How y'all doin?

 

As you can see, I'm planning for a much needed six day vacation in sunny New Orleans and I can. not. wait.  The short weekend we were there was just a teaser what with the filming we had to do for the show and stuff.  It's totally crazy (CRAZY!) how fast this year has gone by...I seriously feel like it's been one big whirlygig of adventure between home renovations, Key West, the Tim Gunn show, work craziness etc.  That's not to say I'm not thrilled with how much we have accomplished this year; me personally with all my little life goals and then both of us as a couple with the house and our future planning. It's hard to believe that in six short months I will be vested and can really begin to focus on the next stage of our lives.

 

Not much to report on the weight loss front...in fact I'm the same which is a good thing I suppose as my exercise has been limited of late.  I had finished up my boxing membership shortly before the taping of the show and then once I started with the online puppy classes, I just figured financially and time wise it was better to just put off another membership for awhile.  So I have been doing my 3-4 days at Curves including my power hour which is a lot less than the amount of activity I was doing before.  On the other hand, I've gotten much better with eating leftovers and food I make at home.  I've cut out a lot of eating out at lunch time which I'm sure is shaving lots of calories so it feels like a bit of a trade off.  Now that my puppy classes have moved onto the practical which is once a week, I think I will have time to either pick up boxing again or try something like dancing.  The game plan is to pick up on that once I return from vacation and the land of the Lucky Dog.  With any luck I'll keep the home lunch thing going and maybe drop a little more weight which would be bonus!  I've been saying that every pound on top of this is gravy and I mean that.  I'm not willing to go to crazy cakes place mentally in order to get down to something I won't be able to realistically maintain.  If anything, I have proven that I can maintain onederland...WOO HOO!  I am grateful! 

 

On the Tim Gunn front, sadly he probably doesn't even have time to breathe never mind become my best friend.  I've watched three of four shows and it's an ok show.  Some parts are better than others and I think it has tremendous potential if it gets picked up for another season.  I have some serious love for the people that were involved with making the week the experience it was for me...especially Carmen Marc Valvo, Benny Ninja and of course, Tim.  Now that the show has aired and the dust has settled from all the positive and negative feedback, I can sit back with the warm fuzzy feelings I had.  On a positive note, I'm absolutely thrilled the positive response I have gotten from curvy women everywhere and I am so proud to be able to have represented the real and sometimes forgotten woman.  On a snarky note, my advice to all women is to get over the obsession with fat arms already!!!!  I am stunned how people went on and on about my damn arms ...and I don't even think they are that bad!  I mean yes a little floppy and wide, but geez louise!  The only thing a sleeve does is drape over the thickness…it's not like a sleeve creates chiseled guns people!!  Be sleeveless and be proud! I mean the alternative is going under the knife which leaves you with a scar from your elbow to your armpit...um...no thanks.  I'll keep working out and hoping for the best.  No guy in my life has ever said "whoa, nice face, but DAMN those flabby arms".  Also...when you have 200 lbs to lose, your big arms are the least of your worries.  Well actually the gap between my teeth is truly the least of my worries...another flaw people mercilessly bashed me on.  Whatever.  The gap is me…and Madonna!  And Lauren Hutton!  Rock on toothy gals!

 

On the work front…times they be a changin’.  Things are still up in the air in terms of my department and my job security.  The good news is 1)I am 6 precious months from being vested and 2)a job came up in the foundation which is the philanthropic area of the bank that I think I would LOVE to work for.  I passed round 1 with flying colors and I’m onto round 2 tomorrow.  I would appreciate whatever warm fuzzies, vibes, prayers anyone is offering.  Chaz work is going well and he’s happy enough to not have any stress spill over into our private lives and that is awesome.  Other than that we’re just kind of trucking along, getting ready for Halloween which I’m very excited to see endless night doing an event in NYC…WOOHOO!  Time to get the bump in the night freak on!  Before you know it, it will be turkey time and then holidays and time to re evaluate the goals for next year!

I think you're fantastic, period. You also happen to look fantastic, period. Your naysayers probably feel horrid about themselves and have projected this somehow onto you. Fie, I say!

You deserve to have the kind of job you love. Can't wait to hear about your trip to Crescent City. The Quarter is really looking good these days. If you haven't already, try the Sunday Jazz brunch at the Court of the Two Sisters. :) Lagniappe!

Hi, JeAnne, Just re-found your website. It seems through the years I keep "running into you"! I stumbled onto your website years ago and was amazed at your transformation. Then a year or so back, I happened to turn onto "I Lost It" and there you were. And then recently I found "Tim Gunn's" show which I've never watched and there you were again! I am so amazed at what you have accomplished and where you are going. You just beam with health and happiness. You are my inspiration for losing weight and getting healthier and not feeling the pressure that I have to achieve a size 8 body to feel confident.
God bless you.

I'd like to invite any of your readers to visit Sharing a Healhty Path, a new online support and information group for anyone with 100 pounds or more to lose, ready to commit to a healthy lifestyle. My goal with A Healthy Path is to establish a supportive online community committed to a long term vision of personal, healthy change.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/healthypath/

I just wanted to let you know every time I see your episode of I Lost It! on, I watch it, even though I've already seen it. I've recently started on weight watchers myself, hoping for results like yours. You're such a beautiful, charming girl, and I feel like we have a lot in common, which is definitely inspiration to me.
Yours and Chaz's story mirrors mine, too, a little, with my husband Chris. He's terribly charming, too, and the both of you are a beautiful couple.
You probably get a lot of messages, but hey, if you ever are interested in talking, I'd love to talk to you - you are an amazing, wonderful woman, and I'm glad none of the idiots sending you those messages can get to you.
<3

I love this page's dedication to losing weight. But Fat people make way too many excuses. Overweight people typically just need to STOP putting food in their mouths. Simple as that. Fat people are usually very sensitive to the truth and complain that this attitude is "mean" or "uncaring." God helps those that help themselves, so put down the chips and get healthy already.

Look, here's the DIET SOLUTION; anyone that wants to lose the flubber should simply take a picture of themselves and put it on the fridge next to a picture of a starving child. Next time you need a cupcake, stare at the picture for 30 seconds and get real.

There's more, but you can read it all at the link below. We welcome all feedback.

http://iblogfat.blogspot.com/

Hi Jeanne, I've followed your whole story through the past couple years now and you are truly my inspiration! You look beautiful and have accomlished so much and although I'm a stranger to you, I'm proud of you. Keep up the great work!
Amy from PAo:)