the gym. I still ended up third overall though. When their computers were down last week, I had to manually enter all my workouts online. Seems that when they came back up, some of the days registered at the gym and then again online, getting double posted! Hey, third still ain't bad for an old overweight dude! LOL

Congrats Don and Andrea. Andrea, you look awesome!!!

Nancy

Andrea -

I am waiting to see your photo up on the wall at the local JC center which is a block from my office! We at LCT never thought you were typical (lol) either!

I did 4 lbs of temporary damage and am sure it will be gone before the week is over. Especially since I started my walking program this morning.

Thank you Nancy!

Kathy... :app: Good one!! I'm hoping by the time I reach my goal I'll be in a commercial with Valerie Bertinelli.

You'll have no problem getting rid of that 4 lbs - it's just water. Hope your walking program is going well.

Andrea: But you'll have to hang with Wolfgang Van Halen ;) ;)

Joanna, I'm sure I could find something to talk to him about!

I would have named him David Lee or Sammy - another conversation for Fjords Andrea!!!!

Here are a couple of new pictures I thought I would share. I just had to do the one in the old pants thing! Maybe a pair of suspenders are in order! LOL

OMG Don - two of you could fit in the old pants! YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION!!!!! I am sure Diana is so very proud of you!!!! :app:

Now I have an idea of who to look for in Funchal!

You look great!!!!!! <img border="0" alt="[bounce]" title="" src="graemlins/ubbbounce2.gif" />

Don - you look AWESOME!! A whole new person. Congratulations!!

Andrea and Don you two deserve a virtual teapot for being so dedicated to taking off the pounds and motivating those of us who keep falling off the path to better health! :app:

:woh: :woh: :woh: :woh: :woh: Andrea and Don!

Wow Wow Wow, between Andrea and Don what more inspiration could I need! I have decided to "re-up" with Lindora and do one more program. That will make 3 for a total of 30 weeks. After 20, I have lost 35 lbs and altho I would have liked to have lost more than that, I guess that will have to do. Sorry about them taking your trophy away Don but I'll bet your "old pants, new me" photo would top all those other guys!
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Helen

Helen

We girls of a certain age tend to lose it a bit slower than the men and women who are a bit less seasoned. 35 lbs in 20 weeks is really, really good. Slow and steady is the best way for us. It's a new way of life and there's no hurry or timetable. Just keep on plugging along. 1-2 lbs a week is ideal for us. I am right along the same road you are on. 37 lbs since the first of the year and I am really happy with that.

Don,

WOW. You are REALLY doing it. You look incredible. Thanks for all the inspiration. We will hardly recognize you by CROSS!

Don...you look fabulous...congrats!!!

Nancy

:woh: :woh:

Holy Moly, Don!!! You look terrific, my friend!

Don, wow! No wonder your daughter did a double take when seeing you! Obviously the weight loss shows all over, but I think especially in your face. Well done!

Dena

Thanks all, I really appreciate all of your support. You guys have been great.

Helen, you are doing fantastic. Glad you have re-upped and looking forward to hearing how well you will be doing. Kathy, is also right. Slow is better and guys just seem to lose faster. I know it isn't fair!

Kathy, what you have accomplised is very impressive. All that inspite of having a couple of trips in there!

Dena, thanks! My face is usually the first place that it shows. Glad it is finally making it's way to the rest of my body! LOL

Well, weigh in was today and I lost another 3 lbs last week, making a total of 90 lbs so far! I am really am trying to slow this down, because slower is definately better. Ideally I would like to keep it between 1 to 1.5 lbs per week, so I am raising my carb intake by another 5 grams per day this week to see if I can slow it down a little.

Don & Andrea - you are truly an inspiration. I love the pics. It always amazes me how much brighter peoples faces look in the later pictures. You can just sense the level of inner-happiness soaring. Keep up the great work.

I'm plodding along. Work is finally slowing down and I can get back to PG prep. I haven't lost any weight in several weeks. I have been exercising though, just eating to much. With only five weeks to go, I don't think I'll make my goal. But that's okay. I'll take what I can get.

Keep up the good work.

Dave

Don, you look great, really great!

I was thinking about the thread "upstairs" about "Regent Value" where the discussion is going on about cruise attire: CCC, formal, informal.

And I realized that if I'm honest with myself, I would enjoy dressing up a bit on a cruise a lot more, if I had a positive body image--didn't always feel kind of lumpy. Positive body image is hard to come by for some of us.

So I have been being good. I've been doing my exercises in the morning, and now that the son and heir has moved out again, we're back on fairly healthy meals at home. I've re-committed to dumping that extra 25 pounds or so, gradually, so that I can buy myself a new cruise outfit or two some day!!!

You're not kidding Wendy. Positive body image is almost impossible, and so much of it is from within.

I came to the realization a few pounds ago, that if I dressed well, regardless of my weight I would feel better. I don't buy clothes anymore that are lesser quality because of hoping not to wear them. If I dress well, then I found I do feel better than if I bought "cheap" clothes because I hope to not wear them. I admit that I am not as svelte as I would like to be - far from it- but, I still have to treat myself well, dress to be the best I can be, whoever and whatever I am. I am resigned not to weigh what I weigh, but, I still want to feel good about me.

Great attitude, Kathy!

Amen sistahs! It is so disheartening to take lovely things into the dressing room and then just hate the way you look. I indulge my inner goddess in the shoe salon because shoes always look good. God Bless you, Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnick!
Kathy is absolutely right though. I had a friend whose wife was quite heavy-set but she always looked just great because she had wonderful taste and was always well put together.
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Helen

I wish Jimmy and Manolo made shoes in a D width (sigh)....thank you Mr. Nordstrom for thinking about some of us...

I would love to try on a jimmy choo. just for the fun, because that is neither in my lifestyle or budget. just to see if I could walk in them.

I agree Kathy re dressing well, within your budget. last year I was in NYC the day after Christmas. I was at the Saks door with all the other ladies bright and early. While a bunch of obviously wealthy women had a fight over some big purses (it was so funny to watch them from the escalator above), I went to the fourth floor and found the most delicious TSE black cashmere asymmetrical sweater with a mandarin collar of (sorry fur people) persian lamb. I have never spent so much on anything in my life, and it was 40% off the 1/2 price sales price! hard to believe I haven't worn it since I tried it on when I returned home.

Diane, Jimmy Choos are actually very comfortable. I dress for work and so really good dress shoes last me for years. They never go out of style (at least not yet)and I have found that it is really money worth spending from that perspective. Plus let me tell you nothing feels as good as a really great pair of shoes! Exc maybe losing 10 lbs but the shoes are easier to attain!
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Helen

This thread is an inspiration to many ( I read but don't practice good habits) - Don and Andrea WOW - had friend stop by today - she has lost 35 lbs - awesome!!!!!!! - you all should have a rule - 30 lbs or more a picture!!!!! The pixs really help to bring it all home -

Joanna, well said. This thread truly is an inspiration. I have been "lurking" on LCT for quite some time and finally got my courage up yesterday to post in the intro section. I have been following this thread since Jan. and am in awe of what Don and Andrea have accomplished. Don, you inspired me to get back to the gym. Thank you!

Kathy

Kathy - welcome to LCT!!! Not sure where in Boston you are, but I work out at Healthworks in the Back Bay. It's a great gym. In fact, I'm here right now taking a break between cardio and strength training.

So, after a not so exciting weigh-in last week I was down 1.6 lbs this morning, for a total of 78.5 lbs (I was up .3 last week). However, the most exciting thing is I am able to shop in the misses section for everything now - including tops!

Wow Andrea !!

Olivia sent me to this thread to find out about the "new you". That's fantastic !

Congratulations!!I know how tough it is to lose weight and get in shape but it's worth it!

Did you already throw out your "big" clothes? I loved it when I did it!

Some of us have already had the pleasure of seeing the "new" Andrea and all I can say is WOW, she looks soooooooooo great !!! She really is an inspiration to all of us who have "not the best" habits!

Thanks María!! As of today, I have gotten rid of all my "big" clothes, with the exception of coats. In April we had a business clothing drive at my office, so I donated all my blazers and dress pants, and today we dropped off 3 huge bags of everything else to one of our favorite charities. I have a couple of winter coats that I will donate in the fall to "Dress for Success". My closet is pretty empty!

Marcie - :hug: Thank you!! When I work out I think of the astonished looks I'm going to get when I see everyone in Copenhagen - it keeps me going!!

Andrea: you have accomplished so much in less than a yr - my friend who lost 35 lbs did it in anticipation of her 60th b'day - took her 13 months - she keeps asking "why didn't I do it sooner?" I tell her same reason most of us don't succeed - (Don you too - you are both amazing !!!!)

Andrea, I have already seen you and say WOW! Can't wait to see you on FJORDS! You are one amazing woman for what you have accomplished since ROAR! Going to be fun to be with you again!