ShelbiCallie

Down 1 pound! Not much, but I'll take it! Dee, I just wanted to say thanks for starting this 10-week challenge. It has kept me on track (for the most part :tt2:) and kept me accountable. Knowing that I was expected to weigh myself and document it here has helped me through some tough situations where I would made a terrible choice in the past. You are the best, bandito friend! PS Aren't you proud of me for keeping my hands to myself as we have all these new folks join us on the bench?

And you know what? Deb, that was the LAST trip in your life where your activities will be limited because of weight. Next trip you will be lighter, healthier, happier. You are making those first steps towards that now; your August re-birthday will be here before you know it!!

You are SO my hero.

Sidann -- Way to go with that MD visit! That's great. You are doing it, girl!! I had to laugh about the Ayds Candy -- I had mine with hot water, too!! Please add these to the failed diet list: The Grapefruit Diet the Cabbage Soup Diet The Mayo Clinic Diet (I think that's what it was?) Fen-phen Adipex (There are more, plus I've tried most on the first list) When I was 13 I took a prescribed "appetite suppressant" and lost 35 pounds between 8th & 9th grades. The best that I remember it was called PreSate. Looking back I remember riding my bike like a crazed lunatic and not sleeping at all that summer. Ah, the '70s -- times were so much simpler then and the pediatricians had speed for all the fat kids. My take on the airline. Like every other corporation, they are in business to make money. They don't really give a rat's ass about the "comfort" of anyone, as long as they fill the seats with the lightest people possible. The lighter the overall weight of the plane, the less the airlines fuel expenses, the more profits to their shareholders. They try to market it as "comfort", but that's total BS. As soon as they can get away with it, they will weigh each and every passenger and price their ticket accordingly just as if the passenger is a box of FedEx mail and not a person. Totally sucks, in my opinion, especially when they give the insincere crap about it being for "comfort". We're fat people, not stupid people. JERKS!!!!

A good find, Brandy! Thanks for sharing~~ Definately one for the 'fridge.

Brandy -- I'm glad you're ok! LA & Lap -- WTG on your losses this week! You're working that band, peeps. Mini -- I have 100% faith in your band success. I've been fighting obesity since age 11 (with only a 2-3 few normal BMI years thrown in there), have tried it all and, believe me, this tool works! And as the weight goes down, the desire to be more active goes up. I think being able to breathe, sleep and move easier makes the exercise part so much better. YOU CAN DO THIS! It's almost your day ~~ WOW! Happy Friday everyone!

Me too, Minnie. Hope we hear something soon. Hey Drews! Good to hear from you stranger. Fat Widow -- I don't know anything about the hotels in the area except the Holiday Inn Select near the Parker Hospital. Hopefully, some of the locals can help.

Brandy - Prayers, positive thoughts, hugs, fairy dust and everything else are coming your way, my dear.

LA -- Good to hear from you and I'm glad that you've not had any more episodes. Keep us posted on the U/S results.

Things I can't eat: bread, Pasta, scrambled eggs, I have trouble with meat - can only eat a few SMALL bites Things I can eat (that scare me that I can eat)::embaressed_smile: soda, crackers, Cookies, chips, chocolate, hot dogs, bratwurst (any greasy meat) I'm the same way, so I have to avoid the things on the second list like the plague! I'm too much of a carb/sugar/junk food addict -- one is never enough, so I can't let myself go there to begin with. My band's just a tool that controls the amount of nutritious food I can eat, the junk food slides right on by. So I really plan for those special occasions where I'm going to let myself indulge -- like have a small piece of cake at my Dad's birthday. But I can't even consider it otherwise. My band can't do it all; my brain has to do it's part -- I know what's heathly vs. what got me where I was a year ago. It's a battle for me, because I've always been good at rationalizing/justifying/denying ---just like any other addict. When I get started on rationalizing that I can have soda, crackers, cookies, chips, chocolate -- just in small amounts, I have to kick myself because I KNOW that nobody should eat that crap, banded or unbanded. Big, big thumbs up to you on the bike rides!!!! With a kid on the back, too! Keep it up, Marcie!!!! That's great.

AMEN!!! Go get 'em, Lap. You have absolutely made wonderful progress on this journey. This is the next hill to climb and we're all gonna be cheering you on. Keep us posted.

I still want to pick your brain and get your opinions! I just haven't gotten it done yet (story of my life!). But long story short, my oldest is on the Autism Spectrum -- PDD-NOS, specifically. He's 17 and was diagnosed at age 4. It has been a very interesting ride, to say the least! This past year has pretty much been, well, hellish. My hubs is probably Asperger's, but has never been diagnosed and my youngest is the poster child for ADHD. Throw in my tendency for depression/attention problems and we've got our own little "group home" going here!! (I don't know how Barkley deals with us -- he's like the calm pack leader. ) I am very interested in Schizophrenia, because that disorder is in my extended family and I believe that all the neuro stuff (autism, schizophrenia, alzheimer's, etc.) is connected. That's really why I need to get your opinions -- I know neuro is your specialty and you seem to have a good handle on your son's situation; I want to be Mini's mini-me (haha) Update on Barkley -- my boy is home and sleeping right beside me with a cute little blue cast on his foot! I'm missed him so much~~but he's doing well. He talked all the way home -- more like a moan/howl -- trying to tell me what had happened. I always worry when he's away that he thinks he's been abandoned again, because when he sees me he tries to talk and tell me what he's been through. Bless his heart. Good Night sweethearts, well, it's time to go!

I am so relieved that the band behaved!!!!!!!!!!!! Now, please tell me you've pooped! Really, you don't have to, of course. But the nurse and the mama in me are dying to know. My sister tells me I talk about poop too much, but I think it's a very important body function. My dad gives me an update on his eating/pooping at every visit without fail -- that's his main topic of discussion and I guess I've inherited that from him.

Me neither! I do have a shot of my band and my liver that Dr. K took during the procedure, if I can only find the darn disposable camera that I had in Denver. Of course, I left my digital at home. And I wonder how my kids ended up with attention problems......

I love the class -- it's great cardio and alot of fun! My sister loaned me a gel cover for the seat and it was MUCH better. My sister says the seat doesn't bother her at all now -- I guess you do get used to it. And today I'm not sore -- it went away quickly whereas last time I was in a major hurt for 2 days. I go to the class that doesn't have any hardcore cyclists (too intimidating for me) -- they all go to the 5:30 AM class I think. Go and wear the shorts -- you'll have a blast. I can't do all of the stuff the instructors do yet, but there are others in the class who are at the same place as me and nobody seems to notice because there is music going and the lights are low, etc. Take a bottle of water with you -- I drink at least a bottle of water during class. The instructor yells "Water up! Towel off! Woo Hoo!"LOL. You are lucky to have a spin bike at home -- I'm jealous!!! I have one of the old Airdyne (Sp?) Schwinns, so if I try to stand to sprint like they do in class I'd probably flip it. Try the class and let me know what you think.

lol @ Munchkin for the "bat list" -- I like that! Mini, I'm sending you my cell number. Dee - I'm so glad you're back. Missed you muchly. I think it's admirable that you did that trip for your daughter, knowing that you'd go through some pain /mourning re: the ex afterwards. I fully believe that your new man (when you meet him soon) is going to adore you because you know now that you deserve no less. I can't wait to hear all about it -- next week, next month, next year, whenever it happens, and it will happen. Surely we'll get some good Brandy news today..... Went to my second Spin Class last night. Four words -- sore butt and legs. But I WILL keep it up. WTG, Mal on the roller blading! News on my son -- he signed up for an online GED class through the local community college!!! This is HUGE for him ~~ the thing that I'm most proud of is that he actually made it through the "getting there" process and we both survived. The whole time when we were driving, parking, walking across campus, waiting, he was all "I've changed my mind, I don't want to do this, I'm going home, this is ridiculous, we're lost, etc...." and I was all " It's ok to feel uncomfortable in a new place, it won't take long, we're almost done, starting something new is hard for everyone..." BUT he did it!!!!!! Now we just have to get him through the Orientation and placement tests..... His "community worker" who was assigned to help him learn to navigate independently is going to be out of work for 6 weeks, so we're starting over there....His "job coach" finally returned one of my four phone messages and he has an appointment with her Friday (actually, the message she returned, finally, was the fifth one that I left for her supervisor)... After many months of talking, begging, calling, meeting, evaluating, signing, begging, meeting, signing, calling, talking some more etc. things are starting to actually happen. Jill -- I told very few people, but I did tell my children (now 11 and 17). I had to explain why I was going to Denver -- being away and them staying with my sister was a huge deal for them. My younger son did end up telling my attention-whore sister, and though she hasn't spilled the Beans yet, I'm sure that day will come. (But it's ok -- I did what I had to do to save my life and not die from obesity.) My kids were ok with it, but I think everyone has to be very careful to only give kids the amount of information they can handle on an age-appropriate, developmental-appropriate basis especially when it comes to medical situations. It's 3:37 am and I've got to work today. Darn this waking up in the middle of the night thing. I'm going to try to get back to sleep now for an hour or so. Cross your fingers. Happy Wednesday peeps. Lets all move and eat healthy today!

Mini -- That tent is da bomb!!! I love it! Where did you find it???? 3.5 pounds gone for good-- Yay!!!!!! Jilly-- Where are my manners?? WELCOME and I'm sorry that I have been so neglient in gving you a shout out. Honestly, it getting hard for me to keep up. You've found the best thread and the best surgeon around; glad to have you here! Woofay --Where are you?? Brandy & LA -- How are you?? Everyone -- Need an update from the lurkers and the busy and the in love. You know who you are. Come on now, make mama happy. My Barkley had a cyst removed from his toe this morning and has come out of the anesthesia; received a good report, but they want to keep him overnight for observation. Isn't it funny -- hubby had a heart procedure last week and was home by lunch; doggy had a toe cyst removed and was admitted for more than a day. What does that say about the medical system in our country?? Or maybe, its just a reflection of the good veterinary care system we have here. Or maybe, I'm just bitter as I make another payment on my lap band that my insurance (with the high premiums) wouldn't cover. Or maybe, I'm just very hormonal today and need to stop.

Mini -- Welcome back! Can't wait to see the pictures --That sounds like one of Mal's yurts (is that the right word?) from last year. Scroll a few hundred pages back in the thread for the details of her yurt-camping-thing. So cool. Brandy -- I am crossing my fingers that it's constipation! That's fixable and is completely logical if you've been on the heavy duty pain meds.

WTG, Lap!!! You are doing awesome; rockin' that 20!! You'll be riding on the back of a Harley in no time, striking a fabulous pose with a smokin hot body. I am completely sure of it. All this talk of motorcycles reminds me of the last time I was on one -- 30 years ago!! What a sense of freedom, ya know? Brandy, I'm thinking/hoping/praying you've just got some irritation from the ER episode a few days ago. I'm sure Dr. K will know exactly what to do and his ultrasound will show that your band is just fine. (In fact, I'm sending a telepathic message to your band to tell it to behave, right now. Did it work?) Keep us posted. We're pulling for you. LA -- is your gall bladder behaving? Munch -- I miss Dee and Mini too. Is it just me or does any one else picture our Minidriver as Minnie Driver? You know, from "Good Will Hunting"??? Love that movie. I always read Mini's posts with a British accent.

RAHotmomma -- Water skiing! That is so cool. You have completely transformed yourself with this band and I applaud you. You need to do a Lap Band commercial, seriously, because you have worked this tool so well and are such an inspiration. Mal -- That is so cool about the Harley! Be careful and wear a helmet and only get a tasteful tatoo, ok? Just kidding.

Oh Green -- I feel ya on this one. I know in my heart that I don't need my dad's approval and probably won't ever fully be validated by him, but I crave it. And he's freakin' 91 years old. I'm working so hard not to repeat that with my own children -- it's very hard not to be critical when I have been the recipient for many years and do it quite well to myself now, thank you very much! That being said, congrats on your 50 loss and yippee for those sexy collarbones, baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(((Brandy))) and (((LA))) Sending prayers and healing vibes to both of you!! Bless your hearts. Munch -- Yes! Yes! Yes! I would LOVE to meet you when you come to NC! When?????? Denise -- You are absolutely beautiful! Lap -- Thanks you as always for your always enlightening posts. How did you pain eval go with the doc? Dee -- I hope you find some seriously hot hunk in Vegas for a make-out session. Mal -- I am so glad that you and Buster are back on your walk/runs again! Everyone -- I'm STILL not caught up on the posts! But I'm working on it and will be back on track soon! Saturday Weigh-in: I'm down 3 pounds this week!!!!!!!! More later. I'm off to a Spin Class this morning. (What am I thinking??)

Drive-by post here. Will post again after I have time to read everything! Thanks for all of the well wishes, positive thoughts and prayers. As always, you gals are the most thoughtful and supportive crew ever to grace the mighty internet. Now about hub's cardiac cath this morning... Hubby is home, did very well, and got a good report! Only a 10- 20% "narrowing" of 2 vessels, but no obstruction and Dr. doesn't think that he's had an MI in the past. Dr. feels that the weakness (his 40-45% ejection fraction, when 50-60%? is a normal ejection fraction. Correct me here, Munchkin; I'm an old L& D nurse. Don't no nuthin' 'bout no cardiac stuff) of his heart is due to the chronic, but intermittent, arrythmias that he's had for years (which had originally been written off as anxiety attacks about 10-12 years ago.) The cause of this is probably due to the way his heart conduction is (and probably why his Dad had cardiac arrest without a previous diagnosis) plus his unhealthy lifestyle choices (is that PC enough?)So...diet, exercise, and medication can probably manage this situation presently. Whew! Another bullet dodged, but a much-needed heads up received. Let's hope he'll continue to take this to heart (pun intended). I've used up my quota of ()'s today, so I'll close for now. Love, Shelbi

Good Saturday Morning, Banditos! Shelbi -- Down 2.5 pounds (loss,gain,loss = I'm only down about 1 pound over all from the starting point. Got to crank it up a notch this week!)