Dragonwillow

Anyone know of any freeware, or other tracking software to keep track of maybe weight and measurements? I used to have one years ago that worked in excel. I tried to make one...but mine is rather basic since I have limited excel experience. Melissa

Hi, my family is from Sixmile, sc...so know right where Senaca is. Maybe we can all do a road trip one Saturday to the outlet mall in Gaffeny and you could come down and meet us. Thats about 1.5 hours for you right? You are always welcome to one of our Saturday meetings too...thought it is quite a drive. Welcome! Melissa

Kristen is doing fine...we don't actually see the doctor for another 2 weeks so nothing to update. High school is something else. Socially Kristen is making friends...academically she is majorly bored...and not being challanged in the slightest. Her homework takes like 20 minutes. She spent three times that on her middle school homework and was forever not doing all of it.

planning on being there. Going to look and see if they have a menu online that I can plan what to eat. Melissa

Stay with your current fill....I KNOW from current experience that being over filled or too tight won't do anything but sabatoge the weight loss. I can't eat easily early in the day, so I tend to eat things that are soft...but not filling...so I'm really hungry in the evenings and I over do it. I did a little better today...actually managed almost a whole yogurt for Breakfast. Please don't try to rush it with a tighter fill...it will only make things harder. I got greedy and wanted to loose more than the 1 lb a week...and now I've gained 5 lbs since the last fill.

kristen made it for me for my birthday...she even put it on my sig without telling me so I just found it....see...she can be sweet lol.

Wish we could afford a rollar coaster trip...but not likely any time soon. Glad lucy is feeling better. kristen has had two seizures previously. The first when she was in Germany when she was 12, and the second about a year ago. Both of those they decided were caused by lack of sleep. Since the tests all came back without any indicators they told us that it wasn't eplilepsy because they seem to only be triggered by lack of sleep. (We are fairly strick about bed time here and sleep time as a result here) This one was caused by something else, we believe it was the strobe lighting in the video game she was playing at chucky cheese. Since this is a second indicator for her, and it has been less than a year this opens us back up to maybe being considere epileptic. My dad is, and his started in his pre teen years as well. There isn't a whole lot of anwsers because they don't know why some people have seizures and others don't...they just knows what happens. Kristen has the grand mal (spelled wrong) type, she looses conciounces for 2-5 minutes and shakes violently. Until this time she has had no indicators that she is about to have one. This time she felt "funny" and actually told her friend she was with...I think I'm having a seizure... But that is the last she remembers really until we already had her in the car over 10 minutes later. The don't plan to see her until late in september, so apparently they aren't TOO concerned LOL. My dad's surgery went fine, we won't know for awhile what the results were though. Melissa

Nah this one was triggered by a video game...so now we have to go through additional testing as it blows a whole in their initial theory. We want to get it straightened out soon....If that means medicine then so be it. But she is allowed to get her learners permit in another month and I really don't feel comfortable letting her till we know that she won't have one while driving. Melissa

Diane sorry to see that about Lucy...I sure hope she is better. I've had trouble logging on to lapband talk the last few days. Or more specifically getting into the forums. I saw Diane the nutritionist today. She gave me a two week plan to try, if after a week i'm getting stuck still then I'll make an appointment to see about an adjustment. I actually think she thinks part of it is in my head...hey maybe it is....because sometimes I can eat. But she did suggest those mini bagels for Breakfast......I haven't been able to eat bread that early since surgery. Kristen had a seizure Friday night, and Dad had surgery today. He came out of it fine and we are hoping they find that is was non malignent. I'm having cake and ice cream tonight...then starting Dianes plan in the morning. No coffee unless I eat breakfast...sigh. And then decafinated....sigh, whats the point.

Kim, I have the bookbag and stuff...but I'm not sure I'll be able to make it out to the office today. I hate to wait till next saturday as school will already have started, but not sure how I can manage it. Melissa

Congrats Karen!!! I'm so proud of you.

Kim, could I drop it buy Dr. V's office for you? I could maybe run it that way on Thursday? I've got just a few school supplies (spiral notebooks, crayons, colored pencils) and I've got a nice red messanger bag that kristen used briefly last year. I gave it a wash and it looks new. Clothes wise, don't have much to offer unless they can use computer vendor tshirts size large mostly...we seem to accumulate those, hubby certainly wouldn't notice a few missing.

Please don't feel bad about posting good stuff. Like wavey said...we all need to be reminded about other's accomplishments it helps us remember we were there once and can be there again hopefully. Congrats on the eating right, thats half the battle, its the part I'm struggling with right now...counting on yall giving me a good kick in the arse. And congrats on the house...I'm so jealous. I so want a new house, but it is no way in the budget right now. We are also terrified that our house hasnot risen in value any and that we might in fact have over paid for it so that it will be near impossible to sell later and get anything out of it. We have actually talked about eventually renting it...and buying another property, but that would require me to work full time, and we have college to pay for in 4 years. Man I am a whiney butt aren't I lol. Spent the whole morning at the high school ....we got there at 9 and were number 273 in the que for schedule changes. Needless to say we were there till around 12. Going back out to meet teachers in a few minutes.

Well all...things have been chaotic around here. The girls got their schedules and teacher assignments. Neither are happy. Karah didn't get into the same 1st grade class as her best friend that I will be watching before and after school so she is upset. Kristen has three classes in the wrong level....we actually have to go to the school today to discuss it and see about getting her schedule fixed. Me...well I've unofficially been given a title at work. Knowing the Y it will be another year before I get it officially...heck I haven't even gotten a name tag yet. Weight loss wise I'm fighting depression. I am miserable. I've gained back weight...I seem to have slipped into soft food eating. I even got stuck on Kathy's bean salsa yesterday. I'm not getting stuck and pbing...well more often that I would like, but I am getting stuck and sliming daily now. I am back to having to drink coffee with all my meals or I can't eat. Except dinner where I seem to be able to eat about anything except chicken....gawd I think I hate chicken. I had to cancel my nutrition appointment for today...partially because of kids stuff and partially because I'm low on gas and trying to stretch that tank till friday. School starts friday, so I will start working out again regularly and that may help. I hate to post whinny posts because it can be discouraging to those that are looking into the band and such. I am very happy I had the band, and I can almost say I'm happy even if I never lose another pound (not quite though) I know part of the deal is it is that time of month soon and I always swell and I always have issues with being tighter. I am seriously consider asking for a slight unfill though when I go next week. Whats the worst that can happen. I get an unfill and can gain weight on foods I'm suppouse to eat rather than gaining weight on foods I'm not suppouse to? I don't stay full because I have to drink the coffee with the meals or eat something that is just going to pass easily through the band....so maybe a slight unfill would be best? Or maybe I should just go strickly soft for a couple of days and hope swelling goes down and slowly try to eat solids again...gasp maybe at lunch. Because right now, the only time I eat solid Protein like chicken, beef, etc is at night. The rest of the day is yogurt, cheese sticks, cottage cheese, Beans, etc. Geez, sorry for the overlong post.

Hey Angie, one of the ladies that used to work at the Y with me lives in your neighborhood I think. She has two kids one who is 3 and one who is like 6 months (i think). Anyway, she left the Y because she moved that way and because her son (the baby) was constantly catching a cold there. If you find a job and just need afterschool care I could get you her number, she might be interested. Good luck with the job hunt...how is that going? I wish we were hiring at the Y right now. But according to the powers that be we are overstaffed. I personally think some of that staff could disappear without anyone noticing...but my new duties don't include having an opinion on that. LOL.

Kim...I have been avoid lapband talk because of my current failure mentality...so sorry I'm reading this later. With school starting though this friday I'm sure they could use some school supplies. I have some "extras" and would gladly bring them to you or meet you somewhere.

Wavy's husband called and she's came out of being banned and she's fine.

I'm eating everything under the sun right there with Angie. I feel so defeated at the moment. I had peanut butter and an handfull of chocolate chips for breakfast. I don't know whats wrong with me. I did well food wise when paul was out of town. I ate between 850 calories (only one day that low) and 1200 calories everyday. I got in plenty of protein and was fine. Then the weekend came, paul was home, I couldn't control all the food situations around me and boom I'm eating peanut butter for breakfast. I'm clinging to the idea that once the kids are back in school next week it will be easier to follow a better plan. I see the nutritionist next week...and other than cutting off a limb to loose weight I see no way to hide my outlaw ways. (which limb would be easier to sacrafice?) This is basically why you guys haven't seen any chatter from me. I'm embarrassed.

Today is wavey's day....good luck wavey (I know you are already there...but forgot to put this yesterday! LOL) :rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon::rockon: :cheer2::cheer2::cheer2::cheer2::cheer2::cheer2:

My husband too wasn't so hot on the idea at first. But after getting his questions anwsered at the seminar. And realizing that I had done my homework, he was okay with it. He loves me, and tries to be supportive. Maybe your mom can go to a seminar in YOUR area. There is no charge for them, and there are lapband surgeons everywhere. You could find a local surgeon to her and see if she would be willing to go to the seminar. If not there are alot of very informative sites that she could go to get more info. Good luck Melissa

Mushroom Moussaka 1 eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch slices ( I peeled mine too) 1 large potato cut into 1/2 inch slices (also peeled) 2 1/4 oz of butter 1 large onion chopped 2 cloves garlic finely chopped 1 lb mushrooms sliced 1 14 oz can of chopped tomatoes 1/2 teaspoon of sugar 1/3 cup of plain flour 2 cups milk 1 egg lightly beaten 1 1/2 oz grated parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a large baking tray with foil and brush with olive oil. Put the eggplant and potato in single layer on the tray and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes Melt 1 oz of the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring for 3-4 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Increase the heat to high, add the mushrooms and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft. Add the tomato, reduce the heat and simmer rapidly for 8 minutes or until reduced. Stir in the sugar. Melt the remaining butter in a large saucepan over low heat. Add the flour and cook for 1 minute , or until pale and foaming. Remove from the heat and gradually stir in the milk. Return to the heat and stir constantly until it boils and thickens. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes more. Remove from the heat and when the bubbles subside, stir in the egg and Parmesan. Reduce the oven to 350 degrees. Spoon 1/3 of the mushrooom mixture into a oven proof dish. Cover with a layer of potatos and top with half of the remaining mushrooms, then a layer of eggplant. Finish with the remaining mushrooms and then pour the sauce on and smooth the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges bubble. To Brown the top put under the broiler for a few minutes. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings 268 calories 16 g fat 18 g carbs 5 g Fiber 12 g Protein

We are bringing a watermellon for sure. Going to try to make a mushroom potato thing, but its a matter of if I'll have time. LOL I'll load up my extra chairs in case they are needed or wanted. Karah is so excited, she has packed a thing of "swim" stuff LOL. Kristen is a teenager and can't appear too excited as that would be "uncool".

Cool, I'll probally just bring her something she can pop in the micowave then. I'll bring drinks for my crew....so don't worry about that. Do we need to bring any extra chairs, I think I have like 3 of those camp/folding type of chairs and 3 regular folding chairs.

I haven't caught up on all the posts, I"m so far behind...hopefully I'll be able to read them all soon. Just wanted to check in and say the foot totally doesn't hurt anymore. Though I can only move two of my toes slightly...thats just weird not that I need to be able to wiggle toes I guess. I'll see everyone next weekend...oh and I got my hair cut...its like shoulder length. Not sure if I like it yet or not....its different for me. Shortest since I got married over 18 years ago.

Jamie, I'm late chimming in here...but I'm right at 50lbs lost since october, with another 68 to go. It really does seem I loose weight better when I don't work out....because I do put on muscle pretty good. Right now I'm in a slump...and I know it. Stress is building and exercise is low...I need to flip that...I'm hoping once the family visit is over this weekend I can get back on schedule. I work at the YMCA so I really should have NO excuses. Before lapband surgery I was doing 5 days a week 2 hours a day and wasn't loosing weight...but I felt MUCH better. Had tons of confidence, and energy. For me regular work out is sure key. feel free to private message me if you want to talk anymore.