I did it...I hit 40!!! The big 4 0

Thanks, yes you are right. We do get to eat a lot and we learn to cook healthier and make better decisions. For example, this Friday is our anniversary. I picked the restaurant. They happen to have a lobster bake with clams, mussels and corn on the cob. Guess what I am eating? I was in a snug size 16 and am now wearing a 12 with room to spare, can put on a 10 but can't sit comfortably. that is my goal my Halloween. I just had one of the 2 point brownies as a snack before going to bed. Do you use etools-- they have helped both of us tremendously!

I use the pedometer everyday. It makes my husband crazy. I am always trying to be a previous record. I am just under 19,000 steps a day. This Friday I am hoping to get to take the guys for a walk at work. Then after dinner, we are going to a Harvest Moon Walk on the Rail Trail across the river. I usually get about 4 or 5 miles in at work and then another 3 or more on this walk could get me to 20,000 steps. And it was just this spring when I got excited about hitting 10,000 steps for the first time. I also use my digital scale a lot. And I too am getting quite good at figuring out points, my husband finds this scary. I am working on a spreadsheet where not only does it calculate points on foods, it will automatically refigure amounts when I scale my recipes. I am hoping to get to goal and get a job with WW.

I have a digital counter & a points finder..But i have done this for so long i can do it without any tools.I just almost can tell you by looking how many points anything has in it...

Thank you. It is great that your sister lost 90 pounds and she likes to exercise. I am do walk and hit the gym once in a while, my husband want to buy me a bike now. He bikes and is a gym junkie so he lost a lot. Ow, back surgery sounds so painful. Can you walk? That is what I do. A rail trail just opened by us, I am on it several days a week. Can your doctor send you to a physical therapist to maybe suggest some exercise. Even little things you could do while sitting.

He's even limited my walking! Not that I listen completely. I do have exercises I do sitting in a chair. And I have back exercises that stregnthen my stomach muscles, those suggested by a surgeon and a chiropractor I used to see. That helps me tone, not lose weight, but it is better than nothing.

Pam, that sounds awful. I am so sorry, I feel bad Can you even use light weights or elastic bands for your arms. Is this a permanent problem? Not being able to exercise makes it hard to lose weight.

Thanks, from someone with an id of horserule, I am not surprised you would like hiking. WE are working at getting to a healthy weight and it is tough but worth every ounce.

Thanks! and you are right, we won't forget. We have both done this before but now each of us has each other to keep us honest. Friday is our 2nd anniversary! I am hoping for 50 by Halloween. Stay tuned.

Next time we get up to WNY we plan on hiking the whole Niagara Gorge and then the following year, the Canadian side. Here at home we have found a whole bunch of trails. They said to find an exercise we like and I like the hiking. I think in winter it will be tough but I am going to see if I can find some used snow shoes.

Thanks, and congratulations to you. I just bought smaller stuff for the first time. I was not sure what size and was thrilled when I fit into some 'normal' sized clothing. If you ever get around a Vanity Fair outlet, check them out, I got jeans for under $8 a pair and sweatshirts for under a $1. When I figure I will only wear the stuff for a few months or the winter at most, I don't mind spending the money.

Thanks! Well, last year we had a really bad year, while nothing can make up for or change it. At least we are working to make 2009 a good year.

Thanks! about 10 years ago, I was at a healthy weight, then developed a condition that required medication, of all which had a side effect of weight gain. Then a few years later, I had surgery for the condition, leaving me with a 50% hearing loss and balance problems resulting in more weight gain. It took me almost a year to be able to walk on stairs without someone helping me. The exercise I am doing is helping the balance, for the first time since my surgery I feel steady on my feet. You are lucky your husband is understanding, stay thin. Stay healthy.