guysis

BOOOOOOOOO - DAWNNNNNNNNN - we need you - where are you? Julie for me right now it's not should I go down more - it's I want to get back to where I was............I sort of gave up a bit a couple of months ago - when my fills were not doing the thing they were supposed to be doing.................and I was not happy with the rolls around the belly, thighs, arms, boobs down to waist.....................well I sort of turned myself off and even tho I had some restriction (it was not as before the band)..................but frightening none the less..............it was almost like I was before..............I did not get on the scale, I did not follow band rules.................I closed my eyes.........just like the "old days"......................I gained back several pounds........don't even want to tell you how much............ As of last week - I woke up! TG........ I've been back to the Betty of old (or rather new since banding)................I'm trying to get the whole thing back. So far so good. Exercise every day, I'm tracking my food, wearing my BB............... Looking at your new pics and reading about all you've been thru has again motivated me Julie..............I need to keep active on the board - I sort of gave that up too...........but, it's so inspiring............I'm back. I've said that before.........but I'm back.

You look gorgeous - why torture yourself more! Give it a break..........get well and get your levels up for the next surgery...................just maintain baby girl (that in itself is a job)............you're there! Hold on to it!!!!!!

Julie - I just replied to your PS thread - I didn't know about the new thread........................Boo, Dawn go find Julie's new thread about this latest ps.................get ready to be blown away! Julie baby.................here's to a great life as an awsome looking babe..................as awsome looking as that brain of yours is awsome, as awsome looking as the awsome way you push your body to move, as awsome looking as the way you are dealing with all the awesome head thoughts you deal with through this transformation in life...........keep movin awsome girl.......I just blown away with your awsomeness!

OH Julie - I missed this whole thread until now! I've been absent (minded) most of this month..............did look at the other first PS thread a couple of times and wondered????? Thought it was not like the Julie I know and love to not keep us up to date............................... I'm crying right now for you....................honestly the tears are flowin....................you are truely my band child and I am so filled with emotion about how gorgeous you are. You are the inspiration for us all.....................everyone, you have to know how hard this beautiful young woman has worked the past year and 1/2 (we're band month sisters (rather mother and child) of April 2006)......................she pushes her body to the max with exercise, while being the poster child for doing the right thing with her band............while working "hours and hours" at her job and then going thru all the pain of the psurgeries....................Julie - you are an awsome role model for us all! On to Dec 20th and then to life as it should be lived - with happiness, love and no more pain - emotionally and in the body.

Julie - I did just that - they're (leftovers) in the garbage as we speak - just kept the turkey. How are you doing? Are you home (NYC) yet? You must be gorgeous!!!! Post some new pics. I have a great fill - hope it lasts for a while. I'm feeling like I did months ago...................I will not let it go this long again........and I've been to the gym 2 days in a row, going again in the morning.........it was so easy to let down.....frightening.........it was easier to not go when "things" got hectic. I have to remember how important it is for me and not get distracted. Wish I could just forget about the whole weight thing - but, in this life, for me at least - I can never forget..............I do wish it were different - and I could concentrate on something else for a change - but it is not to be. Next life - 5"10 and naturally thin! Boo, Dawn, Julie hope you all enjoyed the holiday week - on to the next challenge - the month of December and all that brings! I'm back to my promise (to myself) of 6 days a week of at least an hour of exercise.

Hey guys.............we're all absent! I have an excuse - many - per usual! Had the grandkids for 10 days, Alan and I both got sick............plain old "colds".....it was rough................but, all is well now, kids are back with their parents - TG - we're back at the gym this morning, my fill kicked in.............phew! Put on my BB, weighed myself in front of Alan............he hid the scale for a week - back, back, back. This maintaining is harder than losing weight - so far I have not been successfull with the former....................I'm better with "all or nothing".............than with letting a little something in.............someday, I do have to learn tho. Happy belated Thanksgiving - glad it's over - I cooked!.........I tried to get rid of all the leftovers, but they would only take so much..................think I'm going to thow the rest down the drain!

Yes Julie, I HOPE you are right! I did go today to get my fill................and it was just that. I do not have a leak, just in need of a fill. I have not been the same for many months..............since the time I was overfilled, then got an unfil - the tech that did me took too much out and then the same tech supposidly filled me back up to my good level.................she did not tho and the next time I went in a couple of months ago was when my level was very low..............(and they thought I might have a leak)........since they did not go very high after that last one, I've been having problems, feeling not much restriction if any..........so, I'm back to a monthly routine (if not sooner) and will try to get back to that comfortable feeling I once had!!!! Our lives have been very hectic the past couple of months and I put myself on the back burner...........no more......back to Betty - however we do have to get thru the rest of this week with the grandkids..............Alan had them today (one of them was sick and home from school) while I drove up to Olympia myself................I'm proud of myself for not putting it off once again!.................Mom will be home Sunday eve........TG...............lots of running around.......shopping, feeding, puppy watching.....yikes........I'm getting too old for this stuff (not really - hopefully it'll keep us young????). With all the stuff happening I have let down on exercise also.............not completely, but some. Next week - back to normal (right!!!). Julie so happy you're on the mend. Dawn..............keep it up............without the 3 of you guys.....Julie, Dawn and Boo....................I just don't know......I'm finding it easy to slip at this stage of the game......I'm hoping this fill makes me feel like I used to.........I need my band..............I'm not like I used to be........but, it's very frightening to think that I'm slipping in that direction.

Julie - thanks for asking about my family...............all are well. This week we're kid sitting for our son and daughter-in-law.......they're in Tiland. (still don't know how to spell that)............son on business and daughter-in-law tagging along........3 busy kids..................Alan and I are taking turns sleeping at their house (it's easier)............one of us stays home with the new puppy and the other doggies...................I did tell you that we got a new little doxie? She's so cute - a long haired mini, red piebald.........needed a baby and that's the only way I'm going to get one! Julie, how long will you be home? When do you think you'll return to NY and back to work?

Julie...............how's the pain? Hurting for you (with you?)! Just think about those tight thighs - oh, I'm living thru you - just like my kids and grandkids - it's fun to live thru the youngins - just wait till you're a grammy and you'll see what I mean. Boo - I like the quoted re-commitment! I've got an appt on Tues, the 13th - could not make the one I had on the 8th - for a fill/check to see what the heck is happening................in the meantime I started on liquids and plan to stay on liquids for a couple of weeks - no matter what they find..................I've gained over 15 lbs (since my lowest weight) and am panicked.................I've been eating too much, and too often......I need to start from basics..............so am going to pretend I just got my band.............and do the liquids and then back to protein, veggies, etc...............you know the "rules"...............so frightening to think I could slip back so fast. My exercise has also not been up to what I was doing.............so yes.............a good quote -Boo.

Julie - have you already had your surgery? How are you? Thinking about you........hope the pain is not great!!!! Your run was spectacular! Wow, wow, wow! I along with your family am just blown away - Your Dad sounds like he is just so proud of your accomplishments..............so proud that you have the amazing ability to follow thru on so many levels......the weight loss, the exercise efforts..........you are my hero! Mend fast!

Woohoo Julie - are you still alive?

Julie - how was it? Saw that "Katie" ran with you! Life is still hectic............I had to put off my doc appt until the 13th! I'm trying to cope. My daughter is better and they're getting her cumadin level up to snuff so that she can get back to exercising. Our baby puppy arrived and she is so cute and sweet......just what the dr. ordered! Boo - are you OK now? Sounds like you're getting like me........Alan always calls it my "dance step" when I fall! It doesn't happen as much any more - since the weight loss - but I still go down occasionally. We have a very good friend who lost their home (and almost their lives) in Rancho Bernardo (San Diego area) in the fire........and many who had to evacuate - very frightening. The area where I lived lost many homes (my old home is still standing tho). Really the worst fire is SD area history. Dawn - yikes, Blizzard............I guess a body gets used to anything - I don't think I want to to try it tho. You are amazing and get better and better............ Julie - so now the marathon is over - you must be so excited(?) about the upcoming surgeries. I know you want to get it over and done with and then on to the next!! More busy days ahead - watching our sons 3 kids for 10 days starting on the 8th..........(they're going to Tiland (sp?) - he on business and my daughter-in-law is tagging along for fun) and my daughter Amy is now working full time and so Grammy and Poppops have Mon, Tues and every other Fri after school "duty". We love it (usually)! Have a great week everyone.

OK, I woke up in a better "mood"...............I've got to do "something" or else! On Sat we actually worked in the yard for about 4 hours, yesterday we walked to the movies, this morning I put on my BB, and am headed to the gym..........leak or no, I've got to get my head and body back! It's so frightening to think that - I can lose it so fast! I can't and won't - I've worked too hard. Julie keep up the excitement of the upcoming marathon...........and think about those toned thighs and cute butt - oh, I'm excited for you!

Hugs Julie and Dawn and Boo..............Life has been hectic and a bit depressing. Got thru the week-end of the funeral down in No. Calif.............(my daughter-in-laws Dad)................came home to my daughter having a blood clot resulting from a proceedure she had done - lazer of a varicose vein - very frightening, but hopefully now under control - she has to be on cumadin for several months. Julie - feeling the love life "loss" so much - for you! Pulling for you on your upcoming marathon. Dawn thinking of you when I go out to walk in the early morning and it's in the 30's (can't imagine how you do it with those sub - zero temps that are headed your way). Boo - you're missing - where are you? I'm not in a very good spot right now. Depressed, feeling old, feeling bored, feeling out-of-control with food, the past few weeks I've let down on my exercise. Once again, I have no restriction. I was supposed to go back up to my Doc several weeks ago, but all seemed OK - not great - but OK and I was so busy!!! Now, I have "almost no restriction".........worried that I have a leak after all. I've got an appt for the 8th to see the fill tech/nurse and then if she feels there is a problem I'll be able to see my Doctor also. I can't get in before that because I need to see my favorite tech and the Dr. (possibly) on the same day. It is a pain being so far away from my Dr. On a lighter note - we're adopting a new "baby"...............don't freak - it's a new puppy. We are doggie people..............we already have a 5 year old red longhaired dauchshund (Zoe) and a 6 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Phoebe) and our new puppy is a Red Piebald Longhaired adorable little girl (Lucy). She's being flown up here from No. Calif on Thurs. I needed a new baby to cheer me up and this is the only way I'm going to get one!

Julie - go "gaga" - oh to be young and gaga - you lucky kid you! Have fun. Boo - I'll kick your tush! But, I need a kick back! Don't know why but, I've been lethargic the past couple of weeks.......still getting in our walks, but the gym has not seen this face or tush in a week or so! My weight is up a few more #'s (I'm up almost 10 pounds from my lowest).............I had an appt for a check and possible fill today (to check if I possibly have a leak)........had to cancel because Alan and I are off to Sacramento to go to my Daughter-in-law's Dad Memorial Service................the poor man finally passed away from his horrible cancer fight. The past few weeks have been hard on Alan and I - we really loved this man - he was a great guy and it was hard for us to hear about how much he suffered.........think it's hitting close to home - the growing older thing. You all have a great rest of the week - we'll be home on Sat eve and I'll check in.

Julie - This old grammy feels for you - you are going thru a lot of pain (to the young body and mind)..............but, just think how wonderful that you "found" this at your young age - some might have been "wasted" (on being overweight and not living thru those young wonder years like all the normalies) - but kiddo - there's so much more coming for you - Thank G.. you'll get to live the rest in comfort and joy! In our next lives maybe we'll be 5'9" and 120 #'s just naturally................not sure I believe in all that next life, so I'm content (most times) to know that I'll be a somewhat thin Grammy for the rest of my years! Sounds like your Dad is giving good advice - take the weight of today and start to live with it - like you said you know you're in for at least these next 2 surgeries - pounds will come off with each and you can re-evaluate each time. After all that talk the last couple of months for me - I think I'm going to finally accept the 170ish #'s (way too overweight for a normal 5'3 er)....................but, so much better for a 70ish grammy who has never been "normal". I give in. Now on to life in my normal lane! I think maybe it will be a big lift off my brain - to just go with it! Had a fun couple of days with the girls at the beach.......stormy, but pretty............ Our in -law is still fighting his cancer - but I think nearing his end............it's been very hard on the kids and grandkids.....we still don't know exactly when we'll be traveling down to Sacramento.

Great Thanksgiving messages! I'm busy - fine - going away with the Mah Jong girls for a few days to the rainy beach........be back on Wed! Have a great few days! Good with exercise - not so good with tracking food......hate it......going to give up and just do the exercise and let my band handle the rest!

Dawn a Medium - oh my, oh my G.. especially in a probably cheap T-shirt! You must look awsome. So proud of you and my X-buddies. Off to Mah Jong today and want to get NIA in first - so, I'll check in later.

Julie - give me a couple of months to see how I'm doing with the preliminary "training"..................see how my body adjusts to the every dayish thing and if I can do one - I think I'll be able to do 2 with a month inbetween........if I feel that I can only do 1..................I'll give up the April one and wait for you until May..............deal? Julie that weight "not lost" might be you buffing up with muscle??? I've found that if I exercise more and eat more to compensate my body won't move in weight loss...........so I'm not sure I totally believe fully in calories in vs calories out (at least at some point) - or maybe I'm just fooling myself into believing the amount of calories in???? (more than I think)......I'm really going to give this bodybugg a chance now and "see". My goal is to have a 1000 cal deficit.........So for this month at least - I pledge to myself (again)..........one day down! Yesterday was an awsome exercise day - did an hour of NIA, 1/2 hour of Core and an hour of Strenth training...........then in the afternoon walked for an hour.....yes, I'm sore, but feeling good about myself. This morning our 3 mile (round trip) to breakfast. So today is easy, but I'll count it!

Woohoo Julie - I'm so exciting for you about the dating game! Your new world will only get better and better. Keep us posted - with details! Getting excited for you regarding your PS! Getting excited about your Marathon.................go Julie. So much excitement right now - wow you must be spinning! Boo - being unfilled sucks! I did not like it at all..................made me upset that I did not have "it" under control..............but, that is why I got the band............hopefully I'll have it forever!!!! These bodies of ours just don't always want to be in the best of shapes (health wise that is - pains, bruises) I know with me age and the extra weight I carried for so many years has taken it's toll............just hope we can check it in the bud and that aging slows down a bit with all the good stuff we are doing for ourselves. Don't know when we'll be in Sacramento yet Boo..........Courtney's Dad is still haning on.............just waiting to get the call that they need us.................so far they're handling it OK without us. Well I'm back trying to "hit it" again. Put on the Bodybugg today to start the new month.................plan on tracking those calories in and out..................starting my 1/2 marathon walking training..............or at least to start for the first 2 or 3 months - walk an hour (about 3 miles) daily in addition to getting back to my at least 4 times a week NIA class and at least 2 times a week strength training!!!!!! - I did slack off a bit during the summer. After the new year if all goes well with my bodies ability to keep up - I'll start the 1/2 marathon training schedule that I found on-line. Julie, I'm still planning on doing that 1st week in April here in town and if you still want to plan on coming out I'll do another one with you................like I said there is another in Eugene (where the U of Oregon is) that is walker friendly as well. It's on May 4th, 2008 (Eugene Marathon). Boo want to join us???? Dawn????? I know all you poor working youngins don't exactly have the free time that I do!

Yeah Dawn..................strut those size 10's!

I'm alive and kicking! Been busy. Had a good exercise week, did something every day except yesterday! I'm at that spot that Julie just talked about - but am still fighting it! I think realisticly this is it - it would be very hard to maintain less than this..........................however I really don't believe it (or want to believe it) yet!!!!!! Every week I say "give it that last push"...............but, so far I have not been able to maintain the push. Don't know when it will finally hit me....................maybe never. Don't know if that's good or bad? Some local friends are going to train with me for the walking 1/2 marathon.................we're starting off trying to work up to at least 15 miles a week for a few months and then when we accomplish that will start on one of the actual 1/2 marathon training schedules the last 3 months. Hopefully starting next week. My daughter-in-law's father is in the last stages of a horrible cancer fight - has colon cancer and they were going to go in and give him a colostomy because the tumers are blocking......but they found out last night that they would not even attempt the surgery.............and they are sending him home on hospice............so probably only days for the very wonderful man - he's been as my son would say a "f........warrior" the past few years...........he's a few years older than Alan.............and our other daughter-in-laws father is in a nursing home recovering from bad stuff............he also is a few years older than Alan.................but, it's been making us feel very vulnerable!!!! We might be driving down to Sacramento where our kids live to take care of the kids so my son can be with his wife and family (they live in Sonoma).

Julie - I'm 5 or 6 hours by car from Vancouver Canada.......but, I think I may have found something in Vancouver, WA that is just across the river (1/2 hour away) ................busy yesterday and didn't have a chance to really look - think it's the end of April. I'll follow up.

Julie...............We will definately find another one! I talked to my Mah Jongg friends and they're wanting to "train" with me (2 others) and maybe even join us in the 1/2 Marathon. We'll see what we can find. I'll keep looking. Boo, maybe you'll be able to join us in it also.................another time??????

Julie and (?) Boo, Dawn......????? I found a 1/2 marathon or 5K walk/run in Portland on April 6th, 2008.................. (Albertina Kerr Centers Race for the Roses) check it out! ................so Julie - is that approx 13 miles? Do you think I would be able to train and do that? Julie................you'll have to be my trainer and help me work out a training schedule.................I can also ask them to help me at my gym or maybe I can find something online. When we were in NYC, Alan and I walked all day (of course with rests inbetween) - I think I could do it????? That sure would help me increase my fitness goals! Tracy - you are doing awesome and you look great in your update photos! All you runners blow my mind - I'm excited about the walking training and increasing my times - so I can brag too!