Betsyjane

It's a lot like Andy Warhol making money off of a commercial soup can canvas. L Ron Hubbard was a science fiction writer who made a religion about space aliens and made money. It is a testament to Warhol's and Hubbard's marketing skills that they could sell something so out there. Cruise is equally ambitious and makes a superb living marketing his looks and a bit of talent. It's the American way........

How is your fill otherwise? aRe you able to eat enough and not too much? That would certainly be a step in the right direction... I used to get leg cramps when my potassium was off. Haven't heard about ones on the front though. Leave it to you to be eeeuuunnnneeeek! I'd like you to come out sometime even if you don't run......

Call Medicare and find out where the providers are. (Sorry to be so cut and dry...sounds like you're really frustrated with good reason).

4 laps around my lake pasture is 1 mile. I did 1.5 miles today (walking at a decent clip). Pacing me the whole way were one of my Golden Retrievers, and one of my deer. Once when I slowed down, John Deer came up behind me and pushed me along. Anybody want to join me and come walk the pasture?

I keep a food log for a few days when I'm off track, and it really gets me honest. Then sometimes I just use my fingers and a rubber band. I pretty much know when something is 100 calories, so for every 100, I move the rubber band to the next finger. When it's on the last finger, I'm done for the day. It works when I work it.....

Put it behind you and go find a Medicare lap band surgeon! Don't let those guys get you off track!

So today was my first day "in training" for the 5K. ...Meaning that I walked and "ran" for a mile around our lake. I think my walk is faster than my run, which is not even a jog, but a shuffle. Also, I think running puts too much stress on my joints and back, so I will be a glorious power walker at the 5K. At a walk, a mile really didn't seem like anything, so I guess I wasn't pushing it. My new pedometer seems to be grossly inaccurate, so I'm not going to trust it. I guess I need to drive 5 miles and then try to walk it and see what that's like. 5K is 3.1 miles, right? BArbara, and anyone else...let's walk this weekend!

Oy! I have trouble keeping a food log for more than a few days...... Other than my own shortcoming, it sounds really great!

Well, I signed up for BridgeFest, Barbara. I may be in the hospital and if so, won't get there, but I figure it's still worth it to work toward it. Are you signing up? If so, want to walk the Kingwood trails this weekend and see what 5 miles feels like? Anybody else?

I was reading assorted blogs about it, and one person said not to spend the money because it is a glorified pedometer and that there are lots of errors in the programming. Sounds like nobody here feels that way. Is it worth the $?

Tell me too! If I understand, it automatically calculates your calories expended. Then you log in your food eaten and it tells you howmuch more exercise you have to do to reach your goals. What are the counseling sessions? Are they on line or in person? Are they worth it or just an ad? What's the best price for a bodybug?

Anybody want to do the 5 mile Bridgefest run/walk in Kingwood Feb 2? 16TH ANNUAL BRIDGE FEST 5K FUN RUN & WALK SET FOR FEB. 2ND Saturday, January 05, 2008 @ 06:08:06 AM CST Topic Announcements Kingwood Medical Center to be Event Sponsor The Lake Houston Family YMCA announces the 16h Annual Bridge Fest 5K Fun Run and Walk will be held on Saturday, February 2, with Kingwood Medical Center once again as the Event Sponsor. Additional sponsors are The Observer Newspapers, Tejas Toyota, Kingwood Personnel, Wendy’s, Thornton Printers and Zanderman Graphics. The Lake Houston Family YMCA appreciates the generosity of these outstanding businesses as their support helps cover the cost of race expenses so that 100% of race entry fees will go to the Lake Houston Family YMCA Partners Campaign. Last year over 2100 runners, joggers and walkers attended Bridge Fest which began as a celebration of the opening of the Lake Houston Parkway Bridge connecting the communities of Humble, Atascocita and Kingwood. The course is a fast, accurately measured USTA certified 5K, which begins at the YMCA, 2420 West Lake Houston parkway. The route travels across the Lake Houston Parkway Bridge, makes one turn, and returns back to the YMCA. This event offers a great opportunity for families to come out and spend quality time together. The first race will begin at 8:00 am and is a ½ mile event open to ages 6 and under. Following the ½ mile race will be a 1-Mile Race for ages 7 – 10 at 8:20 am and a 1-Mile Race for ages 11 – 14 at 8:40 am. This will allow for the younger runners to race against their own age groups and compete for an award in those age groups. Following the Kids Races, the annual Family Run and Walk will begin at 9:00 am. All Bridge Fest participates can enter the Elementary School or Middle School Challenge which is a friendly competition between schools. The elementary and middle schools with the most participants in Bridge Fest will win a trophy to display at their school, their school name on the plaque that hangs in the lobby of the YMCA and a party at their school. Proceeds from Bridge Fest support the Partners scholarship program offered at the Lake Houston Family YMCA. Many families in the Lake Houston community have little or no ability to pay for the programs and services offered at the YMCA. Last year, Bridge Fest contributed over $35,000 of the $185,000 raised to make certain that children and families were not denied access to character enhancing programs or vital services such as the After School Child Care, Aquatics, Day Camp, Residential Camp, Youth Sports, Teen Leadership Camp and many more because of financial limitations. Families and individuals can apply for financial assistance by completing an Open Door application at the member service desk. Bridge Fest registration is $20.00 for the 5K and $14.00 for the children’s races. There is a special fee of $49.00 for a family of four and $5.00 for each additional family member living in the same household. Registrations received after January 29 will be assessed an additional $5.00 fee. Registration forms are available at the Lake Houston Family YMCA and all Houston area YMCA’s. You may also register on-line at www.signmeup.com New this year is a Spaghetti dinner on Friday, February 1 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at the Lake Houston Family YMCA sponsored by Italliano’s Restuarnt and Texas Road House. The cost is $3.00 per person and proceeds will also benefit the Partners Campaign. Pick up your packets that night and load up on your carbs before our event on Saturday. There will be a post-race awards celebration following the last race under the pavilion (in the event of inclement weather the awards celebration will be in the gym). All participants are invited for food, music and the presentation of race awards. For additional information on Bridge Fest, call Carol Sutton, Marketing Director (281) 360-2500 or e-mail carols@ymcahouston.org. The Lake Houston Family YMCA is a non-profit organization serving the communities of Huffman, Humble, Atascocita, Kingwood, Porter and New Caney by building strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

I did self pay. Didn't have to go for a psych eval or anything else. Talked to the Dr., paid my money, went right to surgery!

Goood news. I find I'm kind of holding my breath for you. Glad to hear the update.

Now that's really funny. I had just gotten off the phone with anothe rBarbara, and I thought she called me back by mistake. I didn't realize it was you or I would have asked you about your trip! I know what you mean! I had .3 removed, and I'm eating, well, not quite like the old days, but with hints of all my old bad habits and not stopping them! I have to get back in to add some in! Amazing what that little old band can do! Makes me appreciate that little sucker. Texan: Look in the supprt group section to see if there's one in El Paso. Good luck!

OK. It's Dec. 26. Time to forgive ourselves for any culinary indiscretions at Christmas. What was, was. Today is a new day for keeping a few days of a food journal, regifting chocolate, and heading to the gym. Hope you all had a happy one.

I haven't done well with that. I have some motivations clothes always in my closet, but I find that my sillouette changes as I get smaller and different styles look good on my. I haven't guessed well with some of the stuff I grow down into.....

Oh, shut up Missy. Just kidding. Congrats!

Has anyone had experience with this Dr. Schmit in the Bismarck area? If he's a real legit Dr., then this story is hard to believe. Er, if he isn't there at all, the story is harder to believe.

Hi. I've been banded over a year. I went to Spivak and adore him. You won't see complaints about him anywhere. I have firends who went to Speigel and have ongoing concerns about his bedside manner. But both are accomplished lap band surgeons. Go to the free opening seminar for each of them and then decide! You'll learn a bunch!

Hye, if anybody wants to see the pictures of the 34 big dogs living in our house for Christmas, please email me at giddyyuppie@aol.com and I'll be happy to send them on. We can't stop laughing. And they have all been so good.

That's great. We'll keep a good thought, Barbara. Merry Christmas, everyone.

I'll keep a good thought. Shoot...I should be going with you. I need .1 of the .3 they took out, put back in. I'm almost right, but not quite enough restriction.....

How was your test?

You know how sometimes it's difficult to see progress? I had lunch with a friend today who moved out of state a year ago. Her response to my weight loss felt so good to me. She was floored...and gushing. What a great way to put things in context. I keep looking at the last pounds I have to lose and forgetting to be grateful...or even notice...the pounds:whoo: I've already lost!