How Have You Overstepped Your Boundaries Today? - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

Americanwoman397 · 01-19-2005, 11:10 AM

Ok B now you have me crying. You know why we all look up to you because you are so open and honest about everything you are going through. You have no problem sharing with us and giving us the motivation to share with you. I can honestly tell you that thanks to you and this forum I'm a much more open and honest person. I never have felt like I could be myself the way I can with you. You are such a strong wonderful woman and you let it show. I had so much fun the night we hung out and I would love to do it again.

Thank you for the kind and wonderful words (that's still hard to say)

brutherford · 01-19-2005, 11:11 AM

I'm so, so, so proud of you! You've come to the realization that you are an awesome, powerful, and strong woman and that you need to share your gifts with the world. That is absolutely amazing, and I want you to take a step back and spend the next week or so just feeling good and congratulating yourself on how far you've come! I can't believe the enormity of what you mentioned in your post - you're an incredible role model!

So you know - my last job at Children's Hospital required me to grant write and fundraise on both a national and local basis, so if you need help, tips, tricks, or advice, just let me know!

You are the sh**!

brutherford · 01-19-2005, 11:20 AM

Thank you so much. I can honestly say that I wish that I had these people and this forum when I was your age. It's wonderful that you can appreciate it now, but in ten years you'll be telling me about how you're finally understand the full impact that all of this has had on your life. You are a lucky girl to be here at this time; however, if you weren't ready and willing, this would be lost on you. There are plenty of other people your age who are on this forum who are not participating in this thread - your maturity and willingness to change are what has put you here and you should be proud of yourself!

As a side note - I know full well that not everyone appreciates my sometimes brutal honesty. However, it comes from being raised by compulsive liars - I had enough dishonesty to last several lifetimes. Honesty is often hard, but I know that I am so much happier with my self and my life when I'm honest. It means a lot to me that so many of you not only accept that part of my personality, but seem to thrive on it too.

All the love this morning has totally eliminated my nicotene cravings! Whoohoo!

tracyarps · 01-19-2005, 01:48 PM

Ok, it has been a while since I have posted, but you finally intrigued me enough to say something.
1. I am getting used to going places and liking it.
2. "Relations" with my hubby are getting more open. I am learning it is ok to feel pretty and let my hubby appreciate my like he has been trying to for the past 12 years.
3. My youngest son (9 years old) told me last night that "You really are getting skinny Mom, I can put my arms around you"! (I cried in private at how much that touched me.)
4. I am feeling more confident when I wear clothes that actually fit my body.

Barbara,
Thank you for the post. I am in awe of your progress and I love that you are honest. You help me look at myself when I read about you. Thank you for being here.

Tracy

brutherford · 01-19-2005, 03:14 PM

I'm so happy and touched that these posts have lured you out of hiding! I've always enjoyed what you have to say, and although it may be difficult to air out these things that are so hard, please know that we appreciate and miss your input. So, if you're not feeling up to having an emotional post, just a hello, go get 'em, or any other words from you would certainly mean a lot to many of us.

That said, I am so proud of you! Look at what you've done! I can't believe how tiny you must be getting - 155?!!

Are you out of your mind?! That's amazing, and you should be so proud of yourself. Good for you that you're finally opening up to your husband, getting out more, and are enjoying looking good in your clothes... you deserve to be happy! Now say it with me, "I deserve to be happy!" You may not fully believe it yet, but if you tell yourself often enough it will eventually sink in!

Hugs, B

pambragg · 01-19-2005, 03:29 PM

All right, you guys have dragged me kicking into this thread. I am still comfortabe in my safe, secure cocoon but I do want to venture out and here are some things I'd like to do.

I want to go back to school in September, I'll be 46 years old then

Hey, if I wait another 13 years I can attend class with Kiera!

I want to get to know this new person I am becoming a little better.

I'd like to find some volunteer work with Alzheimer's patients, a way to learn how to deal with and empathize more with what my wonderful Mom is going thru.

I'd like to be able to be more open and able to vocalize what really matters to me, to be able to open up about the past and present problems that affect me. I hate to sound like a whiner or to have anyones pity. Not my style.

I did venture out with the girls for Stacie & Angela's birthdays, I had a blast. I'd like to do that again soon.

Just posting this has helped some, thank you all for your friendship.

brutherford · 01-19-2005, 03:35 PM

It's a good thing that I've got lots of time today to keep posting - you ladies are keeping me busy!!

Pam - I am SO PROUD OF YOU for putting your dream out there. If you're like me, even mentioning what you want is endangering it - it makes me feel vulnerable in a way that I don't like at all. However, I'm trying so hard to overcome that old programming, and the scariest part of the progress is also the first part - just put it out there! You're doing great, Pam!

Okay - 46 is WAY young to get started back to school. I worked for University of Phoenix for 7 years and our average student age was about 40, but about 30% of the population was over 45. One of the students who graduated during the time that I worked there was 76 years old - he was amazing, inspiring, optimistic, and had a ton of energy. He kept us all going! Currently, I work at The Art Institute where the average age is 22; however, about 20% of the students are over 35 and I think they're remarkably brave for signing up for 2-3 years of classes with 18-year-olds! My point is that it's never too late, and 46 is certainly not even close to the upper age range at many schools. If you want it, you should definitely do it, and do it as soon as you can. There may be roadblocks or people in your life who do not support this decision (some may even try to sabotage it), but know that it's your life, your decision, and nobody can stop you from getting whatever it is that you want. If one of those roadblocks or people start to bring you down, you just give me a call and I'll talk you through how to slay those dragons.

I plan on starting my Master's degree in August. Bridget's gonna go back too... Anyone else? We can all support one another in our educational goals by hosting study time, checking in to see if anyone needs help, etc. I've worked in education off and on for many years and know a lot about "the system," so if anyone needs help, just give me a shout!

sandi · 01-19-2005, 04:24 PM

I just have to give you all kudo's!!! You ALL belong to the Kleenex posse. I'm so proud of every single one of you.
I went to nursing school a LONG time ago, but, I saw so many "babies having babies" that I've got burn out when it comes to that, no more labor and delivery for me, I want to go into pharmacy work or even insurance coding, I'm not sure when or even IF I'll be able to, but, seeing all of you talking about going back to school, even at my age, maybe I can!!! Nothing is impossible... we are WOMEN, we can do ANYTHING!!!!!
Go girls, grab the golden ring

TabFox · 01-19-2005, 07:58 PM

Sandi!!!! Oh My GODDDDDD...Look at you!!!!! What a gorgeous picture and what an absolutely beautiful smile!!!!! I swear, even though I've never met y'all, I can't go by one day without this forum. Even from across the country I feel that we're connected. Y'all are so good for my emotional well-being.
Barbara, you are an angel for putting these posts out here for us to really *think* about things. I talked to my husband about some of these issues and he agrees 100%. We need to stop trying to be perfect and stop blaming all of our issues on our bodies. He really is amazing. He had his surgery on Oct. 25 and has dropped a little over 70 lbs. and he is thrilled. He said he's not worried if he has some skin hanging, he just feels so damn good and loves seeing his clothes fall off him. Why is it that it seems that men have healthier self-images than women? I think that with his help and all of you angels on this forum, I just might be able to say I'm pretty one day.

p.s. Going to school at 46 is wonderful! I just turned 37 and in the past 6 years, I got my associate's degree, and my cosmetology license and recently my cosmetology instructor's license. My sister is 40 and just last week started working on her Master's in education. She was a registered nurse for over 20 years, then went into horticulture and organic farming, now she wants to teach special ed. It's NEVER too late to begin or change careers. That's what makes life interesting! I'm planning on taking some foreign language and maybe photography classes. You never want to wake up one day when you're 90 and regret not trying something new.

Tabitha
Open 5/26/04
321/193/???

Blueyz · 01-19-2005, 09:14 PM

Okay Barbara here I go

* I lost 89 pounds in 6 months...who would have thought.
* I can shop in the Juniors department and I am loving it.
* I got my blood drawn the other day and my vein was right there and got it on the first try.....if you know me you will know that NO ONE could ever draw my blood prior to surgery.

so many to list....I love my new life.