JudiM

Looking for a fun gang to "travel" with!!!! :clap2::hippie::messenger3::shade::spy::hail::rockon::loco:

Hi all! I have no idea when the last time I checked in here but I put it on my New Year's Resolutions List to stay connected/reconnect with my Lapband roots to keep me on track since I realize that as I go into Year 3...it's all about maintaining (which I never really had much success at throughout my life!) To answer the initial question--I am happy with my success---took me about 2 years to lose 115 lbs....had some slow periods, some faster losses. But, overall, I am thrilled with it all. It's been a wonderful journey....one I wouldn't have wanted to miss it for a quick weight loss!!! LOL!! I say that now that it's behind me.....!!! :thumbdown: It was still the BEST decision I've ever made! There are time I see my reflection in the mirror and need to go back and check that's it's really me! I went from a Size 22-24 to a very comfy size 8 petite. WOOO-HOOO! I am at a point where I don't want to lose any more weight....just maintain. Therein lies my daily challenge. The blog that I started at the beginning of my journey is what keeps me focused on it all. Plus, I find other ways to remind myself of it on a daily basis. I do a lot of little things with key words in the passwords I use. Plus, I own up to my Lapband whenever anyone asks how I lost the weight--it keeps me honest and cognizant of it all. Also, when I reached my 50 lb milestone, I bought myself a Brighton bracelet that I wear daily that says "Live the Life You Love" and when I reached my 100 lb loss, I bought a Sabika crystal bracelet to wear along side it. When I see them....I know how far I've come and I recognize that I don't want to GO BACK! My Lapband is at an excellent restriction right now. I have done pretty well with most of the rules but I'm by no means perfect. I have not had Pasta or bread or any carbonated drinks since my surgery. Those were the things I thought would be the hardest things to give up. Thankfully, it's now my way of life. So, I know it can be done!!! I'd love to invite all my CrazyAtes brothers and sisters to visit my blog..... Stories from the road....... Hope you are all well and I hope we can stay connected!! Judi

Hello to all my Crazy Ate band mates! It's been awfully quiet around here! In fact, I have a little notice at the top of my page that reads.... Hi JudiM ! It's been over 30 days since you've posted on LapBandTalk.com . Are you getting shy on us ? Hello JudiM it appears that you have not posted on our forums in several weeks, why not take a few moments to ask a question, help provide a solution or just engage in a conversation with another member in any one of our forums? I'm going to make that message disappear right NOW!!! :biggrin::cool2::w00t::tt2::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Wow! 30 days not posting? Shame on me! I guess that's what happens when you're living life like a normal person.....huh? So, I'm thinking that all of my other band mates are probably doing the same thing! Yahoo! That's what we've been working towards...right? Our Lapbands are now as common (and as necessary) as our right arms these days. They are so much a part of us! So, we're not talking Lapband 24/7. So....what are we doing now that we're not Lapbanding constantly? I know we're not eating......:tt2: So....let's switch things up a little here and share what's going on in our lives right now that are a direct result of our Lapbands (and that have nothing to do with our Lapbands.....). In other words, how are we spending our time....now that we're not hanging out here so much and talking Lapband..... I'll start.... -My blog...of course! What started out as a way to focus myself after my surgery has turned into something joyful and has reconnected me with some old and dear friends, brought me many new ones and given me the chance to not only write but to think about writing as more than something "I may do someday...". Plus, it's opened up my mind quite a bit....I'm finding new blogs everyday about so many different topics...it's been fun! -Shopping. The change of seasons mean a change of wardrobe. And, nothing fits from last year!!! Shopping is a huge time drainer these days (in a good way!). I have no idea what my size is, I have no idea what looks good on me and I have no idea what my "non obese" style is! I can't just walk in and buy some shapeless 3X and walk out the door without trying it on anymore! So, I am very familiar with every dressing room in every TJ Max, Marshall's, Ross's, Chico's and Coldwater Creek (to name a few) within a 3 hour radius!!! -Primping and tweaking. Yeah, I spend lots of time each night finding just the right outfit for the next day. My old uniforms of black pants and "whatever" tops and blazers are a thing of the past! -Walking! I walk very early each morning with a walking buddy and take frequent walk & talks at lunch instead of talk & eat. Plus, I've discovered a whole new way to get to some of those favorite places in my little uptown area (the area that made us buy our house where we did in the first place!)....I walk there! No more parking issues and lots more exploring! So, those are just a few of the new things I do these days! How about you????

Hi all! Yes, I'm here! We all need to keep up the positive self-talk and the postive words with each other! Becky is right....we are Crazy Ates for heaven's sake! WE ARE CRAZY ATES! Who can? We can!!! Alright, alright, high school football season can get me all riled up..... We've come 1 year---365+ days---on our journey. And, we've got a ways to travel. The road never stops....the journey NEVER ends. It only has twists and turns and detours. We're all traveling it together. Put on your sunglasses sweeties! Roll down the window and let the window blow back your hair! We're on the road......! Yeah, I'm punch drunk........it's been a long day! Judi

Jody, Eating bread is NOT a bad habit. But, the fact that you can do it with no problem probably indicates you need a little tweak. This last time I went, I was in the same spot as you---trying to decide. So, we comprimised--I went from 2.1 to 2.4. Appearantly, that's a little tweak. It was not enough to cause me problems but it was enough to act as a reminder that "yes, there's a Lapband in there!". Talk to the dr or technician. I've found that even with a little fill, my will power is called into service more often than I would have thought. So, don't make things harder for yourself! It's hard enough already! Judi

Wow Becky! Beautiful! Absolutely gorgeous! Your smile says it all! Year 2....we are all in this together! Hope you had a great vacation!!!

Thank You Jody! Yes and what a day it was! To think....last year at this time, I was quite a different person. Hard to believe. Thanks for being such a wonderful blog visitor and for all of your wishes! When's your bandiversary??? We gotta have a party! Judi

Hi Crazy Ate Band Mates! (sounds like a singing group!) The other day on my blog someone congratulated me on reaching my bandiversary and mentioned that the hardest part is yet to come. It got me to wondering why. And, I thought that maybe one of the reasons is because THIS is the time when a lot of the initial support goes away. Our surgery and our weight loss and our new life style is getting to be not so new anymore. And, we've lost weight so we are feeling better, looking better, etc. People in our lives are used to us being thinner now. Now, the only time we get a huge "OMG" is when we see someone we haven't seen for awhile. And, of course, we are not "all Lapband-all the time" like we were in the early phases. We're not out there hunting down information or seeking ideas or trying to figure things out like we did in the beginning. Now, we are the "seasoned" folks. Maybe that's why the hard part is now. This might be when we need each other most!! Another kind of support....not all the stuff we needed in the early days. This is the time when we need to really motivate each other and support each other and Celebrate each other in "more mature" ways.....:wink_smile: I'll admit, sometimes I feel myself getting complacent and a little lax with things. Often times, my blog and my blog readers is what has saved me. And, this group alone has got me through this year more than anyone knows! I'm so thankful for everyone here. SO THANKFUL!!! Gosh, when I think back to our first days....I find myself getting a little teary. Can you believe it's AUGUST 2008? Remember when I came here and asked for people to join me on this journey? Well, you answered me! And we became the CRAZY ATES!!! Oh yeah, we've come a loooong way baby..... Stay put Crazy Ates....we've got much work to do!!!! The party is just beginning.......

Hey Crazy Ate Sistas & Brothas! Can you believe we are coming up on a year since we had Lapband surgery? To Celebrate and to thank all of my faithful and supportive readers, I listed 52 of my fav things (the Crazy Ates made the list!) that I came to love since my surgery. And....listen to this...I am having a shoe giveaway! Yes, that's right....I'm asking readers to share a comment...including their shoe size (please!). So, PLEASE comment....say something! Celebrate yourself...sing your praises...shout about your successes! Tell the world you are a sassy and sexy Crazy Ate! I'll be headed to the beach and I will pick up a pair of those hand painted pink crocs (that match mine!) that I wore to the hospital the day of my surgery! So, please......I want to thank everyone here....you are all a part of my journey! OMG....remember THOSE very first days???? Now look at us!!! So, if you are faithful reader and haven't had a chance to say HI...please do so during the entry period. If you just email me (instead of comment)....please be sure to comment on the blog (you don't have to have a Google account...you can just comment using the "anonymus button". You will have to identify yourself in some way so that I can announce who won on my blog and you'll know you are the winner!) And, of course, I'd love to have new blog reader freinds too! So, you are more than welcome to bring your NON Crazy Ate friends....a friend of yours is a friend of mine!!! The more the merrier! Come on...it's a party! I might even serve up some Margaritas or Martini's....you just never know (they are both Lapband friendly...right?) And, WE ALL DESERVE IT!!!! Come one, come all... you might find a few things that you come to love amongst my 52 and of course...there's a SHOE giveaway! What could be better? (Well, we know what could be better...loosing weight!) Here's the address.... Stories from the road....... It runs from today through July 28. The drawing is on August 3...I will announce the winner on my blog and I will get the shoes to the winner by August 10 so the winner and I can wear them on my Bandiversary! And, you can comment as many times as you wish during that timeframe! I hope to see all of my Crazy Aters THERE! It wouldn't be party without my wonderful Lapband mates! Judi

Hi Bandmates! There's only 10 more days to get your entry in for those adorable PINK CROCS I am giving away on my BLOG!!! Each comment with a shoe size is entered. And, you can post AS MANY times as you like! So, if you want to wear a pair of pink painted crocs with me on my Bandiversary (August 10), get yourself entered to WIN! The winner will be announced on August 3....on my blog!!! Be sure to join the party! Good Luck Crazy Ates! Judi

Hi Bandmates! There's only 10 more days to get your entry in for those adorable PINK CROCS I am giving away on my BLOG!!! Each comment with a shoe size is entered. And, you can post AS MANY times as you like! So, if you want to wear a pair of pink painted crocs with me on my Bandiversary (August 10), get yourself entered to WIN! The winner will be announced on August 3....on my blog!!! Be sure to join the party! Good Luck Crazy Ates! Judi

Hey all....After I did that post to Frangi last evening, I couldn't stop thinking about who was this person who invented the Lap Band. So, this morning, I got up bright and early and tracked him down.....it's Lubomyr Kuzmak. Unfortunately, he died of pneumonia in Oct of 2006. Now, I wonder what inspired him to come up with this amazing little device. The concept being so simple that it's ingenious! Judi

Yippee! What a wonderful accomplishment! You truly have been an inspiration and a wonderful team mate! It's been a joy to travel this journey with you! Your comment "My life is never ever going to be about "being fat" again" brought a tear to my eye! I never heard what I feel said so simply and so well. Because....YES...for so many years my life was about being FAT. And, I know I am not alone in that. My inner voice silently answered each question with "because I am fat" and approached every situation with those words too! This lapband thing of ours is a life-saving and a life-improving piece of equipment. Thank God for the person who invented it! Honestly, I was thinking about that the other night....wondering WHO IS THIS SAINT that invented the Lapband? I have to research that! I need to send this person a present (or perhaps my first born....LOL!). All of us Crazy Ates need to be immensely proud of ourselves. We have to really celebrate!!!! Our lives are no longer about BEING FAT. Our lives are about being ALIVE!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to you Frangi and to all of my Crazy Ate Bandmates!!!! We're still on this road together.......!!! I'm honored to be part of this wonderful, talented, beautiful, compassionate, smart, sexy, sassy and faboulous group of folks! I hereby dub August 2008 as THE MONTH OF THE CRAZY ATES!!!!!! Maybe we can get a Presidential Proclamation!!!! Should we march on Washington? Let's see some pix! Judi

OOPS! Sorry, I didn't realize I was a ? on the running totals! Congrats to all..... I'm down 73 lbs as of today! Gotta update my ticker!!!

Hey all...... Back from the cruise! I'm having major re-entry issues. No one is making up my bedroom twice a day, no one is asking me if I want another glass of wine, no one is making up towel animals for me or putting chocolates on my pillow!!! Life on land is not exactly leisurely....is it? Anyway, I'd love to do meet all of you and hit the town in Vegas! Depending on when this get together will be in the Fall....count me in. YES! (I'm at a University so my schedule gets a little wicked at some points in the fall....). I've never been to Vegas but I hear what happens there stays there. :confused: That's my idea of Nirvana!!!!

Hi Crazy Ate mates! You are all doing sooooo great. I tried to catch up with postings and found that I just didn't have the time to respond to each one as I would have liked.....since you all deserve it!!!! But, trust me, I responded in my head.....way to go! wow! that's great! how wonderful! yahoo! impressive! congrats! Yes, it's been awhile....I didn't even realize it until LapbandTalk sent me an email saying I was missed (aren't they sweet?). It's been a roller coaster few weeks with work stuff.....very consuming. But,the good news is that I haven't strayed from my exercise routine AND it hasn't derailed my eating as it would have before my Lapband. I've kept up with my blog too. So, I'm feeling as though I've been able to keep up with the good habits. That's worth celebrating....for all of us! For months now, we've been doing what we need to do and without knowing it, we are forming HABITS. Good habits! Wow....and to think....that's how our BAD HABITS started too! If you do things long enough, soon they will become a part of your day and your life. What a journey this has been! Hope to come back and join in the conversations more often. As soon as my work life (and thus MY WHOLE LIFE) is not as consumed by all of this....I will. And, I can't wait for that! We are going on our cruise in a few weeks but I can't EVEN think about that until I get myself out from under all of this work. Oh, the perils of having to work for a living..... Good wishes to all!!!!!! Judi

Thanks Becky for keeping up with my blog! Honestly, I'm amazed that even as I'm drowning in a sea of work and I'm more stressed than I've ever been in my entire worklife, I am keeping up with that blog! And, I'm not eating awful food and I am committed to my exercise routine. Like I said....I am TRULY amazed at myself.....LOL!!! Who knew I could do all that???? Funny you should ask about the swimsuits.....TODAY is the day. Well, probably the first day of many. I have to go a meeting in another part of the city where they have some great stores (ones that are not in my end of town). So, instead of going back to the office after that meeting, I plan to SHOP for a bathing suit. I hope it's a nice break and NOT just another stressor for me!!! Keep your fingers crossed.....!

Babs! So great to see you here! Thanks for mentioning my blog....I appreciate it. Your comments there are always so very sweet! You are doing wonderfully. PLEASE visit here! Everyone is a Crazy Ates no matter when you got your band!)....you'll be super addition to this great group of folks!! Salsa & Frag--Thanks for the nice welcome back! You make me smile. It's nice to be missed..........8-). I hope to sneak a peek here every so often.....it's good for my weary soul and mind!!!! Everyone is really doing great!!! Judi

Well, I'm coming off a decent weekend. Well...a little rocky. But, it was of my own doing! Wow Jody...your surprise weekend sounds like wonderful fun...for so many reasons! Your DH pulled out all the stops. Plus, you had fun and were made to feel special. So wonderful. You picked a good one (your DH). My DH traveled all week, came home on Saturday night dragging and then left again today. He'll be back again to vote on Tuesday then on the road again (he's such a good citizen!). His schedule is maddening at times. Thank God we're going on our cruise so we can get to catch up on what's been going on the past 5 years! LOL!!! Friday night my sisters and our childhood friend went to see Billy Joel. Beforehand, we went to dinner.....we ordered several appetizers and I just picked at them. But, I also had 2 glasses of Chardonnay. Not smart. That darn wine spells trouble for me! By the time I got to the arena....I was darn thirsty. So, I ordered another. That kept me dancing for sure (got lots of exercise!). Great concert...what I can remember of it. 3 glasses of wine and I was completely trashed. Slurring my words. Staggering. Oh, just awful, awful. The last time this happened...which was in August 1991 (went out for the first time after having my daughter...to my girlfriend's 40th birthday...). I drank chardonnay that night too. Since then, I've limited myself to only 1 glass of charrdonnay....which is quite enough. Not sure what got into me Friday night! But, ooooh.... Saturday morning I felt like sh*t. Haven't had a headache like that since August of 1991! Then, Saturday night, I ate potato chips and dip at my nephew's birthday day party. Haven't ate that in close to a year. I felt absolutely horrid by the time I got home. Thankfully, I recovered overnight and was able to get up to walk this morning. Then, we had company for dinner---my dad, my son and a few of his friends who were visiting from out of town. So, I cooked up a storm---all of my son's favorites. And, sadly, I found that I could actually consume a decent amount (more than I have been able to eat since Feb). I skipped dessert (pear-carmel cobbler with vanilla cream sauce...) but started picking at the leftover PotRoast Nachos after everyone left. It's another week.....I'll just wipe the slate clean and behave! No more chardonnay for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so glad I decided to stop here tonight! These pictures are sooo inspiring. {I think my restriction is going away.....at least that's the way it felt this weekend. My dr won't do a fill until I get back from my cruise (she didn't want to take the chance of me getting ill, etc while on the waters). So, no fill until June 3.} Anyway, seeing these pix have given me the motivation to stay on track with food and exercise. Everyone is looking wonderful. So much lighter....and I'm not talking "lighter" in terms of weight. There's a whole new lightness to everyone.....! And, Frangi.....that view is amazing! The perfect backdrop for your amazing new look! And, yes, I agree....love the shoes! Have you always lived in the Virgin Islands? I've never known anyone who lived in paradise!!! And RubyJade....wow....you look so much younger! And, if I dare say this---the smile in your "before" pix seems forced. The smile in your "after" pix seems so natural!! Congrats to all!!

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Did you hear me as I was reading these posts? It's really wonderful to see everyone so inspired and energized and positive! Everyone is so encouraging and supportive as well. When I think back to how I felt....how many of us felt, I'm sure.....just a year ago....it's amazing! Who would have thunk it??? Definitely NOT ME!!! Here we are exercising.....YES!!! Yes, Becky.....I hate the gym. I go but I hate it! I hate organized classes and machines and all of that stuff. You have no idea how wonderful it was to hear that someone else feels the same way as I do!!! If I could just walk and garden I would be so happy!!!! DH bought me the gym membership and 10 (why 10???) sessions with the personal trainer back in November. My DD also belongs. It's a pricey gym but it's very close to our house. And, to be honest....if he hadn't bought it for me, I had already been thinking of buying a gym membership for the both of us (but not at that gym due to cost!) for his 50th b-day. Anyway....I'm tied to that gym for another 2 years so I am going. I'm sure it's a "good thing" but still....I hate it. And, last but not least....YES Jody....do tell about your special night. Exercising? :tt2::tongue::tongue:

Yeah Salsa! You speak for alot of us....! This really has been an emotional and spiritual journey as well as a weight loss journey. In fact, I think the emotional & spiritual parts are the best of it (even though I am loving the weight loss!). Although I'm not running---I'm walking---I do know the feelings you describe! I'm actually ABLE to walk up hills and keep up with my walking buddy.....a fete I haven't been able to do in years. Of course, I wasn't walking....becuase I knew I couldn't (could that have been the PROBLEM....LOL) Walking and talking are my exercise of choice.....stimulates the mind and the body. All that gossip....you know..... But, I'm still doing the machines and the weights at the gym.....still hating it. Congrats girl!!! Judi

Thank you for your response Pizzica! I'm hoping to get my calories down to 1200. I'm not doing so bad today. And, thank you so very much for keeping up with my blog. So happy you enjoy it. I truly enjoy doing it. Silly & sappy as it sounds, doing that blog has really given me so much joy! I really appreciate the feedback...thank you so very much. Here's my chai latte recipe: (BTW in the early days, I used to put vanilla whey Protein powder but no more....I tell you this since it tastes quite good with it if you want to add it) In Magic Bullet......(makes 2 servings--I have one in the morning, one at night) 2 ounce Bolthouse Farms Perfectly Protein (Soy) Vanilla Chai Bolthouse Farms "Perfectly Protein Vanilla Chai Tea with Soy" Nutritional Facts 2 tablespoon General Foods International sugar free Chai Latte (30 cals per tbls) 8 oz of boiling Water or 8 ice cubes (boiling for hot....ice cubes for cold) sprinkle of cinnamon Whirl in the Magic Bullet and enjoy......! And.....if you are really love Chai......here's something special. I made them a few weekends ago.....loved em Chai-Naughtea (this made 4 "martini" drinks) 5 Bigelow® Vanilla Chai Tea Bags 2 cups boiling water 1 ounce vodka 1 ounce Grand Marnier Crushed ice Cinnamon heart candy for garnish Time: 10 minutes - Chill Time: 30 minutes Place Bigelow® Vanilla Chai tea bags in a measuring cup. Cover with boiling water and let steep for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags (squeezing out excess liquid) and chill for 30 minutes. Pour ½ cup tea into a martini shaker, add vodka and Grand Marnier®, fill with crushed ice and shake well, strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a cinnamon heart candy. Cheers!