How do I feel? 26 lbs lighter! With more than 200 unwanted pounds, 26 might seem soooo minuscule, but to me, it is a fantastic jump start for my beginning. I am feeling really positive about everything! I got my surgery 10/27. I have been off work now for 2 weeks and 2 days. I go back NEXT Wednesday. Then off for Thanksgiving, which I don't have to cook, for the first time in like 20 yrs! We are going to my father-in-laws and his new wife's. I am very happy about this because Thanksgiving is a meal I use to LOOVE to cook! Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, filling(in & out of the turkey), sweet corn, and homemade gravy. And don't forget dessert, homemade pumpkin pie with whip cream! This is something that worried me about how I would handle it and now I don't have to!:rolleyes2:I will probably still make 2 pies to take along but I can handle that w/o taste testing everything. This way, I don't have to live the following week with tons of delicious carb leftovers just sitting in the fridge asking to be eaten!:cool:

I had seen my surgeon yesterday for a 2 wk checkup. Everything was good, that is when I was told that the band is empty. I go in 2 weeks for my first fill. I asked how long I needed to be on the mushies yet(I knew how long: clear til 10/29, full liquid til 11/8, then mush til 11/22). He said everything is good, I can eat regular starting now. Yeahhhh! I don't have much restriction so that is NOT good but I'm thinking I can handle it. My jeans, all of them, are way loose. Wow. Was hoping to get away with only buying clothes after each 60-70 lb. loss. Who wants to spend money on transitional clothes? Remember, I have over 200 lbs to lose. Got to keep the costs down to a minimum but not so much that I am holding clothes together with clothes pins:bored: I guess we shall see soon enough, as least I am hopin'.

I am also looking forward to see exactly what "special" clothes I have kept over the years because I just looved them so much I couldn't bear to give away when I grew out of them, so I stored them in plastic boxes and put them in the attic. It's been soo long that I truly do not remember what is up there.:tongue2:

It's been nice not working for so long and just reflecting. Never did that before. So many people who have been off say they are going stir crazy and can't wait to get back to work. I am completely opposite of that. I am a Recreation Supervisor. I find interesting things to do for several social clubs for those with mental retardation. Then I get to do these things with them. It is a wonderful job but it seems after 18 years(with the same company), you need a break.

I not only feel healed, I feel revived. I joined a gym today. Planet Fitness. I didn't get to work out because I had jeans on, it's all I wear. They don't allow it. My jeans are Lane Bryant~soft, thin and spandexed. I loved them because with my weight fluctuation, they grew with me and they are for tall people, I am 6'. I do have a pair of sweat pants I bought long time ago at a men's big and tall shop. They will probably be tight but will work for now, I just have to hunt them out, hmm. I have an appt. tomorrow with the the gyms trainer. I am excited. Odd.

What am I eating? Today I drank a boost chocolate shake/160cal around 10am. Around 1:30pm, I ate some oatmeal and had a large coffee with splenda and low carb creamer/145cal. For supper I made roast pork/300cal with sauerkraut/45cal in the crockpot(added an apple,splenda, salt&pepper) and Hungry Jack mashed potatoes/250cal, mmmmmm. It was sooo good and I stayed light on the potatoes. Later I made a protein shake with frozen blackberries and a banana/250cal in the blender. Yumm but it had ALOT of seeds.>1150calories for day

I feel good:thumbs_up: