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Points Store! I went shopping!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Retired Broker/Owner AZ Broker BR030809000

By now you've probably heard about the ActiveRain June Challenge, right?  If not here's a link so you can take a look and figure out how you want to spend your ActiveRain Points!  

ActiveRain June Challenge- ActiveRain Point Store is Open!

About 15 years I started to gain weight, even thou I ate very healthy and was very active in hiking, golf, etc.   At first they thought it was a thyroid issue so they put me on a natural medication.  Well then they discovered I add an autoimmune type so they had to shift me to another drug.  That brought those numbers to 'normal'. But the pounds slowly but surely kept finding me. So they said - stop having so much salt and drink more water.  Holy smokes more water?  I was already drinking a lot of water all day long!  But I followed what they told me. And at some point I accepted my situation and bought bigger clothes and went about my business.

Fast forward to this past year or so a brilliant doctor at the Mayo Clinic knew exactly what was the reason the weight gain (even thou that's not why I was seeing her). She asked me a lot of questions and low and behold said - You are not having enough salt and  you're drinking too much water.   Go figure!  I followed her suggestions and guess what?  With absolutely no effort at all that weight started to come off with just those couple of shifts.  Fast forward to this year and I'm about 60+ pounds less than I had been for too many years.  Back to normal - almost!  My last post photo is my normal weight I had for years and years and now I'm almost to that point! Yes! Just a little older and wiser now too.......😊🍌

 

 

BUT in the process of cleaning out my closet recently, I had nothing that fit me.  As in nada!  I wasn't able to get out shopping due to a hip issue so I had to wait until I could get out there and shop shop SHOP!  And oh boy, did I have fun.  I found so many cute tops etc.  And I still am actively shopping when I can!  Oh I know, so sad, isn't it!!

That's where my ActiveRain Points came in handy!  I decided that when the Point Store opened that I would spend some of my points on clothes!  Now my closet is looking colorful again and I've got plenty of clothes to chose from every day.  I'm having fun again - like I always used to all my life. 

 

You want to spend your points?

 

Check out the AR June Challenge!

  

 

 

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Comments(15)

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George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Anna "Banana" Kruchten I bet your hubby will be happy you will be using ActiveRain points, and not the green stuff in his wallet.  🤣

Jun 13, 2025 03:59 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

OMG, you are hilarious, George Souto!! I hadn't even thought of that!

Jun 24, 2025 08:30 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

LOL George Souto what?  You mean all that money I made isn't mine but his?  Say it isn't so 🤣

Jun 14, 2025 11:18 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Congrats!   It feels good to drop the weight and buy some current clothes :) 

 If you're like me, lots of additional health benefits that come with that (e.g. my afib episodes have become much more infrequent and when I have one, less than a day instead of days to a week before resolving).

Jun 13, 2025 04:02 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Liz and Bill Spear Bill.....honestly I did absolutely nothing to lose the weight. Nothing.  Same choices etc.  But for some reason I was low in salt and had too much water.  Weird, yes. 

I am very glad to hear that your afib has shifted towards a better place.  Did you get one of those 'watchmen' things.  My brother was talking about getting one for his afib.

Jun 14, 2025 11:21 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Anna "Banana" Kruchten , no equipment, just meds (so far) for the afib.   I think a combination of things have led to the reduction, weight loss of over 30 pounds in the last 3 months, and my holistic medicine nurse has added some magnesium supplements that are supposed to relax my heart.  My resting pulse rate has dropped from high 50s to mid/low 40s typically.  I've still got plenty of weight to lose, but I'm steadily heading in the right direction.  It's all diet changes and not making nearly as many bad choices (no soda in the last 3 months, cookies and ice cream are now a rare treat, etc.).  It's not been as hard to get used to as I expected it to be.

Jun 14, 2025 07:59 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Good for you Bill!  Keep on keeping on!

Jun 15, 2025 12:13 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring journey and fun shopping story, Anna "Banana" Kruchten! I really appreciate the honest way you described your experience and how ActiveRain Points helped you refresh your wardrobe. It’s great to see how you’re finding joy in the little things and staying positive throughout. 😊

Jun 13, 2025 05:08 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Lew Corcoran it's been fun filling up that closet - kind of -have a ways to go yet but I've got plenty of fun summer colors so I'm good.  Being grateful for all the little things has fueled my life with you!!  

Jun 14, 2025 11:23 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Anna- I love to hear good news every day, and yours is tops for the whole week!!!  It has to be frustrating thinking you're doing what you're supposed to do and yet the pounds aren't going anywhere. The biggest issue when you're ill or have any health issue is finding the right professional to diagnose what you have. 

Jun 13, 2025 05:18 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Kathy Streib yes it was frustrating at first!  Especially when I'd be hiking up and down the hills 5 miles a day and never lose a pound. At some point I simply stopped focusing on 'weight' and started buying lots of fun clothes.  Life goes one with fun clothes!  LOL  And luck was with me running into that very wise Indian Doctor.  I just wonder if this is an issue for more people than we think?

Jun 14, 2025 11:25 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

It is truly amazing how so many doctors can look at a person and not pursue the issue and make an assumption and walk away.

Fortunately for you, you found the right doctor that made the trip to the AR points  store necessary, 

Congratulations.

Jun 13, 2025 06:59 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 you got that right.  There is another doctor that totally missed the boat on the hip issue and OMG what a mess that created.  But, what do you do, deal with what's on hand and make the best of it, right!!  That's what I did! Next....

And yes - thank goodness for those valuable points!  🙃

Jun 14, 2025 11:27 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good for you Anna "Banana" Kruchten !

My doctor says sea salt is good and I use it all the time. Good for your..60 lbs down and now you need a new wardrobe!! Spend those points!

Jun 13, 2025 07:06 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Dorie Dillard Austin TX as I mentioned to Bill, I had nothing to do with it!!  It simply kept coming off little by little because of that wise doctors advice. Thankfully.  As for sea salt I've been using that for years - just not a lot of it.  Now I use more!  And everything tastes better!  Imagine that!!

Jun 14, 2025 11:29 AM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

OK I get it yur points can get you theoretical clothing and that is a great thing Anna.

However, the BIG question that needs to be answered is "Can Points Buy One Love"? I want to ready that story.

Jun 13, 2025 10:18 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Well Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI why don't you write a post and let us know if points can buy one love!!  I mean the challenge is about creativity and fun!  And you are a lot of Fun bro!

Jun 14, 2025 11:30 AM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI

OK Anna "Banana" Kruchten , I might just do that. 😀

Jun 14, 2025 12:34 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Anna - no sighs as your post shows opinions as well as diagnosis can vary.   Why?  Wondering continues.  And that a reminder about this month's challenge fits multiple purposes is a nice bonus.  

Jun 14, 2025 02:53 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Bonus Michael Jacobs !  And the wondering does continue every day.....and it's been fun!

Jun 14, 2025 11:31 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

60+ pounds! How wonderful! I'm so happy for you, and glad you were able to get financial help buying those beautiful new clothes!

Jun 14, 2025 05:03 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Kat Palmiotti who knew it could have been so simple 15 years ago!!  If only they had known about that little secret!  And absolutely, it's been fun shopping!  One day I found about 8 to 10 fun and colorful summer tops.  Don't think I've ever done that before.  Look what points can do!! 😆

Jun 14, 2025 11:33 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Congratulations on the weight loss, Anna. And what's more fun than shopping for a new wardrobe? (I'd just like to do it in NY City or Paris, myself.)

Jun 14, 2025 05:03 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Anna "Banana" Kruchten hi Anna... growing up in NY City I did not have experience of travelling somewhere to shop for school clothes and since I wore a uniform until I graduated from high school, I didn't have clothes shopping for school at all. :(

Jun 14, 2025 12:29 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Nina Hollander, Broker thank you except, like I said, I had nothing to do with it. It simply happened over a few months or so because of that wise doctor's wisdom on this issue.  The idea of a big shopping trip for me is so not on the table until next year.  But then....who knows!!  But you did make me think of how my Mom would take us to MPLS and shop for school clothes and stay at a fancy hotel as a kid.  That was fun!  Haven't thought about that in years and years!

Jun 14, 2025 11:35 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hey Nina Hollander, Broker oh those uniforms!  Even tho I went to a boarding school in High School we didn't have to wear uniforms.  And I was happy about that.    

Jun 14, 2025 07:32 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Saturday morning, Anna. Congratulations on your weight loss.

I have been far overweight for most of my life but am now at the lowest weight of my adult life. I can relate to the issues of clothes that fit.

Jun 14, 2025 06:34 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Roy Kelley well there's always amazon to shop for clothes if you can't get out right now!  I found a few things there!  Enjoy your weekend!

Jun 14, 2025 11:36 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Oh, Miss Anna "Banana" Kruchten - I've been there ... where nothing fit! The downside is that I do not like to shop ... at all! 

You choose to spend your points wisely ...so happy to hear your health and weight is being restored, you are having fun again, and are Happy! 🍌🍌🍌💙💛

Jun 14, 2025 08:06 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Well that's a bummer Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist - you don't like to shop!  That's not me.  I like to shop, just not when it's super busy!!  I am so pleased that Doctor pointed me in the right direction from all the other ones!  She's my hero!  I feel much better now.  But you know me, fun has always been my middle name!! 💛🍌

Jun 14, 2025 11:39 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Anna Banana and you look great, You look good back in 2011 when I met yo0u ad your husband and your picture you are sharing looks great also.'

Jun 14, 2025 12:20 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Hi Will Hamm thanks!  It was around that time that I started gaining weight.  I don't plan to go down that route ever again. ]

 

Happy Fathers Day!!

Jun 14, 2025 07:34 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

WhooHoo! I'm excited to see your new wardrobe this winter! 

Jun 15, 2025 08:21 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Well Miss Carol Williams by then I'll be needing warmer clothes.  So, we'll go shopping when you're here!

Jun 15, 2025 12:14 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

OMG, that is CRAZY, Anna! Thank GOD for your new doctor! As for the closet, I literally laughed out loud at George's points vs. cash comment! That is exactly what would worry Ray! And I notice that when I gain weight, I have FAR more black/dark clothes in my closet. When I'm loosing or down in weight, there are many more FUN colors and clothing in my closet! 

Love this and could not be happier for you. 😘

Jun 24, 2025 08:33 PM