Apples2

I bet you do miss the beautiful colors from up north. I love the Duluth area. We used to take our sons camping up there and always stayed at resorts along the shore of Lake Superior. They loved those trips even more than Disney World. I am from the Alexandria area. Leaves are just starting to turn colors. Fall is my favorite time of year. We farm and I do really love harvest. Love the smell for corn drying in the dryer. I just noticed that you are not banded yet. What stage are you at? You are going to love it. It's an adjustment at first but not bad. The only foods I crave are the ones that I can have. Not sure how that worked for me but I miss nothing. I feel so lucky to have been able to get the band. I wouldn't trade my life now for what it was a year ago. My health is sooooooo much better, I have way too much energy and I actually sleep at night again. Life is good!

OMG...40 teenagers. You are a very brave woman! It makes me miss my boys. There were always a bunch of kids around and when my sons moved away, I missed their friends as much as I missed them. Sounds like you are hanging in there and doing great even without a fill, Allie. Hope your fill in Oct. helps.

Today B - Greek yogurt L - 3 oz Tyson grilled chix strips/ 1 oz red pepper spread with lite mayo D - 2 oz fillet mignon, two broccoli spears

Bochs...TJMAX is my all time favorite. I can spend hours in that store. The closest is 2.5 hours away. I haven't been there for a few months. If anything ever happened to my DH, I would never marry again. No one could measure up to what he is. Besides, he worked so hard to get us where we are in life. Making sure my sons get their inheritance, not some second husband

Janet...My set goal is to lose a total of 100#. I can't really tell where I am at this week. Had 4# left to lose b/4 my surgery on Tuesday but came out of it gaining 7#. My stomach is extremely swollen so think I am holding onto a lot of Water weight because of the surgery. I started at 242#. When I was thin 15 yrs ago, I felt best at about 135#, which I am thinking will be my new goal weight. I have only bought a couple of things at Fashion Bug besides their jeans and dress slacks. Found a blazer that was cute. They have plus size, misses and juniors.

Losing...it WAS Nutrisystem...not Jenny. Did them both plus many other diet plans

Whew!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry I worried you all. Happy I could set straight the weight loss thing. I started my "diet" November 22, 2007. I averaged about a 9lb loss/month which is about right. I have been sooooooo careful with each meal to get my nutrients. I have followed my surgeon's orders to a T. I feel absolutely wonderful. Even after going through this surgery two days ago, I have all kinds of energy. Just went out and took a long walk. I do believe that I cut 20 yrs off by losing this weight. About those Fashion Bug jeans and slacks; they have three fits. Yellow tag, Red tag and blue tag. All depending on body type. They have average and short in the store and tall online. I get the Yellow tag which is straight from waist through hips. I like the fact that the Yellow tag sits below the natural waist. (I am short waisted). Janet...I would not want to wear a sloppy sports shirt either. I notice now that I cannot stand to wear elastic pants, big shirts, etc. I want to look good every day even when I am just at home. It makes me feel so much better and accountable. Losing...what a fun job at QVC. I have only ordered there once. Was two months worth of Jenny Craig a couple of years ago. Do you think it worked? Not.

I love love love my jeans. I ordered them from Fashion Bug. I happened to be in one of their stores and tried on their "Right Fit" jeans just to see if maybe they would be long enough. Not. Went home and pulled up on the internet and they had longs. I also ordered their "Right Fit" dress pants in all the colors. They had a special going on when I did my last order. I only paid 16.99 for the jeans and 21.00 for dress pants. I love 'em all and they are good quality.:w00t:

Janet, just joking about the vote thing. And, I do feel good about myself and I stay positive. I was banded in June but lost over 50# on my six month medically supervised diet. That's what got me to so close to goal so soon after surgery. That's why I stated that I'm almost afraid to say things like what size I now am. I don't want others that had surgery in the last few months to think they are losing too slow, etc. Being from MN, coats are a necessity. Leather is usually for spring and fall and not heavy enough for winter unless it has a thick lining. It's been so much fun shopping for form fitting clothes instead of black elastic waist pants and baggy tops. You stated you are petite? I am 5'7" but need to special order slacks. I have at least a 34" inseam. I usually order on the internet. Can find exactly what I need.

Greatly...it's your choice on who you want to tell or not tell about your surgery. I have not kept my surgery to myself but if someone comes up to me and I don't know them very well and they ask me how I have lost weight, I just tell them a lot of hard work and leave it at that. Don't be discouraged by the amount of weight you have lost. You are doing great!

Hey Strike...nice to hear from you. Hope you can bond with some of your group people. It would be a nice way for you to start fitting into your new community. Your last fill sounds exactly like mine. I am satisfied all day long but get a little hungry in the evenings. I am going to get a small fill in a couple of weeks once my tummy is not so sore from my surgery. I know your life is crazy right now with the move and everything but take some time for yourself. Good way to reduce stress.

Long....congrats...only .5# away from your goal. Isn't that the way it goes! You've done so well though. Good luck with the parents thing. They should be able to understand why you did this for yourself. They should be happy that you are being proactive with your health. Try not to be nervous about their visit. Just enjoy it. Well, I was 4# from goal on Sunday but am up 7# since surgery. Not a big deal. I swear I look 8 months preggers! I'm in stretch pants for the first time in awhile. My pain is pretty extreme today. Can only get better each day. I have been up and about and walking most of the last two days. I figure I will sleep better at night if I don't lay around during the day. Take care

Ok...I am going to jump into this group. As Long said, our June, 2008 group is not very active and we do not stay in touch on a daily basis. I just kind of bounce around on this board and have been feeling like I don't have a place to belong. I want to touch base each day with people I feel I KNOW. Don't get me wrong....love the girls in the June group, just need more contact. I get your addiction transfer, Janet. I, too, rely on LBT quite a bit but feel that it is a healthy, informative and positive addiction! Loved your "commercial" photo, Janet. Those white slacks and top looked great on you. I have been having fun lately filling up my closet with winter clothes and also been getting some great deals on summer ones (heading south for a couple of months this winter). Last week I was 4# from goal but had surgery on 9/30 and gained 7#. Not worried though. Figured that would happen. Other than being extremely sore from surgery, and very swollen, I feel like a new woman. I have had so much energy. ALL my aches and pains have diminished. A year ago I could hardly get out of bed without wincing. I am wearing size 8 jeans and will need to order size 6 soon as I can pull the size 8 down without unzipping them. So many NSV's over the last few months. I have a problem....don't ever want to feel like I'm bragging so most of the time I am afraid to share. Weird, huh? Guess it was the way I was raised. Anyway, want to join your thread....I feel the need to have more contact on a daily basis. You guys go ahead and take a vote...let me know if I made it in?

BozzJ, thanks for the recipe. I'm going to give it a try

Haven't dared to try bread products or pizza crust yet. Sorry you had such a negative experience. I have been stuck once...on a deviled egg. Lasted about 6 hours and was miserable. I had hard boiled eggs many times b/4 and they went down great. I am not so willing to try them ever again. We all learn after something like that, don't we?

Karey...just want to wish you luck on your second time around. I know you had a tough decision to make on what you wanted to get done. Hope your recovery is a quick one. Take care

Yesterday...clear liquids...basically nothing. Had hernia surgery. Today: B- Greek yogurt L- SF jello S- Greek yogurt No hunger today

How sweet!

Thanks Susan. I do really take good care of my body. I guess with living on a farm a person kind of forgets about how much they are lifting every day. I will be make an effort to be more aware. Do not want to go through any more hernia surgeries.

Every aspect of my life has changed. The obesity cloud has lifted. It affected everything in my life. Socially, I hid out because I felt I was being judged because of my weight. Sexually, I hid out. Life is good. I wake happy every morning and love my new self

OOPS...forgot to add...I'm one of those that love my own little ass.

My DH would fit into that last category today. Could do with about 185# less ASS around here today.

Livin4Jesus....Congrats on your weight loss so far. Sorry to hear about you continually losing your fills. Best to get it checked out and back on the road again. Keep us informed. Thanks for the prayers on my surgery. Had it done yesterday. Was a long day and got home about 9pm. Cannot take pain meds so was also a pretty long night. My husband didn't listen closely and was not sure if it was three or four hernia doc repaired. Also cut away some adhesions. I asked the nurse in recovery if he went in with a Kitchen Aid mixer (with the dough hook). Awfully sore today but I am tough and will recover quickly. I have spent my life lifting whatever....not any more. Hoping this is my last hernia surgery. Iteach... Nice to hear from you. Sounds like the band is really working for you. You sound happy about your results. Congrats! Losing....Could you Fed Ex me some of that butt and I, in turn, will send you some for your middle! Happy to hear you got away for a nice trip with DH. Me and DH have yet to go our for a meal in public. Just haven't had the opportunity yet. I have been out with friends a couple of times. Most of my friends are thin, eat like little piggies and don't want to share a meal. LOL. I don't mind having a few meals off of the leftovers. Thanks for the well wishes. Got a pretty good walk in this morning. Now it's back to bed for a couple of hours. You guys are so great to visit with. I'm happy and life is good.

Thanks, Heart...

Nope, Plain, just a straight out "You'd better not lose any more weight". I guess I am frustrated because I have heard it so much in the last two months and am feeling soooo healthy and where I want to be. I do have patience for the type of "talk" you are explaining. I am a pretty easy going person and understand that most people mean well. Are you trying to tell me, Plain, that you have a tendency to stick a foot or two in your mouth? LOL