jbflorida

Phyll--please keep us informed about your DS. Know that your gal-pals are thinking of you and hope to hear good news soon. I have almost finished Women food God and really, really like it. As soon as I am done, I will reread it. I wish that all of you lived here so we could have a weekly readers' club on this book. So, if y'all could please move here. that would be nice. I'll set out the Crystal Light. Where is Julie? I had an audition tonight. Not even sure that I want the part. I get what I am supposed to get. Also, went to an OA meeting. I get a lot out of it. Tonight was about asking your Higher Power to eliminate your character defects AND being entirely willing for that to happen. Sounds like a no-brainer, but so many of these "defects" have been around like an old friend. We wrongly used them for protection. We find comfort in the familiarity. But since I am welcoming the change, I see the peace that is to be mine...eventually. Tomorrow is the memorial service for the baby at hospice. He would have been 2 months on Friday. He never suffered and only knew love and devotion (by all the grandma volunteers) for his short life. Now, I believe, he is well and complete and "at home." He gave us all a gift. Enough. Sweet dreams to all.

Just went online and ordered a Starter Pack from Great Tasting New Lifestyle Diet. Only $19.95 (free shipping) and it comes with 9 shakes, 2 bars and 2 hot drinks. High protein, low carbs. Anyone ever hear of it? I thought I'd give it a try to see how it tastes....

Laura--go to Petfinder.com, type in your zipcode, and find what dog rescue groups are in your area. They may have a foster program. You foster a dog (they usually provide food and meds, if necessary) until a forever home is found. I have done this many,many times and yes, it is hard to give the dog up, but when you know the next home is a wonderful one and you can now save another one by fostering, it's not bad. Concerning puppies--my philosophy is--God made puppies cute so we don't kill them. I had a good food weekend. Sometimes I think I am not eating enough and that's why the scale has stalled. I did have trouble with the ribs I made. Bitsy was very happy to get the leftovers.

Good luck to you! It's been 2 years for me and I am happy with my band--IF I work it! It is easy to eat around the band with the wrong things. See your doctor, make the right food choices, exercise, and look forward to good health. The diabetes may become a thing of the past. My friend who had diabetes got the band and went from shots and neuropathy and worsening vision to feeling great with one pill a day for his diabetes. Wishing you the best---

Welcome to crsti! We'll be thinking of you on Tuesday. Come here for advice, suggestions, support, recipes, etc. Guess who is slow cooking ribs even as she types? I have lost 10. Now I need to do it again. And then again. And again. And again one more time. I am not going to worry about the number on the scale. If I am making good choices, it will move. It's been two weeks since I have been working the band again...and I feel good about it. No cravings. Still going to OA. Only problem (if you are squeamish, go to the next post), if someone said I was full of sh*t, they'd be right. Fiber One--nothing! Benefiber--nada! Water--zip! Can someone go (or in this case, not go) for a week and more? Ick. I make myself sick. Laura, as someone who works with dogs--I'd wait a year or two if your goal is for Nels to have some responsibility for the pup. Right now, YOU'D be the caretaker. And when that day comes, RESCUE, don't buy from a breeder and especially, not from a pet store (supplied by puppy mills). If you find a pup that is already 1-2 years old, the chewing stage will be over, housebreaking may be done already---and you'll know the size and temperment. Take a moment tomorrow to say a prayer and thank our men and women who serve and have served in the military. Judy

Jessica--Your big sisters are proud of you!

Cheri--I am unfamiliar with any rules. We hardly talk about food, there is no reporting of what we eat, no weighing. If it didn't work for you, okay. But to make them wrong......?

Joyce, just jump on the bandwagon to lose--there's room for all of us. I am feeling a bit more hungry today. I am trying to drink water when I "shouldn't" be hungry. I try to have 4 small eating episodes a day. Examples are: cottage cheese or small omelette or 3-4 oz steak, canned chicken or tuna, protein bar or drink, 3-4 oz fish. In between, coffee, water and Crystal Lite--Walmart has their own brand and the Grape and the Apple flavors are delicious! Some of the ladies here have been very successful with moderation. If they have the strength to have one, bless them! I am not a sweetaholic, so if I have a piece of cake (at my nephew's wedding this summer), I won't go ballistic. Ice cream doesn't set me off either. But as an addict, there ARE some things that I cannot eat because I cannot and do not stop. So I declare abstinence and call on my Higher Power (which I call God) to guide me and show me what is right for me (his will). I give up trying to do it myself. I am not trying to push OA on anyone! I hope this comes across as sharing. It is NOT Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig or any other weight loss program. It is for the compulsive overeater. One lady shared a story. I want to respect her privacy, so no names, but I think she'd allow this. One time when she was dieting, the other lunchtime ladies at work knew about it. Well, one day, she wanted something from the vending machine. Most people would just go get it. But as a person with a disease, she got it, went to the ladies room and stood on the toilet so her feet wouldn't show and ate the snack. That is not what normal people do. I have my own "crazy woman" story and maybe some of you do too. OA is a fellowship for those of us that know shame and anger and fear and disappointment and all those emotions that WE wrap up in food. My sister weighs maybe 100 and she is a basketcase when it comes to food and eating. It's not the weight; it's our relationship to food. Unfortunately, my relationship is one that manifests in lbs and more lbs. But today I ate right and have peace about it. And as I said before, THAT is what I am craving. Hope everyone has a good weekend planned! Judy

Thanks, Candice...but actually, manymanymanymany [/url] things taste better. That's how I got here!

Just came back from the club--no snacks for me!

Julie--you and I must have been typing at the same time!

First of all, Julie, do you feel better? Hope so.... I am enjoying OA. I find that I am using my band for a tool much more than I have in awhile. I am doing high protein, lowlowlow carb and my band helps me control quantity. When I ate---for lack of a better word, CRAP, the band said, "Slide on in!!! Find a place on her thighs or stomach!!" I am also working on stopping eating when I am no longer hungry instead of eating til I am full. No longer hungry comes before being full, so less eating there too. I got the book Women Food God and have just started it. One sentence has been an epiphany for me, but I need to "digest" it more thoroughly--"I am bigger than my pain." (The pain of what makes me overeat compulsively.) I am about to go to the club for some dancing and socializing (but must be back before Grey' Anatomy!) I have decided that for today, I will not indulge in the snacks provided at the club. I have some Crystal Lite with me. I can do this today. xox judy

Karen, good words to remember--about finding peace in ourselves. Candice and I are emailing each other and I wrote about what I am really craving--serenity! Has anyone read Geneen Roth's new book, Women food God ? I think I will buy it. Oprah had her on her show last Wednesday--the day before I began my recovery. Coincidence? I think not. I am having a good day TODAY--not even thinking about [/url] what is down the line. I can do it today. Wishing everyone well--anyone planning some fun Memorial Day activities? judy xo

Julie-so glad you are back! Hope your DD is feeling better. What's going on with the wedding? Detail, please! Phyll-so sad about your friend. Remember, you can continue to talk to her. No, I am not a crazy person. I truly believe that life is eternal. Most of us are headed into that chapter of life where we will lose friends. A man that I acted with many times (he was my husband in one play!) lost his battle with COPD last week. And yes, we need to remember to share the love we have. I am in Day 4 of my recovery. Whoo-hoo! But it has helped IMMENSELY that I only have to consider today! I just came home from Unity services. Cake was served afterwards. There was NO-ZERO-NADA desire to have it. I had made up my mind (with the help of a prayer) that I won't have it today. Felt great. The OA meeting is only 2 miles from my house. (Everything is only 2-3 miles--I live in Small Town, FL) Welcome to the newcomers. The support here is priceless!

I am a member of the club--lost 67 and put back 42. I lost the momentum and excitement of going from a size 20 to a 10. Yesterday was my 2 year bandiversary. The last few months have been filled with anguish and disappointment. How could I do this? I had surgery for God's sake! I have come to the realization that I am a compulsive overeater. My habits are not those of normal (sane) people. I have been attending meetings of Overeaters Anonymous and am finding help. Right now, I am not concerned with the weight and the scale; I am concentrating on having a good food day TODAY. This is an addiction and I am out of control. Seeing that--I feel I can now go on....at least, for today. Happy to talk with anyone.

I think it is important that we share about ourselves only. If I admit to my shortcomings, fine. We are here to support each other. Jewell, you already have a warm and lovely bedside manner.

Hello everyone! And yes, I have been in hiding. And no, it is not because of a man. Today is the 2nd anniversary of my band. I have gained back 42 of the 67 lbs. I am/was so disappointed. "I did it again!" In the last 2 months, after much listening and reading and learning, I have discovered that I am a compulsive overeater. It's more than just eating the wrong things. There are things that go beyond what normal people do. Today, I began Day One of my recovery. AND I am finding the band to be a good tool to help me. But it is more than willpower, it is more than having the right attitude. I have been lost and think this OA program can help me find sanity. I can follow this plan of eating today. I also went back to zumba. It's not about the weight and the clothes right now; it's about this addiction and learning to manage it...today. I have been reading the posts tho. Congrats to all the success you are having. Congrats on the new teeth (I treated myself to a new smile for my retirement gift to me). Congrats on Boomer getting a home. (I fostered a chihuahua a few weeks ago and she has a fabulous home and will be the princess she deserves to be.) I pray for Julie to find relief. I am sorry about the job sh*t some of you are having. I think Jewell looks great. I smiled at the Tooth Fairy visiting Nels. And all the rest of the news. xoxo

I was banded 2 years ago tomorrow. I was successful, but it became easy to eat around the band. I did not gain all the weight back, but I am so disappointed that I gained. I have realized--through meetings of OA and reading--that yes, I am indeed a compulsive overeater eater and I am powerless and this has become unmanageable. I would love to have other 12 steppers (sounds like a country western dance team!), especially in OA, correspond here so we can all support each other.

Hi to all, First of all--the people that are dealing with MIL issues--detach with love. There ARE people that are toxic to us and no, we don't have to like everyone. I have found that these people are usually angry people, fearful people who grab control because they feel OUT of control with their lives. Psychology 101. Send me my $135 fee, please. Julie--good luck with that MRI--I hope they read it and say, "Ohhhh, THAT's what's wrong. We can fix that!" And prayers going out for Mimi, Baby Girl. I went to a support group last night that I hadn't been to before. Just a good refresher class. The leader seemed very knowledgeable. I may make an appt to see her. I didn't get a lot of food info from my doc's practice. Anyway, most of the people there were gastric bypass people. And the number 1 food that gives trouble is---chicken! Laura, I hope your situation settles down real soon...pain is no fun. I am going to the East Coast of FL to see my mom tomorrow for a few days. She fell last week--she's more scared than hurt--and I just want to see her. OK--here is a synopsis of the entire Jewish history: 1. They wanted to kill us. 2. We won. 3. Let's eat. xoxox to all--Judy

Overeaters Anonymous has a saying-- "Keep your eyes on your own plate." That is good advice in ALL areas of life, not just eating. Someone doesn't need to tell me what is good for me and what is not. I know. Someone doesn't need to tell me what to do with the band. I know. Someone doesn't need to comment on what or how much I eat. I know what I am doing. And if it is the wrong thing, I know that too. Eyes on your own plate. Likewise, it is not up to me to comment on others' eating plans. Just like I know what is good for me and what is not, they know. My head had to be in the right place first. NO ONE could have changed that with their informing, pleading, whining, preaching, etc.etc. If someone wants to, they will. But it won't be because of something I do because... My eyes are on my own plate.

The only thing I have craved since banding are Air Sickness Bags.

It sounds like we enjoyed our Sunday--lounging around, reading, etc. Karen, glad you are better--those babies can hurt! I did the prep for my taxes. AARP does them for free at the clubhouse! I'll go tomorrow and have them done. I should get back a bit--paying for all that cosmetic surgery will help. SO--this guy has been calling me everyday since Thurs night. Sorry, but I am really not interested. Girls just wanna have fun! and he isn't. NEXT! (there are other reasons too...) Tomorrow I am meeting someone with an 11 year old poodle that needs a new home. (no fault of the poodle) The new home will NOT be mine, but I may foster. Let's see if Bitsy (the bitch) will be nice to her. I want to go to the beach! Let's see if the weather cooperates with my desires. Everyone is invited.

I have to kiss a lot of frogs before I get the prince???? I have kissed so many frogs, you would think I'd have a permanent case of wart-lips. When I was younger, I had so many blind dates that I earned a seeing eye dog. He called this AM. I let the answering machine get it. That tells me something. Today, our town had something called Fun Fest. It was a beautiful FL day! Drove over in the golf cart, had lunch (no roll with the hot dog), visited all the vendors, [/url] arts and crafts, etc. Fun! Tonight is a pool party at the South Club. I am a happenin' chick.

Toyota RAV-4--love it! Noodle beating coming my way! BUT I did clean the house (parts of it). Julie (and those of you who think singlehood would be good), had a date tonight. Cheesecake Factory--had chicken and did not have to leave the table! But the man talks "me, me, mine, my, myself, and I, more me, some more about me, mine, I, etc. etc." I was bored. I felt like I was with someone's older boring brother. There was nothing that made me feel that he was happy to be with me. I guess that might have meant he would have to change to subject from him to someone other than him. Even tho I got a nice dinner, I would rather have been home with my dog. Did I make you laugh? If so, good; that would have been a first for tonight.

Hi Beautiful Women! Glad to see the spring come and the sun shine. I have kept up with your postings, but have taken lazy to a new level, with not much to add. The show is over. Happy to do it, happy when it ends. I have not been eating right and that must stop. I also need to get back to exercise--for mental reasons as well as physical! Julie, I went to the clubhouse last night. (Thursday night is Rockin'Rendezvous--dancing, happy hour, friends..and I met someone. DO NOT GO OUT AND GET THOSE BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES. Let's see what happens. Meanwhile, last night was fun. I have GOT to clean my house! I have GOT to do taxes! xoxo to all