TexasFire

Hey, Jess! Good to see ya, and I'm glad you are starting to feel better! Sorry your son got sick...hope hubby doesn't. You guys have had your share lately, so surely this is the end for a while? :cursing: That is amazing that you went to work out when you still felt bad...good for you! Hey, all that sweating you did yesterday could be a very good sign! Did you know that the fitter you are, the more you sweat? I always thought it was the other way around, but no! So you sweating really good yesterday could be a good sign!

Hey, where is BG today?!?!? This is right up her alley! (Get this pun? LOL)

Okay, Suzzzie and Wombat! I will send you my questions by PM on Monday. Wombat, give me your cell anyhow because you won't have to answer me there. It should be easier to receive the short daily stuff by text and any replies can be emailed to me at your convenience if you like. I will send the longer, more infrequent stuff by email. Could be a questionaire, an article, a to-do list...I'll try to surprise you and make it fun since you are the one who has to do all the really hard work, right?

Hey, hey, hey! Hubby's offshore and you start this talk? Cruel woman! He's damn good at it, too! I'm just saying...

OMFG That almost had smoothie coming out my nose from laughing so hard!

Hey, Wendy! You and hubby are most welcome! I hope to raise quite a substantial amount by turn-in time with hubby's company sponsorship. To be honest, I never knew much about MS before signing up for this event. My hats' off to you guys in dealing with this every day. I hope research leads to some good things very soon. Oh! And BTW...my signature here used to be (and still is on MySpace) "My Goal In Life Is To Be The Person That My Dogs Think I Am!" I love all my kids...two or four-legged! LOL

"Shhhhhh...be ve-wee, ve-wee quiet...I'm hunting wabbit." - Elmer Fudd Hey, people! Wake up! So much of my LBT hangout space is quiet today!

Yeah, C! I think this one will surprise most of us! We can get off topic like champs, but this is crazy! :thumbup: I can't believe I didn't "get it", either! How silly am I?!?!? Hey, I'm here for entertainment value, if nothing else! LOL

Gosh, that absolutely makes my day, guys! My whole WEEK, in fact! I'm grinning from ear to ear! Karla, that's great about the swimming! I'm thinking of joining a conventional gym (with conventional pricing, I'm afraid) instead of using my community center. It has everything I need except a pool! There is an open house at Lifetime Fitness next weekend and I'm going. That place looks like it is going to be GORGEOUS! My community center is fantastic as far as equipment goes, but lacks asthetics. Not a neccessity in a gym, but is good for ME! I like "pretty"! That is amazing, 112 laps in an hour! I was wondering how you even keep track of them? I would start "thinking" and lose count! Even on my bike...I take little "trips" in my head and lose track of the time! Suzzzie, I've got some great articles and such that I could be emailing you and I could certainly text you with workout silliness or trivia each day to encourage you to go! I could even design a program for you, if you like, that rotates around each month so your body would never get used to it and allow to you keep progressing. All I would need is answers to a few questions to get started. I wish you lived nearby, too! We would work out so well together!

Wow, are we on a tangeant today, or WHAT?!?!? :thumbup: Yeah, I clicked for pics, too. Now I just don't know WHAT to think about this! I can't imagine paying a ton for that. Is it real expensive, I wonder? (edit: I reread and see you posted it, Suzzzie. NO WAY!)Jeez, if hubby knew I was even TALKING about this, he would chew me out for being ridiculous. He hates me considering any type of PS...I wouldn't of had lapband had it been up to him. He says he never saw me as fat or heavy. Thank goodness he was at least supportive of my wanting it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J! Excellent! I KNEW you would get that ride in today! Sorry about the wind, though...that is the worst...I hate biking with wind...makes me feel like my body is one big windsail! I wonder how different it might feel with our aerobars? Time will tell, eh?

I hope you know that means so much to me! If I convey the least little "spark" for exercise in you or anyone else, I am THRILLED to no end! Yeah, I think TV is evil for that very reason. I watch VERY little TV...mostly because it just simply bores me. I'd rather be working around the house or working out. I'm riding in TOUR DALLAS next Saturday, and the reason for that ride as posted on the website, is to "fight inactivity". That is the best reason of all to organize a ride! It also raises funds for Juvenile Diabetes, which is no small thing. Hey, if you are serious about the daily encouragement, I'll try to do that! Do you have a regular schedule you like to stick to? It is always best to work out at the same time each day, but just getting it in to start is a great feat!

HA! B and JC and CD and WD are just gonna LOVE this conversation! LOL Hey...to the guys here...tell us your opinion of your girl getting a new rack? I'm curious to see what the consensus is.

Rejuvination, huh? Wow. I learn something new every day, which is good. But this one is just weird. I know MINE didn't get saggy after the kiddos! :thumbup: LOL But that is one set of muscles that I never did let get out of shape! LOL Gee-willikers...I bet that hurts like hell...

OMG! I'm so embarrassed! :thumbup: How funny that I didn't get that?!?!? Wait a minute! You can "rebuild" those? As in plastic surgery? What for?!?!?

Hey, guys! I know this is pretty sappy, but it really says how I feel about you guys...my lapband buddies. I know, I know...I'm really pretty sappy...I just hide it well! Week of 03/27/2008 SUBJECT: Part of something so much bigger than myself POSTER: DANALYNV Originally posted as an entry in her SparkPage blog. Last November I was driving behind a bus doing the speed limit when from out of nowhere a car whips around both me and the bus. Yes, double yellow lines, on a hill, going around a blind curve... I freaked out, and said to my son "Oh my gosh, that person has a death wish!" After that corner the road becomes an upward progression of hills and valleys, so there's no seeing what's ahead until you're actually there. Well, sure enough, when we arrived there, it was a mess, a nightmare! I pulled over as quickly as I could and called 911. The car was in a ditch on the opposite side of the road about 50 yards from the car it had just hit head-on. Inside was a lady, probably in her early 50's, an airbag had punched her in the gut and chest pretty hard and she couldn't breath. I was concerned she was having a heart attack because of the way she was grasping her chest. She was very much in shock and because of the enormous amount of smoke pouring in through the vents she thought the car was going to blow up, but there was no getting her out, so I got as much of myself as could in through the busted out window and held her. Finally, after several minutes, when the paramedics arrived I had to let go of her and get out of the way, but I have to say, it broke my heart to let go, I didn't want to. This lady and I had bonded... and during those terrifying moments I had lost all sense of myself... there was no "ME" in the picture, only us... The reason I'm telling this story is because all of you beautiful SparkPeople cause me to have that same feeling... the feeling that I'm a part of something so much bigger than myself... That it's just as important to me that all of you become healthy and happy as it is that I do. The feeling that if you're hurting or in pain that I have a responsibility to reach out and help... my pain does NOT require any more attention than anyone else's. I am obliged to help heal the human condition as a whole, and oddly enough, I feel like that's more of a privilege than anyone could ask for or deserve. We live in such a busy, isolated, society, there is so much loneliness and sorrow... so much stress and need of THINGS... when I was in that car with that woman, every bit of that vanished... all I felt was a desperate need for her to live. I want you all to LIVE in every aspect of the word... I don't need to know you (although, I'd love to) or be your close friend to know that you are a part of me... that the healthier you are, the healthier I am... that the more success and goals you reach the more likely I am to do the same. We aren't just losing weight, here, my SparkFriends, you and I have the potential to change things in the universe we may never know about or remotely be able to understand... Let's not ever forget that as we go day to day focusing on those silly old scales.

Hey, guys! I know this is pretty sappy, but it really says how I feel about you guys...my lapband buddies. I know, I know...I'm really pretty sappy...I just hide it well! Week of 03/27/2008 SUBJECT: Part of something so much bigger than myself POSTER: DANALYNV Originally posted as an entry in her SparkPage blog. Last November I was driving behind a bus doing the speed limit when from out of nowhere a car whips around both me and the bus. Yes, double yellow lines, on a hill, going around a blind curve... I freaked out, and said to my son "Oh my gosh, that person has a death wish!" After that corner the road becomes an upward progression of hills and valleys, so there's no seeing what's ahead until you're actually there. Well, sure enough, when we arrived there, it was a mess, a nightmare! I pulled over as quickly as I could and called 911. The car was in a ditch on the opposite side of the road about 50 yards from the car it had just hit head-on. Inside was a lady, probably in her early 50's, an airbag had punched her in the gut and chest pretty hard and she couldn't breath. I was concerned she was having a heart attack because of the way she was grasping her chest. She was very much in shock and because of the enormous amount of smoke pouring in through the vents she thought the car was going to blow up, but there was no getting her out, so I got as much of myself as could in through the busted out window and held her. Finally, after several minutes, when the paramedics arrived I had to let go of her and get out of the way, but I have to say, it broke my heart to let go, I didn't want to. This lady and I had bonded... and during those terrifying moments I had lost all sense of myself... there was no "ME" in the picture, only us... The reason I'm telling this story is because all of you beautiful SparkPeople cause me to have that same feeling... the feeling that I'm a part of something so much bigger than myself... That it's just as important to me that all of you become healthy and happy as it is that I do. The feeling that if you're hurting or in pain that I have a responsibility to reach out and help... my pain does NOT require any more attention than anyone else's. I am obliged to help heal the human condition as a whole, and oddly enough, I feel like that's more of a privilege than anyone could ask for or deserve. We live in such a busy, isolated, society, there is so much loneliness and sorrow... so much stress and need of THINGS... when I was in that car with that woman, every bit of that vanished... all I felt was a desperate need for her to live. I want you all to LIVE in every aspect of the word... I don't need to know you (although, I'd love to) or be your close friend to know that you are a part of me... that the healthier you are, the healthier I am... that the more success and goals you reach the more likely I am to do the same. We aren't just losing weight, here, my SparkFriends, you and I have the potential to change things in the universe we may never know about or remotely be able to understand... Let's not ever forget that as we go day to day focusing on those silly old scales.

Hey, guys! I know this is pretty sappy, but it really says how I feel about you guys...my lapband buddies. I know, I know...I'm really pretty sappy...I just hide it well! Week of 03/27/2008 SUBJECT: Part of something so much bigger than myself POSTER: DANALYNV Originally posted as an entry in her SparkPage blog. Last November I was driving behind a bus doing the speed limit when from out of nowhere a car whips around both me and the bus. Yes, double yellow lines, on a hill, going around a blind curve... I freaked out, and said to my son "Oh my gosh, that person has a death wish!" After that corner the road becomes an upward progression of hills and valleys, so there's no seeing what's ahead until you're actually there. Well, sure enough, when we arrived there, it was a mess, a nightmare! I pulled over as quickly as I could and called 911. The car was in a ditch on the opposite side of the road about 50 yards from the car it had just hit head-on. Inside was a lady, probably in her early 50's, an airbag had punched her in the gut and chest pretty hard and she couldn't breath. I was concerned she was having a heart attack because of the way she was grasping her chest. She was very much in shock and because of the enormous amount of smoke pouring in through the vents she thought the car was going to blow up, but there was no getting her out, so I got as much of myself as could in through the busted out window and held her. Finally, after several minutes, when the paramedics arrived I had to let go of her and get out of the way, but I have to say, it broke my heart to let go, I didn't want to. This lady and I had bonded... and during those terrifying moments I had lost all sense of myself... there was no "ME" in the picture, only us... The reason I'm telling this story is because all of you beautiful SparkPeople cause me to have that same feeling... the feeling that I'm a part of something so much bigger than myself... That it's just as important to me that all of you become healthy and happy as it is that I do. The feeling that if you're hurting or in pain that I have a responsibility to reach out and help... my pain does NOT require any more attention than anyone else's. I am obliged to help heal the human condition as a whole, and oddly enough, I feel like that's more of a privilege than anyone could ask for or deserve. We live in such a busy, isolated, society, there is so much loneliness and sorrow... so much stress and need of THINGS... when I was in that car with that woman, every bit of that vanished... all I felt was a desperate need for her to live. I want you all to LIVE in every aspect of the word... I don't need to know you (although, I'd love to) or be your close friend to know that you are a part of me... that the healthier you are, the healthier I am... that the more success and goals you reach the more likely I am to do the same. We aren't just losing weight, here, my SparkFriends, you and I have the potential to change things in the universe we may never know about or remotely be able to understand... Let's not ever forget that as we go day to day focusing on those silly old scales.

What is va jay jay's?

Hey, Suzzzie! My phone died while we were texting and I didn't have my charger with me. (I was driving at the time. Yes, I'm the one everyone hates who texts while driving!) That's why I disappeared. So how were the sauces they had you try? Something new and interesting?

I do have some issues with skin, but nothing that could ever come close to justify PS. That is, except for a boob job....I want a boob job! LOL Below my belly button is a bit dimply, and I hate it. I think that may correct itself most or all the way over the next few months...it just hasn't "caught up" with the weight loss. I KNOW that the exercise has made a huge difference on my journey. I don't have issues with my arms at all...in fact THEY ROCK! LOL Serious tone and shape there! (I say "tone" for the chicas who are afraid of lifting weights...truth be told I have serious biceps! But not "manly" at all.) Very little issue with my thighs that isn't hereditary no matter WHAT I weigh. I still have some "back fat" to attack, but not a lot...should be gone by the end of next month. I'm in a size 12 and dropping again soon. At 5'10", that ain't too shabby! I don't feel fat at all any more. I'm proud to put on my lycra bike shorts and a tank top and hit the road on my bike! I worked so hard over the last six months in the gym and on my bike! Boy, if I get to a size 8, I am SO DONE! That would be awesome! All that said, I bet you look so great and are just still beating yourself up! I have been able to convince three people to at least TRY my exercise method for two weeks to see if it wasn't true that they LOVE the way they feel walking out of the gym. As with most folks, we had to overcome all their objections..."too tired" wasn't acceptable to not work out, "no time" isn't true when put under analysis because we make time for what we want, "I can't/Don't know how" was proven wrong with the first workout...and there were more, of course. All three now work out about five days a week because they love it! They made it through the "hate it" phase, gave it REAL effort, worked cardio five days a week (walking on the treadmill was not one of the choices unless they power-walked), and lifted weights at least four days a week. I'm telling you, if you did the same, your body would kick those endorphins in and you would love it, too! All this is providing that you don't have any physical issues that would prevent you from exercising and your doc clears it. Yes, it's no secret that I am obsessive :teeth_smile:, but I never worked out one serious time in my whole entire life until months after lapband. I was fat and squishy with big tits and a bubble butt! Now I think I look better than I have in my whole life. I certainly FEEL better than ever before. I wish I could give my love of exercise to everyone! It has changed my life more than the lapband ever did or could. Like we all say, the lapband is just the tool...our new way of eating (and exercising) is our new life.

BG - WTF?!?!? Where the hell do you live again? Greenland? Man, I feel for ya...it was over 80 here the other day and I was planting hot flowers. Hey, so you are CD now! Cool! I'm glad you crossed over to the wild side! I didn't realize you had set such an early timeframe for that event. That's great. I just want to get one in "this year". Welcome! Post often! Yeah, I had thought about the charm, but you are right that they are pretty limited on space. Plus, I have plans for every single link left open on my charm bracelet! When I get it complete, it will weigh more than ME! Hardy-Har! ZZ is a nurse...keeping people in stitches? Okay, I made a lame joke! But where is WHOS, anyhow? That is HIS job, right? LOL (Now THAT was funny!) I have to say, I just really like my bike, TOO! I truly do! I thought I was the only whacko who got all warm and fuzzy over the bike! I have faith that you will get both those rides in! It will be great weather for you! And how exciting that you got your aerobars in! It normally costs $20 to have them put on at my LBS, but because my girl had auxillary brake levers on center, they had to be removed. Which meant removal and rerouting of the cables. Which meant unwrapping and rewrapping my drop bars. Jeez...the labor to put them on was TWICE what the aerobars cost! Okay, can I just say that I love the nickname "Juicy"? That's awesome! Oh, C! That is a toughie, coming up with a nickname for you! I'm going to give that some thought! So you have looked at this new rack stuff, huh? I think I'm going to start looking into it. I know I would have to be a cash pay, so it will be a bit to save that up on my own. Hubby is not crazy about this idea! What's up with that?!?!? I thought all guys wanted a big rack on their woman? I want gorgeous big tits...not TOO big, of course. But I'm with J...mine are disappearing with continued weight loss. ICK Wow...this was one long-ass post!

Yeah...I know who you are, silly! But I didn't think you'd been there often enough to know the drill and get a nickname yet, so I wanted to help out and get you in the groove with us! We are a fun group! A bit brash at times, for sure...but fun!

I agree, Karla. I wouldn't run for an unfill just yet, but really pay attention to your band and eat accordingly, but healthy. Also go back to pea-sized bites and chewing more again. I thought I had that down until my last fill, but had to adjust further to accomodate the new restriction. And yes, I believe that stress tightens up my band to no end! I've never read that anywhere in a study or heard it from a doc...it just seems to be true of me. And others, too, it seems! So there must be some validity to this line of thinking. Once I relax, I can usually finish eating. It takes me FOREVER to eat these days, though. That's okay with me as long as I'm losing!

You're right, there IS a lot of chatter in there, but there's also TONS of great bike info. We love answering questions and offering support. Most folks in there are "roadies". (Ride road bikes.) I guess I was obnoxious enough to jump right in there and just participate! LOL Come in there and I'll introduce you, if you like. It's easier to get into the group than you think. Once Julie had given you an acronym, you're a shoe-in! LOL We all have one or two letter acronyms, we don't type out names. You would be a good CR or CN, maybe? I'm TX...and I can PM you a list of everyones initials. I taped a copy of it to my comp screen when I first joined the thread so I could keep everybody straight!

Wow! That's amazing, Ceradad! Giant is a great bike. I need a triathalon bike before the end of the year...I wonder if Giant makes them? Dunno. I'm so "stuck" on Specialized, though! I'm not typically a brand-conscious person on anything except for purses (Coach) and boots (Justin Ropers), but Specialized seems to fit me so well that I am a huge fan now. Did they put your bike on the trainer and fit you to it, Ceradad? If not, you will want to do that. It will make a HUGE difference in how long you can stay in the saddle and still be able to walk! LOL