LOSER!

Being a loser, feels good!

YAY! Went to my doctor appointment today and am proud to say I'm back into the 100's! Even though I only managed to melt away 1lb, I still feel good about myself. Ah, so rewarding! So now that I'm officially back down, I'm hoping to never see the dreaded 2 again!

As far as the scale thing goes, I've had about enough. Maybe it's better that my scale is all messed up, keeps me away from weighing myself all the time I guess. My scale versus the one at the office today was 3lb's light. If you remember, I had mentioned the WW glass scale was 4lb's lighter in the bathroom. Now the foyer scale is in the bathroom, and it's only 3lb's light. I can't win with. I'm going to toss my digital scale and get an old school needle scale. At least I know for sure I can zero it out wherever I put it.

I AM SO HAPPY

Started my new shakes!

I cannot believe I've been drinking MUD for weeks. These are the 100 calorie shake mixes, I was supposed to be on since I started my protein bars. I'm not sure if I told wrote about it, but when I started I bought enough of the 250cal shakes for like 2 weeks. Legally, I couldn't return them after they switched my regiment. Sarah told me to just use half of the mix, so that's what I've been doing. BIG MISTAKE. I bought the new packs of mix today, oh my lanta what a difference. It actually tastes GREAT. First thing I did was sniff it, smelled just like hot cocoa mix! Then I shook it up. Totally wasn't grainy, super thick or have a nauseating taste! I am incredibly amazed. Look out world, this girl is going to be the best loser you've ever seen!

4 more pounds until I can get a new phone. Glad I took my sister's advice and waited, there's a better phone about to hit the market. I'm not a big fan of Apple, crazy right? Well, I've just never taken the time to get used to their operating system. Oh well. The iPhone 4s doesn't do anything for me. 

Samsung Galaxy Nexus Google Phone

Say hello to my little friend! This phone is way better than my purple girly phone. This one is running the new Android platform 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich! Eeek! Shrieks of excitement! I'm totally waiting for this phone to launch next month. Basically if I had bought any other Android phone, it wouldn't be able to update to the brand spanking new platform. The latest version of Android runs on 2.3 Gingerbread. Why buy a phone now, when it's just soon to be out dated? This bad boy also packs in 4G! I've just hit the mother ship--for now at least! :D

Level ground

You're killing me scale.

Went back to work today, and it wasn't so bad. Despite the fact that I started my shake a bit late today, and made the mistake of taking my vitamins without food. I took them around 10:00 when I got there, and I usually eat them with a protein bar. Well, we were pretty busy up until around noon; that's when the nausea began. Ugh--by that time I was ready to hurl. I quick ran out into the office and scarfed down a bite of the bar. Wish it was enough to work, but I stayed nauseous most of my shift. Oh and my ice melted too, bummer. I always make my shakes with ice, goes down easier.

Fine. I know I'm not supposed to be weighing myself at home, but I do. So freaking sue me! The problem I'm having, is getting an accurate weigh. We have two scales at home. One that sits in our bathroom, and one that is in the foyer. I know weird, but the foyer has a pretty flat surface--so I thought. My scales are never in the same range as the other. Both are digital. The one in the bathroom is 4lbs light, and the one in the foyer seems to be in the same range as the doctor's office. Here's the problem. Lately I've been weighing myself on my usual foyer scale, and the numbers are coming up different EVERY TIME I GET ON. I have this OCD rule; if I weigh the same number 3x consecutively on the scale, then it should be accurate. I hop on and off 3x, each time letting the scale zero out.

Unless the foundation shifted in my house, I'm pretty sure something is wrong. Tonight when I got home from work I tinkered with the scales a bit. I made my dad help me. He knows his exact weight. He weighed himself on both scales and they were BOTH off. We ended up putting the foyer scale in the bathroom. When he hopped on, his weight was exactly accurate. Guess I'll be ditching the other scale, not like I really went by it anyway. 

I bought the "foyer scale" at Wal-Mart a few years ago. I know what you're thinking, I totally cheated on Target. It was a late night purchase though, and I really needed it. Then this see through glass one appeared out of nowhere. My mom had bought a Weight Watchers scale. Not knocking on the brand, but it's totally inaccurate. Or at least I'm pretty sure it is. The big test is to see how the scales compare to Dr. Cusimano's. I know her's is calibrated and accurate, so at least tomorrow I'll get an idea of where my home scale stands.

Lunchbox blues...

"Oh look, another glorious morning. Makes me SICK!"

-Winifred Sanderson Hocus Pocus

Wouldn't it be fabulous if there was some magic spell to fix everything? Ahh, only in the movies I suppose. Tomorrow I head back to work, woof. Tuesdays are always a 50/50 chance of love/hate. Love it when it's time for my rotation to be complete, hate it when it means I have to go back. I know I should be looking at the glass half full versus empty, but going back from having time off is such a drag!

It's not the work that gets to me, it's hard to see everyone eating everything they want. Not everyone is healthy, but it doesn't make it any easier seeing them eat delicious strawberry flavored sugar death in front of me. In my heart of hearts, I know it's better for me in the long run. So, I do what I need to do. STAY AWAY. FAR FAR AWAY FROM THEM. Since I've started this diet, I've been eating by myself. And no it isn't sad, actually I'm beginning to really enjoy it. It's peaceful, quiet and I have little temptation to deviate. Just me, my kindle & lunchbox of tricks.

I've noticed that I weigh less in the morning, something I look forward to. I ate some soup today and weighed myself after. UGH lol, who thought a bowl of soup could make a 2lb difference on the scale?! All it had in it was broth, chunks of chicken and a minimal amount of rice. Your body is an incredible machine.

Tomorrow morning I'll be gathering my things up. Dumping vitamins into my container, packing up the blender bottle, counting out my shake packets and rationing out my protein bars. I weigh in on Thursday at the office. I doubt I'm going to lose 5lbs by any stretch, but I'm confident that I at least lost a pound or two. 

Reason or Season

Lately I've been thinking about a lot of things. Am I really happy? Because there's a big difference between being happy and content while skating by. If the goals I set in my life are fulfilling to me; and if they aren't, why? Why is it so easy to pick out all the wrongs and rights in everyone else's lives, but not in your own? 

I am a super organized planner, thanks to my mother. I have a need to be organized, I crave it. When I started college, I had big plans for my career. Having a job and stability is the goal, after that everything falls into place right? Welp, it's a little more complicated than that! I put my weight on the back burner for years, now is the right time to tackle it. Everyone has body image issues; so when I say there are limitations or "restrictions" you feel because of them, most can relate.  After I got the degree and career down, it was time for ME. Me to figure out what I wanted in life, what I could get my hands on. Every dream that I have is of a healthy me enjoying my life with the ones I love. 

I've made a big commitment with this program, because I believe that it will almost define the rest of my life. Okay, okay I know dramatic...but I really mean it. Having a complete fresh start, means the world to me. Once I tackle my weight, I have big plans. Confidence is something that no one can give you, it can't be taught, you have to feel it. Living in conditions that are dismal, negative and so un-motivating is a recipe for a really unhappy person. The way I look at things, is this:

I can either stay and work out my problems, or go somewhere else with them.

I got baggage to check, and it's not going anywhere with me. Planning to wipe the slate clean is a scary thing, but I'm ready for it. I'm ready for something new. Don't get me wrong, I'm not the unhappiest person in the world. I just feel like there's a whole lot of happiness out there for me, and it sure as hell isn't doing me any good being stagnant. It might not look like I'm doing much, but trust me the gears are turning.

Cheater, cheater...

HEY! I'm no pumpkin eater!

This weekend was the first round of Halloween parties, and gatherings of the Fall season. Nikki and I went shopping in September for our costumes, and I am sure glad we did! I ended up finding an adorable Snow White costume, cape and all! I've always secretly wanted to go as a Disney princess and I finally did! Nikki went as Bat Girl, and her costume was great! She got these pleather leggings that I'd kill to wear, maybe next year when I'm skinny! Anyway needless to say we had a great time. Best weekend I've had in a super long time!

Remember when I said I'm not supposed to drink? The last few years, I haven't had a real desire to drink much. In high school and college days, it was more like having something to prove--how hard you can party that is.  Since I've started my career, I haven't been much for drinking. Let me tell you something, you seriously don't start wanting something super bad--until someone says you can't. Before you all start gasping, and tisk tisking let me just say I wasn't drunk. My drinks consisted of 1/2 a wine spritzer, 1/2 glass of jungle juice (omg by the way, Lino makes a mean punch!), 1.5 beers, and a shot to Jameson. God that looks bad when I type it out. Ouch. Ok fine TISK AWAY! 

Let's be real people, eventually I was going to slip. The point of this blog is to be honest about this program and my life. It would be one big fat old lie if I didn't write these things. I'm a REAL person with REAL issues. If you thought this blog was going to be a fairy tale story about how easy and wonderful this program is, you're sadly mistaken. I may be Snow White for Halloween, but the fairy tale sure as hell doesn't carry over into my reality world! I have been following my regiment strictly for the past month. Not that it's an excuse, but to my defense I really haven't been drinking all the other weeks. My girlfriends can attest to that! I don't keep things from Dr. Cusimano, so I'll tell her Thursday. Hopefully this won't put a dent into my weigh in this week, and if it does I'll willingly wear the scarlet letter for it.


Oh, and by the way. I wasn't joking when I said I wasn't a pumpkin eater. I effing hate pumpkin and any squash like grossness. Except for eggplant, that I can do.

Happy Halloween!
Bat Girl, Snow White, & Dark Angel aka
Nikki, Me, & Marissa

There comes a time to cut loose!

FOOTLOOSE!

Today I went to lunch and the movies with a few friends from work. I am a HUGE fan of the original Footloose, so seeing this one was a huge compromise from me. Feel like i'm cheating on Kevin Bacon! So here's my verdict--it was a well made remake, but nothing compares to the original. The new one was a bit spunkier, was pretty funny and entertaining. They dumbed down the whole warehouse scene, but c'mon that's a tough scene to even attempt to remake.

Anyway, today was pretty good. I love going to the movies. A lot of times I even go alone, only if it's a non scary movie though ha! So if you're thinking about going to see it, I think it's worth it. This weekend is the first round of Halloween parties, so excited! Get ready for Snow White!

Rock steady

The waves keep on crashin' on me for some reason

Today I faced the scale. Definitely nervous, I was really super hoping to be out of the 200's. I ended up only melting away the 2.5lbs I had gained from my prior fiasco. I'm glad that I lost it, but I was hoping I had lost at least another pound. It's okay though, not like I gained anything.

They were confident at the office I'd be in the 100's by my next appointment, which is next Thursday. Buys me an extra day to melt some weight off. Actually, 2.5lbs isn't too shabby. My other nurse (I forget her name all the time, but she's super sweet) said 2.5lbs meant that I had lost 7,000 calories. 7,000! I was astonished! 3,500 calories=1lb. CRAZY! So, in terms of that I felt super kick ass about it!

Looking at my chart, I now have 3 logs at 200lbs. AR-BA-GAR. Next week, it for sure won't be there again. After I get into the 100's again, it'll all be a big boost I need to keep it off. I've been extremely sleep deprived this week. I even posted a status about going to bed early so I wouldn't be a mean girl at work the next day lol. You know those headaches you get where your scalp hurts? UGH, going on two days now and i'm positive it's because I'm not getting enough sleep. Usually on my weeks off, Wednesday is my day to sleep in and catch up. Alas, I had an early appointment and I'm kicking myself in the arse for it now!

Went to Best Buy today to pick up an AUX jack for my car. My old one (which measured 14" long jeez) was worn out and not working properly. While I was there, I scoped out the phones. I want a new phone so bad. So bad I'm beginning to convince myself I need one. I'm such a tech junkie! They didn't have any phones I was interested in, but Hello Kitty caught my eye. God, I LOVE HELLO KITTY.

Hello Kitty light up optical mouse

I didn't actually get her, but I told my sister about it. Hien is coming home soon, so we'll go get us super cute mice for our computers! The USB part of my optical mouse I have now is broken, so it's a good excuse to get another. I mean she lights up and she's floating in a bathtub at the bottom of the mouse! What's NOT to like?! She convinced me to wait for my phone purchase, that it would mean more rewarding myself after my goal. I'm the type of person that if I want or need something, I just go get it. So, I'm trying a new approach with my lifestyle. Refraining from impulsive retail spending, is definitely going to be harder than losing weight...

You can go your own way

Go your own way!

So thankful another work week is over. Fall seems to be the time for changes to happen. Moving on to bigger and better things seems to be the trend. Which, I can't really say that I blame. Maybe it's because as children we all start going to school around Fall, which makes it feel like the right time of year to start something new and fresh. New Years resolutions never have really appealed to me, but Fall--ahh the Fall just feels right.

Tomorrow, I meet my fate for this week at the scale. Hoping that it will be nice to me this time, and show me a lower number! This journey hasn't been easy at all, not going to lie. Anything that is worth doing, takes a lot of dedication and will power. I've spent so long feeling like I've been trapped in this body. I mean it when I say I don't ever want to get back to this weight again. This is the largest I've been in my entire life. Most people say I carry my weight well. I think it's about time to fess up and say how much I weigh.

September 2010, Weight=208lbs
Umm...arm flab, yeah working on getting rid of it lol!

Don't let the smile fool you! Sure thanks to Calvin Klein, you probably wouldn't be able to tell I was over 200lbs. It seriously grosses me out to think that I weighed that much. I was so excited when I bought this dress. One of my besties, Robb who always tells me the truth helped me pick it out. It was a size 14, which amazed me because hello it's CK! You know how brands are, hit or miss. Let's face it people, there is NO universal size, sizes vary brand to brand. I was fluctuating between sizes 14-16. Couldn't seem to find the right fit. No matter what size I wore, I usually had a muffin top or spare tire. What's a spare tire you ask? Welp, what a spare tire means to me is the pouch/slab of fat that sits right above your who-ha. I haven't even had kids yet! How embarassing...lol. 

When I began seeing Dr. Cusimano, I weighed in at 205lbs. Not bad, I lost a few pounds from last year big whoop. Needless to say for the past 2 weeks I've been still in the 200 range, thanks to my lovely iron supplements. I can't even express to you all how much hitting the 100's means to me. I still have a long way to goal, but I know I can do it.

I'm getting back into shape, for me, not anyone else. I'm doing it for all the right reasons. Sitting at 25, I'm in the prime of my life. There are still so many things for me to do, to learn and experience. I'm headed for a fresh start. There are no do overs in life, you can't go back to square one. But--you can start fresh once you leave the square you're on.

So hate on haters,

try and break me down by taking smack about how big I am,

or how much I actually weigh. I'm not ashamed anymore.

Because the one thing I know for certain is--

I can LOSE weight, but you won't ever lose your hateful attitude.

Miss Roboto

Arigato!

I am finally feeling really confident about this whole regiment I'm on. Today was seriously smooth, almost robotic. It's like the weeks of daily routines has paid off! Things are all meshing together well, and I'm definitely getting the knack of how to live with this new lifestyle.

Breakfast!

This is what I do every morning. Prepare my shake which consists of protein powder, ice and Starbucks VIA. Eat my protein bar, then take my vitamins. Vitamins on an empty stomach, is a seriously bad idea. Yesterday I took them on an empty stomach and felt like I was going to throw up. My mistake! After I have the bar, I start sipping on my shake. It lasts me til about lunch time. There is no way humanly possible I could drink that whole thing in one sitting. I don't know how people can do it.

Usually for lunch, I stick with a salad and dressing. I figure eating the ruffage before dinner should help move things along. At this point, I've been stirring in 1-2tsp of MiraLAX with my water. I probably won't make a habit of this, but because I'm so behind I made a point to today. 

It's all becoming second nature. I cheated, just to see how much I weighed. What!? I had to find out if all of the laxatives worked lol! Drum roll please...

THEY DID!

I weigh in Wednesday officially,

looks like you'll just have to wait until then to find out how much!

The number two saga continues...

MiraLAX, you are a MiraCLE.

Desperate times, call for desperate measures! I took 2tsp of MiraLAX Saturday, along with a fist full of prunes. Worked like a charm! I'm not sure if the MiraLAX or the prunes did it, maybe even both. Good thing I didn't dump the whole packet into my water...bad things might have happened! Not to be graphic or anything, but it seriously wasn't like an explosion like everyone else thought. Mind you, I knew prior how the aftermath of taking too much of it. Not personal experience of course, my patients tell me horror stories. Needless to say, I felt much better. Not that I was in any pain, but it was a good enough feeling to know it wasn't sitting around in my belly. 

On Friday a company called Lincare called me to drop off an oximeter. Dr. Cusimano ordered it for me to wear this weekend. It's your basic pulse oximeter, you know that clip thing that goes on your finger with the red light? Yeah, that thing. As far as I can tell, my oxygen levels look good. After I put it on, the meter reads it at 96-98%. Of course I don't know if it falls below that range when I'm off to dream land. It has a USB storage card in it, so it records data for the company to print out on Monday. I'm pretty sure I don't have sleep apnea, but I know for sure I snore. Maybe that will change after I lose the weight.

My next weigh in is Wednesday. Just a nurse visit this time. Seems like every other week I'll be meeting with a nurse, and opposite ones with Dr. Cusimano. I don't really mind. If I had to guess, I'm sure I've lost a pound or two. Just have a feeling it's going to take me another week to recover from the number two fiasco! 

LAX, and I don't mean the airport

WARNING DISCLAIMER

If you are uncomfortable about literally shit talking

this post is NOT for your eyes. Don't say I didn't warn you!

FOS aka Full Of Shit.

is the unofficial term we medi people use for

constipation

I weighed in today, and was HORRIFIED to find I had GAINED 2.5lbs. Disappointment, frustration, embarrassed just to name a few emotions running through me. I've been staying on track with my regiment and really haven't deviated. Dr. Cusimano knew right away what the problem was. She has me taking 2 iron supplements 2x a day. One of the fabulous side effects of taking care of your anemia--is giving up your potty chair. Once again, her office was out of EZ-Cleanse  so I am back to fending for myself until it comes in.

Last night I had a big discussion with my girlfriends and they convinced me to get a laxative. After work, I swung over to Walgreens and picked up Ex-Lax (so cliche I know). I popped 2 tabs immediately and waited out the night. Welp, NOTHING HAPPENED. NOTHING! I woke up this morning confused. I know I've been eating food so if it's going in and not coming out...it's just sitting there. I know what bowel obstructions can do to people, not pretty. 


Dr. Cusimano suggested I get MiraLAX, a powder laxative that colonoscopy patients use to clean them out. I've heard it's like dynamite, TNT. She didn't recommend taking a full dose, but small amounts can help move thigs along. I'm going to attempt it tomorrow if the prunes tonight don't help.


Prunes, ahh yes prunes. An old person's best friend. Even the thought of drinking prune juice makes me queasy. I can totally eat prunes, so I bought some tonight. I just ate 2, and I'm drinking my glass of water with probiotic powder mixed in with it. If I don't go, I'm definitely doing the MiraLAX tomorrow.


Needless to say, Dr. Cusimano said it was pretty normal. She won't be able to graph everything out and tell if it's water weight or actual weight until about 6 weeks. Apparently it's really normal to gain and lose fluid while you're changing your diet. More data is needed to collect before we can figure things out for sure.


Cross your fingers for me people, I'm going to need it!

I want to be a part of it, New York!

Long weekend fun!

For this rotation off, I went to the city for a mini family reunion with my sister and cousins. It was so much fun! Besides a TON of walking (thanks to my crazy sister) I enjoyed a weekend full of adventure. We went to see Wicked, bought some really wonderful perfume, clothes and of course dining adventures.

I was allowed to have a "free pass" for this week, which I think I'm regretting now. I still ate my protein bars, but I did indulge this weekend. For the most part, I was able to control myself and not eat way over my limits. I made sure I ate salad, drank lots, and got protein along the way. I will say this--I didn't have any desserts! In fact, none of the girls got desserts! So proud! :)

Although I do mostly enjoy going to the city, I can only stay for a few day and I'm done. I AM A CRY ASS. My sister insists on walking, and speed walking at that to every place we go. Even if we don't have to rush, which I detest. I like leisure on my weeks off, not mad dashes everywhere! I did so many flights of stairs in the course of four days, my legs feel like I just tried to hike myself up the Eiffel tower! My fault also though, totally didn't bring the right shoes but whatever.

I'm nervous for my appointment this week. Crossing my fingers that I didn't gain. If I had to guess, I didn't lose and i didn't gain...looks like i'll just have to wait and see!

Black Jade by Lubin

My perfume! Ahhhh! So excited. I picked this up at Aedes De Venustas in NYC. Black Jade is a high end French perfume, which Queen Marie Antoinette wore herself. It's said she concealed this fragrance in a black jade bottle, hence the name. I LOVE IT. 

Iron Maiden

"Rock music should be gross: that's the fun of it. It gets up and drops its trousers."

Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden

Well Bruce, I WISH I COULD! UGH...okay let me explain a bit.

My preliminary appointments consisted of having every lab test known to man. I found out I had some major vitamin deficiencies, and I'm anemic apparently. I'm on a supplement regiment and I receive vitamin B12 shots on a weekly basis. 

B12

B Complex

Calcium

Vitamin D 

Fish Oil 

Iron

Multi Vitamin 

I started on the IRON during my second week, and I'm not too thrilled. All my vitamins made a drastic change. More energy, feeling good---BUTT (lol) I am not regular if you know what I mean. Today was weigh in day.

WEEK TWO:

1lb melted away

Okay, okay...so I didn't gain any weight but I was still disappointed. I mean I ate so much ruffage this week it wasn't funny. There's no reason I should be backed up, until I found out that was a side effect of iron supplements. Cody my LPN, suggested I take probiotic powder. What the french toast is that?! Well ladies and gents, it's this weird powder packed with "good" bacteria like the kind in yogurt. It calls for putting 1/2 a tsp in water and drinking it. I tried it tonight, and it really has no taste! But the container smells like vinegar lol. Cody assured me it wasn't like a laxative, so there'd be no danger in the belly grumbles and mad dashes to the bathroom.

Still, I couldn't believe it was only a pound! Cody was confident that I probably did lose, but alas...for once in my life I can honestly say I was full of shit.

Don't forget

Happy 84th Birthday Grandpa!

Grandpa's wheelbarrow.
I took this photo in 2003, Photography Class

October 3rd, is always a very special day for me. My grandpa was one of the most profound human beings I've ever known. I credit him with my sassy attitude, strength and tenacity for what I believe in, and the importance of giving a smile. It's still very difficult for me to talk about him, even now I have tears streaming down my face. But my post today is for him, and for that I have to keep writing.

I've been dealing with some demons that are beyond my control lately. Allowing things (more like people...) to eat me up and spit me back onto the sidewalk, just to get stomped on again. Of course I allow myself  temporary swearing fits of rage, but it really doesn't make me feel better. It occurred to me that during crappy times like these, I think of my Grandpa.

"You might not get a long with him, you might not get along with her. He said she said, and someone is always better than you. This one is luckier, this one is prettier, if I just had this.

It takes all kinds of people to make a world Thao Mai, and you just have to pick what kind of person you are."

Grandparents have this crazy way of tapping right into you. Getting right down into your soul, comforting you, making you feel like anything is bearable in life with their help. And one day they're gone--and now you're lost, and have to find your own source of wholeness. For me, it's like having to find my life all over again.

Every thought I have on giving up, every flicker of doubt I have in myself, every upsetting moment I encounter--I have to remember who I am, who Grandpa taught me to be. 

"Some people can't help that they're mean and ugly on this inside, some people don't know no better. You just go on and do what you're doing doll baby. Don't you choose to be like them people."

Another thing I know for sure, is this:

If he were here today, he sure as hell would not be eating

"rabbit food" with me...

;P

Love You Grandpa!

Keep the change, you filthy animal

Setting goals, ahhh yes.

I've been thinking a lot about my goals, my life and where I want to be. My weight loss goal currently is 60lbs, which I can totally do. I talked to my sister today, she participated in "The Mud Run" in New York City. Looked like TONS of fun, and why wouldn't it be?! There's MUD!. Being motivated is a dirty, dirty business and I plan on being filthy. 

HTC Rhyme for Verizon

Say hello to my first goal treat.

I've decided that for every 10lbs I lose, I get a reward. Heee heee heee, I love this idea. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a gadget junkie. I LOVE GADGETS. I am the girl who gets a new phone every year, has the funnest games and trinkets, the best accessories, hello world---I'm addicted. Verizon just launched a new smart phone (obviously geared toward hunnies on the go such as myself) and guess who has an upgrade?! Not putting Apple products down, but I am a huge fan of Android and HTC. This bad girl comes with a charging/blue tooth speaker dock, TANGLE FREE headphones, AND a charm that glows when you have a call or messages. I've just discovered the holy grail of trinket junkie. 

I'm so close to 10lbs I can almost feel the touch of purple phone paradise! You shall be mine soon enough, rhyme. Anyway, next appointment is Wednesday. I doubt I lost another 5lbs, but I'll for SURE lose it by the appointment after. Gives me just enough time to keep up on phone reviews, so I make the right purchase.