How I Got Fat...

DH recently started receiving a subscription to Men's Health. Neither of us purchased it, but there are a lot of magazines we started getting (Outside, Field & Stream and Backpacker) after reserving a campsite at a Corp of Engineer's campground so who knows, it could be from that. Anyway, we both love reading it. It makes J think more about his health and eating better and becoming healthier. (He has gotten healthier since I had surgery as we were each others WORST diet buddies. We would go on a diet together and then cheat together...not a good combo!) It has good articles, and I like it because there is a LOT of eye candy in there. (DH says it's definitely not for married men as they don't want their women looking at all of the half dressed men...all I say is YUM!) OK, focus Kim...

Anyway, we were discussing what we were going to have for dinner tonight. Carryout, as usual. I've learned how to eat much healthier, even fast food, since surgery. So we're trying to find a menu for the new mexican place that is in with Hardee's now called Red Burrito. I wanted to see if there was anything that I could eat and see the nutritional values. I was AMAZED at the values of all of the burgers at Hardees. I asked J what he would get if he went there. Sandwich and fries totaled more than 2,000 calories!! He then asks me if I read the restaurant article in Men's Health. I had not so he went to get it and proceeds to tell me all of the worsts in the article. Half of the stuff was stuff we used to eat on a regular basis. The worst item was a fry appetizer at Outback. We used to go to Lone Star and get their Cheesefries. They had bacon and different cheeses on it served with spicy ranch dressing. The two of us would split one and then get a steak or steak and salmon combo, and potato and salad and eat ALL of it. Probably 3,000 calories or more in one meal. And we did this on a regular basis. I always contributed my weight gain (or maintaining at 359 pounds) to the fact that I ate fast food for lunch and dinner (skipped breakfast regularly...still not much better at that!) and drank sweet tea by the gallons and NEVER exercised. But with dinners like that?? Don't get me wrong, I'd still love to eat that type of food. My brain hasn't changed in the least. That's why I had to get surgery. I have a problem with self control. That's why I had to have surgery impose some self control on me. I'm not proud. I hate it sometimes that it had to come to something so drastic. But, it was the only way. I'm still not changed. I still have head problems that I will probably have for the rest of my life. But I'm a work in progress.

Sorry for rambling so much! It just really had me thinking tonight.

I'm almost finished with my Christmas Cards. By almost, I guess I really mean I'm almost half-way done!! Hopefully I'll get them done by this weekend. I want to make most of my gifts this year as money is tight and I love making stuff for people. I hate going out and trying to find something that I "think" a person "might" like just for the sake of getting someone a gift. I would much rather put some time and effort and give something from the heart. But I guess the person getting it could think, "WTH was she thinking?" I just try to remember that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus and spending time with those we love. All the rest is minor details. (That was pretty good. I need to tape that to my bathroom mirror so I remember it when I start stressing over the holidays!)

Thanks for listening! Maybe I'll post a craft or card sometime this weekend...who knows! Toodles!

99% Excess Body Weight...GONE!

I had my 18 month appointment with my surgeon. I've lost 99% of my excess body weight! Woo Hoo! I've lost a total of 217 pounds. That's a whole person...or two skinny ones! This whole journey has been absolutely amazing! I'm now wearing a size 8 in pants and a M in tops. I've learned that it can be fun shopping at thrift stores now. I think I'm becoming a thrift store junkie. I have to go at least once a week, and I'm always coming home with a bag full of clothes. Unfortunately, it's mostly jeans, and I need to stop wearing jeans to work so often. I'm allowed to, but they wish I wouldn't so much. I guess if they'd just tell me, you can't wear jeans, I'd stop. But until they do...

I asked my surgeon for recommendations for some plastic surgeons in Nashville. I'm looking to get some excess skin removed and maybe some other reconstructive surgery (implants). I don't have too much skin to be removed, but I'd probably be wearing a six right now if I didn't have the tummy skin. As far as the implants, well, I guess that's just something I've always wanted. I'm finally thin now, so I'm gonna go for it. Plus, if I get it done at the same time as when I'm having other stuff done, it'll be cheaper because of the anesthesia already being used, or something like that. I've been checking out pics on line of implants and tummy tucks. I'm starting to see what I like and don't like. I've tried to involve my hubby in the process, but I don't think he cares too much. I told my boss that, and he said, find a picture in Playboy that you like, get that done, he'll be happy. Problem is, I'm not sure 18 year old boobies would look good on this 33 year old body. Oh well, who knows!

Hopefully later on tonight I'll post come card pics. I've not made too many lately. I've been working on my Christmas cards and trying to get a big bunch of cards to send to our troops through www.anysolder.com . I want to send a lot of cards for them to send back home to their families. I know I get a lot of joy sending cards out during the holidays and receiving them too, so maybe it will brighten their day to receive some hand made cards to send to their loved ones. Anyway, that's it for now. After my batteries recharge, I'll download my photos and post a birthday card that I made for a friend. Her birthday was last Monday. She still hasn't received the card, cause I had not taken a picture of it. I'm a bad friend. Hopefully I'll take it to her at work tomorrow. Toodles! Kim

ETA: Here is the card for Kara! She finally got it tonight...I finished it off while she was here. We're scrapbooking/card making tonight...we'll, I'm not doing too much yet!