Sep 3, 2010 update by Mary-84
<- Photo taken on	Aug 20, 2010
Journey start date	Oct 20, 2005	Currently at 99.52% of goal
Total loss since start	41.5 lbs	Now has 0.2 lbs left to goal
Since last update	Gained 1.2 lbs
Weight at this update	135.2 lbs
198 of 198
		My Picture Progress

Hello Everyone,

Today I was telling my hubby that I hated to see what my graph looks like now. Since reaching maintenance, I have made the graph look like rickrack. Yesterday the thought hit me that my weight is always on my mind. I gave that some more thought and realized that is really nothing new. The big difference is that I used to forever think about wanting to lose weight. Now I think about wanting to keep it off. Sometimes I wish that I could put it out of my mind and just eat without concern for the consequences. Since it is so easy for me to gain weight, I know that will never be an option for me!

This week I had jury duty, but didn’t have to serve on a case, if fact we were all released. None of the cases were ready that day. Tomorrow we are going to San Juan Capistrano. We are having lunch there with my daughter. This has been a very full week and I just realized tonight that next week is just as full. One day I will be attending a workshop at the Apple store. I got an Ipod touch for my birthday and I need some instructions on some things. I imagine the workshop will be full of young people. I’m sure I will learn a lot from them too!

Have a wonderful week and a safe and fun Labor Day. Thanks ever so much for all of your loving encouragement. I love you all, Mary

	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Shirley-261 from Tennessee on Sep 3, 2010 Your graph looks better Mary than MOST of the long-term maintainers.  I checked them out this morning.  Yours is a tiny, tiny jagged line that pretty much has stayed in the same place... within a pound or two from where you want to be.  That is perfect maintenance.  No one's body will stay at a flat, straight line because even if we ate the perfect amount of calories and got just the right amount of exercise, we have fluid fluctuations in our body and weight is constantly changing.  If it was a 10 pound difference, that might be another story, but that isn't your story.  Yours is one that give HUGE hope to all of us and I'm grateful for your graph.  It's what I want mine to look like one day.  :)
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Dave-40 from ON, Canada on Sep 3, 2010 A rickrack, eh? :-) I would say that's an evidence of life! Flat-lining, well. we won't go there! Enjoy your Apple experience, Mary - it'll be fun, I'm sure. - Dave
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Cathy-241 from California on Sep 3, 2010 Hi Mary.... I can completely relate to your wanting to put the weight thoughts out of your mind and just eat anything you want... I've had those thoughts many, many times... I use to have a lot of anger about them....Thanks to HealthStewards, I've been able to let go of a lot of that.. I hope your Apple Store class is fun and that your class in San Juan Capistrano is also good.. Have a nice day. cathy
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Theresa-333 from California on Sep 3, 2010 Isn't it fun learning all the time? I hope you enjoy your class, and the others in attendance. Life is full of learning. We never stop. I find that amazing! :-) I liked your "rickrack" description. That makes it really easy to understand how you feel about it. I also really like what Dave had to say about it. And I agree! It just means you're living life. And the fact that your "lifeline" is not an uphill climb does, indeed, indicate you are a model maintenance steward. It sure would be nice if we didn't have to be on the constant alert, wouldn't it? I know that feeling too, as I'm sure we all must. Thanks for another wonderfully thoughtful update, Mary. :-)
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Kathy-227 from Arkansas on Sep 3, 2010 How cool to have an iPod touch and learn how to use it!! Keep doing stuff like that and you'll never get old!
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward John-331 from California on Sep 3, 2010 Have a great weekend, Mary!
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Lorie-137 from Arizona on Sep 4, 2010 Hi Mary!  I like how Dave views your "ric rac".  LIFE.  Very cool.  Life's worth living, don't you think?  At least your ric rac is where it belongs!  :-)
	Posted by fellow HealthSteward Julia-342 from Washington on Sep 5, 2010 Dear Mary: thanks for sharing your story. I found that using my ipod while walking on trails keeps me walking longer. San Juan Capistrano is such a cool place, I hope you had a great visit. Remember that a pound or 2 fluctuation is not unusual due to water retention and such. You are doing a great job!