marcyinak

tjfandri - nope, not 60...just 35, but I'm not in a race here...I'm happy with my "slower" loss...although, I find with my other group (my surgeons group) I'm pretty average with the loss...especially considering I'm not big on excersize...working on that though. mango my sweet - I'm right here...I read the posts daily, just don't post myself all that often..I go in spurts. I still have TONS of unsolicited advise to doll out so don't you worry! I'm in Alaska (if that was REALLY your question)...in Nome (north, near Russia, on the coast...you know that Iditarod race, well it ends here) Brandy - you wouldn't have believed the strange looks I got at Breakfast...here's the buffet, my kids with plates stacked high of everything imaginable and me...with my slim fast shake...haha! Jackie et al - my S-I-L told me about her plane trip to Miami to join us on the cruise...man with two young children doing the yuppie expain everything thing (I'm old school when it comes to parenting), well he's explaining everything about the plane to them, and then the daughter states matter-of-factly, "There is no Santa Claus!" My SIL then turns around (she's had it by now.) and looks at the girl and tell her that, "What are you talking about? I LIVE in North Pole, Alaska...I see Santa almost everyday...I live down the street from his house and workshop. There are reindeer in our yard!" The girl and her dad shut up for the rest of the trip. NOTE: This is TRUE, she DOES live in North Pole, etc. I believe in Santa...if I don't he won't come to my house and confirm that I've been a good girl and leave me something sparkly! WOW! I'm impressed with everyone's weight loss (regardless of amount)...we all LOST weight this month! Oh yeah! I'm doing a little dance here, anyone see it? Oh, that's right, I've got a tan now and my butt isn't as bright as the North Star...well, you'll just have to imagine it then! :-)

Tied2 - I, too, was over-prepared for the surgery, but better to be prepared for everything! Good for you! I'd say hit the store and get some yogurt, some thin soup (broth, tomato...stuff with no chunks). Dr. K let me progress as I felt, I was on liq. for a day then on to yogurt and such for a couple of days...I was eating regular food within a week, but I chewed like I had never chewed before...don't worry, you'll be so worried about messing things up that you'll eat carefully for a while! I woke up from the surgery not feeling ANY pain...I was cold and tired. I went back to sleep and woke up covered in warm blankets and feeling pretty good...I even got right up and walked to the bathroom! Putting on my clothes wasn't so bad either. I opted to have a dose of pain meds before I left the surgery center - not because I was in pain, but I wanted it to stay that way. I probably used 1/4 of the liq. vicodin that Dr. K prescribed and I didn't really need the Gas X...I did a lot of walking (mostly at Target). Recovery was easy and great for me and I wish you the same! Good luck sister!

Oh, hey, good news...a friend of mine (who I wanted to come get banded with me) is thinking of getting the band done...her parents have offered to pay for it. Apparently, she's a little influenced by my meager progress.... I'm going to advertise for Dr. K and then maybe I'll come with her for the surgery and then we can get together? That'll be fun!

I'll be there in spirit! Hey, has anyone got a letter from Dr. K regarding the medical necessity of the band? For taxes I mean...all we need is a letter that says we needed the band...I've contacted Marilyn about this in the past and she hasn't gotten back to me. Maybe I'll just hound her? It would be nice to add this to my medical deductions! Would be nice for all of us! :-) I've lost another 3 lbs. since I got home from the cruise! I'm feeling good about it. I'm also forcing myself to wear the smaller jeans instead of my VERY large comfy jeans...I just need to get rid of them so I'm not tempted. I figure if I wear tight jeans then I will make better food choices so they'll fit better (I write this as I'm eating a coconut pattie - candy dipped in chocolate - that we brought back from the cruise)...salad tonight to make up for it! I'm in a much better mood today! Sun is up a little, but it's overcast and stil grey outside! Bummer!

Jenne - I wouldn't worry about the fill and being too tight...as long as your doc is near anyway...that is my problem...I have to travel by plane to get to a fill doc and have to stay there several days to make sure there aren't any issues. I understand that the fluroscopy fills are quite good and offer a more exact fill amount for a "sweet spot". Don't worry too much, that's why the band is ADJUSTABLE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHYL!

I'm not really having issues....I've noticed that meat doesn't go down too well, but salad does. Man, if I just wanted to eat salad all the time I would've saved myself $10K and not had the surgery! I'd still like to eat a little steak or chicken (not a lot mind you). It totally sucked on the cruise just licking everything...kept TRYING to eat meat and ended up running to the bathroom so I could belch it out...nice, eh? Have we heard from Dini? Is she still in New York? She really should have gone to Miami...the weather was just fantastic while I was there last week! I'm feeling like the begining of depression is hitting me...I'm working at stopping it...I'm walking a lot and going to start a kick-boxing class with a friend. I noticed this morning at 9:50 that the sun still wasn't up...then again at 11:00 no sun...I KNOW that the days are shorter up here, but when the reality hits it's just a bummer! I guess I'm just having a bad moment... Man, the cruise was nice, but reality isn't lookin' so great!

Crap, sorry, I'm re-posting the same pictures! Oh well, it's a good one.

Now, let's see....got on the ship and sailed to Grand Cayman where we went to the Turtle Farm and swam with the stingrays...then on to Isla Roatan, Honduras where I got to play with monkeys...then to Altun Ha, Belize to see Mayan temples...fun fun! After the cruise we spent some time in Miami before heading home on Thanksgiving (kept me away from food). We went to the Metrozoo...very cool and I highly recommend it, but you'll need a whole day and good sneakers!

OK, you asked for it! Really, this was a GREAT trip! There was a family in Isla Roatan, Honduras that had some "pet" monkeys - they charge you a buck to take a picture...it was very cool and I even realized I was risking fleas and lice, but it was worth it! I took my son back there later that day! We went to the Turtle Farm in Grand Caymen...very cool stuff! Later went swimming with the stingrays!

Ok, there's a lot...I'll try to go in chronological order, but my mind is askew today! Michelle, since you're having a few food issues this weekend...I'll NOT put in the picture of the dessert table at the Grand Buffet. Oh my gosh, I don't know how I survived! So we've got some pictures of Sea World here..this is BIG that I'm in the pictures, usually I'm the one behind the camera! Then we have my BIL's wedding...amazing that so many folks from Alaska were able to go! It was at the Orlando LDS/Mormon temple the day before the cruise. Then we went to Grand Cayman and saw the stingrays.

Phyll - I've lost a total of 7 lbs. for the Thanksgiving Challenge...still not beating myself up about not losing 10...there WAS a lot of dessert involved after all! Everyone....here are some pictures from the trip. I'll try not to post a gazillion, but you have to realize that we are not picture taking people and we actually took pictures this time..and *gasp* I'm in some of them! So here you are...I included a picture of the Grand Buffet from the cruise...it's a midnight buffet (as if you haven't eaten enough during the day already) that showcases the best that their chefs have to offer...and it tasted oh so good! I managed to have a "small taste/lick" of plenty!

I'm BaaaaAAAACK! The cruise was GREAT and I have determined that the cruise companies and the diet companies are in co-hoots! Not a lot of food was edible (for me...sent me to the bathroom more than once to PB...I learned to do a lot of licking!). BUT, the desserts were EASY to get down! I have to admit there were times that I had TWO desserts...even took one to my room (there was this souffle that was to die for!). I managed to stay the EXACT same weight! (So for all of you who thoought that I was ahead on the Thanksgiving Challenge...well, I only made it 7 lbs., but considering what I ate these past two weeks...still not too bad!) Must've been all that walking I did...and sweating! Not to mention that session in the spa where I had "toxins removed from my body with algae" (whatever! it was free!) Pictures to come, but internet is slow and I have to get used to the waiting again... It's good to be home with my protein shakes...can you believe I said that? Phyll - do we have a Challenge Final list?

The cruise was GREAT and I have determined that the cruise companies and the diet companies are in co-hoots! Not a lot of food was edible (for me...sent me to the bathroom more than once to PB...I learned to do a lot of licking!). BUT, the desserts were EASY to get down! I have to admit there were times that I had TWO desserts...even took one to my room (there was this souffle that was to die for!). I managed to stay the EXACT same weight! Must've been all that walking I did...and sweating! Not to mention that session in the spa where I had "toxins removed from my body with algae" (whatever! it was free!) Pictures to come, but internet is slow and I have to get used to the waiting again... It's good to be home with my protein shakes...can you believe I said that?

I'm BaaaaAAAACK!

Frustrated - I love the eggnog too...you can still have some, just in MODERATION! I don't like it "strong" so I always use have eggnog and half milk - to be good I use skim. It satisfies the craving. I also add a little more nutmeg to it and that seems to do the trick! Phyl - I also retain water from sitting all day (especially flying). I got some slight compression knee-highs from Wallyworld a while back and it TOTALLY changed things for me! I wear them for flying and long drives and I don't get hot and don't get swollen! Thanksgiving Challenge - something AMAZING happened today! I am 229! Yes, I'm in the 220s! I know it's still a lot, but I haven't been that in almost NINE years! So I started the challenge at 236 so that puts me at -7 pounds! Now, do I think I can lose the rest while on the cruise? At least the candy won't be around! Haha! Funny thing about living in bush Alaska...fruit and "healthy food" is VERY expensive here so I tend to eat much more healthier when out of town so maybe, just maybe I'll be able to do it! I'll weigh myself Tues. morning before I go to the airport and then when I come back on the 23rd...we'll just see!! CC - GREAT job on the weightloss! I'm looking forward to onderland!

want2b...yep, I'm a hamster too! Too funny! Way to "coin a phrase"!

Forgive70x7 - way to go! I'm having trouble losing the weight for the challenge, but I'm more interested in BREATHING right now. Haha! I think I'll go take a nap so I'll have more energy later to take the kids out for Trick or Treating...DH is in a brace and crutches because of a meniscus tear and won't be able to do it this year...should make traveling across the country and getting on a cruise ship more interesting!

WARNING! I've had a pretty bad cold for a while now so I got out my arsenal of meds last night and without thinking anything of it I took two tablets of Mucinex (haven't heard of it? well, it's one of the best things out there). It has the quick disolving side and the other side that is a "timed release" (ie. doesn't disolve). So at about 11:30pm in the middle of what I might refer to as a "kick ass dream" my stomach HURT. Yep, it was that damn pill stuck! The pain went all around my diaphram and into my back...totally freaked me out. It took about ten minutes to pass...then...the next pill hit about 15 min. later. Let's just say I had nightmares after that! I'd like to feel better before we leave next week..geez! Well, sorry about the potty mouth, but it was bad! Happy Halloween! Oh, hey, just to make things even BETTER for me and this trip...Andrew tore his meniscus and has a brace from hip to ankle and is using crutches! This 'otta be just TERRIFIC for me!

As you can tell, it was a bad experience, look at all the swearing! Man, I have a potty mouth...sorry! Happy Halloween!

WARNING! I've had a pretty bad cold for a while now so I got out my arsenal of meds last night and without thinking anything of it I took two tablets of Mucinex (haven't heard of it? well, it's one of the best things out there). It has the quick disolving side and the other side that is a "timed release" (ie. doesn't disolve). So at about 11:30pm in the middle of what I might refer to as a "kick ass dream" my stomach HURT. Yep, it was that damn pill stuck! The pain went all around my diaphram and into my back...totally freaked me out. It took about ten minutes to pass...then...the next pill hit about 15 min. later. Let's just say I had nightmares after that! I'd like to feel better before we leave next week..geez!

Well, I joined my Lucky #7s Thanksgiving Challenge to lose 10 lbs. by Thanksgiving...then I weighed myself and found I was 4 lbs. heavier than when I last weighed myself. DANG! But, it DID motivate me to excersize...yes, Anita....EXCERSIZE! I got out my pedometer that sometimes works, but gives me an idea of how much I'm moving throughout the day. I started getting on the treadmill (OK, not for more than about 20 minutes, but that's 20 min. more than I was doing before) I also started doing some crunches (you should see Stormy try to do them with me! She even grunts! I'm a sound-effects mom, makes everything more fun.) I've been swimming with the family at least twice a week and for the past 4 days I've gone out to chop wood! Makes me feel powerful. I found it funny that today Andrew and I were fighting over who was going to go chop and who was going to stay inside and monitor the 2 yr old eating yogurt...I won! I'm feeling good and even if I don't accomplish the 10 lbs., I feel like I've already won. The Halloween candy likes me a lot. Soon the bag will be empty and I'll be safe! I'm doing a lot better than before though! Maybe I should just adopt my neighbors' way of thinking and just call Halloween demonic and not Celebrate it? Nope, can't do that, it's too much fun! Well, the cruise is just around the corner and I'm actually feeling like I might look ok! I've been tanning and that always helps! Now, I just need to get my hair done and that's a real problem out here! Seems my stylist has used all of her products on herself and is out and awaiting a shipment...I'm curious if the chemicals went on her head or up her nose. (Inhalent abuse is HUGE out here! Sad, but true.) Later folks! I'd name you all, but do you really need to be reminded as to what your name is? Oh, just to make this even longer.... I came to the realization this week that I actually DO have a mental problem with food. I always thought that I wasn't one of "those people", but I AM! Oh my gosh! I really DO have a problem with food and I can actually SEE it now that I can't eat! I really DO have a problem with eating small/regular portions! Thanks for the support!

Phyllser - this next month I'll be out more than in...just keep me on the list and I'll be sure to report back the day after Thanksgiving! The Challenge - I've managed to stay away from the candy (not completely, but I'm doing MUCH better). The Challenge has also kick started my working out. I got out the pedometer (which works sporadically, but I get an idea of what I'm doing/not doing) and I've been out chopping wood everyday and swimming a couple times a week with the kids. So all in all, if I don't lose any serious pounds, I've won already! Now, if the weather just cooperates...we've still got a PILE of logs to chop before they freeze to the ground! We had 3 inches of snow last night and woke up to RAIN! Oh yeah, that was NIIIIICCCCCEEEEE! NOT!

OK, I was able to pass by the cupcakes (which are still on the counter this morning). Maybe I'll be able to make it the rest of the day! By then the family would have them all eaten! My DH was sick last night so I didn't "get any" so I just took a shower instead....yeah, don't hear that from a woman too often, eh? I know, a little TMI, but I'm in a good mood....

There are cupcakes in the house!!!! HELP ME! I know there's frosting too....left over, in the fridge.... It's almost 10pm so it would be even MORE stupid for me to succum... Hold on, sister....you can do it...yeah, that's what I'll do...I'll DO IT... Better go get my husband!