Hey All,

  Thanks for the encouragement.  I am feeling much more positive today as I
just learned I have dropped another two pounds....woo hoo!!! (smiles).

  I wanted to also say that I am doing this for myself more then anything.
I
guess I just wanted someone to say something, but even if they don't...I am
determined to win this time.  

  In all I want to send a message out to everyone who's trying to do this.
I
know what losing a great deal of weight is like and what it feels like to
gain it all back , only to be doing this again.  4 years ago I lost a 110 lbs
the WRONG way.  I went from 290 lbs down to 180 lbs in a year.  I look back
in pictures now and I see how great I looked at 180, but at around the 200
mark I began getting desperate to lose the weight.  I started going every
other day without eatting and doubling my exercise till I burned out.  I
looked great in pictures, but I felt tired and hungry all the time.  so much
that when I began to eat again once I reached my goal,  I put all the weight
back on.  What I am trying to say is that I had reached my goals but had
traded a healthy life style for a one with fast results and I couldn't keep
it off when it was over.  This time around I have regretably started out at
325 lbs as I have mentioned in the past, and although I am fighting a larger
number.....I have finially learned the value of doing things slowly and
making life long changes that I can live with long after the weight is gone.
As of today I have lost 42 lbs the healthy way and am sitting at 283 lbs.  I
am taking longer to do this now, but am not starving and am exercising
everday.  My husband goes with me on every 3 mile walk I do in the evenings,
and in the mornings I head out alone on a 3 mile walk around the lake with my
work out music.

  If anything, I just want to encourage those who may have as far to go as I
still do to hang in there.  It hasn't been easy, but I feel healthy, I have
more energy and most of all I don't stare at the sidewalk when I walk now....
I walk with my head held high.....I have been told that is a sign of my new
found confidence, and diet  pals.....you can't put a price on that feeling.

  So Thanks again to everyone who wrote to me.....and just remember....YOU
CAN
DO THIS!!!!.....cause nothing in the world feels greater then when we amaze
ourselves.

Sincerely,

Tootsiewoo