Great2BThin

I just saw this challenge. I was part of the April Fools challenge and met my goal but didnt' like how they changed it to go to another website to update. I like how this one is listed here. By July I hope to reach my goal weight! Name.............. Start ..........Current.......... Goal ........ToGo 3ShotRoc..............345..............263................220......... ..43 alabubba..............464..............464................400......... ....64 annieemmm.........200..............198.................170......... ..28 barb12590............173..............170................155.......... .15 Betelnut…………......95….……...…273 …....……..245………….28 Bklyn1984.............317..............256................230......... ..26 blaze21................200.8...........200.8..............170......... ..30.8 Chicky Abby..........314..............314................270...........44 countrygirlNY........253..............217................182.......... ..35 crzytchr2004.........237..............232................210.......... .22 Fab by 50.............215..............215................175...........40 Fordgal88.............199..............175................199......... ..24 Htaylor1021.....210............210............185.........25 Jennyt71...............245..............207................170........ ...37 keepingfaith08...225..........225.............190.......35 LessJess...............228..............228................199........ ...29 Letsgetitstarted.....229..............229................199.......... .30 libbyjane1976.......283...............283................250.......... 33 LilMissDiva...........251.6............247.6..............227......... .20.6 liz_hager..............158..............158.................145....... ....13 Long2BThin...........192..............191.................169...........22 Mair.....................222..............220................199...... .....21 mamacj................316..............269................233......... ...36 MsNickelback....172...........172............149..........23 onehotmama.........272.............237.................210............ 27 pbpuniser.............212..............212................182......... ..30 peachwood......251...........251............230.........21 picklesix...........197..........197.............170.........27 sexylips................238..............238................199....... ....39 SillyGoose............258...............251................228........ ...23 simone................182...............182................160........ ...22 ukcatsfan.............340...............340................300........ ...40 workingmom.....214...........214............175.........39

Hunzi, sorry your surgery got delayed. I feel your pain with the stomach bug! I promise I didn't breathe on the computer screen! LOL am a little better tonight but not sure about work tomorrow yet.

I understand what you are saying about the same waiters pampering you. My last 2 cruises were on Princess to Alaska and we did the anytime dining which is I believe similar to NCL's freestyle. I didn't like the cattle callness of it where everyone came at the same time, you got a beeper like a busy restaurant. I missed the dessert presentations and having the same waiter. But for a cruise like that where we were in port at odd times it was nice to know we didn't have to hurry back for our seating as well. DH is looking forward to no formal night as it's optional on NCL, I think I might miss it.

The only time I'd have trouble reading about your cooking, Apples, would be today. I have a fierce stomach bug and just the thought of food is enough to gag me. LOL But other than that I like to read about it. I am amazed at all you do. My DH's aunt lives on a farm and cooks lke you do for all the workers, it amazes me. Hope Janet is having a wonderful time cruising. Can't wait til mine in May! time to go lie back down.

Allie, don't you dare go anywhere over a debate with one person. A while back a similar thing happened to me and I almost did the same thing and say forget it, it's not worth it. But you know those folks are rare and for the most part folks here are very supportive. To think of all the support I'd have missed had I just deleted my account and left. Let your success speak for itself and let the naysayers be. I realize folks have had problems with the band and those need to be addressed, but this is afterall a band board too for the most part, I realize there are areas for other surgeries now. Well I lost about 6 lbs this morning. I was so upset to be up 4 and then the stomach flu hit (I know TMI) but there has to be a bright side. I am so down and out today. I've not been this sick for years. I was so worried about slipping my band or something the way I was retching this morning. I pray all is well. Time to go lie back down.

Allie I am going on NCL in May. This will be my first freestyle experience. I hope I don't mind it. It's in the Meditteranean and my thought was the cruise is so port extensive that we won't have to worry about rushing to a set dinner time, etc. My favorite though is Royal Carribean or Princess.

Kathy, bummer, was hoping you were closer. But the Springs is about 2 or more hours from me. Enjoy the Broadmoor though! Hope you get out of town before our big weather change. 70+ degrees today and supposed to possibly snow tomorrow night. MrsBubba, I remember feeling just like you do when I got to the point where I usually quit too. Hang in there, this too shall pass. I got very panicked that this was it and the band wouldn't work and it would all come back on. If you keep faithful to the bandster rules, and it sounds like you are, you will get such a boost of self confidence when you start to enter into 'virgin fat' territory.

Hey Kathy, where in Colorado are you? for how much longer? I'm in the Denver area. Sounds strange about your band if you can't eat all day and then can eat anything for dinner. I hope your dr is able to figure out what it is. That would be frustrating. Niecy, Janet left for a cruise today so won't be back for a week to answer your question. It sounds to me like you need a fill, if you are able to eat that much. When was your last fill? Are you following the bandster rules of hard Protein first? Eating many slider foods that don't stay with you long to satisfy your hunger?

Lynn & Mimi, for me the answer is to not allow the poor food choice items in the house. For me, my cinnamon candies would be Fritos. I just can't have them near me. If I buy them I won't stop til the bag is empty. Is there a way to avoid the foods that are tempting you? I'm not even too keen on the idea of teh 100 calorie snack packs because even most of those don't folllow the bandster rules of mostly protein. But if you must have something you crave, try just getting a small portion so the left overs aren't there to tempt you. Most of the 100 calorie snack packs I have seen come in a box with many 100 calorie snack packs, so I would just open another and then another. Katydid, glad to hear you are recovering well. What an ordeal you had been through.

Lucy, I feel that way everytime I go into a store. I feel like an imposter in the regular sizes and that I am going to get found out. I think it takes our heads time to catch up with our bodies. But I bet if you go over there you will find stuff that works! Wish some of us lived closer and we could conquer those stores together.

Hey apples we must've been posting at the same time. Have a great time on your trip!!

Good afternoon. I seemed to have stopped getting email notifications again and then forget to come check thinking everyone is quiet. Then it got too long and realized we never go that long without something to say!! It's a beautiful day here, supposed to be 76, but snow coming maybe on Monday. DH got some fertilizer today to put on the grass so if we do get the moisture maybe it will start greening up. Joann, DH tells me all the time I should get a part time job at Bass Pro just so he can get a discount! Maybe I'll have to for the jeans. LOL At Red Lobster I usually get the 'add on' crab legs. Just the right portion and they let me order them even w/o ordering an entree all the time. I will then sneak a bit or two of DH's veggies. MrsBubba, you sound pretty down. That is when you need to post and come here for support. If you can eat that much bread easily, sounds like you need a fill. You've done great so far! I am tall too and get what you are saying about short pants. My new jeans are on the short side, I am thinking for summer and with flip flops or sandals (can't say thongs anymore that means something totally different these days!) they'll be okay. I had so many sizes in my closet when I started out and it felt so good when I finally exhausted even the smallest sizes in there. I'm in mostly 12's now and I've never had a 12 in my closet since before I had my first child 28 yrs ago. I did get a nice new 3/4 sleeve cardigan sweater today at Costco. Perfect to put over a Tshirt I love it. Janet, have fun on your cruise. I can't wait for mine. It's not for a month and a half yet but they just sent me something saying I could print my docs now. Makes it seem closer. Velvet, I can't imagine what tanning would have to do wtih the band, though it could damage your skin. I love to tan and have to really practice restraint on that. I always said it was the one thing I did well. LOL I tan very dark and used to rarely burn. Though now that I am practicing restraint I notice when I am out in the sun I do burn more these days. My favorite thing to do is lie on an air mattress at the beach and just float. Though at 300+ lbs it's been a few years since I've done that, hmmmm maybe this year!

Why are you reading an erosion thread? Are you having troubles with your band? I hope not, though it's a big concern of mine being self pay as well. Well now is time for that nap!!

Good morning. Finally some time to catch up! Apples, how can your friend have that many friends with that attitude? I have no where near that many friends. I'd be lucky to have 20 people show at a party. My bdays always suck, everyone forgets them. Haven't gotten so much as a card from any of my inlaws in years nor my own sister. DH tries to make up for it and my kids though. Even amongst the few friends I see on a regular basis, mine is never mentioned though we go to lunch sometimes for others, etc. Well gang, I did it. Last night DH and DS needed to go to Bass Pro shops so I tagged along. I like the jeans I got there once and they are cheap as I am going down sizes. So off I went to try on the next size down and guess what???/ THEY FIT!!! OMG, I am wearing a size 10 pair of jeans! The sales clerk burst my bubble a little and said that everyone is sizing down in those jeans. But heck, I don't care, the label says 10 and I can prove it!! I gotta wear them to a party at my daughters tonight, my sisters will be there!! Aren't I evil???

Well there's always Mothers Day and Memorial Day in May.

Whew, I finally feel like I have some time of my own today, not much but some. I am picking my Grandma up in about an hour to take her to Walmart and to lunch and then coming home and taking a nap!! Time to regroup after the last week(s) I have had. I am just plain old exhausted. That's the only reason I haven't been here much this week, it wasn't Allie's, ummmmm, you know what. :thumbup: I will have to look for some of those Seven jeans, I've heard of them. I can never get them long enough either. The ones I got last night are on the short side, but they were out of the talls and I wasn't leaving the store without my 10!!! Flip flops in the summer and I should be good. Was going to call them thongs, but these days that has a whole new meaning! :tongue_smilie:

Too funny, Allie. to tell you the truth, I didn't know that area had a name either. When I first read about it here I had to figure out what they were talking about. GUESS WHAT!!!!! Just got home from jean shopping, and...........I now own a pair of size 10's!!!!!! And I can zip and button them. They are a little snug. The sales clerk knocked a little wind out of my sail when she said most people had to size down in them, but so what??? The tag and label says 10 and I can prove it!!!!!!!! Oh and my 25 yr old former college athlete son went and did my workout (Power 90 by Tony Horton) with me today and this old lady kicked his butt!!! He had to stop about 2/3 of the way through the cardio and never did even one of the 200 crunches. I think he was a little humiliated so I haven't bragged too much, but I have gloated a little. He gave up the basketball and hasn't stepped foot in a gym in about 5 yrs. and took up a bad habit of smoking. My prayer is this makes him quit.

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Snyder. He is awesome, his staff is wonderful, all very caring. Also, the aftercare is so great. He has numerous support groups around the state, educational classes on everything from menu planning, behaviour, exercise, etc. The education you get before hand and then after is very informative. He has a seminar tonight (Thurs the 19th) where you can meet him and get lots of info whether you choose him or not. See www.denverbariatrics.com for info on the seminar.

I totally get what you are saying. For so long I was so consumed with thoughts of my weight, and let it hold me back from things, like last spring I made excuses not to go on our spring ladies retreat because it was in the mountains and I was afraid of hiking or sleep aka snoring in a room with someone else. I missed out on so many blessings. It truly has been a freeing thing!

Ah, Joann, thanks so much for your encouragement. You have some good ideas there on how to handle the negativity in the future. I do always try to defend myself, I like your approach better. Thanks so much. WG, I am a little unsure of what you are asking. You say you are having surgery but also saying why have it if you have to practice restraint. Well the reason I had it, is the band helps me be much more successful in practicing that restraint. It's much easier to have restraint when you are full on a few ounces vs. when it takes mega amounts of food to make you full. Because you have such a small pouch, howeer, you do need to practice good nutrition. Your success depends on how well you follow the rules of the band. You can eat around the band quite easily after awhile. Unfortunately most junkfoods go right through, they call these slider foods. If you eat too many of these you won't lose so well. Good luck to you in your journey, I hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Allie, I am super sore today too after hitting the exercise again after almost 2 weeks off. Am going back for more today. EGADS!! Here's probably a stupid and personal question. I have never heard of a mons lift til reading these boards. Does it just firm thing up in that area?? Is it part of a lower body lift or in addition to it?? Sorry if it's too personal. But I guess we talk about our boobs drooping, it's only natural that other areas do too. LOL

Allie, good luck to your hubby and getting that job. When will he know? What does he do? Luckily my tummy isn't that bad. Sure it isn't tight like it was in my 20's and after the weight loss and 2 pregnacies but even at my pre op appt, my surgeon commented on my small abdomen area and said I wouldn't have much of a skin problem there. I carried most of my weight in my butt and legs. A lower body lift would definitely help, we'll see.

Good afternoon. Great thoughts Ellen. I've thought that about our same sex children after seeing how DH reacts to our son and I react to our daughter. My mom's visit has opened my eyes to be especially careful with my own kids. Speaking of mom she left this morning! They will be back in a month for Grandma's 100th bday celebration so I have a little time to regroup.

Allie, So we are very similar. I'm at 192.4, I want to hit 169 as that means a normal BMI but hope to get to 160ish. I can't believe how close it is. I don't expect these size 10's to fit when i go try them on or get them, but I want them at home to keep checking to see if they fit. I like having something to work into. Congrats on the loss!! I don't know that I will go the surgery route, I've not heard of surgery for your calves. LOL They bother me the most for some dumb reason. My arms are okay, a little flab but looking more and more toned all the time. My girls hang a little low as does my butt, but I'm a big chicken and a cheapskate to get the surgery I think. At least that is as of now, who knows as I get closer and closer I am not so opposed to it as I was! LOL

PJ, I can so relate to that. Tonight my MIL was here as well as my mom. My MIL commented on my weight loss and how well I was doing and my mom said it must be easy because I really haven't changed my eating habits and how was I going to learn to keep it off?? GRRRRR I looked at her and said huh? I've changed my eating habits a lot. I have had a few extras the past 2 weeks she's been here, but those extras are like 3 or 4 chips not a whole bag, ONE dessert, etc. I mentioned how I still get my McNuggets once a week and that's when she said that. I said I used to get a supersized meal several times a week, now I get 4 or 6 nuggets once a week as my planned treat. She said, yeah but if you still eat those you won't keep it off once you get there. Just totally blew the wind out of my sails. I felt so guilty and horrible that I've allowed myself the indulgence occassionally. I don't know how she can say stuff like that when she can't argue with the 113 lbs I've lost in 9 mos!!! Have I been perfect? NO!! but I think the results speak for themselves. I've been totaly on program more than off, besides they told me in my nutrition class we were allowed 10% off plan once a week. Apples, my son doesn't say much either. My daughter does but not my son. Must be guys.