IndioGirl55

Beautiful !!!!!! But I wouldn't want to shovel that stuff :0) I know what curling is :smile2: - Yep cold weather = summer early fall babies :thumbup: Candice - the whole sabotage issue - I really don't know why - I think it does go back to settling for less than 100% -that it's too hard - that you feel good where you are at - that you are afraid to discover that person underneath all the fat - all those things rolled into one - I really don't think it's just one thing.. To me it sounds like you have a pretty good marriage - so then the whole issue of having to beat men off with a stick isn't applicable - but maybe you are afaird that you may want to stray?? I don't think so.. So put that one out of your head.. Brick up side the head - yep you are worth 100% of the effort - you have a wedding next year (have they set a date?) You deserve to feel good about you - there is nothing wrong with that and I will tell you it does feel good. It feels better than good... You are the same person - but losing the fat is liberating - the real you will shine thru.. That's the way I feel - I am just now in the body that was mean for me and I am now that person I always imagined myself as in my head. But the fat was in the way- It's so hard to explain... I set my orginal goal at 170 - that tells you right there that I thought that's all that I could do and I remembered looking good at that weight when I was in my 30's.. But when I got to 190's I moved it to the 160 again I was afaird to say 150 - didn't think I would get there.. Well I got there and then some now my weight goes between 137-140.. If you told me this in 7/07 I would have said no way jose... So I guess what I am trying to say is don't pressure yourself - just focus on eating healthy and not dieting and exercising and the weight will come off.. When you want to eat that candy - ice cream - or whatever - just look at is as a poison - (cuz that's really what sugar is) - if I start eating sugar I want more - so just stick with the sf stuff.. Quit dieting - eat healthy - go shovel some snow for exercise:blink: - Cuba here you come... Well I gotta get my butt in gear 8 days till vacation gotta get my desk cleaned up - Everyone p.m. Ruby and Karri & Linda - tell them we miss them we will shame them in to coming back :crying:

Yep it's just amazing that I am a size 4 - I am the weight that I started my freshman year in high school.. I can eat almost anything - I have eaten 1/2 bagel with lite cream cheese - donut small bites it was just fine. The only thing I really havent tried is like a submarine sandwich - on a thick sour dough type roll - I really don't think I could eat that - I could most likely have a couple bites - but I still like to get the most bang for my buck (eat more least amount of calories) - that an fast food. But I was never a big burger eater to begin with.. Oh let me tell you my old head wanted to get 2(or more) - but the new me won out.. Yes eating out can be stressful until we learn that we can do it - small bites and chew - eating out is sorta my 2% treat area - I don't do it too often- so when I do - I get something in the middle of a healthy diet - I don't get the alfreado sauce but I would get a lasagna .. When's the 53 bday ??? ------------------------------------------------------ Good Morning gang - Hope everyone had a good weekend.. I am at work and need to get busy cuz I have 8 days left then I will be off for a week - so I have to have ALL my work done.. So better get started.. Will cbl :smile2:

I have internet at home again:thumbup: ($200 worth) - at least on my new laptop (well really it was my bro's laptop) any way went and got new wireless rouiter and adapter - had my pc working for a minute then can't connect - so I am trying this one out and it's working ok - gut typing on the laptop is diff so bare with me on this.. cuz the keys are diff than my pc heck my typing is bad to being with now this diff key board. Of course PJ - I would love to meet w/you.. I gotta figure out when i am going. She is going on a Cruise 1/20 i think - her 93rd bday is 1/2 - but I think I might go President's weekend whatever date that's going to be next yr.. But not sure yet - I will arrange my flight home to be later in the day - My Aunt's not a morning person - ususally connect with her around 11 ish so If I have a flight home on Monday then I could meet up with you the day I leave - I will just tell Aunt that my flight leaves earlier - you know so I don't hurt her feeling but 2 days will be enough time spent together - when I know actually when I am going - I will let you know.. Welcome Beachlover - (I am too :thumbup:) We are here for you.. I can't say I have any dissapointments.. I am super happy. But I was lucky to be able to get to my sweet spot fast - I think that would be the biggest dissapointment for most - well that and that the band is going to do all the work for you :w00t: I'm not saying anyone here feels that way - but you would be suprised on how many pple think that way.. Ask and you shall be answered.. I am back online at home - so will be around more often than I have this past week.. Kathy Well you have a mini goal since we are meeting up next month :sad: Yep exercise is key key key.. I am glad you are getting filled prior to turkey day - you wouldn't beleive the pple who don't so that they can eat more for the holidays and who get unfilled prior to going on vacation. How dumb imho.. Congrats on the large tops and 2 sizes down on your pants !!! Michelle - You are doing very well !!! look at what you have acomplished 1/2 to goal in 6 months .. As i am always preaching - our weight issues are more than just physical restriction - it's really our heads that need banding :wink2: We are here for you.. So come back talk to us.. --------------------------------------- Ok ladies just cking in -now gotta go see if my regular pc will connect to the internet this laptop is hurting my back.. It's on my desk and i am having to sit super straight to type well now I put it on my lap. lets see how that works - i guess they call it a laptop so that's where it's suppose to be :mad: Yesterday went to San Marcos (close to San Diego) with my gf and her daughter - did some shopping myself - 1st time since Sept which is a biggie for me as during my weight loss phase it seemed like I was shopping every weekend.. I was shocked that at Chico I am too small for their pants - their sizing is diff 3 to 0 - well the 0 fit sorta - but if I bought them by the end of the day they would be way too big - I celebrated by eating a dounut on the way home - my 1st in 16 months - and it curbed my cravings for it - It's funny how our brains do change - I wanted 2 - got one - ate it - and fell fine with just the one and today went right back to eating healthy.. Well I gotta get ready for work tomorrow - will talk to you all then.. Hugs Janet

I HAVE INTERNET ACCESS !!!! $200 LATER - (NEW ROUTER & ADAPTER) 1 CALL TO LINKSYS AND 1 CALL TO TIME WARNER ABOUT THE MODEM I AM ON THE INTERNET AGAIN !!!!! Car - thanks for the suggestions - I think part of the problem was the way GS had it set up and that his computer is Vista and my old router was like 5 yrs old... So I just went an bought a new router & adapter (needed it anyway as I have my Bro's laptop) so now I can be watching tv and reading lbt or outside on lbt :wink2: Think I am addicted to lbt :thumbup: Candice - How was the visit with your Mom??? Be careful girl in that snow - I would kill myself for sure... Give me a sand storm to drive in - I am ok - black ice - hell no... Hows the exercise - food choices and tracking going - I am back 24/7 now - just not 7a.m. - 4 p.m while I was at work... So I am here... What's up.. Steph I can eat a bagel and I don't need a fill - only 1/2 bagel but I can eat it - I don't think that's a sign you need a fill. Were you full on that 1/2 bagel sandwich - to me its about the amount of food I can eat not the type - Heck I can eat 1 to 1/2 cups per meal.. Yesterday went to San Marco's with GF Debbie (her daughter lives there) we left at 7:30 a.m. and got home at 10 last night - Went shoping - got dress black pants size 4 :0) pencil skirt - 1 pair of boots and 1 pair of ankle boots - couple tops - heck I tried pants on at Chico's and the 0's were too big :sad: - I would say that I am a sold 4 in my pants now... - BF 1/3 c hash browns - 2 egg yokes mixed in them - 1 oz polish sauage and 1/2 piece sour dough toast - Dinner 6 shrimp - 1/2 mash tatoes snacks 1 candy bar and 1 dounut (my 1st in 16 months) and 3 ribs (tiny baby back) at midnite I had to go to Winco to get V9 batteires cuz the stupid smoke dectors where going off - yes at midnite I had to get dress and go to the store for batteries Having chicken enchillada for dinner tonite... Ok I gotta restart my computer - to update my McAfee - so be back in a bit..

Car - OMW you are doing great - 6.5 from goal - WTG:thumbup:

JoannMarie - Girl you are going to be a perfect bander.. Heck so many pple don't even come to lbt til after they were banded- you know everything there is to know about the band... I know it's scary to give up your best freind - but if I remember right you are already doing that - 12/4 you date I was thinking about it the other day - that was my bro' Jimmy's wedding date.. We are so blessed to have you as a part of our family... I understanding missing your kids - I miss mine terribly - I have a very small family now - not that it was ever really big - but I miss my DS DIL GD'S so much - you take it for granted when they live around the corner.. But that being said - I don't miss some of the things I had to do when they were here - like picking kids up after school.. Apple - OMW Girl aren't you a ball of energy.... I totally agree with you about adding the snacks - and I will tell you it's ok to brag - you have done the work - Heck look at all the food you cook 24/7 and still have gotten to goal fast!!! My hat's off to you lady... Heck for me it was about and still is advoidance - I don't know if I could do all that cooking and baking without sampling... To day I am hungry - I had turkey keilbasa (sp) onion, bell pepper, jalapeno & red potatoes w/garlic salt & pepper - one pot wonder for lunch had about 1 1/2 cups and still hunger.. I sorta feel like I am coming down with a cold.. Congrats Lori - you are doing so wonderful !!!

Charlene I am hanging in there- yesterday was 1 month - I know that as each month passes the pain will ease some - it will always be in my heart but as time goes by it will lessen some.. Heck you still are losing and that's what counts - you could be having gas pains too - I know that I still get them every now and then I know that you will miss your girls - but be glad to get back to your routine... It's so funny how as we get older it's all about our routine - I use to laugh at my parents and their schedule/routines - and now here I am all about my schedule/rountine and watch out if it's interrupted.. Heck we are only talking about a 3 day weekend in June.. Rates should be cheap - fly in friday and out sunday.. put every $5 bill you get in a jar - that's your lbt vacation fun..

Becky you are so sweet.... Yes we are one big happy family here and welcome anyone who wants to join I don't think I explained it any better than you... It good for everyone to reply so that she can see that by all our experience - our jouneries may be a little diff - but we are all basically the same..

OK Steph - I don't know anything about low blood sugar - I had a BF who was diabetic and if he didn't eat after taking his shot he got like that - Candice's suggestions were good - the doc told him to eat like jerky - keep some hard candies in your purse to - and yes you are going to have to eat good healthy foods every few hours... You can't forget to eat.. Yes as soon as you get home - GO TO THE DOCTOR !!!! Candice - I know you are just looking for an excuse for me to fly up there and kick your butt in person- but right now I just can't - so you better get back on program !!!! less than 30 days till cuba ...... TODAY AND FOR THE NEXT 3 WEEKS OR WHATEVER IT IS ... ON PROGRAM !!! Too Cute Kari - Yep she better get her butt to the doc soon!!! We will all stay on top of her..

Becky - I would have been pissed too - VERY PISSED!!! Congrats on your 7 lbs As to what our bands hold - I never really concerned myself with all that junk - who cares - all I care about is that it works. Each of us is fitted with diff size bands depending on the size of our tummies.. Each of us get restriction at diff amounts - heck there are pple who don't need a fill for 6 months from being banded and then there are those who get to their sweet spot fast and others who take longer. So who cares how many cc's you have - Imho it doesn't matter cuz you can't use that as a comparision to anyone else cuz we are all diff.. Heck I really got to my sweet spot on my 2nd fill - the one I had in January ended up being like .01 so that was a tweek really not a fill. Again - my band doesn't take away my hunger - I don't like that pple think that's the case - I think that's setting yourself up for failure. For me it keeps me full when I eat hard protiens - but again as I have said a million times before - I still want to eat even when I am full... Last night was a perfect example of that - I was full - but omw I wanted to eat ... Teachgerica - Of course you are welcome!! - how can I say no to a person from my home town :0) - I have lived here all my life and this mentor site is open to anyone who wants to join... There is no limit on participants.. If I don't get back to you then one of the others here will - in fact you will get replies from all of us most likely :0) - Everyone here is doing great and they are learning their new lifestyles.. Yep giving up your best friend (food) is scary - we have had a love affair with food for most of our lives - to say good by to our lover is hard - but that lover has done nothing but hurt us - it's killing us - so it's really not our lover/best friend. Anyway - you are still going to be able to eat - that's not going anywhere - you can still have treats - you are just going to trade in this friend for a better one - you new best freind is going to be Healthy Eating & exercise, What to do when you can't eat - well, all the things that you have been told before - go clean out a sock drawer - get up and do something to distract yourself. Go for a walk most of us come here to LBT - You will be part of this group and your Nov 08 group - LBT is open 24/7 - you can post and you will always get a reply - it's what I do most nights (execpt for right now at home my internet is down hope to get it fixed this weekend). Any you can still eat - just low fat low sugar & sugar free items. And also what you need to really do is when that hunger strikes - think about it are you truly hungry or is it mental hunger - and let me tell you - what we think of as true hunger is mostly mental hunger - we don't know the diff. From reading my post - you will have heard me say this a million times - I will be full from dinner but still want to eat and my stomach is full.. My mental hunger feels like real physical hunger to me... It really does and I am what like what 16 months out... Your nerves are normal - we have all been there - It will be ok.. It really will - it will be hard at times but nothing in life that is worth anything comes easy.. You are going to be hungry at times - you are going to want more that Soup at times while you are on liquids - but I gotta tell you - we all felt that way - but you must follow your doctors order while you are healing - that's the most important part of being banded - you want it to heal properly.. We are here for you - Welcome and feel free to ask anything you want - feel free to speak your mind and it doesn't have to be just about the band - we all rant and rave about our lives in general - cuz those things are factors in our jounery to get healthy and how we deal with them Hugs - Janet... rennaisance_woman Yep exercise is hard at first - but just start slowly and each week or so increase your distant/intensity - and each week as the lbs comes of it will get easier - you won't hate it so much and you will feel such an accomplishment for doing it Yes there are a million things out there that taste just as good as what we ate before and that are better for you. In fact when you try to eat something that you just loved before the band - when you eat it again after being banded for a while you will say - oh that didn't taste as good as I remembered it.. :tongue2: Kathy Each time I fight myself to go to the gym - I know that I will feel better once I just do it... It's the whole getting there that can be the issue and once there - it's not that bad.. Well, I need to get my butt in gear... So Will cbl :tt2:

No problem Tootsy... That's what us oldtimers are here for.. Yep so many pple think this is the easy way out - but any bander you talk to will tell you it isn't... I think that even the commercials make it seem easy - the band doesn't tame our mental hunger - and that where our problems lie.. It's not really the physical hunger that got us fat it was the mental hunger - cuz hell we all ate past full - we ate cuz it taste good - we ate to soothe our feeling.. Heck to this day I still want to eat when I am physically full.. The band doesn't help that.. We all need reminders now and again.... Hugs Janet

I don't think of it as dieting - I really don't - the way I ate b/4 was totally unhealthy... I just focus on eathing healthy I stay away from high fat - high sugar foods and for me exercise is key.. Yep - I have always disagreed with pple who want to be so tight that they can barely eat - I know this wasn't what happend to you - but for Me I need to eat more than 1/2 c per meal... Even though the band has been around for alot of years - it's only been here like 7 or 8 - so there is still alot to learn about it... I am happy i did it - so far knock on wood I am ok - and if I lost it - I would do the sleeve... I might try to keep it off on my own - but I don't know if my mind has changed that much - it does stop me from over eating - cuz i know if I take that one more bite I will bp and and I don't like to bp..

Kathy Thanks - I just want to shoot it.. GS just called there went $274 for tires... --- I know $$ is made of paper but heck it doesn't grow on any tree in my yard. You will feel so proud of yourself after you are done at the gym - and you will think - ah that wasn't so bad... Hugs - Janet

My vote is June.. Rates should be cheaper then too - and it's not too hot - heck that's what pools and a/c are for.. I think once we get a date I may tell my July ladies and the 50's ladies - I think it would be cool to have a big group and us July pple where going to get together again anyway so I could kill 2 birds with one stone... We are all banders - so we are all family... More the merrier !!!

rennaisance_woman; Congrats on being banded.... Lucky you soft foods already I was on full liquids for the 1st 10 days then 10 days of mushies - then 10 days on soft then finally regular food Remember this isn't a diet it's a change in our eating style - your focus should be on eating healthy not dieting... As the saying goes diets don't work and eating regular for us is what got us fat in the 1st place. Ok ya you shouldn't have eaten the top of the cup cake - but it's not the end of the world - just pull up those boot straps and move forward. NO HEALTHY TREATS AREN'T OFF LIMITS - even an occasional real sugar treat isn't off limits either - we have to live life - and that does include a treat every now and then - it's not that one piece of cake that got us fat - it's cuz we ate 3 or 4 piece if not the whole damn cake I eat sweets almost every day.. But now they are the sugar free kind or very low in sugar. I am allowed 3 meals and 2 or 3 healthy snacks... So this is how I handled it.. Breakfast - 200 Calories - lunch 230 Calories - dinner 250 Calories - after dinner is when I want to eat - so this is when I had my Snacks - 1 or 2 sf fudgecicles (80 calories per) calories - 1 or 2 sf choc puddings (60 calories per) 1 or 2 sf dannon lite & fit yogurts. - I also found some oatmeal Cookies 3 small ones 130 calories.. Like I said - I am the most hungry at nite - (don't get me wrong - I can get hungry between breakfast & lunch and between Lunch and dinner - but I can ignore these hungry pangs as long as I am busy plus at work I don't have the junk to eat - - but at night - I can't - so the way I have dealt with them is to feed them within my daily calorie budget. Even today on maintenance I have a 1/2 c of sherbet in cone most nights (130 calories).. I eat healthy 98% of the time and allow for treats 2% and if I do over indulge - I kick up my exercise and just eat a little less the next day - this is how what we call skinny girls do.. Ya they might eat a pint of ice cream one nite - but they aren't going to do it every night all week long - it's once in a great while.. The have cake - candy etc.. just not 24/7 like we do.. Also I do find that if I stay away from real sugar I don't crave it as much as when I do indulge in it.. Sugar is like heroin to me - once I start I have a hard time stopping... So I do the sugar free stuff mostly - the Jello sf dark choc puddings are great along with the choc/banana ones.. Healthy Choice fudgecicles are only 80 calories and even have 3 grms of pt I think - I got sorta burned out on them as I ate them for the 1st yr - Now I have sf pudding and add a few almonds and raisians.. Since I am on maintanance - my calorie budget is higher than weight loss phase (800-1200) Are you exercising - it's key IMHO... During Xmas last yr when I did allow myself a few of the cookies I made w/my grandaughters - I just kicked up my exercise and you know what - I still lost weight during the holidays... Remember this isn't a diet - I can't stress that enought - it's about learning to eat healthy - not deprivation - you just gotta learn how to feed your hunger within your calorie limits - plan and be creative.... You can do it !!!! Congrats on your 14 lbs. If you do the work (and yes it's work even with proper restriction) - you will be rewarded in the end - I hate the saying that nothing taste as good as thin feels. But I do have to say that all that food I use to eat and had me at 250 which was limiting the quality of my life - wasn't worth it - now adays - I look at that piece of cheesecake and just say "Oh hell no" I feel to damn good now a days - to ever go back to being fat. Being healthy feels better than the taste of food My health is for a lifetime - and that taste of food was only for a moment in time ...

Denise good for you - remember that saggy skin isn't going to hurt your heart - but the extra weight will :0) Hugs.... This is why I went for a normal bmi - I never thought in the beginning I would get to 170 (my original goal) but at 190 saw that it was going to be possible - changed it to 160 was still afaird I would never get there - and today I was 137 so if you just keep eating healthy - you will get there.. I know it's a little harder for you with th slower metabolism - but it's possible...

Congratulations !!!! Way to Go !!! Judy - Congratulations !!!!! Go for it... I wanted a normal bmi it was very important to me - also - I wanted to prove the statistics wrong (that we fat chicks can only expect to lose 50-60% of our excess weight - hell we can lose 100% - I wasn't going to settle for less than 100% I had major surgery to get healthy not to be overweight) Yes we want pictures..... Lori - IMHO 1st week of Dec is the best !!! Apples - OMG - all that food I don't know if I could handle it - my trick has been avoidance - you have stuff under your nose 24/7.. Way to go girl.... I think the most I have ever cooked for was maybe 20.. Diva - Suggestion - keep a food diary - that will show you where you are you are over loading on your calories.. Toosywoots - Glad you are feeling better - sorry for your struggles. Here my 2 cents about this being another diet situation.. Take the word diet out and replace it with eating healthy - as fat chicks we didn't eat healthy - our normal eating is what got us fat to begin with - So this is where the total lifetime lifestyle change in your eating fits it - we now eat healthy (low fat low sugar) and exercise... Your band is only a tool - a piece of plastic - it's not going to make your food choices for you - only you can do that - the band works once you have proper restriction and for some that can take a while - but in the meantime you can focus on eating healthy. Keeping track and measure your food is a good learning tool - you aren't goint to have to do this forever - just until you learn what a normal serving size is and how many caloires are in what you eat. As fat chicks we ate way to many calories - we need to learn how many calories it takes to lose the weight and then maintain it.. If you are hungry - have a sf fudgecicle (healthy choices are 80 calories) or a sf pudding for 60 calorie or extra veggies.. Focus on eating healthy and exercising and practice the bander's rules - hard Proteins 1st - then veggies (and if you are still hungry add extra veggies - that's what I did) and if any room left carbs/starches. Eat slowly - chew well - no drinking with meals or afterwords per your doc's instruction... The band isn't the magic cure to our issues with food - it's only provides restriction - which you can eat around it you chose (slider food) - The band is no diff that any other weight loss plan you or I have been on in the past - this too takes work on your part IMHO my band had made the hard job of losing weight just a little easier - but it's still been hard work on my part - IMHO I have done 75% of the work to lose the 110 lbs by going to the gym and eating healthy 98% of the time and the band did the other 25% by providing restriction... Good luck on your 1st fill - it will help - I was lucky to get to my sweet spot by my 2nd fill - with just a tad adjustment in January of .01 and still have perfect restriction for me (I can eat 1 cup to 1 1/2 cup max per meal.. I feel 10 yrs younger - have tons more energy - and gotta be honest it hasn't been that hard for me... I think I had my Ah Ha moment when I decided to have major surgery to get control of my weight and plus I really really did this for the health aspect of giving me a longer life..

Fort Worth - Trinity Towers.... Sounds good to me - but I can't comit to being on the committee right now - with work - bro's estate - I just dont have the time... April or May good months for everyone.. Yep I have some heck at 53 who doesn't - my tummy isn't too bad - boob weren't great to begin with - arms are what bothers me the most. - I look great clothed and that's how pple see me not naked,.. But I will tell you that I rather have the skin issues that the fat issues - saggy skin isn't going to kill me - but the 110 lbs of fat was.. Some pple for some reason want to use the saggy skin issues as an excuse not to lose the weight - I just don't get that...

Good Morning Gang Good Morning Gang Well I gotta vent here - I was so friggin pissed off last night - went to the gym - that was all good - then came home to tackle the computer issues (I am wireless - gs computer is hooked up directly to the modem) So first I call AOL - They say it's a linksys issue - so I call linksysm - after waiting 15 minutes the phone dies.. So call back wait another 20 minutes - finally get someone - gs computer freezes - while talking to lady (out sourcing again and diff to understand) so have to reboot - well as I do this guess what happens - the I lose the call (I think she hung up on me)- after 41 minutes of being on the phone -it's now 7:30 something almost 8 - haven't fed the dogs/cat or myself.. I run the disk that came with linksys and it tells me I am not hooked up to the modem - well yes it is.. I am so frustrated I just wanted to cry... So I think I am just going to go get a new wireless system (mine's 4 yrs old and gs computer is vista which is a mystery to me and I am XP) and just start from scratch.. Most likely won't do this till Frid or Sat. Ok Steph - now you have us concerned... Is your blood sugar going too low??? Yes it's about eating healthy - this maintanance thing / almost to goal is a very tricky thing - you know who you are sounding like - your mentor Karri... Phyl - a few days ago it wasn't acutally the port site that hurt or should I say discomfort but behind it - like where my band might be ... weird pain. but it's gone - I do crunch at the gym so I think thats it... Candice - OK girl - 1 month till Cuba - you gotta get your butt in gear 10 lbs are going to be gone by the time you go ok - good food choices and exercise.... You CAN AND WILL DO THIS !!! Kari - putting on that old top - i bet you said to yourself - omg i didn't know I was that fat - cuz it had to be falling off of you.. I know I put a dress on that I couldn't wear at my highest but fit at about the 200 lbs range - well - OMW that thing just hung on me and I told gs how come you didn't tell me I was so fat... I think I have gotten rid of 98% of my fat clothes.. I have a few teeshirt that I have from past cruises but that's it.. Ok need to get my butt in gear - I will cbl:tongue: Oh Phyl - I bet you are going to be happy - our weather is going to warm up for a few days....

Good Morning Gang Well I gotta vent here - I was so friggin pissed off last night - went to the gym - that was all good - then came home to tackle the computer issues (I am wireless - gs computer is hooked up directly to the modem) So first I call AOL - They say it's a linksys issue - so I call linksysm - after waiting 15 minutes the phone dies.. So call back wait another 20 minutes - finally get someone - gs computer freezes - while talking to lady (out sourcing again and diff to understand) so have to reboot - well as I do this guess what happens - the I lose the call (I think she hung up on me)- after 41 minutes of being on the phone -it's now 7:30 something almost 8 - haven't fed the dogs/cat or myself.. I run the disk that came with linksys and it tells me I am not hooked up to the modem - well yes it is.. I am so frustrated I just wanted to cry... So I think I am just going to go get a new wireless system (mine's 4 yrs old and gs computer is vista which is a mystery to me and I am XP) and just start from scratch.. Most likely won't do this till Frid or Sat - so I apologize for not being here to support you guys as I should be... But gotta say - you all pretty much got the hang of things.... I am all for Vegas - cuz I can either drive or fly - heck since gas is so cheap right now (2.44 is what I just paid this morning) it was only 42 to fill up - heck it was 60+ what a month ago... I love the lazy river thing... My cup of tea and we can get our exercise too by walking :thumbup: March is out for me - so what month would be good for everyone else - OK i need to get my butt in gear and get my work done - don't want to but I guess that's what they pay me for :thumbup: cbl:tongue:

JoannMarie - Hate to tell you this but if you got me to MofA again- I would shop LOL as I am a shopper... I loved the Nordstroms (they were having a great sales) Ann Taylors Loft - Chico - Bloomingdales and the QVC store.. and they have some good restaurant - bubba gumps & some bbq place - we stayed at the homewood suites right across the street where we walked to the mall - I like it cuz it had kitchenettes so we had a place to store and heat up left overs... Trip cost me about $1200 for 3 nites 4 days hotel and air - that doesn't include shopping or food.. Lori - isn't it great that you carry your weight so well - for some of us we can really trick pple - I know when I had the surgery pple would say oh you aren't fat - hell - how can 250 on a 5'4 person not be fat.. Now they are saying I am to skinny - 137 isn't to skinny... People can't make up their minds. As to a trip I would love it but I gotta be honest here with my curise in March and I have to go to texas to see Aunt - it would have to be cheap and close - but heck if you guy figure something out keep me posted and I will see if I can work it in... Well gang don't know if I will be back tonight or not - I have gym after work and gotta see if I can get the stupid internet to work... I am hoping it just fixed itself - I am going to have to call aol and see if they can help..

Would love to but am going on a cruise 3/22.. So can't swing 2 expensive trips.. How about next year doing it on the west coast :0)

Hey there gang - I know I have been MIA but my Internet is down at home - and just too busy at work to ck in everyday.. Ok here's my 2 cents on the holidays/sweet cravings. I really try and stay away from real sugar - cuz once you eat it - it becomes my heiron... Yes that dangerous... Once you eat it the more you want - so just don't start.. When I want something sweet - I really do stick to the sf stuff - I love the dark choc sf puddings - choc/banana one too - fudgecicles and I am now even added sherbet 1/2 c only 110 calories. As someone mentioned its all about the planning... Last Xmas - When I would go into the lunch room here at work which was filled with junk - I would look at the calories for 1 piece of See's candy - and then just said to myself oh no it's not worth it Also, I made a deal with myself - I make Xmas cookies with my GDs every year - I love them (the cookies and girls too :0) - it's a tradition going back to my childhood w/my Mom - So I said Janet - you know that when you make cookies with the girls you are going to want some - so as long as you stay away from all the junk in the lunch room for the Xmas season - you can have 5 cookies & 1 tamale (yes we make them too - I am pretty well versed in other cultural foods) - So that's what I did - I said no to all the junk in the office but allowed myself some of the cookies that we made and do you know what - I didn't gain any weight during the holidays - in fact I lost weight.. I find that if I have something in the house that I love or want to eat - if I put it out of sight - then I won't pick at it. Pizza - we have it every now and then - but when I have allowed myself 1 piece - then it goes in the oven so I can't see it every time i walk in the kitchen - (I have an open kitchen/family room setup). Another trick is to budget your calories - if you know that you are going to a party where you can't say no to that glass of wine or some of the rich foods - then just make sure that they budgeted for in your daily calorie allowance - eat light for bf - lunch - so at the party that 200 calorie glass of wine and 200 calorie indulgence isn't going to throw you into calorie overload. Remember we are not dieting but making a lifestyle change and the trick here is to understand that it's ok to allow for a treat now and then - it's not cheating ladies - it's life - it's not that one piece of cake that made us fat it's cuz we ate the whole damn thing... Don't keep foods that you can't say no to in the house - avoidance worked for me - you don't need them and neither do your families - it's all about eating healthy not deprivation.. Someone said - cheating with cottage cheese - Well, since I am a WW girl - I eat extra veggies when I am hungry - to me veggies are free - this is how pple who we think of as skinny do things - they eat real food but just healthy food - fill up on your protein - then your veggies - then your carbs and if you are still hungry have a few more veggies.. You all can do this - you just gotta put your mind to it - just don't eat that one fun size bar if you know that you can't stop with just one or 2... especially if the junk is in the house - If I want candy - I will buy just 1 pack of reese pb cups - its 210 c and when it's gone it's gone - in the past I bought the king size or the big bag and then ate it till it was gone - if it's not there you can't eat it - so just don't buy it.. I feed my hunger - I just do it in the lowest calorie form that I can.. Heck it takes me 2 hrs some time to grocery shop cuz I real labels - I want to know how many calories are in a serving and if it's like 700 for 1 piece of cheese cake - I just say no... Well I gotta get back to work - cbl:tongue:

Good Morning Gang I don't know if I have internet yet or not - I was tired last night - skipped the gym and went to bed at 8:30 and slept til 5 :0)... Apples - Baking oh I would be in big trouble - cuz I would eat it... I was hungry last night - I think it was cuz I was tired that's a big food trigger for me... BF 310 - Lunch- 300 - dinner 400 - Snacks 300 or 400- ok that's only 1310 -1410- I think I am forgetting something - so I guess I didn't do bad - it just seemed like it - I guess my brain has changed some - it seemed like I ate the whole kitchen last night. We (Lucky #7) were talking about Vegas next time but thought we might move it up cuz it's too hot in July - but heck who's really outside in Vegas :0) - I like the Vegas or Colorado idea. Ellen - I totally understand how consumed your are right now with all the responsiblities that you have - yes your second fill should help tons - it was the one that got me to my sweet spot - so wishing you the same :0) - Hugs... Lori - Cruising is my most fav thing... Am looking forward to my curise in March - it will be me and 2 18 yrs olds - wish me luck that I keep my sanity. (I know it's questionable if I am sane or not :thumbup:) Phyl - Yes we will make plans to meet up w/Kathy when she comes - I have a party on the 6th (Sat Nite) so we can do Sat or Sunday day - even Friday nite... Ok gotta get some work done - just cking in - I will ck back later... Hugs Gang !!!

Apples - that where us lucky #7 met in july (mofa) - the only problem I felt was that we didn't have enough time together.. We all got there friday - shopped sat & sun (2 left on sunday afternoon) and the rest of us left monday I just felt that we didn't get enough time together - 4 of us stayed up til about midnite talking but the others were beat.. With the economy as it is - and me taking my GS on his 18th BDay/Graduation Cruise - I don't know if I could swing it but will have to just wait and see..