JudiM

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.......

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