StephC

Good morning! You all inspire me!!! I need to spend more time on LBT!! I really do want to lose more weight - I'm just not motivated!!! I know I look average right now, not FAT but not thin either and I still get compliments almost everyday so its hard to get back in the zone. I might go for a fill when I get back from vacation. Its so wierd, I'm almost wondering if maybe I'm too tight. I went to mexican the other night and ate an enchilada, burrito and margarita. But the other day I tried to eat Pasta salad and threw up. So am I too tight or not tight enough - I know pasta is a no-no for me so it could just be that. I don't want a fill before I leave bc I don't know what I'd do if I was too tight and in the wilderness of northern Minnesota - LOL - that wouldn't be cool. We are going to Sure Game Wilderness Resort - kinda a family reunion. I see most of my family every year, mom and sis a couple times a year but I have a brother who lives in Cal. that I haven't seen in 15 - yes 15 - years!!! We leave the 6th and will only be there a week - bummer. But I'm really excited. Gotta get to work AGAIN! love ya ladies!!! (Nat - your hysterical!) (Bman - you rocker!)

hellllllllllllllo Sweethearts!!! I've been so busy - I won't even go there - when was the last time I checked in? Geesh! I'm stuck at the same weight - not going up and I'm not going down - I'm not counting calories and I'm not exercising - so who's to blame? I just don't feel like bothering with the calorie counting and I'm definitely eating what I want and just plain and simple not trying. Someone asked me yesterday how I was doing at losing and I said I'm not, I'm just at a stand still and my dh said its will power - he knows I've been eating junk I shouldn't be - like chips! Just like bmans popcorn, chips also go down really easy. So although I'm not eating like I did pre-band I'm not eating like I should if I want to lose the weight I have left. And thats another thing. I'm too happy being where I'm at and feel like I look good so I'm not working at those last 40 lbs. HMPH!!! I guess I'm repeating myself from the last time on was on - sorry. I guess when the golf season is over I'll get my shit together and work at losing again. wish I could get it together now. Love ya ladies - I leave for vacation July 6th - WOOOHOOO!!! I need it!!!

Ok so I'm feeling like I'm doing NOTHING to lose weight. Seriously, I eat what I want and I'm not exercising - heck I'm not even keeping steady with my steadies! BUT I'm not gaining and I'm seriously not overeating - but I've stopped counting calories - although I still look at the nutritional content. Like this morning, I brought cottage doubles in for bk and ended up eating pb crackers - 180 calories - not bad for bk but was it healthy? So I'll eat my cottage cheese for lunch... this is how I've been going for the past few weeks and yet somehow I had dropped 2 lbs the past month. I feel like I look good, although dd and I tried swimsuits on the other day - not ready for a new suit this year - I bought a new cover up for my old suit. But I'm wearing a 14 so comfortable and I'm still getting compliments - ugh! I feel like I'm failing and then on the other hand I feel like I'm doing ok. I'm feeling like I've lost the "bulk" of the weight and now if I keep S-L-O-W-L-Y losing I'm ok with that. If I lose just one pound a week I'll be down another 27 lbs by the one year mark - that will put me under 160 which I haven't seen in over 10 years. But then on the other hand I know if I'd just get my butt in gear I could be there in 2 months. I'm so confused. Do you think I'm a basket case?

I'm back! Bossman is off today - and I'm almost caught up with work so I thought I'd sneak on a post today. I was at a complete stall - BUT it was my own fault. I had hurt my back so I quit walking - and I get NO exercise at work - I still haven't gotten back into exercising. I quit tracking bc I just don't have the time - so although I'm still trying to be food smart I know I'm probably eating more then I should. But this past week my scale dropped 2 lbs! YES!!!! And its staying there - woo hoo! I really wanted to be at 170 for our vacation in July but if I get to 180 I guess I'll be happy. I'm at the point where I'm almost happy with how I look, I still have fat days but enough hot days to make me feel ok. I haven't been 185 in so long that I guess I'm just enjoying where I'm at. Size 14 slacks, skorts, capris all fit very comfy and I know if I just lost another 10 lbs I'd get into a 12. I'm pretty happy losing a couple pounds a month. You all seem to doing good. I'm not a big drinker but I don't have room to eat and drink - it comes up. I had thought about getting another fill last month but I think I'm at my sweet spot. I have to follow all the bandster rules, small bites, no drinking with meals, I can't tolerate breads, rice or anything that gums up in there. I've thrown up alot more then I think I should so I've finally learned to watch about eating those things. I still struggle with getting in enough water. Guess I better get to work, everyone keeps interupting me anyway. I miss ya!

Hello sweeties! I have been TOO busy to respond so today I'm only saying hi and will try to catch up soon. I'm doing ok - down 2 lbs and have thrown tracking out the window! Just haven't had time - work has been busy and home almost as bad. But I think of you all and you still inspire me to keep going. Today I ate BAKLVA!! about a million calories that I didn't need - its hard not eating the fat fried foods here at work. Anyhoo I miss you and will really try to catch up soon.

hi girlfriends! I've been reading but just no time to respond - or I have someone looking over my shoulder. I have to agree with all of you about one day feeling like you have it together and the next you feel fat again. Somedays I feel like one hot mama and the next I hate my body, I hate my clothes and feel like I'm eating too much. Today is a good day - Hubbster helps, he came home last night, he's been working away, he cuddled up and said let me hold my little skinny woman I've missed her. I'll probably keep him around another 28 years. Believe it or not but sex can still be great after all these years! LOL ok tmi! I am beginning to think I need a fill - I had cancelled my last one because I got sick. I am learning some foods I can't even TRY - rice being number one on the list. Last night I ate steak, I threw up the last couple bites, then I felt fine. So its kinda confusing - do I have enough restriction or not. Unlike you Maurdan, I've had 5 fills already. (btw I don't get notified bc I don't want to, like Nat this is the only thread I follow) Bman - sounds like you've made a new friend, if its meant to be it'll happen, otherwise just enjoy the friendship. My oldest dd is coming home today with her bf, theres trouble in paradise. She said she doesn't think they'll stay together - she just spent the week at his family's home. She said they are too different and will fill me in when she gets here. Sometimes I miss my kids so much my heart hurts. But she'll be here today so I'm happy. Youngest dd and bf will be here and my son and dil are coming over tonight too so I'll have all of them for a few hours, we're going to do a bonfire and mountian pies, smores all the fun stuff. Its been so quiet and weird with dh working away and dd is always busy or with her bf so I'm alone alot, I tend to get excited to have my kids all home. I hope you all have a great weekend, I have a couple picnics to go to. I made potato salad and pasta salad last night, I'm making a crab salad for Sunday and jello cake - too much food! Good thing the band keeps me from overeating!

Hi sweethearts! Geesh I've been so busy - I'm totally pissed - my scale is not moving - even thro TOM and all that back crap - I still have good restriction - almost too good but I'm not losing! WAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I feel so stressed. Work does it to me besides dh working out of town, then the weekend is spent with him and doing his laundry so he can leave again. I feel drained. My back is better but my mood is worse. My job sucks - every monday I have to decipher their crap games that they play with the registers and money. I gotta go - I only have 40 minutes til I can go home and then I'm off to staples to get a new printer for here at work. They broke mine over the weekend. Pissed!!! btw - I love ya!

Hi guys! I haven't had a chance to respond - at least not in length. My job has its moments - this week has been very hectic. My dh is working out of town, I've had something going on every night -an my freaking back is still out. I go again to the chiro this evening, dr gave me muscle relaxers that are helping too. I'm still weighing in at 187 - I had decided against another fill - but I think I'm still eating under 1200 a day. Talk to you all soon - work calls.

Bman you look great! You should be very proud of how good you look and are doing. We all have something we don't like about our bodies - mine is the belly. My suggestion to you is get a good padded bra, its my secret weapon. My dh says now my belly doesn't stick out farther then my boobs, but truth is if I put on an old bra I have that same old problem. I went to the chiro-cracker last night and my dr called me in a muscle relaxer - so I'm feeling better, not 100% yet but hopefully by next week I'll be ready to walk again. You all are doing so good! I think I lost 1 lbs last week but TOM came on Sunday so I'm hoping by the end of the week the scale will have moved more. I was going to get a fill tonight but changed my mind. I just need to concentrate on healthier foods. DD had a party over the weekend and we had WAY too much junk food around. Talk to all of you soon - work is calling.

Bman - sweetie, I'm sorry you felt out of place but be assured that girl was definitely JEALOUS! I have a sil who would pick me apart like that, actually 2 sil's who used to do it to me, and I was thin and pretty back then. They always would say things about certain features, like my eyes were small and squinty, or my lips were big or I needed to hold in my belly.... I was very self concious and truth of it I was just plain prettier then either of them so they picked me apart. She definitely feels inferior to you. Happy belated mothers day ladies! I had a wonderful weekend. My ds and dil came over Sat. for dinner with a huge hanging basket, my youngest dd also bought me a huge hanging basket, and then my dd who is living in Philly suprised me and showed up at church! Then dh and dd went to brunch and just spent the day together. Ds even popped in for a minute again last night. I got a kick out of my cards, both dd's wrote - love you big as the sky - thats what I've told my kids since they were babies. We'd look up at the stars and I'd say see how big the sky is, it never ends, thats how much I love you, big as the sky, it never ends. It tickled me that they both would write that in the card. Ok so I've got bad news - my exercise is on hold - I put my back out. Don't know how I did it but I'm on muscle relaxers and hope to get in to the chiro tonight. It had been bothering me a few days but I thought it was ToM coming, then sat. night it hit me bad, I had some relaxers from the last time, and they are working, a couple more days and I think I'll be ok - but I think I need to wait a week before I start up again. Gotta run, having bk with dd before she heads off for Philly.

Hi loves! Its been a crazy week at work - finally got "caught up" if you can really call it that. Went to bunco last night - love it, and they all said how good I look, healthy not like gastric bypass. I'm at another stall, I'm out there walking my butt off every morning every evening and keeping the cals low and that dang scale just won't budge - I'm set up for another fill on Tues before support group but I'm debating if I really need it or not. UGH! You all sound good. Good girl Kirsten, keep up the elliptical and you'll be skinny before you know it. Nouva ring.. both my daughters are on it without any problems. I kinda pushed my younger to use it bc its a once a month thing and I - yes I - don't have to worrry about her forgetting a day here or there. I missed survivor last night cuz of bunco and thought it was taped but when I got home it hadn't taped - geesh I need a tivo. Have a good day! And a great weekend!

Natster - hon, sorry you had a scare like that! I had something like that happen too. My son drank daffodil water - lol - I can laugh now, he climbed up on the table, picked up the vase and drank the water, I called poison control and they told me give him icopec (sp?) and the little guy puked all night - it was horrible! One time he ate chewing tobacco, like half a can, and he puked for an hour then too. Needless to say he's now 22 and has lived through it all. The absolute worse was when he was a senior in hs and had an infection so the dr gave him .. something he was allergic too.. we were driving home and he had taken it while we were in the car, first he started sneezing, then he rips his shirt off, then he has these big blotches, we get home and he takes 2 of his allergy pills. I call the pharmacy, he tells me take him to the closest hospital - 20 miles away! I flew to town, ran all the red lights and believe me, I would have lost him if he hadn't taken his medicine before we left, by the time we got to the hospital he wasn't breathing. Geesh - makes me sick thinking about it. Anyway I'm glad the babe is ok. I've done good but the scale is stuck again. The past couple days I've walked in the am and pm. Today I burned 389 calories and took in 889 - so the stupid scale should start moving soon, I think TOM is coming tho - work sucks. I'm so freaking busy, I can't get caught up, I'm still working on last weekend and I only have 2 days to get it all done or I'll be screwed for next week. I'll try to get on tomorrow - take care!

Bk I agree with Nat - I get the slimers too but just really think about the foods you are eating, eat SLOW, and chew well. And if you lose 10 lbs it sounds like it'll all be ok. Kay you sound happy. I'm glad you had a nice weekend. Nat have fun at the movie, let us know if its worth seeing. Kirsten fitday will track your calories burned for gardening. Its movement and exercsie - count it. I didnt' go out this morning, hopefully I'll get home before dark and be able to go. My calves are still killing me from those hills. The chef made homemade salsa for cinco de mayo- omgoodness its so good.

I was out walking this morning - it was a bit chilly! I had sweats on and still had to tuck my hands into the sleeves. But coming back I had the sun on my back, it felt so nice! Bman my oldest dd is a size 10, I think she looks wonderful. I was just in her room the other day and she had some jeans in a drawer, I was thinking one of these day I'm gonna fit into those jeans. Like that commercial where the girl wears her moms jeans. But hey I can't wait to wear a 12! I'll just flip! Have any of you ever done a colon cleansing? My neice and her dh are doing it and my sister is talking about it too. Bk have fun with the party. I remember doing a ninja turtle party for my 22 y/o son when he was in kindergarten. I took a poster board and painted a turtle on it, then they had to pin the mask on the turtle. The loved it, and always a big hit is the pinata. Oh and a candy hunt. If you have a summer birthday party outside, we hid the little candy bars and stuff like what you get at halloween. But you have to tell them that they can only find 5... or however many or you have one kid with 20 peices and another with 2. Anyhoo have fun! Has anyone measured lately? I did mine yesterday... you know that "stall/plateau" I was on in April? Well I lost 1 1/2 inches off my waist, 1 off my upper arm and 1 3/4 off my thigh, and 1 off my butt! So I guess even tho the scale wasn't moving something else was happening. From 1/8/07 I've lost a whopping 10 inches off my blubber belly! and 3 inches off each of my thighs! 5 inches off my butt! You all know you are my inspiration, if it weren't for you I'd never have come this far, I'm so glad I have you all to keep me going.

BMAN :thumbs_up: My jaw dropped when I read a size 10!!! You must feel like its your birthday!!!! :happybday2: Yippee! I'm proud of you!:Banane43: :thumbs_up: :thumbs_up: While I was at it I found this one for you Kirsten - go Kirsten ! Keep up the good work!:cheer2: Get your butt on the elliptcal again tomorrow morning too!!! I did good today too - I walked the HILLS :faint: TWICE! My dogs were loving me! Plus I cleaned house and shopped, so I burned an extra 600 calories today, and I'm treating myself with alittle ice cream. My calves hurt and I stink like ben gay. You all sound so good! I'm so proud of us! Nat - I hope all is well with the baby, keep us updated. I've had the same thing happen to me with Water, I forget I can't slug it down and end up burping it out. Gross. Sweatheart - I'm glad you're back with us, good luck with the next fill. Jill dear, maybe you just need to take the kids for a walk, just do a little at a time and before you know it you'll be wanting to. But right now you might need to MAKE yourself do it. BK did you have the little guys b-day party? And I know what you mean about missing piggin out - theres days where I know I would be if I could ... I'm so glad I can't! I forgot to tell you all this about the compliment I had yesterday. I don't know if I shared with you all before but when I knew I had to do something about my weight was when I knew that my fat was distorting my face - truely - but yesterday Nancy said, you look like your daughter. That meant more to me then anything, bc it meant she could really see it in my face and truth is... I'm vain. LOL Really I am! Ok - its been a busy day, I was up again at 5 am - out walking at 6, cleaning house until 9 and out shopping and yard sale-ing until 2, put stuff away, meanwhile doing 4 loads of laundry and walking again, bathing and combing the dogs, a little supper and a shower and now I'm ready to get my book and chill - y'all know I'll be out by 9 - Did I tell you my dd is staying at college, she has a nanny job, but her and 3 friends got an apartment so I was out trying to find dishes and junk to get her set up - she's been in a dorm the past 2 years. Anyway it'll kinda be lonely this summer, just Livy home. My babies are growing up :thumbs_up: .... but dang I'll be one hot gramma! LOL Love ya girls!

Hey sweethearts! Good day today - I got a compliment from someone who really means alot to me. My friend Nancy, she doesn't know about the surgery, she moved away last fall so I haven't seen her in a good 6 months. Her dh was in the other day and I guess he went home and told her I had lost alot of weight. She came in and said oh steph you look wonderful! Arch told me you lost weight but wow you look great! (ok so they were members of the club - but my favs - bff's) So that meant alot to me. And then my other member/friend said Steph I think you are losing weight by the minute. LOL I was looking hot today! oh yeah! Sassy good thing your good looking man wasn't around or he'd a been wiping the sweat off his brow.. LOL I wore a shirt I bought right before easter but although it "fit" I didn't feel comfortable in it - today I felt sexy in it. I can't believe how 2 lbs makes you feel! I'm feeling like I can actually hit goal before Christmas! Sassy you look wonderful - really tell the difference! Nat - good girl and you didn't really over do it - but go walk anyway it makes a girl feel good. The rest of you... we are strong, we are invinceable, we are WOMAN!! Beautiful sexy soon to be thin smart fun women! I was so busy at work today I only at about 400 calories - so I think I'll go make a t-bone and hit 1000 - LOL joking! seriously I'm hungry and I really like eating this late, 8:00, bc then I dont' snack, don't even think about snacking. I am having steak but not sure if I can eat more then about 4 oz. Wish me luck... no pb'ing tonight! Love ya ladies, have a wonderful weekend.

Hi guys! Nice to hear from Sweethot! I am also so jealous! I'd love to visit paris - I love museums, history.. all that crap. I wonder how Booboo is doing. Remember my pb incident - I figured it out. It was the pork. I tried to eat a small bite last night and BAM - I could feel it! So although I thought it was moist I it must have been the texture. I got on the scale this morning with my fingers crossed and I was still down to 189. Then I went to the gyno for my yearly visit - a 7:00am visit - can you believe that? I couldn't believe they had such early office hours. I have to go in for a sonogram, I have a fibroyd or something like that. I'm not too worried about it. Kirsten get your butt on that elliptical! NOW! (that was steph kicking ass) Good to hear everyone is feeling hopeful with the new fills - I am so ready to lose another 10 lbs this month!! YEAH BABY!

Am I insane or has LBT changed AGAIN???

Sassy I was thinking that last night when I got so miserable was after I drank. I dont' have a problem if I sip stuff but I can't chug anything, slow drinks just like eating. But if that doesn't help I agree with Bman - you might need a slight unfill. Theres no way I could drink a glass of juice in the morning, I am way too tight, and after I exercise if I unthinkingly drink a half glass of water I'm burping like I'm gonna spit it out. I don't have a cup of coffee until I get to work. You might just need to take it all slow, try mushies, a little cottage cheese and tuna, little bites, well chewed and absolutely no drinking with it. Which btw - speaking of drinking with meals. Since I had this last fill there is no way I can drink with my food, totally gives me the slimes. Probably what happened last night. I always drink a glass of water while I prepare dinner, so I bet it was too full and then I added the couple of bites to it... misery. I'm glad no one was offended with my waldo joke. Too freaking funny to keep to myself.

Here's the email. This would be my luck.... Family reunion in the Bahamas - $5,000 Family photograph made into Christmas cards at print shop - $100 Not noticing Waldo in the upper right corner - PRICELESS For Everything Else . . . There's Mastercard. priceless.bmp

Good news! My scale moved! woohoo!!! Finally down 2 lbs! I weighed in at 189 today. Must be the new fill finally kicking in. I hope all of your fills are going good. Mine didn't start out so great but now its finally feeling tight - a week later. Last night was horrible. I had a small chicken breast for lunch, then a kashi bar and some chicken salad around 3. I worked out in my flower beds for a couple hours and it was close to 7 when I finally went in for supper. I had a pork loin in the crock pot, quickie mashed taters, and okra - I was preparing stuff and took a bite of the pork, maybe I didn't chew well - I dunno - it was ok but then I took a bite of okra, one piece, I made my plate and started thinking ew I better wait a few minutes - I was sick for 2 hours! I slimed and pb'd , I was so sick. I just couldn't figure out what had made me sick tho, I think maybe the okra since it has that weird texture. Anyway it kept my calories below 700 LOL what a way to keep it low. You all are kicking butt with the exercise! wow Bman running a mile! I'm the same as Nat I get about 3 minutes and die. I walked the hills this morning, 1.5 miles. It was nice, its finally nice enough, and dried up enough that I can get out instead of doing the dread mill. My goal for May is exercise 20x and lose 10 lbs. Nat - glad you liked the email, I was roaring too - I will post it on yahoo for everyone else to read. Ok - I've got a ton of work to get to - talk to ya'll later! Love ya!

When I was a little girl growing up in Northern Minnesota on May 1st we would make little baskets of candy and put them on our friends door step, knock on the door and run. It was our way of celebrating May Day. I was wondering if anyone else did something like this? It really makes me nostalgic thinking about a simplier life and time.

Help! I'm trying to find the Sears store that sells this mirror. sears mirror.bmp

((((Brandi)))) so sorry to hear about the jerk! The good thing about all of this is that he's GONE! I know it hurts and it'll take time to completely heal but HE IS GONE! You are beautiful, young, funny, smart, and successful - you'll have a good life. Whats going on with us? Did we have a 4 month stall or something? Geesh! I'm with all of you, I still haven't lost a pound this past month! But I'm determined to get back to it!

Lynne - where were you raised? We did the same thing, ring the doorbell or knock and run. LOL Geesh I have such happy memories. And its so funny that you were just talking about it last night!