tapshoes

I am SO glad you posted; we were certainly all wondering how this weekend would go. It is good that you and he are managing to maintain some level of civility and stability for the children...that says a lot about both of you! Keep strong; don't look back, and keep going!

That's my feeling too...and the trophy does look nice sitting on my desk.

Well, this weekend was a bust!! How is it that I can be a good bandster on business trips and vacation, but the first weekend I back home, I blow it??? GGGRRRRRR!!!:mad2::confused: Saturday wasn't too bad, but 2 servings of pasta for supper was NOT a good decision. However I did do alot of housework etc, so I'm not too worried about the total calories in, just the desire/capacity to have seconds of ANYTHING! However, Sunday was a disaster....I had company for dinner, and had made my usual selection of desserts (remember, I do NOT have a sweet tooth, so these don't bother me). Anyway, for some reason completely unknown to me, I had a piece of carrot cake (with cream cheese icing naturally) for dessert - I NEVER eat desserts! What on earth came over me?!?!?!?! Then I had another one before going to bed...........I'm possessed, that must be it! There is no other rational explanation!!! BAH!:eek:

At the Y this morning I did mmy upper body workout, and then 35m on the treadmill. I am hoping the nice weather comes soon so that I can start walking outside, but it is still cold (below freezing) and today had the added bonus of being windy....ACKKKK! I hate winter!

Tara, you do whatever you have to do to be successful in this journey. If the structure of WW and weekly meetings etc is beneficial to you, then do it, and do it with all your energy. I hope you are doing your WI fit as well. Throw in a few dog walks, and some other things like gardening. Every little bit helps, so do what you can when you can. Ust your network of friends here - we're always around to listen, commiserate or even give you a gentle push. keep posting, don't drink while eating, get some exercise, and do NOT give up. Take care my friend.

Such a positive upbeat posting TravelAnna!! WOW another person who likes running...don't understand it myself, but whatever brings you joy, enjoy! I think I would just go to the finish and have the pancakes and bypass the running part! I guess I will stick to gardening for the welcome to spring feeling... A great NSV - bet that made you feel great! Funny some people have said they see a difference in me, but I just see the old me - I see through 'fat eyes', I guess!:confused: When do you move? Happy spring to you!

Good morning all! Another Monday, another week. I received voice mail messages regarding interviews: one phone interview this week for a position about 1500 miles away and even a little further north than I already am (:confused:), and an inperson interview hopefully for next week - it's a position I can work from home 50%/ 50% travel across the country. But until I get a new job, I guess I had better 'get to it' at this one....

I hope you were not counting on the trophy to lift your spirits, as I have it in my hands....

I don't think so,kiz, 'cause I'm the winner

While LilMiss and NCs battle it out with smiley faces, Tapshoes swoops in, takes the trophy, stuffs it under her shirt and runs....

I will take the trophy from your hands - that should lighten you up some! TA-DA!!!

Chilly morning everyone! Furnance went last night - DH has eliminated ignition, electrical and gas line problems; the work continues. Temp inside and outside are not much different - and it is literally freezing today! I had a productive day yesterday - washing floors; ironing (I avoid doing it until there is no alternative); made a few desserts; downloaded a dozen few movies; and watched a few movies. Today is preparing for company to dinner (meal and another dessert or two); dusting; starting to collect stuff for tax-time (grrr#%); maybe touch-up paint a few nicks on a few walls (how DO they get there?); assorted other household chores...the usual routine. Gray hairs - mother in her late 80's has only a few strands; my sister and I started going gray in our 20's. I have added highlights etc to try and conceal them whilst sister has gone au natural. I think it is time for me to concede defeat and let them be - EXCEPT for those in eyebrows, chin, etc. My BFF went white by 35 and it looks stunning on her; maybe gray will be the same for me?!?!? Have a good day all..

However, as those in California do not possess the skating skills of those who live in the frozen north, Tapshoes dons her sliver blades, speed races and while gracefully twirling and spinning steals the trophy from Tquad, does a triple lutz leaving the bemused and defeated Tquad behind.

There were lots of little rewards for each 5 or 10 lbs...my indulgence/addiction is books, so I would spend the amount of $=pounds lost in books. Others included: a bra-fitting and some new fitting bra's (really, it did wonders psychologically as well as affecting how my clothes fit); new hair cut and colors; manicure; new shoes; a trip to visit my sister (hadn't done that in 8 years); books, books, and more books.....

It hasn't changed our meals etc, we both still cook, we both still eat regular food. The only change is that I use a small plate and go really slowly, DH uses a big plate and can finish his plus sometimes a 2nd serving while Im still chew-chew-chewing the first!

Peaceful isn't it? To have my coffee in peace and quiet...then I can sit at the computer or the desk and plan my day. I love making lists...whether or not I get to everything on them, it just feels like I'm organized if I have a list and can tick items off. Have a good day everyone!

I'm glad to see you post your questions, and do some research. You have to understand how a band work and what it does and doesn't do. For many people, it works well, but it does not work for everyone... YOU have to be able to dedicate yourself to living/eating within certain parameters. You must be willing and able to do a pre-op diet, and then faithfully follow the diet immediately post-operatively (for approx 4- 6 weeks) or else you risk compromising the band and your health. If you can't, why put yourself through the expense, and the surgery? There are people who don't follow the rules, and think everything is fine - but it is the long-term picture that they do not see...slippages, erosions, stretched pouch, etc. You must be willing to accept drinking lots of Water, and not drinking carbonated beverages. You must be willing to include exercise as part of your new lifestyle. Without changing your lifestyle, the band will not be 'the solution'. You must be patient and not set unrealistic expectations...so many people get disappointed expecting that within X number of months their weight would be gone...everyone is different, and if you spend your time comparing yourself to others you will be discouraged, frustrated, and give up. Taking the band out is an option, but as has been said, your stomach will no longer have restriction, and then (for some) it is a quick path to regaining the weight. As for not having 'something' in my body for the rest of my life, well, people have pacemakers, artificial knees and hips, and things to enhance their appearance, for me this is a life saving device. Do I wish I didn't have to get to this point? Yes. But I am glad I have it, and will do what I can to keep it so that I can continue to live a happy healthy long life. Good luck on whatever decision you make; do your research and honestly examine your motivations and how you think and act. This is not a 'quick fix'...this is hard work and dedication.

Mornin' all. It is 4:30am and all is quiet. The coffee is hot. Just going to make my to-do chore list, and plan my day...love the weekends!

While everyone else takes a few minutes of sleep, Tapshoes takes the trophy....

Okay my fellow VV's. This Sunday the month of Feb begins which is the month of our bandiversary. I think it would be interesting, fun, a good reality check for all of us to post on our bandiversary what you have achieved, or your thoughts, or your goals. My bandiversary is on the 21st, so expect a posting from me on that day. Until then, I am really interested in how you are feeling one year later, and I look forward to reading your posts.

I'm so sorry NCsQueen, you must have been talking to Pinocchio, because I am the winner

Whatever you do tonight Tina, be careful. Your experience of last week is still in my mind (okay, call me paranoid). But getting out is absolutely the best decision... As for the Barry White collection - a fantastic idea!

I alternate upper body, lower body by day of the week Monday to Friday. I had a personal trainer work with me to show me the proper way to use weights (I use free weights, not machines) , and then she set up a detailed scheduled for me of how many of each exercise in each set and the number of sets to do etc. Then she wrote out a progressive schedule and included pictures of the exercises with reminders of the proper techniques etc (it is so easy to forget what a 'double hand overhead tricep extension IS) and the pictures and reminders help me. I had the sheets covered in plastic, and I set them on the floor next to me while I go through my routines to make sure I remember them. I tried at first to just download some info from the 'net, but given the importance of doing the exercises properly, I paid a trainer for one-on-one education and training, and I think it has been a great investment. Even now, I look at some of the instructions and think if I hadn't gone to her, I would be guessing at what some of the instructions mean. Upper body - workouts of shoulder, traps, biceps, triceps, chest, etc. I discovered that even though instinctively I knew what a hammer curl would be, the proper technique and arm position made a difference in the impact. But to give you an idea of some of the exercises: Bicep curls; hammer curls; reverse bicep curls; lateral raises; tricep extensions; bent-over and straight and lateral rows; shoulder presses; L-lifts; super 7's; double and single-hand tricep extensions; chest press; chest fly; pull-downs. Lower body is quads, hamstrings, calves, thighs, hips. Calve lifts; good-mornings; single lunges; squats; double lunges; step ups; My trainer offered to tweak the routines for me if I got bored, or felt I needed to add more exercises. So far, I have been concentrating on increasing the number of repetitions and the weights. There are (or so my trainer says) an unlimited number of exercise she can add, but I'm not ready for more, thanks. I'd love to be able to have a trainer work out with me weekly, more to push me on the aerobics, but I can't afford it. So, this is our compromise.

Because of her increased fitness levels, and time spent on the treadmill, Tapshoes quickly overtakes Kiz, wrestles her to the ground, takes the trophy and skidaddles!!!

While other contestants are amazed, befuddled, distracted by the picture Lil'Miss posted, Tapshoes takes the trophy and saunters out the door.