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Arlene...hang in there on the food issues. You are doing so great. It's a pretty strict food plan and I am very proud of you for sticking to it the way you do. I also hope that your mother's night sweat issues is nothing serious. I never heard a cross word out of my GM's mouth until she was put in a retirement home. She had her wits about her right up until the time she passed at 86. But, after going in the home she started swearing like a drunken sailor. She wanted to go home and that was it. Jessica...shrimp was one of the first things I tried after going out to eat after banding. It always went well until one time last summer. I ate three and was miserable for about 4 hours. Have eaten it many times since then and no problems. Fickle, fickle band. Like someone was saying to Joyce...kind of a hit and miss thing. Ya just gotta try things to see what works. And, what works one day might just not work the next.

Linda...you are so funny. The inside out shirt has probably happened to all of us. I have a shoe thing that has happened too many times to remember. I LOVE shoes and if I find a pair I really like, I sometimes buy every color. I have looked down and had a black and navy...brown and black and the worst was a forest green color and a brown one....working in a bank and could not take the time to drive home 15 miles. Went to the mall next door and just bought another pair. You know why? Cuz God knew I needed to add to my collection! Hey Eva...forgot to ask. We have friends that love using Benson, AZ as a stop for 2 weeks on their way to their winter resort and another 2 weeks on their way back home. They love it there. I have never really asked them why they like it so much but you talking about it made me think about asking them the next time I see them.

Joyce...you are so right...this lapband life really is a challenge (especially the first 6 months or so). You just really have to find what works for you as far as menu items and exercise and go with the plan. We all have different tastes and style of getting our exercise. As I have said b/4, there will come a time where it just becomes your life. You will know it when you get there. And, that's what is so great about this site, you get the opportunity to ask questions of ppl that have been where you are. As Janet stated, she is almost 3 yrs out and still slips (I call it treating yourself and getting back on the horse). It happens. I think if you keep in mind how hard you have worked at this you just automatically have it in you to make better choices. Kind of like not wanting to give up those 153 cals burned after working it off. One snack and they're gone. Hey Jodi...congrats on the 5lbs gone. Good feeling, huh? You had mentioned your supermarket shopping taking so much longer than b/4 banding. I used to do "mindless shopping" prior to heading out on this LB journey. Never paid a lot of attention to nutritional values. Just loaded up the cart and unloaded into pantry and frig. Now, I take a good long time when making food selections. There's still things I buy that I consider "treats" but very few. I cleaned up my menus and have my family on the straight and narrow when it comes to their diet also. I have revised every recipe and they don't even know that they are eating healthy sometimes. My DH and DS that I cook for have always been a "normal" weight but some of the things they would snack on were just crap. Now I just make sure the pantry and frig are stocked with fruit, veggies and low cal/low fat snacks. First time DH had a bag of 94% FF popcorn, he gave it to the dog. Now, he looks forward to it in the evenings that he is sitting around. It all just becomes a way of life and will be especially beneficial for Dassi in her life if she can adopt a healthy way of eating right along with you. Self-deprivation screws with the head. Moderation is the key along with good/healthy choices. As Janet said...go for the crackers, salsa/chips, etc. But, include those cals. in your daily intake total.

Yes, Laura...you do understand vertigo issues as you have them yourself at times. Running to the doc just does not do it. But, I do appreciate that you sent me that link the last time I had it...the one on the exercise. It really does help. You are so right on taking it easy today after you stuck episode. Back in Nov I had a medium stick and did not baby my band for a couple of days. Well, needless to say, after 2 weeks of wondering what was wrong...I ended up doing mushies for 3 days and it all settled down. Yes, Janet does have great advice and is one of the reasons I started following this thread. One my favorite things about Janet is when she told us she threw cookies away in her break room. Now that takes guts! Everyone needs a smack once in awhile and that's what we need when things get out of hand.

Julie...so sorry for what you have to go through. Drinking wine might just be what you need. My Grandfather had a couple glasses b/4 every meal and swore it kept him young. But, I am no expert on wine. You would need to ask our resident expert, Phyll! LOL Janet....there are meds that can be taken for vertigo (for dizziness). They put me out and make me feel crappy. Like I stated yesterday....it just runs it's course after a few days and continually gets better. I don't think mine starts in the inner ear. I believe it starts in the sinus' and affects the inner ear once sinus swells. That first day is miserable and after that just off-balance. I just have never been a medicine taker. Not even when I have my kidney stones. Just do not like the affect it has on me. I think my system is overly affected by meds and always has been...kind of like alcohol. Doesn't take much to make me loopy. Not always...but most times. But, does not deter me from having a weak one once in awhile.

Good Morning... First off...Alex has the thread that he started this morning titled: "Mindless Eating...Why We Eat More Than We Think". Worth a read and also lots of interesting articles on the site. Loooooooooooooong day yesterday but better today. Just spent it in bed when I could. I think I know what triggered this vertigo episode...all the flowers in the church at the wedding we attended. Not off and running today but much better. In order to "talk" to each of you guys, I would need to go back and re-read. Too much going on here today and no time right now. Just want to say I hope everyone is doing well and having a good day.

Mornin' All. Missed you guys! Caught up on all the posts. Don't have a lot of time to respond as I have grain haulers for lunch today. Ugh....of all days. I have a stinking case of vertigo. Started yesterday. I do know it is allergy related (trees budding). Think I will have to submit to some bed rest today after I get rid of these guys. I am the worst for having to lay down and especially during the day. Been walking around here hanging onto things in order to get this lunch on the table. Bad. Happy belated birthday, Jodi...love ya! You guys made it work to catch up. I wouldn't say you were "junking up the thread" but mighty busy girls. Janet....don't know how it missed it but what American Idol did you see? and where? Had a pretty good weekend. Basically, just hung out with DH. Went out with friends Thursday for dinner for a couple of hours. Snuggled in and read a book. Read another book on Friday. DH came up Friday night. Rain, cold, more rain, wind and cold. That was our weather. But, so cozy and comfy just to spend that time with DH. Went to our wedding on Sat. (Think I forgot my camera at the lake but if I brought it back, will post a photo of DH and I with Goddaughter). Should have guessed my vertigo was going to hit. Thought it was the one drink I had at the wedding dance that was making me walk crooked. I asked the bartender for a really weak Grey Goose and water. Nursed it for 1.5 hours. I am such a cheap date. Will never have to worry about a bad liver. LOL OK...will talk to you all later. Gonna feed and get these guys out of my hair so I can lay down. I had so much planned for today and have a feeling that this will just run it's course like it ususally does....3-4 days but always one day that is worse and hoping today is that day and it will be downhill from here.

Hey Aleah...nice to see you on the thread again. We can all guess as to why a person hits a plateau. Are you drinking enough water? Hitting a certain monthly cycle? Journaling what you eat to make sure of where you are sitting with it? Sometimes the body just stops losing for a bit. Hopefully it will move for you soon. You are doing great on the weight loss. I wouldn't get too worried about a short plateau. We've all been there, been impatient with it and then all of a sudden we were at goal (not quite that easy but you get my drift?)

Eva...was pretty close on the guess on your first job. I win! Lots for you to think about but sounds exciting. DH has pushed me for years to get my real estate license. He thinks it would be something I would be good at. His saying is "You could sell the pants off of a monkey". It does not interest me at this point in my life. Kinda been there/done that with being in the insurance business for 15 yrs. I would find certain aspects of it interesting though. I admire you for thinking about switching gears...you would be really good at it (IMHO). I could see you doing "pre-inspections" and after the inspector had his job complete, I could see you doing post-inspections and calling him/her on things missed. Lori...as Laura said...can read the stress between the lines. As far as your question goes...I guess I would go for the house I loved. You live within it's walls and property boundries. Yep, I'd want to look at my house and be happy with it. Just be damned sure that you have an Ann Taylor shop within a close driving distance. LOL Not sure what day you are leaving on your trip. Have a wonderful time and good luck with the house sale. Try to just take a deep breath and take this time to relax and concentrate on you and DH. You are so lucky to have the traveling opportunities that you do. My dream. Laura...I am like you. If I lived around the Atlanta area, I would want to be close to things. DS lives in that area but a ways out (Covington) with not much at his fingertips. Has to drive a ways for most anything. The housing development he lives in is nice but way to far out. We are SHOT. DH has not been getting off the planter until after midnight and by the time we wind down and get in bed it's 1am. I tossed for about an hour after that and up at 4am. I need to go to the lake to catch up. DH is out finishing the rest of the corn planting and should be done in a couple of hours. Rain coming our way and predicted for about a week. If he didn't finish this morning, who knows when he would get it done. It's always irritating to have a little left and not be able to finish it for awhile. Soybean planting will not start for a week or so. We ran our butts off this week but actually love this time of year and seeing the crop being put in the ground. Meeting a friend tonight and going out for dinner. She's a friend of mind from here and our neighbor at the lake. Have a wedding on Sat for close friend's son. I LOVE the outfit I got for it. If I think of it I will take a few photos. You all have a good weekend and will talk to you on Monday. Sending the love.

Have good trip, LauraK. Have fun and watch the crossroads! BTW...was Laura's idea to share our 1st jobs.

Actually, Cheri...about half and half. I put a lot on myself to stay busy and not have to think of the "things" that were going on in that house. In a way, it saved me and made me strong. I don't know if I was born a "survivor" or if it was self-taught. Either way, work is something I have always used to keep the "demons" at bay. I guess in a way it was my way of molding myself and a form of self-validation. Was always told I was not worth the spit on the sidewalk. But, I proved them wrong.

And Phyll....Yes, you can make a shake out of Merlot. Just make sure to not ruin it with too much ice. You would hate to screw up the alcohol content!

Jessica...sending you a cyber hug. It's OK to break down and need ppl to talk to. Continue to talk and get it out. It's the best thing you can do. That's what therapists are for. I saw mine every week for 4.5 yrs and when I start feeling that those memories are infiltrating, I check back in with my head doc. It's difficult to get rid of it sometimes...especially with, as you said, talking about things with your brother. I see you as highly functional and you need to know that you have that professional to rely on during times like this. :thumbup:

Well Phyll...I left some of my "jobs" out of that list on purpose. Had to make it believable....I also sewed dresses and outfits for the teachers and others in town. My mom had fabrics and patterns in her store. Ppl would come in and pick out fabric and a pattern and let me know when they needed it. Lots of nights at the sewing machine till midnight. I also spent a lot of nights after working at the hospital and bank taking care of five children that lived a couple of houses down on our block. Their mother worked the 9pm till closing at the local bar. I would grab my books and head over. Get the kids bathed and to bed, do my homework, watch Johnny Carson and fall asleep in the chair until the single mom got home about 2:30. She was a wonderful mother to her children and so good to me. She always had special treats for me. I still remember her homemade rolls and the old fashioned tapioca pudding. Also, for years I took my study hall the first hour of the day. My Uncle Bill would pick me up at 7am and I would open my mother's store and do the cleaning from the day b/4. I would work till 9:30am and run up to the school which was only a block away. I worked split shifts at the hospital on Sat and Sun. On the days I did not work at the hospital, I worked the store. Really never thought much of it at the time. It was just life. You and Laura talking about how much you loved your nursing home residents made me have a good cry. I have always been drawn to the elderly. I do think it comes from having a very loving GM that lived right across the street from us and having elderly great-uncles (3 of them all single men) that took an interest in each one of us 8 children. All of them including GM and a great aunt would have done anything for our family. And, yes, it is difficult having your children in other parts of the country. I panic sometimes when I think that once (or if) youngest ever gets married, I will not get to see their family because I do think that because of his profession, they will not live close to us. But, I feel what will be will be and we will make the most of what comes. Well...my pickled eggs are feeling bad. Not your thing either, huh? Think I will go eat one of them.

Just junking up the thread!:thumbup:

Ooops...should have put your name on the Tasty Freeze instead of Debra! Sorry you are experiencing hunger, Melissa. Hang in there.

Great...I have 7 siblings. 5 sisters, 2 brothers. Oldest male, 6 females and youngest is a male. In this day and age you could have seen your boss in court. Sorry you had to experience that at your young age.

I should add...PLEASE...nobody take offense to my guesses and not poking fun at anyone. Just being silly. You know what, Arlene? I would have filled their bottles with the cherry coke!

Oops...forgot Melissa...she was a telemarketer for a company that sold time shares in FL:biggrin:

Hey, Laura, are you there??????????? I have 15 minutes to kill b/4 I need to deliver some seed. Let's have some fun with this and do some guessing ahead of time on the first jobs that our friends here had. Let's see how close we come. LauraK...I think I might be cheating here cuz she stated last week she built bins....I'm sticking with that one. Great...I'm going to say she most likely worked as a clerk to a store similar to Hallmark. Cheri....tutor Janet...waitress Eva...cleaned hostels to pay for her keep...and her travels Arlene....worked on the ranch Phyll....nurses aide Linda....did filing for the school secretary Joyce...smiled for the camera and worked as an aide to a documentary film maker Jessica...worked in an assisted living home Debra....worked at the Tasty Freeze Julie...worked on the farm and also waitressed Who am I forgetting?????? Deb...teller at the local bank Jodi...koshered kitchens

Laura...white eggs. We grew up with pickled pigs feet, pickled gizzards, pickled herring in the frig at all times. I didn't get close to any of them and had to put blinders on when opening the frig. Know exactly where you DH comes from with the gagging thing. Also, what a fun "topic of the day" you started. We haven't done this for awhile and very interested in hearing all the responses and how you all started down the road to success.

Laura...my first job was also a butt wiper and dietary aide (not at the same time, LOL). I started working at our local hospital/nursing home attached at the tender age of 13. I will have you know that I was proud to earn that 83 cents an hour! School would let out at 3:20. I would ride my bike the mile home, whip a meal up for a family of 10 and into the oven, (way b/4 crockpots came into existence), change into my white uniform, ride my bike 1.5 miles and be to work by 4pm. Would help with meals for the 30 bed hospital and 40 bed nursing home. Prepared the patient trays in the food line, filled the tray carts and then delivered the carts to the floor. We would go to the patient floor with a list of patients that were unable to feed themselves and spoon feed them. 2 weeks after I started this job, I was sent to feed Mr. Pikert. He was propped up, eyes open, and the soup just ran out the corners of his mouth. Decided that Jello might work better for him. That wouldn't go any farther than his tongue. About that time the head RN walked in the room with a mortified look on her face and said "Poor Mr. Pikert passed away about 15 minutes ago...so sorry" and promptly closed his eyes and covered him. Now, remember I was 13. Oops! After getting done with running the dishes through the dishwasher for hospital and nursing home, I worked as an aide on the patient floor. That's where the butt wiping came in. At 8pm I was done and on my bike (or hoofing it) another mile or so to help my brother clean the local bank 5 nights a week. No pay with that job. Boy was I stupid. He got the paycheck and laid on the floor and watched TV in the bank president's office and I cleaned and scrubbed. He's an A-hole to this day. Terrible thing to say about a sibling, but, will say it again. He's an A-hole to this day. I also mowed with my brother during the summer months. We mowed the bank, the cemetary, the church yard, and many yards in town. My mother had a dept. store so I was the housekeeper. Good ole Johnson paste wax was applied every Sat. by me to EVERY floor in an 8 bedroom home. All of the above pretty much took up 24/7 and no time for socialization. Pssst...I've made up for it!

SNACK ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!! Found a new snack. Some of you might turn your nose up at this but this is something I've been eating lately and maybe some of you might take a liking to it. Pickled eggs. 75cals per egg. You can eat them plain or slice and eat with mayo or FF mayo. Melissa.....I'm going to put a challenge out there to you. Try to eat like you are eating today for one entire week. See how you feel about things at the end of the week. I will bet that you have more energy and a better attitude toward getting everything back on track. Just reading Laura's last post on how she did her shakes for a week and it got her to thinking straight again about her food plan made me think of you and the struggles you have been posting about lately. Do you think you can do it? I bet you can...Good luck!

That Leigha is a girl after my own heart. Been a believer in non-starvation since I started this process. Throwing a body into the starvations mode only hinders weight loss and causes those nasty plateaus. Good healthy food choices at 2-3 hour intervals makes for a healthy bod!