PrtyAntOvrYt

That's horrible! I'm sorry about the robbery! I hate when people take things that belong to others! I hope you start feeling better soon! We went to the outlet mall in Castlerock! I think we got some good deals. AND we were on our best behavior! After we shopped, I had some great beans and cheese from Taco Bell! YUM!!! I love those!

Mini! Your daughter is beautiful! I love her dress! It looks like the wedding was lovely! Is the first picture - your other daughter?

Mal! I'm sorry you got a bug! I hate that! I haven't even started my shopping yet! I am going now to the Outlet and then to the mall. Money is really tight for me right now, so I'm being on my best behavior. I'm having company for Christmas day and I have to figure out the menu! I am so far behind!

For me, the Viactiv Calcium Chews were gross. They were gritty and not good. I prefer the GNC Calcium Chews. They are soft and not gritty and taste like tootsie rolls.

I knew the wedding was yesterday! I was thinking about you! I am glad to hear everything went well. I can't wait to see your pictures!

I forgot about the calcium chews. I take the GNC ones! I prefer them because they are really like candy. I take 2 caramel and 2 chocolate. I put them in my pocket in the morning and just eat one when I feel like a treat! I also do a chewable multivit, chewable echinecea (sp?) with zinc and vit c and an extra chewable vit. C.

I lost a little hair about 4 months post op, but it's grown back, my nails have never been better. They are long and strong and I have to cut them regularly for work. I take 2000mg of Biotin everyday and make sure I get 60-80grams of protein a day. How much protein are you getting each day? I don't drink any of my protein. If I drink a protein drink it's in the very early morning to take my meds with - but I make sure I consume all of my protein during the day.

Deb, I'm sorry to hear about your gain too! Our bodies are strange. They do things that can't be explained. I know I lost 6lbs by Thursday and then I popped on the scale on Friday and had gained 3 lbs. Then this morning, I was down 3.4lbs. Who knows? It's disappointing. Have you tried upping your calories for a day or two and then returning to the lower calories that you eat now? Sometimes, I think our bodies get used to our lower calories and they stop losing. It's just an idea. I do know when I did the Body4Life, they insisted that you had one day a week when you upped your intake. I think anything is worth a try. When you find out when you're coming in Feb, let me know. My schedule is done until Feb14, but I might very well have the date off and can help you! I would love to see you and would be more than happy to pick you up at the airport and take you for your fill! Just let me know as early as you can so that I can make plans.

What side effects are you experiencing? When were you banded?

Were you told to not eat more than 2 oz each meal? My doc says 1 cup to 1 and 1/2 cup each meal. Protein first. I do measure my food because I don't want to stretch my pouch. IF I eat my 1 cup of mostly protein and then an satiated for 4 hours, I know I am in my green zone. IF I get hungry before 4 hours, I eat some fruit and I know it's time for another fill. I was banded 10 months ago and I've lost 125lbs. I've had 4 fills.

That's too bad Nora! I was hoping you'd be there on the 8th! I hope your new job turns out better than mine did! We'll miss you!

It sounds like you have a vagal response. I have two friends who have had that problem. One fainted in the office! The other got dizzy and diaphoretic. I'm glad you're doing better today!

Sorry to hear that! I have no idea why it takes so long to get divorced!!! It just sucks!

Thanks Munchi! I've missed you!!! Is it safe to ask if you're finally divorced? How are the kids (dogs) doing? I'm happy to be back in the NICU. It was like a really bad nightmare!

It's the holidays AND you're going in the right direction! Any loss is better than a gain, even staying even is better! I appauld every one's efforts!

Jaime! My middle name is "I want some Tortilla Chips." "Dee I want some Tortilla Chips Johnson" I wish my mom had named me something else! ARGH! Don't you all hate how easy chips go down? Chips and cookies just go right on down! Chicken Breast, Brocolli and whole grain pasta just gets stuck!!!

Hey Tally! Glad to hear you still have some restriction! Sounds like your band is okay!

Congrats on that Long Sleeved Tee! I love that! I saved the sweater I wore the day of surgery. I can't wait to take my 1 year pic in it! I think clothes are a great way to see a loss! It's proof, we've come a long way!

Thanks Lotza! I doubt it will continue at this rate! BUT I am usually very restricted during my TOM and then I was stressed for 2 weeks and hardly eating. It would be nice if it continued at this rate, but I'm not holding my breath! I'm sticking to the Plateau Buster's diet for now. I'm so proud of myself. My bestfriend asked if I could go to lunch tomorrow with her and some friends and I declined saying that, "I need to stick to my eating plan and it's not easy when I eat out." She understood. In the old days, I would have just gone out and probably just eaten!

Well Mini, I lost 6lbs! I can't believe it! AND it's even that TOM time! I know I hadn't been eating or sleeping with all the worries of the old job! But I think it's the Plateau Buster's Diet that did part of it! I've been on it since Monday.

My goodness Brandy! Bless your heart! Good luck with all your procedures!!

I've read that Dieting causes a shift in the balance between cholesterol and bile salts in the gallbladder. In other words the cholesterol increases and the bile salts decreases. Eating causes the gallbladder to contract, emptying out bile salts, if you aren't eating, the gallbladder doesn't empty out bile salts, causing an increase in cholesterol, which in turn causes gallstones to be formed. Rapid weight loss puts you at highest risk for gallstones. They used to say if you were Fat, Forty and Female your risk for having gallstones was high. Pregnancy is also another cause for gallstones. So I think if you're going to get them, there is not much you can do. I've tried to eat regularly and not skip meals, hoping this will keep gallstones at bay. A girl can hope anyway!!

Mal!!! GREAT!!! I hope you can make it!!

You tell us the date and we will meet! You got it Chickie!!!

Mal, can you come to Red Robin on the 8th of January? Anita? Michelle? Nora? -- anyone else?