tapshoes

Yesterday B: Strawberry cheesecake protein smoothie (rarely make smoothies, and I must say it didn't satisfy me like my bowl of oatmeal) S: 1 oz cheese L: apple; 1/2c toasted pumpkin seeds; 1 oz cheese D: slice of roast beef with 2tbs green tomato chutney S: 1/2c toasted pumpkin seeds

That is EXCELLENT advice!

Shiny/happy ... Get that candy out of your house! Don't let one holiday sabottage your hard work to date. Besides it sets a bad precedent for the next series of holidays....which are quickly approaching!

Thanks ladies! You are the only ones (outside of DH) who know this...and I just was bursting with excitement. My feet were indeed tiptapping all day! It's a great feeling - the hard work pays off, and although Im not too goal weight, this is just reinforcing that it is possible! For my fellow VVs who are not there yet, YOU CAN DO IT!!!

OK VVs It's a rainy foggy Monday morning, a good time to sit around and have a chat about any and every thing. So, did you enjoy Hallowe'en? Many trick or treaters to your door? Any interesting costumes? We had no children - and I live on a main road in a mid-sized city, and not one child. The parents apparently take their children to the suburbs - my co-workers got hundreds of kids! Starting looking through my Christmas cupboard - I pick up things on sale throughout the year, and then it isn't quite the same impact financially when November rolls around. So, I started looking at what I had, and I have amassed a fair number of things so far. I will start my shopping next week for those things going overseas or to places far from here, and get those in the mail by Dec 1...no last minute mailing for me! So, what's happening in your lives?

WOW! Congratulations Jaime!! Lose weight, gain a baby....should be interesting times for you! Mom - are you planning on a tummy tuck? I would love to have one, but as I am still paying off this surgery, another one isn't in the cards for me. It's a glorious Tuesday morning - sun is shining, weather is uncharacteristically balmy, and I'm just feeling pumped today...gotta enjoy it all!

SMS - Living a vegetarian lifestyle can be healthy - but you need to up your proteins...lots of beans and legumes and....dare I say it? NUTS!!!

I'm going to have to check this site before I go to bed each evening - way too many posts to catch up on in the morning. Make sure to vote - exercise your hard fought right to be heard. A glorious day; sun is shining, coffee is hot, and Josh Groban is singing...and no one yet in the office.

One suggestion I was given at the beginning of this great adventure, I would like to share: measuring. No, not your food, but your body. On the day before surgery, I stood in the bathroom naked and with a tape measure measured my body - more than just waist, hips and bust. I measured the fattest part of my thighs, my neck, my head above the ears, above my knees, the flabbiest part of my arms, under my arms, my wrists, my ankles etc. I recorded each disgusting number and then filed the paper. While other people will suggest weighing yourself (daily, weekly, whatever) weights change greatly during the day. Your measurements, not as much. So, every month, I would get out that slip of paper and remeasure everything. And when I went through my 6 weeks of not losing (and most people will hit a plateau like that at some time), I could still see a positive change through the measurements. Although not yet to goal, I am amazed at the inches lost from everywhere (except my wrists) since my band date. I truly advise doing this as a true measurement of your changing body rather than the fickle scale! So, yes drink your Water, eat your Protein, exercise but add one thing to your list - measure yourself!

I am SURE it will... Susan, do not feed their addiction. Do not go into the threads of hell.

Thanks Ezma, Thanks RSG! I bought myself a new bra this weekend - not anticipating this achievement but just because it was DESPERATELY needed! I couldn't believe how much my shape has changed when I was fitted (and I am a firm believer in getting fitted properly by someone else)....the difference in clothes is amazing!

Thanks RSG! I never thought I would achieve this goal; never ever ever! But, I have, and although I know the scales can fluctuate and I could hit another plateau, for this moment, I am deliriously happy!

On today's weigh in - I am down again! And with this 2 pound loss, I am now (just barely) into a normal BMI category...by a mere .3 of a pound, but I am there! So, the extra exercising on top of my usual (I guess now my usual is now the old usual plus 3) and the vigilance with nuts is paying off.

Sounds like you had a nice weekend...with exercise and good food and good company. The shopping - I could easily forgo that; I hate shopping. Hence my picking up things whenever I see them so I don't have to face the malls in December - all those frowing frantic people none of whom look like they are having any fun! My brother and I both like to go to a mall on Christmas Eve morning, buy a coffee and sit and watch the people. Not to shop; just to sit and watch. Everyone racing around shoving grumbling, kids crying, parents yelling, etc. Yes 'tis a wonderful time of the year!

Put it on my line of credit - which has a cheaper interest rate than credit cards, AND the rate quoted to me by the finance company the surgeon used. I hated to do it, I wished I had had the money, but it was (and remains) the best money I ever spent!

Thanks. A shopping trip though will wait until I am at my goal weight...but it seems possible now! When I started this LB journey I thought it wouldn't/ couldnt happen for me, but I am a believer!

Do what you have to, use the supports that are available, and take care. We will still be here when you are!

In my 50's...and I absolutely would have gotten it decades earlier had it been available...oh those wasted years!!

I am now a 'normal' BMI!!! This is because of the band, my determination, exercise and healthy eating!! WHOO HOO!!!!

Today: 20 minutes of upper body/arms 30 min on 'the wave'....my legs are still wobbling!!

Yesterday B: ff yogurt with fruit L: 2 oz cheese D: 2 oz roast beef, baked squash with apple S: handful of raisins and a ff yogurt

Ezma - step away from the freezer. NOW! It's a new week, you don't need ice cream today. And yes, low fat is better than full fat, but the calories still add up. Don't beat yourself up over what's done. Just start anew! You are stronger than your cravings! I wonder how are fellow craving-izers (I just made up the word) are doing? RSG? Melolo?ThinnerDenise? SMS?

I went to a store in the town where I live - they specialize in bras and lingerie. It is the only thing they sell. Did you try googling lingerie in your city/town?

A dreary Monday morning in weather...and as my raincoat is at the tailors getting altered, I got wet in this mornings walk. Nothing that a cup of hot coffee and my ipod of music can't fix though. Right now, BBK and Eric Clapton jazzing it up!

Congratulations!!!! :cool2: