Apples2

Denise....pat yourself on the back for taking such good care of your father. People don't realize what it takes and the stress a person is under when it comes to taking care of their elderly parents. I remember you talking about having to take care of his home, his belongings, etc. and having to travel to do it. It's a lot to deal with. I am sure it would be somewhat easier for you if you did not have the miles between you. Hang in there. :party:

Hi reportergirl...sending good wishes your way and in hopes that your DIL gets good results with her tests. This is a very friendly thread and if you need support, you've come to the right place. Check in daily, get to know your new friends...you should fit right in with the 50's gang! Welcome

I am 53 yrs old. Started gaining at the age of 39. I feel like I wasted some really good years. I would try to take the weight off...lose 15lbs and then give up. I cannot tell you how many times that happened. My health was shot. Had this morbid feeling constantly that I would not wake up in the morning. Worked really hard to get the Lap Band. Lost 54# on the six month medically supervised diet pre-op and have lost a total of 128 and feeling like a 19 yr old again. Have never PB'd and have just had to learn what foods my band will tolerate. Any work I have done to make this band work for me is well worth it to have my health and my life back. I was born a social butterfly....went back into my cocoon when I was heavy. The Lap Band has freed me from so many things. It's NOT the easy way out. It's work! But...it's such easy work cuz I have my little buddy inside me as a reminder. There is light at the end of the obesity tunnel. Just make your decision on what is right for you and focus on the positive from that point out. All the best to you.

Good morning ladies What a sad thing for your friend's family, Katy. My father was in the funeral business and it seemed that there were so many deaths during the holiday season. The loss at this time of the year just seemed so much more intense. My DS (27) best friend is sitting in a hospital for three weeks. Just diagnosed with leukemia. A young wife and two babies. Such a worry. Cold and windy day today. We are right on the edge of the snow. Talking 6" today. Hopefully we will not get that much. We have PLENTY. Makes a person feel like a prisoner. Need to go out later to work one of my volunteer jobs. The drive is always a worry when it's snowing. Have a memorial party later this evening for a friend that died a month ago. It's her birthday today and a bunch of her riends (many) getting together to remember her. Died of breast cancer at the age of 43. She was diagnosed less than two years ago. She was such a trooper. Worked up until 2 weeks b/4 she was taken. She was one of the people that EVERYONE loved. Her DH is a dip sh*t and made her life not so great. A very self-centered ick. I'm sure she is in heaven after what she put up with. Well...back to the books. Hope everyone has a great day.

Not sure what bars you have on hand, Charlene, but watch the calories. I have the Pure Protein from Walmart. Do not eat them every day...just as a meal replacement when needed. Also throw them in as a snack about once a week when my band is being fickle and I am hungry all day long. They seem to keep me full for quite awhile. They have 180 cals. and 20g protein. The beef jerky also is handy for a quick fix to hunger. 80cal per ounce and at least 11g protein. I sometimes make it a meal with 2oz and 25g. protein.

I fell so bad for you having to deal with your loss and stress issues. Just try to concentrate on taking care of you mother right now and do what you can to avoid the slider foods. Try to keep one serving size cheese sticks, beef jerky, Pure protein bars, etc. on hand to get you through those times. Sending hugs your way, Charlene!

The best holiday NSV for me was the baking and eating a "normal" amount of treats without craving more. This has NEVER happened during the holidays. I was satisfied with one little piece of whatever a day. Years past I would be shoving things in all day long for two weeks and feeling sick...physically and emotionally. Another NSV...the after Christmas sales. Could walk in a store and just pick out small tops and size 4 pants (pants I needed to try on cuz I have a 34' inseam). My closet loves being full again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Kids! CRAZY week here. Always is just b/4 the end of the year. Doing year end for farm, other business and personal books. I keep them up to date every day but so much to do this last week of the year. Ready to usher in a new year. Also preparing for HUGE NYE party. Get together with about 20 other families from our lake resort. We all get a room at a hotel, bring food, visit, play games and cards, etc. Was busy most of the morning preparing some food, getting supplies together (I coordinate it so make sure we have paper products, eating utensils, etc.). Been bringing in the New Year for many years in this manner. Love the fact that it's "family" thing and love being around the kids. Us adults can partake in a couple of drinks and not worry about driving. Back to work. I will smile again on Friday after this is all done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Livin....that's so sweet...thanks for the compliment. I see myself in the same pot as everyone else. We will all have good days, bad days and and every day to be thankful for our bands!

Me and my band LOVE popcorn. I am careful about the amount of calories and would not eat the theater popcorn. I treat myself to one 100cal bag every night. I pop one for myself, DH and black lab.

You can be a quadruple friend if that works for you! No resolution to lose weight this coming year. After 15 years of trying!

OOPS...forgot to add to my plan for 2009. I plan to not forget the encouragement that I have gotten from all my friends here at LBT and especially my 50's friends, I am here to help friends and June 2008 friends. Love ya all and hope to get to know you even better in 2009!

Orea....what a great post. For me, 2008 was one of the greatest years of my life but also the most stressful. Waiting to get accepted by ins. company for surgery, dieting b/4 surgery and making sure I stuck to it, having another surgery shortly after are some of the stressful points. But, positives hugely outweigh the stress of it all. I FEEL SO WONDERFUL. I can outrun an 18 yr old, I sleep laying down without choking, my body does not hurt all over, my bad knees and ankles have healed and NEVER hurt, I am no longer a "furnace" 24/7, I hit goal and then some, I can go into a store and pick a size 6 off the rack and know it will fit...sometimes a size 4 (I am very small boned), and best of all...I am so happy...that cloud of obesity has lifted. My goal for 2009 is to remain active, happy and healthy. I do some form of exercise each day in my home (15 miles to gym) and am faithful about it. I plan to NEVER forget where I have been and how I got to the place I am now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Long...we will be taking the lap top to FL. Bought it for DH a couple of weeks ago. It was actually a self-indulgent gift. Bought it so he would keep his butt away from MY desk. Now he can sit in recliner and surf. Disappointing that we might not meet but understand. Aren't those shopping deals (especially on clothes) great? Got some Laura Ashley long sleeve T's for $11 and Laura Ashley jackets for little or nothing. I love a good deal. Have only been in a Kohls store a couple of times. I would love a good deal on summer clothes right now. I took a guess last summer and bought some clearance. Knew I would need them for our trip. Bought mediums and could have used small but will make them work. Just bought capris and tshirts. Jeans, khakis, etc. are the correct size. Hope you can go on your cruise. Would be a great trip. I don't think cruises are my thing even though I love them. Last one we did...I ended up with virdigo for close to a year. Flat in bed for 2 weeks when it first hit me a week after we got home. DH was on a farm trip and was left to fend for me and the dog. Not pretty. Still have not ventured out on the icy roads. Arm is a killer. Typing with mostly left hand. Just don't want to risk further injury on the roads. Drove 60 miles yesterday on ice.

Flowers...you're never going to be the only one struggling from time to time. We are all going to be going through that for a lifetime with our bands. Just have to tell yourself that's it and no more "one more times"! I'm a believer that you still have to treat yourself once in awhile though. I did all throughout the weight loss process. A couple times a week I would allow something "naughty" in my diet. (Wrong word choice....there is no food that should be thought of as naughty). It is usually some kind of snack food...not attracted to sweets except for chocolate with coffee. I pretend. I eat my Viative chocolates and caramels (3 per day) with my coffee. They are actually very good.

I eat pretty much all of the above that others have mentioned. Just wanted to throw in a suggestion for when you are on the run and need a quick meal. I carry Pure Protein bars (Walmart) and beef jerky in my purse. 20gr of protein in the bars and 25g with the beef jerky. The jerky keeps me full for up to 4-5 hours. Protein bars for about 3 hours but really does give you what you need on the run.

Yep...would really suck to have a cast on this arm and with our trip coming up. We leave Jan 13 and come back Feb 16. Wish we would have stuck to the original plan of 2 months in FL. Will just have to take a trip end of Feb or March to somewhere warm. Hey Long...speaking of FL...are you still planning on being with your folks in FL during the time we are down there? Would absolutely love to meet you. Let me know if the above dates work for you. We decided to use our airline miles and fly instead of driving. We love to fly but thought it might be fun to road trip...next year. We have been looking for a little Toyota mini. Would most likely just be used for our trip in the winter to get us to our destination. We figure that our dog would be more comfy in the motorhome. Hope we can find one b/4 next winter. They all seem to be in FL and CA. I was able to jockey and get First Class round trip tickets for no extra points. I only had to whine a little! LOL

Hey Long...I KNOW we are mostly over 50....are you trying to send us a message with that HUGE print? LOL

LOL...Just booked with so much Christmas stuff...gone from early morning till late night. Most of our nights in the last week have been about 1pm getting to bed. It's all so nice though. I hear you on the sugar hangover, Janet. Have never been much of a sweet eater but decided that I would try out every treat...made me feel icky. :hurray:

Good Morning Kids!!!! Been MIA the last couple of days. Had a nice Christmas with DH's family and friends. I have no family but fill my life up with very supportive and loving friends. First off...Mimi....so sorry to hear that you lost your father. Sending hugs your way. Take care and take some time for yourself. We've had one thing after the other going on the last three weeks. So many nice parties and seeing people that I have not seen since last year. Would get the jaw dropping look when I would walk in the door. Most of my friends I have had for 30 years or more have made comments like: It's nice to have the old you back and looking healthy. #1 reason for doing this was health. Want to be around to spend retirement with DH....hopefully there will be some grand babies thrown in there too. My boys better get busy! One of the best things with Christmas celebrations is the children. We have a lot of great nieces and nephews and it so much fun when we get together with them. DH and I decided that this year we would not do the gifts under the tree and in the stocking thing. We were just going to buy each other a Garmin GPS and that was it. Well, he was naughty. I had a new diamond ring under the tree and a new DVD player for our lake place (the other one died) Am not complaining...just felt bad I had nothing for him. Janet...great Christmas photo!!!! In my life I have never hit the stores the day after Christmas. I ventured out this year. Wanted to get in on some of the good clothes deals and the Christmas cash was burning a hole in my pockets. I got some great stuff for very little. $13.97 for a cute dark green hooded suede coat, 2 jean jackets, a $299 suit for $45...some tops to go with jeans, etc. All of it loves being in my closets. Cold, icy day here today. DH is already napping in recliner with 100# lab on his lap. I need to head to town to get arm exrayed. Fell down the steps and think I might have cracked a bone in my arm. Rear should have been broken also but somehow it's OK. Going to wait a bit to see if the ice melts off the roads some. Not worth the risk of driving 15 miles on ice. You all have a great day. Stay warm.....especially Phyll and Janet who are not used to cold weather.

Hey Blklab...welcome to our group. You hit the nail on the head...you will find all kinds of support and friendship with these ladies. Happy to hear that you feel comfortable with your surgeon. That's very important. I LOVE (not literally) my doc. He has been so wonderful throughout this entire process. I wish you luck on your lapband journey. Live by what your doctor wishes for you to do and you should have a successful experience. Black Lab lover, huh????????? Same at our house. I have a 100# black lab laying in the recliner right on top of my DH as I post this message! Again, welcome!:thumbup:

That was such a cute greeting, Phyll...thanks...

Welcome to band land, Mary. You will get through these first stages and things will fall into place for you. Never be afraid to ask a question...we've all been where you are at. Merry Christmas!

Message to all of my "50's" girls....Wishing you the best holidays ever. Love ya all! Enjoy family and friends. Enjoy your newfound "inner peace" that our bands have given us! Never forget what it took for us to get to this place! Peace and joy to all. Karen

Miralax is mentioned on LBT quite a bit and seems to work for quite a few. It just seems a bit harsh for my system. I used to put it in my morning coffee a couple of times a weeks. No taste and didn't mind taking it. I get gaggy on most things like that. Bottle states that it usually works in 2-3 days. For me it would hit in three days and I wouldn't DARE be more than 20' from the nearest bathroom! It's worth a try. Miserable being blocked up. In the last two months I have switched to eating a couple handfuls of any kind of Fiber One Cereal. Works for me. Now I am in the same routine as b/4 surgery. Well worth trying different things to see what works for YOU. Life is good. Love this time of the year. Only thing that could be better is if youngest DS could make it home. But we will deal. I just don't want him to be lonesome on Christmas. His girlfriend (live in sweetheart) flew back home and will spend time with her family and ours. At least we can spend some time with her. No daughters for us but if I had the chance to hand pick one...she'd be the one. I know the next couple of days will be extremely busy for all of us and just want to let you guys know (everyone of you) that I feel as if I have friends in all of you. Have the best holidays ever. Appreciate the ones around you and feel blessed that you have had the opportunity to have the second chance that our lap bands have provided. No, the second chance you have given yourself by choosing to do the lap band. Peace. Karen