tapshoes

Take something that has a known weight - like a 5 pound bag of sugar or something. Put it on your new scale. If it reads correctly, it is right.

Morning all! I'm already suffering LBT withdrawal, and I haven't gone yet!!! :thumbup: Soon though...just getting my caffeine in before I leave. I can't imagine the multi-quote I'm going to do to keep up when I get back..........for the job seekers, I hope you are all successful; for those with relationship strains, may they be resolved in a positive way; for those gardening, happy digging; for those at a plateau, I hope you shatter it in this next week; for those exercising - keep at it; for those looking for a fish recipe, try a cooking forum!:thumbup: Ciao, faewell, adios, adieu...until I post again.

Sorry to hear that, Beth. Make sure to rest your stomach for the remainder of the day...after PB'ing it always seems much more sensitive. Packing is done - 1 suitcase and 1 purse/briefcase. Have I mentioned I'm not real fond of business trips?? Uncomfortable planes, uncomfortable hotel beds, conference center temperature fluctuations and armless chairs, and now since banding, tons of catered meals but with limited band friendly low fat lo cal stuff....grumble grumble. However, given the number of people with employment issues, I shall now shut up!

Indeed! OK break time....vacuuming, laundry, floor washing, window washing all done. While DH caulks a few windows, I'm going to catch my breath (figuratively speaking), sip on a strawberry cream cheese smoothie (late breakfast/lunch) and then it is upstairs to pack...but I really want to be outside playing in the dirt - it's sunny...and after all the rain we have had, I really feel the need to be outside. BUt, packing first....:blushing::cursing:

How did the walk to the library go? I know all about exercising fizzling out...I make myself do it, because if I don't, it is an express ride to slugville! We are so glad you are back Cool! I hope you can find other arrangements for your fills that won't be too pricey. For me, walking and seeing things, other than the walls of the gym, make it easier to go further. A 4 mile walk at lunch is tremendous...way to go!!! And now, onto breaking the 200 mark...you CAN do...onederland is a great place. You CAN do it Lori. You have the determination, you have the attitude, and you have us supporting you!!! As for the nuts...well, the VVs know they are my weakness, so for me, no nuts. I just can't resist them, so don't tempt me...:thumbup::drool: Morning all! I am taking a break from my Saturday cleaning - gotta get the house cleaned, and then pack - how many clothes do I need for 6 days of business meetings, with evening meetings as well, and dinners, and one reception? And while I'm away, my step daughter graduates from university, and she, her sister, and her mother (DH's ex) are all coming here...so now I gotta clean the house to the n'th degree too! Stress? Nope, no stress! Insanity perhaps, but no stress!!!:tongue2::sneaky::w00t:

YAY G4E. That's fantastic! And YAY Beth!! That is just so wonderful - fate/faith/star alignment/coincident...whatever it is, it's wonderful! Prayers for you too Heartfire. It's as good a reason as any! OMG! Things are starting to look up for you - Fabulous! So it is Saturday morning, I'm on my n'th load of laundry, and am starting to put clothing aside for the trip. Between 6 days of meetings and then dinners and evening meetings and one evening reception, how many suits do I need? Men have it SO much easier: 1 suit; one other jacket; 10 shirts.... My 1 step-daughter's univ graduation is happening while I'm away; DH informs me last night that DSD, DSD #2, his ex, and DH's #1 DSD from his previous marriage are all not only coming to this city for the event, but are going to be coming to our house! That's it, DH...just add to my joy for Saturday as now I need to up the cleaning ante! I am going to be making a quilt for DSD's baby shower gift, and I have the pattern book, materials, etc spread out in the guest room. Good thing it isn't in the hand quilting stage, or I'd have the quilt frame set up too, and that's a bugger to de-construct! OK - time to get back to work...catch you all on my next break...enjoy your weekend!

Crosswords and Suduko...except when Im presenting or something. I think knitting, cross-stitch and other needlework might be a tad obvious...... WOW! It is getting SO terrible...the anxiety levels of people are over the top. YAY!! Positive thoughts/prayers/chants and crossing of various appendages is done!!

Oh Ebony, I am sorry for your situation. At what kind of dysfunctional weird organization expects 'perfection'? I sincerely hope a new opportunity presents itself to you, and that you can get out of there!! Until then, keep strong. :biggrin: Nope - remember, I'm the luddite - no b'berry/cell. I will just drink lots of coffee, and try to make the gray matter absorb all the useful information. What she said!! Susan - I am so very happy that you and your husband are working things through. And as much as you love your home, it is a 'thing'...and things are not as important as people and our relationships. It will be difficult, you will have your 'moments', but your attitude is good, and you will get through this.

I had to do a double-take on that statement...at first I thought it read 1 oz/pound....I'd never leave the bathroom if that were the case!! I did my calculations, and I am consistently meeting (and exceeding) that target...imagine, one thing I AM doing with no struggles!!!!:biggrin:

Sadly...nuts are (for me) an addiction. I have had to swear off of them. While some people may have a sweet tooth, or indulge in chips//backed goods, or can't resist chocolate, for me it is nuts. Any kind. I could (and have in my pre-banding days) sat down with the huge bags from costco, and ate in one sitting all the nuts. Even post banding, I could eat lots of them...all the time. B'fast, snack, lunch, snack,supper,snack....they go down easily and are so darned tasty. I love 'em. Too much. So, no more. I have gone without them now for a few months. one day at a time. :biggrin::drool::biggrin:

:biggrin::lol:Perhaps I will suggest Foley's for the 'loot bags' for next year! I just checked the calendar of events (making sure I have all my documents in order etc), and one day begins at 7am - not even 730! And that's not the breakfast - b'fast is being served from 530-645....

So far, I have been able to stick with no Snacks after dinner...it's been two days! :biggrin: Oh well, one day at a time........

G4e - I am so sorry you are struggling with these issues; I sincerely hope something turns for the good for you - SOON!!! Ebony - what happened? SMS - I'm delighted to hear things are going so well for you! Morning all! I'm on the countdown to a week of LBT absence - I leave on Sunday for a conference and shall be computerless. That, and the days are scheduled from 730/8am to 8/9 pm each day...with all meals catered. It's going to be a tough week to find band-friendly foods, time to exercise, and a sanity break from the presentations etc. Oh well, I won't start worrying on it yet - I have today and tomorrow to get through first! Have a good day all.

WOW!! I miss one morning of posting, and the place goes wild!! YAY!!! It is nice to see all the chatter - and welcome back to Crystal and Babydoe! OK - now to catch up.... That's it, Ezma. Small baby steps. First you added back the exercise. Next add the tracking food. And just ease back into the eating style...you are still under a lot of stress and you just need to take things easy. Make sure you get your vitamins in though... We are NOT going to fail...we may have lapses, temporary fluctuations, but we are not failing. Just keep thinking of how far we have come...each of us has made changes, and lost some weight, and realized something about our eating habits...we have learned things...mostly about our particular food addictions.... How I love (and miss) nuts! Lori - so close to goal....you must feel wonderful!!!! I track my food infrequently; I probably should do it more consistently. I'll add that to the things I should do, but don't!! Send a few emails, post a message - see if we can't find a few more VVs. I miss them all! St Louis - you are doing great with the exercise! I too walk home from work (most days)...but so far I haven't had to worry about the temp! Keep it up! Hi Babedoe! Nice to see you posting. Sensitivity to solids...yes, but not sliming or nausea. I can't eat breakfast when I first get up. I have to wait an hour or two and then eat. Otherwise the food may go down, but sure as shootin' it's gonna reverse direction! WOW Shiny! Lowest weight, smooth move, exercise etc...you are certainly on top of things. That is fabulous! MOre clothes shopping for you is probably in your future! Crystal...I am so sorry you have been having the terrible stresses in your life recently..the band issue is second to those. I certainly hope for your mental health alone that your job becomes more stable, or some other wonderful opportunity arises. In the meantime, being able to maintain while all this is going on is a testament to your strength. You are NOT a failure. I hope this next fill helps, but maybe even thinking about it is adding more stress. i have no words of wisdom. Just keep trying, keep posting here, let us try to help - or at least let us be your sounding board. You ARE strong. What she said!:biggrin: That's it Crystal! A positive attitude. And EXCELLENT suggest St Louis!! OK guys...I got my exercise in this morning, and then have 2 more days before I leave for my conference. I don't know what I am going to do there - tight schedule from 8 am to 8pm, every meal catered, and NO computer to access here....arghhh!!!!!! 'Tis time for me to go to bed now - 430am comes early! Take care everyone; we are stronger than our cravings! WE CAN do this.

There are a number of factors that come into play here. Age (the older you are, the less elastic the skin), underlying fitness level (more muscle will look more toned), genetics, and of course how much weight you have lost as well as how long you were overweight. A lot of weight over a long time will be more likely to result in the dreaded sagging skin. I'm in my 50's and have been obese for most of my life. Although I have been faithfully exercising since banding, and built up muscles, there is skin - lots of it. My primary areas are stomach and arms...and nothing short of plastic surgery will eliminate it.:confused:

I will join, but my goal will be simple - no snacks after dinner. (I might have to go to bed right after dinner some evenings in order to avoid the temptation!:confused:)

Congratulations! How does your son feel about this man? Ohhh... What she said!!! I might just have to give in and go to Facebook because apparently there is news there, that Im missing - SMS and her man, LJM and her baby, BBK, and who knows who and what other LBT-ers are there.....

Well, WE knew the hole was there - we missed you! :sad: But, now that you are back, all is good! :scared2: Now if we could just entice some of the others who have wandered away - RSG; CoolCrystal; Mom of 2; etc YAY!!!!:crying: Keep it up. And YAY to you Lori for staying on plan - eating right, and building up the exercise again. And almost to goal?!?!? WOW!!! Go Lori, Go Lori!!!!:drool::thumbup: I am packing my workout clothes to take on the trip, and even if I have to walk around the hotel grounds 100 times at midnight I will get in some exercise 4 of the 7 days I am at the conference! I hope I can do more sensible things like use a fitness facility, but the schedule is jam-packed and time is very limited. Take care in that heat....you don't want to suffer sunstroke! And yes indeed, it sounds like you really are back on the plan - exercise and eating properly! Welllll........for my money, it is running! Options for foot power are walking or running. If you aren't walking.....:wub: OKAY - I think I'm caught up on all the posts! It's a wonderful thing to see people back here! I was mostly good yesterday - I got in the exercise, and ate healthy.Could I have done more and eaten less? Yes. But, I am happy with what I did do, so that's ok. Today will be to see if I can do the same or better.... Well, it is time for me to get back to work.....take care everyone! We are stronger than our cravings; we can do this!!

SMS - Great to see you posting again...what's happening in your life? Remember, several of us live vicariously through your adventures! Ebony - good luck on the jobs; fingers crossed for you! And be polite but resolute in your meeting; focus on the issue, not the personality of the hateful boss, and don't let 'em get you down! Sounds like a nice garden...I've never grown artichoke either. I'm trying pumpkin this year...the greenery will fill in lots of bare space in the garden until I can get perennials in the fall. And deer need to eat too!! Morning all! It is possibly not going to rain today - whoo hoo!! It has rained all (or most of) everyday for the past week... Gotta get my rear in gear - am not fully prepared for my meeting in 2 hours, so gotta finish a slide deck, and prepare some speakers notes. Catch you later.....

Angie - More and more running - you and Shiny sound like a pair. I just cannot for the life of me see the 'fun' in it, but hey, whatever works for you is great. St Louis gal - you are NOT alone. Isn't it amazing/frustrating how those things we shouldn't eat find a way to be easily consumed whereas other things give us grief!?:frown: YAY on your walk at lunchtime...keep it up. Being that close to a track is great for a lunchtime break - although going back to work if sweaty is NEVER nice! And you are planning to do a 5K??? That is fabulous! Why do I think I will be the only NON-5Ker of the VVs??? Lori - Isn't it weird how everyone's doc has different goals for them? And the combinations of height/weight and dress sizes have me bewildered beyond belief! It is not a competion for me, but I always look at the heights/weights/dress sizes that some people post and I just dont get it....how can someone (for example) be shorter than I am, weigh the same and be 4 dress sizes smaller??? ARGHHH!!! Thanks for the challenge thread LilMiss...I think I will TRY the no nuts and no nightime snacking for the month... Walking plus calisthenics plus aerobics.....you are one active woman!!! I'm tired just reading about it! OK everyone - it is Tuesday, and another day to be strong! Yesterday my food intake was fine but my exercise was nil...I didn't hit the Y, and I didn't walk home from work (t-storms put an end to that idea). Today, more rain. I have a meeting after work, so I just have to get something in today.... I am going on a business trip next week and am HATING the thought of it...7 days of meetings from 800 to 4, then dinners every evening. What are the chances I will get through that week without having some non-good food choices?? And stick to portion sizes??? I've gotta be extra good this week to help offset what will probably be a difficult time! And where am I going to fit some type of exercise in??

Sometimes, stress IS my program. If it's on sale, pick up some for me too, please! Funny thing - I think I look exactly the same despite my weight loss. I see no difference in pictures. Lovely feeling isn't it - purging closets of clothes. I'm so sorry for DH's friend, and all of you. You sound like a very tight-knit group, and you cannot help but be impacted by such dramatic events. I hope his treatments are successful, and you get that unfill...you can't take care of others if you aren't well yourself. Good luck with the job interview; hope you find a beautiful dress, and enjoy your vacation! That's the attitude...as one of many cancer survivors on LBT can attest, attitude is important!! Lots of that going around!! What she said! NOt possible to e too old for fun! Morning all...If the rain doesn't stop soon, I think I will go insane! It has been raining and/or t-storming for the last 6 out of 7 days......ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Ezma - reading and posting - YAY!!! I hope you find a way to commit your husband's ashes Ezma. The navy ceremony would be very fitting, and certainly they would show his remains the proper respect. It is unfortunate though that it would be a private event. Good luck. P.S. No fast food for dinner! Nicole - glad to hear you are better, and get that unfill if it is needed!!! WOW - all the moving you have done Nicole - you are a match to me! With every move I say 'no more until retirement'...but who knows! PS. I have 3 sets of friends who live in Alberta - 2 in Airdrie, 1 in Calgary. Haven't made it to Okotok yet.

Thanks, LilMiss....you saved me the time I would have spent rummaging at Barb's!

What is a body scan? At the clinic I attend, they do the full assessment - % fat, bone density etc, and then it spits out a weight range. My doc wants me to be on the 'low side' of the range...I used to aim for that, but I am beginning to think my body just wants to be in the middle...I'm fighting it!! How's the unpacking going now, Shiny? What a great achievement - weighing less than your husband for the first time! YAY you! I think both your pics show a beautiful woman. But we all know, it is what YOU feel that is the main thing. So, give yourself some time to adjust to the thinner you, and then decide what makes you the most happy. Ezma - for heaven's ske, there is no need to apologize to anyone - you have been dealt a life-changing terrible blow. You will of course have ups and downs, and we all know what affect our mood has on our appetite. It is perfectly understandable, and I doubt very much if your DH would be MAD at you - concerned, yes. Mad, no. So, try to keep at the physical activity, and when you can, think twice before having that cookie, or brownie or icecream. But don't beat yourself up over it if you do indulge. Forgive yourself, and try again. ((((HUGS))))) Angie - what will be your strategy for 'kicking it up a notch' - more training or what? Were you previously a runner and/or athlete? Im just curious to know if this running is a side-effect (in which case it is one I wish I would get), or if you always were athletic. Glub glub - I'm swimming behind you Lori!! You had a wonderful birthday party (how did the cake your niece do turn out?), celebrated another year with family and friends...no need to say you've been 'bad'...you are human! But now, it is Monday of a new week and a new month...time to get back on the band-track! What she said!!! (((HUGS Jamie))) I do hope that the psychotherapist will be a good resource for you Jamie. Your loss is still very fresh, and the pain is not going to just disappear on a schedule. You will heal at the rate you can...just try to take the best care of yourself that you can while you continue through the grieving and healing. And don't focus on the number of pounds lost or gained...focus ONLY on being good to yourself. There are many of us who can relate to that, Ezma. Why oh why do we love what is bad for us? Me and my nut addiction....I swear if someone brought in a tractor trailer of almonds or cashews or peanuts, I would open the doors, and start eating and not stop until they were gone!!! I haven't had a nut in a while, and I fight the fight daily. OKAY everyone - it is Monday. And, it is JUNE!!! Whoo hoo - summer!!! Let's get our positive energies flowing, catch a few rays (if you are suitable protected of course!) and regroup and refocus! We can do this; we are stronger than our cravings!

Morning all! Fanny - have a great time! It sounds like everyone else had a good weekend. I got to play in the dirt for 5 or 6 six hours yesterday, and a few hours on Saturday (more freakin rain fell in the afternoon)....throw in some quality time with DH, a bottle or 2 or wine, time and money spent in a gardening store....a good weekend.