Great2BThin

Welcome Carolyn! I'd still be eating frozen M&M's, I agree, Toss 'em!! As for a site to track your food, I LOVE www.dailyplate.com I like how it makes a chart that shows you where your calories are coming from. I mostly watch my calories and Protein grams on there. Also the database of foods and restaurants is very extensive and complete and if you can't find it, you can add it. I used it faithfully my first 4 mos and then stopped, I just recently began using it again as I wanted to keep a check on my portions and make sure I wasn't increasing my intake, etc. It also lets you add your exercise but I don't eat those calories and I also don't abide by what they say I need to have in a day. Hey Becky, I think I'd be hungry too if I just had a shake for breakfast. Glad you are getting in the solid protein and it is satisfying you longer. I order an appetizer a lot for my dinner and DH shares it with me and orders an entree. Last night we went to Texas Roadhouse and I got the 'rib and fries' appetizer, ate half the ribs and gave the rest to DH. Though he may not be willing to be my 'garbage disposal' (what he calls himself when I give him the rest of my meal) as he is cutting back on his portions and going to try and lose 20 lbs starting tomorrow. Maybe then we can just share one entree. Welcome Lala! I have not experienced the mood changes since being banded, though I did go through a lot of that as I hit the perimenopause stage. But it didn't last, thank goodness! At first I told no one about my surgery either, but gradually I have so about everyone knows now. I have one circle of 'friends' that don't know, and after all this time I really have no desire to go out of my way to tell them. They've not been very supportive as I've lost weight, they have to have noticed 90+ lbs off my body, even lesser acquaintances in my life have been more supportive that have no idea about the surgery either. I have noticed that relationships with others have changed. Some have gotten better and others have drifted away. I'm not sure if that is because I am changing as I go through this metamorphisis or if some of it is pettiness and jealousy now that I'm not the 'fat friend' anymore.

Welcome Judy! Guess what I wore to church today? Yep those size 12's!! I didn't have to wiggle to get them fastened today either. YAHOO!!! I changed when i got home into a workout type outfit with tshirt, jacket and pants, I bought them last spring in a 1X, they are huge. BUt I am wearing it as I like the reminder. DH is going to join me on the healthy eating bandwagon tomorrow, he hasn't been eating that unhealthy as I just don't cook much that way anymore but he is cutting down his portions. He needs to lose about 20 lbs. He was shocked when I told him his BMI was 'overweight' and getting close to obese. Though he insists that chart isn't too accurate and I tend to agree with him, for him anyway. He's a big guy, 6'6 and wants to weight 225 which he looks great at, but it's still overweight on the chart. The chart wants him to be about 215, he weighed that in HS and was scrawny. But what really excited me, is our BMI's are only 2 numbers apart. He's going to come to the gym while I am there tomorrow and workout and start the weight loss challenge. Yep they are starting another Biggest Loser, I got a free entry for being the 'reigning champ' however, my boss informed me that his boss was really upset an employee won last time. He explained to him that I was just a new employee that week, I still got my cash prize etc. but I can't win again. BUMMER!!! My friend who I work with and I are still going to do it as motivation though and for bragging rights if we really did win, we'll know by the numbers. LOL So now DH has to win it for us!

Welcome back Jill!!! Please don't disappear again! Congrats on the smaller clothes and bathing suit! I see the suits out in the stores already (Target had them anyway). I couldn't believe they were out already, but I am actually looking forward to trying one on this year and buying a smaller size. I also have a pool in my community that I have not been to in the past 2 summers I have lived here as I was too embarrassed. I can't wait to go this year. As for the cough, I've heard that can be a sign of reflux and being too tight, but I am not sure. Is it worse at night after lying down?

Allie, Beautiful daughters, for some reason I thought you had little daughters, they are about grown up. You started young too. I was married at 20 and had my kids at 23 & 24. So they are 25 & 27 now. I know I am amazed at what I've lost, of course, I knew it was possible for others to lose that much but never thought I would. And, of course, there's nothing about major surgery to lose weight (in my case twice if you count the gall bladder) but after that, it hasn't been as difficult as I expected. Granted it's a huge lifestyle change, the head hunger gets tough at times, but I expected it to be much harder. I am so grateful every day for my band and my husband's support in me getting it. I was self pay so his support was critical in putting out that kind of money for surgery. I just pray it lasts. I get panicked once in awhile that it's not real, it will come back, my band will slip, etc. etc. etc. Okay, now I am feeling really old. I just opened a new checking account and I qualified for a senior account. UGH!!! Actually this bank said you had to be 55, but the bank inside Walmart's qualifications were only 50 so when I mentioned that to them, they approved me for the 55 and over account. (less fees, free checks, etc.). My first senior discount. :thumbup::scared2::thumbup:

I have no idea what that is but I hope your granddaughter will be okay. I can't imagine being a child and having to stay away from sweets this time of year. Poor thing.

Yep, I'll take the wrinkles instead of the 'toad face' any day! I'd rather be 50 and be healthy with a few wrinkles anyday instead of 'flush with fat' and wrinkless but with a host of comorbidities due to the fat anyday. So far the worst is the neck. Speaking of fat loss, I am finally down today that is after my holiday gain, new territory! I am at 92.7, but am calling it 93!! Also did my measurements and lost everywhere most places an inch! WOO HOO!!! I joined a Valentines Day challenge in another thread with the goal of hitting 100 lbs gone by then. Whodda thunk it???

I finally showed a loss today and that is in addition to what I gained over Christmas. WOO HOO!! 92.7 now. Close enough for me to call it 93!! 7 more til 100!! I also did my measurements which I usually do on the 5th which is the date of the month I had surgery. I lost about an inch everywhere as well, my biggest loss in inches in a few months. My biggest losses are in my hips and waist. I lost 9 in my waist since surgery and 11.5 in my hips. So far our snowstorm hasn't shown up but I think they said about noon. HOpe hubby gets home before it gets bad, he's been out of town til today and is driving back from NE. Can't wait to tell him about my loss too. Allie, who's that in your new pic with you? Nice photo! Have you tossed the Lindt balls? I've never had one, doesn't sound like I should get the taste of one. I am sure your gain is water and soon you will be down that plus some. Do you have any plans to celebrate your 100th pound? No more shopping for me yesterday, I'm trying to be good. I truly don't need anymore clothes for right now, but are those deals every tempting!

Name...........Start Lbs.........Current..........Goal....To Go 1000words.....220..................218.............210.........8 Barb12590.....185...................185.............175........10 Bonnielass......168..................168..............159........9 Brandy...........198..................198.............190.........8 crztchr...........250..................247.............240........7 CubsGirl..........150..................150.............140.......10 Imgoingdown...239..................199.............189.......10 janesays.........230..................230.............215......15 karebare714....283..................283..............265......18 kikival315........219..................219..............210.......9 LauraP............170..................170..............155.......15 leslie2lose.......229..................223.5............219......4.5 LilMissDiva.......253..................249.2..........242.2......7 Long2BThin......216..................212.7.............205.......7.7 Loveislovely.....223..................220.............208.......12 ltgordon...........264.................264.............250.......14 Mamanmidwife .264.................264..............250.......14 misskitty84......313.................263..............243.......20 SanDiegoPhotog..263...............191.............179........12 Tabithan.........246..................246.............236.......10 Terilynn112.....224..................224.............200.......24 Tuger............192..................192..............185.........7 twinmommie....207..................207.............193........14 wowox7.........173..................173..............163........9

WooHoo!! The scale finally moved in the right direction again. I've been battling the same couple pounds since mid Dec and even gained a few over Christmas. I hit 93 lbs lost this morning, well 92.7 but I round up!! :thumbup: I want 100 so bad, I am hoping by Valentines day. I also did my monthly measurements today, I usually do them on my band date of the 5th of the month but didn't have to go to work this morning and thought 2 days didn't matter. Even though in Dec. I only lost 4 lbs since Thanksgiving I lost about an inch everywhere. My biggest change in measurements since surgery and now are in my waist and hips. My waist is down 9 inches and my hips are down 11.5 inches. My 'butt shelf' has disappeared! DH gets home today, he's been out of town and I can't wait to tell him. He's my biggest supporter.

I have every confidence in the world that you will get there. You are doing great. You've had a lot of stress factors going on since surgery too with your mother, daughter and taking care of your granddaughter. It's not important when we get there, just that we do. And we never give up. I get the impression from watching Big Medicine that those docs are very partial towards bypass and not so much for the band. Is that true? Any idea when some new episodes will air?

Arlene, sorry to hear about hubby's job. I hope that layoff isn't for very long. I thought of you tonight. I was watching some shows I DVR'd on Discovery Health, there were 3 of them: Half ton Mom, Half Ton Dad and half Ton Teen. They were all out of Houston and some bariatric hospital there called Renasciance or something like that. Goodness you have the Big Medicine Dr. and these too there. Lots of options.

I remember that Polish Stoneware at QVC when I worked there. We would only have a piece or two in the store. The outlets had it a lot at some really good prices but most of the outlets are in PA or DE. I liked it but wasn't crazy about blue. I think having a special plate to eat off of sounds like a great idea. I eat off the dessert plates now too. Yesterday I had lunch at Chili's with my daughter. I got the Burger Bites which was 4 mini cheeseburger. I got them w/o cheese since I am not a fan of cheese. I ate the meat off of 2 of them and brought 2 home so had them for dinner tonight (just the patty part). Reheating them though made them a little dry and harder to get down. I drenched them in lots of ketchup that helped a little. Our weather is crazy, we had 63 wonderful degrees today and expecting a snowstorm tomorrow. That's Colorado for ya!

Good evening. We had a glorious 63 degrees today. But it's not lasting, we are expecting a snowstorm tomorrow. One thing about Colorado weather, it changes quickly. Which is a good thing when it's yucky and soon going to be nice, but not as good when it is nice and going to turn yucky. All your gals talk about losing over the holidays had me check my calendar where I record my weigh ins. I feel better. I lost 4 1/2 lbs from Thanksgiving til New years. While it's my smallest loss in a month since banding, it is still a loss. Every other year I'd have gained at least 5 but more like 10 in that time. And I am not gorging this weekend knowing I am going to start my New Year's resolution to 'lose 100 lbs' on Monday. Woo HOO!!

Down one it's a start. I have less than a pound and I will have lost what I gained over Christmas. :biggrin: Name...........Start Lbs.........Current..........Goal....To Go Barb12590.....185...................185.............175........10 Bonnielass......168..................168..............159........9 Brandy...........198..................198.............190.........8 crztchr...........250..................249.............240........9 Imgoingdown...239..................199.............189.......10 janesays.........230..................230.............215......15 karebare714....283..................283..............265......18 kikival315........219..................219..............210.......9 leslie2lose.......229..................223.5............219......4.5 LilMissDiva.......253..................249.2..........242.2......7 Long2BThin......216..................215.............205.......10 Loveislovely.....223..................220.............208.......12 ltgordon...........264.................264.............250.......14 Mamanmidwife .264.................264..............250.......14 misskitty84......313.................263..............243.......20 SanDiegoPhotog..263...............191.............179........12 Tabithan.........246..................246.............236.......10 Terilynn112.....224..................224.............200.......24 Tuger............192..................192..............185.........7 twinmommie....207..................207.............193........14 wowox7.........173..................173..............163........9

Good morning JuneBugs! Sounds like everyone's lifes are getting back to normal. Funny how routine gets so boring and we look forward to the break, only to look forward to getting back to the routine when the break is over. I went back to work this morning my normal hours. We now open at 530am so had to be there at 515 YAWN!! Not sure I am going to like that. Looks like all the gym regulars and the ones that will be coming for their New Year's resolutions are waiting til Monday to return. I sat there this morning til 830 and in over 3 hours only 4 folks came. Usually there's that many waiting outside the doors in the morning when we unlock them. I think I need to go through closets again, I did a few months ago but things have changed in a few months! I did take 4 trash bags of clothes to Goodwill on the 31st (wanted that receipt for 2008 taxes :biggrin:). It was so hard to give them away. I have lost weight before, but never kept it off. One time I got rid of all my clothes and needed all new when I regained. There's no going back this time though! That's why I got the band, my rationale was that I would always have my tool to help remind me of proper portion sizes. I am hoping I'll always have some type of restriction.

Becky, I haven't logged my food in awhile but when I did I was getting about 700 - 900 calories a day. Usually one day would be over 1000. I didn't mean to insinuate you were getting too many calories as I am sure the cooked veggies had very few. I tend to go more by the volume of my food and try to stay at 1/2 cup portions. I know Janet said 1/2 cup didn't work for her and she stayed at 1 cup portions at least. Even when I do my meat, I measure it in volume not by weight. Even though 4 oz is 1/2 cup but 4 oz weight wise isn't always 1/2 cup if that makes sense. I didn't mean to cause confusion. What works for me may not work for another. Now that the holidays are over, I do plan on tracking my food again on daily plate as I am afraid I've gotten away from it and that my guesstimates may have grown, that means measuring my food once again as well. Just to make sure my eyeballing portions is still correct. I figure it never hurts to give myself a 'refresher course'.

Apples, when it comes to dresses you are asking the wrong person. I also do not own one and haven't worn one in years. I wouldn't even know where to start. My daughter pointed one out to me shopping today and don't think I am ready to go there. My legs are still so big. In fact many pants if they are slimmer cut I can't pull up over my calves and knees. It's like I am losing from the top down. If you saw the top of me and then my legs, they wouldn't look like they went on the same person. Congrats on getting a dress though. I hope to some day soon! And then I will be coming to you as to what to do with it.

Becky, when you eat meat, are you cutting up really small? Are you chewing a lot? I'd guess if you are having trouble with meat, you probably don't need a fill. But then your lunch was 3 oz of chicken and 1 cup of veggies. To me, if I ate the 3 oz of chicken first there's no way I could still eat 1 cup of veggies. I can only eat 1/2 to 1 cup at a time. But I also don't have a problem with most meats. i do have trouble with dry chicken breasts or over cooked meat. I got a burger for lunch that was very well done and it went down but was a little more difficult. just the patty no bun). These bands do seem fickle. I know I can eat more some days than others. Heck even some meals than others. Right when I think i can eat anything, have no restriction and need a fill, then wham I have great restriction and am relieved I didn't get another as I don't want to be too tight either. You are halfway there in half a year. You can get the rest of the way. The holidays are over, our routines are returning. You were on such a great roll with your walking, now is the time to get back at that, get the rest of the junk out of the house and remember why you did this in the first place and how far you've come. You'll get there! We have a band anniversary to celebrate in June, let's make it to or much closer to our goals by then.

<HR style="COLOR: #c9ced4; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9ced4" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --> Okay I am in. I want to hit 100 lbs lost which is 11 lbs and closely behind that I want to hit Onderland which is 16 lbs. That might be a bit much so will set my goal for the challenge for a total loss of 100 (205) Name...........Start Lbs...........Current..........Goal..To Go Barb12590......185...................185...............175.....10 Bonnielass......168..................168...............159......9 Brandy...........198..................198...............190......8 crztchr...........250...................250...............240.....10 janesays.........230...................230...............215.....15 kikival315........219...................219...............210......9 leslie2lose.......229...................229...............219......10 LilMissDiva.......253..................250.6.............242.6...8 Long2BThin......216...................216...............205......11 Loveislovely.....223..................220...............208......12 Mamanmidwife ...264................264...............250......14 misskitty84......313..................263...............243......20 SanDiegoPhotog..263...............191...............179......12 Tabithan.........246..................246...............236......10 Terilynn112.....224..................224...............200.......24 Tuger............192..................192..............185.........7 twinmommie....207..................207..............193........14 wowox7.........173..................173...............163........10 <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I know I got that shopping bug lately. I used to hate to shop. Think it was because I hated shopping at Lane Bryant and how things looked on me. I did go today and got some Gap trousers in a size 12!!!! They fit though not comfortably but soon. On sale of course. And next door was good ol' Ann Taylor and I got a blouse there that matches the pants and when I checked out it was even cheaper! My kind of deal. The blouse is more summery. That's it, no more shopping til I need new sizes or spring clothes. The past week I've gotten 2 new bras at Victoria Secret, underwear, casual/dress pants, sweater, blouse, leather jacket, another sweater and some jeans. Me thinks I need to slow down and wait now. I still have about $200 of my Christmas money left for summer clothes.

Thanks Arlene, I posted this in the 50s as well but was just so excited, I had to post here too. Today went to 'the' SIL's but before going my daughter and I stopped at this shopping area near her house that always looked intriguing. NO WONDER!! Ann Taylor was there! I found a shortsleeved blouse on the clearance rack, debated about spending $20 on it still but decided what the heck. Went to pay and it was even cheaper $9, it was meant to be. Then we went to Gap and they had some casual/dressier slacks on sale. Didn't have a 14 so I thought what the heck, I'll try on the 12. IT FIT!!!!! and longs too! I was so excited, I started tearing up. Now I do have to hold my breath and really suck it in to fasten them, but soon they will fit comfortably. Besides I don't volunteer at the hospital for a week yet. LOL That's what I got them for. It may take a couple weeks to wear them. And the blouse was the perfect color to match them.

I've been watching those too. DH wonders why I watch them so much and I remind him that I was there or pretty darn close not so long ago and don't ever want to go back. It reaffirms the choices I've made to get healthy. Today went to 'the' SIL's but before going my daughter and I stopped at this shopping area near her house that always looked intriguing. NO WONDER!! Ann Taylor was there! I found a shortsleeved blouse on the clearance rack, debated about spending $20 on it still but decided what the heck. Went to pay and it was even cheaper $9, it was meant to be. Then we went to Gap and they had some casual/dressier slacks on sale. Didn't have a 14 so I thought what the heck, I'll try on the 12. IT FIT!!!!! and longs too! I was so excited, I started tearing up. Now I do have to hold my breath and really suck it in to fasten them, but soon they will fit comfortably. Besides I don't volunteer at the hospital for a week yet. LOL That's what I got them for. It may take a couple weeks to wear them. And the blouse was the perfect color to match them.

When I was hungry I ate refried beans. I also remember not losing any weight once I started mushies and until after my first fill. I was so depressed as here I just had surgery, was losing really well and thought it would continue. Got off liquids and onto mushies and the scale stopped moving. I was panicked because if it stopped at mushies what would the scale do when I got solids? But it really was just the body rather catching up to all the changes and then I started losing again at a really good pace. Hang in there, you are over half way to your 6 week mark and hopefully first fill.

happy NEW YEAR!!!!! Becky, isn't it exciting to think about reaching our goal weights this year? A year ago as 2008 began and I again made that resolution to lose 100 lbs, never did I think it was possible. And all I wanted was to lose 100, I never fathomed getting to goal. Now I am 9 or 10 lbs away from that 100 and thinking of goal. Wow!! I want to lose anywhere from 30 to 50 more, guess I'll know when I get there. I'd really like to have a 'normal' BMI. That is 45 lbs. more. Sounds much less overwhelming than 100+!! What a difference a year makes. I hope 2009 is just as good for me as 2008 was. For those that had a challenging 2008 with the losses of loved ones etc., I pray that 2009 brings healing. What happened?? The screen blinked while typing my post and now I have 2??? Sorry not sure what I did.

happy NEW YEAR!!!!! Becky, isn't it exciting to think about reaching our goal weights this year? A year ago as 2008 began and I again made that resolution to lose 100 lbs, never did I think it was possible. And all I wanted was to lose 100, I never fathomed getting to goal. Now I am 9 or 10 lbs away from that 100 and thinking of goal. Wow!! I want to lose anywhere from 30 to 50 more, guess I'll know when I get there. I'd really like to have a 'normal' BMI. That is 45 lbs. more. Sounds much less overwhelming than 100+!! What a difference a year makes. I hope 2009 is just as good for me as 2008 was. For those