mousecrazy

Hi, Margo! I am haviang some of the same issues you are...I am not hungry, but I WANT to eat...the band helps me avoid big problems, but stress and eating go hand in hand for me. I'm trying to give you the advice I need to follow myself. Maybe it would help to take each decision as it comes...minimize the focus to just one meal, and what you are going to do for it. Then the next...I keep thinking things like, "It's just one _____," or I'll follow the rules at the next meal...this is like putting off acountability. Today, I'm following this rule: "Don't eat unless I am actually hungry." Well, I threw a lot of things at you...hope one of them makes sense and helps! Cindy

Thanks, Leatha...Arlington is out of my beaten path. Like you, with work and DD's activities, I am not always reliable for support group meetings. Weekday evenings are just pretty much "no". I do like finding out about these activities, just in case, though!

Great pictures! Look! You have collarbones in your newest picture! Isn't that fantastic?! P.S. I like your little Mickey peaking up over your sock.... Keep it up Mandy!

Jan.15, Sunday B: zone perfect bar S: zone perfect bar L: zone perfect bar and pita chips D: braised pork loin, green beans, and sweet potatoes No exercise, but I watched football. I'm a great spectator! Vitamins/calcium: yes Water: 30 oz Cindy

Pat...no, the picture turns itself into letters and numbers, and is a huge file...so huge, I can't even send it to you to show you what it looks like. I have no idea why it does that. Does anyone here know? Betty, you got the Colts, but not DA BEARS. I like them, too; but have usually liked the Panthers, and now that I hear the sweet story about Hope House (sorry....can't go back to that page without losing my writing) I like them even more. I watched all 4 games! I grew up with football...by dad played hs and college ball, and DH played hs and college ball, and did training camp with the Seahawks, then coached hs ball for a while (until DD was about 2). I can't remember if I've told ya'll that before. Sorry if I did. So, I enjoy the game. DD would make a good offensive lineman, just like her daddy! Laptops get hot after a few hours! I am proud of all of you who are exercising and eating right. I'm having a hard time pulling out of the holiday eating habits. ESPECIALLY when I am at home. At school, it's much easier! When DD and I went shopping, she was 'helping' me look for clothes, and she was asking if I wore 3X (I used to!), and I said no. Then she asks if I wear 2Xs, and I said let me see it. It looked so big! So, at Dress Barn, I wear a 1X....a 1X! I had already bought a couple of XLs before, so hey! I'm shrinking even if the scales aren't moving. Pat, your idea of muscle vs. fat is interesting, and I'd think it might be true, except I'm not exercising, so don't know how the muscle is getting in there! LOL I imagine I'll consider another fill (a teensy one) in March, during spring break. I don't have many days left that I can take off for that. It is getting late, and even DD is hinting around that it's bed time, so I'm gonna go and I'll see ya tomorrow!

If we get this together, I'd like to join in, if possible. PM me. Thanks! Cindy

I make sure I chew it well, and don't have big handfuls at a time, and I have not had a problem. Cindy

I live in north Texas and have heard good things about your doctor. I hope you are doing fine, and losing weight. Cindy

Hi, and welcome to LBT. I've been banded about 6 months and am very happy with my choice. You will still have to work hard, even with the band, but it will be much easier. You stay full longer, and don't usually get as hungry. I still struggle with "head hunger" or wanting to keep eating even after I am satisfied, but because of the band, I really can't eat as much as I would have before. I have a daughter, 8 years old, and I wanted to be a more active mom. Also, I turned 50 this year, and decideed I needed to get more serious about long-term health issues. For me, bypass surgery seemed too drastic; this seemed "just right." Good luck, and post any questions! Cindy

Just stopping to say Hi! I live in far north Texas, so some people say I live in Oklahoma! This is a great site, and you'll get lots of support and info here! Cindy

I'm with you on the jeans...and I would add a nice fitting pair of khakis, since I wear them to work most days...I teach, and have to look nice, but I want to be comfie, too. I don't like wearing dresses because of the panty hose! How about comfortable and cute underwear? Fun question! Cindy

Hi everybody! I'm having a great time watching NFL playoffs (sorry, Cowboys!) and the Seahawks won...yea! Can't like the Redskins if you're a Cowboy fan. Now, Denver is playing NEW ENGLAND...please forgive me, but I have to pull for Denver, since they are the underdogs. I bet ya'll are not rooting for the same teams I am! LOL! Went shopping instead of exercising, and ate candy, too! Not the best lapband day, but it was a fun day. My nephew came by and I helped him write some applications for overseas study. He wants to go to Costa Rica and improve his Spanish. Other than that, just totally goofing off in between loads of laundry. DD is in her room, our Valentine's craft is drying (the glue anyway), and that's about it. Betty, it's good to hear from you! I'll see the rest of you tomorrow. g'night, Cindy

Fantastic list! Good for you for looking at the positives in your life! I am comfortable in my bathtub,too! Granted, it's a bigger size tub, but STILL! LOL! Cindy

Jan. 14, Saturday B: coffee and Zone Perfect L: pepperoni pizza slice, Caesar salad S: chocolate, cashew, caramel candy (OMG!) D: get ready for this! ICE CREAM :paranoid Water: Exercise: shopping Vitamins/calcium: yes Cindy

Good morning, everyone! How 'bout I do the 20 minute hip-hop dance cardio thing? My DH is up in Kansas hunting, so DD and I are hanging out this weekend. That salsa part kicked our patooties last weekend....are we supposed to be getting exercise every week or every DAY? LOL! I want to say a special welcome to the "girl from Nevada," beautifulTina...can we call you Tina? This is the best chat thread...you NJ girls are magnets for the fun people! Eileen, our "lost" friends are probably not sitting in front of the computer like we are! They are probably doing stuff! LOL! The way I look at it, it's hard to eat AND type, so I'm probably better off typing! Lazy day planned here...if we get antsy, we might go shopping or something. Maybe get our hair cut....I'm just going to se what mood DD is in...sometimes she can spread all the Polly Pockets out on the floor and live in imaginary Polly world for hours! Check with ya later, Cindy

Great pictures! Even greater triumph! Congratulations!

Tell her we think she's doing great! You are super to be head cheerleader! Cindy

HI! Just want to welcome you , and assure you that we are here to help! Congrats on your successful progress so far! Cindy

I agree, it is interesting to read about goals and how they were set. I am a little over 5'7", so I picked 150, even though 135 would be the "stated" goal on a chart or something. In reality, 180 would be plenty good. I remember that weight...I honestly don't remember 150. Maybe when I get under 200, I will adjust my goal, but right now, I am gunning for 50 lbs lost...that's what the bottom ticker represents.

I was thinking about the Cracker Barrel moment, too! We just wanted you to know that we understood, and we also knew the moment where SOMETHING was gonna fit, and for you it's the BRA!!! Isn't life good? Congratulations! Cindy

Patty, glad you liked it. I'm not ruthless for nothin'! LOL!

Jan. 13, Friday B: coffee/Zone Perfect S: Zone Perfect (and I want to eat another!) L: chicken bacon ranch toasted Subway (that was hard to eat! I'll try a salad next time I'm there!) D: Caesar salad, grilled meatloaf/pasta, veggies and apple skilettini (went out to eat: Carino's) Water: 36 oz Exerise: why do I even put this? Vitamins/calcium: yes

Eileen, I totally understand. We get reviews every year. They are supposed to be "objective" because they use numbers, like yours. Like you have found out, if someone doesn't like you, like Mr. Drill Sargeant, he can choose #3 instead of #4, and it's easy to justify. I have the same exact problem. In my 28 years, I have been "Clearly Outstanding" and then "Proficient" (doing my job). The principal I have now doesn't really get anything about alternative schools...yet, he rates me as "proficient". It doesn't matter how many students write to me, come to see me after they graduate, that ALL my students passed the state exams, etc....it doesn't matter. Fortunately, our reviews are not tied to our pay. Is yours? When you hear teachers objecting to merit pay, I hope ya'll will understand why that is. It is interesting to hear this kind of story from the corporate world...I thought the managers had just lost their minds in the education world! So, Eileen, I'd tell ya to blow it off, because it's good advice, but I know you won't, just like I don't. We are proud of our work, and don't like seeing hacks evaluate it, and demean it. I'm glad you cried in front of him...he'll think twice about repeating that little number, won't he? Crying is a great defense; most men hate it. And on top of that, they think it means you're weak....HA! Now, get your revenge: get yourself a promotion, and be HIS supervisor! I am so sorry...I'm mad for you!

Jan 12, Thursday B: coffee and Zone Perfect S: South Beach Chocolate protein bar L: salad with turkey D: Starbucks hazelnut mocha/ Zone Perfect bar NO ICE CREAM!!!!!! Water: 24 oz Exercise: typing Vitamins/calcium: not yet Cindy

Eileen, hope you're okay? Being soft-hearted is a good thing, most of the time. Let us know how you are! Hugs, Cindy