Boo

Roberta, It is normal to lose that drive when you feel rotten. Please don't be hard on yourself. I think it is amazing you have kept up as well as you have with all of the asthma setbacks. Hold tight and be patient. Things WILL get better! I don't have an excuse for my lack of drive. I have been running and working out completely out of commitment to the group! The plateau has brought my spirits down. Even preparing for a 5K has not had the excitement it should. Aren't I spoiled?? How soon do we take things for granted and want MORE! I was stuck at this weight on the way up for about a year. That was six years ago There is NO way I will be stuck here for a year on the way DOWN!! It is FILL TIME for me. At my last fill appt. in August, the doctor wanted to put in more, but I asked for a smaller fill. PB's scare the heck out of me. Now, it feels as though there isn't much restriction at all. :hungry: Isn't that why I got the band??? So, hasta la vista, I'm goin' to Mexico next week! (Where's a dancing banana with a sombrero when you need one?)

Penny, I am SO proud of you!! It is time for me to get a fill as I have maintained the same weight for about 2 months. There are about 6-7 weeks until our "bandiversary"! I am hoping to get into the 150's, so I will need that extra help. Thank you for being there the day I was banded. You gave me strength! Boo

GO DAWN!!! :canada: THAT IS THE GREATEST NEWS!!! We are all crying :Cry: because we ALL understand and are happy for you. Amourette, I live in Los Angeles. "So Cal" is short for Southern California. I'm about 30 minutes from LAX.

It feels just like the New Year's Eve countdown! I can hardly wait to cheer for everyone crossing over into the "onderland." Julie, I noticed a '0' in your "fishy ticker thing"!!! Your mom must be super-cool if she owns 200 suits! Enjoy your Dad/family and your success! Dawn, I can't believe you run with polar bears (and I am freaked out by raccoons). Betty, I'm with you. I am maintaining and look good, but am ready for another round of weight-loss. A fill is definitely in my future. (At least Roberta has some restriction now!) Enjoy my hometown, the "Emerald City." I am also interested what a "bash" is like. I think we could have our own bash. I care more about our own little group. My exercise goals are to complete this challenge, but also to prepare for a 5K in March. Slow and steady is the way I want to run. Also, I would like to beat my last time.

A marine's wife was convicted of poisoning her husband in order to get breast implants with the minimal military life insurance! There is another world out there!

Julie, congrats on your decision! Now you can plan! Go for the surgery!!! It is exciting. And your work is all going to pay off in St. Barts. Last year I splurged on a gorgeous swimsuit and cover in Maui ($500...yikes). I knew I looked large, but felt glamorous walking around the hotel and pool. I'll never fit it again, but have no regrets. I know you are on the verge of a TT and will lose more, but splurge on a great suit! You have accomplished SO much. It will make the vacation even more glorious to show it all off. I would LOVE to share my good fortune, but I can't on here. :mad: I don't want to go public with my surgery. I WILL send a private e-mail to anyone who is curious, though. My identity is not too private for our group, just too private for a public forum. Amourette, sometime when you are in L.A. could I come and workout with you?? Wouldn't that be fun? I could come to your hotel, to make it easier on you. Or we could run on the beach. THANK YOU, ALL, for your kind words about my husband. I realize that I AM in TOTAL denial!! Happy Valentine's Day XOXO

Think about this: If Anna Nicole was entitled to $450 MILLION, then her offspring would be heirs. One is already gone; Anna Nicole is gone. The only heir to her estate is her baby. If it is Stern's baby, then he would be entitled to a portion of that estate to raise the child. And of course, he would manage the funds as a lawyer? Were they in the Bahamas to get drugs more easily, manipulate the law to claim Stern as the father? I suspected that the son complained of pain and that the methadone was shared by Stern or Anna Nicole. They probably married so neither could testify against the other. Yeah, I feel sorry for her, but the poor helpless baby is the one suffering now.

Ladies, thank you for sharing your personal struggles. It is through our challenges that we relate to one another. My husband was diagnosed with valve problems a few years ago. Because he was younger, I didn't pay attention to it or believe it. I think I am still in denial that we will actually face this valve replacement surgery. His cardiologist says it is inevitable, but that we can afford to monitor his progress. What causes this problem? I can look it up online, but am not sure I want to face it. Your courage is helping me. Bluehill, I am highly honored that my "words" could be of some comfort to you. You are the eloquent writer. I hope you are enjoying your trip and feeling better! Don't let the winter doldrums keep you away. Roberta, how are your lungs? Do you have allergies in addition to the asthma? I had an acute asthma attack on Friday. It has been years since the last one. Luckily, I still carry an inhaler for emergencies. It is scary! Julie, how are you? I am worried about you moving and hurting yourself from aggravating your injured areas. This is exciting, though! On the heels of your surprising career news, I have an incredible professional offer, also. It caught me completely unprepared!! Now I must weigh some of the same factors that I read in your post. Doesn't it feel good to have the extra boost of confidence to face these opportunities? My work is higly visible, and the drop in weight seems to bring much more interest in what I do. It amazes me how others respond. My thoughts, feelings, creativity, work ethic and intelligence level have not really changed, but because my appearance has changed, I receive respect and even excitement. Even though I would love to live a more free life, I have decided to take the offer. I'm excited to see where my professional life may lead! Good night, ladies:notagree Sweet dreams!

I am also on thyroid medication AND my surgeon is Ortiz. I had NO problems at all with the surgery. The only struggle has been getting my pills down in the morning when I might be tight.

I just want to say that aside from the weight-loss, the best benefit of the band is that I don't think about food. When I have a good fill, I DO have to be careful to watch for the signs of fullness, or possible PB. But the obsession with food and eating just isn't there. The band takes care of it. It is very freeing!! Lately, the restriction is not good, so it is probably time for an adjustment on my fill level (haven't had one in six months). Without restriction, all of the old cravings and anxious thoughts over food have returned. The band is DEFINITELY a good choice for me! You chose an excellent surgeon, also!

Hey, just to give you some encouragement, check out the April bandsters from '06!! We have a running weight-loss total, but the most helpful for me has been an exercise challenge thread, just for April bandsters. A few of us participate and it has become a tremendous support. Some of us actually run now, too!! Congratulations! April is a great month to be banded.

Louise R: That is HILARIOUS!!! Maybe your Anesthesiologist was experimenting with a love potion.

You are not alone. In the beginning I felt tremendous doubt and fear at times. I didn't qualify here, so I traveled to Mexico for the surgery (desperate). But, the reason people are so happy is that there are results!! When your weight begins to drop, you will be in awe of your good fortune. Please allow yourself to heal. You just had surgery and have a bit of recovery. Stay strong!!

Hugs to everyone! This is a new challenge. We have all experienced the "high" of losing weight, meeting exercise challenges, and being part of this support group we have created. Now, life seems to be testing us all. We are learning to manage our physical and emotional pain through some extremely difficult times. Hold on, Betty! We are blessed to live in this modern world where there are options. Your husband has a dear "significant other" who will take care of him, motivate him to heal, and make each day precious. Keep your spirits high, so you can lift his. Bluehill, ouchy!!! So sorry. I wondered where you were. You deserve an excuse for your absence! Julie, are you sore from your fall? The job dilemna sounds exciting to me, because the pros of EVERY scenario are awesome. It really comes down to deciding what is most important to your happiness. I'm too much of a workaholic, so the lifestyle considerations seem attractive to me. A friend of mine (young) passed away today. She has been ill, refused nutrition, and was at peace with her decision. She was ready to "go home." Last night, the nurse told me that the body starts shutting down without Protein. She told me that even though we are an obese nation, there is rampant malnutrition that can effect our kidneys and other organs. Suddenly, my thoughts of food have changed from how little can I eat, to how efficiently can I eat. I want to nourish my body instead of starve it. Also, something strange is happening. I noticed that I've been STARVING after every run. I mean, I come in the door and head straight to the kitchen to start cooking. Now, I am getting hungry 30 minutes after I eat anything. I am worried that I have a slip from...running?? Is that possible? There is not much restriction at all. SO, please wish for me a healthy band. In three weeks I can get tested and, hopefully, filled!

Those are very good questions! I've wondered about the same things.

Hey, Audree! You are doing great! You are about the same as I am, and you don't even have a fill yet. Isn't it exciting? The BMI is deceptive. Can you imagine what Arnold Schwartzenegger's BMI might be?? Scary! But he can't possibly have much fat on him. Hooray for just a bit of spandex in jeans! I LOVE wearing a size 10!!

Ah, Julie...that is just terrible. Falling is just so traumatic. Just imagine what might have happened if you had fallen before being in such great shape. It is scary because I didn't even start wearing REAL heels until the holidays. Now I will be even more careful! I'm so sorry! Right after your big race, too! At least you WON the "snog" contest!!! Or, shall I say AMOURETTE won that one? It is fun to tease with you... LOTS OF SNOGS :kiss2: :kiss2: :kiss2: AND LOVE FOR EVERYBODY :love:

Giving up Diet Coke has been one of the most valuable aspects of being banded. My skin has improved, and I don't have that constant craving for the caffeine lift (not a coffee drinker!) Also, the caffeine-related or aspartame-related headaches are gone. I figure that I am saving $$$ also!

I wondered the same thing! I've got a fun idea, let's all guess what "snog" means!!! My guess...hmm...kiss?? Going to the gym later tonight while I can watch "American Idol."

Roberta, I am so sorry you fell. Not only is it painful, but it is also traumatic. Lots of hugs!

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: YOU DID IT!!! AWESOME TIME!!!!! Woohoo, JULIE!

GO JULIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RUN YOUR HEART OUT!!!!!!!:waytogo: :confused: :grouphug: Betty, I am so disappointed. I was scheduled to be in Seattle during that week, but had to postpone my trip! We will meet sometime! Between my trips north and your trips south, we will collide at some point. I'm happy with ANY title as long as we can keep chatting! Would it be in the general discussion or in the support section? Also, I like the idea of having a "lifestyle change" as an additional challenge/goal within our thread. There might be some April 2006 bandsters that are inspired by our progress, and would like to join, but aren't ready to exercise at the same level. We all started out slowly and have built stamina gradually. There is room here for beginners, too. On our signatures we could just state "Exercise Challenge" or "Lifestyle Change". Would that be a viable alternative that we could be comfortable with?

I just like "APRIL BANDSTERS" If you want something "catchy", we can brainstorm!!

You bring up an interesting point, Amourette. Thankfully, Roberta invited me to check out this thread. I knew joining in, that there was a commitment involved. That is what I needed, accountability. But what began as motivation to exercise regularly, has become a source of inspiration and friendship. We are helping each other to achieve our mutual goals, and to make exercise a daily regimen. I love it that we are able to share other personal issues and experiences along the way. I totally agree that anybody can join us! It was great that Miper70 left a note that we were inspiring her. (That is cool that some of our peers are checking out our progress.) As far as turning people away, I am the LAST person that would want to be part of an exclusive group. If someone cannot meet the challenge, or wants to adapt the challenge for their needs, I think they should be allowed to do it. The bottom line is that we are setting individual goals, but are challenging each other at the same time. By the way: I started the month off with 75 minutes on the elliptical and dancing for 30 minutes.

I actually went to Costco. It is a short walk from Dr. Ortiz office, but you can catch a cab, also. My husband and I bought juice and water there. At the Lucerna, order the chicken broth!! It is wonderful. And the jello is yummy, too. Congratulations!