Kat817

Hi guys! I met Schel on another thread, she was needing some inspiration, and I thought maybe a challenge was what she was needing!!! Today, I managed to get to Curves, and also lugged a sleeping 21 pound 2 year old all the way through the mall!!! Now I have lost the equivalent of 3 1/2 of her----how the hell did I "carry" all that weight around? I was weak in the arms, and even my legs felt rubbery after carrying her that far, while she was dead weight as she slept. I only got 40 ounces of water in, but also had a huge Sonic Ice Tea, and am drinking more tea now....but now it is home brewed and decaffeinated. So I should be ok, on all fronts today. Thanks for all the kind words concerning my Aunt. I know this is how she would have chose it if she had been given an option. She was severely diabetic the last few years, and was going to lose her leg, during the amputation surgery she suffered a massive stroke, and never recovered. She was 86 years young, and vivacious, but also VERY vain!!! Always perfectly groomed, and color coordinated...and the sweetest smile. She hated the thought of losing her leg...so while it was sad, I know she would have preferred it this way. As for the exercise Julie, it was a driving need to just get out and get some air! I enjoy my walks at home, but this was a different thing...kind of a personal meditation time, time to reflect....I don't know, but I felt better afterwards. Welcome Dawn---and you too Schel---let's kick December's butt!!! I hear ya on the cold, it is all of 15 out right now here and it isn't even 8PM yet. Will be another single digit night. My fire is burning, and feels so good!!! I hauled wood in, and warmed up doing that before I ever lit the thing!!! Kat

Lol Mandy! I thought about the same episode, mostly because her EX reminds me so much of Ross it is pathetic, the same pouty little boy look!!! Everyone mentions it! She checks in every few hours through the day---I have her baby that she has never been away from before! She assures me she will come back single, but also admitted a few minutes ago, that she does have a "keeper". She said she brought $200.00 back and put in the safe in her room, and took the $90.00 to play with. I guess they already have bought several things to bring back to the girls. This afternoon I have his DD as well as my granddaughter, his Mom who is keeping her, has a dental appointment. She is a sweetie. I bought some sugar cookie decorating kits at the store. So we are going to make some cookies to have for when their Mommy & Daddy get home tomorrow. Get this my grandaughter is Kinsey, she just turned 2. His DD, is Lindzie, she is 5. Talk about tongue twister---Lindzie and Kinsey! I don't know if you knew this or not Mandy--but I also have an Abbey! And my Amanda was usually Manda, but in 5th grade she decided she was going to be Mandi---with an I...she wanted to dot it with a little heart! Still to this day my DH will call her "Mandi with an I", to which she will reply "OK Ricky with a Y" which is what his Mom calls him!!! Such love!!! Anyway your Mandy and Abi always make me think of MY Mandi and Abbey!!! Kat

Yeah, I did the same thing!!! I had pudding.......but who knew!!!??? I would say maybe half that. You can always add more as you go, to get the flavor...and it is much easier than trying to thin it down again! I also used SF syrups, and peanut butter, even yogurt to flavor my shakes. It gets kinda monotonous, so variety helps!! Good Luck to you!! Kat

Great Job!!! I love the inspiration these posts and photos give me!!! You have done a wonderful job, you look great! Kat

Well Schel, maybe you were not emotionally ready for this journey until now. If you feel ready to make that step and get busy with it, then we are here to help you. And if that requires my size 8 1/2 to your hind end...then so be it!!! Seriously tho---get that fill, and we can challenge one another to get it done. You and I began at the same weight, though you are younger than I am by several years. There are times I think there is no way I am 46--then other days I feel every second of it! I was banded in April, and we have a challenge going that for 17 days in the month of December, we will work out, in anyway we choose, whether it is walking on a treadmill, outdoors, kickboxing, whatever we choose, anything to remain active, for at least 35 minutes a day. We also are striving to keep our fluid intake up. Why don't you try to keep up with us!! It isn't a daily thing, so I am usually able to make the challenge, but I also know if others weren't waiting to see if I did it or not, I might not! Are you still experiencing hunger? If so maybe this fill will help! If not, then it is the dreaded head hunger thing---we were just discussing that we all have it. Sounds to me like you are ready to make the turn around---and we will be here to push you and pull you along---next week it may be YOU doing the pushing--thats the great thing about this site! You never have reason to feel bad, there is always someone there to help you! Good Luck---check back in with us!!! When is your fill appointment? Kat

Good Luck on your fill!!! Don't expect miracles with it, and be patient, it takes each of us different time, to reach that point of restriction we need. But you will get there---we all do!! Look forward to reading about your fill experience! Good Luck with the scale---but remember, it is only part of the equation, take measurments, inches fall off even when pounds don't! And you are regaining health with this---which is #1!!! Once again---good luck!!! Kat

Morning everyone! Notice I did not say good....! My DH has a group going to be at work late tonight, so he will have to stay with them, so he went in late. Well I cooked breakfast. Would have been fine if I had left it at that, but oh hell no---I ate it too. Now I am overfull, and bordering on slime city. Dummy me! Been having the same problem with the stew. I ate all day the last couple of days, fairly normally. I ate my usual yogurt & granola for breakfast (shoulda stuck to it today!), and I had eaten Chex mix with the granddaughter, even ate 1/2 a sandwich with her...all no problem, but I cannot eat the stew. The meat is so tender it is falling apart....I do ok, if I stick to picking out the meat, but the potatoes, are getting me I think. I sent the last of it to work with DH so I won't attempt it again! It is pretty wierd, I seldom have trouble eating anything. Might have to do a day or 2 of liquids & mushies, and see if I irritated my stomach with the stew. Plus I have not been walking each morning like I always did. But with having the granddaughter here, and the temps in the single digits---it's not happening!!! My DD is in Vegas, she went with several friends, a couple of whom are getting married. She called last night and had just won $290.00 and was thrilled!! She said she was on her way to cash out! Hope she keeps her head with it. She has been dating a new guy--a boy/man (I watched them grow up---will they every quit being boys??)she went to school with. He has full custody of his 5 year old daughter. They are here a lot, and I think it is much more serious than I realized before! They didn't say anything along that line, but watching them interact with one anothers girls...is very telling. They were here for the granddaughters birthday, and my DD had a small gift for his DD she gave her before the party started, told her since she was such help picking out the gifts she found a little one for her too. Awhile before the party my DD's cell phone rang, and it was her ex. He wanted to know what they were doing for Kinsey's birthday--she told him they were getting ready to have a party for her. He kept saying "I wish I could come and see her" DD told him he could have her the next day even tho it was not his visitation if he wanted to have a party for her himself. He refused, saying he didn't have anyone to invite. They hung up, she and the BF talked, and she ask DH and I, if it was a problem to let him come by, since it was an hour or so before the party. We were eating. We'd ordered in pizza, and had the family in, and were having the party at 7. So she tells him, and in a few minutes he and his roomate (a guy that he was in the service with, they knew him from the time they were stationed in Hawaii). They come in, they kept staying, soon people started showing up. They helped themselves to pizza. The Bf's DD was playing with a balloon, and the ex started bouncing it back and forth with her--well that's all it takes with a 5 yr old, he ended up playing with her for a loooong time--you should have seen the look on his face when she run up to her Dad--you could tell the ex had no idea who the kid was, I mean there were a lot of kids here!! It was so funny! Anyway, he hung out forever. My DD and the Bf, went outside with my best friend (she is a smoker) and the roommate damn near mowed down kids following them out. It was so wierd. She said the roomate kept trying to touch her, nothing serious, just on the arm, or a hand to her back, but way too close, invading her space she said. She said that was the wierdest part of the night for her!!! As a whole they handled it very well---very adult. Maybe they can continue it for the little one's sake. So he calls me this morning (there IS a point to this story---kinda), and wants to know why Amanda won't answer her phone. I tell him she is still in Vegas, he says he knows that but wants to talk to her. I told him sorry, she is on roam, so the only way to reach her is to call the Bf's phone. He was MAD!!! I ask him if it had to do with Kinsey--he said no, he wanted to discuss something else with her, that his attorney told him, that it was really unwise to remarry within a year of divorcing! Finally figured it out---he thinks she is off getting married. I ask if he was off, and wanted to see the DD he said no he was working, and then was going to leave and go on vacation too. He is King of the Liars Club, I tell ya. He tells us on her B-day that he bought her a $1300.00 playground set at Sam's Club for her birthday, but he is waiting to have them deliver it until summer so she isn't tempted to play on it in the cold. Yeah uh-huh---Sam's is gonna not only hold it for that long, but they are gonna deliver it---he must have pull! Sure hope there is not a gene for lying tendencies, I sure do not want my Granddaughter to lie like that! Ok I am through venting----thanks guys! When I tell DH he stresses over "fixing it" all day at work. When I tell my Mom, she is not good at hiding her feelings, and will be very rude next time, and we are trying not to be that way around their daughter. So poor you---you had to hear it all! Sure am glad you are all here!!! ((((Big Hugs)))) thanks!!! Kat

Service with a smile....wow I had forgot all about that!!! Seriously tho--thanks for caring what we thought about it, I know it was something that took a lot of time. It is great now, we can see all we need to without moving the page! Thanks again! Kat

Dark meat chicken is usually mush more moist than the white meat. I was not allowed chicken until I went to solids, but, if your Dr. ok'd it, then I would just take it VERY slow, chew until there is nothing left to chew....and only try a couple of bites and see how it goes. Just do not over do anything on your stomach, you are still healing, and want it to heal well! That's great about your weight loss---now some of it might come back as you introduce more food, until you can up your exercise a bit. But it will go away again. Keep up the great work!!! And welcome to Bandland and another BIG welcome to LBT!!! Feel free to hang out and ask any questions you have, we will try to help you along! Kat

Sounds like we are gonna have to polish up my ol size 8 1/2's so I can give ya a good swift kick to get you started!!! LBT will be here when you are done!!! Get that education taken care of girl!!! Kat

http://www.bmi-calculator.net/ Use this and it should let you work around til you find where you want to be, and track your progress as you go! Good Luck Kat

Hi all--just got back from attending my Aunt's funeral. I took a walk while there, I tried to keep within a "find my way home" distance!!! I was only gone for 30 minutes, so spent another 15 or so in my room doing floor exercises, so I could count the day. It was too damn cold out there walking, to let it go without counting!!! My Aunt would have been so proud of me! Tonight, after I put my granddaughter to bed (she is staying with us for 3 days while Mommy is off having some much deserved fun time in Las Vegas while a friend is getting married), I will use my treadmill---and hopefully finish the chapter on the book I am reading, or at least trying to read. I took my folks to the funeral with me, and my Dad, talked my leg off, bless him! So no reading, now the little one...no reading. So maybe on the treadmill---crazy, now I am looking forward to it!!! Gotta Go bbl Kat

Another thought just hit me~ If you do not already have yoru own personal checking account, go get one started. If you do, write checks for everything, skip the debit card for now. What I was thinking of was the DD's school lunches---write the check---he should be paying that too! Keep proof of those things--your check or copy if your bank just sends them is all the proof you need! Kat

I personally say if he is going to play assinine children's games, then let him! He will not want to live in a home with no electricity---and he should not want your DD to. Especially if that bill comes in his name---quit paying your so called half and buy what you need to eat. When he gets sick of it, HE can initiate legal action--or sit on it and spin! Tell him, then follow through that the next time he takes the car with no warning you will consider it stolen---and make the report. You will then have a copy of the police report to take with you to court. I agree that it sounds like your kids have adjusted, and I would imagine his infantile behaviour embarasses his DD. It would me! I mean give me a break! Stand up to him, quit pussy footing around him, and get the law involved if need be. Do not stoop to his level of foolishness, if he moves it, leave it be, and buy your own rather than paying for the electric bill or whatever payment you choose. When the court settles the finances, there should be some CS involved, but the amount may vary depending on how they settle the custody. If it is shared, then it may not amount to a lot. Are you fighting to stay in a home you will later not be able to afford alone? I hate to sound negative, but you have to be realistic about it. If it is going to be more than you can handle should he bail and not pay you any CS (and it can happen, I raised one with none, and gave them all the necessary info on him, still nothing), you need to be in a position to support yourself and your DD. If that means downsizing, then maybe the time has come to do just that, and take the DD with you. I would suggest finding a living arrangement where the CS would be nothing more than a play bonus---do not make your life style dependent upon it. There is nothing illegal about him changing jobs, and flipping burgers...and the CS would diminish considerably. The best time to begin looking out for yourself and your future is now. You gave him a chance to show he wanted to save this marriage, and while you have made the begining moves of splitting, he obviously does not want it either, or he would be moving heaven and earth to win you back...and he is instead pushing you further away. Do whatever you have to so, to begin a new life for yourself. Make a statement! You're losing the weight, now time for the next move...go back to school, color your hair red...something, make up your mind to be happy, and move on! The very best revenge is a well lived, happy life. Start yours. We are always here to help hold you up when you waver----and even when we say things that might not set well with you, we do it because we truly feel it is what we would do in the situation. I do understand you want to keep your house...just make sure you re not using up all your energy and emotion to keep it, only to lose it later---if that is a worry, then let go of the stress it is involving by living with him, and cut your losses. Can he keep it without you and buy you out???? You may come out further ahead...think about it!!! We are here---anytime! Kat

Not to sound at all ungrateful, as I know it was a lot of work, but I too would prefer to have the new posts to the left, so I don't have to scroll my screen left to right unless I have a need to see who the top poster is. As it is, when I scroll to the right to view it, then it has to go back to the left for the posts to be in correct viewing position. Maybe like Nathalie said, towards the lower screen with the current users, and chat room activity, birthday area. It really doesn't matter, I am gonna be here using it anyway!!! And I do appreciate the efforts to keep everything updated--you rock! Kat

Mandy--Abi looks like she had a great time!! I wanted to walk out & take your DH a cap, his ears looked cold!! That's the Mom in me I suppose!! We have frigid temps, but little moisture, is only 10 out right now and it is only 6:30 PM, so it will be another night of negative numbers. My woodstove is working over time! Darcy--good to see you. I think Chris has an excellent idea, with involving a news show. One that does consumer reporting. They often will go to any length to avoid the bad public press. I am famous with my daughters for telling a man at a local appliance store "This is a little town and I have a big mouth!" Something about that comment they refuse to let me live down!! Good Luck! Kathy--different site, same good wishes on the no smoking!!! It is hard, but will get easier each day--you have the worst behind you!! Anne--the visual in your story was great!!! You poor thing! I can't help wonder if there is anyone in the waiting room, who still talks about that day too!!! Sherry--My Gt. Gma. had a wringer washer, and we begged to play with it...but were never allowed. Now I see why, and why in the world did a washing machine sound fun to play with anyway??? Unless you were sledding on the lid! Chris--I know, I love the fact that she is 2, and has her own personality. I always loved, her, but love watching her own little person delvelop. Being able to spend lots of time with her helps!! Patty--I should have sent my granddaughter with you...yesterday was her birthday too!! Hope Lewis had a blast!!!Happy birthday to him!! She had such fun at her party last night, she is hilarious! She would open a gift, and rather than just say thank you (which she does VERY well), she would go in for a hug, and then just start around the room. We would have to redirect her back to the gifts...she is such fun! She shared much better than I had anticipated. She is staying with me for the next few days, her Mama is going to Las Vegas. I am jealous of that too....LV, Disney.....and here I am at home! Beannie---Yankee candles sells a candle shaped air freshener that smells like Pine--a few years ago it was actually called Christmas tree. Take it and hide it in the branches of your artificial tree...sounds silly, but when you walk in and smell it...it feels right! Cindy--most of my decorating is done, I have an arch to do, we waited because I had a birthday banner across it. The tree is up, and hopefully will stay that way, if my grandson is watched closely!! He is into EVERYTHING!!! We bought a new bed a couple of years ago, and we love it. I had my down comforter over me, and snuggled down in the bed this morning, and slept hard!!! I used to couldn't sleep that way, I would be sore. I attributed a lot of it to my weight, but then we bought the new mattress, and it made a huge difference! Eileen--DH is pretty close to being back to normal. He has changed how he does things at work, and that alone is helping him heal. The sternum is still sore after a long day...but will heal eventually the Dr. said. Pat---what are you doing?? Where are you at?? Did that big new tree fall on you??? Betty--I keep forgetting you actually have to buy the lotto tickets to win....when it gets huge and everyone is talking about it, I go get one, otherwise it just slips my mind! Mary--how's things at work? What fun weekend things did you and the kiddos do? Cassie--how you feeling? If I missed anyone it was unintentional...blame it on the old brain!! Well I put a big old pot of stew on to...stew! before I left to go to the funeral today, so it is ready when DH gets home. It was sooooo cold in Colorado today for the funeral. It was nice seeing some of the family. I appreciate everyones kind words. She was the last of my great Aunts. I guess I will go get comfy---these clothes seem way too formal for wearing around the house. But the fact that I have had them on this long is good...pre banding I would have been out of them and into my jammie pants in 10 seconds flat, ready to breath again!!! But I have room!! TTYL Kat

Dainty---now at 5'9" and my weight, that is not a word I have EVER used or thought about in connection to myself. It would be to incredible for words!!! Kat

I posted in December----and it is December!!! I usually forget!! See ya all there! Kat

I know exactly what you are saying Betty--my DH is weighing in between 205 & 210.....and I am hot on his heals at 216....I cannot wait to be below him!!! He hauled my fat butt around on the motorcycle when I was 289 pounds....so I am totally excited about dropping into the 100's and going riding! I am very active on another thread here on LBT as well, and many of them are further along on their band journey than we are. So I ask them if they had any clues to our group fall off the wagon thing! They responded with several ideas. As they pointed out, even though we don't all clebrate the holidays, the huge influx of food in the stores, and commercials, it all hits at you whether you celebrate the same holidays or not. They also mentioned a form of Seasonal Affective Disorder, saying that it has been shown that the chemicals in your body react differently, causing you to want to eat differently and also causing your body to metabolize everything differently. And we all know that once we begin eating the sugar or carbs again, we just want more of them...dammit anyway! And finally they said we are likely exiting the "honeymoon phase". They said our group here is the best antedote to that---keep on encouraging one another and trying to keep up the momentum. That by now most of us have lost enough weight for it to be noticeable, and we have relaxed a bit into the idea that this WILL work! And almost everyone of them mentioned that they too had hit this, somewhere between 6-9 months. So girls, we are not alone. And it makes me happier than ever that I have you for continued motivation! Today is my granddaughters 2nd birthday so we have a full day ahead. 1st stop the Teddy Connection to choose and make a new teddy bear. We made one for her before she was born, and let her choose one last year...well this year, being 2...she is MUCH more opinionated, so she truly will choose this one!!! We are having a big Elmo birthday party this evening. Originally we were to have it tomorrow afternoon, but I have to attend myt Aunties funeral. She died on her birthday...she was 89 and had lived a happy life. But her diabetes went out of control about a year ago, and she had deteriorated to the point they were going to have to amputate her leg. She hated that, she was very vivacious, and very vain. Well during the surgery she had a massive stroke, and never recovered. I think she prefered it that way! So ....we are celebrating for my granddaughter today, on her actual birthday! So I likely won't get to Curves today, but will be busy none the less. It may not count towards a work out, but I AM NOT sitting at home munching!!! Better than pre-band!!! Will get back to check on all of you soon. Bluehill, I loved your winter soltice explanation...it is the ideal time for you and the rest of us to renuew our efforts to goal!! I am really glad you are feeling better. Kat

Dianne--Feliz Navidad..........unless you ask my DS who sang a parody of it...something about Fleas Are Not Bad..... Kat

Hi Kathy---Darcy is here, when she isn't busy taking care of the animals! We keep hoping she will slow down and pop in for a visit. When she does stop by she reads the posts. She will for sure be proud of you....it is not an easy thing to do! My oldest DD was 12 when I finally quit, a few months later a friend was saying she was going to quit. My DD told her DD "You can come hang out here, it gets pretty ugly, but it's better now". I guess I DID get pretty ugly! But I did it, and you will too! Well it is still in the single digits here, and I have a ton of running around to do today. It has been so cold the last few days, that I kept putting it off, and now it has to be done...the party is tonight (my granddaughters 2nd birthday). We originally planned it for tomorrow afternoon, but had to change it, I had an elderly Aunt pass away on Thanksgiving (also her birthday, and the day she died both!), and they are holding services tomorrow. She was 86, and lived a good life until the last year. Her diabetes went berserk this last year, and she ended up having to have her leg amputated. She hated that, She was always a vivacious vain woman...well she had a massive stroke during the amputation surgery, and never fully recovered. She would have chose this, and I can't help but think she did! Well I got the most of my decorations up. I will take pics tonight during the party, and will try to get one of my stockings on the wall...I have no mantle or staircase for them. I did a poor job of arranging them this year, I just put them up!! I sat up late last night and did most of the wrapping for the things I have bought already, I didn't want it open with everyone going to be here tonight. Tree looks much more Christmas-y with all the gifts under it! Gotta work on cards sometime here!!! Maybe after we get the birthday out of the way! She is a HUGE Elmo fan... so we are having an Elmo party. Ironically yesterdays Sesame Street was all about birthdays. They kept asking "Who's birthday is it?" Well it was a couple of SS characters, but Kinsey kept yelling at the TV "Kissey's (she loses her "n")birsday-me, me ME". She knows to tell you she is 2. That is all too cute, but the rest of the day, she is every bit a 2 year old....her favorite word...NO! She has figured out how to whine--uurrgghh. Thank goodness she minds Granny well, but she already knows her Mommy will give in. I know she does it because she gets to spend such little time with her, but it only makes it worse! Well guess I should go unload the DW and start another load going in! It never ends! And I didn't even cook dinner, we ordered in! Will talk to you all when I get a free moment! Kat

Thanks for all the input guys!!! You are all right I would imagine. The holiday season, combined with being indoors, and relaxing a bit--I see it, now I just need to fix it. I have begun. But everytime I turn around something new is tempting me. My neighbor brings me a HUGE box of chocolate covered cherries, because her DH is diabetic, and a patient gave them to them (they own an eyeglasses shop). I think I slimed, just thinking of them!!! I know, I have panties, that I cannot wear without my jeans keeping them up. I mean if I slip on my robe, and try to walk in them, they hit the ground!!! I prefer the nylon panties to the cotton, it seems like my jeans slide easier, and they are hard to find unless you want them so high they sit under your armpits, or buy them singly at outreageous prices!!! I used to buy one style at Walmart, for several years, and was going to go buy them in a smaller size, and big surprise they no longer carry them! So I tried a pair of the individually sold ones they had, and the leg openings and my leg openings are not compatible! I feel like half of my belly is falling through!!! Now how's THAT for a visual!!! OMG girls, how low have I sunk???? Kat

No theories personally---but anxious to see what you find out! Kat

WOW How lucky for you! I hope you gt your insurance coverage without any problems. It will eventually come to light that they would save money, rather than let us develop more medical issues from the obesity. But they are slow learners I guess!!! Welcome to LBT!! I am not in your area, but wanted to welcome you to the site. If you have any questions, use the search tab, if you think it is something others may have covered, or just ask---we are a pretty easy going bunch, and all of us were in your shoes at one time! And good luck with the new job as well!!! Kat

Hi Jess, welcome to LBT. Those 21 days will fly by!! And what a great Christmas gift to yourself! If you have any last minute questions, ask away--- Once again---welcome! Kat