Jazlady

<p>I know what you mean. Today at work they are having a mandatory luncheon with a delicious box lunch...sandwiches, chips, soft drink, cookies. I'm freaking out. I was told just to be grateful that it was a free lunch. Not many people here know about lapband. I guess I'll eat the meat. I'm so upset. I take my meals very seriously.</p>

This happened to me with my couisan who is my best friend. We both talked about lapband for years and then she won a lawsuit, had the money, and chose NOT to get lapband. Then I moved forward and got it. She couldn't believe it! Then, I've been sucessful and now she told me that she regrets not getting it when she had the money. Then I ran for queen and won and she could have died! She had nothing but negative things to say about that. Later she confided in me that she always wanted to do that when she was younger. So, I say it is about her and her stuff. People have changed towards me and that really shocks me. I've seen both sides, good and bad.

I was in your shoes also as far as self-pay. I wanted lapband so bad I was willing to trust that everything would work out OK which it did. What's the worst thing that could happen? You could have complications and have to go to a hospital and get a bill. You could then arrange payments which would be so worth it. But as you'll see, most of us here never had any complications at all. So don't worry. This is the first time in my life I know I'll never be a size 22 again and that's a miracle. I am off my insulin, my joints don't hurt and I'm in a size 12! Oh, and I'm a beauty queen now. Now if that doesn't give you hope. Do it. Have faith and trust. You can always turn to us here for support. You are not alone.

I need to get my butt in gear again. I start off good and then slip. At least the scale is not moving up. (That's my biggest fear).

I am so addicted to sugar. Give me candy over food any day. Tommorrow (Halloween) is a big binge time for me.

My daughter has always been very supportive of my lapband success until now. I'm around her size now and soon will be smaller than her. She just can't handle it. It was OK as long as I was 'big Momma'. She's put on a little weight recently and I know her weight is a big issue to her. Well I made a comment to her and was just kidding and now she's so angry at me she won't speak to me. She was saying that she needed to buy some new bigger clothes. And I told her that she could give her old smaller clothes to me. She told me how could I think that was even funny? And I said that it's going to happen one day. So now I feel like she's spoiling it for me that I can't even share my success with her anymore. Jeanie

19 Slowly getting there! :bounce: Jeanie

Oh, and I am a queen. 2007 Woman La Honeybee Festival Queen

New Orleans, LA here...hey, maybe we could meet?

Here goes... - I hope that my life isn't "as good as it gets" - Have had 3 major careers - Computer programmer, Family Counselor, Business Owner - Florist - Love to shop at the thrift store - Always feel like I want to change careers again but don't know what I want to be when I grow up (I'm 47...lol). I really long to own a florist again. My dream was taken from me when I was robbed 2 times and had to close. Even though it was the hardest job (physically) I've ever had, it was mine, I was great at it and I miss it. - I had to file bankruptcy - I read self-help books for fun. I often read 5 at a time depending on what I feel I need help with at the time. I usually don't finish them either. - I am very creative and crafty. I often feel like a "jack of all trades and master of none" - I long to live in a beach house but I don't know where - I love my dogs as much as my family. I am very overprotective of them. It really upsets me to hear dog abuse stories or see a dog get hit by a car - I long to be a published writer. I start writing books and stories but never finish them. Even if I would self-publish I wouldn't know what to do with them then - I've always wanted to teach college psychology - One of my biggest fears is getting old and not having any money - I am addicted to sleep & naps - I LOVE to shop on EBAY - Seeing snakes & wasps will literally take my breath away - I love to stay at home. I call in sick a lot at work - I love to watch plastic surgery shows - I follow celebrity gossip like I know these people personally - I get bored VERY easily - I hate confrontation - I am deathly afraid of guns & being shot - I could probably afford another car with all the money I spend eatting out - I love to take classes for fun. I feel like I can learn anything I put my mind to. There...you probably know more about me than you ever wanted to. I'm soliciting advise on the career thing. Thanks, Jeanie

I fulfilled a life long dream and ran in a beauty pageant at 47!!! I WON!!! I am the 2007 Woman Louisiana Honeybee Festival Queen and I will travel around my state promoting our cause at other festivals for the next year. I would not have imagined it ever. Here are my before pics from March and now. I felt so beautiful that day.:whoo:

OMG! You look FABULOUS!!! :clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:I can't wait to wear a bikini and not be ashamed of my big tummy. Did running achieve such tight skin? I hope so, because I'm just starting. Do you have any before pics? Jeanie

Well we spent some time talking last night about this and she said that she was upset about how my comment sounded. But she did want me to continue to share my success with her. I apologized if I hurt her but told her that was not my intention. I'm just glad we could move past it. I never thought this would be a problem between us. Thanks for all your advise. Jeanie

Someone called me a 'cheater' because I'm not losing weight the 'hard way'. Well, excuse me. I tried it that way. This is not cheating anything. It is harder at times. It's no fun to PB in a restaurant, not drink Diet Coke anymore and still have to watch what I eat and exercise! That was such an insult!

She is 20 but is only 20 lbs. overweight. She's in 10/12's so she looks good as she's taller than me. But the issue is that as I move into 10's that's when she started having a problem.

Since I'm fairly new to this board, how do you look up others posts? Thanks, Jeanie

20:whoo: I'm going to do it if it kills me! Great thread. I never considered myself close to goal until I read this thread. It's weird but I've never been at or near goal before. Jeanie Let's do this together!!!

Did my week 1 yesterday outside in the nippy weather. It felt great! I was ready for more! That's a big improvement for me! But I have a question about running. Is it better to run longer or faster? I can go longer but it's not very fast. Jeanie

I cleaned out my closet as well. I was looking pretty ridiculous wearing the big baggy clothes. I've been shopping at the local thrift store because I find that I haven't been in a size for more than a month. People at work keep telling me that I must be on a shopping spree because I keep wearing 'new' clothes. But it's just that I've changed sizes and needed new clothes. I've gone down 5 sizes since the end of April. I do find that my style is changing. There is so many more cute clothes in the smaller sizes. Jeanie:whoo:

Thanks Nina. That's why I posted what was going on to be able to get support and words of wisdom from all of you. I will hold my head up high this Sat. when I wear my crown again. And yes, I am so proud to support the cause of St. Jude's. Jeanie

I'm 5'1" and now 165 lbs in a size 12/14. My doc said I should lose another 25-30 lbs. My goal size is 6/8. I'm trying to figure out at my height what size I would be at 135-145. Please share your stats if you're short like me. Thanks, Jeanie

I was banded in March 07 and I am 5'1" and was at 210. I'm now at 165 and a size 12/14 which looks good but still a little big on such a short body. I'd like to get to a 6 or 8 so I guess that will be another 20-25 lbs. But I've been at this weight for about 2 months now because I've slipped back into old eatting habits and no exercise. I'd love this thread as support. Jeanie

Musicalmomma, I LOVE IT!! That was great advise! I will try that. I have another event on Saturday. Great! Thanks!!!

Thanks for the vote of confidence Amber!

Well, I went to my first festival this weekend as a new queen and I had such a hard time!!! Now, you would think if I had the courage to run for queen then I'd have the confidence to wear the crown. I was good until people started staring at me and whispering. I started all the negative self-talk like, "look at her...she's so fat...she's so old...who does she think she is..." I wanted to run and cry. But instead I turned to my old friend, food. I've been binging ever since. This is why I stayed fat before. I didn't like people looking at me. I really thought I had moved past this. But obviously I didn't. I really want to enjoy being queen and be proud wearing the crown. But I'm on a downward spiral. It is embarrasing to admit this to you because it took so much courage for me to even run in the pageant. Jeanie:think