[genmel]

I sure have missed you guys. I am so sorry I have not been around. I have had a lot on my plate and my mind. My mom has not been in the best of health. My 17 year old cousin is fighting synovial sarcoma and it has upset me to no end. Happy note though - I just graduated from Radford University with my masters in reading even though I still need to fit in 90 hours of tutoring before the end of June!!!! I am also coaching my daughter's softball team, which I have to admit I would have NEVER done this time last year. Yeah, me!

But....I have to be honest. I am extremely discouraged. I am just not seeing the scale move and it is just annoying me to no end. When I discussed this with my surgeon's PCP, she told me to back off on my water, pump up the exercise, and pick up my protein again. I have done those things, but the scale is dead. Yes, I feel and see a difference in my clothing, but I want to get under 200 before my surgiversary and I just don't know if it is going to happen!!! So, I have stayed away out of frustration!!!!

Please forgive me. I do lurk every now and then and try and catch up. Then, I look at the people who are close to my date and they have lost more and I get frustrated. I know I shouldn't because we all lose at different paces and such, but I am so discouraged.

I prayed about this this weekend and I am going to try very hard to be a better poster and supporter. Please pray for me as well that I will learn that the scale is a monster.

I have missed you guys! Please send me an email or catch me up in a reply post!!

[Kenyar]

hey there
i will pray for you. im sorry its so hard and there are so many things in the way. hopefully HE will clear a path for you soon. keep in touch

[ruiz4747]

i totally understand your situation about having to much on your plate. I also have not seen weight loss in over 6 months, dont get discouraged. Sound like your doctor is giving you good feedback. Good luck

[greensgirl19]

I'm sorry you're having such a rough time. All I can say is that even though you feel discouraged, you have done a phenominal job! You've lost soooo much and look at what you've accomplished! A Master's degree! How proud your family must be. I hope things get better for your family health wise, and you sound like you're doing everything right (eating wise/exercise) and the scale will move eventually. And the plus is that you're body is shrinking up if your clothes fit better! Keep your chin up and keep doing what you're doing , it'll pay off!

[MsVickie]

I have for the last couple weeks been wondering about you. Its so good to see you posting. Masters! What an accomplishment. Did you have to attend Radford or distance because....... im just 30 mins away from there honey! You will have to let me know about how the New York trip went. It think that was the last post I seen. I have missed you alot. The stall your in i would say is normal. My weight is comming off very slow now to. That is why I weigh only at the Drs office so I dont get discouraged. Even if its 4 pounds a month im excited. Somthing I have done which Doc said that her culture does......... is eat a snack mid morning and mid afternoon. I dont snack on anything after dinner. Moving that snack seems to have kept mine going slowly but its still trickling. She stated they snack at 10am then at 3 pm. Makes scence acutally.

I do hope your niece will fair better from her illness. I know its hard on eveyone around her. I couldnt imagine as I have never been placed in that postion. Take care my friend.

[genmel]

Radford actually came to us. There were 24 women in my cohort and we spent every Thursday night together the past three years. We have had 3 babies, 2 near death experiences, 1 gastric bypass, and many, many laughs. My school system actually paid for the entire thing, so I am very, very blessed. Vickie, I actually thought about emailing you and letting you know I was in the area. I have to come back to Christiansburg High School May 17 to take a final test in the morning. Maybe we can meet for a shared lunch??? LOL!

My cousin is a trooper. He is a great student athlete and he is looking at his cancer like he did his sports - no quit! He is getting treatment right now at Wake Forest. He gets chemo for three days and then 2 days of radiation. The good news is that the tumor is responding to the treatment and is now half the size it once was - praise God!!!

I just want to get under 200! My doctor has said that she would like me to be 190 or 200, but I really do not want to be there. I want to be like 170 or 180. I guess I am whining and I just need to be grateful that my clothes are falling off me and I have had to buy new underwear and spring clothes!!! Right, ladies!

[DocSanae]

Congratulations on your Masters!!!

You sure have a lot on your plate, the stress level is enough for your body to hang on to your weight. You still have a month and half till your surgiversary, even if you don't hit Onederland till then, I'm sure you'll get much closer to it tha you are now.
Just keep faith, and stick to the program day to day. Patient, constant baby steps lead to a long distance covered. Even dust collects and makes a mound, as we say here.

Sorry to hear of your mother's and cousin's illnesses, some things we can only stand by and share.

How much exercise do you get in by coaching your daughter's team? You can get in lots of exercise there by being more active with your coaching.

Yes, as MsVickie says, I was wondering how your NY trip went, please tell us about it when you get the time to.

((((((HUGS)))))

[SunflowerGirl]

As someone who hasn't HAD surgery yet - I look at how far you have come and am amazed, but I am sure it looks differently being on your side, huh? You have accomplished SO much - that is incredible! I know now that the one thing I am going to have to do is be careful to not dwell on the scale...as it is way too easy to let it determine the mood for the day/week/month when it isn't going the way I want! Hang in there and keep up the good work!!!!

[genmel]

Thank you guys! NY was awesome! I had so much fun. I just wish I had more time to do some serious shopping. I wanted to purchase one thing that said I HAVE BEEN TO NY! But, I didn't get to. I went to see "In The Heights" on Broadway and cried because I had never experienced anything like that. I highly recommend this show and do you know that Leonardo DiCaprio actually went to see it the night after us!!!! I want to go back and see every show (I am a drama teacher as well as English and yearbook!)

The kids were great. I missed my family a lot, but I was so grateful that I actually felt like walking the miles and miles we walked in NYC. I was not impressed with Central Park. I loved Rockefeller Center and am pissed that I didn't get anything dealing with The Office. I didn't see anyone famous, but I really didn't care about that.

I felt like I drank a ton of water on the trip and was always in the john on the charter bus, which caused me to giggle. The bathroom actually had a window with a curtain and during rush hour, I was waving at people from the commode! I know, small thrills! The kids thought I was nuts! I only threw up once after eating at the best pizza joint in town - I ate too much, but I really didn't care... LOL!

I loved the statue of liberty, all of the buildings, and TIMES SQUARE especially. I was really amazed that the only person who was rude to me was in the Met Art Museum and he was one of the workers. We didn't know that the alarm would go off if we got too close to the art! LOL! He basically called me a dumba-- and told me to move the he-- on. I was mortified.

Anyway, I want to go back. I know I could never drive in NY. I wanted to take the subway and a cab, but didn't get to do either. I also wanted to go in the M and M Store. I just wish I had more time and I could back in time and tell myself to enjoy it more.

I was a definite tourist on the trip! You should have seen me when we finally reached TIMES SQUARE. My students actually wanted to hold hands we were all so scared and in such awe. It was amazing, amazing, amazing...

I will post a link to the pictures tomorrow...

[genmel]

Yep, Sunflower Girl if I were you, I would do like Ms. Vickie and not weigh when it starts to slow down. It is so much fun to weigh in the beginning though. You will love watching the scale go down!!