Hey CC Friends~,
I have gotten sooo many emails & PM's from you guys congratulating me on my weight loss & wishing me well & asking me how I lost the weight. I want to THANK EVERYONE!!!!!!! Ya'll have been sooo supportive to me!! THANK YOU!! I am very humble & actually kinda overwhelmed by all the emails that I thought I would make this thread. I have gotten a few emails that have been hurtful to me about my weight loss. Some have asked me how I did it, I explain & I never hear from them again. OH well life goes on right? The well wishers out weigh the bad ones anyway! So here it goes...
In January of this year I made the toughest decision I've ever made in my life. The decision was to turn my life around, get away from all my bad eating habits, become healthy, lose weight, & to put me # 1 in my life for a change. The decision I made was to have weight loss surgery. After researching weight loss surgeries for 3 years I finally decided on Lap Band surgery (not to be confused with adjustable Lap Band). It was the mildest surgery out there. So on March 6th I had Lap Band surgery~ 
This was in no way an easy way out or a quick fix. It is hard as hell! I'm feeling wonderful & can do things I never did before when I was overweight. I'm getting close to my goal & ready to start maintaining... that scares me to death! I'm very scared of gaining the weight back because you can. It's not a quick fix like I said.
I've had soooo many wonderful emails & PM's that I wanted to thank everyone & also explain how I lost nearly 100 lbs! All my CC friends have been so supportive & let me tell you.. you have helped me stay strong & get through this! Especially you gals in the Operation Weight Loss thread. Ya'll ROCK!!
Anyway.. that's my story~ If you have any questions just ask. I pretty much live my life like an open book. I have nothing to hide, I just wanted to tell everyone how I did it!
Love & Blessings, ~TC~
PS... I could go into more detail but I thought I'd wait till I get a question. I don't want to bore ya'll 
Thanks Katie~ I totally agree! It is well worth it!! Being healthy is sooo important! I didn't know how unhealthy I was till I started feeling good again~ I have taken tylenol only twice in 9 months & that was for a head cold. Before I lost the weight I would pop about 8 tylenol a day all because of aches & pains from being overweight. So happy I don't do that anymore! 
TC ... I am so proud of you!!! That is so fantastic!!! You must feel so great after losing all of that weight!!! I'm sorry that you had some un-well wishers, but hopefully you don't take any of that to heart. You did what was right for you, and no one else has a right to judge you for that. I admire you for having the surgery, and I admire you even more for being open about it. It makes me sad when celebrities (especially those who are role models) who have had weight loss surgery try to hide the fact that they had it. Anyway, congratulations to you, and keep up the great work!!!!
I'm so proud of you TC. You truely inspire me in my endeavor!! Keep up the great work!!
Sending motivation vibes Missy, sending motivation vibes & (((HUGS))) right back at you!!!!!!!!!
I hope noone gets the impression that I made this post to get more congrads or that I'm being conceded (heck, I don't even know how to spell it much less be it LOL). I was really "coming out of the closet" about my weight loss. Hopefully my story will motivate someone to live their life to the fullest.
mhill, where is my email?? For some reason I have deleted your addy from my addy book 
Melissa~ Stay away from that chocolate!! I'll email you soon!
Jess, I totally agree with you! I don't know why people like to keep secrets. It's too easy for someone to find out anyway! LOL~
Congrats on your choice to do what you needed to do. My brother recently had stomach surgery and has lost quite a bit of weight. I also work with 3 women who have had the surgery. I am amazed at their courage and how great they are feeling now. Unless you walk in somebody's shoes it is not right to juge their decisions. I have recently lost weight, but it was with the help of a magic pill. It still is hard because of people constantly trying to get you to eat whatever they are eating. I just finally started telling them that I have decided to eat healthier. I really think that it is rather rude when people ask what you are doing to loose weight. I just look at them and say I am just starving myself. They usually just stop questioning me at this point. Well, I hope you have great success in reaching your goal.
Congratulations Turtle!
Have you learned that you need to stop eating when your full and not overstuffed? That's the biggest problem with all the overweight people in my family.
You are amazing TC!
You should post the link to your photos here! when I saw the difference in the photos each month I was really motivated to get of the lounge and do something for myself!
I think the surgery was the best thing you could have done for yourself!
Did I ever tell you I love your tattoo as well!!!
Thanks for all your support over in the Opperation weightloss motivation thread! You have kept many of us going!
(((((BIG HUGS)))))!!!!!!
Sandra
Thanks dlsbrou! Where abouts in LA are you? We gotta PM each other! I'm having problems right now with people saying I'm too thin. They think I'm lying about my weight. I'm not & that totally makes me feel horrible. Why can't people just leave someone alone when they make decisions? I go to a monthly weight loss support group for help to deal with all the problems if I have any & especially the "sabotage". People sabotage you whether they realize it or not. You need a strong support group for sure~
butterflyjuju, YES I stop eating before I'm full. That's the biggest problem in everyone. They eat till they are stuffed & that's where the weight problems, acid reflux, health problems come into play~ I call the lap band (the band around my stomach) a Drill Sgt. It tells me when I'm full way before I'm overfull! I've overeaten a few times & thank goodness I realized why I had done it. I was so hungry when I finally got to eat! So now I eat at a scheduled time every day. That helps everyone to stay on a schedule. No more overeating for me & I pick healthy foods in my diet. I still love icecream! Can't give that up... so I treat myself to some from time to time My life isn't over because of lap band, it's just begun! Yeah!
NO socake... YOU ARE AMAZING!!! You have helped me way more then you think!!!!! I never thought I'd have the kind of friends on CC that I have! You are one of my angels!! And damn girl your cakes are out of this world!! Hmmmm should I do the pics? I'll think about it today. Well I guess the ones who look at this post can always find it by going to the Weight Loss Support Group thread right~ Oh, I love the tat too! The only thing I got it right when the weather started turning cooler.. no flip flop weather! I don't show it off much because of that ~ LOL~
Girl, Ya'll keep me going & I'm gonna keep you going!!!! (((HUGS))) & MORE (((HUGS))) to you & my other friends!!
Outside Lafayette north? I don't know how far it is from here do you? Are you going to the DOS down there? I wish I could but it's a busy time for me, can't get away. I hate missing it!
Thanks for the advice "stay true to yourself & don't let anyone mess with you", that's great advice! I try to live that way but sometimes it is hard~
TC as it has already been said you are the greatest motivator to us all over at operation weight loss. I have so far to go, but when I read your success story I know I can do it if I just get the right mind set. I commend you for being open about your loss, those who judge have never been in this situation and have never had the feeling of desperation that nothing will work and they will be that way FOREVER! We all do what we need to do to get where we want to be, and it is all personal.
When I lost all of my weight I used to get all kinds of questions about how, I really didn't mind because if it helped just one person get healthy then it was worth telling. I have unfortunately gained it back, not good at the maintaining thing. So I am on my quest again.
Anyway TC Congrats and keep up the great work.
Karate~ Another very special friend!! Ya, people are so judgemental, isn't that sad? You are on your way to success so don't forget that! Your attitude is what is going to get you through! Your a go getter & I know success is close! Can't you feel it?!!
People are judgemental too if your skinny as I am (not quite as skinny as I once was). I've been asked all my life if I was anorexic or bulimic. And of course they don't believe me when I say I'm not. I just stop eating when full and don't over eat. Actually if I overeat I get sick which is how one of my aunts was. I may change as I get older I don't know but I don't want to be judgemental of anyone because I've seen both struggles. Struggles to gain weight and struggles to lose it.
It's funny.. that when I was overweight no one said a thing about me being overweight.. like Tina you need to lose weight, your health is at stake etc.. & now that I'm smaller I get people in my business all the time & the weirdest thing.. they guess my weight! Isn't that just crazy! Now that I've been overweight & not overweight I understand the "weight" thing! No wonder people have trouble fitting in in this world.
Wow, this thread has opened up some good converstation!
tcturtleshell,
I'm back from work now. YEAH! I live north of Lafayette. On I-10 going East to West, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Scott, Rayne, Crowley, Lake Charles, etc. We are almost always considered part of Lafayette. Yes, I am trying to go to the DOS at Michaels on Dec. 2 if I get confirmation that it is still on. I think people will sabatoge you without knowing what they are doing. My dh will always try to get me to eat something that he is eating and when I tell him I don't want any, he keeps pushing for me to eat. I usually will get mad at him and he acts like the victim. I have to explain over and over that it is really hard to give up eating favorite foods to be able to loose weight and it is not fair when he keeps pushing the foods saying it won't hurt to have a little. He is overweight and has no willpower and I really think he doesn't want me to look better than he does. I finally have been able to do this for myself and I told my husband if he doesn't like me loosing weight that it's his problem not mine. He has finally accepted my decision and even said to me the other day that it is really starting to show how much better I look. I just hope he gets to the point that he will care about his health and will want to do something about it. I am not going to make him until he ask for help or states that he wants to loose weight and really mean it. I feel that you have to get to that place inside of you that says you want to feel better and you need to feel better about yourself. It does help when you have honest support, but maybe it also helps if someone who is supporting you has also struggled and can understand where you are mentally. I need to get into exercising to tone up. I haven't so far because I was hit from behind a few months ago and have been having neck problems. Now that I am almost finished with treatment I am hoping to start exercising. I use to enjoy some exercising but the older one gets it becomes more difficult to get started again. If you have any motivation like a partner to exercise with, that is a great help.
Good luck with your DH dldbrou, he'll come around~ Spouses are the #1 saboteur! & your right they don't even know they are doing it sometimes. Good for you for what you told him! You gotta do it for you & noone else~
You lucky dog you!! Have a great time at the DOS, say hi to Cheryl for me! She came all the way up here in Bossier to my DOS nearly 2 years ago! We had a blast! I wish I could go but my DH squadron Christmas party is that night. It's a big thing so I can't miss it. It's tooo much fun to miss!! LOL~
I'm blessed to have my DH, he has helped me every step of the way. He has never had a weight problem but he did start competing against me! I weigh less then him now & it kills him!! I've always weighed 80 lbs or more then him! He's not used to this new wife of his LOL~
Going to the gym or working out, walking etc is tough but I've learned that if you do it every day your less likely to miss a day (just like going to church, if I miss a Sunday then I miss a million Sundays!). I have to admit I haven't worked out in about 2 mths... it's hard to get back to it.
Good luck to you & to your DH!
mkolmar~ I know how you feel! People just need to mind their business! I really think they are jealous of you. I have a few friends that won't even take a pic with me anymore because they are bigger then me.. actually they have always been bigger then me.. it's just way more noticeable now! LOL! So I think it's jealousy! Hang in there! When you look at them say to yourself their just jealous... they wish they had my body!! then smile & be yourself!!
I will definitely say Hi for you if it doesn't get cancelled. Sorry you won't be able to be there. It would be fun getting to meet you in person. Maybe if this DOS goes well there will be another one soon. Have lots of fun at your party showing off your new shape. I bet jaws will drop. HEEHEE! I feel just as bad for those that are having problems being thin. It's not very easy trying to fit into the mold that society thinks is normal. Why do people think it's okay to criticize your weight? The way some people talk you would think that they were perfect. I know the answer, they are trying to take the attention off of their faults. When my son was growing up (11/12) he hit a stage that he wasn't getting any taller but was getting chubbier. You would not have believed how many of the old aunts would tell him straight out that he was getting fat. Imagine getting into puberty and being told by elderly aunts that you are fat. I came so close to telling them that they weren't exactly skinny and that he could always loose weight but at least he had manners One year later the weight came off and the girls drooled after him.
I will have a blast at the party! It's really dressy party.. don't have anything to wear. I don't even know my style anymore, heck I never had one when I was heavier.. I just bought what ever fit & didn't make me look bigger.
I think family is the worst to us! Without knowing it. The last time I saw my favorite aunt she filled my jean pockets with candy!! Told me I needed to start eating more!! I was floored!! I told her I loved her but candy wasn't in my diet anymore, gave the candy back to her! She was so surprised that I was so calm about it that she just smiled & walked away! LOL!! Hasn't said another word about it!
Society is sooo mean! I hope your son got over the aunts tauntings! Now that the girls are drooling over him he's saying na,na, ne,boo,boo to his aunts!! LOL~
Sounds like you have a fun shopping trip in store for you. We are involved in the Mardi Gras Krewe's so there is always some type of fancy dress to go to. Over here Dillards and J C Penney's have nice formals with a descent price. Being just 5' I usually have to make my dresses. If I try buying a formal in the stores I usually have to cut of most of the design that is at the bottom of the dress. Just a suggestion, go for color. It will make you the bell of the ball. If I wear the normal black dress, I just blend in, but if I go for the shock of color, I always have more fun. For some unknown reason you just feel like partying. Really, just treat yourself to something that makes you feel special. Oh, my son is now 27 and is engaged. I am hoping that by the time he gets married next year, I'll have gotten to my goal weight. I was always embarrassed to take photos because of my weight and now I feel like I won't look so plump in their wedding pictures.
I hope it's a fun trip... I hate spending money!! LOL~ I bet you have a blast on the Mardi Gras Krewe! My daughter helped with all that last year. She's hoping to do it again. If she does I might help out too. I want in on the fun too!! LOL~
Hmmm color... LOL!! I've actually heard that!! That color makes you have more fun..... hmmm we'll see if I have the nerve to do color. I do like shiney dresses!! Will that work? LOL~
You'll get to your goal weight! Just don't go near all that wonderfully, awesome cajun food!!! LOL~
Wow TC what an inspiring person you are to just open up the way you do. I wish i had your strenth and will. There are not many like you. Keep up the fantastic job you have done for yourself. i hope someday I can make myself healthier and put me 1st. Amazing what children will do to you. I never really cared till I had my son. Now it's all I think about.....Need to be around for a while to watch him grow!
Thanks again TC and congrats on all your sucess
Shine on!! Sparkle counts as color in my books. Whatever makes you feel marvelous darling. Funny thing about that cajun food, tonight I'm having seafood gumbo. YUMMMM I do not eat much rice. And I made it with dry roux. For those who do not know what that is, it's flour that is browned instead of the regular roux that is made with flour and oil. The brand that I use is KARY dry roux. We are now getting into shrimp season and I guess I will be grilling and boiling shrimp this season instead of frying. We had a great crab season. Best we have had in years. I wish more people could enjoy our fresh seafood and all the dishes that go along with them. I am learning how to alter more and more to make them healthier. Of course I don't let dh know what I do to change them. He eats anything. I'm also glad Turkey day is coming. I love to make Turkey gumbo after the big day. Even though I still eat our traditional dishes, I alter the fat content and eat a much smaller amount. That way I don't feel like I am missing out. What is your secret to stay on tract. Oh, one thing that I learned that seems to be not only better for dieting but I sleep better also, is to eat before 7:00 p.m. The only thing that goes in my stomach after 7:00 p.m. is water or tea.
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