Ezma

Tap - I'm so happy to see you acting like a normal weight person. You put on a few and work at getting it off before it gets out of hand. That's reality. They don't stay the same weight all the time either. It's just a matter of taking care of it before you wake up a few months later and have 50 pounds back on. Sniff sniff. Lil - you are such a great inspiration! You're almost never down and always seem to have a "Can do" attitude. How do you do it? And thank you for doing it. As for me, it's another day and I'm ready to tackle it. I'm feeling like the Little Engine That Could this morning. "I think I can, I think I can. Choo Choo" Have a great one.

Morning guys. Sounds like things are going better for most of us. Yay! As a group it seemed like we had hit a big stumbling block and maybe we are through it now. I'm still struggling with the food issues, choices not amounts, but it's getting a bit better each day. I want so much to get back to losing like I did before. It felt so great to feel like I was actually in charge of myself. It's coming, it's coming. I didn't walk yesterday nor will I today but I'll finish with the house this week and then my schedule will get more normal again. I miss walking so that's a good sign. Enjoy!

Way to go Tap and Lil!!!! It's so great to see you guys back in the exercise groove. I walked yesterday again. It was good but I have to miss this morning since my brother-in-law forgot the keys to the rental house and I have run them out there. It's far enough out there that I'll just stay and get my work done. I started out great yesterday. Until 3:00 when the banana cream pie got it's grips on me. It's gone now though so it won't get me today. Why is this so dang hard? Why can't it just be as simple as fueling the body? Grrrrr! I will get it today! Good news was that I'm back down to the low end of my current plateau. Now for the dropping to begin again. My brother mentioned something and it really made sense. Have we messed up our metabolism with the Lap Band? Just wondering if that's why it gets so hard for us at times.

Morning Tap. Good to see you back to posting. I know it's just been a few days but I missed ya. Morning to the rest of you too. :scared2: Today is my D-Day. I decided last week to just set a date and stick to it. It's like when I quit smoking 5 years ago. I got no where until I made that firm commitment on a date and fought thru it. Guess I'm not the kind of person that can just half-heartedly try to lose a few pounds and have anything happen. So even though we have a few days left on the house it's back to walking for me this morning. Gonna start with The Daily Bread, tracking my food again. And going to get rid of as many bad carbs as I possibly can. Just have to treat them like it's something I'm allergic to and avoid em. I need to get some more pre-made protein shakes today so I can start making sure I have breakfast. Going to give soda a complete boot out of my life and increase my water. Start taking my vitamins again. Wow, until I started typing this I hadn't realized how far I had slipped from my post banding lifestyle. Anyway, I have my positive face on. Now I just need a shower and a walk. Talk to you tomorrow.

You look absolutely amazing! How proud you must be to have beaten this beast. Did you end up having any kind of plastic surgery? Gives me hope that one day I too can get there. Congrats!

Morning all. Hope everyone is doing okay. I decided to take the day off so my morning is dragging along. Just being a slug here and it feels good. Shiny - don't envy you at all - moving while pregnant - did that, don't want to think about it ever again. Okay, me and the computer aren't getting along this morning. I've deleted this paragraph 3 times already. I give up. Hope you guys are doing okay it's been so quiet here. Wishing you a great weekend and lots of weight loss inspiration.

Sorry I'm not posting more regularly. I know I need to make it along with my exercise a priority in the morning. I'm been crazy busy with this house but thankfully it should be all done by the first half of next week. Today is carpet and a meeting at the house with the property management team. I'm having fun but it's also kinda scary. I really do think I made good choices on it but it's hard to see money flying out the window. Hopefully they will rent it soon and I'll see money coming back in. Haven't walked in about 2 weeks now but I think I'm doin some exercise at the house by the work out there. I miss my walks with my mom and should be back to them next week. Tap, sounds like you're doing much better now. I remember you used to exercise like crazy and were so consistant at it. You definitely can burn out on it. Is there another type of exercise that might appeal to you more? Hope the rest of you are doing well. Eat well and prosper.

Morning guys. Did everyone have a good weekend? Lil, sorry to hear you were so sick during the good days. I'm trying so hard to get my head back to it's healthy eating spot. Still haven't found it but I haven't given up looking for it. I'm determined to break this plateau before my next doctor's appointment. Going to post what I ate yesterday in the hopes that I'll embarrass myself so much that I get back to healthy eating. I started out wrong by not eating breakfast. For lunch I had grilled chicken, two tomato slices and a small order of onion rings with catsup. (half good/half bad). And for the grand finale (cringing with shame here), I had two, count them, two M&M McFlurries and 4 servings of cheese puffs. That's a whopping 1900 calories for dinner that wasn't even dinner. Then I was craving something foodlike so I had a couple small slices of pork tenderloin for snack. Okay, now I'm asking myself how I can do that kind of thing to myself and swearing to be better today. Please, please pray it sticks with me thru the day. Have a great one guys. Talk to you soon.

Morning guys. Sounds like you've all been busy and working hard at keeping that band frame of mind. Melissa - sorry about hubby's job, would have been nice if he had gotten that. So great about the baby though and you might not gain much if you're still exercising and putting healthy food in ya. Jul - so good to hear from you. I'm really glad to hear you're hanging in there and fighting the good fight. I know sometimes it feels like you're struggling so hard and not getting anywhere. But it will kick in at some point. Lil - I'm so curious about those Slim Shots. Gonna go research them in a minute. Also, that 5 year thing really helped me feel better. I was expecting myself to be at goal in 2 years and was really feeling like a failure. Tap? How you doing hon? Hope things are going well for you. I always worry about you when you don't check in regularly. You really have been an inspiration. You've worked hard and are so close to your goal. In fact, I think it sounds like your body has decided that it is the right spot. Don't beat yourself up. Celebrate all you've done. As for me, I'm trudging away. Trying to get myself back on track. I've hit this huge plateau and I know it's going to take major commitment for me to start losing again. I have to go back to eating the way I was for the first 6-8 months after my band. I have to be absolutely strict about not letting the bad stuff in. I have to avoid fast food like the plague. I really, really have to start caring for myself. The doctor, nurse and nutritionist all gave me pep talks. Felt a bit like being attacked but I know it's because I was already having a bad day. They really are wonderful there. I just need to kick my own arse. Talk to you all soon. Have a great weekend.

Congrats Shiny!!! That's absolutely wonderful news. Does that qualify as an NSV? hehe Have a great day guys. I"m off to the doctor's. Didn't lose as much as I wanted but I think I'm down a couple from my last visit. Woot!

Hi guys. Sounds like you've all had a pretty good week. Shiny - I'm so glad you found a house and it really sounds like it's going to work well for your family. I know you can get back on the band wagon too. As long as you keep the fight in your head you will eventually get back on track. Never give up. SLG - What an amazing sounding vacation. It sounds so pretty there and it must have been absolutely wonderful to do all those things you wouldn't have before. Tap - Snow? Eeek! It's so hard to even think of that when we're still a bit too hot here. We got another heat wave though it's still much better than summer. Bet you're so happy to be in your yard working again though. I'll wish the snow away for a bit longer for you so you can play in the dirt more. Jul - Welcome back. Do check in more. It supports us all when we post. Not that I'm one to be talking right now. Lil - Don't you listen to any of the naysayers. You have to do what is right for you. You've tried and tried and tried. You've fought the good fight and lived a good bandster life and you're still having problems. I'm very envious but I know I can't do something like that right now in my life so I'll just keep struggling here, trying to get back to the way I was when I was first banded. As for me, sorry I've been absent for a little while. I know I need to make time to exercise and post here even if I am crazy busy. Since closing on the house last Friday I've been out there ever single day for hours on end. Add to that all the errands and research related to it, throw in braces fun for my son which involved 3 appointments so far since they keep popping off and a lot of chaos. I haven't walked one single day in the last week. I hate that. I know I've probably more that made up for it with what I'm doing but it's still not my formal exercise routine. Oh well, a vacation break sometimes is supposed to be good for us. The house is really coming along nicely. And the bank account is emptying at a proportionate rate. Arrrgg! I think I'm having fun though. LOL We'll see how I like being a slum lord. I did however lose a few pounds. I'll weigh again tomorrow to see how I'm doing before my doctor's appt on Tuesday. It's so hard to believe I'm losing weight on fast food and mcflurrys. Not a good eating plan. Hope you all have a good weekend and I'll be better about posting more.

Hey Tap! I have a yard you can come play in the dirt all you want. LOL It's a blank slate and the weather is gorgeous. Think I'm just gonna dump a bunch of gravel in the front yard since it's the rental. Don't feel like movng this morning. I do but I don't feel organized and that's not usually a good thing. Oh well, I guess extra trips to the store is good exercise right? hehe Take care guys and have a good day.

Hey all. Wow, snow already? That's crazy to me. We're finally in the fantastic weather stage. It's in the 80s during the day and 60ish early morning and evening. Now is the time we all remember why we stay in Arizona. I'm looking forward to the weekend. Lots to do on the new house to get it rent ready. My husband's brother got here from California last night so we'll be having fun. He's going to be doing all the electrical work for me. It's kinda weird though. I heard him cough from the other room last night and thought it was my hubby. Freaky, nice, then freaky some more. Good to see you post again Shiny. Sounds like you're doing well. I'll take staying the same any day over gaining. Though I do have to say it would be really nice to lose. Come on, please, please, please, let us lose a few. Tap, I know you'll get your head around it again soon. It felt like I'd never quit gaining. Now feels like I'll just stay here forever but I know I'll get it again. If you figure out the way to get your head in the game, please tell me. Okay, off to boot the kid out the door for school and throw on a pot of coffee. Gonna try to sneak a walk in this morning before I get the keys. Have a great weekend all.

Wow Lil, that was a biggie. Definitely keep me posted. I have to admit that it's something I've thought of too. I watch the bypass people just drop the weight without a care and think how nice it would be to add it to what I've learned with the lapband. Big thing for me though is that I'm terrified of it. Plus that lapband really was working for me, I just need to get back on track. Let us know what is happening along the journey please.

Morning guys. Sorry I haven't posted for a couple days, been running around like a maniac since we moved up the closing date on the house. Tomorrow is the big day and today is paper signing, money wiring and final walk though. Then I have to run my kid back to the orthodontist. He got braces yesterday and managed to pop off 3 of the clips in less than an hour. I know it wasn't his fault though because he was doing the right things. I feel like a crazy woman but it's a good crazy. I'm so excited to be working on a house that I don't have to live in the construction/remodel mess. I bought some lighting and appliances yesterday and will probably look for the fans and doors today. Bank repos might be cheaper but they usually need much more work. Tap - I wish I were as strong willed as you are. Most of the stuff that you think is bad, I think is a good day for me. cheese = good, nuts = good (but I do remember your addiction with them) cereal, raisin bran? = good. Only apple cake = bad and that's better than the dreaded 300+ calorie Peanut Butter Cookies. You've done great already, cut yourself some slack. You know what to do, you did it already for the last year and a half.

Morning guys. Welcome back Tap!!!!! 5 pounds was not bad at all and I bet it will come back off pretty darn quick. Really good to have you back. Hope everyone is having a good week. So far, so good for me. I was getting quite stressed out over this rental house thing. It's my first and I really want to make sure I take care of the money hubby supplied with the ultimate sacrifice. Anyway, I calmed down a bit yesterday after I did a total pamper spa day, well for me it was anyway. Got my legs and brows waxed, mani and pedi. I felt like a queen. But the best news was the 1.5 pounds I lost this week. Yippee! No idea how I did it cause I wasn't good but I'll take it. Thanks for the advise on the kid too. We do communicate well and I'm very thankful for that. Just hope he's strong enough to keep himself out of situations that he might find it hard to say no. Egads! It's as bad as having a girl to worry about. Take care guys. Wishing ya all a skinny day.

Wow, oh wow, do I understand what you mean by this. Hang in there Jul. The day will come for both of us that it just clicks in again. I want to be losing again so bad but just can't quite get it to happen. It's like the word on the tip of my tongue....it's right there but I just can't quite get it. Hope you're all doing well. It's been a busy, busy week for me and I'm sorry for not checking in more often. I think things are going to be slowing down a bit. At least they will until the 16th, when I'm supposed to close on the house. So I have a question for you guys. My son now has a girlfriend. It's his first and he's only 14. Just curious if girls, young ones like this, are still trying to get pregnant on purpose? I feel so old because they are way more advanced than I was at that age and I'm concerned about all kinds of things. Yet, I know it's normal growth and just want to make sure he has the proper parental support.

Morning everyone. Gonna try to start that 5-day pouch diet again today. I did really great until about 4 PM yesterday. I had been running around like crazy yesterday and didn't have time to eat lunch. Then found out the bank finally signed the papers on the house I'm trying to buy. Yay! We did part of the inspection yesterday but they couldnt do the electrical part because there was no power to the house. Turns out that it was supposed to be on but there was some kind of problem. The agent sent a contractor out and he said it needed a new fuse box so she sent the bank a request to repair it. Best part is that it was one of the most expensive things that they had found so far on the inspection. Looks like the bank is gonna be paying for it. Woo hoo!!! Anyway, being way too over hungry and excited, I bought Cookies at Frys. Oh well, I'm gonna start again today and every other day I need to until I get it done. I can do this! How are the rest of you doing?

Amy - I am sending you lots and lots of pregnant thoughts and wishes. It's hard trying to do so many things and once and I'm sure the stres you've had over the band problems didn't help the baby making. Hopefully things will settle down for you real soon. And my kitty is doing great. She's healed up and back to her happy self. Only the shaved tail is left to remind us, well, that and the bill. Tap - Hope you're just missing because you're on that trip. Wishing you well. SLG - Congrats on onederland!!!! That's fantastic. Lil - thank you for the link to the 5-day, that' exactly what I've been needing and I really think I can do it right now. Yay! Jul - you might want to try the 5-day pouch test too, it will really help to get rid of the carb cravings and get your pouch back in shape Happy Monday to everyone. It's a glorious new week. Boy, oh boy, is that thinking positive. Gonna be a tense day for me since I have an inspection on a property that I still don't know if the bank has signed the paperwork on. Sheesh, bank repos are a pain to buy. Take care guys.

Hey guys. Great to see so many posting again. Ready - Welcome back! Bet you'll be so glad to get moved and get back to a more normal life. It's such a great time to make new healthy choices and sounds like you're already doing that. Photography is so much fun. Enjoy Lil - I really hope your band issues work themselves out for you. Hate it when things go wrong with them tskelli - good to see you too! Congrats on the 100 pound mark! Shiny - :thumbdown: I'm so sorry you have to move again. No fun at all. Now is a really great time to buy a house if you can do it. The bank is supposed to be signing the papers on my rental property tomorrow morning. Yay! Can you believe this? I'm actually looking for another one now. LOL I'm one sick puppy.

Morning guys. I'm rushing like a maniac this morning but wanted to stop in and say hi to all. Hope you have a great day.

Grats to all of you. Tap - A size 8? Wow! What a truly wonderful NSV. That's gotta help motivate you. Yay. Enjoy your trip. SLG - Way to go! You have to be just glowing. I think that's even better than the losing 100 pounds mark. Shiny - I bet it feels so good to be losing a good chunk of weight again. I know you were fighting up and down for a while. Keep it up. Nicole - Glad to hear your surgery went well. Hope this helps you to be more comfortable and to get enough nutrition to keep up your running pace. I think I'd be scared to death without the band. Did you really feel hungry right away? Well, I know you can handle it. You've done really, really well with the program.

Jul - You can do it. We all can do it. Do you eat much sugar or simple carbs? I know I'm a major sugar addict and those cravings are what sabotage me. I've been fighting the last two days but I'm determined that today will be a good one. Yesterday I had a McFlurry and this morning I was back up 3 pounds. Huh? How the heck does that work? Anyway, I will be good today. One day at a time. Have a great weekend everyone. I signed escrow papers on a house last night so I'm very happy. Now as long as I can live with the repairs that they find in the inspection, I will have a rental property. Woo hoo! Can't wait for the fun part. I love all the renovation stuff, especially when it's not where I live.

Morning all. Hope everyone is doing well. SLG - Yay! Glad everything went well for you and you're doing great post-op. Tap - Your funk will lift too. If I could get mine to after 11 months, I have to believe it can happen for everyone. Just keep fighting with it each day and one day it will just kick back in. Gonna be a shorty today since I'm running a bit late. Have a great one guys.

No fill for me yesterday. And that was a very good thing. I'm at a good spot right now I think. I didn't throw up at all yesterday because I did what I was supposed to do. Chew, chew, chew - eat slowly - no drinking with meal. LOL I'm like a new bandster here, learning all the rules again. Good news is that I've done really, really well the last two days. I feel like my sugar addiction is under control but not gone yet. And best of all, I've lost 4 pounds - yay!!!! I really feel like I've finally got my head back around this. The 11 month funk is gone? Crossing my fingers and recommitting every minute. We really can beat this beast. I'm swimming, I'm swimming. How's the week going for the rest of you? If you're stuggling we need to hear from you too so we can support you. Love to ya all.