Kathy, WOW! Congratulations! You are doing great!

BTW, on a side note. If anybody is wondering why Boston Markets rotisserie chicken tastes so good, I found out. I stopped by on my way to work and picked up an individual meal with 1/4 chicken dark and had to look up the nutritional info to log my lunch into my journal. That 5.5 oz piece of chicken had a full 6 carbs in it. :eek: Then I looked at the ingredients. Not only do they have sugar in their apple cider marinade, they also inject a 17% solution into their chicken that has sugar, maltodextrin, and corn starch in it. Fortunately, I can now handle the higher carb count, but I would of rather spent my carbs on a glass of wine tonight, than on chicken that should either have none or very little! So, instead of this I get this :chicken: See, that's what sugar does to you! LOL

Ok, today was weigh in and I lost another 2 lbs. this week. I am now just six pounds shy of the century mark, which I hope to hit by Independence Day!

Just getting caught up here. Everyone is really doing well. I, on the other hand am slipping. I've been hovering around the same weight for a couple months now. I've still been exercising though so I still feel better. I do think I'm building some muscle, although my fancy new scale says my body fat is still the same. Three weeks until Tahiti, so I'm not going to do anything drastic. I'll definitely keep exercising as we have so much planned for the trip.

Keep up the good work everybody!

Dave

Oh boy, your big trip is looming! Lucky you!

I too have been slipping badly, but am attempting to get back in the saddle (so to speak.) I've been good so far today! :banana:

Don, A major celebration is in order for your July 4th! I will be just back from our O Cruise and we will certainly toast you with our 2 qts of water and a run around the track!

Wendy, it takes time to get there but if you are moving forward then you are ahead of the game! I know that it takes time to wrap your head around things.

Dave - one of the cool things about Tahiti is all the fresh fruits and fish. If you can portion control and eat light it works!

Don I am sure you will make the century mark by July 4th! Way to go!!!! <img border="0" alt="[bounce]" title="" src="graemlins/ubbbounce2.gif" />

Don, I know you can do it!!

My goal is to hit my century mark by the time I see my doctor on August 13th. I figured I would be conservative because I'm not too sure how much 2 weeks on FJORDS is going to affect me!

Kathy, Sue, and Andrea, thanks for the encouragement!

Andrea, I know you can do it as well!! Inspite of FJORDS, I know your persistance will prevail.

We started about the same time and are at just about the same pace, but your weight loss is even more impressive considering how much easier it generally is for us guys to lose compared to women. Not that it is ever really easy! It is just easier for us! What you have accomplished is truly awesome! :app:

Andrea -

I am going next week on my O Cruise and my goal is to come home and weigh the same as I did when I left + no more than 2 lbs. Lots of walking and portion control!

I did it last month and dropped more weight when I got home and I know you can do it too!

Andrea and Don - you two are incredible AND posted pixs - makes it so real -

Just knowing I'll come back here and give an update is enough to keep me on plan. I did quite well on my Mariner cruise in December - only up 2 lbs and that was gone in a couple of days. Just need to keep up my workouts and water.

Don - thanks so much!! Sometimes I think it's embarassing that I actually needed to lose this much weight, but you know - it is what it is. At least I finally got my act together!

Right Joanna
A picture speaks a thousand words :app:

Andrea,I told Marilyn and she's so proud of you!

Don & Andrea - I'm so excited for you! You are truly on a successful mission.

I cannot wait for all the fresh fruit and fish on our trip! I'm not to worried about gaining weight as we tend to be VERY active on vacations. We have a hard time sitting.

Andrea & Kathy - I'm sure you'll do fine on your cruises. Have a great time! I'm sure you will.

Dave

Andrea, I feel the same way sometimes, but agree with you, at least we did something about it. Besides, now we can be an encouragement to others that may be stuggling with the same problem. Shoot, I feel like that if I can do it, then anybody can!

You guys, Don, Andrea and Kathy are an inspiration. I finally got up the gumption to get on the scales this morning, and confirmed what I feared--I'm currently 12 pounds over my lightest weight around PIP in 2005, and probably 2 pounds over SAND.

I am determined now to get that off and more, since I'd really like to lose 30 pounds, this time for good!

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

You know you can count on this group for encouragement and support.

Dave

Suzie, I can't wait to see you and Marilyn in person next week!!

Dave, I definitely plan on keeping active, whether it's in the gym or walking the track, or all the hiking excursions I've signed up for. Heck, I might even be in good enough shape now to take the stairs more often (except in heels).

Don, glad to hear you feel the same way!! That is my motto too - if I can do it, anyone can.

Wendy, you can do it. Just think about that fantastic trip to the Marquesas you have planned. One thing that kept me going these last few months was thinking about seeing everyone on FJORDS, and how surprised they are going to be when they see the new me! Definitely has helped to keep me motivated.

Our trip to Tahiti has definitely motivated us to loose weight. We have always taken the stairs on the ships. The only time we've been on the elevator is when we boarded or formal nights. On the big ships, that's a lot of stairs too!

I can't wait to hear about FJORDS. That's one part of the world I have high on my list.

Dave

Hey guys, I went to the Nordstrom sale and bought new jeans--- size 10p, woohoo!! I bought 2 different brands so its not like I stumbled upon the mismarked, giant size 10s! Feels good. I still want to lose another 20 pounds and will continue to work on it. I had been feeling pretty discouraged but you guys really inspired me to keep at it. Thanks!
----------------
Helen

What is a 10p???? 10 plump???

Congratulations Helen!!! Doesn't it feel great to find smaller clothes that fit? Keep up the good work.

Joanna, this is just a guess, but I figure that it means petite. I am still working on fitting into petite sizes again! The last time that I wore petite was when I was 24 and wore one of Diana's grocery store checkers uniforms to work for Halloweeen! The whole day my dress kept riding up on me! :eek: Okay, even then, I would do just about anything for a laugh.

Good guess, Don. I am not exactly petite, just short! So petite pants work for me 'cuz of the length. I guess I didn't need to throw in the 'p" just the 10. That was the happy part.
--------------
Helen

I haven't seen a 10 petite, regular or long since????? '87? Congrats Helen must be wonderful feeling - funny story Don!!!

Congrats Helen! That is wonderful!!!!

I have made up my mind if I want to purchase some new clothes and the size that fits me is larger than a 10 I won't buy it!

Helen,

I love shopping in the Petite Department - especially at Nordstrom since its right next to the Plus Dept. A very good feeling, for sure.

Sue - My experience is that sizing is so over the map sometimes, if you hold to that, you will end up being more depressed about your weight. You gotta feel good about your self and a new outfit will do wonders. A great example of that size thing is that I too went to Norstrom and found some capris to take on my trip. I decided to not buy them (you know the kind - cotton in a khaki color with lots of pockets - versatile for travel)in a whole new size I was proud of. Then I went to Target and decided to see what they had in what I call disposable clothes (Trendy but decent looking) and they had almost the identical pants for $20 - much different than the price of the Nordie's. Anyway the sizing was so different that it depressed me - 4 sizes bigger than the Nordstrom ones but my body is the same. My weight is the same. Who cares what they call it. I know what size I wear.

I couldn't agree more about sizes, Kathy. The more "upscale" the maker, the smaller the size you will wear. It is all just a big psych, but knowing it doesn't stop me from falling for it. LOL
----------------
Helen

I, too, agree about size; however, I sure love Chico's sizing (as well as their clothes) - psychologically it is so nice to buy a 1.

Nini

Kathy, Helen and Nini while I do agree with you about sizing my main idea for not buying larger than a certain size is the fact that this helps me mentally and physically to try my best to not gain weight and stay in the size I feel most comfortable in.

I do not get depressed if a size 10 does not fit me...it motivates me to get back on track with my eating and trying to exercise!

This can work both ways in a positive or a negative...it is all how each of us perceives it! ;) :)

Oh Sue, I absolutely agree about not buying anything new if the number is disagreeable! I get very disgruntled when what I have taken into the dressing room thinking it is my size turns out to be too small/tight, or makes me look lumpy, oddly shaped..... That scenario leaves me with 2 choices, get a bigger size or get nothing. I generally will go home empty handed rather than get a bigger size. I may have to go to Chicos. I get their catalog but have never been in the store, A size "1", really?!
-------------------
Helen

Size 1 - 2- 3 and sometimes 4 at Chico's
Small-Medium-Large and sometimes Extra Large

Sizes range from 0-3.5
0 is 4/6
05 is 6/8
1 is 8/10
1.5 is 10
2 is 10/12
2.5 is 12/14
3 is 14/16
3.5 is 16/18

that's the way Florida Chicos sizes their clothes and same deal in Santa Monica CA - which has great store on Montana - they have great travel clothes - I find BIG difference in selections state to state -

I don't get hung up on this, just need it to fit, but I am lucky not to worry about weight! I swear, when I was younger, like 18-20yrs old, I was a 10-12 weighing less than I do now wearing size 8. You don't get bigger or smaller with the size on the label! I think they must adjust the sizing to that of the "average" American woman. In Europe, I usually take about the equivalent of the US 12 for it to fit!

Just buy what you like and what you feel good wearing!

Isn't that the truth???? If it fits I buy it - Target, boutiques etc - the old story about "fine" means smaller size? - we all know what we are or are not!!!! ;) ;) ;)

Joanna I could not agree with you more! I love Chico's and last year when we were in TX I went to a mall and their Chicos had some of the most vibrant colors in suedes i.e. panchos and so forth that I have never seen in our Chico's in town. In a way I think it is neat, how each area has their own style/flair, yet I want to see it all! :)

The last few times I was in Chicos, I was told that size 3.5 is being discontinued. A sales associate gave me the 800 customer service number to call and request they continue making the 3.5s.

Well, I've never bought anything from Chico's, but I have sure considered it. That's crazy for them to eliminate the equivalent of 16-18! Even when my weight is down nicely, I'm still a 14 (or 15, if I can get petite), since I have no waist at all, and started wearing a size 10 in 9th grade, at 110 pounds.

I really wish the clothing manufacturers had standards that had to be adhered-to. This size creep thing has gotten crazy. I would like to be able to use size as a benchmark for my health, fitness and weight, but cannot. I wonder if the European manufacturers do better with their sizes.

Well, I do not know what is going on with my body, but either I'm running around too much or all the muscle I have built in the last few months has suddenly kicked into fat burning mode, because since Saturday I have lost....wait for it....4.3 lbs!! :eek: I have passed my goal of losing 85 lbs before FJORDS with a week to go! I haven't changed anything - I've been busier at work, so that might have something to do with it. I also may have passed a set point since it took what seemed like forever to lose the last 20 lbs. I'm not complaining - it's just a little freaky!

WooHoo, Andrea, No need to look that gift horse in the mouth. Good for you!!
--------------
Helen

Holy smokes Andrea - will we be able to find you on Fjords??? Maybe you can hold up a sign "Hey it's me the little gal over here" :app: :app: :app: :hug:

Way to go Andrea! It's nice to have your body on your side instead of fighting it.

Dave