Teachlady

I forgot to mention.. DH is doing awesome. He is down from a tight size 48 pants to a 42 already. He's lost 41# and I'm so proud of him!!!!!

Good morning all you Shrinky Dinks!!! Sounds like everyone is seeing it's a new day... Kat... your party sounds wonderful and don't you just love the compliments. They are the best motivator!! Pam.... glad to see you finally got my message.. lol Remember to follow the bandster rules. I knew it would catch on eventually! My drink is my treat between meals. I put my CL in my 33 oz. DeJa Blue bottle and put it in the freezer just before I fix my meals. Then an hour later it is icy cold and soooooooooo refreshing. I started not drinking with my meals the week before surgery and I found it relatively easy to do. And yes, they always look at you funny at the restaurant when you say.. nothing to drink please, not even water. They come around later and say.. are you SURE you don't want anything. Then I just say.. sorry, I can't drink anything with my meals. It's the rule. I had another NSV today. I was looking for clothes to wear and decided I'd pull out some of my "I'll fit into those someday" clothes stuck back in my closet. Lucky thing I did cause I'm almost past "someday"!!! I got some things out I bought in 2000 when I was in Tulsa at a Direct Sales outlet. They have name brand clothes for #14.99 each. Got some great buys but of course couldn't wear them cause they were too tight when I got them home. Now 2000 was my lowest weight in ages. And the clothes I found and tried on today were on the verge of being too big!!! woooooooo hooooooooooo!!! I also got out two jumpers I adore, but have NEVER been able to wear. I got them at a craft fair and they were labeled a 3X, but of course they were made by teeny tiny people in India where a 3X is an XL here! WELLLLLLL.... today... drum roll............... they FIT!!! I'm wearing one to church tomorrow. They are linen with embroidery on them. I'll get a pic tomorrow. I'm just so darn proud to be able to finally wear them!!! We're having a garage sale mid-July and I'm going to get rid of a LOT of clothes that I never want to see again!! Well, enough of my rambling. Everyone have a great day!!! And REMEMBER... to follow those bandster rules!!!!:cheer2:

Denise.. I just checked the site out and I can't find it anymore either. Bummer.. and I really liked my ticker. Back to the ticker factory, I guess..

Northeastern Michigan. Alpena, to be exact..

You are NOT making a huge mistake. You are making one of the best choices of your life. I would do mine over again in a heartbeat. I have a new lease on life and I am enjoying losing every single pound!!!

Pam.. they look just fine!! Look at that gorgeous smile. Yer lookin' good, woman!! Just finished my last stint in our pool for the day. I did 30 earlier today and then DH and I went on a 10 mile bike trip. When I got home, I jumped in the pool again, but just to relax this time.. no exercises except a few ab thingys. I'm all bundled up in my bathrobe now and ready to laze aout this evening. Everyone have a good evening... sleep well!

Haydee... I'll be sending you shrinky dink flat belly vibes as soon as I'm done with them. Sorry, but it could be a longgggggggg wait! Since I know I can't afford any plastic surgery, right now my best bet is duct tape on my boobs and my belly.

Good morning, Shrinky Dinks!! Tracy.. have a GREAT weekend. Hope the weather holds for you. And Monday I will be getting MY second fill so we can compare notes. Lunasa.. Hope you're feeling better today. We're all here for you! Everyone have a great day. I have grandson Ethan for the day so I'll check in when I can.

Good morning, everyone. I guess I better put my 2 cents in today. I know you all say I'm the mascot, but what it boils down to is this. #1. I'm anal and I LOVE journaling and writing down what I eat and how I feel and what exercise I do. #2. I'm retired and have no job concerns and really no financial concerns, thank God. #3. My kids are grown and on their own and no major concerns there. So what it boils down to is I can focus on this band and my weight loss 100% with no outside stresses. I'm betting none of you can say that. You are dealing with a whole lot more in your lives than I am. Considering that, you are all doing a fantastic job. ANY weight loss is better than a gain. And if you are having difficulties you can turn to your doctor, your therapist or this board. You have choices. You are not alone. And you WILL lose the weight. When you get to that point where your fill is adjusted properly, the weight will come off. I have one fill, don't feel any restriction, but I'm so committed to this because I know it's my last shot. If this doesn't work, there is nothing else for me so I am doing it 100% and slowly, but surely it's working. I know at some point there will be a plateau and I'm ready for that. I can see how far I have come and that itself is a victory which is the same for all of you. Look how far you have come since getting banded. Would you be in the same place, at the same weight if you did not have that tool?? Depression is an awful thing. I went though it myself and so has DH. My mom was severly affected with it after my brother died at 50 twelve years ago. You HAVE to get help. You cannot conquer depression alone. It takes therapy and medication. Been there, done that. I guess that's more than 2 cents worth, but I hope you all understand where I'm coming from.

Another day done and one more day closer to my second fill. I did my 30 minutes at Curves so I'd get my exercise in today. Had a great supper of 1 slice pork roast and 1 cup summer squash and red pepper cooked up with some garlic.. yums. I'm headed to bed. Ethan comes again tomorrow and I have to go to a meeting and then get my hair cut. Looks like Grandpa is going to be doing most of the watching tomorrow!! Everyone sleep well....

Dawn.. Good to see you posting again!!! We Port Huron bandsters have to stick together!! Everyone is doing great on their weight loss. Keep up the good work!

Josette.. Congrats on the fabulous weight loss!!!!!!:clap2::clap2::clap2:

Our next appointment is July 2. I get my 2nd fill and hopefully DH will get his first. He'll only be at 6 weeks out from surgery, but he's lost 41# so I don't know if he'll get a fill or of they will ask him to wait until my next appointment in a month.

Good afternoon SV's.... It's been a very lazy week for me, but this is the week when people are starting to notice that I'm not carrying 41 extra pounds. I've had lots of compliments and that sure does feel good. I had a singing rehearsal last night and we decided to practice on the steps of the church outside rather than inside where it was hot, hot, HOT. For the first time I was able to get down on the steps, sing for a couple of hours and still be able to get up under my own power!!! These NSV's are getting better and better!! Today we finished cleaning out the garage. DH did most of the work, I just did a little sweeping. Now we're ready for the big garage sale mid-July so I can earn a little money for a shopping spree when we go see Clay Aiken in concert July 23rd. There are 6 of us gal pals going and it should be a blast.. I'm fried to a crisp today so I'm not going in the pool. Don't want to risk anymore redness. Besides it's raining on and off today so not a good day for pool aerobics. Our bikes are in to be tuned up so I'm guessing no exercise for today. I'll have to double up tomorrow. Jenn.. sure hope you get news on a job this week. We're all pullin' for you. Laura.. your pics look great. What a difference in your face!! mdrai.. good to see you finally!! You can tell a difference in your face as well. Time to get off here and see what relaxing thing I can do next. A nap sounds good to me right now. But I think I'll be a good girl and head to Curves. Guess I've become an exercise addict like most of you!! Everyone have a great day!!!

Hey Laura!! Great to hear from you. Sounds like things are hectic there, but you seem to be getting things under control. Our big wedding here is over and it went very smoothly. I'm sure yours will too. Can't wait to see pics of your new house with the furniture in and pics of the wedding too!! I had a NSV today!! I work as a volunteer at the hospital here. I put together the patient education packets that they hand out to the patients. I was at the copy machine doing my thing and one of the ladies walked by and stopped and said.. WOW.. you've lost weight.. a LOT of weight! I said yup.. bout 40# so far. She said.. "and you're doing.....???" So I said.. I had a lapband put in.. both Bob and I did (she knows Bob but hasn't seen him since his was put in). She said that was great. Next thing I know, my supervisor comes out and said she overheard that I had a lapband.. then wanted to know all about it. I did a mini-seminar right then and there. She in no way needs a lapband, but it was still neat to be able to talk about it and be proud that I had gone through it. Sooooooo I'm feeling good today in my new 16W pants, down from 22/24, and my 1X top down from a tight 3X. I'm going to go have some lunch and then hit the pool! Everyone have a great day!!!

Evening everyone.. Well, it was a semi-relaxing day. DD and I took down the tent and DH put it away. We went out to lunch and I had half a cup of broccoli cheese soup and a side grilled chicken Greek salad at Applebees. Dh had a NSV there.. he brought food home in a box!! He's never had leftovers to take home before!!! I had his leftovers for supper tonight.. smothered chicken breast and 1/4 cup of mashed red skin potatoes. I got my exercise in for sure today.. 30 minutes of water aerobics this afternoon, then 30 minutes at Curves and another 30 minutes of water aerobics this evening. When the pool water is 86, ya gotta take advantage of it here in Northern Michigan!! Supposed to be just as warm tomorrow. I'm going to work my volunteer shift at the hospital and then invite a couple of lady friends to come join me in the pool.. mostly for lounging and gossiping!! My singing group has a rehearsal in the evening and we're supposed to see thunderstorms tomorrow evening sometime. I'm going to take this exercised body to bed and watch a little tv before I nod off. Everyone have a great evening.. !!

Good Morning, Shrink'n Violets.... Thanks everyone for the comments on the pics. It was a great time, but I'm glad it's back to normal today. I'm headed to the jewelry store for another angel charm in a bit. The next one will be for -50#!! I'm gunning for that for Aug. 1. DH hit -41 this morning. He's doing great and feeling great too. We couldn't be happier. Kat.. so glad your DH is feeling better. And the anniversary party sounds so special with those couples joining in. Your mom and dad are going to be sooooo happy. Today is a very laid back day. Just have to take the tent down in the back yard and then nothing planned for the rest of the day. DH got me a total cleaning of the inside of my car for my birthday. They take out the seats and everything and get the car looking like brand new inside. Then I'll get the remote start put in and it will be like having a new car again even though it's 3 years old!! Temp is supposed to hit the upper 80's and the pool was 80 last night so will be warmer today. I'm going to hit it a couple of times today for my exercise and some sun bathing.. Everyone have a great day!! Where's Lunasa and TrackinKS????? We miss everyone when they're not posting!!!!

Good evening, Shrink'n Violets.. Here are some of the wedding pics taken with my digital. We had a great time and I am one pooped Violet!!! Going to go to bed early tonight and get up late in the morning and spend the day in the pool. Sounds like a plan for a retired old lady!!! Slideshow of pictures, photos, and videos, from webshots

Good Morning all you Shrink'n Violets!! Well, the wedding was a success.. and the reception was great!! I danced the night away and believe me, I've never done that before. I felt so good in my new body and my new dress, that I was on the dance floor for hours dancing with my DS, my DH, my DD, my grandkids, and a couple of times by myself!! And it paid off too... I lost 3# at weigh in this morning and I get another charm for my bracelet tomorrow!! Today I am 60 years young and feeling like 25. At the reception I ate 1 chicken drumstick, 1 piece of polish sausage, a couple of bites of cheesy potatoes and a couple of bites of corn. Oh, and 3 small bites of a piece of cake. I was too busy having fun to even think about food. And I now have it ingrained in my brain that .... It's Not About The Food!! Anyway, it's a great day today and I can't wait for the next 60 years!! Everyone have a good one. I'm off to church and then to watch DS and his new wife open their gifts.

Denise... I live in the state of constant confusion... which is located in northern Michigan.. I had lots of compliments on the yard last night so I know my efforts haven't been in vain. Now I just want some time to relax and enjoy the backyard. That will happen next week when all my committments are over. I'm off to fix breakfast and then shower and get my hair done for the wedding. Everyone take care and have a great day!!

Wow, ard.. glad you got that restriction issue taken care of. Well the big rehearsal dinner is over and the left over pizzas have been farmed out. DH had two pieces and did ok, but he hasn't had a fill yet. He didn't eat the end crust. I just had my tossed salad and when everyone else was having ice cream cones, I made myself some cottage cheese with blueberries and peaches and some Splenda. It was like dessert to me!! I took pics of my yards before the dinner.. here is the link to see them.. House and Flowers 2007 pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots Now I'm headed to bed and hopefully some sleep before the big day tomorrow!! Everyone sleep well and enjoy your day tomorrow! Will check in when I can.

Terry... My birthday is Sunday.. the big 6-0!!! Our Anniversary was yesterday. DH is doing great on his weight loss. He has lost 38# so far!! (Pretty appropriate for our 38th anniversary!!) We were worried about his tux not fitting him for tomorrow, but everything seems to be ok. Now as for his regular clothes.... we had to buy him suspenders cause his pants kept falling down.. lol Not a good thing, when you're standing at the pulpit preaching!!! I got a beautiful charm for my charm bracelet from DH.. Here's a pic.. Gotta love the guy.. he's always thinking!!! Just finished some cottage cheese, fresh blueberries and peaches for lunch. I put some Splenda on the cottage cheese and I swear I had a dessert for lunch.. yummmmmy!! Take care everyone!!

Good morning all you Shrink'n Violets... Busy day yesterday and a busy weekend. Our DS is getting married tomorrow. Last night we had a cook out at my DD's house. It turned into a surprise birthday party for me. The kids went together and got me a remote start for my car. Do I have everything now, or what!!!?? I had half a hamburg patty, some salad and a tiny sliver of birthday cake. Today all the guys in the wedding party are going golfing and I'm left to set up the tables and chairs for the rehearsal dinner here tonight. Such is the life of the mother of the groom!! Yesterday was also our anniversary and we spent it at the cook out with family. I think we'll be heading out by ourselves for a late celebration after all the wedding stuff is behind us. DH and I didn't get to enjoy that special "just the two of us" time yet. But first things first!! I'm starting to get people noticing I'm losing weight.. FINALLY!! It's a good feeling to hear compliments, isn't it? Sepcially when you haven't told anyone you're trying to. Well, I better get my butt off the chair and away from the computer and get my wedding chores done. Everyone have a great weekend... and I'm going to try to remember to follow those bandster rules!!! Acutally the eating out in public never was a problem for me. I always could eat healthy in front of people. It was when I got back home that the non-stop eating started. I'll be ok at the wedding and I know I'll be fine when I get home cause I only have one little page in my daily journal to write down what I ate! And I know now.. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE FOOD!!

Terry... I can't get into dailyplate yet today either. grrrrrrrrrr Glad I have my daily journal as a back up. I've had to resort to taking a laxative pill lately. I still take my Fiber Sure each day, but I need the extra push.. so to speak. I get the Walmart brand that are teeny tiny. 1 of them does the trick. I take it at night and am good to "go" in the morning. The backyard it all set for the rehearsal dinner Friday night. Now to get the inside of the house looking ship shape. It's a never ending battle even without kids at home anymore! Turns out DH is the culprit!! I got to workout in the pool again today. High today was 73, but the pool was 84. I stayed as low in the water as I could!! Everyone have a great night and remember.........

Good morning, all you Shrinky Dinks.... remember those???:scalesno: Terry.. ya look gorgeous!!! I'm proud of you!!! I have a busy day today. Nail appointment at 9, flute rehearsal at 10, retired teacher's meeting at noon. Then spend the afternoon getting more of the house cleaned for the rehearsal dinner here Friday night. Tomorrow is our 38th anniversary and we're spending it with our kids at a cook out. Not the most romantic, but family is what it's all about... which follows my mantra... "it's not about the food". Everyone have a great day today..... and remember..............