New Hope

Betty, any luck w/contacting someone at your surgeon's office? We're pulling for you!

Chantal, you've overcome so much! Good for you!

Darcy, that's why I'm feeding the strays at the school. If they get near our home, we're goners! And we're full up! A wild tomcat ADOPTED us about 4 months ago. He'd been shot in front paw w/ pellet gun. He wouldn't let us touch him, but we put amoxicillin in his cat food for several days. He's doing fine now. He's letting me pet him now and I've p/him up a couple times. (But beware of those claws!) Few more times, and it's off to the vet to change him from a rooster to a hen. Maybe he won't get beat up so many times then. Actually, that bike riding takes about 45 - 60 minutes. It's easier on my knees than walking. I never could run (hurts my innards). I find the treadmill boring. How are you doing on the abdominal exercises? I have done zero in that department. Do you feel it hurting you in your port area? They don't make spandex this big. If I ever got into it, I'd never be able to get out. Plus, I always have to go to the bathroom 150 times. Yuck, what a sick mental picture! Mowing the yard, doesn't that go under "Super Good Deeds"? Hey, behave yourself today and drink that water!!! That WAS VERY thoughtful of you to keep your farts to yourself yesterday.

O.K., Penni, I'll let you pass this time! Does this mean you'll still buy me a new outfit? I want one of those spandex bicycling outfits in a XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXL. Instant lipo! I'll wear it under all my clothes.

Lisa, I've been doing horribly for several days now. This challenge has really helped me behave myself. I usually do a Protein shake for breakfast. But I've done the eggs/sausage the last couple of a.m. (I bought the Morningstar veg. saugsage after Teresa recommended it. It's great!) I seem to stay full longer. But of course, time usually is in short supply in a.m. So that won't be an every day breakfast. You have lost an amazing amount of weight in a very short length of time! Teresa, the strays are very, very skittish right now. One has a bad limp. I think that's what cinched it w/my husband when we were dating (back before the earth cooled). He bought a can of cat food, opened w/his pocket knife & fed some stray cats. I knew right then that he was a "keeper". He said if he'd known what was to follow, he would have got out a 22 and made those cats dance! I've been avoiding cameras for years. I don't know if I'll ever get the nerve to take a pic, let alone post it here. Wow, I don't see how you are keeping up w/ your school load! Then a marriage and working on top of that! In spite of all that, you've managed to lose a huge chunk of weight. You rock, girl!

Leatha, will my legs really get longer? I won't have to get out the sewing machine and hem every pair I buy? You'll be posting a pic in stilettos next thing we know. And Teresa will be wearing mini skirts to show off her knee caps! I felt hardening on both sides of my band and thought something was wrong a few days ago. But it was ribs. I have ribs!

Yeah, Carmen! Now you can buy some sexy tops to show that neck off! Wow, you've done an amazing job at weight loss!

Yeah, Penni!! And think of the $$ you saved at Walmart vs. the Avenue. Post pictures, please!:Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny :Bunny

I have to admit that I think there's nothing more beautiful than to see a woman in her 70's, with her life etched on her face. I guess I just wasn't ready for it to start showing up so soon on myself. But I'd rather have laugh lines, than frown lines. Maybe, someday, someone will think I'm a "beautiful, serene older woman".

O.K., Penni, you're disqualified! You're only supposed to weigh once a week! I've caught myself wanting to do that about 4 times today.

Day two report: Beginning weight - 195 lbs. Breakfast - scrambled egg, vegetable sausage patty lunch - tuna salad dinner - Weight Watcher Frozen Dinner (bbq chicken, mixed veg.), low-fat ice cream bar Exercise - 8 miles bicyling, horizontal boogey (or does that go under "good deed"?) Good Deed - took food to stray dogs living at Jr. High Did much better on Water intake today. Yeah, no in-between Snacks or grazing for two whole days!

Dave, best of luck to you on your banding journey. Here's to an easy surgery and recoup time! Whatever you pack, cut it in half. I was banded locally. Got there at 5 a.m., on the operating table at 1 p.m. But I guess I want the surgeon to take his time with me, also. Best of luck to you! Please keep us posted.

But I can't come, Penni! Any other incentives? Hmm....

Yeah, Maurice! My ins. took 8 months also. You'll do great! We didn't acquire all these bad habits overnight and it will take a while to undo them. But the band gives us a daily reminder. Best of luck to you for an uneventful surgery and minimal down time!

What a great anology!

Nancy, I've noticed that too. I just thought it was because I'm outside in the sun a lot more now. I guess all those years as a couch potato did serve one good purpose -- kept my skin smooth. Well, I guess if I have to choose, I'd rather be thinner. Let me know what the P.S. says. Maybe Dr. Spivak's patients get a "special deal" with a P.S. he knows.

So you had a cup of coffee this morning. Ten years from now is that really going to matter? This is "Be nice to Lisa" day! I need to organize my closets, big time. Maybe you could put a lock on the closet door. That way, Chris could only get to it, when you let him. Now, go drink your Cranberry/water!:banana :banana

Wow, Michelle, I know you've lost a LOT of weight! But seeing the before and after pics side by side! You have a waist! You have a waist! I'm so proud of you!

Lisa, o.k., take some deep breaths, relax. Now, you need to eat something hi protein today. The liquids are just going to make you more hungry and then you'll find yourself wanting to eat more "junk foods". Saddle those puppies up for a leisurely stroll. Their smiling faces will raise your spirits. How about a few laps in the pool? Give yourself a facial. Just take some time to spoil Lisa and "destress". This is a brand new day full of brand new chances. See what good deed you can come up with. Love you! :(

Chantal, Good for you! Stress and depression are illnesses just like any other. I'm so glad that you got the meds you need to control them. It's wonderful to hear that you are feeling better and happier. Your husband, your kids, and you deserve all the happiness in the world! Take care of yourself and please keep us updated. :(

Wow, Leatha, let's get this over with as soon as possible! Just think, that's one less thing to "weigh you down". Really, they probably won't take your appendix, because it's located a lot lower. But at least they can do both laprocopically now. Gallbladder removal used to be a very major open-method surgery. Where will you be having the surgery done at? Please watch what you're eating in the meantime. You will feel so much better when that's out! Really! Take care!

O. K. , Teresa, but can I really trust you about those prizes? I'm going for the gold! You amaze me! You've lost so much weight and you're around fabulous foods every day. Either you cook, or your bed-n-Breakfast, or your hubby & house gueast. I can't imagine being around all of that and behaving myself. You are one strong woman! Congratulations! Oh, P. S. You're supposed to do a good deed each day. But I don't think you'll have any problem. You'll just have to narrow down your to-do list. Best of luck on Chemistry!

Leatha, air up those bike tires and just cruise the neighborhood. Get you a little speedometer (at Walmart) to tell you how far you've gone. It's so enjoyable because you're looking at the houses, flower beds, kids, pets. It has to lower your blood pressure right off the bat. You're out taking part in the neighborhood. I like to walk too, but it's harder on my knees. The biking makes me feel like I'm really getting somewhere. Michelle, no one could be an inspiration like you can! You are such a strong, good woman! Despite your personal trials, you always take time to think of others. Teresa, you have lost 53 lbs.! That is a whole other person -- a half-grown child. Wow! You're so much braver than me about doing Water aerobics. You must be doing something very right! And no fills yet! Awesome! Teresa, I have that inner ear thing going all the time, so I'm always wobbly. I know you can run circles around me! Here's to happy, healthy US!!!

Edi, some guys just don't know how to show support. You know that he loves you, just the way you are. And he'll love you just the way you will be. You'll still be the same sweet person that he married, just in an updated package. So happy for you! The date will be here before you know it. Best of luck!

You know if the inventor of this band is collecting a dollar off of every new bandster that says it won't work for her/him, well, that would be a pretty hefty sum (on top of what he's already making). What we have in common is what has made us a close and caring group. Each of us has struggled with weight, health issues, depression, binging, failed diets (there's that word!), and this has pretty much been our last resort. Hopefully, what we're learning is how to live sensibly, focusing on other things besides food, improving our health, improving our relationships with family and friends. I feel like it has improved my spiritual outlook and given me the gumption to get out and enjoy life. Having found this group of fantastic people has got to be one of the best gifts that I have ever given to myself. I say a little prayer of thanks for that each day.