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MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 5:55:56 AM
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MrsKaren
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Before/After
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A, over the rainbow, dreams come true
Body Type:
A
Smart Behavior:
Emotional Eater
Start Weight:
254.8 on 8/22/07
Current Weight:
140
Goal Weight:
124 reached on 12/19/08
Posts: 2020
Joined: 8/15/2007
Status:
offline
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Karen’s Success Story
It’s my turn! It’s my turn! I have been reading all the success stories that have posted from the day I started this program on August 22, 2007 till now. With each one I saw a piece of myself. I just knew from the posts that I would be a success story like them some day. AND I AM!! Wooo hooo!!!!!!!!!!
I am so thankful to Michael Thurmond, to all the BMOS, our recipe guru, and to everyone that has been my friend. Thank you.
It is amazing to be 40 years old and feel like 20’s. I didn’t know weight loss would feel like this. I always pictured myself as looking better if I lost weight but I didn’t realize how much younger it feels. It is so amazing and it’s who I am today.
I was a slender child, very active, played sports. When I was 20 years old I got pregnant with my son and gained 87 lbs with that pregnancy. Since the birth of my son, I gained more and more every year. I was feeling old before my time. I had health issues such as sleep apnea, acid reflux, high cholesterol, chest pains and my feet would swell up in the summer months. I had a hard time walking from my car, across the parking lot, into the building where I work. I had to pass on some activities when they came up because I wasn’t in shape enough to do them. Even easy things that just required walking across a parking lot into the building were difficult for me. With all that, I was just accepting that there were things I couldn’t do. It still didn’t hit me that I should lose weight. I was working on trying to find happiness being fat.
For many years I was a single mom. I could only afford pasta and breads basically, so my body began blowing until I was huge. One year, a few weeks after a check up, my doctors mailed me a hand written letter pleading me to lose weight. I was diagnosed with morbid obesity, the kind of fat that kills! My doctor shared in her letter the risks of an early death, and to think of my child that only has a mom (his dad isn’t in his life). You know, even a hand written letter from my doctor didn’t nudge me into a weight loss program. I read her letter and thought, “I have to do something about my health someday” and then didn’t give it another thought.
So life went on, and finding Jesus in my life, and doing a lot of reading, I was finding some happiness in life and the acceptance of being fat and not being able to do things that someone in shape could do. In the process, I found a wonderful man to spend my life with, and on April 21, 2007, I made this man my husband. Poor darling, I couldn’t cook other than to boil water for pasta and zap frozen dinners in a microwave. So we ate out a whole lot.
Then the day came…….. My wedding pictures came in from the photographer and it hit me. I could now see that I was really, truly, honestly, FAT. I went to the store and bought a scale, 254lbs. I am 4’10” tall. First I was mad that I couldn’t see all the fat. The next emotion I had was deep sadness, I broke down. I didn’t know anything about dieting so I started by buying those frozen diet dinners to eat while I searched to find a program that seemed right. I knew I didn’t want to be on one of those diets that people just gain it all back and some.
My darling husband, which I thank God every day for bringing into my life, talked with me about my sadness and discouragement of all these programs to find one to choose. He told me to pray about it, and let God guide me to a solution. I spent plenty of nights crying in his arms, him praying in my ear, and telling me to just have faith and give it to God.
It was a Sunday morning, about the first week of August of 2007, I was flipping through channels, when I came across THE infomercial. If you’re reading this, you know the one. I was touched by everyone that was on there. I could feel in my heart that these people were genuine, no actresses or actors. The way my heart connected, I knew this was the answer my husband said that God would bring my way. I woke up hubby to have him watch it, and he agreed. It was the program that was meant for me to have. I knew hardly anything about the program, but I could see the hearts of the people on the infomercial, and that was enough for me to just know. Eating more, exercise less was a cool idea too, but it was the hearts of the people that got me to order.
I started the program on August 22, 2007. In the first 6 weeks I lost 29lbs. I worked hard on my program, joining support groups in the forums, doing NBU, making friends in the chat room, listened to SMART cd’s, attended a few Overeaters Anonymous meetings, all to be actively involved in the whole process of changing me.
I went from 254 pounds down to 124 pounds, and from a size 3x now to a size 4/6
Now that I have lost the weight, I enjoy going out for daily walks, making home cooked dishes, and shopping for tiny clothes that fit. I no longer have the health issues, and I am able to do all the activities my husband, friends, and family can do. At age 40, I am feeling 20 years old and happy to be slender and in shape. Thank you everyone, for being here for me. May God bless you as much as he has blessed me by putting you in my path.
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Post #1
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 8:41:57 AM
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So very much
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Start Weight:
216
Current Weight:
216
Goal Weight:
165
Posts: 2
Joined: 12/19/2008
Status:
offline
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New to this program, but I have to say your story give me some inspiration! When I have time I will try and post my own! Keep up the good work!
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Post #2
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 8:49:45 AM
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ThornyRose36
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Before/After
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A434
Body Type:
A
Start Weight:
226
Current Weight:
125- AT GOAL !!!!
Goal Weight:
125
Posts: 781
Joined: 4/13/2006
Status:
offline
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I first met Karen in the chatroom. She was new to the program and very unsure of how it would all turn out. But, she asked questions , learned how to cook and learned how to work the program. As you can see she's done extremely well!!!
Karen,
You look great !!!!! I am soooooo proud of you !!!! ( Are you wearing ,,, no it can't be ,,,,, jeans ? ) :P Congrats hunny you worked very hard and it paid off !!!
Jodie
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Post #3
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 8:59:32 AM
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MrsKaren
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Before/After
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A, over the rainbow, dreams come true
Body Type:
A
Smart Behavior:
Emotional Eater
Start Weight:
254.8 on 8/22/07
Current Weight:
140
Goal Weight:
124 reached on 12/19/08
Posts: 2020
Joined: 8/15/2007
Status:
offline
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I know it, right? lol Like I told you, my husbands been having an affair on me with me. Who's that lady in jeans?
 ThornyRose36:
( Are you wearing ,,, no it can't be ,,,,, jeans ? )
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Post #4
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 9:00:45 AM
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MrsKaren
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Before/After
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A, over the rainbow, dreams come true
Body Type:
A
Smart Behavior:
Emotional Eater
Start Weight:
254.8 on 8/22/07
Current Weight:
140
Goal Weight:
124 reached on 12/19/08
Posts: 2020
Joined: 8/15/2007
Status:
offline
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I look forward to reading yours. Thanks
So very much:
New to this program, but I have to say your story give me some inspiration! When I have time I will try and post my own! Keep up the good work!
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Post #5
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 9:10:36 AM
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Lani Roth
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Before/After
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A 4/5/2
Body Type:
A
Smart Behavior:
Emotional Eater, Repeat Offender, FA
Start Weight:
281
Current Weight:
267 lbs
Goal Weight:
150
Posts: 341
Joined: 12/18/2008
Status:
offline
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Karen,
I read your "success story" I only "met" you yesterday in the chat room and previously had read some of your posts. Your story has touched me, I admit I am a bit upset and overwhelmed at my own failures. I was on the program last year and I failed then. Here now, I am again and I'm afraid of failure. I am trying so hard during the day, and failing each night. I can't fight the temptation at home. DH last night went to "Mc Yuck" and picked up 2 dinners of "yuck and ick" and I didn't have the courage or the will power to say no and eat my own plan food that was prepared in the freezer, pop it into the microwave. No, instead I ate some of the dinner, choking it down because I was miserable and letting myself down. I was so miserable I threw most of it up in the bathroom, yes I know that is a bad habbit, then I went to bed and spent the night tossing and turning. I'm a failure and I'm looking at your success and I know I probably won't ever succeed.
You are an awesome lady. I'm glad we had a chance to talk yesterday in the chat forum. Congrats! You deserve it, you worked hard and stayed strong. I'm sure you will touch and inspire so many others on their journey.
God Bless, Take Care, and Go Forth and Inspire,
Lani Roth (aka jjroth1167 and Lani Roth)
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Post #6
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 9:44:57 AM
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Jean1963
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Before/After
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Type B
Body Type:
T
Smart Behavior:
Type A
Start Weight:
194
Current Weight:
178.5
Goal Weight:
125
Posts: 217
Joined: 6/19/2007
Status:
offline
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MrsKaren:
Karen’s Success Story:
Hi Karen,
I read your Success Story and realize how fortunate I am in knowing you or feeling that I do. You and I have a lot of stuff in common. My highest weight was 199.5# an it really scared me to death. I have stayed in the 190's for a number of years but I know that I can do this and you have given me so much inspiration and with that and my faith in God I know I will succeed this time because I want to live to see my grandchildren grow up. I want to take really good care of Charles so we can have a longer life together. Most of all I want to prove to myself that I do not have to accept the fact that just because my mother's family members are overweight I don't have to be too.
How do I ever thank you for tell your story and your struggles? There are not enough words to say thanks but I pray God will encourage you to stay in the chat room because that's where I met you and you and Fatima were the first two people I came in contact with. This is a wonderful group and I too thank God for letting me use this tool the 6WBMO and the Smart Tech to achieve my dream goal.
Thanks you for sharing your SUCCESS STORY.
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Post #7
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 9:47:34 AM
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MrsKaren
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Before/After
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A, over the rainbow, dreams come true
Body Type:
A
Smart Behavior:
Emotional Eater
Start Weight:
254.8 on 8/22/07
Current Weight:
140
Goal Weight:
124 reached on 12/19/08
Posts: 2020
Joined: 8/15/2007
Status:
offline
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Thanks for the encouragements.
Oh Lani, you need to share your thoughts and feelings with hubby. Is he aware of what you went through last night?
Stick with us in the chat room, you wont fail. Relapsing is not a failure but an opportunity to learn. It is part of the process for some of us. Me too, I have had some too. Journal those emotions, journal the experience, journal solutions you have found for each. It sounds to me that one of your major lessons to learn is how to get hubby to join your team. He doesn't have to eat on plan to be on your team. There are things you can do like finding literature, see a relationship therapist, try different communication tactics, beat him up, well.. maybe beating him up isn't a good way to get him on your team, but you get the idea. Keep searching for solutions in that area and continue to eat POP as much as you can.
One wise person said that a craving only lasts a few minutes, so busy yourself or grab an on plan food item while you wait for the craving to pass. Each time you succeed at fighting it off, makes it easier when the next one comes. Each time they get weaker too. Everytime we give in to a craving, it gives more strength to it, so then they come on even stronger. So keep fighting, and keep looking for 'weapons' against the craving attacks.
Stay with us Lani, don't leave us. We need you as much as you have shared you need us.
One place to start is to throw away negative talk coming out of your mouth, or in this case your typing fingers. NBU we learn to write affirmations, positive self talk. Practice that more and more in your journaling. Practice that in the words you speak and type. Throw away negative self talk once and for all. Be done with that.
Lani Roth:
instead I ate some of the dinner, choking it down because I was miserable and letting myself down. I was so miserable I threw most of it up in the bathroom, yes I know that is a bad habbit, then I went to bed and spent the night tossing and turning. I'm a failure and I'm looking at your success and I know I probably won't ever succeed.
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Post #8
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 10:00:52 AM
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MrsKaren
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Before/After
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A, over the rainbow, dreams come true
Body Type:
A
Smart Behavior:
Emotional Eater
Start Weight:
254.8 on 8/22/07
Current Weight:
140
Goal Weight:
124 reached on 12/19/08
Posts: 2020
Joined: 8/15/2007
Status:
offline
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And you will. A lot of your statements are 'I know I will ...' and that is exactly what you need coming out of your mouth and your typing words. That is awesome! Congrats with your own successes. You can also change some of your 'I want...' to 'I will..' , so then its even positive self talks. Use these things in your journal writing.
You don't have to prove anything to yourself, you already know you will. Now is the time to get to doing to get there.
Jean1963:
but I know that I can do this and you have given me so much inspiration and with that and my faith in God I know I will succeed this time because I want to live to see my grandchildren grow up. I want to take really good care of Charles so we can have a longer life together. Most of all I want to prove to myself that I do not have to accept the fact that just because my mother's family members are overweight I don't have to be too.
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Post #9
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 1:53:44 PM
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Ready2Cycle
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Before/After
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A now a B
Body Type:
A
Start Weight:
273
Current Weight:
163
Goal Weight:
142
Posts: 573
Joined: 12/19/2008
Status:
offline
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Wow! Congratulations. Well done! You are truly an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Post #10
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 2:45:29 PM
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MrsKaren
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Before/After
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A, over the rainbow, dreams come true
Body Type:
A
Smart Behavior:
Emotional Eater
Start Weight:
254.8 on 8/22/07
Current Weight:
140
Goal Weight:
124 reached on 12/19/08
Posts: 2020
Joined: 8/15/2007
Status:
offline
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Thanks, you too! I see you are having your own success. Woo hoo! Maybe it is just my computer but I don't see your avitar. You earned that. Looks like your a lb away from your 20. Nice job!
Ready2Cycle:
Wow! Congratulations. Well done! You are truly an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Post #11
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/19/2008 5:11:21 PM
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Mello1
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A/5/5/2
Body Type:
A
Start Weight:
305.4
Current Weight:
299.0
Goal Weight:
150
Posts: 1416
Joined: 5/26/2003
Status:
offline
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Wow. Just wow. I'm restarting this program on Sunday and I'm getting myself reacquainted with the board and I read this. A lot of what you said could have been written by me. You are so inspiring, it makes me want to cry.
I wanted to start off by reading success stories so that I could see myself at the finish line. Strange... I don't fear failure.... I see myself writing my story 1 year from now.
Karen, thanks for sharing. You look wonderful and keep up the great work!
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 I Make Healthy Choices. I Have Respect for Myself.
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Post #12
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/20/2008 12:57:20 AM
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shazzaus
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Before/After
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A/4/3/4
Body Type:
A
Start Weight:
213.1lb, 96.9kg restart 204.1lb
Current Weight:
203.2lbs,92.4kg
Goal Weight:
size 14 14/8/07 LIVING LEAN
Posts: 1129
Joined: 5/2/2007
Status:
offline
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congratulations karen you have come such a long way from the first time we met in the chat room when you were first starting on your journey, from someone that was overweight unfit and couldnt cook to a fantastic looking lady that is now fit and can cook you are an inspiration to many people and im very proud of you as im sure you are of yourself. you have shown what can be done if you just stick with it and work the plan congrats again on your success shazz
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Post #13
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/20/2008 5:58:56 AM
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MrsKaren
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Before/After
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A, over the rainbow, dreams come true
Body Type:
A
Smart Behavior:
Emotional Eater
Start Weight:
254.8 on 8/22/07
Current Weight:
140
Goal Weight:
124 reached on 12/19/08
Posts: 2020
Joined: 8/15/2007
Status:
offline
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Thanks
You will make it, that is obvious from what you say. You are like me except a year behind. Hey, since I ended up reaching goal on Jenny's 3 year anniversary date, you can share the date too. I would love to share the date with you. I'll be watching your profile this year.
Mello1:
Wow. Just wow. I'm restarting this program on Sunday and I'm getting myself reacquainted with the board and I read this. A lot of what you said could have been written by me. You are so inspiring, it makes me want to cry.
I wanted to start off by reading success stories so that I could see myself at the finish line. Strange... I don't fear failure.... I see myself writing my story 1 year from now.
Karen, thanks for sharing. You look wonderful and keep up the great work!
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Post #14
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/20/2008 6:14:59 AM
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MrsKaren
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Before/After
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A, over the rainbow, dreams come true
Body Type:
A
Smart Behavior:
Emotional Eater
Start Weight:
254.8 on 8/22/07
Current Weight:
140
Goal Weight:
124 reached on 12/19/08
Posts: 2020
Joined: 8/15/2007
Status:
offline
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Thanks
If you want something bad enough, you find a way. And I wanted it bad.
You ladies of the chat room have been amazing with me. Spending time with me walking me through how to cook things, what things looked like or should look like. Thank goodness for minced garlic in a jar. lol
I may have not figured everything out without you ladies and our recipe guru, Gail.
Thank you
shazzaus:
congratulations karen you have come such a long way from the first time we met in the chat room when you were first starting on your journey, from someone that was overweight unfit and couldnt cook to a fantastic looking lady that is now fit and can cook you are an inspiration to many people and im very proud of you as im sure you are of yourself. you have shown what can be done if you just stick with it and work the plan
congrats again on your success
shazz
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Post #15
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/21/2008 6:58:20 AM
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teachkids
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B
Body Type:
B
Start Weight:
224
Current Weight:
134
Goal Weight:
145- 8/27/08, 140-9/19/08, 135-11/2/08
Posts: 1007
Joined: 1/11/2003
Status:
offline
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Congrats to you Mrs.Karen! Your inspirational success story almost made me cry. I'm so proud of you. I bet you are proud too. You look fantastic.
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Post #16
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/21/2008 12:32:49 PM
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Mello1
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A/5/5/2
Body Type:
A
Start Weight:
305.4
Current Weight:
299.0
Goal Weight:
150
Posts: 1416
Joined: 5/26/2003
Status:
offline
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Thanks so much for your kind words; I need the accountibility. I love the idea of being able to say on the 19th of December, 2009 that I'm there. I think I've found a goal!
MrsKaren:
Thanks
You will make it, that is obvious from what you say. You are like me except a year behind. Hey, since I ended up reaching goal on Jenny's 3 year anniversary date, you can share the date too. I would love to share the date with you. I'll be watching your profile this year.
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I Make Healthy Choices. I Have Respect for Myself.
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Post #17
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/21/2008 1:50:38 PM
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anabanana8284
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Before
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A
Body Type:
A
Start Weight:
246.2
Current Weight:
214.4
Goal Weight:
145
Posts: 37
Joined: 11/10/2008
Status:
offline
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Congratulations Karen! Now it's time to go take those new wedding photos we've talked about maybe you all can renew your vows and be the bride you wanted to be!
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Post #18
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/22/2008 6:14:02 AM
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Deanna111
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Before
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A
Body Type:
A
Start Weight:
252.5
Current Weight:
226
Goal Weight:
150
Posts: 139
Joined: 11/28/2008
Status:
offline
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How wonderful!!! I loved reading your story, as tears form, knowing YOU MADE IT! I, too, see myself in your story; and thanks to you, you have put motivation into many of us. That is what I am looking forward to: being able to shop for clothes!
Keep up the wonderful work!
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~~3 MONTH CHALLENGE 12/29/08-03/31/09~~
~~OVERALL WEIGHT LOSS~~
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Post #19
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Re: MrsKaren's Turn!
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12/22/2008 7:38:37 AM
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MrsKaren
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Before/After
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A, over the rainbow, dreams come true
Body Type:
A
Smart Behavior:
Emotional Eater
Start Weight:
254.8 on 8/22/07
Current Weight:
140
Goal Weight:
124 reached on 12/19/08
Posts: 2020
Joined: 8/15/2007
Status:
offline
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Thanks, you are all so sweet. A lot of you have seen my wedding pictures (the straw that broke the camels back sort of speak), but for those of you that haven't seen them, here is the inside scoop.
 
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Post #20
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