Woodys

You are generalizing again Sunta....not all country dwellers are ever going to be threatened by developers....if they live far enough from any metropolis to make communiting undesirable then there is very little threat. I live in the country and I can tell you that over crowding here is so far from my lifetime for many different reasons that I will never have to worry about it. Carol

wow....derickM and bitteroldhag....don't know what to say to either of those posts. Carol

I would be very interested in this book. I have a VISA card for emergencies only, also....we live 2 hours n/e of Toronto....all our family and friends are in the Toronto area so we make several trips to the city for visiting and usually stay over....you can't book a hotel now without a credit card....however, we always pay with debit card on our way out. Its a very rare occassion when we make a charge to our card. My Mom taught my Sister and I a few very valuable lessons when growing up....how to make great pastry (my ass proves I learned that one well), how to sew anything, learn to do it yourself and keep the money in your pocket, and don't spend unless you have cash the to pay for it....if you can't pay cash then you don't need it that bad. We don't live by those rules to a T but we certainly do stick close. Carol

Hunger pre banding was 24/7 for me.....I had a passion for good food and lots of it...it wasn't so much hunger but obsession, I wanted to eat all the time whether my tummy needed more food or not, I just really enjoyed the act of eating and good food. Now, I get the occassional desire for food when not really hungry, once I have a bite or two it goes away. Carol

Ditto on what the other posts have said. I guess it doesn't matter to her how you are feeling about your weight, if she walked for 5 minutes in your shoes her attitude would change dramatically. My Dr was not totally supportive in the beginning either. He felt that I was being robbed blind....so for him it was a money issue, he couldn't justify the $16,000 I'd pay when he knew that people have lost the same amount without having to spend that kind of money. I questioned him on that.....and asked him if he had any idea how much they may have spent on all the diet books, diet gadgets, diet aids like hypnosis and Patches, and diet pills, exercise equipment and gadgets, and failed gym memberships over the years that did not work?.....and I bet it would really add up because I had been there and done that. I also reminded him that it was my money and I knew myself better than anyone else possibly could know me and I resented him putting a dollar value on my health and mental well being......and I knew I would continue the weight loss windmill of losing and gaining because I can lose but I can't keep it off. Since then he has witnessed my progress, a change is my self-esteem, confidence, breathing, sleeping, endurance, stamina, happiness, and overall health...and has changed his tune. Carol

I really try to eat at least 1,000 to 1,200 per day but sometimes its not easy. I'm always careful to eat food choices that will benefit me the most like Protein, some dairy and vegetables. It is also important to know that you need to eat a required amount of calories in order to aid in your weight loss.....eating too few calories is counter productive...you will force your body to move into starvation mode. The body is capable of losing only 2lbs of body fat / day, if you are losing more than that it is coming from lean body tissue and muscle mass. Strong healthy muscles are needed to increase and maintain metabolism which will aid in your weight loss. So, exercise as well as feed your body properly to keep those muscles strong. Carol

I was told, and follow these instructions, 1 cup of food 3 times per day with 2 - 3 Snacks. For instance this is what I ate yesterday: B - 1 shredded wheat biscuit with 1/4 cup milk and a drizzle of honey S - 4 crackers with low fat cheese L - 2 small pieces of toasted rye bread with 2 ounces of sliced smoked turkey sausage, 1/2 cup of vegetable Soup.....didn't eat all of the bread...ate everything else first and could only manage part of one slice of the bread S - 1/8 wedge of canteloupe with a tablespoon of low fat yogurt D- 1 cup of venison stew - 3 small pieces of venison, fall type vegetables, homemade S - 1 ounce of scotch neat.....LOL (I know, I know...empty calories...but I treat myself every once in a while) Hope this helps, Carol

I own a fitness centre based on the Curves concept. Everything that Wheetsin said is bang on right. Take your measurements.....I'm sure you'll notice a difference there.....you don't always have to measure a favourable change in your body by the scale. A pound is a pound....so a pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat....however, volume is where the two are different. A pound of fat takes up more space on your body than a pound of muscle. Also, when you engage in an active consistant exercise routine your body will automatically start to retain Water to protect it from dehydrating...hence, one more reason the scale may not be showing a significant drop. Healthy muscle mass is instrumental in weight loss. Like Wheetsin said...it boosts the metabolism therefore increasing your fat burning ability. Continue to eat properly, lots of Protein, because the body is only capable of losing 2 pounds of body fat per week, if you are losing more than that it is coming from lean tissue and muscle mass.....and we already know why we need to protect and enhance our muscle mass. Keep up the exercise...in the long run you will thank yourself for it...you will begin to notice much more than just a change in your body size....you will breathe better, sleep better, have increased appetite control, and have an increase in stamina and endurance (hope I don't offend you but even sex gets better!) Also, it will not eliminate the problem of sagging skin, but if the muscles under the sagging skin are toned and strong it does help a bit. It depends a lot on your age too, but the skin has a chance of looking better if there is strong toned muscle underneath. Hope this info makes you feel a bit better regarding your concerns. Carol

I've had 7 fills with two different Drs.....24 hours liquids, 24 hours mushies...then solids. Never had a problem. Carol

Alan andI always spend 3-4 days in Mississauga visiting friends and family....we run two businesses and never get a break. Our gift to his family is to shop for, pay for, cook, deliver, serve and clean up after....the entire Christmas dinner. We plan on doing the same this year but because we are so tired and burnt out from working we have planned a hugely extravagant on our part mini vacation ......at the Four Seasons Yorkville in Toronto. We will stay there for 3 nights over Christmas but still do the Christmas dinner thing at his parents with all his family. But.....Christmas Eve, instead of getting sucked into THEIR tradition of entertaining their neighbours we will be dining and drinking quietly, just the two of us, at the Four Seasons. I CAN'T FREAKIN WAIT!!!!!!! Carol

Wheetsin, that is the best description yet. I still work at the small bite thingie and sometimes slip up with a bite too big....but I never thought about the graduated swallowing method....I'm going to try that. Carol

The mental hunger is a problem.....however, it doesn't last long with me....I think of those unwanted, life threatening, life sucking pounds and I quickly realize what I want more....and its never the food. Carol

It may take only a few minutes to look up the students score....but a few minutes of the teacher's "off" time.....so, when you set precidence and do it for one....then the word spreads and its not just one student infringing on the teacher's off time but more. Students, just like adults, need to understand and respect individual's private time....that is why timelines are scheduled. Carol

I had to do two weeks of lowfat cottage cheese and yogurt. Afterwards I had to do one week of clear fluids and depended a lot on sugar free Jello, popsicles, chicken broth, veg broth, etc. To stay motivated think about your surgery and the reason you have to be on this diet in the first place.....to assist in making the surgery easier and safer. Time to start thinking more seriously about this surgery and its purpose and not so much about food. Easy for me to say, but when it came down to doing what the professionals instructed before and after surgery I couldn't see any other way of behaving except to do what I was told for the better of the band and my weight loss. And, if this is what it would take for me to rid myself of all those life threatening, life sucking, depressing pounds.....then so be it. Be smart, no time to obsess with food now. Carol

Fedex says that they delivered my parcel to my recipient on December 5th but left it at the front door without a signature. Could the recipient please let me know through this thread if you in fact received it. Thanks, Carol

Hi Ruby: I had a similar problem but not as bad as yours. All my fills have been successful and pain free, however...with one the fill nurse said that the port had turned on its side and was heading for a complete turn around towards the back like yours. She used her fingers to reposition it, she said that she could not feel any other problem. Since then I have had 4 more fills by the same nurse and she has no problem, it has stayed in the right position. I hope it all works out for you, I was self pay in Toronto and if needed, I could have surgery at the same clinic....not sure if there would be any cost to me....I don't think so. Good luck, keep us informed. Carol

What ever happened to the word NO? On the flip side, we also have better resources today to help cope with those obstacles....but still, what's wrong with saying No like our Father's and Grandfathers did? Carol

My Mother is from a family of 9. My Grandmother and Grandfather were so family oriented and love children so much that they found a unique way spread thier love and kindness throughout their community. If you visit www.cabbagetownsanta.ca you will see a video of my uncle, Tom Crewe Jr. My Grandfather was nicknamed "the CabbageTown Santa" and when you finish watching the video, or anytime during, you can click on "skip Into" and then explore the story of the cabbage town santa....this man who had 9 children, one who is taking over in his place. Did this all start with and Idiot, I don't think so. Did it breed idiots....I don't think so. My Grandfather also has 32 Grandchildren and 16 Great Granchildren....and we are ALL educated and work...in fact, most of us are self employed in successful businesses and some with professional designations. Idiots indeed. Carol

I'm confused.....what is your question? Carol

Loose skin could play a part. I am the same weight now as I was when I met my husband 9 years ago. I can barely squeeze into the jeans I was wearing comfortably when I met him.....I'm sure the reason is loose skin I have hanging on my lower abdomen that I didn't have back then. Carol

Merry Christmas!!!!! Carol

Here is another one. I had a lady come into my restaurant (keep in mind she has never spent a cent in either of my businesses)....she asked if she could have a free dinner for two gift certificate for the prize table at her lady's golf tournament. I asked her what charity was being supported by the proceeds from the golf tournament.....well, of course there wasn't one. She was just trying to round up nice free prizes for her ladies. I told her that because a charity was not involved that I would not support the tournament with a dinner certificate but I would give her a one month membership for the gym. She made arrangements with me twice to pick up the gift certificate at the gym and never showed. Then she showed up at the restaurant a few days later to pick up the gift certificate and I told her it was at the gym....where it was the first two times she stood me up. She got all upset and chewed me out for not having the foresight to have the certificate with me at both businesses just in case she did what she did that day and show up to the wrong business when it was convenient to HER. I told her to forget it, that I had never witnessed such a display of inconsideration and unappreciation in my life and the next time she wants something for free she can totally forget both my businesses. Whew.....that was a good rant....I feel 20 lbs lighter but how come my ass doesn't look any smaller? Carol

I think this question would be best directed to the professionals...why not address this to Doctor C? Carol

I run two businesses Laurend and I can't believe the gall of some of my customers/members. Its the ones who know me who take liberties and show no consideration at all. I have no days off from May to September, the real only day I have off is Sunday. Would you believe that I have customers calling me on Sunday to find out what Monday's dinner lunch or dinner feature is going to be....and it always starts off "I know its your day off and I shouldn't be bothering you BUT....." ....and, this is on my private line...then, I'll have a gym member contact me who also knows its my only day off and request something ridiculous......I think its time to change my number. So....I guess we are NOT entitled to a private life or personal time......it amazes me how they feel a sense of ownership towards me and my time because every once in a while they might throw a few dollars my way through a membership or buying a meal. Rant, rant, rant.......I have lots to say on this subject. Carol

Nobody is totally exempt from spam including active boards like this one. I get emails from Nigeria that link to a login ID I have a recipe board???? Carol