dylanmiles23

I love the movie Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) with Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy, it’s a must see so rent it if you've never seen it. This is one of my favorite scenes…… Just wanted to share it with everyone.
 
I never get mad, Mrs. Threadgoode. Never!
The way I was raised it was bad manners.
Well, I got mad and it felt terrific.
I felt like I could beat the sh*t outta all those punks!
Excuse my language. Just beat 'em to a pulp!
Beat 'em till they begged for mercy.
Towanda, the avenger!
After I wipe out all the punks of this world,
I'll take on the wife beaters, like Frank Bennett,
and machine gun their genitals.
Towanda will go on the rampage.
I'll put tiny bombs in Penthouse and Playboy...
so they'll explode when you open 'em.
I'll ban all fashion models who weigh less than 130 pounds.
I'll give half the military budget to people over 65...
and declare wrinkles sexually desirable.
Towanda, righter of wrongs, queen beyond compare!
How many of them hormones you takin', honey

Hum, I "think" I'm FINALLY starting to get the swing of this hole lap-band lifestyle. Whaaat? It's only been 3 months. So, I'm apparently a slooooow learner.
 
This last week has been a real dousy. I received my 3rd fill a week ago today. It was .75 cc's on top of already 8cc fill (from 2 prior fills). This time, this last fill kicked my a$$. I was having a hard time eating & drinking and would get that awesome stuck feeling in the chest, right above the stomach. Oh, so pleasant. Needless to say, I lost 5 pds from last Monday through today, but not the way I want to be.
 
With that said, let me explain why I "think" that I finally got it. While I was eating MUCH less because of my tighness, it helped me really focus on how much I should be eating & how small of bites I needed to take. I had to focus so much on the bite size & length of time it actually took me, that I felt a little alarmed almost. I mean, holy shi*, bite sizes no bigger than an M&M. Another comparison would be to take bite sizes no bigger than your pinky finger nail. People, those are some seriously SMALL bites.
 
So, now that I think I've learned my lesson, I had to get a .25 cc unfill today. This was because I had several stuck & PB episodes. Nurse felt it was best to be a little safer. I know this might sound crazy since it's such a samll amount, but I think it's helped. I'm not feeling like things are going to get stuck when I go to swallow them. Could it be that I'm taking smaller bites & taking longer to eat? Maybe I finally got it ...

Headed to the gym today for the first time in a long time. I had my hubby in tow for motivation. I am doing Jeff Galloway's training plan walk/run for a virtual 10k I'm planning in December.
 
I was really proud of myself because I did so well. I can't wait to go back again.
 
I was doing really well with my weight loss last year when I took up running. I then hurt myself on a trail run, herniated disc in my lower back and then I gained my weight back. Not all of it mind you but enough to be disgusting! I'm feeling better and hope with continued weight loss I won't have to worry about my back again!

Thanksgiving is next week and with that is the all too famous family dinner…
 
I will have my band portion, 3-4oz of turkey, ½ green beans, sweet potatoes & carrots, ¼ cup stuffing. I will be first in line and first to sit down at the table (my family makes me go first cause it takes me longer to eat).
 
I will take my small bite and chew chew chew, then I’ll wait about a minute. In the mean time I’ll watch as my family members take bites the size of Mt Everest, chew 3 times and swallow while preparing the next bite…
 
“Did you taste that?” “Can you taste the juices in the turkey?” “What about the stuffing? Can you taste the pecans and bacon?” “Oh my, don’t forget to breathe…”
 
Wow, do people eat fast? My family sure does!
 
So, I eat and watch. Everyone is finished except me. I tell my mother to go ahead and serve dessert while I finish my meal. Again, they wolf it down. “Hey, savor the bites I spent hours in the kitchen making those pies. Enjoy them, please!”
 
I finally finish my dinner as my mother and niece finish clearing the table. The men make their way into the living room moaning and groaning about how full they are….. Me I am satisfied!
 
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

This may sound silly but i just reized something.
 
A few weeks ago i was doing an abbs class but not only were my abbs hurting but also my butt. I relized that i was no longer sitting on fat but there was a bone there thats what i am feeling. I know it a small thing but to me this was huge it been coved in fat for so long i did not know there was bones there.
 
Then a few days ago i was doing yoga the other day we we doing this thing were you bed your back back and i relized that i had ribs and i could feel them they were not coved in fat they were sticking out. I then spent a good 10 min feeling my new decoved ribs.
 
it funny how small things along this joury make you so excited

I was a big girl for a long time. I always had to let my personality lead the way. I was never noticed for the beautiful person I was trapped in a world where being a big person isnt whats attractive. Even though I was a big girl I was never a slob, I want to say that even though the weight that held me back is gone, I am still the same beautiful person I was before. Funny how now Im noticed walking down the halls, walking into a grocery store, or having a drink with the girls. As much as people will say they are not judgemental towards overweight people, have never been on the heavy side of the scale. Having been on both sides now I see the difference how I'm treated what doors have been opened to me peronally and professionally. There are no words that can describe the feeling of no longer being the wallflower. I am no longer sitting on the sideline watching my life pass me by.

We all come into this world as blank canvases waiting for the various colors of life to be painted into our world. As children, our first knowledge of who we are comes from our parents. If our parents continue to feed us positive affirmations of our worth and value, we tend to grow with a positive self-esteem. However, if we are told over and over again that we are nothing and that we won’t amount to much in life, we will begin to believe this is true. As a child I used to hear people say, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This is not true. Even the bible tells us that the tongue can both cut and heal. We must be careful what we say to others, especially children.
Accepting Oneself
 
We live in a time when accepting who we are can be difficult. Most of us compare ourselves to unrealistic standards set by advertising agencies, movie stars and the lives of the rich and famous. What we fail to realize, is that oftentimes these standards are a facade like movie sets on the lot of a studio. They represent a “front” with no real substance, constantly having to be propped up because they can’t stand on their own. I’ve had the opportunity many times to talk to people that others would often admire or envy. What I have discovered is, the very people we put on pedestals would love to trade places with people that could be classified as ordinary. I have learned that we must be careful what we desire because many times what we think we are running to, is often what we are running from.
Historically in the African American Community, the subject or discussion of “self esteem” has carried mixed emotions. When we look up the definition of self-esteem in the dictionary, we see that it means belief in oneself. We know that if we do not believe in ourselves and what we do, neither will anyone else. However, oftentimes people confuse “belief” in oneself with “vanity.” If we look at success models over time, the ones that have truly made a difference were those who not only accepted who they were, but did so with pride. Many who have left their mark on history were those who had to stand-alone or convince others to see things their way. It is important for you to know 1) who you are, 2) understand where you have come from and 3) determine where you want to go, if you are ever going to accept who you are to be.
Knowing Who You Are
 
When I was a little girl my grandmother would often say, never let anyone tell you who you are. I have a friend who always says, “never let anyone call you out of your name.” We have all heard the saying, “if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” I believe that it is very important to know what you stand for in life. When I speak at various functions around the country, I often share with people that it is important for you to know your meaning in life, so that you can prepare your message, in order to carry out your mission. When you know and understand your purpose and why you are here, it is much easier for you to accept who you are and the person that God has made you to be. We are all pieces of a puzzle that fit together to make a beautiful picture. If we are constantly trying to be someone else, we will not “fit” into the spot that has “our” name on it.
If you are currently struggling with who you are, what you look like or comparing yourself with others, I urge you to do the following three steps.
Empowerment Points:
 
Write down on a piece a paper, all of the positive things that have happened in your life over the past year. If you can’t think of any let me give you a few suggestions. You have your health, a roof over your head, a job, a sound mind, and people that care about you. I heard a minister once say that if you count all your blessings, it will be hard to be depressed.
Make a list of all the positive things that people say about you. Once again, let me give you a few suggestions; she really has a nice personality, she has really nice skin, she is so thoughtful, she’s really a kind person. Maybe people comment on your discipline to work out, or your compassion for others. Never underestimate the gifts that God has given you, to make you unique. Remember, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. What you would easily throw away, others would take in a minute. I had a friend once tell me that she thought I had the gift of hospitality and encouragement. I thought to myself “what kind of gift is that?” Growing up in church, I wanted the gift of singing or playing the piano or something that the other girls had. Little did I know that the gifts of hospitality and encouragement would be the very way I would live my life and help others today.
Finally, make what I call a “wish” list. Write down the things that you would like to have or accomplish and then set a reasonable timetable to begin making them happen. The key here is to make sure you set realistic goals or expectations. Don’t wish that you were 5’11 if you are 4’9. But if you’ve always wanted red hair and your hair is brown, dye it! If you want a better body, diet and exercise. Just make sure whatever standards you set, you are doing it for yourself and that it is what you want, not what others say you should be.
Remember that we are all little kids in adult bodies. We all get up in the morning and put our underwear on one leg at a time. We all have good days and bad days. The next time you look into the mirror, say to yourself that you are wonderfully and beautifully made just the way you are. God does not make junk!
 
 
http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/
 
Amanda Out!

I am 6 days post op and must say its been a rough week on all liquids. Took my grandson to Mcdonalds drive through and thought a shake sounded good.... Then I saw it ---- The Eggnog Shake!!!!!!! Started to order it, (it is a liquid) then I saw the calorie count posted 680 calories!!!!!!!!!! Needless to say I did not give in to the temptation and went home and had some runny applesauce and protien drink, woooooooo hoooooooooo. It was a victory for me. Just wanted to share:)

No really I am. I have to be otherwise I would enjoy it, right?
 
I truly hate exercising! I’ve never liked going to the gym, it’s boring. I don’t like getting all hot and sweaty, out of breath; heart beating like it will explode out of my chest. Hated PE in school, I was always the last kid picked for the team….
 
But one of the necessities for successful weight loss is exercise regularly. How do I accomplish this?
 
I started simple by:
Parking at the back of the parking lots
Turning on some music and dancing around my house. (Dogs got a kick out of this; they thought it was play time.)
Took my dogs for walks around our property. (We live on acreage in the country.)

Then I bought an inexpensive exercise bike that folds up and sits in the corner of my living room (This way I see it every day). When I watch TV in the evenings I get on the bike and ride. I started doing 10 minutes and worked up to 30 minutes. Now I’m working on increasing the intensity (ride faster).
 
Next, I started moving more at work. I started using the bathroom on different floors (walking the stairs to the floors); and getting up from my desk a couple of times a day just to walk the stairs.
 
So here I am still don’t like exercising but I do move! I no longer use the elevator at work (and I’m on the 8th floor!) and I ride my bike 30 minutes 3-5 times a week.
 
It’s not a lot but as long as I’m doing something I’m seeing results.

Since being banded I have noticed and realized a lot of things about food and myself.....
 
.........some foods just don't taste as good as once I know the calorie count! I use to love pastries, now I look at them and think - you know that just isn't worth the 250-500 calories in them. And I don't want it.
 
........soft drinks just don't hold the appeal they use to. I use to down a couple of Dt Dews a day, now never touch it. Water is my friend and if I need flavor crystal light is great!
 
........food doesn't have the power over me it did at one time. At one point I had no self control, but I didn't want to have it- like many say want power is most important. At that time I didn't want to control my intake so I didn't. I just don't think about food like I use to, it's not tops on my mind.
 
.......I no longer consider not eating certain things giving up on something. Since getting restriction thick breads are a problem. I use to LOVE breadsticks- and I mean I had an unhealthy love affair with them. Now they get stuck, and after getting stuck once on it, I have zero desire to have them again and I'm not really said about it.
 
......OMG- healthy foods taste good!!! Eating fresh veggies cooked in a natural way taste better. Food in it's natural state cooked healthy has tons of flavor and make me feel good.
 
...... I am happier. Now I don't know if this steams from weight loss (43 lbs in 4.5 months) or if it's from me eating better foods and not over eating. I truly believe there is truth in that if we fuel our body with the correct things it will make us feel better. Processed foods tend to make you tired and blah, but healthy fresh goods tend to give energy and a clear mind.
 
.....I am healthy concious. Never ever thought I would start becoming a healthy nut, but slowly it is coming. I pay attention to what I eat and put thought in as to what I should choose based on nutrtion not on taste. It's about what is best for my body not my taste buds- ie I choose the healthy options at a resturant even if I am wanting that calorie loaded tasty dish.
 
........I am breathing better, I am moving better, my mind is clearer- it's like coming out of a fog. I call it walking out of the fat fog. I lived most of my life eating to much and gaining weight. My mind had become slow and foggy, my asthma was progressivly getting worse, my knees were just starting to hurt when I walked to much and my feet killed me.
 
......... I am becoming REAL! I am getting real with myself about my bad choices in the past and reviewing them to prevent me from back tracking. I am recognizing and calling myself on bad choices (it's ok to eat that cake, it's ok not to work out tonight-just one night off won't hurt--- no, that cake isn't going to do anything from me but make me feel like crap, I'm not hungry so no thanks - yes, I need to work out tonight, skipping one night will lead to two, three, ect, so get your butt up and DO IT) I am admitting that my cooking habits of the past were not as healthy as I had deluted myself into believing.
 
Getting the band thus far has caused a lot of positive things to happen. I am so glad that I made the choice for me and that I committed to it, instead of doing it half assed (pardon the french). Every time I had tried to lose weight in the passed I never gave it my all, this time I jumped in with both feet and said ok it's time to do this. The band is my guide, my friend, my Gibb's slap (those of you who watch NCIS will get that reference), my band is my tool for making the weight loss and the life style change stick. I look forward the the rest of my life with the band and living a healthier more aware life.

Last night I went to my nephew's wedding. It was super, at an industry museum. I got up very late yesterday to start my day. I had my protein shake around 2pm. I know very late. I went to the wedding and wore my new suit, size 18 misses. I looked great! After the ceremony we went for the reception. I didn't have any food because of the choices. It was hot and I guess I went way too long without eating. The room started to spin and I felt faint. My daughter-in-law got me a chair, an oj and a roll. I will never go that long without food again. When dinner was served I ate. Awful feeling. I usually have a protein bar with me but thought the veggie platter would be good but the choices were not for me. The pass arounds were not great either for me. The dinner was great for me. I had wonderful melon for my dessert. The dj played a great mix of music. Must have been about 50, 25-30 year olds. Made me feel young again. There was a photo booth. That was fun.
I finally have my first and only niece.

Love yourself again
A cup of food per meal
Protein first
 
Beginning of a healthy life
Abide by your doctor’s orders
No vomiting
Don’t deprive yourself
 
Satisfied
Unfill when too tight!
Clothes are too big!
Confidence increases
Exercise regularly
Stay in contact with your doctor
Support from family and friends

Ya know what? I think I'm starting to feel a little better about myself lately. While I'm very aware that at 5 '3, weighing almost 210 pds is overweight, I've managed to lose just shy of 35 pds in the last 3 months! I notice my clothes are loser, and that I've dropped 1 dress size. Techinically 1 1/2, but that doesn't quite exist, now does it?
 
I actually felt good about myself when I got dressed for work today. I put on my size 20 pants, and they were loose. I tried my size 18, and I'm not quite there yet. Need to lose more stomach weight... LOL...
My pants felt loose, and even my shirt was a little big.
 
My co-workers haven't noticed the weight loss, or at least they haven't said anything. My guess is that they don't want to be rude wondering if I have lost any weight. But, I'm hopeful that come mid January, when we host our Dealer Meeting, people (co-workers) will have no choice but to notice that I've lost weight. Yes, I'm hoping for compliments.
 
Looking forward to continuing this journey & looking and feeling better each day!

Yesterday was my 42nd anniversary. My husband and I went out for dinner. I did have some bread dunked in oil. For my main course I had the filet with mashed potatoes and butternut squash. I am not and never will be a vegetable eater. Dinner was super. I ate the small filet and some of the others. My husband ordered dessert, wrong thing to do. He is over weight and a diabetic. I did taste the chocolate torte. It was super. Just a small taste. And then this morning I was down 1 pound!!! I try to move my body everyday. I over drink tea, hot and iced with Splenda. I don't leave the house without my iced tea.
Today is cut and color day. I have my daughter-in-law's baby shower Saturday. And Sunday my nephew is getting married. Very busy weekend but fun nice things to do. By then the weather will be wonderful. Snow last night. Rain today and this weekend 60-70. Don't you just love NE weather? I live in the Boston area.
Tonight at my support group meeting we are having a clothes swap. I have about 10 pairs of Lauren jeans in sizes 18w and 20w. I hope they find a new home.
Enjoy your day and evening Lap Bands!

I finally realized by getting the Band, I put me first for once. I have been taking care of my sick husband for about 15 months. I help with a retarded brother, a 94 year old mother in a nursing home and an 89 year old mother-in-law, who finally gave up driving. You can see, I have a full plate and HATE it. I would love to find a hobby to occupy my time.
Have a wonderful Sunday everyone.

Good evening,
I have a very over weight son, age 34, and he finally wants to be on a diet. Good for him. He mentioned that he is going to use coconut oil, which is spreadable, on his english muffin. Are we allowed coconut oil? It is not on my list. His wife looked into the spread and I guess it has a lot of health benefits..
Today I ate too fast, again. I always say never again and I still do it. It hurts, it's very uncomfortable.
Have a great sleep, all.

Hi from Boston and wonderful Sandy,
Lately I have been unable to feel full. Right now I am very full. I had for dinner elbows, tomato sauce and shrimp. Dinner was yummy. I had a fill in September and not scheduled to see the doctor until after Thanksgiving.
Yesterday I made an angel food cake and put sugar free chocolate chips into it. My husband is a diabetic. He has eaten over 1/2 the cake. I had one piece last night.
I find with the Band that I getting bored with food. I never know what to have. For lunch I had a grilled roast beef and cheese sandwich (1/2). It was great.
Have a great and safe night and hopefully with electric.

Hi fellow Banders. Can we wear Spanx after surgery? For some reason I think I heard you should not wear them.
Also, I went to my PCP today and had my first Flu shot ever, at 62. The doctor said there is a new version this year and if you get it expect 7 days in the hospital. That heard, got the shot.
Enjoy your evening, all.

I don't see too much change except in clothes. Today I have on a long sleeve 't' in size xl from the regular misses department! I was wearing a 2 or 3x before. My gym pants are also a size xl from the misses instead of 2xl from the men's department. I feel great today about this.
I hope others enjoy a smaller clothes day, also.

I don't see too much change except in clothes. Today I have on a long sleeve 't' in size xl from the regular misses department! I was wearing a 2 or 3x before. My gym pants are also a size xl from the misses instead of 2xl from the men's department. I feel great today about this.
I hope others enjoy a smaller clothes day, also.

I don't see too much change except in clothes. Today I have on a long sleeve 't' in size xl from the regular misses department! I was wearing a 2 or 3x before. My gym pants are also a size xl from the misses instead of 2xl from the men's department. I feel great today about this.
I hope others enjoy a smaller clothes day, also.

Let me first tell you a little about myself. I grew up as a very athletic and yes a very skinny kid without a care in the world. Then the teenage years hit and I started battling depression. As a result I was put on drug after drug, many of which cause weight gain or atleast an inevitable carb obsession which leads to obeseity. I essentially became my feelings: slow, sluggish. I used food to try to fix my problems. But it didn't work, so I ate more and more.Don't get me wrong even in my teens and twenties there were times when I was healthy and thin, but then I would yo-yo back everytime my medications would have to be changed or tweaked to treat my depression and anxiety. From the time I graduated college 2008 to 2011, I yo-yoed up 100 lbs from 155 lbs weight to almost 257 lbs at 5'4''. This was the position I found myself at when I started my process of approval for lapband surgery in July of 2011. I was over 250 lbs. A size 22 pants and xxl in tops. It was the seemingly little things that made life so miserable as an overweight person. Some of these little things included walking from my car into the schools for work. I got mad at myself everytime I forgot something upstairs because the walk up the steps took my breath away. I would get blinding back pain. And then there were the times when people asked me "when is the baby due?" that really ruined my self esteem. I guess it wasn't there fault. I did look like an egg on stilts with my apple shape and protruding tummy.
I knew right away that a typical diet wouldn't work for me. As long as I was able to each such large amounts of food it wouldn't matter what food I was eating (even healthy food is not longer healthy if the quantity is too large). I needed something to help my control the bottomless pit that was my stomach. Something that would stop my stomach from being treated like the trash compactor that it had become. Most importantly I needed a solution that would allow me to still absorb the medications I needed to maintain my mood. The lapband was the tool I chose to help myself lose weight. Yes, it is a tool not a fix all or miracle cure.
So far I have used my tool along with diet and exercise to lose about 60 lbs. I am now in what some people call "onderland" where that first number on the scale is a 1 instead of a 2,3,4 etc. It has to be one of the best feelings in the world. I now wear a size 14 pants and a large top. Even though I'm not what many people call skinny or what I even consider skinny, I know that the decision I made and the sucess I have earned and deserve is signifigant to my health and wellbeing. I now don't have to struggle so much with the physical and emotional weight that was taking over my life. I can walk, I can even run (a little) and I love cycling. It hasn't been easy. In fact, it has been really hard to give up the food that I was using to comfort myself; in fact I still battle emotions that cause me to overeat, but now I feel like it's a battle I can win.

Hi from Boston and wonderful Sandy,
Lately I have been unable to feel full. Right now I am very full. I had for dinner elbows, tomato sauce and shrimp. Dinner was yummy. I had a fill in September and not scheduled to see the doctor until after Thanksgiving.
Yesterday I made an angel food cake and put sugar free chocolate chips into it. My husband is a diabetic. He has eaten over 1/2 the cake. I had one piece last night.
I find with the Band that I getting bored with food. I never know what to have. For lunch I had a grilled roast beef and cheese sandwich (1/2). It was great.
Have a great and safe night and hopefully with electric.

Hi fellow Banders. Can we wear Spanx after surgery? For some reason I think I heard you should not wear them.
Also, I went to my PCP today and had my first Flu shot ever, at 62. The doctor said there is a new version this year and if you get it expect 7 days in the hospital. That heard, got the shot.
Enjoy your evening, all.

I am from New England, home of great lobster. I was told by many banders that after surgery food can be different. I guess tonight I had my last lobster. It was just too chewy for me. I am sad. I do eat a lot of jumbo lump crab and that agrees with me. I have had shrimp and that goes down fine. The only way I would eat clams is fried, so that is out and I don't do scallops. I find salmon does down super. Tomorrow I am making a pot roast. My husband does not eat meat, only poultry and fish. I guess that means about 12 pot roast meals for me.
Everyone have a great weekend.
Arlene