Kaydotrn

B-man, drive safely!!!! Scary stuff. We have nothing for snow in the Northeast. I wonder if we will get hit soon. Let us know you are home safely. Nat-Great on the compliment. I bet that feels great. I KNOW it does. Work it!!!!! Steph-congrats on all the home improvement. Sounds tiring but exciting too. Hang in there. Okay, need to share a recipe if you all don't mind. It is an old weightwatcher recipe and so yummy, I tweaked it a bit to make it have more protein and to make it creamy/cheesy because that is what I was craving... Cheesy Taco Soup- 1lb lean ground beef or turkey 1 pkg low sodium taco seasoning (the powder) 1 pkg fat free Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning (for the dip) 1 can stewed tomatoes 1 can mexican stewed tomatoes 1 can black beans 1 can red kidney beans 1 can corn 1 8oz brick of lowfat cream cheese 1 small onion chopped 2 cloves garlic minced Brown meat in stock pot, drain, add onion until cooked and then add garlic for about a minute. Stir in both seasoning mixes. Now add all the cans of stuff (I rinse the red beans but add the water from everything else). Bring to a boil then simmer on low(covered) about 1/2 hour. Then add the cream cheese and stir it in until it melts. Simmer on low another half hour or so. It is so good and a 1 cup serving is about 3 WW points which means NOT MUCH CALORIES. I don't know the actual calorie figures but I don't think it is too bad...I ate about 3/4 cup and it was so thick, filling and yummy. Hope you enjoy. Have a good night everyone.

Thanks--I needed that. I hope you are right. I have eaten well today and not picked at any of the Snacks I have been picking at a little lately. I have to say thought, I am hungry more often than I was in the past. I am definitely doing this through sheer willpower and I Need a fill soon. Feb 15th cannot come soon enough! Thanks again girls.

Quick hellos before I try to read the posts. I have 10 minutes before I go out to pick up the kids so I wanted to say hi first. I posted on the Feb challenge thread that i Was up 0.8 pounds at my weigh in this week. Ugh. I don't really know what is up with that since I am totally eating less cals than I am burning. Could it be muscle? I am definitely building more with all the exercise I am doing...My clothes are getting super loose. I am trying to let it not get me down. I do need a fill though. I am just way too preoccupied with eating, whereas I was not before. hmmm. I see the md soon enough. Okay..I have carried on and now I will read...

Just checking in...I weighed in today for my weekly weigh in and I was up 0.8lbs (not reflected in my ticker because I am in denial!). I really think I am just hanging onto some extra Water. I looked over my eating and I burned thousands more calories than I ate. I also upped the weights that I am doing so I think that could lead to something as well. I am irritated but I am trying to look at this rationally. At any rate, I hauled my butt to the gym and had a 45 min elliptical wokrout and 100 crunches. My abs are sore but it feels good. Thanks for all the breakfast ideas by the way. How is everyone doing today?

Hey B-man- this girl is still bitter about the NE/Colts game...thanks for pouring salt in the wounds! (j/k-sorta) Thanks for the info on the workout. I will take it under advisement! I know what you mean about not knowing if this is what we are supposed to feel like. It is the strangest thing. I too think I have lost weight around my stomach, inside because I have so little restriction. I forget sometimes that I even have the band except that I don't eat any bread or pasta and not much for fresh fruit. All I know is right now I am HUNGRY!!!! I am trying to hold out for a little. I will eat some small dinner and call it a night. I have weigh in tomorrow and despite burning more cals than I am eating everyday, I appear to have gained weight. Go f'ing figure! I went over some old info and found 4 of my old weight watcher log in books that showed my weight loss efforts over the past 7 or so years. I would always get down to 231, dip to 220 for a week, then immediately start to head back up to 235. That would last a couple months and eventually I would gain it all back. SO here I am at 231 or so and not having any luck. I know I am repeating myself but I am really wondering if my body has some sort of "memory" at this weight and just does not know how to let go? What do you all think? I know I will not be stuck here forever...I know it will eventually budge.I am just getting impatient! Nat-what is in the queso dip? I like anything that is melty and cheesy. yummmmyyyy. Guys are so weird, huh? I have been caught up in that game before that you mentioned. Keep me updated on the saga! haha

I am up for a challenge (of course we are already 5 days into the month!). I am not budging on the scale and have no restriction. I have not had my first fill yet (due 2/15) but I am committed to my exercise. I VOW to do 20 days of exercise this month. That is 5 days a week min.! I need a fil..waaaaahhhhh. I am trying to eat well and have been slipping a bit of late but really hope to keep from gaining until I see the doctor. My favorite breakfast is a poached egg and a turkey breakfast sausage (shady hill or jenni-o) they are so yummy and it feels like a big treat. I only eat that once a week and usually stick to my Protein shakes in the morning. The kashi concoction sounds good and I think I could use more fiber!

I too am eating way more than I thik I should be. Again, this is all in the "banded" perspective, because girls, I could eat a lot more before. Yesterday I purposely ate little to nothing all day to be able to indulge a bit during the game. I had a shake for breakfast, tomato soup for lunch, then football time, forget it. I think I ate 3 meatballs, 3 stuffed mushrooms and way too many chips and dip. I had no problems fitting it all in and never really felt full. I miss that feeling of not wanting to eat that I had until about 2 weeks ago. I still have no fill am not scheduled for one until 2/15. I am freaking because the scale this morning read that I was up 3 pounds...how is that possible? I don't get it. I am hoping it just means that I am hanging on to some fluid because of all the salt on the chips. There is no way I ate enough to gain 3 pounds of fat in the past 2 days. When I look at my week I am still burning more than I am eating. As penance, I went to the gym this morning for almost 2 hrs. I burned 500 cals on the elliptical beast for 50 minutes, then did the entire weight circuit. I also did 100 crunches for the first time since surgery. I have totally avoided them for fear of splitting a stitch but I am thinking I am definitely far enough out of surgery to do them. I was shaky!!! Those tummy muscles have been somewhat ignored since December. So enough of this crap. I need to get on target. I was hoping to be down to 220 by March first but at this rate, it ain't happening! I will be lucky to see 228...UGH. focus focus focus. Nat-what is up withthe hair? Glad you are bringing the food into work. Good for you. Steph-sorry to hear about hubby. A trip to the ER is never fun! Hang in there. i have to run....

Okay, I am caught up. Great posts! B-man-way to go on the fill! Great loss too! I am really happy your hard work is paying off. I am actually starting think I am going to need one when I go to my next appt. (2/15) I have minimal restriction and I am battling with myself to not overeat. My intake has been fine, actually, it has been quite good, but the scale is stuck still at 230-232. It is pissing me off since I had been going at a steady clip until now. I am eating far fewer calories than I am burning at the gym so physiologically it just doesn't make sense to me. I know I just need to hang in there until my appt and it will all work out....UGH. Nat-I cannot wait to see the new hair. Sounds gorgeous!!! I have to go back to my studying. Have a great superbowl tomorrow. Nat, have fun at your party? Is the man coming??? Be good! Later girls

Checking in and reading posts as I have been sooo busy with school and life. I just want to take a break from papers and studying and thought I would say hello..first, I have to reply to this... I was so aggravated by the guys that were arrested for that stunt. They were 28 year old MEN and the people outside the court supporting them ekpt calling them "kids". UGH Since when did childhood continue into your late 20's? That annoyed me. Plus they thought the whole thing was so darn funny. I don't know if the police overreacted, but what if these had been bombs? Then what? What if an ambulance with a dying patient could not get to the hospital because the highways were shut down because of these "kids"? Thankfully nothing happened, but huge inconvenience for those of us who had to get into the city and deal with mounds of traffic. The fact is, it was $750K in man hours for city staff to deal with this stunt. It really pissed me off..can you tell? Stupid stupid stupid....If these guys were remotely sorry I wouldn't be as pissed but they thought the whole thing was so funny. I digress... now back to your regularly scheduled program...

Thanks Steph for posting that email. I thought the same thing already but it is nice to have a medical professional confirm it. I couldn't go to the gym today because I have my little one home sick from school but I did the Biggest Loser Workout..the older one. I did the boot camp for the first time and thought I was going to die! My GoD I am sore now. Especially my shoulders. I am fighting the scale to get below 230...it will not budge but keeps varying between 230.5 and 234..ugh. It is aggravating me but I also know I didn't exercise last week because of all that was going on..aside from the resistance bands and occasional squats I did. I am crossing my fingers that this is my week to prance into the 220's for the first time in at least 9 years. Wish me luck. I am off to clinical today...have a great day everyone, I will be back tomorrow.

Nat is a heathen! LMAO! Give it a shot, you may easily conform. (doubtful, I know). Enjoy your punch. hehehehe

I will forever think of you now if I see that commercial. LMAO! I hear you on the underwear. Luckily, my tummy is getting "small" enough that it doesn't happen anymore. I buy low rise anyway so it wouldn't have rolled down but would have tucked under which took some getting used to. Now it just sits and there isn't that much roll. How nice...There is still some, but not as much as there once was. See, I have way more in my butt and thighs than you do.

Don't let this make you feel down! Bk-this Dr Rutledge is I am not mistaken, is the big proponent for the mini gastric bypass. I think he is spreading negative info to deter people from the band and get them on board for his procedure which as far as I understand is no longer done by many surgeons in this country. Anyone out there who knows differently, please clarify. I think this is another situation where you have to recognize the source of the info. Fact is, we really don't know what the future holds for us. I hope it is not one wrought with complications and regaining the weight, but not for nothing, I was willing to take the chance and hope for the best. What were the alternatives? On another note, did you see that Randy on Americal Idol appears to have gained a lot of his weight back...that made me sad for him.

I have the small band too. I haven't had a fill yet but think I may be needing one soon. I hope it keeps working for me. Good luck.

Just saying hello. I have been catching up on the posts but don't have anything new and exciting to post. I think my appetite is coming back in full force. I find I can eat more than I could even last week. UGH. I miss that feeling of not being hungry. I would love to eat now, but I telling myself that I am done for the night. I had about 1000 cals today and worked out...but I would love to have some wheat thins and a Laughing Cow cheese. yum...I am putting myself to bed soon so I am not too tempted! UGH!

Happy Birthday Claudia!!!! I hope it was wonderful. Nat-I am cracking up. You need to stop making me laugh. As far as drinks, I have only had wine. I am way too afraid of anything bubbly. No beer for me ::: I will miss my Corona Lights with lime in the summer. I don't drink much anyway, but I do occassionally enjoy a cold beer. I love a margarita in the summer too. I have to try to find a lower sugar way to make them. Yummmmm I like the hair. I am more of a bangs to one side kinda girl but I think that 'do would look great on you. Nat is gettin her heerrrrr did! B-man-I keep thinking of Stuart Smalley from SNL-"I am good enough, I am smart enough and gosh darn it, people like me". You keep practicing those positive self affirmations. I have learned to say thanks and move on. It feels good. Jillrn-wtg on the fill. I am looking forward to hearing about how it sits with you. Steph, you were right, the band is a tool and when I get my fill, I will keep losing. I am just nervous that I am going to not get past where I am now since I never have in the past 10 yrs of trying. Before that I was in the 190's...but 10 years ago I gained a lot with my first pregnancy and all these years, no matter how hard I tried, I would quit around 230lbs. Maybe I will get a fill on the 15th when I go in for my next appt. We'll see. I am actually somehwat afraid of the restriction. Wacked, I know. Okay ladies...you have a good night. I weigh in tomorrow morning but I don't think it is going to be a losing week. First one since surgery. Oh well.

Another quick post from me. I just can't seem to keep up these past couple weeks. I am reading all the posts, laughing and crying along with you all but have not had the time to post my thoughts. Please know I am thinking of you all. So, it appears I am not the only one that indulged in a little alcohol this weekend? haha. Bad girls. Man I wanted to dance, but the pub we were in doesn't have dancing and I was not so drunk to dance by myself (I have been in the past hehe). I think I may have gained a pound this week. Weigh in is tomorrow but I am definitely not down. It is not a bad thing in a way because it reminds me that I need to exercise to be consistent and my butt did not step into the gym for the whole week last week. I was back there today though and killed myself. It was harder after taking the week off. I hope if I did gain, it will come right off with friends next week. That is usually what happens. I am desperate to see the 220's since I have not been there in many many years. I am hovering around 233-231. They are so close! This is usually the lowest I have been in 10 years and where I start to gain weight back so it makes me nervous. I have been getting a lot of compliments and in the past this is where I would feel good and start to cheat a bit. It is a major test for me right now. I will get past this hump! I am not going to get stuck here. Please girls, don't let me! Steph-great for you and the skiing. It sounds like a blast and a killer workout. Keep on sweating but watch those knees! B-man-did you say you are a morning person? hahahaha Nat-I would love to see those exercises. I am thinking I can probably find some online too. Anything helps! Good luck on the haircut. Let me know how it goes. I am thinking of trying something new. We'll see. Maybe this spring. I am off to study!

Hey Nat- Just to quickly post, I bought some of those bands and I like them. I actually use them a lot for when I am watching tv and I do reps during the commercials. I got a medium resistance set for $5.99 at Marshalls. I have not figured out a ton of exercises yet and like an idiot, I threw out my Fitness magazine that had a whole list of them, but I will figure it out. Let me know what you do with them.

Hi All, Nanaviv-congrats on finding a drink that doesn't make you sick! Wonderful. Bariatriceating.com has a lot of whey protein samples that you can try out so you do not have to buy the big jugs until you know if they work. Good luck. Chrispy-thanks for the hello! I have not been online at all this past week. We had a death in the family and it was very crazy around here. Things are settling down a bit now. Sorry to hear about the bronchitis. Take care of yourself so you can get back to dancing soon! :confused: John-congrats on the date! You must be psyched. Way to go on the weightloss. I could not have stuck to a liquid diet pre-op. I am impressed. I too had major fears about the fatty liver and I joined WW for 2 months pre-op. It helped me immensely and I acutally still go because it keeps me accountable. I don't know if that seems ridiculous but I still like going. Sherry-I hope your code in node is getting better. I hate being stuffed up. Rainbow-power tools? watch out. I would love to get together over feb break, let me know what your schedule is. My kids are off but I still have school so it may be hectic but worth a shot. I am sleepy tonight. I had a bit too much wine last night and it has me wrecked today. I normally don't drink but went out last night and the winde went down too easily. I learned my lesson though. I am really glad I didn't get sick since that would have totally freaked me out. I did eat a handful of cheez-its before I passed out though...but I chewed them really well in my buzzed state. <---bad girl! Have a good week everyone.

Hi all, I have a math test today so I will only be on here for a minute. I just wanted to say hello Steph-thanks for the compliment though it was left through Nat..hehe. I don't know why I am losing excatly the same # every week since every week is different but I will take it. I feel like I have been eating a lot more lately but the weight is still coming off. I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it. As far as the evening snacking, I used to have a huge problem with that too. I just suffered through it for a while and now I find it has become a habit to not do it. I usually will have a cup of tea or sometimes I make some Chai tes with warm milk and splenda. That gives me the warm and creamy yum without the ton of calories. It makes me nice and sleepy too. Also the general foods international coffees...sugar free and caffeine free sometimes hits the snack spot. Then there are those nights that I eat an oreo..:::gasp::: but I keep those to a minimum. Nat-I HATE that weight control oatmeal too. I did the same thing, ate one packet and the rest of the box sat in my cabinet forever. I think it tastes salty and gross. Weird. I like the Kashi heart to heart instant oatmeal and I still love cream of wheat with some protein powder added to it. Did you look at Bariatriceating.com. They have samples of just about everything. I bought a box of Pria bars since they were on sale. They don't have tons of protein (10g) but if I get that chocolate urge I can justify it by eating one of those. BTW, congrats on the 41 pounds down. Good for you. I have been out of the gym since my FIL's passing. I was supposed to go back today and didn't. I need to get my butt in gear. I did do some resistance band work, squats, lunges and all that over the past few days but nowhere near my usual workout. Oh well, I am human and I am flawed. I will back on track over the weekend. BK-sorry to hear about Dad. You are in my thoughts. Take it easy on yourself if you can. VA-I think it is nice to get compliments that say you look happy or radiant. Sounds wonderful. Take the compliments and savor them. I bet you glow! I am off...take care everyone. BTW Nat...GO BEARS!:mad:

Hi Everyone! I like the January thread. It does make it a lot easier. I am really interested in reading about everyone's fill. It is scary to me and I am actually somewhat afraid of the idea of having restriction. I am doing well without it. I eat a small portion and stop. At this point I am totally in control. I don't get stuck or feel hungry and I never feel full. Is it possible for this wonderful way to last or will I inevitably start to starve eventually. Right now it feels like I have not had surgery but have just learned portion control for the first time in my life. I am losing the same 2.6lbs each week. Is that not the weirdest? Exactly the same number no matter if I exercise more or less than usual and eat varying calorie amounts each day. So weird. Anyway, I need to get off and go workout a bit. Happy Hump Day to everyone.

(((Steadies))) Good afternoon all. I have missed you guys so much since I have been away. Thanks to all who expressed their well wishes during this difficult week. I have not yet read the posts, but look forward to going back and hearing how great I bet you all are doing. My FIL was buried yesterday and it was a very trying day, after a very difficult weekend but at the same time it was a beautiful tribute to the man he was..there were hundreds of people who showed their respect to the family and everyone spoke of how loved he was. And now we go on.... Despite it all, I lost my 2.6 pounds that for some readon I have lost each week on the past 3 weigh ins. I think it is funny that it is the same amount exactly each week. If that keeps up, I will be one hot mama by summer. hahahahaha Watch out and keep you husbands close! Just kidding girls. I swear I have eaten more this weekend and exercised less so I hope it stays off. I am back into my routine today though. Onward and downward! I am off to read the thread...I will try to right more later. Hugs to you all.

BTW- way to go on the 8 lbs! I bet you were retaining a lot due to the p-rot (too funny). That is a nice boost. You must be psyched! Timon and PUmbaa is some funny stuff. I was definitely thinking he looked like a Lemur. WHat about that crazy red headed dude? "C'mon Simon, bring it" He was CREEPPPPYYY! These people are wacked.

Hey Brandi-I second what Nathalie said about eating some more and then scaling back. I swear in the past I would do better if I had an occasional "more food day". It is like throwing your body a bone..letting it know you are not starving. See if it works. I also think if you eat the same amts all the time your body gets used to it. Hang in there. If you are burning more than you are taking in, the weight will drop! Nat-sounds good about the home daycare. I am crossing my fingers for you. I hope it works out. Sorry to hear about all the drama. That would make me nuts! And the baby daddy thing..Steph is right, it is probably a good thing, but I am sure you are thinking "why now?" I just hope if he steps up, he keeps at it and doesn't think he can just go back and forth. That would be the worst. Just lay down the rules and hopefully he will stick by them. It may be nice that he is not right next door anyway. Steph-have a blast at the movies. Sounds fun. I have class tonight and I should be reading the 7 pre-assinged chapters I have totally blown off. arrghhhh. I am going to have a busy school work weekend. boohoo. I went shopping this morning and grabbed a size 18 pair of jeans to try on since my 20's are getting all dumpy in the butt and thigh. I slid them up no problem but when I went to button them..NOT HAPPENING! I was so sad. I really thought I would be wearing them. I only tried one type and there was no stretch in them, but still, I really wanted them to fit. Ho-hum, maybe 10 more pounds or so I can try again. waaah. It actually just charges me up and makes me want to work harder. I know I will get there soon. What's for lunch? I am not sure what to have as it is food shopping day and there is nothing yummy in the house. I am thinking of some bbq chicken I cooked up the other night. It is all shredded so I hope it is moist in the sauce. That and maybe the rest of my spinach. I am going to run and see if I can squeeze in a quick workout... Talk to you all later.

Steph-wow..you must have burned some calories typing that post. hahahahah Just kidding. I always post long winded messages and I enjoy reading yours. I for one am not counting my carbs. I just make sure the ones I eat are whole and unprocessed with the exception of my occasional wheat thins. As far as your calories, to be honest, 1400 is not bad. If you are exercising you can still lose 1 -2 lbs a week at that range. I think for me, I am just eating much smaller portions and my calories are anywhere from 800 to 1000 or so. But my nutritionist told me to aim for 800 to 1200 since you sometimes have hungry days. I can tell you what I ate yesterday... b-protein shake L-1/2 cup black beans, slice of deli ham D-3oz salsa baked chicken, LF creamed spinach (about 1/4) cup Dessert-protein shake I have not progressed to eating fruit yet and I am not getting enough veggies and fruits but I am still transitioning so I know my calories will go up once that happens. I do take multivitamins so I am getting my RDA's. Just probably not enough of the really good stuff. My goal is to get up to about 1200-1400 calories and just work out enough to lose weight effectively. I am not interested in starving myself to lose this weight and if I can average 2lbs a week I will be at goal in less than a year. SO even if I have a bad week or a gain, I could still be at goal in a year. That doesn't seem too bad! I am trying to see the long term and not get too bent out of shape because I am not super hot yet! haha Great job on the exercise. Just keep doing it, take baby steps and you too can be an addict! haha. I did my walk/run this morning. I cannot believe I am doing this, and a good upper body weight circuit. Last night my DD and I went out for a brisk 45 minute walk and it was FREEZING out! It is nice though that she gets excited to do it with me. Even if it is just 2x/week it is a nice time that we have together. Although the little one hates that we don't take her. You are doing fine Steph. Give your body time to adjust. I know it is easier said than done. And if you really feel like you have no restriction, that fill will get the weight loss rolling. Thanks for the well wishes today. I am so freaking scared!