What a difference a year makes.

I just returned home from my annual father/daughter dance.
This has been a ritual I have looked forward to for many
years, but one where I typically would squeeze myself into a
suit, drag myself to the dance, dance twice with my
daughter, then spend the rest of the night wheezing in the
corner.

That was last year, and every year before it in fact. By
early November of last year I had lost about 30 pounds so
while I was making real weight loss progress I was still
grossly out of shape, and by no means certain I was going to
be successful. This year, I am 100 pounds down, have been
diligent in going to the gym up to 5 days a week every week
since last April, having worked hard on both weights and
cardio.

Tonight, I fit perfectly into my nice new sports jacket and
slacks...and didn't cringe in disgust with myself. Upon
arrival we began dancing as soon as we walked in the door
and continued non-stop until the dance was over two hours
later. (Visualize a gymnasium with 200 8-12 year old girls
going crazy and a bunch of middle aged fathers trying to
keep up to understand how frenetic this all is.) As hard
has I have worked this year I am still surprised that I
never became winded or tired the entire time. Sweated like
there was no tomorrow, but no difficulty whatsoever.

I don't know if any of you will appreciate what this means
but it means the world to me. For too many years I sat on
the sidelines, thoroughly enjoying being out with my
daughter on her special night, but unable to really
participate in a meaningful way.

Any of you who have been here long enough to have read my
early postings with my goals may recognize that being able
to do what I described above, as I described it, was one of
my goals. This felt good. This felt very good. This makes
it worth it.

In two weeks my oldest daughter gets married. I'm looking
forward to dancing with her at her wedding too.

To all here who have been so helpful, a continued thank you.
For those still working to their weight loss or other health
related goals, please keep after it. For me it has been
more than worth all the effort, I hope that you can each
have goals that make it worth your effort too.

--
JJ.
275/175/180 - as of November 1, 2004 (adjusted target
weight)
Atkins since Sep 1, 2003
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jjsmythe/my_photos
1, 2, 3...98, 99, 100. Done!

JJ wrote:

To all here who have been so helpful, a continued thank you.
For those still working to their weight loss or other health
related goals, please keep after it. For me it has been
more than worth all the effort, I hope that you can each
have goals that make it worth your effort too.


I am so happy for you. What a wonderful reward for all your hard work.
Congratulations.

Rebecca

JJ wrote:

To all here who have been so helpful, a continued thank you.
For those still working to their weight loss or other health
related goals, please keep after it. For me it has been
more than worth all the effort, I hope that you can each
have goals that make it worth your effort too.


I am so happy for you. What a wonderful reward for all your hard work.
Congratulations.

Rebecca

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 04:45:42 GMT, "JJ" wrote:

I just returned home from my annual father/daughter dance.
This has been a ritual I have looked forward to for many
years, but one where I typically would squeeze myself into a
suit, drag myself to the dance, dance twice with my
daughter, then spend the rest of the night wheezing in the
corner.

That was last year, and every year before it in fact. By
early November of last year I had lost about 30 pounds so
while I was making real weight loss progress I was still
grossly out of shape, and by no means certain I was going to
be successful. This year, I am 100 pounds down, have been
diligent in going to the gym up to 5 days a week every week
since last April, having worked hard on both weights and
cardio.

Tonight, I fit perfectly into my nice new sports jacket and
slacks...and didn't cringe in disgust with myself. Upon
arrival we began dancing as soon as we walked in the door
and continued non-stop until the dance was over two hours
later. (Visualize a gymnasium with 200 8-12 year old girls
going crazy and a bunch of middle aged fathers trying to
keep up to understand how frenetic this all is.) As hard
has I have worked this year I am still surprised that I
never became winded or tired the entire time. Sweated like
there was no tomorrow, but no difficulty whatsoever.

I don't know if any of you will appreciate what this means
but it means the world to me. For too many years I sat on
the sidelines, thoroughly enjoying being out with my
daughter on her special night, but unable to really
participate in a meaningful way.

Any of you who have been here long enough to have read my
early postings with my goals may recognize that being able
to do what I described above, as I described it, was one of
my goals. This felt good. This felt very good. This makes
it worth it.

In two weeks my oldest daughter gets married. I'm looking
forward to dancing with her at her wedding too.

To all here who have been so helpful, a continued thank you.
For those still working to their weight loss or other health
related goals, please keep after it. For me it has been
more than worth all the effort, I hope that you can each
have goals that make it worth your effort too.

Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. I know the feeling of sitting
on the sidelines too well. I'm glad you aren't doing that any more.

Lybbe
Highest Weight - 308
Started Bernstein Diet October 2, 2004 - 243.0
Today's weight - 219.0
Goal - 150

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 04:45:42 GMT, "JJ" wrote:

I just returned home from my annual father/daughter dance.
This has been a ritual I have looked forward to for many
years, but one where I typically would squeeze myself into a
suit, drag myself to the dance, dance twice with my
daughter, then spend the rest of the night wheezing in the
corner.

That was last year, and every year before it in fact. By
early November of last year I had lost about 30 pounds so
while I was making real weight loss progress I was still
grossly out of shape, and by no means certain I was going to
be successful. This year, I am 100 pounds down, have been
diligent in going to the gym up to 5 days a week every week
since last April, having worked hard on both weights and
cardio.

Tonight, I fit perfectly into my nice new sports jacket and
slacks...and didn't cringe in disgust with myself. Upon
arrival we began dancing as soon as we walked in the door
and continued non-stop until the dance was over two hours
later. (Visualize a gymnasium with 200 8-12 year old girls
going crazy and a bunch of middle aged fathers trying to
keep up to understand how frenetic this all is.) As hard
has I have worked this year I am still surprised that I
never became winded or tired the entire time. Sweated like
there was no tomorrow, but no difficulty whatsoever.

I don't know if any of you will appreciate what this means
but it means the world to me. For too many years I sat on
the sidelines, thoroughly enjoying being out with my
daughter on her special night, but unable to really
participate in a meaningful way.

Any of you who have been here long enough to have read my
early postings with my goals may recognize that being able
to do what I described above, as I described it, was one of
my goals. This felt good. This felt very good. This makes
it worth it.

In two weeks my oldest daughter gets married. I'm looking
forward to dancing with her at her wedding too.

To all here who have been so helpful, a continued thank you.
For those still working to their weight loss or other health
related goals, please keep after it. For me it has been
more than worth all the effort, I hope that you can each
have goals that make it worth your effort too.

Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. I know the feeling of sitting
on the sidelines too well. I'm glad you aren't doing that any more.

Lybbe
Highest Weight - 308
Started Bernstein Diet October 2, 2004 - 243.0
Today's weight - 219.0
Goal - 150

"JJ" wrote in message news:Wjgld.80795$HA.40815@attbi_s01...
I just returned home from my annual father/daughter dance. I don't know if
any of you will appreciate what this means but it means the world to me.
Aw! Made me cry - what a wonderful story! Congratulations!!

Nicky.

--
HbA1c 10.5/6.4/6 Weight 95/80/72
1g Metformin, 75ug Thyroxine
T2 DX 05/2004

What a wonderful story, JJ! You made me cry, too! I can relate to how you
feel. I'll bet that your daughter was very proud, too. I'm so happy for
you!

Now, go get ready to 'cut a rug' with your oldest daughter!

;-D

--
Linda
LC since Oct. 13, 2003
296/186.6/160
http://home.att.net/~lewis_linda/index.html
http://community.webshots.com/user/mslewtoo

"Are you telling me there are dead people in my living room watching
videos?"--Nina (Truly, Madly, Deeply)
"JJ" wrote in message news:Wjgld.80795$HA.40815@attbi_s01...
I just returned home from my annual father/daughter dance.
This has been a ritual I have looked forward to for many
years, but one where I typically would squeeze myself into a
suit, drag myself to the dance, dance twice with my
daughter, then spend the rest of the night wheezing in the
corner.

That was last year, and every year before it in fact. By
early November of last year I had lost about 30 pounds so
while I was making real weight loss progress I was still
grossly out of shape, and by no means certain I was going to
be successful. This year, I am 100 pounds down, have been
diligent in going to the gym up to 5 days a week every week
since last April, having worked hard on both weights and
cardio.

Tonight, I fit perfectly into my nice new sports jacket and
slacks...and didn't cringe in disgust with myself. Upon
arrival we began dancing as soon as we walked in the door
and continued non-stop until the dance was over two hours
later. (Visualize a gymnasium with 200 8-12 year old girls
going crazy and a bunch of middle aged fathers trying to
keep up to understand how frenetic this all is.) As hard
has I have worked this year I am still surprised that I
never became winded or tired the entire time. Sweated like
there was no tomorrow, but no difficulty whatsoever.

I don't know if any of you will appreciate what this means
but it means the world to me. For too many years I sat on
the sidelines, thoroughly enjoying being out with my
daughter on her special night, but unable to really
participate in a meaningful way.

Any of you who have been here long enough to have read my
early postings with my goals may recognize that being able
to do what I described above, as I described it, was one of
my goals. This felt good. This felt very good. This makes
it worth it.

In two weeks my oldest daughter gets married. I'm looking
forward to dancing with her at her wedding too.

To all here who have been so helpful, a continued thank you.
For those still working to their weight loss or other health
related goals, please keep after it. For me it has been
more than worth all the effort, I hope that you can each
have goals that make it worth your effort too.

--
JJ.
275/175/180 - as of November 1, 2004 (adjusted target
weight)
Atkins since Sep 1, 2003
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jjsmythe/my_photos
1, 2, 3...98, 99, 100. Done!

What a wonderful story, JJ! You made me cry, too! I can relate to how you
feel. I'll bet that your daughter was very proud, too. I'm so happy for
you!

Now, go get ready to 'cut a rug' with your oldest daughter!

;-D

--
Linda
LC since Oct. 13, 2003
296/186.6/160
http://home.att.net/~lewis_linda/index.html
http://community.webshots.com/user/mslewtoo

"Are you telling me there are dead people in my living room watching
videos?"--Nina (Truly, Madly, Deeply)
"JJ" wrote in message news:Wjgld.80795$HA.40815@attbi_s01...
I just returned home from my annual father/daughter dance.
This has been a ritual I have looked forward to for many
years, but one where I typically would squeeze myself into a
suit, drag myself to the dance, dance twice with my
daughter, then spend the rest of the night wheezing in the
corner.

That was last year, and every year before it in fact. By
early November of last year I had lost about 30 pounds so
while I was making real weight loss progress I was still
grossly out of shape, and by no means certain I was going to
be successful. This year, I am 100 pounds down, have been
diligent in going to the gym up to 5 days a week every week
since last April, having worked hard on both weights and
cardio.

Tonight, I fit perfectly into my nice new sports jacket and
slacks...and didn't cringe in disgust with myself. Upon
arrival we began dancing as soon as we walked in the door
and continued non-stop until the dance was over two hours
later. (Visualize a gymnasium with 200 8-12 year old girls
going crazy and a bunch of middle aged fathers trying to
keep up to understand how frenetic this all is.) As hard
has I have worked this year I am still surprised that I
never became winded or tired the entire time. Sweated like
there was no tomorrow, but no difficulty whatsoever.

I don't know if any of you will appreciate what this means
but it means the world to me. For too many years I sat on
the sidelines, thoroughly enjoying being out with my
daughter on her special night, but unable to really
participate in a meaningful way.

Any of you who have been here long enough to have read my
early postings with my goals may recognize that being able
to do what I described above, as I described it, was one of
my goals. This felt good. This felt very good. This makes
it worth it.

In two weeks my oldest daughter gets married. I'm looking
forward to dancing with her at her wedding too.

To all here who have been so helpful, a continued thank you.
For those still working to their weight loss or other health
related goals, please keep after it. For me it has been
more than worth all the effort, I hope that you can each
have goals that make it worth your effort too.

--
JJ.
275/175/180 - as of November 1, 2004 (adjusted target
weight)
Atkins since Sep 1, 2003
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jjsmythe/my_photos
1, 2, 3...98, 99, 100. Done!

Congratulations JJ, I just saw your pics. You look wonderful. You are an
inspiration to us all. Keep up the good work.
"JJ" wrote in message news:Wjgld.80795$HA.40815@attbi_s01...
I just returned home from my annual father/daughter dance. This has been a
ritual I have looked forward to for many years, but one where I typically
would squeeze myself into a suit, drag myself to the dance, dance twice
with my daughter, then spend the rest of the night wheezing in the corner.

That was last year, and every year before it in fact. By early November
of last year I had lost about 30 pounds so while I was making real weight
loss progress I was still grossly out of shape, and by no means certain I
was going to be successful. This year, I am 100 pounds down, have been
diligent in going to the gym up to 5 days a week every week since last
April, having worked hard on both weights and cardio.

Tonight, I fit perfectly into my nice new sports jacket and slacks...and
didn't cringe in disgust with myself. Upon arrival we began dancing as
soon as we walked in the door and continued non-stop until the dance was
over two hours later. (Visualize a gymnasium with 200 8-12 year old girls
going crazy and a bunch of middle aged fathers trying to keep up to
understand how frenetic this all is.) As hard has I have worked this year
I am still surprised that I never became winded or tired the entire time.
Sweated like there was no tomorrow, but no difficulty whatsoever.

I don't know if any of you will appreciate what this means but it means
the world to me. For too many years I sat on the sidelines, thoroughly
enjoying being out with my daughter on her special night, but unable to
really participate in a meaningful way.

Any of you who have been here long enough to have read my early postings
with my goals may recognize that being able to do what I described above,
as I described it, was one of my goals. This felt good. This felt very
good. This makes it worth it.

In two weeks my oldest daughter gets married. I'm looking forward to
dancing with her at her wedding too.

To all here who have been so helpful, a continued thank you. For those
still working to their weight loss or other health related goals, please
keep after it. For me it has been more than worth all the effort, I hope
that you can each have goals that make it worth your effort too.

--
JJ.
275/175/180 - as of November 1, 2004 (adjusted target weight)
Atkins since Sep 1, 2003
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jjsmythe/my_photos
1, 2, 3...98, 99, 100. Done!

You are truly an inspiration. This is the 1st message I read this
morning,,,,,and you know this really inspires and motivates me to keep on
going. I'm so happy for you, and looking foreward to posting a similar
message next year. Thank you for posting. You are helping so many others,
and I bet your family is proud of you.
Take care,

--
Started LC Sept 26/04
189/172.5/125
"Rebecca" wrote in message
news:h2kld.81152$HA.60060@attbi_s01...
JJ wrote:

To all here who have been so helpful, a continued thank you. For those
still working to their weight loss or other health related goals, please
keep after it. For me it has been more than worth all the effort, I hope
that you can each have goals that make it worth your effort too.


I am so happy for you. What a wonderful reward for all your hard work.
Congratulations.

Rebecca