MoOrLess

I vote for a challenge for August - great way to end the summer and start the new school year (for me anyhow) .....how about 6 days of exercise (giving everyone 1 day off during the week if we want) ? and maybe a prize for the person who lowers their current BMI the most? just a thought

Thanks for the site Wheetsin.....I was able to chart some goals for myself using BMR and BMI --

Paula, I was married to a man who was bipolar - he, too, used alcohol as a way to 'relax' - and he knew he couldn't drink and take his medication - so therefore he fought this decision on a daily basis....I imagine for you to have posted - things are downright unmanageable - anger management classes might help - but are probably not the 'first' step to take - I agree - many towns have sliding-scale fees for 'family' counseling - if I am reading things right your hubby definitely needs to have some ongoing counseling and help via a doctor on staff and YOU my dear also might want to ask for a counselor for yourself - the other option is one counselor who sees both of you together and separately -- not marriage counseling - mental health counseling - I've been through it with my fiance's son and it has changed his life and ours - but it takes time and the right medications that work for him....sorry to rattle on - this is so close to my heart as I have lived it and I know how hard this has to be for you - this cycle of 'anger' and 'depression' needs to be stopped and you both deserve the assistance of a good family counseling center - God bless! I am on all the time - you can PM me anytime - I'll always listen EDIT: after reading another post in this thread -- it hit me in the face - he may be DEPRESSED - that is an entirely different issue -- something to think about and not ignore......

I'm a Pisces - but on the cusp - so that really makes me an Aquarian.....Feb 21st b'day!......I'm a good mix of both - I think (I answered the poll as a Pisces though)

WOW Emilee! That is absolutely awesome! and you are so close to goal too! CONGRATS girl! :wow2: :wow2: :wow2: :wow2: :wow2: :wow2:

Welcome New Bander!!! come on in!

Yep - our bodies tend to tell us what they need - sometimes we listen....

AMEN Telly - it is definitely a "for life" kind of commitment to lose weight and keep it off - I believe - with or without the band -- you've done so awesome so far - one day won't kill you or dramatically affect your weight for long!

Sammee -- forget people like this........you'll get over it and have a chit-eating grin on your face when you recover from PS - and wow the world!

Thanks for sharing! I have been to two Navy graduations and I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated seeing your son graduate from the Air Force! My two step-sons are in the Navy and the ups and downs do bring tears and anxiety - and at the same time tremendous pride! It's good to know so many wonderful men and women are willing to fight for our country! You obviously raised your son well - be proud!

Telly - he probably wanted to do a body search! lol

Thanks JP - encouragement is always welcome! It's been a while since I went on the Before/After Pics thread - WOW and double WOW!!!! OMG everyone go look if you haven't!!!!!!!! First, Tricia - girl OMG fitting in 1/2 your shorts and pants - you are amazing and so beautiful!!! Truly the butterfly has left the cocoon...... and Just Paul - you don't even look like the same person! Truly admirable - way to go!!!

C 261, (total lost 17.5, this week ZERO) pooh oh scales and roller coasters! lol.........up and down like a see-saw - well P'Nut guess it's time we kick one another's butt for next week!

I hesitated to post here - I don't want to sound rude or be told I don't know what I am talking about......first - I am NOT banded, you can stop reading right here if you want to -- but I will tell you - I have been successful in losing weight! Everyone here is so supportive and encouraging and because of lack of finances and Medicare issues (I am disabled) I can't get the band right now.... I have lost almost 20 lbs - I started really watching my eating and exercising mid-way through April of this year. Yes, this is as much and maybe more than some banded folks....I agree with those who have said that you have to watch what you eat AND exercise....I know all about the different phases of eating banded folks have to go through and that exercise is limited or non-existent at first........ eventually (my opinion) you do have to exercise and eat properly and drink lots of Water.......do what your doctor says to do - read posts until your eyes fall out on here - ask questions - and ask for support! No one has kicked me out or turned me away just because I don't have a band - yes some people do lose slower than others.... but if I can do it without a band - I know folks with the band can surely do it....I'm here - come talk to me, read my journal....talk to others...... Count your blessings - you are banded - and losing - albeit slowly some of you -- but I strongly encourage those who are eating junk food and ice cream to please stop.....I say this with experience - I am now Type II diabetic who has to take medication (though with weight loss it is diminishing quickly) and have high cholesterol (food and family issue here) and need medicine for that too....don't kid yourself if you think that having the band keeps you 'safe' from these types of disease - it won't if you are not eating right....... I mean everything I said here in a loving way - please don't take it wrong. You CAN do this - banded or not....it's harder for some of us to exercise and the weight comes off slowly - but it does come off, best wishes!

Bettina -- I only gave birth to TWO kids and they are 23 and 25 (almost 26)....my fiance is the maniac who had FIVE kids lol -- they are 31, 26, 26, 16 and 8 (I call them my inherited kids -- I've been helping raise the two youngest since they were 10 and 3.5... and my son was only 18 and in his senior year of h.s. back then)

I read your post girl - thanks for sharing......I can see that all of this would send someone straight for the wine lol........seriously - I'm sorry you had to go through all of this - I say stay away from the hamburger and don't tempt the gods! (jmo) see ya tomorrow! good, bad or otherwise lol

If Mom decides to do nothing - she'll have more pain in the long run (my opinion) than pain for a short time after surgery -- but that said - not all surgeries remedy everything and some people DO still have pain every day....sigh....it's not an easy situation that's for sure 'maybe' if she DOES have the surgery she can move around better after she heals -- and then she might even start feeling better and blood pressure and diabetes, etc will improve and meds can be toned down a little bit - and then she will be able to exercise more (walk without pain)-- maybe talking about this aspect of it will encourage her if she decides to have surgery :tea:

Welcome to the club New Bander! ..........and the club is GROWING...........wow!

Bettina asked: "If you don't mind my asking...how old is your oldest son?" Inquiring minds want to know eh? lol .........he's 23 **P.S. Bettina - they are fiance's AND mine - we have 7 together with an age range of 8-31 (twins included!) (can someone tell me in a PM how to QUOTE another post? thanks!)

My sister had (what the doctor thought) was two herniated disks - when he got in there he found a third one!!! She had surgery after a horrible week in the hospital on drugs to get the inflammation down - and is fantastic today - so good that she was able to exercise 6 days a week and lose over 100 lbs! by eating healthy on Weight Watchers --- so yes surgery CAN be a good thing - esp in your mom's case with it affecting bladder, etc.....I have NOT ever had surgery on my herniated disks and now that 6 have herniated and deteriorated I WISH I had surgery long ago - maybe I would be in better shape now Like the lapband - make sure you get a 2nd and 3rd opinion and that the surgeon has done LOTS of herniated disks -- my vote is that she has it done -- but that's just my opinion

I'm "Jolly Mary" -- kinda suits me -- ROFL - if I add my middle name it is "Iron Jane" fiance's is Voodoo Flint! My oldest son is Captain Flint (suits him well), the 16 yr old is Jolly Jonathan and the 8 year old is Cutthroat Basingstoke (what a name to hang on a child! lol) I had so much fun I had to do the kids too! *16 yr old did not like his name lol and 8 yr old said cool to his!

hi Susan - we don't know one another but my eyes caught 'degenerative disk disease' -- I have the same thing! I've suffered with it since I was 13 years old - it is NOT fun and is very painful! When I first herniated 3 disks in my lower back it was the most painful and kept me bedridden alot - I barely handled the first three years of high school. Then I was better for some reason - found out it was because the disks deteriorated and no longer rubbed on the nerves - but so much for having disks gone... About 5 years ago I herniated 3 disks in my neck - and that set me back for a few years -- I have been recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia too -- explains a lot of my overall pain I am sending hugs and prayers your way - it is NOT the way to live a happy, fulfilling life - stuck in bed and on pain medication....I know where you are at right now and I pray that you will get to at least functioning level soon Don't worry about being depressed - it is part of the pain medication causing that - and frustration because we just can't do things that people take for granted on any given day Hang in there girl! We 'in pain' gals need to stick together!

Welcome to the Club! everyone who just joined.........

dish - I'm so sorry you have had to face this struggle - I am a bit surprised that Metformin is being given to people who are NOT diabetic - yikes (my opinion) - what the heck would your body do if you were diabetic - or what might happen to your body when you stop the Metformin? My fiance is on Metformin for diabetes - and I am diabetic also - concerns me when I hear it being used this way that said -- you mentioned Jenny Craig - you 'might' want to try Nutri-System -- my daughter has been on their food for a little over a month and has lost 15 lbs - she loves the food choices - you get to mix and match - and it is much cheaper than most programs out there (less than $300/month) and she does eat out now and then so has left over food and her month of food lasted another 2 weeks --- she hasn't exercised more than a day or two while losing this weight either - yes, she's young - but still - it works! -- so just thought I'd mention that.....hugs to you!

Dody, hang in there after that knee surgery. I had the SAME surgery and major arthritis scraped from the knee -- I was told I would heal up and be walking on my own in 2 weeks max! So not - it took 6 weeks (and longer to drive) - - I know the pain you are having - relax - focus on YOU and forget about the rest!