Okay… It’s less than a week til our big One Year Anniversary here at OWOA!! But I wanna start the party early. (I’m in a partying mood!) Here’s what I want to do. I want to have the longest comment thread we have ever had here on the site. It won’t rival this, of course, but we’ll do our best! I want a running list of all the fabulous, marvelous, wonderful things about this site, eating right, exercising, and of course - losing weight. I don’t care how small the thought is - I want it listed! And only ONE thing per comment. So comment a LOT! 
The great thing is…
I’ll start it off…
LOTS more energy!!!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 5:48 am
Being able to swing on swings without worrying about the chain breaking!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 5:48 am
NOT having the nurse say “hold on while I go get a bigger blood pressure cuff” (I HATED that!)
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 5:48 am
Having your kids say “Mommy your looking thinner”
Comment by Kellie — July 19, 2007 @ 5:51 am
Knowing you can do anything you set your mind too.
Comment by Kellie — July 19, 2007 @ 5:52 am
Realizing fun and food don’t have to go together, you can have fun and still not eat like a hog!
Comment by Kellie — July 19, 2007 @ 5:52 am
Having friends all over the world cheering you on.
Comment by Kellie — July 19, 2007 @ 5:53 am
You don’t have to worry about not fitting in the airplane seat.
Comment by Cristina — July 19, 2007 @ 5:57 am
You don’t have to worry whether the airplane seat belt with fit.
Comment by Cristina — July 19, 2007 @ 5:58 am
You don’t have to try on 10 outfits to find one that fits right.
Comment by Cristina — July 19, 2007 @ 5:59 am
lovely friends that you’ve never met!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 6:01 am
Walking into ANY store and knowing you can fit into the clothes
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 6:01 am
feeling justified in keeping all those pre-pregnancy clothes.
Comment by Jana — July 19, 2007 @ 6:41 am
no more knee pain.
Comment by Jana — July 19, 2007 @ 6:42 am
feeling sexy.
Comment by Jana — July 19, 2007 @ 6:42 am
Watching numbers go DOWN instead of UP
Comment by Kellie — July 19, 2007 @ 7:18 am
Knowing that if you blow it you have a bunch of woman who know how you feel and gently encourage you to do your best, yet they genly catch you if you fall again. I love this sight! I know I am new here, but I love checking on how everyone is doing.
Comment by Nikki — July 19, 2007 @ 7:28 am
Feeling good in hot weather!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 7:32 am
(love ya Nikki!!)
Being unashamed to wear tank tops and shorts in aforementioned hot weather!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 7:32 am
finding cool things to do with people besides eat!
Comment by Brandi — July 19, 2007 @ 7:43 am
fitting together better with your husband ;o)
Comment by Mandi — July 19, 2007 @ 7:46 am
3/4 sleeves are one of many options….not just my only option
Comment by Mandi — July 19, 2007 @ 7:47 am
not being afraid of people with cameras
Comment by Mandi — July 19, 2007 @ 7:48 am
SPUNKS!!!!
Comment by Mandi — July 19, 2007 @ 7:50 am
realizing you actually like whole grain wheat bread
Comment by Mandi — July 19, 2007 @ 7:50 am
Shorts!
Comment by Anne — July 19, 2007 @ 8:15 am
Loving exercise more.
Comment by Anne — July 19, 2007 @ 8:15 am
discovering brussels sprouts with garlic
Comment by Brandi — July 19, 2007 @ 8:15 am
Feeling “normal”
Comment by Anne — July 19, 2007 @ 8:15 am
Did anyone else get this: “Sorry, you can only post a new comment once every 15 seconds. Slow down cowboy.” ?!?!?!
Comment by Anne — July 19, 2007 @ 8:16 am
discovering chick peas in a big way (garbanzos to some people)
Comment by Debs — July 19, 2007 @ 8:18 am
having something to read when you have a spare 5 minutes at work
Comment by Debs — July 19, 2007 @ 8:19 am
starting with weight loss as a similar goal, but finding many many more things in common
Comment by Debs — July 19, 2007 @ 8:20 am
having some place to feed my blog commenting addiction
Comment by Debs — July 19, 2007 @ 8:21 am
being the proud parents of at least 4 “beach babies” (people who began the diet as a direct result of our example) and watching them melt away right before our eyes!
BTW, Blest–you know you are our beach mama, right?
Comment by Brandi — July 19, 2007 @ 8:22 am
discipline with food = discipline in other areas of my life
Comment by Brandi — July 19, 2007 @ 8:25 am
eating an apple and marveling at how sweet they are
Comment by Brandi — July 19, 2007 @ 8:26 am
Trying out loads of new healthy recipes
Comment by Bekki — July 19, 2007 @ 9:25 am
Having people to share the good stuff and the bad stuff with.
Comment by Bekki — July 19, 2007 @ 9:26 am
Enriching our knowledge of each other’s version of English
Comment by Bekki — July 19, 2007 @ 9:27 am
Going on an exciting weight loss journey with my Mum and Sister as well as lots of amazing people across the ocean
Comment by Debs — July 19, 2007 @ 9:27 am
A regular need for new clothes.
Comment by Bekki — July 19, 2007 @ 9:28 am
Purple babybels. I mean, PURPLE!, how cool is that.
Comment by Debs — July 19, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Having women I can ask to pray for me and knowing they will…
Oh, could you all please pray for wisdom for my husband and I as we are putting our house on the market and thinking of making a big move that would be way out of our comfort zone. I know you are used to this Blest! So I’m counting on you. We are in Northern CA and thinking of moving to S. CA and my hubby becoming a Deputy Sheriff. Very exciting but we want it all to be in God’s will.
Thanks ladies, and gentlemen!!!
Comment by Nikki — July 19, 2007 @ 10:05 am
You know what I love about this sight??? EVERYTHING!Espeshally the radish recipe.
Comment by Nikki — July 19, 2007 @ 10:06 am
the courage to do things you previously thought impossible–like going to a wedding and not eating any cake!
Comment by Brandi — July 19, 2007 @ 10:27 am
I don’t remember the last time I had indigestion…
Comment by Brandi — July 19, 2007 @ 10:52 am
Accountability.
Comment by Anita — July 19, 2007 @ 10:52 am
Fun contests that encourage good habits.
Comment by Anita — July 19, 2007 @ 10:53 am
Other people who understand why I don’t want to eat all that junk!
Comment by Anita — July 19, 2007 @ 10:53 am
Learning to make food less important and people and our relationship with God more important.
Comment by Anita — July 19, 2007 @ 10:54 am
i love the high that i get from exercise
Comment by Cristina — July 19, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
All my OWOA friends
Comment by Cristina — July 19, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
strawberries
Comment by Debs — July 19, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
growing your own fruit and vegetables
Comment by Debs — July 19, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
New clothes
Comment by Caroline — July 19, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
discovering mushrooms sauteed in soy sauce and red wine makes as good a side dish as rice.
Comment by Caroline — July 19, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
finding out I love zucchini baked with parmesan cheese
Comment by Caroline — July 19, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
MOndays!!!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
Not only not being afraid of the camera - but LOVING the camera!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 2:33 pm
All that money I don’t spend on fast food.
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 2:34 pm
Having other people ask “WHAT are you DOING?!”
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 2:34 pm
NOT being totally wiped out by days spent at VBS
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 2:34 pm
Well its getting late in the day but here goes. Having lots of people ask what diet are you on then, it must be good.
Comment by elly — July 19, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Finding its possible to eat a meal without potatoes, rice or other stdoge and still be full but not too full.
Comment by elly — July 19, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
The friendship of all you girls over the pond. Thats really awesome. you are all so honest. Thanks girls, and Bird!
Comment by elly — July 19, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
All the people who have commented including some men, some at church and the caretaker at work. That felt really special somehow.
Comment by elly — July 19, 2007 @ 3:12 pm
New clothes and being able to get into a size 14 at least on top.I was 20! (sorry English sizes so not sure quite how they relate to US)
Comment by elly — July 19, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
Feeling good about myself.
Comment by elly — July 19, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
thinking my shoe size had increased from having three children and now realizing my feet are the same size they have always been!
Comment by Brandi — July 19, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Dropping my blood pressure from 145/90 to 106/62
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
NOT being heavier than my six foot tall husband.
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
NOT feeling like I am an embarassment to said husband at military functions.
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
Having my husband’s clothes be too big for me!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
baggy pants.
Comment by Anita — July 19, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
trying new and interesting vegetables.
Comment by Anita — July 19, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
No more swollen ankles!
Comment by Gina — July 19, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
More confidence
Comment by Gina — July 19, 2007 @ 7:43 pm
Encouragement and motivation from others who are on the same path!
Comment by Gina — July 19, 2007 @ 7:45 pm
Not being completely embarrassed when hanging out with my skinny friends.
Comment by Gina — July 19, 2007 @ 7:46 pm
Wearing the size jeans I were in high school! Boo-yah!
Comment by Bird — July 19, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
Wearing jeans WAY smaller than what I wore in high school - BOO YAH TIMES TWO!!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
Coming off stage and having someone tell you that they were in the audience going “Whoa - she’s buff!”
Comment by blestwithsons — July 19, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
Reading (though not always commenting on) all the encouraging and helpful things you ladies have to say!
Comment by Debbie — July 19, 2007 @ 10:47 pm
Having friends who keep you going and make you realize that you ARE losing weight, even if it’s super slow!
Comment by Tracy — July 19, 2007 @ 10:55 pm
freedom from sugar addiction!
Comment by Brandi — July 20, 2007 @ 6:22 am
Bondage to exercise addiction!!!
Comment by blest — July 20, 2007 @ 6:39 am
being able to run for more than a block
Comment by Brandi — July 20, 2007 @ 8:28 am
being able to run for half an hour
Comment by Brandi — July 20, 2007 @ 8:29 am
not feeling like I am going to die after half an hour of running
Comment by Brandi — July 20, 2007 @ 8:29 am
actually looking forward to my morning run and having to MAKE myself take a day off per week…I found a new hobby
Comment by Brandi — July 20, 2007 @ 8:31 am
Seeing people get excited about running!!
Comment by blest — July 20, 2007 @ 8:37 am
Having things to laugh about - sometimes you guys crease me up.
Comment by elly — July 20, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Porridge with walnuts and cinnamon - yummy
Comment by elly — July 20, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Roasted asparagus
Comment by elly — July 20, 2007 @ 2:11 pm
Learning (slowly) some US geography
Comment by elly — July 20, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Whoa! I miss a day here and WOW!!
Great friends from all over!
Comment by Bethany — July 20, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
Being free of soda!
Comment by Bethany — July 20, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
Making new friends online that become real life good friends! Hi Christy!!
Comment by Bethany — July 20, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
Getting to be the 100th commenter!
Comment by Bethany — July 20, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
Watching many of you hit goal or get super close to goal recently! You all rock!
Comment by Bethany — July 20, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
Oh Anne, maybe I’m just a weird-o, but I’ve gotten that “Slow down cowboy” message many times over the last two years of my blogging life.
Comment by Bethany — July 20, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
apple slices dipped in peanut butter
Comment by Brandi — July 20, 2007 @ 2:48 pm
most of my jeans being too loose instead of being too tight!
Comment by Brandi — July 20, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
fewer mood swings
Comment by Brandi — July 20, 2007 @ 2:57 pm
Celebrating my birthday without its being about what I’m going to eat.
Comment by blestwithsons — July 20, 2007 @ 3:11 pm
Hey Blest, when is that exactly,anyway?
Comment by Bethany — July 20, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Exactly?
Today - for a few more hours!
And I just cooked myself a lovely dinner of salmon, zucchini, and green beans. Man! Why go out when you can eat like this!!!
Comment by blest — July 20, 2007 @ 6:19 pm
Recipes! Lovely lovely wonderful yummy healthy easy recipes!
Comment by blest — July 20, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
My belly getting smaller and not talking anymore!
Comment by Bird — July 20, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
seeing healthier habits transfer to my children…they like more veggies both cooked and raw
Comment by Brandi — July 23, 2007 @ 6:41 am
Being able to wear super short hair…which is good when your hairdresser gets a little carried away.
Comment by blestwithsons — July 23, 2007 @ 7:04 am
Having a jaw line!! And collarbones! And a rib cage!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 23, 2007 @ 7:04 am
My husband’s positive comments.
Comment by Anita — July 23, 2007 @ 8:11 am
knowing that I have learned how to eat for life; that I am not “itching” to go back to the old ways of eating when I am “done” with the diet.
Comment by Brandi — July 23, 2007 @ 10:23 am
Good one, Brandi!
Lots of choices for clothes at Goodwill!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 23, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
Wearing belts
Comment by blestwithsons — July 23, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Fitting comfortably behind the wheel of my husband’s truck.
Seriously - my arms are so short - and I’m so short- that I had to put the seat pretty close and put the wheel down as far as it would go…but then my monster thighs had to squeeze under there. UGH. Now I fit just fine - though I think I look silly driving it.
Comment by blestwithsons — July 23, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
Going from being the biggest lady on the worship team to being one of the littlest.
Comment by blestwithsons — July 23, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
Having my Weight Match my HEIGHT!
Being petite in height and plus in clothes is not fun!!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 23, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
Monday weigh-ins…although not always “fun,” I am thankful for the accountability!
Comment by Brandi — July 23, 2007 @ 2:34 pm
A hubby who is “man” (or”bird?”) enough to join a site full of women for the weight-loss support
Comment by Brandi — July 23, 2007 @ 2:35 pm
And a bunch of way-cool supportive ladies who have welcomed him (and me too!) with open cyber-arms
Comment by Brandi — July 23, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Hanging with the chicks.
Comment by Bird — July 23, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
Bird and the Chicks….
Sounds like a Motown group.
Comment by blestwithsons — July 23, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
Getting “Bonita, bonita! Muy delgada” at Goodwill when modeling a new-to-me for $5 dress!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 23, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
not feeling like you can only wear a certain “cut” of skirt or pants
Comment by Brandi — July 24, 2007 @ 6:19 am
Planning trips and vacations around how to meet OWOA people!
Comment by blestwithsons — July 24, 2007 @ 6:23 am
Looking at your lunch and noticing that it looks like a (healthier) Louanne Platter from Luby’s. (The Louanne Platter is your choice of 3 veggies…something I have never ordered) Veggies used to be a necessary evil…now they are the stars! I am seriously addicted to the roasted Brussels sprouts, especially!
Comment by Brandi — July 24, 2007 @ 11:38 am
Okay….I know this is wrong….but
Getting checked out - and grinned at- by the uber-hot dude at Starbucks (while I tried my darnedest not to notice - or at least to seem like I didn’t notice!).
I’m sorry. But it was cool and I liked it. Put me on your prayer lists.
Comment by blestwithsons — July 24, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
the uber-hot dude at Starbucks
Good thing your hubby isn’t a blogger.
Comment by Bird — July 25, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
*snort!*
Very true. He would just laugh though. (at least at the part about my being checked out. I wouldn’t say the guy was uber-hot if I were telling him the story. That just wouldn’t be polite!
)He is about the most un-jealous guy on the planet. That and I think we’re both getting used to the idea that anyone would actually seriously check me out.
So - another great thing is…
Being Check-out-able!! (makes me sound like a library book!)
Comment by blestwithsons — July 25, 2007 @ 6:18 pm