Oh, I love having long nails. I've never been able to grow them before I started eating this way. But I figured since I have to stay away from the scales, I should get rid of the nails and monitor how fast they grow back. I'll still have something to monitor. Or maybe thats defeating the purpose. Not sure. I'm hoping my toenails will get longer too. I so want a real pedicure and manicure for the summer. Hey! Maybe that will be my reward when I complete this challenge.

Thanks Noel for acknowledging my heritage. Yes, I agree with you about some of those TV shows - you don't see the indigenous kids on there - whilst, in some ways, that's probably a lack - but in others - its a celebration too - because many of our people are teaching our kids their culture too (I believe Jeff has Asian ethic background - he may have some idigenous heritage also) It is my understanding that I am not part or 1/4 or 1/2 or any of that - I am aboriginal. My aboriginality is there - so it doesn't matter what or how much that is? That's what I identify with and now matter how far I am removed from my culture - I acknowledge the heritage - because if I don't - well - that's another way of assimilating us isn't it? Still means loss of our culture. But of course, I have Irish heritage too - as many Aussies from the convict origins do - and boy! were my mob convicts!!!! They sure weren't any free settlers!! And I'm just as proud of them as well - the same as I'm proud of being born an Aussie - its my heritage - the same as you guys all have yours. Whilst I won't dwell on these somewhat delicate and sensitive issues (always difficult on internet forums!) I do believe it helps to understand some of them - because I know my inappropriate eating habits were really stemming from dyfunctionality - and even at my age - its a real joy to be able to work through them and come up with positive solutions eh! Too much out there to enjoy not to do that!

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The fox is wild!



5'3" Maintaining 121-125
Original weight 198 +

O hey! Mizkitty - now you're talkin my language - long toe nails!! Love 'em with open toed summer sandals - verryyyyy out there!! Waayyy to gooo!

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The fox is wild!



5'3" Maintaining 121-125
Original weight 198 +

I think long toenails are pretty cool, and I've never had them. So maybe my nails won't suck up all the extra protien and I'll finally get some big enough to paint and look pretty. ;p Junieshops gets pedicures and has foot jewelry and I think they're just lovely.

O I definitely think long toenails are cool! I lived in the Philippines for some years (my son was born there) and I adopted the practice from the Filipinas. I really like foot jewellery too - but need to be a bit discreet with it at my age!

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The fox is wild!



5'3" Maintaining 121-125
Original weight 198 +

I'm here! Hey, everyone! I hope you've all had a good day. I didn't get quit enough sleep....I took a nap yesterday, then couldn't sleep last night! I've had lots of water and green tea....also my supplements. I didn't get up in time to exercise, so will have to double up tomorrow. What else? Oh, my menu...I was on plan all day and I feel better already.

I did weigh this morning so I'll know where I was when this challenge started. I'm excited....like looking forward to a holiday. I just hope the scale has good news when I finally do weigh-in again!

About long toenails and alot of other things: there are ways to do things and ways NOT to do things. Nice, pedicured long toenails are okay....NOT long nasty, ugly toenails. (Usually found on men!) I prefer to keep mine short and (home) pedicured, 'cuz I can't stand anyone touching my feet! LOL!

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o of course Maxibee - toenails need to be painted and shaped - o yukky - long broken black toenails - urk urk!!! Hey - doin good onplan too I notice!!! Good motivation too! Good food engenders such clear energy eh!

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The fox is wild!



5'3" Maintaining 121-125
Original weight 198 +

Good morning Ladies!
Yes, I am guilty of monthly manicures and pedicures and I wear foot jewlery, nothing but an anklet and a small gold toe ring which I can't find and that upsets me....so looks like I am gonna have to find another and they are tough to find around here, the gold ones that is:(
I am having a rough time, wanting to weigh myself so bad, and I know it is for the best I don't, but that don't make it any easier.

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http://www.livejournal.com/users/junee/

Hi Junie - yes, very uncomfortable - I know the scale beckons constantly. Well done for resisting so far - all give ourselves a congratulatory hug - or better still - if your house comes equipped with an inbuilt hugger - get one quick!

Have you identified a weighin day Junie? Just keep trying to hang in there until then. Get through one day at a time eh. I always say to myself - how will doing this/eating that etc - change my reality? It's still MY dratted reality I'm stuck with! Can you do something to change the pattern? When you want to weighin - can you do something else you like instead? Something active - like going for a walk or reading a good book? A glass of water often helps stablise an urge. Try lots of things. Not easy I know - but I think what we're doing is worthwhile here. If its getting to us this much - then - I reckon we need to address it eh!

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The fox is wild!



5'3" Maintaining 121-125
Original weight 198 +

Thanks Beachfox,
My weigh in day in the 29th of the month at Curves although yesterday was my halfway point so I did weigh then, 2 weeks I can manage but not an entire month
I decided instead of jumping on the scales I would try on my small clothes and I seem to be about an inch closer to fastening my new size 10 stretch jeans, only about an inch to go so that makes me happy

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http://www.livejournal.com/users/junee/

Hi everyone:

Doing pretty well here. I got on the scale one more time after I posted my beginning weight--it was my normal "weigh day" and I just forgot. :|
I was happy to see 2 lbs gone. Since then I have put the scale away, not to come out til Labor day.

Re: clothing: I just went through a job interview process. For the first interview I had to go get something to wear because I had nothing appropriate. For years, I had a beautiful silk suit that made me feel great when i wore it, but that was 40 lbs ago. It just hangs on me now!!! Yippee! Anyway, I went to Dillards to shop, and was so excited to fit into some 18s. I was shocked at how different brands fit differently. Anyway, I ended up with a suit that was a 20 and FITTED. I would have never thought of buying anything that would actually TOUCH my misdection LOL. Anyway, I passed that first interview so I of course couldn't wear the SAME outfit, and i had to buy another one. So much clothes shopping in so short a time...Anyway, I got a second outfit, also fitted, and felt like a million bucks. I have never remembered enjoying clothes shopping in my life til now.

By the way, I got the job!! I'm sure it was the clothes! LOL

Toenails? I have never in my adult life felt remotely "girly", because of the weight, mostly. I also grew up in a family and environment that didnt' place a great value on femininity. Which was cool--girls got valued for who they were and what they did rather than how they looked--but now I am just learning how ot "be a girl" at 43. Unfortunately, my toenails are weird...not pretty or well shaped, PLUS I am with MAxibee on having someone (a stranger, anyway) touching my feet. So, I will probably never get a pedicure. But who knows, I may paint them, especailly now that I can bend over and GET to my toes!

OK enough babbling. Glad you all are here and have a fantastic week!

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Renee
1/19/04
261/220/160
41 lbs off
60 lbs to goal



Race to 199 Challenge
Labor Day Challenge: Focusing on the Journey
Personal Goal: 199 by 12/31/05

Hey - good going Junie - and its OK to weighin more frequently or not - just as you prefer - as long as its a nominated day and we stick to it.

What an exciting time you're having jooneezgirl - great to hear you're going so well -and o boy! yes, what a difference those sizes make. And congrats on getting the job eh! What an energy boost for you.

Yeah - well - unfortunately, I grew up in a household where the bigticket item for girls and women was a 'good grounding in the happy and blessed roles of good wife and mother' ah - h'm'm - yep - and so - some of us just don't fit the role model real well! Not that I haven't enjoyed being a mother - I have and do - and not that I haven't enjoyed being a wife (twice!) but boy! I'm sure glad that somewhere along the line I realised that MY bigticket item was developing a life for myself and furnishing it with my intellect! (and set out to do just that - which I enjoy immensely!) I see myself now poised right on the brink of another rite of passage - hopefully into the age of the getting of wisdom and passing on of my experience and knowledge. For me, its easily the most exciting time I've encountered so far.

Haha - had a little giggle about you and Maxibee with the feet - I can handle (deliciously!) anyone touching my feet at anytime!!

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The fox is wild!



5'3" Maintaining 121-125
Original weight 198 +

Renee, glad you're feeling good about your purchases. You deserve them. Feeling like a million bucks will help you in the interviews as well.

Psst-I don't like my feet touched as well. Ive never had a pedicure but need one badly.

Feeling good about this challenge. I'm in a better place today then I was a few months ago.

I love being a mother as well, beachfox. But I also remember a time when I was told that a woman's life was incomplete until she had children. I was so very annoyed with the woman that told me that. Yes my life is wonderful and I feel it was right for me to have Xander but kids are not for everyone. That's for sure. You can be plenty complete without being a mother or a wife. I'm looking forward to the "passing on of my experience and knowledge". I'm sure it will help many of us. Just like this challenge will.

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Noël


Worry doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows, it empties today of its strengths.

Thanks Noel and I'm looking forward immensely to learning and adding to my experience and knowledge from all of you. Its one of the things I really like about this forum - everyone is so generous with their responses and so open with their comment. Its not what I'm used to!

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The fox is wild!



5'3" Maintaining 121-125
Original weight 198 +

*waves* Hi all! I'm finally learning to be a girl too. My mom was the only girl among 3 boys, so getting all girly wasn't something she did. Since she didn't have the skills no one passed them to me. I made due with stuff I read in magazines and friend tips. I love getting all dressed up feeling the sexxy. I did today, somebody drove by campus as I was walking to work and whistled at me! Ow ow! It feels nice.

No scales today and tonight was tango class. I'm loving the tango and the teacher told me I looked good out there. Yay! Its so nice cuz with the weight I have lost gone, I can actually stand close to my partner and do the steps.

Congrats on the job Renee!