Oh yeah, who's OVERWEIGHT?!?!?!?!

ME ME ME ME ME ME ME!!!!

That's right - as of this morning, I am no longer obese! I am officially 'only' overweight!

I started with a BMI of 53 or 54 and am now at 29.9.

I wore a pair of pants from the one and only Lynda yesterday. Size 14. No W. Yes, they are generous, but a 14 nonetheless. And a size L top from the one and only Jacquie.

I looked damn good.

And I feel even better!

We are flying next week, and I have literally NO stress about it. I packed a box of stuff for us, and I packed a size 16 dress, an XL dress, a size 16 skirt, and a pair of size 16 capris. Who's clothes are these?

My band is being a bit fickle the past two days - probably means TMI is on its way - but honestly, I don't even care. It's sooooooo worth it!

New face shots!

I took the kids to toddler time at the fire station yesterday. It was hotter than hell, which had nothing to do with the fire fighters, and everything to do with the fact that it is mid-August in FL. No breeze, 1000% humidity, and 90+ degrees at 9 am.

Anyhow, I didn't think these pics were anything that great until I shared them on FB. I literally had 10 messages about how people barely recognized me! I went and looked again, and well, I guess I am looking good. ;) It's weird, because you get used to looking at yourself in the mirror every day, so you don't really see it. However, I will say that these last 50+ lbs I've lost are almost more noticeable than the first 100+ lbs I lost. I think I've entered that 'sculpting' phase.

So, without further adieu:

374 lbs

212 lbs

You say potato.

I say fucking A.

When will I learn? I just cannot eat potatoes in any way, shape, or form.

Twice-baked potato filling - one of the worst PBs I've ever had.

Potato chips - PB or stuck every time.

French fries - PB or stuck 99% of the time.

Mashed potatoes - 50/50 chance of running for the toilet.

I just have to be done with potatoes, as sad as that makes me. Sigh.

PSA: Kitchen Gadget Must-Have

Now that I am settled in (mostly), I have all of my own kitchen stuff back!

And I am back in love with my pressure cooker. Every bandster should own this little piece of genius. Seriously. It makes the MOST tender meat. I ate 1.5 pork chops the other night! Amazing. I haven't eaten pork chops in a long time, because they are too tough for me. Not with the pressure cooker - 15 min of cooking, and they were fork-tender. And delicious! I've also made a beef roast, meatballs, and chicken drumsticks in it. All this week. Yep, a slight bit of an addiction. But hey, I am definitely meeting my protein goals.

One of the really nice things about my pressure cooker is you can brown or saute in it before you cook in it. Only 1 dirty pot + no hot oven = Happy Amy.

ETA: To answer a few questions.

• I'd say for most things, they cut the cooking time down by about 1/3, not 1/2. It still takes time for the unit to come up to pressure, then cook, and sometimes the cut of meat calls for natural pressure release (which takes time). However, the trade-off is the meat is ALWAYS tender. Always.
• It IS old-school, but they've kind of come back 'in'. The new ones are totally safe, no danger of exploding. Also, they are pretty much fool-proof. No checking pressure, no messing with temps, etc. Push a few buttons and it regulates itself. So easy. Plus, since you can't stir it or anything once it starts, I always have my kitchen cleaned up by the time it's done. It's a two-fer! :)
• I made the porkchops breaded - dipped in egg and then seasoned breadcrumbs. Lightly browned them on both sides for a few minutes in 2 T. evoo. Right in the pressure cooker. Took them out, put the rack in, added 1 c. of chicken broth, and added the pork chops back in (the rack keeps them from sitting in the liquid). Added a sliced onion on top of the chops. Cooked for 15 min on high pressure (could have done less, but I wanted them really tender). Served with steamed broccoli and cauliflower and a Lipton noodle thing (don't remember what, since I don't really eat that.) It was good. And easy!

Here's the pressure cooker I have. I seriously love it! You can get it on amazon, if you are interested.

A BIG thank you!

Thank you to all of you who responded to my begging! Jacquie already sent me clothes! Can you believe it?!

The sisterhood rocks. Thanks again!

I ain't too proud to beg!

Yep, I am reducing myself to begging, once again. I emailed a few of you directly begging, but now I'm willing to publicly humiliate myself.

I am nearly out of clothes that fit. And I am not only broke, but I'm also frugal enough that I hate to spend money on clothes that aren't going to finish my journey with me. Anyone cleaning out their closets soon and want to contribute to the sisterhood via me?

I'm in need of:

16/18 (W or regular) capris/shorts/jeans
L or XL tops (short-sleeve and/or tanks)
XL or 16/18 sundresses or skirts
XL workout/casual wear (yoga capris, etc.)

I stay home with my kids, so casual is great. We live in FL, so summer stuff is perfect. I'm 5'10", so unfortunately, petites don't really work for me. If you have 14s and no one else needs/wants them, I'd be happy to take those as well.

Thank you thank you thank you. My wallet thanks you. My neighbors thank you, as not only will I not be walking around naked, but I'll also be able to afford window coverings if I don't have to go on a shopping spree. And finally, I thank you. I really, really, really thank you.

I feel like a teenager

I cannot shave without cutting myself anymore. First I thought I had a dull blade. Then I thought maybe it was the new water. Or I was reverting in my skills. Or I was going blind.

Then I realized my skin is so damn droopy around my knees and in my arm pits that I can't really help but cut myself when I shave. Seriously, my armpits are AWFUL, as is the skin around my knees. We won't even talk about my belly or upper thighs, but thankfully, I don't have to shave those areas (yes, I am one of those girls who does not shave her thighs - partly lazy, partly thanks to the very fine, blonde hairs from my Danish heritage).

I have to pull the skin taut with one hand while skillfully maneuvering the razor with the other. It takes two steady hands and lots of shaving cream. Do you think the au natural look is going to come back any time soon? I'd be the first one on that trend!

Remember me?

Hey! I am back!!!!!

We're moved in. Totally not unpacked. Still exhausted. But happy as can be.

All is good on the band-front. I am in a really good place - I can eat most things, but not much of them. I am really, really happy with it. I do have a bit of heartburn, but I take a daily Zantac, which completely controls it. I have learned that I cannot eat within about two hours of bedtime, or I pay for it. But other than that, I am LOVING it right now. Rarely hungry, can eat what I want, and I am still losing.

Yep, I'm down to 212.8 lbs. That's 160+ lbs lost! Less than 5 lbs until I am no longer obese. YEAH BABY!!!!

Off to see what you guys have been up to. Smooches!