jackie506

Hello my lucky 7'S!! Sorry I have been MIA so much lately. Just been busy with work and life. Our weather here in Iowa has been nuts to past couple of weeks. Every other day we are getting snow or something. We are getting ready for another storm again tomorrow into Wed. I hope it clears before Wed afternoon though because I have my monthly check up with my surgeon. I am really looking forward to this one. My restriction is good but I think it could be just a wee bit tighter so I am asking them for a 'tweek' tomorrow. After January first I have to start working on my annual out of pocket max again but up until then everything is covered at 100%. I figure if he gives just a little tweek that should hold me for a while because I am doing ok right now. I want to share a recipe with you all. My MIL is a member of weight watchers and she got this recipe and made some of this soup and had me try it. I ABSOLUTELY love it!!!! I am a VERY big soup eater anyway so this was right up my alley. She calls this the guilt free soup. Very high in fiber and protein and LOW in calories. Just what we need. I made a whole pot tonight and froze it down in 1/2 cup servings in my little gladlock containers. Had some for supper and I am FULL. LOL Soup is very filling to me anyway. Ok here it is (I used frozen vegetables because I would rather have frozen than canned) 1 can green beans 1 can corn 1 can Hormel Chili with NO beans 1 can hormel chili with turkey and beans 1 can diced tomatoes 1 can Great Northern Beans or Navy Beans 1 can Vegetarian Vegetable soup 2 sliced white potato (I did not add this because thought I would just cut down a few of the starch and carbs) 1 can pea's 1 can carrots Boil your potatoes until tender. While potatoes are boiling mix together all other ingredients and heat. When potatoes are finished drain and add to the rest of the mix. Each cup is 50calories. Very filling and very tastey. I used 2 cans of diced tomatoes because I love tomatoes and they are free. Hope you enjoy it.

Twas the night before Christmas-Dieters Version Twas the night before Christmas and all round my hips Were Fanny May candies that sneaked past my lips. Fudge brownies were stored in the freezer with care In hopes that my thighs would forget they were there. While Mama in her girdle and I in my chin straps Had just settled down to sugar-borne naps. When out in the pantry there arose such a clatter I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the kitchen I flew in a flash Tore open the icebox then threw up the sash. The marshmellow look of the new-fallen snow Sent thought of a binge to my body below. When what to my wandering eyes should appear; A marzipan Santa with eight chocolate reindeer! That huge chunk of candy so luscious and slick I knew in a second that I'd wind up sick. The sweet-coated santa, those sugared reindeer I closed my eyes tightly but still I could hear; Oh Pritzker, on Stillman, on weak one, on TOPS A Weight Watchers dropout from sugar detox. From the top of the scales to the top of the hall Now dash away pounds now dash away all. Dressed up in Lane Bryant from head to nightdress My clothes were all bulging from too much excess. My droll little mouth and my round little belly They shook when I laughed like a bowl full of jelly. I spoke not a word but went straight to my work Ate all of the candy then turned with a jerk. And laying a finger beside my heartburn I gave a quick nod toward the bedroom I turned. I eased into bed, to the heavens I cry If temptation's removed I'll get thin by and by. And I mumbled again as I turned for the light In the morning I'll starve...'til I take that first bite!

Thank you!! I just wanted to hear someone agree with me.

Well I finally got all of my exercise in and then some. It is snowing terrible here in Iowa but I still went out and walked (DH thinks I am nuts! LOL) and then I shoveled snow. It honestly isn't that cold outside it was just 'annoying' because the flying snow kept spotting up my glasses. I should have put my contacts back in before going out but I didn't. Oh well. I walked and then I shoveled for an hour and 45 minutes total time. I feel really good. We are really having winter here in Iowa this year. I am fine with that though we have been really lucky the past few years. I was talking to a friend on the cell while walking and I jsut realised Christmas is only 2 and 1/2 weeks away!! I am usually sooooo into it and I just can't get there this year. I don't know why. I mean I have my shopping done just this and thats if I see something but I am really done but I just don't feel Christmasy this year. That is soooo different for me. Even the kids don't seem to be into it like they usually are. Is anyone else having this problem this year?

Janet you are right. It just frustrates me!! I just don't get it. I feel sorry for those that are trying to make it on minimum. There is no way in hell we could do it. When minimum increased a few months ago there was a segment on TV that was talking about how the increase actually hurt others because some people get assistance for head start schooling for pre schoolers and day care assistance. The increase sent them just above the income guideline so that meant that they lost that assistace and had to pay for those services. That means that they were paying more out than what their increases were. So really what help was that. NONE. I know I know it is part of life. Just frustrating. UUGGHHH Sorry for all the ranting. I just had to get it out of my system. I am past it. I will be getting my membership. I will be getting the family one because the kids go sometimes so I want the option there. I actually told my son that if he wants he HAS TOO use it. No excuses. LOL DD hasn't been home to hear that yet. My son is home sick so we have already discussed it. I know that if I don't get my membership I won'y exercise as muc hand I CAN NOT AND WILL NOT fall back into that. Thanks everyone for letting me vent.

Hello everyone. I am sorry I haven't been on much lately. Don't know why I have been so busy because not a lot has been going on but I haven't been home much. Ok I have to vent. I got a letter from our local YMCA yesterday because my membership is coming due in January. Anyway, in this letter they say that since minimum wage is going up in January they are being forced to increase membership fees. I figured they would be increasing anyway because they redone the bottom of the pool this year and the gym floor. So I wasn't surprised but then as I read on they increased it by $127.00 a year for a family. I will be paying a little over $500 a year for my family to belong to this!! Maybe that doesn't seem like alot compared to other gyms but to me that IS a lot for what we use the Y for. I am sooooo angry!! I read this to my hubby and then I told him they give the increase in minimum wage and then they take it away. Sadly this is just the begining and it is the Y!!! Ok so I am already fuming over this and then my son asks me to stop at MCD's (I know not a good place for him either) so I stop and ordered an ice coffee. She gives me the total and I said that is more than it usually is. She says all our meals and everything has gone up due to wage increases. WHAT THE HELL?!?!?! Why are they giving this to people and then turn around and take it away. My gosh it is even in the fast food restaurants. Can't wait to see what it will do in the grocery stores, heating, and electric!!! Sorry I jsut had to rant because I am sooo damn mad! About the gym membership....I have to figure something out because I really want my memebership. I will prob keep it but I WON'T be happy.

I remember 'back in the day also'. I am 34 but I remember being 16-19 and wearing a size 3 Guess Jeans. My Z Cav's were a size 26 waist. My gosh wouldn't I love to be there again. Today the body images have changed so much though. We went to my sons wrestling meet and we sat behind the cheerleaders. When the girls stood to do their cheers I noticed that 1 of them was small but the others were pretty 'beefy' girls. When I was in high school that was NOT acceptable! Then as I was looking around at the other kids there really isn't a lot of 'skinny minny's" like when I went to school. My daughter and I were talking about it later that night and she said mom America is getting fatter and you are still stuck on being a skinny. LOL Think about that though. People really are ok with being bigger. It is like that is the 'norm' now. If we could all be fat and healthy that would be fine but I fear for the generations coming up. Alot of them are already 'beef' or 'big'. I know what the weight has done to my health in the past 13-14 years because I was at a healthy weight up until then. Some of these kdis are large and were large as little kids. What damage has this demon already done to their bodies?! I am stuck at 205. Been here for about 1 week and a half. Restriction is still good though. 6 more lbs by Christmas to meet my mini goal!! Weather here in Iowa is terrible. FREEZING!!!! We are covered in ice and they are talking more snow Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat and a chance on Sunday. I really wanted a white Christmas but come on!!! LOL We hunkered in for most of last weekend because of the storm. Sounds like Thursday is going to be bad too. Hope everyone is doing fine!!

No Janet it wasn't me for the exercise challenge. I don't remember who it was though. I am in for the challenge so who ever is keeping track don't forget to put me in. My gosh it is COLD outside. I didn't get all my walking in today so I went after supper tonight. I tell you NEVER before would I have been this committed. LOL It is 28 degrees outside and windy! I still went out and walked 3 and 1/2 miles tonight. Hubby or one of the kids will usually go with me if I ask but tonight they told me I was on my own. Put my coat, gloves and headband on to cover my ears, ipod and cell phone all one along with my bodybugg display and away I went. WOO it was breezy!! LOL Couldn't really feel the legs once I came in but HEY I DID IT!!! We are really supposed to get some really bad weather this weekend so I will prob just go to the gym or the garage if the roads are bad. I have a nice treadmill in my garage but I like to walk outside. Need to just start going back to the gym. I really want to start Water aerobics and haven't yet. Been saying that for the past 2 months. I keep up with the walking and exercising but the water would be great. It is just the fact of going to the gym, getting in a suit in front of others. :faint: Hope everyone is staying warm tonight!!

:rofl:HILARIOUS!!

Janet and Phyl I am so happy that you two got to meet, and very envious!!!! That would be wonderful. Things are moving along. Haven't lost any weight for 4 days now but I had lost 12 lbs in 2 weeks before then so I figure I am back on a platea right now. It will start moving again. Still doing well with my fill. Is there a Christmas challenge besides the one with the 3 levels? I haven't noticed anything. Just wondered. Been getting alot of shopping done. Can't wait til Christmas for t he kids to open their Nintendo Wii. Figure I will (hopefully) get lots of exercise while I play. LOL I dont know who will be more excited me or them. Chim congrats on your loss. We are all doing so well and have so much to be proud of. Dini hope your trip went great. Bet you have lots to tell.

Evening Everyone. Just got done with my supper and thought I would pop on. Looks like everyone is doing great. CONGRATS!!! I had a friend (the one who had by pass 5 weeks ago now) that told me today when she went to her PA today she was told that Blue Cross Blue Shield changed their requirements for WLS in October. Instead of only needing 6 months of supervised diets now people will need 3 YEARS!!!!!!!!!!! OMG I can not imagine. My response to her was 'what about all the risks that those people are at and complications that could occur within those 3 years.' She said her PS was waiting on insurance approval from BCBS and they just got their denile letter with the reason being not 3 years of supervised diet. I am going to go to the website and see if they changed it there also. I am sooooooo thankful that I had my surgery in July now. God was definately on my side. I have sent many many thank yous since surgery but today I sent hourds more to him. :pray2: It brought tears to my eyes for those who have to wait when we were talking about it. I think of where I probably would have been in 3 years and I probably would have had a heart attack or something. It really gave me a reality check again today though. Made me think about how lucky I truly am. :cry Gave me more spunk for my work out today. :banana:bananajump: I feel like I should step it up because I am one of the lucky ones to have it before they changed the policy.

Tammy sure you can join us. WELCOME!! We just did one challenge and we had all signed up to loss 10 lbs from Halloween to Thanksgiving. There are a couple of new challenges for Christmas also. Feel free to join in. You will absolutely love this group. There is alot of support here. Welcome and tell us more about yourself.

Hello all my band mates. I have been shopping all day and came home about 2 hours ago and put things away and showered and now have been setting trying to relax. I am now down to 206. Feeling great!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE MY FILL RIGHT NOW!!! Yesterday went fine. No problems. I chose to make dinner because my band is tighter during the day and I knew I would not eat much. I have actually been making myself eat most days because I know that I need to. I am never really hungry. Head hunger has been absent too. I actually think this is working!!! LOL Anyway, I made dinner, ner even licked my fingers or munched AT ALL while making it. At the meal I ate VERY little turkey and 2 deviled egg halves and I was finished. Later I did have pumpkin pie with everyone but I had made a Fat Free recipe from weight watchers. I made the filling and filled 2 pie crusts and then made a small crustless pumpkin pie. It was the first time in my life that I was not miserably stuffed after eating on Thanksgiving. The food was totally functional for me yesterday. While telling what I am thankful this year I really choked up because my list is endless. Most of all I am thankful for my family and my health again. And I am thankful for all of you. You all keep me focused. For that I thank you. Today was a whirlwind day. Went shopping and bought myself a leather jacket from Penny's. They are originally $200 and this morning they had them for $48.88. I went and guess what.......SIZE LARGE PETITE!!!!! I actually bought 2 in hopes that the size large will become TOO large and I will need the medium. The jacket is even form fitting and I actually like how I look in it. I off course had to buy myself a new pair of black mules to go with my jacket because I was wearing my brown mules and wanted to wear my jacket right away. DH gave me a wonderful compliment when I got home. He came in the house after I got home and when he seen me he said 'wow you look HOT.' LOL First off you have to know my DH.......very quiet and reserved so it was funny to hear him say this. My size 16 pants are getting really baggy in the butt, legs and around the waist so soon they will be ready to be packed away and I will be getting ready to move on down to the 14's. I am holding off until I am at 200 and then I will try them on. I don't want to do it yet because I am so afraid of being disappointed and figure why do that to myself. Gee thats new for me....thinking of myself and how I will feel. LOL Many things are changing. Sounds like everyone done fine yesterday. Congrats to you all!! :whoo: We made it through out first big holiday. Kathy I would like to be a level 2 if you would please put me down for that. The Christmas challenge? Who is keeping track of this? My goal is to be at 199 by Christmas. Anyone else up for this one?

Did you all hear that?!?!?! I was screaming from Iowa. I MADE THE 10 POUND GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM SO FREAKIN HAPPY!!

CONGRATULATIONS SALSA!!!!!!!!!!! CAN'T WAIT TO JOIN YOU. :whoo::clap2:

Please forgive me in advance for how long this will be but I have to share this with all of you. Notice the change in words where I put Lap band talk. I can't tell you what each of you mean to me so I hope this will give you an idea. TO: God.com Dear Lord, Every single evening As I'm lying here in bed, This tiny little Prayer Keeps running through my head: God bless all my family Wherever they may be, Keep them warm and safe from harm For they're so close to me. And God, there is one more thing I wish that you could do; Hope you don't mind me asking, Please bless my computer too. Now I know that it's unusual To Bless a motherboard, But listen just a second While I explain it to you, Lord. You see, that little metal box Holds more than odds and ends; Inside those small compartments Rest so many of my friends. I know so much about them By the kindness that they give, And this little scrap of metal Takes me in to where they live. By faith is how I know them Much the same as you. We share in what life brings us And from that our friendships grew. Please take an extra minute From your duties up above, To bless those on my lap band talk That's filled with so much love. Wherever else this prayer may reach To each and every friend, Bless each e-mail inbox And each person who hits 'send'. When you update your Heavenly list On your own Great CD-ROM, Bless everyone who says this prayer Sent up to GOD.com Amen

Hello everyone!! Sorry I haven't posted much this past week. Been a little busy. Congratulations EVERYBODY!!! We are all doing amazing on the weight loss. I am so proud of al of us!! My superviser had Gastric Bypass 2 and a 1/2 weeks ago and I was 'acting' superviser while she was gone. Things were a little screwy at first because, love her to death, but she is VERY unorganized. LOL Her and I are like best friends but in the area of organization we are 200% opposites. I like things just so and to be done AHEAD of time not right before. She is doing AMAZING! You can see an amazing difference in her already. I am so happy for her. She is no longer on her diabetic meds either. It is like she never had it. After talking with her and all though FOR ME I know that lapband was the right choice. At first when I seen her results after 2 weeks for a fleeting moment there I thought 'she will lose it so fast and I will be lossing slowly.' Just a VERY fleeting moment though. I reminded myself of all the reasons why I chose lapband instead of RNY. That moment passed right on by. This new fill is wonderful. I don't think I could be loving my band anymore. I have a goal of 199 pounds by Christmas. That is 10.6 more pounds. Anyone else gonna sign up for the Thanksgiving to Christmas challenge? Anyone else want to keep track of the progress because I am not here as much as I would like to be. Lets get lined up!!!! Salsa so glad to hear your band will be ok. When I was to tight a while ago my doc told me that can cause damage and no one should keep a too tight fill. One of the complications she talked of was the esophagus dilation. Heres another tid that she told me Moday. We were talking about taking meds whole instead of crushing them because I got brave and tried taking my capsule of the gullbladder whole. She told me that I should not be taking any capsules whole and pills should be crushed. I am on a diuretic and that is really small. About the size of a birthcontrol. She told me to cut that one in half. I said that I hadn't had any problems getting them down or stuck and then she told me that another problem that can cause is while meds lay in your little pouch dissolving they can cause an ulcer. Back to crushing and drinking meds for me. Anyone else here of this?

Phyl mark me down for the week. I am at 211. Loving this new fill. WOO HOO. That and the fact that I am redetermined again and making sure I get my exercise in EVERYDAY!! I was really feeling discouraged and wasn't doing it EVERYDAY but at least 2-3 times a week. Went outside and walked today and froze my arse off but still made myself do it. LOL After walking for awhile it wasn't so bad.

Indio I also hate the chewable Centrum or any chewable Vitamin. Yesterday when I went I told the PA that I wasn't taking the Vitamins everyday faithfully because I hate them. She suggested the Gummi kids ones. I told her I had thought of those but was afraid of getting them stuck and she told me to go ahead and try those just make sure I chewed them up really well. I bought them and they are YUMMY!!!!!!!!! Takes like I am getting a treat when in reality I am just taking my vitamins! LOL Feeling really good today. Count me in on this exercise challenge. I need it. Well back to work. Trying to work on December staff schedules.

Distant congrats on the 3 lbs!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you. I think I may have finally fallen from the platea. I am official down to 211 now. I really needed to see the scale start moving!! I was getting so frustrated!! I am 4 pounds from the Thankksgiving challenge. (Lord have mercy!!!!!! LOL) I have been moving quite a bit today and feel really good. That tweek yesterday was just enough. Not to tight and not loose. I am lovin in again and feeling rejuvenated. I finally got my B12 again yesterday. I use it along with my Vitamins because I am trying to grow my hair out and it is supposed to help with stress and give you energy. Don't know about all that. LOL Some days I need a whole friggin bottle!! My size 16 are still comfy but getting baggy in the butt. :clap2: I really want to shot for 200 by Christmas. Cross your fingers.

Hi all!!!!! Had my fill today. AAAHHHHH RELIEF!! LOL She only put .5 cc in but I can definately tell a difference. It is almost 10pm and I am not ready to raid the kitchen!!! I am down 3 pounds since last Friday. Saturdays work must have done omething to get me going again. I am hoping that combined with the fill will keep me going. Dini and chim so great to hear from you guys again. I miss everyone so much. I don't come on a whole lot either. I try to make it a point to check in and read up on posts every day or two at least. I too have the dreaded bat wings. I am mushy as hell to. Definately need some strength training to tone up. Well I am off to bed. Have an early meeting in the AM and have to drive an hour to get there. YUCK!!!!!!!!!!! I am not a morning person.:eek::bored

YESTERDAY ROCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got up planned that I would have a Cambells soup at hand Tomato soup for lunch and goulash for supper. Went outside and started working on the yard and house decoration at 10am. We worked consisitantly!!!! Very little time for talk let along food. YAY!!!!!! Anyway, mom called asked if we would mind coming over and mowing her lawn so she could get her yard ready to decorate. Said no problem since DH was going bow hunting he could drop me off with the mower and I would mow and he could picl me up when he was finished. Before we knew it it was almost 3pm and we had to get going to moms/field. I thought BEFORE I left though. I hadn't eaten and I knew once we got to the gas station to fill the gas can to mow I would want something so I came in the house and nuked my Campbells soup at hand for 45sec and took it with me drinking it on the way to moms. I was fine. I did buy a small beef jerky (fat free) to eat at mom's if I got hungry before going home. Did eat that once I got done mowing. Cam e home and was to tired to cook goulash. DD is 16 and she wanted to go to her friends and stay so I said you haven't eaten and she said I am not really hungry anyway right now I will eat with Tabby, DH said he wanted to eat a ham sandwhich and son wanted a grilled cheese. I came home and made DH sandwhichs and made my son and I grilled cheese. (diet bread with FF butter and low fat velveeta cheese). I ate my grilled cheese and sat in the chair for a while. Still wanted something to eat so got out some deli sliced turkey breast and put 4 slices on a plate. Ate 2 and fed the other 2 to my dogs.!!!!!!!!! The best part of all of this was I wear my bodybugg ALL the time except for when I get in the shower. Take it off right before and put it back on right after. I also have the display that tells you at all times what your calories burned, steps, activity level and etc are. My alarm on it went off at 3pm yesterday that told me I had met my daily steps (10,000 steps) and at 4:30/5pm it said that I had met my daily calories burned (2550). I was so happy I still had numerous hours until midnight so everything I did after that was extra for yesterday. When I went to bed last night I had walked almost 16,000 steps and burned 2,993. 6,000 more steps and 443 extra calories. I was very pleased with myself yesterday to say the least. I love my band AND my bugg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to verify............I did not eat 2 Tables of salads as I typed above. LOL It was supposed to say 2 tablespoons. HAHA Going to bed now. Maybe I should try sleeping until Monday? I will be moving around alot tomorrow because we are putting up our outside Christmas decorations as we have so many and it takes a while and we turn them on Thanksgiving night. At least I won't be in the house raiding the damn cupboards all day!!!!!!!!

:help::help::help::help: I WANT TO EAT!!!!!!:hungry: I feel terrible. The family wanted to order Casey's pizza tonight and I ordered for them. I haven't eaten any bread since before surgery until this past Monday morning when I ate 2 slices of diet toast for breakfast. We have ordered pizza a lot and it never bothers me, I have never been a pizza pizza eater............UNTIL TONIGHT!!!!!! I ate 2 pieces of pizza. They were the smallest ones in the box but I ATE 2!!!!!!! I feel like I am failing this band. I should have gone in this week for a fill like they offered instead of waiting. Honestly I am getting hungrier each day. I feel myself slipping and thinking about food alot throughout the day. I even caught myself thinking about where I wanted to go eat lunch BEFORE WE HAD EVEN LEFT THIS MORNING to go shopping today. I was supposed to be going shopping and I wasn't really thinking about what I was going to buy it was where will we eat lunch. :faint: We did eat out for lunch but I did well I felt. I ate 2 different salads and only a TBL of each and 2 small meatballs. I could have eaten more but I wouldn't let myself. Man Monday can not come soon enough. I can not wait for this fill. Thank GOD it will be before Thanksgiving!!!!!! Fortunately I have not gained anything more than the 2 pounds lost back (knock on wood!!!!!) I am so worried saying that outloud because I am a little superstitious that way. If you say it out loud it will happen. Man I hope not. Janet jump on my shoulder and give me HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Janet congrats on the 3 pound loss!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Excellent!! I owned up already...........gained my 2 pound loss back.