mdrai

ooooohhhhh... I was going to say "NO! Go Exercise! You'll be happy you did when it's over!" When did I become an exercise cheerleader???????

<p>Jenn... You could take a train???</p> <p> </p> <p>I'm in Frederick, MD... sort of the middle of the state... an hour north of Wash, DC & an hour west of Baltimore, about 30 mins south of PA.</p> <p> </p> <p>I hear that OC is fun... a bit too touristy for my taste, tho... we go to Bethany Beach, DE, as our "regular" beach spot, it's very family-friendly, low-key, old-fashioned. But the Outer Banks of NC are really beautiful & I know they have a lot of BIG houses for rent for family gatherings, etc... I'd vote for there if I was getting family together.</p>

April is a great idea, Judy! By then we'll hardly recognize ourselves! I know! Let's all "hop the pond" & visit Lunasa & SaraMos (where is she, by the way??)

Tracy... that's exactly what it is... "wonderment at early risers"! & here's your cheering for today: "Go Tracy! Go Tracy! You can do it! You can do it! Hello 230s! No Count Chocula! Yay Tracy!" Terry... I don't know why I write that... "I'm going now..." "I'm back!"... like anyone is keeping track! ha ha ha! Jenn... Well, after much huffing & puffing (it never used to be so difficult) (sorry if TMI!!!) I can cross THAT off my list for today. Phew! Good luck! I'm in Maryland... will plane, train, or auto anywhere... any time (pretty much)... just give me some time to make arrangements & save up some dough! Vegas? A spa (I love Ariz for spas!)? A cruise? Just daydreaming about a trip is nice!

I'd go to a Violets gathering in a heartbeat! Ladies? Shall we plan something???

Back from my walk! Got sidetracked w/a neighbor chit chatting for about 15 mins (what are all these people doing UP so EARLY???)... got back & kids are STILL asleep! I'll have to start clanking around w/the dishwasher, etc. to start rousing them... Jenn... I'm "backed up" as well... I hate that feeling!... I think one of my non-scale victories will be becoming "regular" again... those were the days....... TracyK... don't let the evil scale get you down!... focus on something else... exercise, or getting all your water in, or measuring, or whatever... just something else! Evil scale! Make it a great day, everyone!

Good Thursday Morning, Violets!~~ It's 5:51am here... what the heck am I doing up?? (I'm a night owl, NOT a morning dove!) When dh's alarm went off this morning he just about beat it to pieces trying to shut it off... so awake I am since 5:15am! Once I awoke, I had to get up to pee, which made the cats think they were getting fed so they climbed all over me, so I went to the kitchen & fed them, then I had to idea to make dh a nice lunch, then figured I'd check the 'puter... oh, and I had a sugar-free popsicle, too! One thing leads to another, I guess! I'll probably crash at 8:30pm! LOL! 12 lbs since last Tues, Jenn?? Fantastic! Judy, you're a real go-getter! Terri, that's the only way I can eat nanners... w/pb! Keep workin' it, girl, & someone who doesn't "know" w/notice soon! TracyKS... Count Chocula?? Now where in the world did you ever get the idea that THAT was a good food choice?? For you or ANYone?? Step away from the cereal! My new theory is that if I don't buy it, it won't be here to eat. (Part of my "loving my family w/food" recovery I'm in right now.) That + I used to store all "my" food in a separate cabinet from the general food so that it would be for only me (which only made it more appealing to them, of course!)... then it dawned on me that maybe my whole family should be eating a 100 cal pack rather than a sleeve of regular cookies -- duh! -- so now I get the "good" stuff & share w/everyone... nice of me, huh?? It's amazing how the kids enjoy healthier cereals once their sugar buzz died off! On the other hand, I am so impressed w/you HAND PUSHING a mower for 5 lots! Oh my! TracyK... Hope work things calm down now... too much drama wears me out! Ok, well then... now it's 6:05am! What do all you early-birds do when you get up early?? This is so strange for me! + I have to be quiet as the kids are still asleep... so the things I need to do (unload dishwasher, vacuum, laundry, etc...) need to wait. Maybe I'll go for my walk now & get that done with... that's probably a good idea, as I have to have dd @ the eye dr's @ 9am sharp -- we went & picked up her new prescription sunglasses yesterday (she's 8 & has been in bifocals for 2 years now, her eyes are that bad, poor thing!) & left her regular glasses to have the lenses changed, then we went to the pool... well, we went back to the eye dr's @ 4:15 to pick up her regular glasses and THEY CLOSED @ 4 yesterday! Whoopsie! So she had to wear her sunglasses all evening! (It was kinda funny!) So since I'm on liquids today (bleh... my tummy's rumbling loudly!) I told her I'd take her to Starbucks (she gets the juice & I get an under 200 cal "creation") & then the eye dr's 1st thing this a.m. And that takes us to 6:11. BBL!

Oh my, I hope there isn't a UK definition for "nanner", too! :omg: I don't feel any different... should I feel different?... I should, shouldn't I?? Water goes down the same... popsicle the same... I want restriction! & I want it NOW! Please. (Terry -- 1/2 of that will satisfy AND take 45 mins to eat???????)

Jenn -- Fingers crossed for you & the job! Lunasa -- You're "reading" perkier! Hi Kat, & new folks!

I'm back from my fill! "Piece of cake!" ha ha ha ha ha ok... well, how about: "Glass of protein shake!" is that a better saying for "Easy peasy!" "No problem!" etc??? Laid on table, tightened stomach muscles (suuuuuuuuuuure I did -- lol!), held up head from table (sort of a crunch position)... held it... held it... shut my eyes... felt the pinch as the needle went in... he poked around a bit... it didn't hurt but I kept making faces I guess (didn't realize it) & he was concerned that he was hurting me and I assured him not, it was just my reactions to KNOWING there was a needle poking around in me... felt the plunger go down... he took out the needle & voila! Sipped some h20 w/no problem. I have 4ccs in a 10cc band. Will make another app't for 2 weeks whether I think I'll need another fill or not. It's liquids for today & tomorrow, mushies Fri & Sat, then RULE FOLLOWING TIME w/sips & tiny bites & chewing, etc... Judy's reminders will be ringing in my ears! Haven't tried to drink anything... a bit scared to, like after surgery!... Fingers crossed that I'm now on my way! Tracy... what's that pork steak recipe... what is pork "steak"?? I know only pork loin or chops. put that in crock pot w/alfredo sauce & cook? Anything else? mushrooms/onions?? I need soft yummy stuff that's lc & easy to make! BBL!

Good Wednesday Morning, Violets!~~ Wow you girls are a chatty bunch lately! I can't keep up! I did a quick scan of the last few pages... a rowdy group, I see! (something about we're all getting uniforms of leopard-print push up bras??? Thank & Judy's lost her thong somewhere unmentionable??) (ha ha... see what a "quick scan" will get me!!! ) Anyhoo... w/the kids home over the summer, I have no routine to speak of, so some days I can linger on the 'puter, & some weeks I hardly get to check it (like the last few weeks!)... I am a creature of habit & I LOVE routine... too bad for me in the summer! Sometimes a week might have a routine (camps, whatever), but not always... It's hit & miss... oh well... Sept will come in its time & then I'll miss the summer! I'm a nut! I guess that's my (long0winded) way of saying that if I don't post a lot, don't fret... it's just me having no routine! Welcome new folks... I'm a May bander whom the great gals of April adopted! I've walked every day this week -- yay me! (No aqua pilates this week... it starts up again next week). TODAY IS MY FIRST FILL!! I'm a little nervous, but not anxious... I feel like I have all the info I need from you gals... and I NEED NEED NEED some SERIOUS restriction... the last couple days have completely reminded me why I had to get the band... each day I've woken up and said "today's the day I'm getting back on the wagon & being "good" w/food"... and then by 4pm my sneaky brain has figured out some loophole of why I *need* to eat 2 pieces of pizza or an ice cream from ColdStone... which is why I got the band... so I'm not physically able to do the things that my evil brain wants me to do/eat!!! I'm still holding at -30, but haven't been able to go lower... I'm hoping that this fill can kick me back into losing mode!!! Make it a great day, ladies!

Oh how lovely... the site automatically update my age yesterday! It's the first time I'm seen it written... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... I hate getting older!

Good Monday Morning, Violets~~ I have not been a good dieter doo-bee at all for about the past week or so... man, yesterday w/my birthday... well, I won't tell you specifics as it would be classified as "food porn"... but suffice to say... *burp*! I won't get on the scale. No way, no how. Today I'm back on the wagon... I'm about to head out for my walk (haven't walked in 1.5 weeks!)... then will do liquids/mushies MTW... get my 1st fill on W (THANK THE LORD!)... so then it will be liquids/mushies THFS as well! + walk EVERY DAY! I need to get back that "invincible" losing feeling where the weight is coming off, I'm working out, eating healthfully, and feeling fine! That's where I want to be!!! Have a great day, everyone!!!

Hi girls! I'm here! We're back! My ds & I went to the beach on Mon - tues, then Weds was the 4th, then Thurs I had company visiting from NC, then yesterday I actuallly worked (!) + I did try to log on but it wouldn't let me in or something... so here I am today! It just took me 45 mins to catch up! Oh my! Gotta dash in 5 mins, but just want to say: KAT -- ((hugs)) dear cyberfriend... I feel your anguish in reading your words... that little girl is so lucky to have you! JENN -- YOU LOOK GREAT! Hang in there & do what you have to do for YOU! LAURA -- TODAY IS YOUR BIG DAY!!! I'm thinking about you!! Can't wait to hear all about it! Last night on the local news they did a big report about all the weddings in Vegas today... I looked for you!!! I'm fine... eating too much... counting the days 'til my fill on Weds... my b'day is tomorrow & that usually means food & it's weird but I can't think of any other way to "celebrate" if not food... I'm thinkng a relaxing day @ the pool w/a book maybe... woo hoo... Carry on!

Good Sunday Morning, Violets!~~ Judy -- Great job on the -44! What an inspiration! Lunasa -- I'd say psychiatrist... go for the big guns & get it done! Why dilly-dally?? Kat -- So glad to read that the weekend went well... how loved your parents must feel & how wonderful to have these memories! Everyone -- you all sound pretty good... new clothes, exercising, fills... just keep plugging along! I'm leaving at "dark o'thirty" (meaning really, really early) tomorrow morning w/ds to surprise dd @ the beach w/my mom & sis! We'll come home Tues night (so 2 days/1 nite there)... I just need a beach "fix" to tide me over 'til we go in August... I bought a new swim suit (!) from Land's End catalog... it's 2 sizes smaller than the one I've been wearing for 2-3 years, yay! Still too big... but I'm working on that! So, everyone have a great few days & a fabulous Fourth if I don't get back here for awhile!!! Oh! Count me in for the exercise challenge... what is it? 20 workouts?? Ssomeone post so I know what to put in my siggy when I get back! Thanks!

Good Friday morning, Violets!~~ Today is my 1 month banded anniversary! I am pleased to report that I am (back to) -30 today! :whoo: Now it's onward & downward! Make it a great day, everyone!

Trust me, I sweat when I walk!

I wish I could be more succinct like Terry!

Dear Lunasa, You've gotten some great advice from others already, so I won't repeat their excellent points, but I'll try to add some others. My first thought on reading your post is that I'm very worried about you! Perhaps some psychological counseling in tandem w/your weight loss efforts would serve you well? We've all discussed time & again how the HEAD work is as important -- if not more -- as the physical weight loss aspect of this journey. That's my second point... to keep in mind that this is a JOURNEY... a scenic journey... not the expressway ('tho I wish it was!). We'll be up & down & all around, physically & mentally... "good" months & "bad"... but look at how you've met your first goal already!... and tho you're ending the month where you began, AT LEAST YOU DIDN'T GAIN! A + in my book! Third... what about fills? You've had one, right? Well, I keep reading that it can take 3 or so before you get your "sweet spot". Keep working w/your doc to get you to that point where the band is working for you... it doesn't sound like you're there yet! Don't give up on the band just yet... you've got to tweak it 'til it CAN & WILL work for you! When I ended the liquid phase I, too, gained... 7 lbs... I was freaking out! But I started walking 30 mins/day (a major milestone for me!) and tried to keep in mind that my bod was adjusting to everything I've put it through over the past 6 weeks (-30 in 6 weeks is a LOT to adjust to!). I haven't had a fill yet, and have 2 more weeks to go to get my first... and I can eat ANYTHING seemingly in any amount... so yes, right now I am in more of a "diet" mode... I'm not at all maniacal about weighing/measuring/charting what I eat... I try to stay low carb (no bread, carb, pasta...) and also try to eat about 1/2 of what I would've eaten previously... I use our smallest plates for dinner... I have a protein shake in the a.m., about 3 oz chix or crab & some veggies for lunch, and then a small portion of what I make the family (tonight it's salmon) for dinner... w/maybe some lf cheese for snax if I need it... But I've also had times when we've gone out & I had a piece of pizza & a salad; or 2 margaritas & a whole chicken taco salad... or eaten like 4 slices of homemade bread (!)... stuff like that... but I try to be "good" more than "bad"... does it suck to be "dieting" even in a "general awareness" way? Yes! Could I eat more right now? Yes! So what keeps me being "good" if it's not the band?? It's knowing that in 2 more weeks I'll get my fill and then the band will start doing its job... so for me anyway, because this "dieting" isn't "open-ended", meaning I have only my willpower for support until I lose all my 125+ lbs, then I know I can do it! It's just 2 weeks! I can do it for 2 more weeks! W/ this approach, I'm down 5 of those "gained" lbs, and have just 2 more to go to get back to -30 and then on to NEW FAT! Yay! The past winter I believe that I was clinically depressed. I was lethargic all the time... would get the kids off to school then crash on the couch all day 'til about 1/2 hr before they got home, then I'd get up to make it look like I hadn't been on the couch all day... I played hours of computer games... I didn't go out... I was my heaviest weight and felt hopeless about that... basically a blah existence. So I can relate w/the feelings that you describe. I know that once I "discovered" lap band, and began the process to get it, my hope was slowly restored... then I met all of you and I knew I wasn't alone in this journey... that you all understood what I was going through... I've been up, I've been down since... but OVERALL already my life is better for this decision... I haven't taken a nap in months! I am trying new things (aqua pilates, anyone?)! My clothes are beginning to feel looser. I'm definitely happier... I believe it is because of hope. Sorry to go on and on... I guess I keep typing because I'm hoping that something in my experience may be able to help you... you have such an amazing spirit and have touched me deeply in the short time we've "known" each other... Please give yourself & the band a chance! Keep posting!

Laura -- Mothers... they mean well. My dh says the same things as your mom... I have to realize the he isn't as "immersed" in info about the band as I am... I tend to assume he is... so explaining about why I can eat more & faster than he thought I'd be able to during this "bandster hell" phase prior to my first fill is a recurring conversation... I guess we'll move on to the "sweet spot" conv next! But I really think he's trying to help/be supportive... and your mom probably is, too. But really, she *could* try not having cake one week... now THAT would be supportive! Hang in there, girlie! Jenn -- If good thoughts could get you a job, you'd have 2 by now! I know we're all hoping & praying for you!!! Hope you're having a blast @ Six Flags! So... aqua pilates... interesting! Sort of yoga, sort of exercise class... in the water (4'). There were only 3 of us... 1 gal has been doing this for 2 years, the other gal & I were newbies. I hung in there, did everything, albeit not quite gracefully! At least when I lose balance, I fall into water, not the ground! But I can "feel" that I stretched my muscles, and I feel taller, if that makes sense, and I feel "aware" of my "core" & how I'm standing, sitting, moving... as I said... interesting! We don't have class now for the next 2 weeks... but then 7 weeks straight. Oh, and the instructor & the experienced gal asked me to stay after & try the aqua aerobics class (1 hr) that runs after the pilates class... which sure was nice of them!... but I couldn't today as I had to get ds to soccer camp... but I told them I would the next time we have class. The gal said it really gets you pumped up! So I have that to look forward to. + I'm still walking + I'm going to try to do some of the ap moves I learned each day at the pool, but I doubt I remember all of them after only 1 class. Phew! On with the day! Make it a great one, everyone! Oh, PS -- 1st fill scheduled for 7/11... 2 more weeks! Yikes!

Thank you, Tracy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's weird to see myself on here! But I know how much I love seeing what everyone looks like, so... I just did it! (Well, Tracy did it -- yay, Tracy!) I'm on my way to the Aqua Pilates class... the kids are still asleep! They'll never believe that I actually got myself up & out! What is happening to me... am I becoming... an EXERCISER!? Gasp! Check back w/details after! Thanks again, Tracy... and thanks everyone for the kind words!

Happy Day, Everyone! TracyKS -- Great pic! Looks & sounds like you had a blast! Laura -- OMG girlfriend... you are one busy lady! But it's all fun (most of, anyway, right??)... I'm so happy for you! What a fun time of life! Teach -- NSVs are the BEST! You are doing so great!!! What a role model!!! Adorable -- yep, pix tonight, post tomorrow! Good news: Scale is going back down, yay... down to 289.4 from the "eating food again" bounce after liquids of 294... 2.4 lbs more & I'll be back at -30 & then on to losing some NEW FAT! Yay! Not so good news: No first fill for me 'til the week of 7/8... which will be my 6 week point... could've done it next week @ 4 weeks out... but doc is double booked all week already & then he's out of town the week of the 4th (isn't everybody?). So I'll keep on doing my best. Walking. 1/2 portions. Good news: I go to my first "aqua pilates" class tomorrow morning! Good news: My dd is going to the beach on Sunday for a week w/my mom & sister... which is nice for her... but the sneaky good news for me & ds is that WE are going down Mon - Tues as a surprise! Yay, surprises... yay, the beach! So more good news than bad. Yay! Have a great day, everyone!

Oh Kat! -- I wanted to tell you that I absolutely envy your ability to travel to such amazing spots in Colo! Wow! And I don't even want to know what "bucking" hay is... sounds like a lot of HARD WORK! You are one amazing woman! The party plans sound great -- your parents are going to love it!!

Good Monday Morning, Violets!~~ Terri -- I'm a bit hung over as well... 2 'ritas @ dinner out w/friends last night... just 2!... and I'm bleary eyed & bloated this a.m.... bleh... Well, at least I'm a "lightweight" in one way, now! LOL! Judy -- BEAUTIFUL pictures! You & dh look FABULOUS! It looks like a fun time was had by all! Jenn -- I've got some hair loss... I've been taking biotin, but not sure it's working? I'm going to talk w/the nutritionist about it later this week. Busy-ish type day today... lugging kids to camps & back... errands... housework... laundry... whoopee! Make it a great day, everyone!

Here's an ironic story for your entertainment! I go to HungryGirl.com a lot... she (or whoever puts the site together) has a lot of great food/nutrition tips/info... I love it! So a month ago (I think it was during my liquid pre-op stage) I'm on there clicking around and I see a contest (she's always giving food contest links... food companies are ALWAYS running contests!) for Edy's Slow Churned Ice Cream. So I click on the link and go to the page and you have to write an essay on "Why My Neighborhood Deserves an Ice Cream Party" (or something to that effect)... so I wrote a quick essay (remember that I am a professional freelance writer/editor) basically comparing/contrasting my neighborhood to an ice cream sundae... that we're all different "flavors", but blend together well; that we have some fruits & nuts; and that the children play across our yards like so many sprinkles... you get the idea... kinda corny... but fun. So I forgot all about it... until yesterday when I get a letter in the mail that I am a Grand-Prize Winner! Yay! So here's the ironic part -- Me, a newly banded trying-to-lose-weight person, wins AN ICE CREAM PARTY FOR 100! Edy's will be shipping me 12 tubs of Slow-Churned Ice Cream in August, + sending me a "party in a box" w/100 spoons, cups, napkins, table cloths, name tags, a sharpie, signs, invitations, and a disposable camera! I told my next-door neighbor, and her evil idea is to invite just 25 folks & then we'll all get 4x the ice cream! HA HA HA! She was just kidding. Actually, I've got about 50 names on the list so far. We're going to have a neighborhood garage band play, & games for the kids... make it a shin-dig. And another neighbor is a P.R. gal, so she's going to write up a press release for the local papers & tv stations... she says they love community stuff like this. And we're going to have each family bring a sundae topping, so we'll have a huge selection for make-your-own sundaies. And finally, any left-over (??) ice cream is going to be donated to the local women/children's shelter. Ice cream for 100... now THAT is JUST MY LUCK!