ocotillo

221 since 2-11-10 220.5 today 2-25-10 It's progress....no matter how slowly. Offically 45 pounds lost today.

Hi all, Fly by...going to see the Chieftains tonight. I have to go pick up my sister. I'll catch up tomorrow or tonight if I'm too wired when I get home. Later, Eva

Hello ladies, sorry I've been MIA too. I got caught up in an audio book....The Lightning Thief.....cute! Janet, you would be proud of me today....they had an impromptu brunch for someone with a birthday today and the only thing I ate was some fresh fruit (which is on my plan) and I stuck to my lunch today. Joyce, welcome back home...home your recovery goes smoothly. I was wired the first week after surgery but crashed the 2nd. The port will be really sensitive for a while....just a heads up on that. Hi Jodi, glad you are busy and it's cool that you are involved with Make-a-Wish. Great organization. Linda, glad the Beck book is helping you. I still haven't bought it because I haven't taken the time to look for it. Sort of planned to do that in Florida, but that didn't happen. Julie, hope this new round of appeals helps. It probably is good for Mimi to go to the day care once in a while. I think those socialization skills are important for her future. Apples, have fun with your DS. Judy, sorry about the shoulder, at least you know what's going on. Arthritis, fun huh? 1day, it is hard to be unstructured after working with set break times. I've been unstructured for a very long time and sometimes I forget to eat, or I'm in the field and things take way longer than they should and then I get really hungry. It's not a good place to be. You'll get the hang of it soon. Glad you are liking the new job. Laura, is DH still sick? So sorry. Yes, you will have a beautiful day for the party...we all say so. Don't drive yourself crazy getting ready for it either. Sorry about the PBing...no fun there...although I think the car driving out is pretty funny...but then again, I do have a sick sense of humor. Charlene, glad you are getting your pain under control. One of my friends in Killeen sent me a picture of her car...looks like there is a foot of snow on it. I asked her if she moved to Colorado. Great..welcome back from Vegas...sounds like a lot of walking. That's the one thing you can always to there, get lots of walking in. Cheri, there's no way I want to do telephone solicitations for any reason...you are a good employee to support your employer in that manner. Good for you. Okay, I didn't get up early enough to do my yoga this morning so I have to do it now. Hope you all have a great night!! food was good today...now for exercise. Oh and I did my Walk away the pounds tape last night for exercise since it rained here again. Later, Eva

Janet, I have thought about making jerky, but what a pain to get a food prep license and I'm not prepared to do that right now. Maybe in the future...especially if I get fired. That probably won't happen...I just can't let myself do that level of crappy work...guess my parents did instill a work ethic in me.

Joyce, good thoughts and speedy recovery coming your way!! Morning gang, I'm up and have my lunch packed and logged. Have dinner planned, let's see if it goes that way. I have walking planned for exercise. I'm starting to stuggle with food again. See, it's been month since my fill and that's just about as much as I can seem to hold out. I've had food thoughts and some "not planned" eating lately and I really need to get out of that frame of mind. Food has been going down easily since before Florida until last night when I did get a little stuck and slimed. So back on the band wagon for me. I really hope in time I will be able to channel the need, urge...obsession to eat to more positive activites. Right now, my back (foot & leg) are bothering me again. It's changed from bothering me when I go to bed to bothering me when I wake up....or I wake up at 3 or 4am and it's bothering me and I can't go back to sleep. I'm hoping working out on the aero pilates will help in the long run...I get it's going to take time, but I really don't want to resort to surgery. Enough of my whining. I did sort through some t-shirts and pants this weekend and have another pile to donate. I threw 2 really bad ones away and my DH dug them out of the trash for his "rag" bag...I give up...he's a pack-rat. LOL. I also found some shirts that had been stashed for a long time and I'm wearing one of them right now. It's almost like going shopping. Better finish getting ready for work. Have a good day every one. Eva

I'm truly sorry for your friend and hope she gets the help she needs to get the band removed or moved into the correct place. It is a risk to go out of country for surgery and how can you tell for certain a surgeon is truly reputable. It's so sad a surgeon has to abuse some one this way....hopefully the word goes out about him and he gets no more business. I also went to Tijuana for surgery and had Dr. Ortiz as a previous poster stated. My experience was good as were my three fills there. I would recommend this surgeon to others, but truly you have little recourse if anything goes wrong.

Charlene, yep sweet potatoes are high in carbs, but they are good for you if you don't add a bunch of butter, sugar, etc. I used to hate them, but now, I love them roasted with salt and pepper. I don't care for sports much either, but I did go to a Phoenix Suns game and really enjoyed it. There is so much else going on in the arena that you can do other stuff besides watch the game. Phyl, glad to hear you are feeling better. Have fun in SD area. I'll be there again next weekend. Too bad we won't be there the same weekend. Jessica, you'll find your weight will fluctuate up and down 1-3 pounds sometimes day to day....but overall you should see a loss. That's why some people recommend weighing weekly, not daily. Take beef Jerky for a snack...it helps me from getting really hungry...or try soy nuts...heck a can of V-8 will stave off hunger for me for a couple of hours sometimes. There are alternatives to fast food and things you can take with you that don't need refrigeration. Laura, glad you had a good day!! I have two other friends that had birthdays yesterday...in fact my best friends BD was yesterday. As for the power line...I want the darn thing out of the way, so I really don't mind using the money for that. Apples, you would be a great caterer! Specialize in theme parties with all the doodas. I bet there isn't a great need for a caterer in a small town however. Janet, sorry about the IPOD....it really makes exercising (walking or stationary bike) bearable for me...let's me escape to some other place beside the burn.......I bet Angel looks real cute. Linda, I have Leslie Sansone walking DVD's too. I have the one with the bands, but haven't used it much because I've been walking outside at work. It's great for those days when I can't walk outside because it's too hot or too dark. We have no street lights or sidewalks in my neighborhood so walking at night is hazardous. The variety does help keep me motivated too. Oh gosh, I can't remember anymore...sorry to all of those I'm missing with this post. I'll try and catch you next time. I got my aero pilates in today...it was hard and I do feel like I got a work out. Haven't done much else...barely just got dressed. It's really nice having a do nothing weekend. Next weekend we are going to San Diego. When I got back from Florida, I had an email from one of my uncles and since I hadn't heard from him in a long time and didn't have his email, I emailed him back. He responded with an invite to his son's retirement from the Navy next weekend. It's going to be in San Diego and DH and I talked about it and decided to go. I'll be meeting cousins that I've never met before. We're only going for 1 night, but I think it might be worth the effort. Well I might go read another book or download this one huge one I got from the library...30 discs. Anyway, hope you all have a great Sunday. Eva

Linda, like Joyce said, maybe sleep in your guest room when DH is snoring too loud? It's hard for some people not to sleep with their loved ones, but sleep is more important to me than cuddling. I sleep in my current guest room unless we have guests and we both sleep better..DH flops and I snore. And I did buy a really good mattress for the guest room. Sounds like your trip to Chicago might just be the ticket...it's hard to stay up late, but sometimes it's worth it and I think changing our daily routine now and then helps brighten up our moods. Jessica, congrats on the great grade...you are a bright woman and you are going to do just fine in school. Good going on getting your meds straightened out. We all go a little off balance now and then and need help. I wonder about myself sometimes. This morning started out all sunny and bright and now it's windy and cloudy and a storm is blowing in........an hour later...it's raining. Great, the story about your sisters is interesting. I'm wondering if that is going to happen with me. I've always been the fat sister and I'm really hoping that those dynamics will change in the future. I'm still heavier than both of them right now, but that may not last too much longer. Congrats on the 37 cent stuff...that is really cool. All of that stuff adds up so anything you can save helps. I used coupons on Michaels to buy the bowls for the centerpieces....took me weeks to collect enough of them for the tables. Laura, your wedding pictures are beautiful...you look so happy! Sorry about DH being such a baby....my DH is pretty amazing when he's sick. I just don't hear anything from him. He sleeps or lays around reading and rarely will he tell me he's sick. Guess I'm lucky, because I'm not a very good care giver and he doesn't require it (at least when he's sick). I wish you and DH & DS better health. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Julie, once again, sorry you are in pain...it ups the stress level which impacts food intake...I really hope you can get to the bottom of it so you feel better. Oh, and when you finish with your dust issues...I have a few here too. Janet, glad you had a good visit with the kids. I think it's fabulous that you get along so well and love each other. So you are driving to your DS's next weekend? That will be nice. Does DGS and the dogs go with you? Oh, he is working isn't he. How's that going? Phyl, I'm sorry to hear you still aren't feeling well. Hope you figure that out and start feeling better. Enjoy your visit with your family. LauraK, glad the zumba is working out for you....I'd be tripping over my feet. Cheri, Happy Anniversary! Best wishes for your family and their health issues. It's tough and some people seem to have more issues that others...I wish them the best. Judy, how's the arm? How's the rehearsals going? Hey Joyce, you are getting close, we'll be rooting you on over the next few days. Well I'm not doing much today. My cleaning lady didn't clean much when I was in FL because her GD had a little accident and she had to leave early....so I'm doing some house work. I think I forgot how. Sheets, towels, rugs being washed and I'm going to have to do the floors, they're getting too messy. She won't be coming her next scheduled visit either because she has something going on, so she will have a lot to clean when she does get here in March. Yes, I know, I'm a princess when it comes to house cleaning. But you know I'm doing my part to help the economy. It's still raining. Got my yearly evaluation yesterday and I did okay. We aren't getting a raise this year (no management person is) but we are getting our bonus and mine is good (based on how the company does and the business unit). No complaints from me. The money is taxed at a higher rate and they take all of your deductions out of it, so in the end, I get about 1/2 of what the total amount is. It will help pay for the work we are going to have done on the house (move the power line from overhead to underground). So although I still don't want to work, at least I still like the pay check. It's still raining.... I'll check back in later..... Eva

The concert was amazing....the venue is mediocre but oh well. Al Di Meola plays Spanish (as in Flamenco) influenced jazz, jazz fusion, and a little rock-sort of. Amazing guitar player. I saw him in Tucson 20 years ago with John Williams, Paco de Lucia and the lead guitar player of the Dixie Dregs (can't remember his name). I was utterly blown away by the music then as I am now. Now I have to wind down and go to sleep. Sleep well Julie.... Eva

Okay Apples, I see you put a challenge out there for Laura and me..... Laura, what do you think? I usually mess up when challenged like this, maybe it's just what we need to keep ourselves focused. Sorry about your parents...they just want you near, even if you are sick. Your mom should understand that you don't want to share germs. Apples, sorry about that poor man....it's really hard knowing you can't do anything about it. Janet, enjoy your family....you'll have peace and quiet soon. Joyce, you'll be very happy for that liquid diet after surgery. Hang in there, it's about time and you won't be hungry after surgery. Charlene, good for you. Stay determined and positive...it will happen. Great, those 3 pounds will come off...traveling makes it hard to stay on schedule and in a routine..sometimes I do good and other times not. Judy, sorry about your arm...I hope it clears up quickly. We are going to see Al DiMeola tonight...probably won't be able to post again until tomorrow. Hope everyone has a great night.

Morning....up and at'em. I am logging my food in this morning and will get right back on track. Didn't do bad yesterday, but it was an unstructured day like the last week was, so it's time to get myself back into losing mode. I have goals to meet, one in April and one in July (band anniversary). I'd like to have lost at least 66-67lbs by my bandiversary, so I have a ways to go on that and it needs to happen. Julie, good for you on the goals and the bread. You can do it. Sndy, I don't run either....maybe in another 20 pounds, but right now, my back and hips are still too compromised to pound on them like that. Although when walking on the river walk, I've really thought about running and how freeing that would be, so maybe when I hit onederland I will be giving it serious thought. Gotto go to work...later ladies Eva

Bandgroupie....yep, good pics. The side by side really shows how much work you've done. The chip clips were pretty funny too, but hey, it worked. You show off those legs pretty well.

Sorry you are having such a hard time...I had that until my last fill. Do you have good restriction right now? That snacking can really add up. You've done wonderful with your weight loss by the way. You can tell you've been able to follow your plan much better than I have, so even if you are not where you want to be this minute, you'll get back there.

Back again... Jessica, I'm glad to hear you recognize that you need to stay on your meds and are taking steps to be where you need to be. See you are an inspiration to others and being able to explain how the band works will help those around you. Good for your DH's boss, he'll have you to inspire him. Phyl, sorry about the GS trouble and the fact you have the remnants of a cold. Wow, great job on the weight loss....I bet you were just dancing on that WII! So can you get the fishoil in the caplets and break those open? I bet they would taste really bad though. Jodi....while you are waiting, keep in mind that wait period is saving you tons of money. I didn't have to wait too long but it cost me thousands. You know what they say, "time or money". Have you been able to figure out that recipe you were wondering about? I can't remember exactly what it was...but I take it's high fat? You know you can still do those, but you just don't eat more than a bite. Good luck with the dog duty. Snakes for hair? Maybe there is a costume shop and you can find a medusa wig. Or maybe a bunch of partially inflated, long skinny ballons with eyes and fangs drawn on them. I can't tell you on this thread what that reminds me of...but you might be able to imagine it. ezzie...I think most people are apprehensive about surgery, but I've never had one before this and it was no big deal after it was over. I don't feel the band now (it was tender right after surgery because it's right at my bra line) and I do still feel my port and the tubing from time to time, but it's not something I worry about. I've only lost 44 pounds so far and I'm feeling so much better. It's amazing how much easier it is to tie my shoe and move. Walking is easier and so is exercising. It's been worth it and I look forward to future benefits. I wish the best for you. There is a lot of information out there, read it all, the good and the bad, it will help you. Julie, what fun buying yard stuff! You'll have something fun to look forward to when the snow melts. So you are going to give up bread for Lent...I think that is great. It's something you love and it will be a sacrifice which is the point isn't it? It's also a very healthy choice. And it's only during the Lenten season so you know it's not forever. Good for you. Judy, glad you made it home alright....we waved when we drove by, but there just wasn't enough time to stop. My brother had plans and we had to get to Ft. Myers in order to meet up with him. You are going to do so well in your play..you are so talented and funny. Have tons of fun!! Apples, cute story about your DS. Glad all that food didn't go to waste too. I'm still working on the "don't waste food, there are starving children...." syndrome. You get through any of your reading? How's the dog? Ladykc...welcome! The pre-op diet is tough but I really thought it helped me with hunger issues after I got banded. Yeah, it's tough without the computer these days. Janet, did you get my text message? At least this text wasn't one of those...oh no, I'm stuck in Dallas again. How's your sister? When is your DS coming? Hope all is going well with you. Dinner is done and I think I'm going to go read the rest of the book I was reading on the trip. That will be different. I don't want to go back to work tomorrow, but oh well, got to pay for the car rental. It's weird, I will spend a ton of money on travel...nothing tangible, but have a cow when I buy a $200 piece of jewelry. I really do love jewelry, just don't wear much. Maybe when I lose the weight, I'll want to adorn myself more..LOL. Have a great night ladies. Eva

There is no way I'm going to be able to keep up with all these posts....It's really good to see everyone participating. Yes, I made it back last night about 11:30pm we got home just before midnight. My back was bothering me from sleeping on a futon for a couple of nights and I had to take a vicodin. I took it on the plane between Dallas and Tucson and slept off and on most of the way home. After we got home, I was able to sleep until 8am this morning and woke up feeling good. The trip was uneventful and I am grateful for that. We had a good visit with my brother and his SO...she gushed over my weight loss (that was nice) and I told them about the band because of course they asked. Anyway it was good. On the way back to Orlando, we stopped at the Manatee park and saw at least 30 manatees...that was pretty cool. They were hanging out in the released water from the power plant...it's warmer than the ocean rivers right now. Laura, wow, doesn't it feel great to reach a number that you haven't seen in a very long time. We are very very close in weight...hopefully, we will be sliding down that scale at about the same rate...steadily. Hope Nels stays feeling better. You leaving for NC tomorrow? Best wishes to your Dad...hope he knows we all send him our best wishes. Hope your sister likes her "bag". Great, Apples almost did send that bag, but then thought it might have been a little tacky...glad you see the humor in it. I really like doing silly things like that. Wish you could have made it too, but maybe for the next trip. Are you excited about your Israel trip? Charlene, you aren't weak.....you are very strong and able. You made the step to get banded and you stay with the thread and you are participating in all the support groups and working on the exercise. How in the world do you think that is weak. Food is a necessity and it's very difficult to make the right choices sometimes. You will find that specials place you need to be and all will fall in place. Trust yourself. 1 day....we missed you too, but there will be another one and we were talking about meeting in Savanna, GA, how far away is that for you? Hope the new job goes well. Sndy...great job with the running...any running would be an effort for me. Linda...sorry about the vacation time issue...that's what my company does too, no sick time, I have to use vacation time if I get sick. I met some snow birds in FL that were from IA and they were great...made me think of you. LauraK...glad Isaac is feeling better. It's really hard with the animals because sometimes you just don't know what to do for them. Cheri...enjoy the clothes...you did the work and need to have the clothes to show it off. $200 may seem like a lot, but I bet you got some great deals. I'm going to work on dinner for DH and his boy...I'll be back later and continue with the posts.

Crzy...to multi post, click the "multi" button at the end of each post you want to respond to...then when you are ready to type and you hit post reply, all the quotes come up and you scroll through them and post what you want. I just got off a four month plateau. It took the last fill to do it for me because I sure wasn't doing it myself. How's your restriction? I'm figuring out that your fill levels sure make a difference. And Welcome to the thread! Deb, I really get it when you say you have trouble with the mini goals...I tried to get to 222 for four months and didn't do it and couldn't get there, finally took the mini-goal off my signature. I'm now changing my mini-goal strategy and only making them for 3 or so pounds and giving myself extra time. This may change too, but at least now I feel I can reach the smaller goal. Maybe a 5 pound goal with a 8 or 10 week time frame would at least give you a reasonable goal to shoot for. Hang in there, you can do this....we can change...ever so slowly, but we can do it. Charlene, hang in there...that weight will come off...it's weird, now matter what people say, your body will release that weight when it's ready. You are also building muscle with the exercise....I bet you are noticing other changes in your body from that. I've been up since 3:45 going through all the posts. Welcome to all the new people. In case you couldn't tell, there are some very nice and supportive people on this thread. I wish I could comment to each of you, but it's a little over whelming right at the moment. I'm typing on my brother's laptop In Ft. Myers and it doesn't have a separate mouse and I keep sending the cursor to weird and unusual places with the touch pad. It's been good to visit with my brother and his SO (significant other)...just a little bit in the evenings because he's had work and other obligations. We are staying in another brother's condo and it has been really nice having a whole apartment to stay in. That brother lives in the Washington DC area and just uses this place when they come to visit. We bought them a new tea kettle because their old one was little funky. To all the Florida lapsisters.....I can't tell you how much meeting you all has meant to me. Each of you is special and have touched me with your journey and lives. Thank you for including me and welcoming my DH. It's meant so much. I'll write more later because I'm having a really hard time expressing my self right now. We went to Sanibel Island yesterday and I got a really good walk on the beach...it was nice, cool, but very good walking weather. We leave today so we will be heading back to Orlando this afternoon. Our flight is late today and hopefully everything will go on schedule. Guess this post is long enough. I'll post again when I get back and can use my own computer. Have a really good day everyone.

Okay...amazing enough...there aren't that many martinis going around down here. Coffee, tea, crystal light, etc....not too much alcohol yet. Deb, good going on the 6 pounds....you know...it is amazing because you sometimes just don't realize you are eating less when you are. We just met Laura's DH and he's really nice. Nels is a pretty good little boy and very polite. We are talking about a lot of issues with the lap band and stuff we can't exactly post some of this stuff....like comparing our port scars...LOL. Okay ladies, later.

Hello everyone....yes, we finally made it. Here's a picture of the group of us. So you are looking at Judy, Laura, Apples, Janet, Julie, Eva, and Jessica. Now I need to go take a shower.....I'm sure the rest of them will appreciate it!! Later Eva

221.5 last week 221 this week....a 1/2 is better than nothing.

Wow Janet, you got less sleep than me...I'm at about 4. So when we get to Orlando....we are both going to feel really perky aren't we? Morning Julie, have a safe trip. See you tonight or in the morning. It's 5:37 here and I'm packed the laundry is put away, the dog already had her pills and I'm just waiting to fix a little Breakfast, then we'll be off to the airport. My eating has been erratic ay best and I suspect today isn't going to help. I'm down another 1/2 pound, but with as stressed as I am, it will be interesting how my eating goes. I really don't feel like eating right now, but that may change. Okay, have a good one ladies. Eva

Janet and I will be there.....very late, but we should make it.

now on hold with American.....waiting....waiting....

Been on the phone for 40 minutes on hold....waiting to get through to a travel agent. My flight from Dallas is canceled too so I'm going to see what else I can do. I will be coming one way or another because I'm staying through Tuesday. Just don't know when I'll get there. Stopped packing because I don't want to cram all my clothes in the bag if I'm not leaving tomorrow. I'm okay with Duluth too....I have a friend there I'd like to see also. I've really never been to Minnesota...just a fly by to Minneapolis airport. I'll let you know what's happening. Eva

Janet, that explains the Santa Cruz info. I didn't know that about Santa Cruz. Makes me curious now. Go ahead, spark more of the travel bug in me. I have to go look in manholes this morning. At least I'm not opening them, a couple of guys from my old air pressure crew will open them for me. I haven't opened a manhole lid in years, not sure if I could still do it, but I'm tempted to try. I'll let you know. Curious...we understand about having to slog through a lot of posts to find your answers, but most of us will type your avatar name first then answer. If you don't want to read the trivia, then just look for the posts with your name. The other advantage to having all these people on the thread is just what Indio said...you get different experiences and perspectives...if she started a help thread with just her, then that would limit the experiences and perspectives of other people. An alternative for you would be to post your own thread with your question and see what answers you get back. Gotta run....running late this morning.

Evening ladies...thanks everyone for the thoughts about work. Here's the good news, I'm bringing my laptop, hopefully I'll figure out how to go wireless. Here's the bad news...I'll probably have to work at some point while I'm there. But, I can talk and draw at the same time, so it should be much more fun than at work. Cheri, Vegas is not someplace I would pick for a summer trip...I'd rather go to Apples area in MN for the summer. Janet...you mean Santa Fe, NM? The Santa Cruz river (dry mostly) runs through Tucson. Santa Fe is pricey...lovely and a great place to go in the summer, but $$$. I really don't have "workout" clothes anymore...maybe I'll throw a pair of shorts in the pile anyway. Laura, DH will be joining us for dinner. Thanks for letting me include him. He can talk to anyone and is very pleasant...much more so than me most times. Melissa, just start saving your money for next year. Vegas sounds fine to me, but there are other places too. We'll figure something out by then. We'll make sure you get pictures....does someone have your email address? We can email them to you directly. (I'll have my camera and cord to download to the computer). Hey Jessica, I like your idea of a graduation gift. I want a motorcycle when I retire and have time to enjoy it. DH has a Moto Guzzi, 70's vintage. It's a really nice bike. Congrats on the 9 pounds!! Julie, you are going to have so much fun on this trip that you'll go anywhere next year...just wait. We like you and want to spend time with you. Heck, you CAN chose your friends....not like getting stuck with icky family members. Are you getting excited yet? Great....great going on the new suitcase. So your gradma is taken care of for the week now? I hope it is sunny so we can hang out by the pool, that would be fun, even if it's too cool to swim, the jacuzzi should be nice. I'm bringing my bathing suit...it's already packed. Curios, I'm one of the newer members of this thread and they have been very helpful. Yes, it is social, but if any one has any questions, someone will try and help. I find the social aspect of it helpful to me too. People share their experiences daily of living with their band...food experiences, personal experiences...it's what living with the band is all about. Okay, it's already late again. I need to get up early to get my workout in before work. I'm taking a co-worker to get her first pedicure after work tomorrow. Have a good evening.