FeliciaLevy75

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you guys are continuing this! :wink_smile: I'll post tonight or tomorrow, once I hit the scale. Count me in!

hahahahaha! My mom suggested the same thing for me with my ex-husband.

I have had fun with these, and now that Labor Day is here (as of Monday, anyway), I thought I would start a thread for the last 4 months of 2008. The Challenge: Choose a goal for weight loss during the period September 1 through December 31. Just like the Labor Day Challenge.... add your name to the list, give us your current, your goal, etc. Name.............StartingWeight....Current.....Goal.........To Go FeliciaLevy75......240.................240............190...........50 Just copy the list from the most recent post and add your info! Let's do this!

Thanks, all, and grats to you, too!! Another 2 gone, I'll take it! And, welcome to size 12! Name_________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal________ToGo *****<?xml:namespace prefix = v /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600">:cool2:</v:shapetype>************************:tt2:**********:thumbup:****** :thumbup: * agreatknead........204............187...........180............7 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......253............204...........195............9 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............200...........191...........9 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Bunkey1965.........194............167...........170...........(-3) Cadets71...........223.4..........220.4.........189...........31.4 Charlietuna........210............167...........150...........17 Claudine...........250............231...........225............6 CubsGirl17.........172............150...........150............0 Cutiew/booty.......251............225...........220............5 cQQlgirl...........195............183...........180............3 crzytchr...........276............253...........246............7 Donna113...........199............183...........160...........23 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............202...........190...........12 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............143...........130...........13 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 janesays ..........244............232...........225............7 jazzyywan..........239............239...........190...........49 Jeni85.............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............203.5.........185...........18.5 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 judy1023...........231............231...........199...........32 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............231...........200...........31 Lindar172.............257.8.....................245.2...............24 0...................5.2 Liquidbluegal......225............214.6.........199...........15.6 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 Long2BThin.........253............214...........215..........(1) lotzasunshine......292............269.5.........250...........19.5 Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Lunabeane..........244............197...........187...........10.0 Mamanmidwife.......295............268...........260............8 Melissa Aguirre ...266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 newby23............242............242...........212...........30 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............238...........220...........18 rainer.............236............222...........210...........12 Redtulips3.........180............171...........168...........03 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............175...........165...........10 srknepler..........285............249.2.........255..........(5.7) squale.............353............353...........325...........28 SueAZ..............198............193...........150...........43 Sunshine2..........177............166...........160...........06 Suzzzie............305............305...........285...........20 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............224...........215...........6 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 Turler.............219............203...........194............9 youcandoit!........196............182...........165...........17 bjbstoney..........321............153...........140...........13 Dfox3325...........265............213...........150...........63

It's official!! DOWN 100 LBS!!!

I still need to update the list like I promised, I will get on that right away. More important, however, is that as of this morning, I am down 100 POUNDS since surgery in May!! Name_________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal________ToGo *****<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = V /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" filled="f" stroked="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe">:bored:</v:shapetype>***********:cursing:*************:eek:**********:w00t:****** :ohmy: * agreatknead........204............187...........180............7 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......253............204...........195............9 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............200...........191...........9 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Bunkey1965.........194............167...........170...........(-3) Cadets71...........223.4..........220.4.........189...........31.4 Charlietuna........210............167...........150...........17 Claudine...........250............231...........225............6 CubsGirl17.........172............150...........150............0 Cutiew/booty.......251............225...........220............5 cQQlgirl...........195............185...........180............5 crzytchr...........276............253...........246............7 Donna113...........199............184...........160...........24 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............204...........190...........14 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............143...........130...........13 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 janesays ..........244............232...........225............7 jazzyywan..........239............239...........190...........49 Jeni85.............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............203.5.........185...........18.5 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 judy1023...........231............231...........199...........32 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............231...........200...........31 Lindar172.............257.8.....................245.2...............24 0...................5.2 Liquidbluegal......225............214.6.........199...........15.6 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 Long2BThin.........253............215...........215............0 lotzasunshine......292............271...........250...........21 Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Lunabeane..........244............197...........187...........10.0 Mamanmidwife.......295............268...........260............8 Melissa Aguirre ...266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 newby23............242............242...........212...........30 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............238...........220...........18 rainer.............236............222...........210...........12 Redtulips3.........180............175...........160...........15 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............175...........165...........10 srknepler..........285............249.2.........255..........(5.7) squale.............353............353...........325...........28 SueAZ..............198............193...........150...........43 Sunshine2..........177............166...........160...........06 Suzzzie............305............305...........285...........20 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............224...........215...........6 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 Turler.............219............203...........194............9 youcandoit!........196............182...........165...........17 bjbstoney..........321............153...........140...........13

Hi everyone! We know that dates in December are smack in the middle of the busy holiday season, but we're going to see who we can get together! WHEN: Sunday, December 14, 2008 @ 1pm (LUNCH!) WHERE: Yard House at Town Square Las Vegas 6593 Las Vegas Blvd South, Bldg. L Las Vegas, NV 89119 Phone: (702) 734-9273 Menu and Nutritiion Info can be found here: food, Classic Rock, World's Largest Selection of Draft Beer Sign up and let me know if you'll be bringing anyone (other bandsters or WLS friends, significant others, etc.).

I have 4 tattoos, soon to be 3 (I have actually had 5, but one is/will covering up two old ones). The latest one I started in November and is down my shoulder blades and across my back. I was was worried about how the weight loss would affect it, as I have lost 20lbs or so since I started the new one, and I want to lose another 60-70. Surprisingly, it seems to be OK. It will change positioning a little bit, but only in its proximity to the "edges" of my body. I have been speaking to my tattoo artist and my plastic surgeon about placement and how it be affected in the long run, and so far we're all confident that it won't be an issue.

I may end up here after all, taking it as it comes. Family plans keep changing, so we'll see what happens. I have called Margy to let her know. There is no reservation at this point because we're not looking at more than 6-8 people. So far: Margy (possibly with a friend) Linda (possibly with 3 friends) Felicia (possible) If anyone else wants to join us, please do! The more the merrier. Margy has a hot red scooter and usually has a hat on. If I make it, I will be wearing my Oakland Raider's garb (go team!). I will also leave this open and check private messages if anyone wants to drop me a line and their phone number for more info. See ya!

Nex time, Lori! So it looks like Linda and Margy, plus any guests and possibly George. I'll give Margy a call in the morning and let her know, then post here. I'll post something soon for January.

Since I have begun this journey, I have also ramped up the dating activities in my life. I don't share my personal life with many people, but I think this is appropriate to share - those reading this will understand it more than anyone else in my life. OK, so that said... some oratory overflow in the form of background information: I should first say that I never really lacked for a dating life but, hindsight being 20/20, I can see now that it lacked a distinct level of quality. There were some winners, then there were some "real winners" (she says with a voice dripping with sarcasm). With a few exceptions (see the post regarding Mr. Washington, DC, back in August), most of the men I would meet were just not good enough for me. It's not an ego thing, I know I deserve someone better than I was meeting. Looking back, most of them lacked ambition, a solid work ethic, and usually possessed a vocabulary rivaled by my nieces and nephews. Their idea of fun was either a first-date romp in the sack (thank you, no), a marathon video-game session (again, not interested), or slamming beers to get drunk and ultimately act like an idiot (um, don't call me, especially as your one call from prison). And yet, I went out with them. Some were fun in small doses, but overall, I knew I wasn't meeting anyone with whom I wanted to spend any real time. OK, now that has been laid out, on to the inspiration (and title) of this post: The quality of men I have been meeting and dating has risen exponentially. There are a few reasons, I know, all of which come down to aesthetics: I am thinner now, "normal," and therefore considered more date-able by more people which, in turn, boosts my confidence and opens up more opportunities to talk to people. (I feel like I have to throw in a caveat, because at some point - if I haven't already - I will say something that sounds like I take issue with someone's job as a level of quality. What someone does to earn their living is not important to me (unless they bitch about wanting to change it but don't actually make the effort), as long as they are happy, can meet their responsibilities, and take pride in a job done well.) OK, back on track. So I am meeting people with whom I can have intelligent conversations, people with whom I can stand to spend more than 24 hours, people who have adult interests

Since I have begun this journey, I have also ramped up the dating activities in my life. I don't share my personal life with many people, but I think this is appropriate to share - those reading this will understand it more than anyone else in my life. OK, so that said... some oratory overflow in the form of background information: I should first say that I never really lacked for a dating life but, hindsight being 20/20, I can see now that it lacked a distinct level of quality. There were some winners, then there were some "real winners" (she says with a voice dripping with sarcasm). With a few exceptions (see the post regarding Mr. Washington, DC, back in August), most of the men I would meet were just not good enough for me. It's not an ego thing, I know I deserve someone better than I was meeting. Looking back, most of them lacked ambition, a solid work ethic, and usually possessed a vocabulary rivaled by my nieces and nephews. Their idea of fun was either a first-date romp in the sack (thank you, no), a marathon video-game session (again, not interested), or slamming beers to get drunk and ultimately act like an idiot (um, don't call me, especially as your one call from prison). And yet, I went out with them. Some were fun in small doses, but overall, I knew I wasn't meeting anyone with whom I wanted to spend any real time. OK, now that has been laid out, on to the inspiration (and title) of this post: The quality of men I have been meeting and dating has risen exponentially. There are a few reasons, I know, all of which come down to aesthetics: I am thinner now, "normal," and therefore considered more date-able by more people which, in turn, boosts my confidence and opens up more opportunities to talk to people. (I feel like I have to throw in a caveat, because at some point - if I haven't already - I will say something that sounds like I take issue with someone's job as a level of quality. What someone does to earn their living is not important to me (unless they bitch about wanting to change it but don't actually make the effort), as long as they are happy, can meet their responsibilities, and take pride in a job done well.) OK, back on track. So I am meeting people with whom I can have intelligent conversations, people with whom I can stand to spend more than 24 hours, people who have adult interests

My boss (a fabulous, supportive, amazing woman - if you haven't picked up on that in my posts on other areas of this site) and I were talking today about changes in my life pre- and post-Lap Band. It's been two years this month that my Daddy died of complications from years of untreated type II diabetes. This is not to say we didn't know he had it.... he just did the minimum to take care of it for the twenty years or so he was diagnosed. It took its toll and, at the very young age of 64, with congestive heart failure and multiple strokes and MIs under his belt - including two open-heart surgeries for quad bypass and valve replacement - he died. The intricacies of all of that are for another blog, if I decide to let you in that far, but this does have bearing on this post. All my life, I was heavy. My parents are/were heavy, two of my three siblings are heavy, various extended family are heavy. It was something we were, totally acceptable, and totally oblivious as to what it would mean later in life (for those of us lucky enough to have a "later in life"). We ate what we wanted without a care in the world, blindly following every fad diet imaginable when the mood struck us to lose 100lbs overnight... you get the idea. Being that way, and being surrounded by people in the same situation made it easy to hide from life. I still enjoyed life, as a kid, a young adult, and now a thirty-something, but something was always missing: Freedom. This is what the boss and I were discussing: a newfound freedom borne of a normal-sized body in a normal-sized life. Why do we call it Freedom? I missed out on the freedom to run around and do what I really wanted to do because, quite frankly, I didn't fit into normal life: We asked for tables at restaurants because we didn't have the freedom to sit where we pleased; we didn't fit comfortably into a booth. We didn't go on roller coasters because we didn't fit into the cars and/or safety belts We chose bigger cars because what we really want - in my case, a Mini - wouldn't fit our happy asses comfortably and we looked ridiculous driving them around We didn't have the freedom to buy clothes we liked because we had to buy clothes that fit our expansive waistlines We avoided stairs, walking festivals, and anything resembling an outdoor/exercise activity because of how we looked or how it affected us after only a short while We ate what everyone else ate, regardless of its nutritional value (or lack thereof) because we didn't have the freedom (or so we thought) to make different choices; we were enslaved to justification, eating with the masses Last Friday, my assistant and I went shopping. I went into a normal-sized store and purchased normal-sized clothing off the normal-sized rack. No "W" after the size, no special department, no special cut to hide my abnormal size or shape. I found Freedom through choice rather than a forced necessity.

Wow, thanks for the great response. I am glad you liked it, and I am glad it meant something to you, too. =) Felicia

Update: Judy will not be attending this weekend, so the list is - Linda (possibly +3) Lori Margy George (possibly)

My boss (a fabulous, supportive, amazing woman - if you haven't picked up on that in my posts on other areas of this site) and I were talking today about changes in my life pre- and post-Lap Band. It's been two years this month that my Daddy died of complications from years of untreated type II diabetes. This is not to say we didn't know he had it.... he just did the minimum to take care of it for the twenty years or so he was diagnosed. It took its toll and, at the very young age of 64, with congestive heart failure and multiple strokes and MIs under his belt - including two open-heart surgeries for quad bypass and valve replacement - he died. The intricacies of all of that are for another blog, if I decide to let you in that far, but this does have bearing on this post. All my life, I was heavy. My parents are/were heavy, two of my three siblings are heavy, various extended family are heavy. It was something we were, totally acceptable, and totally oblivious as to what it would mean later in life (for those of us lucky enough to have a "later in life"). We ate what we wanted without a care in the world, blindly following every fad diet imaginable when the mood struck us to lose 100lbs overnight... you get the idea. Being that way, and being surrounded by people in the same situation made it easy to hide from life. I still enjoyed life, as a kid, a young adult, and now a thirty-something, but something was always missing: Freedom. This is what the boss and I were discussing: a newfound freedom borne of a normal-sized body in a normal-sized life. Why do we call it Freedom? I missed out on the freedom to run around and do what I really wanted to do because, quite frankly, I didn't fit into normal life: We asked for tables at restaurants because we didn't have the freedom to sit where we pleased; we didn't fit comfortably into a booth. We didn't go on roller coasters because we didn't fit into the cars and/or safety belts We chose bigger cars because what we really want - in my case, a Mini - wouldn't fit our happy asses comfortably and we looked ridiculous driving them around We didn't have the freedom to buy clothes we liked because we had to buy clothes that fit our expansive waistlines We avoided stairs, walking festivals, and anything resembling an outdoor/exercise activity because of how we looked or how it affected us after only a short while We ate what everyone else ate, regardless of its nutritional value (or lack thereof) because we didn't have the freedom (or so we thought) to make different choices; we were enslaved to justification, eating with the masses Last Friday, my assistant and I went shopping. I went into a normal-sized store and purchased normal-sized clothing off the normal-sized rack. No "W" after the size, no special department, no special cut to hide my abnormal size or shape. I found Freedom through choice rather than a forced necessity.

Bad news for me. We have some family coming in and out of town, and Sunday is the only day we can all get together. So far: Judy Linda + 3 Lori

I tell anyone who will listen. If they can't handle it or if they can't process it then I understand that is their obstacle, not mine. The way I look at it, lying in some form or another - whether to ourselves or our [would-be] supporters - is what got us here in the first place. Justification for unhealthy behaviors is a form of talented and packaged lies, no matter how "white" or "innocent" a lie may seem. Success begins with acknowledgment and, while some people cannot handle what we are doing or fully understand why, I have found that I am much happier being open, honest, and sharing my new lifestyle. No more hiding, no more justification. Just a healthier me. So far, so good!

As of this post on 11/30, http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/last-2008-weight-loss-challenge-74034/index24.html#post1077482, I noticed that the weight list/data was not copied from the most recent post to a new one. My own weight, and a few others I think, is older than the post that should have been copied. I will work on updating it all tomorrow, I just wanted to let everyone know.

Rock on, Linda! Please do bring them! So far, I know of the following: Felicia (possible + 1) Judy Linda + 3 One of the reasons I chose this place is because Town Square is a great place to walk and explore (exercise!!) and there's lots to see!

Everyone's doing great! Keep it up!! Another 4 lbs to remove from the count! Woohoo! Name_________StartWeight___CurrentWeight______Goal________ToGo *****<?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = V /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600">:w00t:</v:shapetype>***********:cool2:*************:tt2:**********:ohmy:****** :thumbup: * agreatknead........204............190...........180...........10 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......253............209...........195...........14 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............204...........191...........13 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Bunkey1965.........194............173...........170............3 Cadets71...........223.4..........220.4.........189...........31.4 Charlietuna........210............167...........150...........17 Claudine...........250............231...........225............6 CubsGirl17.........172............161...........150...........11 Cutiew/booty.......251............230...........220...........10 cQQlgirl...........195............187...........175...........12 crzytchr...........276............259...........246...........13 Donna113...........199............191...........160...........31 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............212...........190...........22 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............143...........130...........13 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 janesays ..........244............244...........225...........19 jazzyywan..........239............239...........190...........49 Jeni85.............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............203.5.........185...........18.5 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 judy1023...........231............231...........199...........32 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............231...........200...........31 Liquidbluegal......225............214.6.........199...........15.6 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 Long2BThin.........253............219...........215............4 lotzasunshine......292............277.5.........250...........27.5 Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Lunabeane..........244............197...........187...........10.0 Mamanmidwife.......295............268...........260............8 Melissa Aguirre ...266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 newby23............242............242...........212...........30 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............238...........220...........18 rainer.............236............222...........210...........12 Redtulips3.........180............175...........160...........15 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............181...........165...........16 srknepler..........285............249.2.........255..........(5.7) squale.............353............353...........325...........28 SueAZ..............198............193...........150...........43 Sunshine2..........177............167...........160...........07 Suzzzie............305............305...........285...........20 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............224...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 Turler.............219............209...........194...........15 youcandoit!........196............184...........165...........19

NOTE: This is a lunch, not a dinner. When: Sunday, November 23, 2008 @ 1pm Where: Elephant Bar Restaurant @ District, Green Valley Ranch Elephant Bar Restaurant - Home (main site) 2270 Village Walk Drive, Henderson (702) 361-7468 Map: 2270 Village Walk Drive, Henderson - Google Maps

YES!! I love golf! I have had lessons when I was a kid, and my first job was as a beer girl on the golf course at home. Hell, my older brother's initials were almost PGA! LOL (Dad was a huge golf fan, can you tell?) I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to do that. I am not making any promises on how I play *now* but I would love to do it! I had so much fun yesterday, and I am so glad I met you guys. Here's the (cell phone) pic of the group yesterday: (L-R) Hootie, Judy (standing), Mary, George, Margy, Purple (hiding), Felicia, Steve, Cassy