Okay today Is Thursday the 16th I think. I am now at 176 so I am down 19 pounds. I am down one pant size so I rewarded myself with buying a 16 I know that is still big but I am getting closer. One day at a time. I now have joined the rest of the world and have joined myspace so you can check out more about me there. I am enjoying the weight loss road and the support that Alli has given me. This "diet" has kept me accountable. How about your guys? I am still struggling now that the new school year has started for staff.....with the working out part. I knew that when my schedule picked up again that I move taking care of my needs back to the end of the line. Somehow someway I will do it though.

Kelley P

Congratulations Kelley on the lower pant size. Keep up the good work. you will get there. Wait and see.

Melissa

hey kelley p--is it kelley p and you're 44?

Kelley,

How amazing!!!!!!!!!!! You are honestly an inspiration. You should be proud on that size 16. You've worked hard for it .Yeah I've got my challenges but God will not give me more than I can handle. In just the last few months we've had financial, mariage, health, and even faith challenges. Here's the deal though, God has and is blessing our finances, my husband and I are working (really working) on our relationship and communication; my health has been improving; and just when I started to question my faith my church started preaching on the power of the tongue. Not "blab it and grab it" stuff, just how our words effect the people we are in contact with and how we have to be careful when we speak. I've been a Christian for 24 years but something just clicked. I am really trying to keep my words uplifting. Just as a special gift to me my 6yr old recieved Jesus last Sunday. My mother got to pray with her and lead her to the Lord!!!!! Anyway, yes this road is not always easy but I am determined. We are so blessed, don't put yourself last. You are not last in God's eyes. Sorry if I sound "preachy" tonight. I'm just reflecting on my journey lately.

 Kelley,

Great job! I really think that we just have to keep moving forward and doing our best. I've lost 14 pounds so far but this week has been tough for me. I have just been hungrier than usual and I've eaten more than I should. But, I really want to lose the rest of the weight (another 15 pounds) and I want to learn to pick myself up and keep going. For me, it's as much about changing my thinking as it is changing my behaviors. Anyway, good to hear from you again!

Anne 

 Bump for Kelley

Okay so much going on stuff from 2 kids with tennis lessons 2 days a week cross country 5 days a week volleyball 2 days a week and then working full time. Tomorrow the kids start back to Awanas and I feel bad that I really do look forward to that 2 hour time slot that I have for myself. School resumed back today the halls were filled with students and tons to get done. I am loving the fast pace that the school year brings but dread that I really run out of steam. Since Friday I have had 2 really horrible stomach pain attacks one over the weekend ended me up in the ER. Tomorrow I have an ultra sound they think that it is Gull Bladder related. Today was a very trying day to make it through and I was thanking God for the pills they gave me to make it through. Good note is that I am down to 172 now. I started out at 195 so I feel I am on the right track. I am finding out that sudden weight loss can sometimes bring on Gull Bladder attacks. I look forward to confirming tomorrow that is the problem and then have a simple surgery to have it taken care of. I have made another short term achievable goal of 165 I hope to do that with-in 2 weeks if possible. I would love any and all prayers you may have concerning this entire stomach ordeal. If any of you have had this problem you know what I mean by attack. How is everything for you all going? I hope that you have stayed commited to reaching your goal. Do not let minor setbacks hold you back from reaching the goal you sooooo deserve. Let me know how you all are doing otherwise this is just becomming my own personal journal.

God Bless,

Kelley.....down to about 1 and a half chins.......not to bad.

Okay I had surgery last Thursday. Today is one week later and I feel a ton better. I had the surgery early on the 13th and was back to work on Monday....a little to soon but I made it. Today I was back to coaching my girls in volleyball...still a little sore but very proud that I have been pushing myself. I now am down to 166 thanks to Alli and maybe a little down under feeling with the Gull Bladder situation. I still have horrible bruises due to the surgery and now the only places aching are the belly incision and the one found high on my abdomin...the other two I have had no problems with those ones. Today was really the first day I have ate something and I am taking it slow. I still have 31 pounds to go before I reach my over all goal but I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I wish I could hear how you all are doing. I am praying that you all are keeping on track and that you find time to focus on your goal. God Bless!!!!

Kelley P

Okay I am down to 161 and a half and doing well. I swear the past few months it has been one meical thing after another from Gull bladder surgery to tonsil...problems to having to have a root canal yesterday....but I will not let things defeat me. I am commited to doing the best for myself and I know that God will carry me through these times. I do have to share a wonderful story.....yeah right!!! Anyway I was getting compliments left and right abou the weight loss and starting to feel like wow it is working{which it is} then this sweet wonderful lady who I am sure tasted her nasty foot down her throuat as she opened her mout to me over and over again. I was at work answering phones when she asked me "when are you due?" Yeah you heard me right she had the nerve to ask me....after I lost 30+ pounds so I said "Oh I am not pregnant" then as if she didn't stick her foot in far enough she said to me ......in these exact words she said "Oh cause you really looked it when you stood up!!!!!!!!" No way! I sat there not knowing what to say. It was with-in a couple days I realized that people will be idiotic and say horrible things to people all the time. I can not let other peoples commnets decide how I feel about myself and my self worth.....so then and there I had to mentally sit on that stupid lady....I mean that kind sweet wonderful lady. So I hope you all know that first and fore most I am not pregnant second I am still losing and third I am doing this for no one else but myself. Have a good day and God Bless.

Kel

I had just been reading this thread and when I read your last post I thought about your post from a while back about your pastor's message:

-Not "blab it and grab it" stuff, just how our words effect the people we are in contact with and how we have to be careful when we speak. I've been a Christian for 24 years but something just clicked. "

The sad thing about the person who "just blabbed" is that you are probably not the only person that she hurt and offended that day.  Thinking before we speak is so important. My goal is to not spread discontent at work  by not passing on gossip and rumors. It is amazing how one person can turn a good day for everyone into a bad one just by speaking without any thought to how her(or his) words affect everyone else.

You have done amazingly well with your program and as long as you know how hard you have worked and how far you have come then other people don't matter(or they shouldn't anyway). Like you though I have to work through the comments and talk myself out of being hurt by their words.

Continued success and God Bless you.

 Gail/Jax (BW 196 - GW 146 - CW 148)

We can do it.....

Jan:Well lets see it has been a long time it seems since I wrote. I am now at 156 and doing well. Although let me be honest I have not worked out at all!!! I love to walk as any who have read my post know but it is 0 degrees out and I think I would freeze mid stride....so I need to come up with something else to do until it warms up. I did go on the trip to Hawaii and was able to wear a swim suit without being mistaken for a beached whale. I do have to say that I kept a shirt over the swim suit and that is totally okay....right ladies? Anyway I see the pictures and I do not look huge...which for any of you who have been really over weight know that is one of the really sad things is to see a picture of yourself and see truth!!! This time it was not horrible. I can look at pictures and see progress. I have posted my Fat picture from last year on the fridge and put a more recent one next to it. I keep it there to help me continue on the road to better health. I pray that I will get more strength and motivation to keep on the track until I reach my goal. Then of course we need to focus on maintaining. I have let me see 26 more pounds to lose....which does not sound like much but you know it always seems the last 20+ are harder for me to lose. I need to remember that I have now lost 42 pounds.

I hope you all are doing well. Remember in the midst of your busy scedule to remember that you are worth scheduling in 20 minutes for yourself a day to work out.

God Bless,

KelleyP