Weeks 19 through 48 WOW! Where have I been for so long. I can't even remember when week 19 was without looking back at the calendar. Let's see from June 7th until Dec 26th what have I been doing with my life? But most important is how have I been doing with the NS program?
Well as you can see by the title I have lost another 30 pounds for a total of 88 pounds now. I can't believe I have lost that much weight and have stayed with this program for as long as I have with all that has been going on in my life. Since Jan 2006 when I started this program changes have occurred in my life in more areas then weight loss.
I have had a few trips and some dates and have been making better restaurant selections. I still tend to overeat when stress and loneliness sets in. Especially around the anniversary of my Mother's death and the month that I knew a close friend of 13 years was moving back home to Washington. Of course being all alone on the Holidays is a real bummer for me and I HATE IT! As a result of the weight loss I am physically feeling better and I have begun to get out a little bit and start enjoying my life. I know to some of you these activities don't seem like much but for me it is a start and as time goes on I hope to become even more active. Most of you probably care less about these activities but to me they are a milestone in my life and for that reason I am putting them to paper. Where do I start?
* In August I started working 13 hours a week for the F O C B as an Assistant to the Director and a Braille Instructor- Again Thank God!
* In August I meet So a fellow NS member and poster on the Jazzman message board. Russell and I went to Cocoa Beach to meet So and her friend. I drove the whole 2 hour trip up there and the 2 hours back. I am so pleased I was able to do this. It was only the second time since the divorce that I have taken a little trip. In April I had driven 1 1/2 hours to Port St Lucie to pick up my new electric mobility device and Scooter lift.
* In Aug I also had my Second and Third date since the divorce. J seemed like a nice man but he lives in Orlando and was down in Fort Lauderdale for a business trip. We had made plans to meet again but he kept cancelling every week, week after week. After about the 4th cancellation I just told him don't bother instant messaging any more because I know your "Just not into me." His loss!
However T on the other hand meet me this month also and we have developed a nice friendship. He too is an extremely busy man and we don't get together very often but he does try to call once every 2 weeks or so and we do get together once a month. I wish it were more often but understand his situation.
* Also in October I got to meet several NS people who live in Florida and came to the Sawgrass Mill Mall for a lunch at The Grand Lux and a day of shopping. It was so great to see them, share their sucess stories, talk about their lives and hopefully make some new friends. Making new friends is important to me as:
* In October I had to say good bye to my dear friend Russell (Lois's husband) who I have known for 13 years. After his wife passed away in April he decided he needed to return to his home state. He moved back to Washington to be with his Parents and Siblings.
* In November I had my 5th through 7th date all with the same man E . We went out to dinner twice and a movie (Happy Feet.) But once again I found a man who is extremely busy with work. He works 2 jobs and has very little time to do anything. He passes right by my street exit every Monday when he goes to visit his Mother but doesn't stop off to see me. I think I need to look for a retired man who will have the time to be with me. But then again I never have really liked older men as they always are talking about all their illnesses and can't seem to keep up with me in certain areas.
* Also in Novemeber I took a major step in transforming myself as I signed up for a years worth of exercises at B L . I am able to get into and out of the 10 pieces of equipment. We even figured out how to get me up on and off of the mini trampoline. You are suppose to be able to do the circuit twice within a 1/2 hour. However because of all my limitations it take me an hour to do the exercise and either S or K have to be there with me every step of the way. They make all the equipment seat height and weight lift changes for me. They also bring me my water bottle and take my canes from me and bring them back to me when I am ready to move to the next piece of equipment. I am so enjoying this exercising and know that it will benefit me and help to tone my body.
The ultimate goal is that this exercise will help to strengthen my joints so that I will be able to walk without surgery. I so miss not being able to walk and do the things I used to do. I know it is this inability to walk that is stopping me from doing so many great and wonderful things. I would love to be working full time, going to dance classes, bowling etc, These kinds of actiiites would allow me to meet new people and enjoy life. I know I have made great progress but dam it I am so tired of just existing. I WANT TO LIVE A FUN LIFE and not watch it pass me by.
Now it is December and this month I organized a get together for the Fort Lauderdale Divorce Support group as the organizer had the date and time but hadn't picked a location. I waited and waited but it didn't seem like he was going to, so I did. I was so wanting to make new friends that I decided that if someone doesn't follow through I'd pick up the pieces and complete the project. Well I did get to meet 2 new women who showed up for the dinner at Olive Garden, D and J . T meet us there about 1 1/2 hours late. I invited him as I wasn't sure if anyone would be there and I didn't want to travel down to Boca Raton and have a dinner all by myself. Once I got there I told him 2 other women had arrived and he didn't need to come after all. I guess he was interested in meeting others going through a divorce too so he came down.
I had my 8th and 9th date with F . A guy orginally from Peru, who I thought was very nice and helpful, handsome and polite. I saw him twice within 3 days and thought we really had something going on with each other. I left for my short trip to Daytona Beach to meet with a couple I had meet in another chat room. Had a lovely few days with them and also toured the Rehab Center for the Blind. The day after I got back I called F only to discover he was on the road traveling to Las Vegas to find work as he was not successful in doing so here during the short three weeks he was here. All I could think of when he told me was WHAT THE FUCK! Well it probably wouldn't have worked out any how as on the second day I saw some red flags and areas where we would have problems. I am really beginning to wonder if there is a man out there for me who can meet all of my requirements. Am I too picky?
Well I started this on Decemeber 23 and I am finishing it up on Dec 26th. This pretty much sums up weeks 19 through 48. Below are some pictures taken during this time period.
This first one was taken in August with SO.
This second one was in October when I met some of the other NS Ladies but not knowing if I have their permission to post their pictures I cropped them out.
This last one was taken Novemeber 30th at B l . It was the second day I was there and the first time I was on the mini trampoline. Of course my clothing is so huge you really can't see that I have lost weight.
Well folks that is it for now. I suppose the next time I will post will be when I have lost 100 pounds. Hopefully that will be before my Birthday. I do have a Doctor appointment December 27th. It is my first in over a year so I hope the Doctor will be pleased with my weight loss and my recovery form Lymphedema. Last year around this time I was getting physical theraphy for the swelling of my leg and my weight had climbed to 404. This past week I went on the short trip to Daytona and also went a bit aboard on Christmas evening and day with my foods. I was feeling sorry for myself because I was all alone so I ate foods I shouldn't have and I have gained some since last week. As of today Dec 26th I am 316. So that is really a lost of 88 pounds since last year and most of it was done with no exercise at all.
To all who have read and posted comments and offered support in the Yahoo and NS groups, Thank you so much you all helped me to achieve what I have so far today. Hope your New Year brings you all the things you wished for and Good Health and Happiness.
