Hello everyone. I have been reading everything but just haven't written much. I am busy with my family. My 95 year old mother's mind is getting worse. Last week she didn't recall my name. That sucks. My mentally challenged brother, he is 6 years older than me, is a handful. Tomorrow we are looking into adult day care for him. I hope it works.
Today my oldest son is 39. Can't believe I have a child that old. I baby sat his son, Max the other night. Max is 14 months and priceless. Laughs, yells and loves to eat fruit.
I belong to a gym and Friday was my first time there since November. I went yesterday and today and I feel much better about me. It was like starting over again. I went slow and didn't push myself but loved it. Do you know what you call people like me that pay and don't go to the gym?, profit! My husband won't get off his fat ass and go with me.
A high school friend posted this, funny and dumb: I want to die like my grandfather, in my sleep, no pain not yelling and screaming like the people in his car. I have a weird sense of humor.
Before the band my tops were either a 2 or 3 xl plus size woman's. Yesterday I bought a new sweat shirt, size misses large! Yeah! me! Now to just get rid of the muffin top which is my largest part of the body.
Everyone have a great week. Thursday, Boston is either getting lots of snow or rain. They don't know yet.
Arlene
Well I joined the gym December 17th with my husband. We try to go 3-5 times a week. Just got home and must say the 2 of us have improved our work outs. I can now do the bike for 20 minutes. When I started I was at 10 minutes and level 1 and now up to level 4 or 5. I try other machines for the legs and arms. My husband has been very sick and extremely weak and he is enjoying the gym. He once was a work out nut, like 30 something years ago. My husband almost died 15 months ago and is still not good, he collects SSD at age 61. It sucks. The gym is helping him a lot and making him feel better about himself. We only go for about 1/2 hour right now but at least we are moving
We live in the Boston area and it's around 10 tonight or maybe colder with the wind chill so you have to do in door exercises. They gym is cheap, $10. per month a person. Best $20. we have spent in years!
Enjoy your evening.
Arlene
Happy Thursday everyone. Today I start Stage 5 and it's my birthday. My new life is starting and I am 62. It took me all these years to finally take care of me first. Having lunch out at a fish restaurant with my son and husband. I hope I do well eating something different.
Have a great day everyone and think THIN! we are all worth it.
Good afternoon everyone.
tonight on 20/20 they are going to have the People 1/2 their size on. Good program to get inspired!
I got inspired this morning, less than one pound to go and I will be under 200. I haven't seen that number in many many years and I am looking forward to it.
Enjoy your TGIF, all.
I was reading about how some people give up and then go back to their doctor for help, which is wonderful. Then there are the people who blame. I have a cousin, Ilana (real name) a know it all RN, who had bypass surgery about 8-10 years ago and is now over weight, again. She blames her surgery for failing. She likes to snack, have her afternoon wine and a cocktail when dining out. Her mother had the bypass over 25 years ago and she also gained all her weight back. (she passed away from cancer). Why do people have surgery and then blame the surgery for failing and not themselves. Ilana went back to her doctor and said the surgery failed, could he re-operate. He said, no. Good for him. We are given a TOOL and we have to learn to use it and respect it. If we don't then we are back to being over weight and it is our fault, no one else.
Yesterday I had Chinese food for lunch, had a few other bad choices during the day, my fault, I gained or retained fluid from the sodium, my fault, can't blame anyone else for me, failing.
I got the Band 8 months ago today and I think I am doing ok. Not a super fast weight loss but a decent one. I see my doctor in a few weeks and I do lose every time which I like and he does too.
Have a wonderful weekend. Happy Passover and Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates.
Arlene
I was surfing on the tv and found an old Dr. Phil. The obese husband wouldn't go near his wife unless she was under 200 pounds. They have not had sex or kissed in 2 years. She got under 200 and he still won't go near her. He is obese and had the nerve to say he wants his size 10 wife back. Dr. Phil told him off but good. That is a form of abuse according to the doctor and I believe it.
I have heard of people that can not handle it when their partner loses a lot of weight and that they leave. That is sad. I know my husband and I have been married 42 1/2 years and have both been thick and thin but mostly thick for us. We are not going any where.
Everyone enjoy the rest of your long weekend.
Arlene aka 'Eye Candy'
So my big butt was so big it could hold a serving tray. Well it is gone! I need a butt lift and I still have a lot to lose. My husband said I need to have the fat sucked from the belly and put into the butt. I told him they do that in Brazil. Brazil, here we come? It is a nice feeling to know that huge monster is gone and there is still room for improvement. I have a lot of belly fat. I go to the gym but I am sure I need to something else to work it off. The fat took many years to get there and it will take some time to get off the body. my fatonmythighs have lost at least 6" since September (that was when I started taking measurements).
I hope every one realizes that inches count as much as numbers on the metal monster when losing.
Every one enjoy your thinner day, off to the gym now.
:wub:Arlene
Tory Johnson is on GMA and was sort of told lose weight. She has a book coming out called The Shift. I don't know much about her or the book. She is doing a book tour but very over priced tickets, $75. What nerve in my eyes. On Yahoo it said something about nail polish helped her. I have been saying that for a long time. You can not eat with wet nails. I have used that trick for around 25-30 years
Just because someone like Tory is on tv doesn't mean your bosses have the right to tell you to lose weight. My thoughts.
Enjoy your evening-sleep tight.
Arlene
So today I went to the dietitian and then the doctor. Went well. The doctor said I have lost 60% of my fat and he wished all his patients lost that much. I was banded July 30th, so it is 10 months ago. He said if I stay at this weight the rest of my life, he will be happy. I want to lose more but don't know how much. I did not have a fill today. I was told I have 1.8 in my band and that was 3 fills. My doctor does slow and it works. I am down 10 pounds since February and he was fine with that.
I have bad allergies and so I bought Walgreen's children's liquid and the sugar in it has given me stomach problems. The doctor told me to try swallowing the small pills I have and said the worse thing is I will throw it up.
I don't need to see the doctor for 2 months. I feel wonderful about today's visits.
:wub: Everyone have a wonderful weekend.
Arlene
So today I go for my second fill. I do eat too much and too fast and when I eat too fast I know it.
I have my son's dog since last night. My daughter-in-law is having a baby due around Xmas, last night she started to have a leak. So they kept her over night. Still no hard labor. Who knows when the baby will be born. She is at the same hospital as my doctor but no visitors in labor and delivery-so I will have to wait until the baby comes. They don't know the sex. My younger son has 2 boys, almost 5 and 12 1/2.
Have a great day everyone.
Hello,
My daughter-in-law had a boy. I guess the men in family only make boys, there are no girls in the family other than the cats and dog. Everyone is great. I think they missed calculated the date by one month.
I went for my fill, and got a small one. Since my August appointment I am down 18 more pounds and the doctor was thrilled. So now I am back to stage 3 for 3 days and stage 4 for 3 days. I will lose more weight doing those diets.
Enjoy the rest of your day everyone.
So I just ate too fast for the first time. Awful!!!!!! I did not throw up. I walked around my house about 10 times until I felt better. I was told walking helps. I never will do that again. I read somewhere on this web site to take your measurements. I finally did this morning after losing 46 lbs. I know by my clothes I have lost a lot. I found somewhere on line the outline of a female body and made copies. I don't know how often to take measurements, does anyone know? Thank you.
have a great day everyone.
Before you know it, it will be dreaded swim suit time. I live at a condo and do go to the pool. I don't mind it because I was never the biggest. But this summer I will need a new swim suit. For women (sorry men) there is a wonderful site where I buy my suits from, swimsuitsforall. I really like their choices and have bought cover ups, too. They always have great sales.
Another site I like is, Jones New York. They have great sales sometimes. The site is much less than stores when there is a sale. I recently bought a twin set with shipping for under $35. and list was over $150. I now fit into the misses xlarge but have bought from their plus sizes at their outlet store.
Kohl's has wonderful 't' shirt type tops that when on sale are under $10. and they wash real well. The long sleeved ones recently were under $7. I own a lot of them.
Have fun shopping.
Happy Marathon Monday from Boston. We are BOSTON STRONG!! Info about Boston. The Marathon is always run the closest Monday to April 19th, that is Patriot's Day. In MA it is a holiday and also school vacation. Our spring vacations are not around Easter but this week only.
The wheel chair racers started, then the women and finally the men. They have all started. This is a very important day in Boston. For WLS people, every day is an important day, why? because we are all running with our new journey.
I am far from a perfect Bander. I eat wrong but my band does say, Arlene, stop eating. This past week I had two stuck dinners. Ate too fast and too much. But I am the marathoner and I will not let this stop my journey. I have been too good with the gym either and my legs were tired yesterday. I thought I would do 5 minutes on the bike. My friend was there, so we talked and before I knew it, I did 11 minutes. It felt great!! Today is my MIL's 91st birthday and we are taking her out for Japanese food for lunch. One of the steak house restaurants. I will have shrimp, a filet, veggies and a little rice and I will feel good about my choices.
Well, I hope everyone in WLS land has a wonderful Patriot's Day. That was when the battle of Lexington and Concord happened. In June we have Bunker Hill Day. In March was evacuation day which was also St. Patrick's Day. Boston has a lot of history days. I went to Boston public schools and those were no school days.
Enjoy the spring day.
Arlene
I just read on the internet that in MA (I live here) that schools are sending out notices to overweight children. I have a son who has been overweight his whole life and he would have hated that. I did try everything with him, too. He is now 34 1/2 and trying to lose weight by cutting out sugar and diary and he is down 30 plus since November. I am very proud of him. He has been with his wife for 6 1/2 years and she can finally put her arms around him. I think schools sending out notices is going too far. Bring back gym class twice a week. That was taken away years ago.
Good afternoon.
I am watching the Doctor's on tv right now. They just had on a couple that had by pass surgery together. In a little over one year she lost 95 pounds and he lost about 190. The wife said it is a tool. She is right. I hope they keep up the good work. The Doctor's gave them a year's membership to a fancy health club/gym near them. That helps.
One of the doctor's said that WLS is not for everyone. He is right. We know that because of the mean bashers. Maybe bashers need to look in the mirror and blame themselves for messing up. (see I can use nice language).
Enjoy your day.
Arlene
Just had to share, I made the best dinner tonight. I took my filet and cut it into very small pieces and put it in an Asian sauce. I stir fried pea pods, water chestnuts and almonds with sesame seeds in an different Asian sauce. Then I cooked the filet and added the 2 together and had wild and brown rice. Uncle Ben's has one cup ready to eat, I love them.
I keep getting bored with food and this one was a great one. For lunch I had a huge salad and sliced deli turkey. I don't use dressing (never have had it) so I know my lunch was lo cal.
If I think of other great recipes, I will share them. I do make a great salmon, too. I use the Asian sauce with sesame seeds and make it crispy either on the cook top or in the oven. I love that meal too. I live in Boston so I know my sauces are local.
I was rereading my food list for phase 4 and saw Soy Chips. I bought cheddar cheese ones last night at Whole Foods and they are great! They have protein in them. I had some for lunch with some lump crab and loved it.
I am always looking for new foods to try. Tonight I am trying for the first time pork. I hope it's not too tough to chew-chew-chew.
Happy Wednesday/Hump Day,
My son sent me an email that Lisa Lampaneli had the sleeve in the spring and her husband also had it. The picture on TMZ made Lisa look great. The sleeve is too drastic for me. I wish them a lot of luck. I think the Band is the best. It can be removed if there is a problem and no staples that pop or be stretched out. At my support group not one person had the sleeve, just a very few the by pass, everyone seems to love the band.
I have not written since the new site has been up.
There are things I hate and things I like but it is Alex's brain child not mine or yours. So just grin and bear it.
So I am a natural red head. Only color I have ever been in 63 years. Money is very tight so 2 months ago I bought s decent color and it looked good. I couldn't do hi lites but that was fine because I wasn;t born with them. Last week my husband was with me when I went to buy another box of dye. He choose a different color. Sunday I had bright red/orange hair. It glowed!!!
I called the company and they said to buy light brown. I left it on for 20 not 30 minutes. My hair is almost black. UGH!!!!!!!!! Today I am puling out the credit card and getting hi lites. Who the f**k knows what I will look like. Anything is better than almost black on a very pale skinned red head. When you get older you have to go lighter not darker because you do get paler I think.
I can't do Thanksgiving with this color. My youngest grandson, Max will be having his 1st b. day party with about 40 people next week. Can't embarrass him.
I have been staying in the middle 190's for a long time now. Today I am back down under 192!!!!!!! I have been 188.? after a fill for 1-2 days. I would love to see the 180's again soon.
I do not eat any pies so I am not worried about Thanksgiving desserts. I have never had a pie because I don't like cooked fruit.
This is very long but I needed to rant about my hair color.
Have a great day. Boston is cold and rainy today. Stay warm.
Arlene aka Eye Candy
This is going to be a very busy weekend. Yesterday I had my hair colored and it looks like s**t. Going back today to get the very dark red lighter. tonight is my nephews rehearsal dinner. Tomorrow my daughter-in-law's baby shower. Sunday is my nephew's wedding at a very fun type museum (in MA) and Monday morning an after wedding brunch at my brother's house. Non stop food the whole time but I didn't get a band to eat, eat and eat more, I got it get thinner and thinner!
The more I look in the mirror the more loose skin I find. Like my bat wings (bingo arms) whatever you call them. The turkey neck which I over moisturize and the fat is leaving the face. When you get over 60 the skin doesn't go back into place like a 30-40 year old.
Have a super weekend everyone in Lap Band land!
While I was getting dressed this morning my husband said my shelf is gone. He never knew how to tell me how bad it looked. I told him, I knew I had a huge shelf. Not a Kim K. shelf but a platter size one. I have my daughter-in-law's baby shower this morning. I have on a twin set from my fatter days and the sweater buttons and looks great! I am enjoying being thinner. I know that sounds weird but in my old life when I would lose weight I couldn't handle comments. It really bothered me and this time, don't know why, but they don't bother me as much.
Have a great day everyone.
Just had my first fill. Back to liquids for 3 days, then soft mashed foods for 3 days and then STAGE 5!!!!!! Can't wait. I miss shrimp,lobster and salad. My husband misses us having Chinese food. Today really starts the rest of my life. I am making a promise to myself never to be obese again. I didn't go to this extreme (surgery) to be fat.
I really enjoy this site and reading about everyone. Thank you all. You all give me encouragement that only Banders would understand.
Have a great weekend. If you're from NE, stay dry.
Since I have lost weight I am always cold. I was always the hot one. I seem to never get warm anymore. I wear a mink jacket when it gets below 40. Yes, I wear fur and eat meat. Maybe my husband is right, time to move down south. But then my grandchildren will be in MA and I don't think I could ever leave them. I find myself drinking hot tea all day and that isn't working either.
Yesterday my husband and I went for our annual dermatology checkups. I was told to never use toner again. It either has alcohol or acetone in them. Never knew that after using them for over 40 years. The doctor did say rentol (excuse spelling) is very good for wrinkles. I bought CVS brand on sale. I am on the vein side but you wouldn't know that by me being so over weight for so long. I use to go to Cape Cod to a resort and the resident comic was gay and extremely large and made fun of decorating his large body. From the first time I heard him say that, I started dressing much better. It took a fat man to tell me that fat doesn't have to dress bad.
Thanks for listening to me.
Have a great Thursday. Time to go food shopping-how fun? Not.
Just got my new People and it's the half their size issue!!!!!!!! I always felt jealous of their success and now I can be a success story like them. Who would have thought one year ago I would be down 66 lbs. at this time. Great start of the new year for all of us. We are facing our over eating and doing something about it. We all should stand up and cheer for ourselves and all on this site!!!
