krtork

L.O.V.E. the cake! Great job! Now, do you want to do another and send it to Oregon?? LOL! I can't believe that is your first time. If I bust out and try it, I will post a pix - but don't get too excited.

I teach marketing and general business courses to high school students. I am also the DECA advisor and I love it - if I couldn't teach marketing with DECA I would find a new career! I am also a mom to two beautful children, 4 dogs and one horse. Oh yeah, and the wife of my best friend!

1. Were You Named After Anyone? My middle name is my mom's first name, which is also my DD middle name. 2. When was the Last time You Cried? My DD high school graduation. 3. Do You like Your Handwriting? Handwriting - no, I always print & I like that! 4. What Is Your Favorite Lunch meat? Ham 5. Do You have Kids? DD - 17 (turns 18 on Tuesday) & DS - 15 6.If You were Another Person, Would You be Friends with You? Heck yah! 7. Do you use Sarcasm a lot? Who me? 8. Do You still have Your Tonsils? Yep! 9. Would You Bungee Jump? Nope - very strong fear of heights! 10. What is Your Favorite Cereal? Preband - Apple Jacks, postband - oatmeal with a tbs. of honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon. 11. Do You untie Your Shoes when You take them off? Never 12. Do You think You are Strong? Yes 13. What is Your Favorite Ice Cream? Vanilla base with anything chocolate and peanut butter in it! Yumm! 14. What is the First thing You notice about People? Facial expression & body language 15, Red or Pink? Hmm, PINK! 16. What is The least thing You like about Yourself? That I let so much of my life go by before taking charge with my band! 17. Who do You Miss the Most? My grandma Kathryn - awesome lady! 18. What Color Pants and Shoes are Wearing now? Hot pink Nike capris, barefoot 19. What was the Last thing You Ate? Chips and guacamole (my weakness) 20, What are You listening to now? Television droning in the background 21 If You were a Crayon what Color would You be? Uh, bright PINK! 22. Favorite Smells? My dogs feet & my horses breath - I'm weird! 23. Favorite Sports to Watch? Anything my kids are playing - Volleyball is #1 24. Hair Color? Light brown 25. Do You Wear Contacts? Nope, but I have had bifocals since I was in 4th grade! 26. Favorite Food? Lasagna 27. Scary Movies, or Happy Endings? Scary movie 28. Last Movie You saw? Star Wars IV - watched it with my kids this morning. 29, Color Shirt/Blouse You are Wearing? Uh, pink & grey striped tank top. 30. Summer or Winter? Summer - I can be outside more! 31. Favorite Dessert? Ice cream 32, Favorite Place ever Traveled? Nashville, TN! Love the place! 33, Where would You like to Travel Next? I've never been to Hawaii and I would love to go someday. 34. What Book are Reading now? Vision of Sugarplums - Janet Evanovich 35, Where were You Born? Long Beach, CA 36. Big Band or Rap? Big Band 37. Interesting Fact about Me? I was a horse trainer for a couple of years before I became a teacher. 38. What did You Watch on Televison Last Night? What Not to Wear 39. Beatles or Rolling Stones? Beatles 40. Do You have a Special Talent? I don't really have any talents - I can park a trailer anywhere you want it! Drives guys nuts!

Well, I haven't hit any of my goals. I feel like I am floating in the no loss, no gain zone - for over 3 months now! So I am going to push really hard to hit 185 by Aug 5. That will be just over 1lb per week. I can make my weight go down, I can make my weight go down, I can make my weight go down. If I say it enough maybe it will work????

Michelle~ Hang in there! You will make it to the 24th, it will be here before you know it. Try to find something to do and take your mind off the hunger. You can do it!

Kathy~ love the cake, how cool is that. I might have to give the cake thing a go. My DD has her b-day coming up and she wants a fancy cake - they are sooo spendy though! Take a pic and let us see how it turns out!

You go girl! What an accomplishment! I bet you feel great!

Bill - I hear you on that! I tend to eat when I am bored, so I try to stay as busy as possible and running, cycling and swimming has done that for me. Summer is the worst, because I am off of school and home, too easy to open the cabinet/fridge and find something to stick in my mouth. As far as stress eating, I definitely do that during the school year, I used to come home immediately and open the cabinets/fridge to find something to put in my mouth. Now I come right home and head to my room and change into my workout clothes and head out the door. I will also leave right from school and head to the pool - it is only 2 blocks away, and swim before I head home! Exercise has been a huge plus for me this past year!

Call your doc and make that appt! You will be glad that you did. I know how busy you must be with school, but you need to try and squeeze in at least 30min a day for some exercise. I call it my "me time". Even if you just walk around the block, you will be taking a step in the right direction. Once you get started you will see that the time is there, you just need to figure out how to fit it in! Did you see a nutritionist when you had your surgery? Maybe you could check back in and get some hints and ideas that follow along with your docs recommendations for eating. I try to go high Protein, low carb - try is the opperative word! I have been struggling with the carbs again! I try to get in 80-90g of protein each day and then have some veggies and fruits along with it. I think the hardest part is the portion control. Try to measure what you eat for awhile and that should help you get a good feel for what a portion really is. Make sure you stop drinking at least 15 min before you eat and don't drink again until an hour after you eat. This will help you feel full for longer. I know this is basic info for bandsters, but sometimes we just need to go back to basics to get headed in the right direction again! Keep us posted and let us know how you are doing!

Welcome to LBT! You will find great support here. Since you have had your surgeries, have you had a fill? Are you feeling any restriction? That would be the first place I would start in trying to get back on track and to start losing again. Are you exercising? I know that has been a real plus for me. Of course, I have been stuck at the same weight for awhile now, and I need to pick up my exercise and get moving more than I have been and see if the weight will move down again!

Hang in there! You will feel this way many times during your journey. At the beginning it is rough because everything you are doing is new! This is a lifestyle change and it will be rough, just keep your eye on your new future and all that it will bring you. I am almost one year out and still sometimes scream to take the band out and just let me eat! Argh, and then I am over it and go about my day and I am thankful that I have lost the weight and I am active and healthy! Hang tough, you will get through this!

Almost every restaurant I have been to has been cooperative. I have only had to show my card one time. I just let the waitress know that I have had weight loss surgery if they ask. Most of the time they don't even ask and I just order from the kids menu. We went to a Pasta place for the dinner the other night in a large group and I just ordered the vegitarian pasta without the pasta. The veggies were great! I think you can also be creative in your ordering to get what you want too. I will also order a Protein (chicken, shrimp, etc) and then share the veggies from my husband's plate. You can order off the appetizer menu too. I have not had problems ordering at Applebee's, Out Back, Olive Garden, Johnny Carinos, and Red Robin.

This is a great suggestion. I lost a lot of weight right at the beginning and have found that I have been stuck the past four months. My exercise routine has been pretty much the same, so I have been trying to step it up and mix it up. I have been sitting at 193 and cannot shake it! I have been tracking my food and have found that I am not getting in enough Protein and tend to snack on those days. So I have been working on eating better and more consistently and making sure I am not eating "slider" foods, but solid foods. The honeymoon is over! Argh! My weight won't budge!

Beth~ I feel for you. I have two kids, 17 and 15, my daughter (oldest) definitely picked up on the food issues. She does sneak, that is something I used to do also. She and I have had candid conversations about food and the issues that lie around it. I try to make sure that there are healthy food choices in the house, but I hear the same groaning about "nothing to eat". I also try to focus on serving size - that is a huge issue. I remember when I went to my info meeting, there was a gal that said she raised two different children. One of her kids was born before she had her surgery and the other after. She said they are very different eaters and guess which one is over weight. It is amazing what impact environment has on our children! I try to set a good example at home for the kids. My son was heavier in middle school, but he is mister active and has definitely trimmed down since starting high school. He is always doing something and uses the weights we have at home and trys to get out and run, etc. My daughter is not voluntarily active. She does need a push, but I remember how that was as a kid - just made me go eat in secret! Argh! During this summer the kids and I are going on a hike every Wed. My husband is at work and I thought it would be a great way to get the three of us out of the house, get some activity in and see some great sites! I try to keep the snack foods out of the house - that is definitely one of my weaknesses. Try to offer healthy choices (which you are doing), provide opportunities to get in some exercise and give as much positive reinforcement as you can for good choices. I don't know, I am with the rest of you on that. It is a choice that we made for ourselves, but it is also a lifestyle change that has a huge impact on our families. I am rambling now, but I am sure, Beth, that you are not the only one facing this issue. It will be interesting to see how others are handling this issue with their families.

I would second what Bill says! Get out and do a 5K - almost every race in our area is run/walk. There are tons of people out of all abilities and it is a fun gathering of people. Gotta love the shirts! I had my Pacific Crest shirt on when I went to the pool this morning and ended up in a great conversation with the director at the pool. The shirts are definitely fun to wear and you are almost always supporting a great cause when you participate in a 5K. Gotta get out and hit the pavement this afternoon! Want to put in at least 2 miles, if not 3!

Kathy~ That would be so great if you were selected - you deserve it, you are an inspiration for many of us! Keep us posted when you hear something. How exciting!:thumbup:

Ran 5K number 3 on Sunday - did better than I thought I would since I have not been super motivated to train lately! I ran in 35.48, slower than my 2nd, but faster than my 1st! I am looking forward to running again this weekend. Have another 5K that is the same route as the sprint tri I am doing in a couple of weeks. Thought it would be a good run through.

That is so amazing! You should be proud of yourself. :thumbdown: That is my goal for my one year - don't think I will hit it, but I will keep trying!

Up 2lbs, I was down 2 lbs on Thursday, so basically went up 4 lbs in one day - hmmm. I actually had a really good eating week and have been getting in my exercise. I have a 5K on Sunday - will be a slow one, but I am getting my fanny out there and doing it! WTG Losers! Keep up the good work.

I love my nike capri running tights, very comfortable. They are a great fabric and very breathable. They stay put and don't slip down. Personally, I would go with a running tight, not something from one of the apparel stores. I usually wear a short sleeve or sleeveless running top. I have several sports bras, but don't have a fav brand, I try them on and see what is supportive - it does make a difference in comfort while running. Good luck with your upcoming race!

I have been slacking and I ran a 5K tonight in my slowest time ever! Argh, have a race this weekend and I was hoping to not be slower than I have been. Guess that proves that training is essential and you can't just skate on by! I have been exercising, but I really love my swimming and biking. Need to get back to running, as I barely made the 3.1! Oh well, done beating myself up - need to push it when I hit the road and hope for the best on Sunday!

I hear you on the brain catching up! I still have to double take when I see myself walk by in a window or when I am looking at pictures, I think, "who is that lady?" I was in shopping the other day and I get self-conscious thinking that the sales people are wondering why I am looking in the "normal" people section. I wish my brain would catch up - of course I felt pretty hot in the size Large dress I bought! LOL!:sad:

Well, back to 193, but I will take it. I have been tracking this week and realize that my Protein intake has been a bit low. So, I have been working on getting in more protein during the day. I have also gotten back on track with daily cardio, not occasional cardio. Hoping the tracking will pay off with a number below the dreaded 193 next week! WTG to all you losers this week and keep working at it to those that are on a plateau!

Claudine, I am glad that you are over the fear - you are on your way! Running is such a great release, I really get cranky when I miss my runs! BillOh, Congrats on turning 50! Must feel great to hit that milestone and be a healthier you! Good luck with the 5K, you are rockin' it with great times! I need to get my fanny out and moving, have a 5K next weekend and don't feel ready for it. I may post my slowest time yet - argh! Off to cardio/strength training and putting in a run or bike ride this evening!

Well, I have recommited to running, got a bit lazy there for awhile! I started off this morning with a 2 mile run, my iPod was out of batter charge so I ran without. I almost used it as an excuse not to go. Second thought was that I don't run with it during races, so I was pretty sure I could do the 2 miles without it and guess what, I did!