OH Juli

Tracking is good. Trying to lose 2 pounds a week with out the band being filled AND being closer to goal is asking for a lot out of yourself. You might want to take this opportunity to eat things that haven't gone down when you were filled. Like if I could I'd be eating all the fruit and veggies that are too fiberous to go down easily. Like big bites of apples.... Just a thought. Hang in there. I know it's a struggle.

Janine, I don't know how tall you are. I'm 5'2", so a shorty. But because I work out I'm muscular. It's weird, I'm in 14's most of the time but I weigh 181. Last time I was a 14 I was more like 140 pounds. So that 135 pound number is just that a number. I like it though, because if I see it I won't think I'm underweight. But if I don't see it I'm not going panic either. I really want to be a size 6 or 8. So whatever it takes to be there I'll be happy. My restriction is perfect. My will power not to eat bad foods is not so perfect. It really is like a diet from here on out. I can't eat early in the morning because I'm tight and I can't eat past 7pm or I get reflux in the night. Dry Protein is hard to get down and I PB if I eat too quickly or stuff that's doughy, or skins of fruits and veggies. Also, my exercise for calorie burning has tapered off largely due to lack of time, but I do go and weight train a few times a week and I do cardio then. I just don't do 10+ hours of cardio a week like I used to. I think that contributes greatly to my not losing weight quickly. Really, all in all, my biggest lesson was learning not to compare myself to other people in the process. Some folks are sanctamonious (no spell check, sorry) or do stuff that's really WRONG, so trying to be like them doesn't suit me. But it's hard to get into the spirit of sharing your process and listening to others' to gain insights but not build expectations. You know what I mean? I might be a little flakey, the cold medicine is kicking in. Hope that's not too much.

Kathy, I love how you think. Look at you girl, planning your plastics already! To me that means you're going to get there! You've got a plan and you are thinking about all the resources it will take to get you where you want to go! We all need to learn from your example. You rock, girl! Juli

B, You know I'm hoarding time for surgery this summer so I'm not going to make it to the conference. I wish I could go, I bet it would be amazing to be around a bunch of Lapband folk. Would you come to my graduation??? Wouldn't that be a riot? Everyone, including me, would be like, who is that guy with the boston/texas accent? I expect the graduation will be a small affair. My BS was bigger than I expected, all kinds of family and friends showed up. My MBA, I will walk, should be smaller thing. What stinks is that it's on Mother's Day so getting restaurant reservations (Former Fatty speaking up) will be difficult! I've got a cold and feel miserable. I thought this was only supposed to happen in the winter. I'm such a germ freak, I can't imagine how I got ill. Damn grocery store was out of wipes for the carts! I need to bring my own.

Janine, that's fantastic to hear. You'll do great. Keep us up to date. Hey you other marchies, how you doing with you weight loss? Are people still exercising? Anyone going clothing crazy?

Sweet bike, B. I tried a Zumba class once. I wanted something more...painful is the only word that comes to mind, because it did get my heart rate up and it was pleasant. I was telling my friend about it as she's a regular Zumba-er and suggested my instructor was not hard enough. Maybe I'll check out a different class. I'm nearly done with my global business class. 4 more until I get the MBA. Do you see that B? FOUR??!!!! I can't wait! Going to Chicago this weekend to hang and play for the 2 days between classes. :embaressed_smile: Hope everyone is well. J

My breast reduction many 6 years ago was out patient with 2 weeks off work. One would have been fine. Good luck, I'm interested in your story!

We are still dealing with power outtages here in Central Ohio. My work has no power nor does my duaghter's school. Luckily I have power at home. I've hold my friends groceries too because her power is still off. Interesting times indeed. J

Hi gang. We've been dealing with the effects of Ike in Central Ohio. The winds blew down power lines and knocked over many many trees. Personally, my power at home was out for 7 hours. But where I work it's off. The kids had already been shipped to the school, we fed them yesterday and sent them home. We moved the contents of walkin in freezers and coolers to our sister school which has a back up generator. My daughter is off school and we are home. It's a mess. And hi Seebs. -She's a Columbus gal too- B, rock on with the new bike. C and L The weight will move, it does, it always moves if you keep at it. I know it's a pain in the butt. Sorry for your frustration. Juli

There was no lifting until 6 weeks post op. I started doing cardio at 2 weeks post op. HTH

BTW, my partner says she likes me better slimmer and she feels horrible saying it. But I give her some slack, I like me better slimmer. I'm still the same woman, same heart and same eyes, but I'm more fun. Life is enhanced when not carrying around 131 extra pounds...people are allowed to have perferrences. I don't find her attitude at all negative. Really if it were all good when we were heavier why in the world would we have undertaken SURGERY to make it better? If I were told "You are just the same as you were before, I see no differences, I don't react to you differently, your changes haven't impacted me at all" I'd be concerned they were living under a rock and not participating in the biggest, best thing I had ever done for myself. Just sayin.

You might want to ask your man, "What would it take for him to trust you?" If he can't give you a live-able answer you might suggest that he look internally for the source of his fears. It's his history, etc. In the mean time you can assure him that he's the light of your life in subtle ways. Calling him your best friend, your rock and give him props for all the good he does. Sorry he and you are going through all that.

The only way I know to get Protein down without a ton of sauce is to cut it small and use broth, not mayo. You can also blend it, but yeah fat make food slide on down...but fat makes us fat too. Carol- You're doing great 10# a month is perfect for the first part of the first year. You go girl! Exercise will happen if you plan on it happening! KY I love cannibal jokes... But I'll leave um alone.

Fage is the name of the zero fat greek yogurt I ate for many months. I'm on a break, you know, sometimes you've just got to eat something else... Anyway, it has super Protein. I added my own fake sweetner, granola and or fruit cut tiny. Give it a shot. It is thick, it needs to be stirred, but I think it's GREAT.

You're winning now, by a very long margin. Rock on there! I know that because I've just voted for you!

BG We'll get caught up quickly to be sure. XO

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB You know I'm on IM and I'll chat you up if I can. I hear you about exercise and life getting in the way. I was at a conference since Sunday and I didn't eat well or exercise and I feel like a pile of poo. Multiply that by a summer and it could easily add up to 30 pounds. Ick. And I know what you mean about being able to over eat if you try. Mind you I don't eat gobs of food like back in the day, but certainly more than I need or should eat. Yeah, I eat more dressing and mayo now than I used to. I'm tisking myself here and shaking my head, no, no, no. Glad to see you back. HP, Love to see that you are riding. Girl, you are such a cyclist!!! :omg_smile:

Jeni, You'll be strong enough because you'll be strong enough. Don't doubt your abilities. You've got the tools and I'm not talking about the band, but if you don't know what the tools I men they are a healthy mind and the ability to think. When it's too much, and it might be too much already, find a peer, therapist, minister, someone who can listen and help give you guidance. You are not alone in having to care for your family. And lean on those who will support you at this time. And remember you can only fix so much. Try to let go of what you can not change and focus on what you can. Peace there girl, J

Hi BG, I'm not back in the office til Thursday. Cute pic ZZ, I've been out of the loop. Hope all is well. Miss you.

Puppy?????????/ We want to see pictures!!!!!!!!!!!

Gwen Nice to have you back. And good you for keeping the running up. I'm so hot and cold with it. I'm cold with it right now. I know it will get me to my goal sooner, I just don't have joy for it. Maybe later. And to answer that's my undergrad. I'm still plugging away on the MBA. I'm in an integrated, BS-MBA program. I'll be done with classes at the end of March. I graduate in May. Your schooling sounds intense. WOW. I can't wait to be done! Homework is calling. J

OMG, she's a beauty!!!! I have a matching orange jersey, but I don't know that it would work for you and I'm guessing your bike would be too big for me. But wow, it's great you move out the old not gonna use stuff for the new gonna get you fit bike. Rock on.

It's still about cycling. You've got a core group of people who started riding last year and we go off in many directions. Please post about your new ride. We particularly like pictures!!! Sorry if it's so far off topic, but if you start talking bikes we get all excited. Juli

Studying global buisness makes me feel insignificant..... just sayin'

H4H "Thank You" It's the easiest and the proper thing to say.