2 Free Passes to UStamp with Dawn and Friends!

The movie Blind Side is wonderful! Go see it!! It's a true story and Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw are wonderful in it. I didn't want the movie to end. It's one of the best I've seen in a long time.

Well ... I'm down to an all-time low with my weight. I tipped the scales at 173 this morning. I'm down 84 pounds in five months, today! My good friend Mel brought me some clothes a few weeks ago, size 16. At the time, the pants wouldn't zip up. This morning I got out the pants and they slipped right on and zipped right up. It was a dream. There is even room to spare. She brought me some pretty suits too, that fit. It just feels so good. But it's still mentally hard to conceive. I look at the size tags on the clothes and hold the item up, and think to myself, "There's no way this is going to fit. It's too small." And when I put it on, it fits and I'm just baffled. For years, I've tucked, tugged, pulled, and yes even laid on the bed with a pair of pliers in my hand, zipping up my jeans. No lie! Those were such miserable days though. A few hours after having zipped myself into those too-tight jeans I would soon get a horrible stomach ache and had to loosen them. But watch out! You wouldn't want to be around when I loosened my jeans. It was like the Teton Dam exploding! My stomach exploded out of the jeans and knocked Lynn's front tooth out, and blackened Natalie's eye, who were both sitting next to me. (JK)

Is the diet still boring? Yes! Am I still staying away from rice, potatoes, sugar, bread, and pasta? Yes. Do I still miss them? Yes, every day! Do I cook a lot for my family? Yes, and I'm really enjoying cooking. I think I've transferred MY food addiction to cooking and watching others enjoy it. I've even been making bread twice a week, and I would almost kill to have a slice, hot out of the oven, smothered with real butter!

Last night I had a terrible episode with a piece of steak. I was eating and talking, at the same time, and not paying attention to chewing my food. When will I EVER learn? While watching Dancing With the Stars I started having another heaving episode. It lasted until 11:30 at night. It was horrible. I finally threw up a very, small piece of steak that had a tiny, little tail of fat on it. That was what was lodged and was making me ill.

O.K. now for the fun news. Let's have another 2 free passes to UStamp with Dawn and Friends, which will open on December 1st. For those of you who enter a comment on today's blog about who you think will win Dancing With the Stars, will be entered into the contest. If you don't watch Dancing With the Stars, enter any kind of comment and you will still be eligible. I'm anxious to hear who you ALL think is going to win the competition.

Got to get back to the cook book. I'm up to 70 pages of recipes. It's going to be a great book.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

33 comments:

Bev Dahl said...

Hello Linda. I am so excited about your massive weight loss. I can't remember when I weighed 173 but wish I did again. I do remember putting on 'tiny' clothes and they actually were sometimes a little too big. I loved the feeling of 'loose'
I was sad to hear how much you miss all that 'comfort' food. I am afraid if I did diet that eventually I would gain it all back. way back in the early 80's I lost 60 lbs in about 5 months and was down to a size 6 and loved it. I vowed I would never get that heavy again. unfortunately 'comfort' food won out and I weight twice that now.
the journey seems so hard that i decided i will weigh my perfect weight probably about 2 years after I die.
Anyway, I am proud and envious of you and your will power.
I don't watch much TV, especially in the evenings so can't give you a preferred winner on Dancing with the Stars. We have dinner early.. about 5pm then clean off the table and study the Book of Mormon until bedtime. My husband and I are new recruits and there is so much we need to know that there is not enough time to study and learn what we don't know.
Love your sense of humor and your awesome stability to stay in there with this weight loss. You are such an inspiration.

Anonymous said...

I want Donny to win even though I think Mya is a better dancer. How can one not love Donny Osmond?

Tammy said...

WOW!! 84 lbs!! That's amazing!! Congrats!!!
I don't watch Dancing, but I did see "The Blind Side", and I agree--GREAT moving!!! A real "feel good" movie!!!

Patti Chesky said...

Hi Linda! I'm going to vote for Donny Osmond. I used to have posters on my wall of him in those purple sparkly socks. He has aged fabulously (probably with the help of Botox).

Thanks for the opportunity to win this fabulous blog candy. Miss seeing you at SU events. It's not the same without you.

Judy said...

Congratulations on your weight loss success.

I am hoping that Donnie wins Dancing. We will all soon know the results!

Judy H

Heather Leech said...

Hi Linda!!
Congratulations on the weight loss! You go girl! I lost about 30 lbs. a year ago - it was a medication change, so no weight loss secret, unfortunately. I went from a size 18 to a size 14. To finally be out of plus size clothes was amazing! Keep up the excellent work!
I don't watch Dancing with the Stars, I'm afraid. I'm a So You Think You Can Dance junky, myself. I think Jacob is going to win that *wink*
I've already joined up for UStamp in December, and am looking forward to your amazing creations!!

Trisha said...

Hello Linda Lou...I so love reading your blog and learning of your weight-loss journey.

As for Dancing With the Stars - REALLY - IS THERE REALLY ANY QUESTION WHO WILL WIN???? REALLY...DONNY of course! I was in Vegas in September and got to go see the Donny & Marie Show. They are both FANTASTIC. I remember when I was a little girl watching their TV show every week. It was always so sad to me when the show was over - then when they cancelled it - THAT WAS NOT FAIR!!! (like a said...I was a little girl when the show was on and it was the one night a week I got to stay up past my bedtime!)

Of course I wish all the finalists good luck tonight...however DONNY's gonna bring it home...that or I am going to be a sad little girl once again...

:-) Trisha

Unknown said...

Linda, I've been a fan of yours at past SU conventions and admire how you are doing with your weight loss...fantastic...way to go!!!

I voted for Donny Osmond to win tonight! He and I were born on the same birthdate, even the same year, so how can I not be a huge fan of his?!!! I have always loved Donny! I hope he wins!!!

I also hope to get to go see the Blind Side this weekend...I think I will need my tissues at this movie, right? I'm trying to go with 3 of my sisters...that would be so fun!

Thanks for the chance to win this UStamp prize...I would love it!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Shelly in the NW said...

i saw The Blind Side on Friday - i encourage all to see it...and remind them to bring their Kleenex! My hubby and I both boo-hoo'ed through it - it is amazing!The generosity of those people to take Michael in!!!

I watch DWTS off and on - I think Mya is the most talented but i would love to see Kelly win - bless her heart she's tried to hard, and who can't relate to feeling like an outsider and trying your hardest - only 'hoping' that it's good enough!?

In the end, I think Donny will win the 'popular' vote though.

I hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Unknown said...

Definately Donny! ... Patricia

Connie said...

I am so proud of you! AND for those reading this, Linda looks fabulous!!
I might have to bring you some of my clothes that are too small for me cause they would fit you for a while - until you get closer to your goal and then they will be too big!
I don't watch Dancing with the Stars, but I hear Donny Osmond is in the contest, so I will say him.
Love you!
Have a great Thanksgiving!

Christine said...

Linda.. As always thanks for your inspirational weight loss journey shared with us all. As for me I weigh about 6 lbs. more then you and I am shorter =( boo. Its kinda hard to cut out foods like Kalua Pig and Haupia! Mya is a great dancer but as for being a girl I will have to vote for Donny! Who do you think will win? Thank you for the chance to win such an awesome prize!
Christine

Ahlquist Family said...

I knew it would be Donny!! Too many fans!! Mya was great, but way to go Donny! Congrats on your weight loss! You look great!

Maria Williams :) said...

Congrats on your weight loss! Stay strong and positive!! :)

I want to see The Blind Side, glad to hear you enjoyed it so much.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Deb said...

I so love reading your blog, you make me laugh and also think. I want all of them to win, Donnie is a showman, Mia a dancer and Kelly has come so far and tried so hard. It's not who the best dancer is but who we vote for....can they all win???
Much love and Blessings for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Deb

MommaC said...

Congratulations, Linda! Your attitude is inspirational ... I hope one day to be at that place so that I can commit to a weight loss program to live longer
As I was reading your post this morning, a number of questions popped into my head ... and as I read further, you answered most of them. Thank you!
Thank you for the chance to win a free pass to UStamp ... I've only missed one so far ... they are so much fun!

Terri Trotter Earley said...

So glad to hear you are doing so well with your diet! I saw Donny won, but I was really hoping for Mia!

It's a good life!
Terri E

Mary said...

I haven't been watching DWTS, but I wanted to tell you congratulations on your awesome weight loss! Your blog inspires me.

Kristin Markus said...

I don't watch Dancing with the Stars but I sure would love to win 2 passes!!!
You're looking great! I can't believe how quickly the weight comes off!

Ruth Norton said...

As I'm writing this on Wednesday I already know the winner. I'm so pleased that Donny won. He's such a wonderful entertainer and a great dancer. I was really hoping to see Kelly and Donny in the final two but that didn't happen. Yes, Mya's great too but she started great, Donny and Kelly had to work to get great. That's just my thought. Very glad Donny won though!
Thanks for chance at a Ustamp pass!!

Unknown said...

Yea Donny! Everything he touches turns to gold...I mean purple!

Dee Tollaksen said...

Gee whiz, weight loss vs. heaving all night. . . I wish I had stopped reading at the success part of the story! I'm excited to see the cookbook, and I want a pass to UStamp. Pick Me!

Sonya said...

Congratulations on your weight loss journey! I don't watch Dancing with the Stars, so I can't comment on who might win. I'm a big fan of So You Think You Can Dance, although it's too early in the season to really determine who is likely to win this time around. Oh, and thanks for offering us an opportunity to win a free pass, I haven't yet joined any of the sessions yet but heard some great things about it!

Heather A said...

Wonderful news about your weight loss. It must be so much fun to choose the smaller sized clothes.
I agree about the movie. It was so good!

Terry Molineux said...

Linda I do not watch dancing with the stars but I do want to congratulate you on your weight loss you are an inspiration but I could never do it...I do not have that kind of willpower. We have a family reunion in 2010 and if I do not lose 100 lbs. I am not going!

You are doing a great job! Thanks for giving us updates.

carpediem said...

Congrats on your weight loss!!! I enjoy visiting your blog! laura j

Emily said...

Hi Linda! Thanks for the great movie suggestion, I'll have to go this weekend. Congrats on your weight loss, it's such an accomplishment! Happy Thanksgiving :-)

Emily

Sylvia De Jong-Simpson said...

Linda,
I'm so proud of you with your wonderful self control and your amazing weight loss. And isn't it fun to wear new clothes! Please enter me into the contest for a free pass to UStamp w/ Dawn and Friends.
Can't wait for April 10th!
love you,
Sylvia

Mel Hopes said...

do I still get a chance at the U Stamp passes? I would love to win!!!!!

I knew that
Donny would win and I am glad he did.

Love you and glad the clothes are working for you.

M

Carmen said...

WOW!! That is fantastic!! Well except the eating part. Gld the diet has been working out for you!

Anonymous said...

Amazing weight loss -- congrats. And my daughter and I were excited to see Donny win. We thought he was the best in the final freestyle dance. Catherine Harwood www.321stamp.com

SueB said...

I don't watch Dancing with the Stars but I looked up the lineup - I was going to say Kathy Ireland but it looks like she's already been booted. So, how about Donny Osmond. And then again, maybe I'm just way too late with this post!

LeAnne said...

Linda, I just came across your blog via Makeesha Byl and am thrilled to see your pretty face and your NEW slender bod! How exciting! Keep up the good work.....it is a drear but the rewards are worth it!