tapshoes

Tina I too wonder if your drink had been tampered with; it is too late to check for any substances now, but I would be very careful in future. Re: husband moving out. It will be difficult, lonely, exhilarating etc. But without him there, I do think you will be better able to focus on yourself and the kids first and begin to stabilize things at home. My thoughts are with you

Beautifully expressed, Beth. And very true. Yes indeed, he sounds like a keeper. So that's why you look so familiar....your beautiful buffed bod graced magazine covers, and the catwalk! (Please read with appropriate sarcasm) Ditto, and double ditto! Nothing like a guy in makeup, heels, and feminine clothes looking better than me to really boost my ego! Unfortunate experience but great timing. It is the fact that you had them dressed in little matching girlie outfits that is most disturbing. Yeah, I know the feeling. I can pull and lift my excess skin out of my clothes...a jiggling wrinkly mass of flab...just so appealing! But at my age, and financial situation, PS just doesn't seem like the best investment. Mortgage payment vs. plastic surgery...not a big debate! They do, and they have gone a long way - a long way from common use! I was moderately comforted that while in California I attended (as an observer) my nephew's cotillion class, and besides the obvious learning to dance REAL dances (waltz, cha cha, etc), they had etiquette lessons. IF only 1/2 of the participants remember and practice 1/2 of the lessons civilization has a small chance! Snort! Don't say anything out loud, but the thermometer is promising to go above freezing today, AND the sun is shining! Be still my excitedly beating heart!!

I really enjoyed the movie; Sean Penn was deserving of the Oscar. It is one movie I have added to our collection; a movie to be enjoyed more than once.

Such a glorious morning, and to be the winner adds the little touch making it perfect!

Are you kidding?!?! I am never going away for 2 weeks ever again....I miss too much!

OK - DH is a major movie fiend; he is a walking-talking encyclopaedia of movies. I have been 'converted', and have gone from watching MAYBE 1 movie a year into at least 5 a week...In the last month (and I was away for 15 days of it): Gone Baby gone - ok Slumdog - good, but not up to the hype Milk - great 7 Pounds - mediocre Burn after reading - terrible Pursuit of Happyness - better than expected despite Will Smith Changeling - disturbing but good Gran Torino - good Taken - gratuitous violence; mediocre Eagle Eye - stupid Madagascar II (my niece's choice) - cute Doomsday - I'd poke my eyes out with rusty nails before watching it ever again In Bruges - fabulous Frost Nixon - great Defiance - good-but disturbing Quantum of solace - bad, even for a James Bond movie with the eye-candy Boy A - fabulous Rachel getting married - mediocre We also have a movie collection of about 500 classic movies that we watch and rewatch and rewatch - but I'm assuming you are meaning to discuss more recent movies.....

Well, as my mother would say, we are ALL winners...but I am the first place winner...suckers!!!

To do justice to all the bajillion posts I missed, I would have to multi-quote for about 10 pages!! Instead: Tapshoes agrees and nods her head sagely Tapshoes snorts Tapshoes shakes her fist in righteous anger Tapshoes is laughing hysterically with tears streaming down her face. Tapshoes is sad, and silently weeping Tapshoes is puzzled, and tilts her head at an angle while puzzling the mystery. Tapshoes is bouncing in her seat with giddy excitement. Tapshoes is gagging. Tapshoes is drooling. Please assign the approrpiate action/statement to all comments.

Yeah RSG! I was worried, and honestly was concerned that when I got back you would be 'gone' from LBT. I am relieved, pleased, and just so proud of you. Back to the basics is difficult; living with the band rules can be challenging (downright frustrating/annoying/irritating sometimes), but you CAN do it. Keep it up, and keep posting!

You are going through a very difficult time...regardless of the situation, a divorce is stress. And still, you are persevering. That strength of character and determination should be celebrated...where others have given up, you haven't! you are NOT a failure. Success is not the scale, success is your continued recognition that the process will take time, and your commitment to it.

But the important thing is you moved. Yeah you!! Mowing the lawn...I dream of when I will be able to do that - sometime in June perhaps! There is still a LOT of snow on the ground here...but only 6 more weeks and then it will be gone, and we can frolick outside. (That's my plan, anyway). I went swimming 10/12 days I was on vacation, and did tons of beachwalking and shopping...surely putting on and taking off clothes thousands of times burns calories! When I was at my meetings, I used the hotel weight room, and did walking. So, I was active. Now back to the usual routine.

So I am back, and catching up on things. I did note that my posting got there twice - how, I don't know; an ether mystery I guess. Anyway, I was really pleased to read the stories, and yes, sometimes just sitting back and reflecting on what we HAVE done rather than what we thought we would do, is good for us. RSG - I am so pleased that you have got started again. Really. I am very pleased and proud of you. And, my sincere and heartfelt congratulations to you and Marci. Congratulations to all of us (even those that didn't post). May 2009/10 see us all healthy and happy!

Let us know, St. Louis. I am hoping it is a too tight band caused by irritation, and that just resting it will resolve it.

Glad to hear things went good. But it does raise the issue - how many of us are lectured to by our docs? I haven't been, and I think I would be somewhat less than mature if anyone doc, nurse, whomever started down that path! They are there to HELP us, and lecturing never helps anyone! Oh well, maybe it is just my pet peeve (or rather, one of many).

Only 1 prize per game, and it is obviously mine....mine mine mine

Holy crap!!!! Go away for 2 weeks, and there is NO freakin way I can catch up on all the postings.....anyone wanna recap all the postings for me? Had a great trip - thawed out just in time to return to another major snowstorm here.

Have become a different person - inside and out! I have gained (yes, gained) so many things: Closet space. A suit in a larger size takes up more room! Gained fashion sense - no longer "Omar the tent-maker" specials in old-lady prints or black. Gained room on chairs - yes indeed, there is a seat around my butt rather than an overhanging rear covering the seat (and then some). Gained a better appreciation of my behavior and particular food addictions. Recognizing the trigger is an important step in beating it..but I know it will always be a battle. Gained collar bones, leg muscles, a waist, and facial features - no more Pillsbury doughboy comparisons! I have gained better relationships with people - not because they treat me any differently, but because I treat me differently. I may never be the 'belle of the ball' but I no longer avoid many social situations, or dip into my vast repetoire of camera avoidance techniques. I have (re)gained some youthful vitality...I'm game to try anything without worrying about 'fitting in', or slowing someone down, or breaking a ride, or being a fifth wheel - damn it, Im young, vibrant, and rarin' to go! Gained much more respect for those who work very hard to maintain their health - it isn't easy, it isn't magical, it isn't fun. It is work, and lots of it, but oh so worth it! I may never LIKE to exercise (I absolutely am not one of those people who after 6 week or 6 months of a routine is addicted!), but I will exercise and watch what I eat. I have to. The band is a tool...only a tool. I have gained the network of all of you - and that support network has been an undeniable, incomparable, unbeatable support network. We may not always agree, we may never meet in person, we may drift off - but for this past year, you have been invaluable to me. May you all have a healthy future and the best of what life offers - whether or not you meet a goal weight or clothing size! We are so much more that that. Most importantly, I have gained some self respect. Although I still have more to lose (being a slow loser sucks), still have inches to go and probably some plastic surgery is in my future (flabby gut overhang of wrinkly jiggly skin is NOT appealing), my life is good. I am not the person I was - when I was filled with self-loathing, anger, and fat. It is only since losing the weight I realize how I WAS...I just couldn't 'see' it before. Your stories have all touched me; I hope you are appreciative of what you have done in the past year, and what lies ahead. My fellow VV's - I have so much more I could write, but this is just a quick anniversary note - I'm on my holidays but just couldn't let the day pass. And now, back to my shopping for clothes in regular sizes in boutique stores in sunny (and blessedly warm) California. That bright light you may be seeing is the sun reflecting off of my snowy-white skin! I have lots to catch up on...but it will have to wait until early March.....

Have become a different person - inside and out! I have gained (yes, gained) so many things: Closet space. A suit in a larger size takes up more room! Gained fashion sense - no longer "Omar the tent-maker" specials in old-lady prints or black. Gained room on chairs - yes indeed, there is a seat around my butt rather than an overhanging rear covering the seat (and then some). Gained a better appreciation of my behavior and particular food addictions. Recognizing the trigger is an important step in beating it..but I know it will always be a battle. Gained collar bones, leg muscles, a waist, and facial features - no more Pillsbury doughboy comparisons! I have gained better relationships with people - not because they treat me any differently, but because I treat me differently. I may never be the 'belle of the ball' but I no longer avoid many social situations, or dip into my vast repetoire of camera avoidance techniques. I have (re)gained some youthful vitality...I'm game to try anything without worrying about 'fitting in', or slowing someone down, or breaking a ride, or being a fifth wheel - damn it, Im young, vibrant, and rarin' to go! Gained much more respect for those who work very hard to maintain their health - it isn't easy, it isn't magical, it isn't fun. It is work, and lots of it, but oh so worth it! I may never LIKE to exercise (I absolutely am not one of those people who after 6 week or 6 months of a routine is addicted!), but I will exercise and watch what I eat. I have to. The band is a tool...only a tool. I have gained the network of all of you - and that support network has been an undeniable, incomparable, unbeatable support network. We may not always agree, we may never meet in person, we may drift off - but for this past year, you have been invaluable to me. May you all have a healthy future and the best of what life offers - whether or not you meet a goal weight or clothing size! We are so much more that that. Most importantly, I have gained some self respect. Although I still have more to lose (being a slow loser sucks), still have inches to go and probably some plastic surgery is in my future (flabby gut overhang of wrinkly jiggly skin is NOT appealing), my life is good. I am not the person I was - when I was filled with self-loathing, anger, and fat. It is only since losing the weight I realize how I WAS...I just couldn't 'see' it before. My fellow VV's - I have so much more I could write, but this is just a quick anniversary note - I'm on my holidays but just couldn't let the day pass. And now, back to my shopping for clothes in regular sizes in boutique stores in sunny (and blessedly warm) California. That bright light you may be seeing is the sun reflecting off of my snowy-white skin! I have lots to catch up on...but it will have to wait until early March..... Your stories have all touched me; I hope you are appreciative of what you have done in the past year, and what lies ahead.

I wish all of you a very happy Valentine's Day :w00t:-:thumbup: with a moderate amount of band friendly chocolate and/or wine if you are so inclined! Enjoy some time with your loved ones, and that includes yourself! :wub::ohmy: I will be checking in only sporadically over the next 2 weeks as I am not taking a laptop on my holidays. I will check in every once in a while at my sister's, but I encourage you all to keep it up...I want to have REAMS of responses on every thread. See you all later.....:thumbup:

Celebrate your LOSS! Feel good about taking control of your situation, and improving your health, and being on the journey to a new you! comparing yourself to others is futile - everyone loses at different rates depending on the amount to lose, their exercise regimes, their total caloric intake, their body type, their age, their gender, their comorbidities, the meds they may be on, their attention to measuring and weighing everything, etc. You are unique - you will lose depending on your situation. Ignore everyone else; this is the time to focus on yourself ONLY. Be vigilant, use the band, exercise, follow the instructions of your doctor, and feel great about taking control of your health!

After a nice dinner DH and I saw Rachel getting Married - oh dear heavens, that's time I will NEVER get back. Even DH who can sit through some of the worst movies of all time was asking if it was over yet...about every 5 minutes. Well folks, I'm heading to the airport shortly - I will be without computer/laptop or even cell phone...by choice. I may check in once or twice...but then again, maybe not. See you all in a few weeks. I'm leavin, on a jet plane....

Happy anniversary Babygirl! Just made a cake for DH for Valentine's Day-I improvised a heart shape, and covered it in lots of his fav choc-cream cheese icing. I'd decorate it with red cinnamon hearts, but don't have any in the cupboard, and I don't think candycanes are a suitable substitute! Now, on to the vacuuming......

I had a total hyst many years ago, am in my fifties and was banded last year. My weight loss though slower than many others is still a loss, and I am happy to take the loss! I am now at a normal BMI (first time in decades), and enjoying my life.

Happy Valentines Day, everyone. Fanny - good luck with the open house. It's a quiet Saturday morning...except for the cat fight; I'm 'baby sitting' my SD's cat, and my 3 are not happy. oh well..

I'm with you, Glou. A toaster - bah humbug. I think the gold watch is for those who are at-or-below goal for 5 years OR for answering for the 1000th time 'What's a PB?'.