beversman

oops!! I thought I had it in my signature! I will fix that so it is there... here it is. MySpace.com - Brandi - 27 - Female - DILLSBORO, Indiana - www.myspace.com/beversman

VAband - there was a reason i wasnt looking for a guy! should have just stuck to the game plan. He talked me into THAT one. Glad I stuck to my guns and kept things strictly friends. At least he didn't con me into anything more serious than cuddling. Apparently, I am too pure, innocent and blah blah blah. What a bunch of CRAP! That is the equivilant to its not YOU its ME. aka a BIG bunch of crap. Stupid men. But like I said, met up with a very good old friend and he reminded me of why I was glad to be young and completely single. so good riddance to a jerk that didnt deserve me. To be honest, I am just about the most perfect woman for him(mr. wrong). It is kind of strange, but he is NOT the guy that would EVER appreciate that, and damn it. I won't stand for NOT being appreciated anymore. So, he is NOT the guy for me! Stories, well.... i got out all the old hippie skirts and spent the week barefoot and dancin' in the rain!! It was brilliant ladies and the good vibes were flowing like rain water! I got the BEST compliment ever. One young man told me that I reminded him of a young Janice Joplin! :hippie: What an awesome compliment! at least it was to me... she was a strong, free, independent woman! I played volleyball with Eric (the best friend) got sand in some places that it should never be. He and I took his dog to the White River State Park -- and spent the day skipping rocks and climbing vines. While Eric sang, the George of the Junlge theme song (dork). All the concerts were amazing. I made some incredbile new acquaintances. Spent the day free, independent and jumping around mosh pits with the BOYS! haha. It was liberating and reminded me of the basic things in life that made me happy! my Music and my Freedom... :clap2: two things that I've been allowing to slip away over the last two years. Booboo--- I feel for ya on the cysts. I've had them like that for years. They don't always burst every month... but when they do OUCH! I never took perscription pain meds for mine BUT only because the doc wouldnt give them to me I used to pop 1600+ milligrams of ibuprofen though and I was still in pain. I still have flare ups from time to time. I am hoping it goes away altogether. I also dont want my ovaries removed. I may want a little Brandi running around someday. Steph -- Congrats on the control girl! keep riding that wave. I am trying to get back into the swing of things. I gave my body a beating last week and wasnt sleeping at all. So, Ive been recovering since monday -- had the day off work today and have been sleepig and trying to pump my body full of nutrient rich foods to repair the damage I did. ha. I will be back on the bike full time by the end of the week. and things will be back in motion. KayDot -- hey honey!! keep on coming back here. It is amazing how things out of control when you dont check in. (at least that is how is goes for me) -- I hope the weight loss stuck from the other day!! it will fluctuate but as long as it fluctuates (with a trend) down. then you are doing things exactly right :-) so happy to see you girl! Sweethot -- just stick with it! I sometimes get stuck for 2 or 3 weeks at a time then will drop 5 or 6 lbs.... with the exercise I think it tends to run like that. Just keep on moving! Find something you love and stick with it... look forward to playing soccer becuase you love playing NOT becuase you are playing to lose weight. and THEN you will see the real results. :-) BKwal, Nat, Banannie, Claud, nikki, Maurdan hello ladies!! so glad to be back... hope all is going well! write soon :-) Isabella, faith, kuebel Welcome ladies, glad to see your new faces :-)

Ladies :-) I'm back! Vacation was like taking a trip to an alternate plane of existance. I had two bad moments courtesy of the guy "with potential" -- who also turned out to be a HUGE asshole. The guy went from trying to get me in bed on friday/saturday/sunday ---- to deciding he just wanted to be friends on monday -- Then, Tuesday... he ditched me at a concert all bymyself and I had to call a friend to come get me. Talk about bi-polar. I almost let it ruin my week. But ERIC (my best friend) to the rescue! He was awesome. I spent the whole week with him at his house. I didn't want to leave. I got home late Sunday night and have talked to him everyday since. I am actually supposed to go back to Indy for another concert today, but I think my old body took too much of a beating last week. I am catching a cold and feel EXHAUSTED :faint:. I haven't even stepped on a scale. My eating was atrocious and my DRINKING was even scarier! HA! It was fun though. My old friends seriously had no idea who I was. I saw this guy that I'd "dated" about 3 or 4 years ago. He was basically a good friend with a few select benefits (back in the day). I tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around... looked at me and kind of did the "head turn"/"what-the-heck" kind of look. I said, "It's Brandi." He broke out in this huge smile and gave me a BIG hug. He was laughing and smiling and said, "something's is missing" I said yes ALOT of something is missing. He and I got reaquainted later that night. I got to go out boating on Sunday on this huge lake. I was inspired to go bathing suit shopping. I actually didnt feel that huge sitting out there on the boat. I had this old bathing suit that I bought "who knows how many years ago." But I think I am actually getting more comfortable with myself. Or I am learning to just NOT care. I have some awesome pictures up on my myspace page. Will have more up later today. If you guys want to see the craziness that I was up to. :faint::faint::faint::faint::faint::faint::faint::faint: Brandi needs a RECOVERY period. UGH UGH UGH. My poor bike! I think I will still need a few days to get back on her. or.... i might die. LOVE you all!!! I caught up on the posts. Will post more later today!

I will try to post soon, but i am off for my week and 1/2 long vacation :-) will try to get online as much as I can and let you know what I am up to! I plan on having a wild and crazy week! love you all!!

Congratulations NIkki! Our first "band baby" on this thread!!! AAWWWW! Im so glad you've been able to work through things honey! Wish you nothing but happiess. Pregnant mommy bellly!!! I LOVE it! ------------------- Kuebel -- exercise is KEY!! number 1 MOST important. Get in the habit early! Trust me even if you are a rock star about it in the beginning it is SOOO easy to slow down and stop moving (I KNOW from experience). So, just find something you LOVE to do. Biking!! that is a good one! and do what you LOVE to do. Dont make yourself do something or you will eventually get bored and tired of it. Walking is perfect!!

Well, Steph -- it will always have the double meaning to all of US -- but i must admit we are a HOT bunch of losers!! and pretty damn steady at it too! hehe Seriously, as a group we have really stuck together through thick and THIN! or at least we will keep right on sticking together until we get THIN! haha. I think we are very steady losers in more ways than one. But yes, kuebel -- this thread basically consists of a bunch of us who were banded last December :-) We all got along so well and LOVE each other so much that we started calling each other our "steadies" -- We started this thread to keep track of each other because we also picked up a few other people along they way that were not December '06 bandsters. So, yes -- we've turned out to be weight-losin' ass kickin machines! BUT TRUST me that is from alot of hardwork and WITH alot of road blocks along the way. There is nothing "steady"" about the wieght loss from day to day. some days its up -- some days it is down! Overall??? This group is as steady as they come! Love my girls! We keep ourselves in check!

Im off all of my PCOS meds -- except Yasmin... it delivers a little low dose estrogen with the birth control -- so I still take it daily. Everything else went "good bye" with the surgery! Thank goodness!

I have PCOS too! :-) a fellow "cyster" -- hehe The band works great for that... get yourself on fitday.com and track all of your calories... watch your CARBS!! especially since you have PCOS... BIG no no!! Keep them less than 60 MAX. If you do eat them, make sure they are good whole grains. Exercise!! I was stuck for about a month and a 1/2 -- had to step up the exercise big time! Good luck fellow bandster/fellow cyster! Glad you enjoy the thread. We all work hard to keep eachother in check here and you are more than welcome to come pick our brains. Feel free to PM me any questions you may have too!!!

good luck my dear!! congrats on the NEW life... you will love it! drink drink drink and WALK WALK WALK as quick as you can after surgery!!!!

A little birdy told me that Nat may or may not have possibly been called a punk in a private message that I... (oops, i mean "somebody") may or may not have sent earlier today. hehehehehehe PUNKS!!! You better bring ur asses back in here... I am not above searchin' ur punk butts out! HA! I miss you when you're gone!

girl it is TOTALLY worth it!!! I would recommend it to anyone. In fact, when my brother is out of high school, I already offered to pay for the surgery FOR him! THAT is how much I love my band! I am a self pay too. So, no help from anyone. I am paying for this completely on my own. STILL no regrets. I love everyday with my band!

Matrix chocolate Protein Powder -- i make it like hot chocolate! It is the BEST tasting protien ANYTHING that ive ever tried. It is cheapest here! I havent even seen anything on ebay that is cheaper :-) I dont know about the other products. This is my fav and the one I always order.

17.1 miles in one hour! Plus 1.2 miles earlier today 18.3 miles TOTAL!:whoo: Then, 30 minutes of ab and weight work... I might be starting a bike club through my weightloss clinic. The nurse practioner thought it would be great idea for me to start it when she saw how much I've been riding lately :-) I also jogged one mile today and walked for an additional 10 minutes (with that little doggie of mine!) -------------------------- Nikki -- your husband's name isnt Ashley by chance is it? I only ask because I had a husband like that. He came to America to be with me. The way you talk reminds me so much of him. He was from Acomb/York, England. He was a drain on my life. I think I still love and care about the person I thought he was... Just as YOU love the person your husband pretends to be. NOT the person that really exists and is lying to you. The parts you don't know... THAT is who he is. No matter how much you forgive, if you never are allowed to know THAT part of him. He is going to continue to be a stranger. You love the person that you THOUGHT you knew. Not the person he has truly turned out to be. That won't make it easy luv... but what he is doing is not right. and for every thing you've acutally caught him doing, I garuntee he has done other things that you are completely unaware... I'm so sorry you are going through all of this. My EX husband did the same thing to me. Then, one day he disappeared and I never saw him again. He took away my ability to choose and have control of my own life. At least right now... YOU have the ability to make whatever happens YOUR choice. Dont let him make it for you. VAband -- men are cruel... im gonna become a nun! good luck on your trip, i dont know if I would be taking it with a guy like that. May the force be with you! hahaha. Congrats on the weight loss! my scale and vary so much from morning to night... from day to day -- i cant hardly get excited about a number... i just have to watch "trends" is the scale tending to stay at lower numbers than the week before?? Ugh I hate scales too. cant we take all men AND all scales and lock them in a closet?

Holy restriction Batman! -- no time to read up on posts... (will come back and post laster) just a quick hello. I got a fill yesterday and it is kickin my butt! I haven't felt restriction like this since I got the band. WOW. big difference a few tenths of a CC makes!

Thanks everyone for the support. You've been there with me through this whole process as well... NOT just the weightloss -- I literally have been creating an entire new life and starting over. :-) so glad I've had to all to talk to every single day! Don't know what I would do without you! I just got back from a 15.1 mile bike ride! 1 full hour on the roads!:clap2: That's 50 miles since Monday!! I'm sure to some bikers that is child's play, but considering I just got my bike up and working this week... I dont think that is too shabby for my first week out. :-) I love biking! ---------------------------------- Jillrn!! You ARE too tight. Get an unfill ASAP! You will end up gaining if you cant get regular food down. You need to be able to eat turkey/chicken/eggs... REAL FOOD!! I just polished off a whole plate of Egg Beaters... BIG meal! You just need to eat low fat/low carb BUT you HAVE to eat!! This is NOT healthy for you girl. One thing I do now is EAT to be thin instead of NOT EATING to be thin. You will lose all of your muscle mass and end up feeling weak if you do not eat. You are already resorting to ice cream and other soft foods that are NOT nutrious. They may be low cal BUT what is in it!?!?!? There can't be good vitamins and minerals. In the mean time, use a few ounces of meat and make a big pot of vegetable soup.... cook it WAY down and even though the veges are cooked all of their nutrients will be in the liquid... eat as much as you can every day.... two or three bowls... you have to have the nurients to keep you healthy girl!! :-) I don't want ya sick! Sweethot -- So happy the hubby is ok!! :-) if your are hungry DEF get a small fill and be pushy about it. that is the whole reason you got the band. so you could eat less and NOT feel hunger. we should get what we paid for. :-) Steph -- thanks girl :-) I know there are better days ahead. I finally have a form of closure.... something that horrible man never gave me. So, it acutally feels pretty nice. It is not the closure I wanted but at least it is something. It finally feels "over" in some aspects. (sigh of relief) Vaband!! Congrats on the compliment and I am SOOO JEALOUS of the boxing classes! I want to take boxing or kick boxing (muay thai, specifically) They just dont have ANY place for me to go take it here. It sucks. I am considering a move some time next year though... and THAT is the first thing I am signing up for when I get in the city! Your gonna be and ass kickin' mamma! Claud -- girl, I had a job like that once. It seemed like no matter what I did those people wanted to come down on me. I am an extremely good person and good worker, but I worked there during a rough period in my life and I know I didnt give 100%. However, they made me so miserable that I was glad to leave when I did. Just keep at it girl. Dont let them see you sweat. You are an incredibly positive person for all of us. Just throw yourself completely into your work and show them they are wrong! Dont let it overwhelm you :-) and heck, if these guys are willing to hassle you like this... maybe you should stick a resume out there and see if you can get and AWESOME job that is ALREADY in chicago! Just remember you are a strong woman and this job is NOT your only option -- even though it is the one that seems most obvious. Dont limit yourself or allow them to make you feel like you have no other option. LUV YA GIRL! BOOBOO -- lately, ive not been on the scale much either... I peek once a day or so... but I think I transfered my "obsession" to my bike and working out. I've decided I have a very "addict" like personality. I just mentally "stuck" on certain things... I just move my obsession from one thing to the next. I think a psychologist would have FUN with me! haha nikki -- hey there luv! glad to see you back on the boards! sucks about the puppy and the computer. I have a little "daughter" (pomeranian) too. She is my best friend. I don't know what I would do without her. BUT they sure do get in trouble! Congrats on the weightloss! You are doing an awesome job. Glad we got to hear from you. Hope you got rested up... keep us updated and dont be a stranger!

My steadies --- Today it ends... 3:30pm; Superior Court II -- Dearborn County, IN I say a final goodbye to part of my life. My final divorce hearing is set for today. It has already been a hard morning which makes me mad. I feel like I've moved passed the hurt/sad stage, but deep down I guess I haven't. I only miss certain things. I don't miss him anymore. I miss my happiness. I felt a bit of that happiness return recently, and I am ready to try to bring it back. I have no idea what it will feel like to walk out of there today. In my heart, I've already given it all up - So, this will be the monkey off of my back. I hope it helps me close everything up. He doesn't deserve anymore more of my tears. He has no idea what an incredible woman he threw away. In a way, I'm glad he saved me the trouble of figuring out that I was too good for him anyway. Why? Because I AM too good for him. He was uneducated, void of maturity, and utterly lacking in compassion. I would have hated to have to come to that same conclusion on my own a few years from now. Glad he saved me the trouble. I guess what I need to say to him is thank you. Thank you for taking yourself out of my life. You were not good for me. You would have destroyed everything that was good about me. You took advantage of my lack of confidence. You manipulated me. Thank god you didn't have to courage to keep up with your farce. Thank god you weren't strong enough to keep lying. Thank god you ran away. I am so glad you are gone. I am going to have a better life because of it. Today, I will legally rid myself of that ignorant, scared little boy... that thought he could manipulate someone else's life. He did change me, but I am an even better person now. He is still the same, sad soul... I have my whole life ahead of me.

Simply amazing! You should both be so pround... not only of eachother but of yourselves! It must have been wonderful to go through this together :-) You both look incredible in your before and after pics. YEARS younger. Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us!

Today I rode a total of 17.25 miles on my bike!! I did 2.5 riding to work earlier today and then I did 15 miles in one hours this evening!! I was feeling like crap all day... the lactic acid was building up in my muscles from all of the exercise then sitting all day. I could feel them stiffening up. So, I gritted my teeth for the first 30 minutes and got them warmed up really well. Then, cruised right on with my hour! Felt awesome when I got done. Now (hour later) feeling sore a bit... haha. BUT it is a good burn, just need some protien to repair these muscles. ------------------------- Steph -- AWWWWWW (hugs) girl... that would have made me hang my head too. It is bad enough that you are kicking yourself. You even admitted what the problem was!! GRRRRR DR. EX sexy! What a meanie! Want me to kick him?? It is better than going in and being in complete denial. He must be one of those tough love guys. I hate that. I know your going to do awesome girl. You can check out the link at the bottom of my posts to see what I am eating in terms of CARBS and FAT and CALORIES each day. I try to stay below 800 and keep my carbs below 60. I try to keep my fat below 20 grams. Protein is unlimited! Also drink water a ton of it. I went through a couple of months were I was dehydrated and I think the water helps flush the impurities out of our system and helps us keep our body functioning at a high level of metabolism. Boo - thanks for the compliment girl! Wish I had those curves of yours! When I get to goal I am gonna be one of those "stick" girls that complain about all the time... straight up and down. no booty, no hips -- HAHA -- I am literally at an all out RUN for the finish line right now. For the first time, I feel like I can see it coming, and I just hope I stay this focused. I know what you mean about people saying that, "dont lose too much" I want to scream at them, "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT" It is coming in a nice way BUT I am no where near "normal" healthy weight. I have rolls of fat that I can literally lift up and move around. I certainly dont think THAT is too thin. haha I think it because we must know how to dress to acentuate the positives and cover up the imperfections. I take it as a clothing compliment. Because if they saw me NAKED :car: THEN I bet they wouldnt be telling me to stop losing weight!! HAHAHAHAHA We see the naked every day... we know what lurking beneath the clothes. THEY DONT! Claud -- No I wouldnt give him false hope.. NOT AT ALL!! But you certainly could keep getting to know him. You never know. You might someday have a change of heart for your new friend. The best mates are supposed to be our best friends, and maybe you are meant to get to know this guy first. Never hurts to gain a new friend. I recently got one of those myself :-) He flew to Denver this morning for a work conference. Damn those successful types! haha You are looking absolutely gorgeous my dear!! I see that pic in your signature line! Knock both of your guys dead!! Now is a good time for us to completely focus on OURSELVES right now anyway! Nat -- Hey honey!! I am so sorry your stressin' -- Work does that to me too. Keep up with the biking if you like it. I've found it to be the most fun and least "workout" like exercise I've done to date. Congrats on the compliment. Dont get down honey!! Look at how far you've come. There is NOTHING for you to be disappointed about. I know we are all very impatient but just do what you said -- get back to basics!! That is what i did about 3 or 4 weeks ago -- and I feel a million times better. It took ALL 3 or 4 weeks to see ANY results -- so dont get discouraged!! BUT you know exactly what it is you need to do. (hugs) I know you can do it. Just focus on you and that baby boy of yours and forget the jerks at work and the jerks elsewhere! It is YOUR time girl! BabyGotBack -- I have the first bite sydrome! I have to take very small bites and chew thourghly -- about half way through my meal I loosen up where it dont feel it as much... I am also WAY tighter in the morning or when I am dehydrated! Also WAY tighter during my TOM. Completely normal so IM told

"The best exercise by far for the purpose of fat-loss is fast walking either indoors on the treadmill or outdoors. What many don't know is that walking produces a greater percentage of fat loss as opposed to jogging or running. Other aerobic activities are the treadmill, bike, climber or any other training gear found in or out of the gym. Walk or exercise until you are mildly puffing and hold that rate until the allotted time. If your aerobic activities leave you panting or breathless, your going too hard, your energy is coming from your carbohydrate reserves and not from your fat stores. Try fast walking for one hour a day every day of the week if you are able." Apparently, you want to be breathing DEEP the whole time. Goes back to anaerobic VS aerobic respiration. FAT is burned during the Aerobic which need Oxygen to run its cycle. So, slow and stead WINS that race. More oxygen in for longer periods of low impact training! Anaerobic conversion occurs when we start breathing faster and NOT as efficiently. This comes with BURSTS of strenuous activity which make us huff and puff! Why is this important? Anaerobic does NOT need oxygen to get energy. Instead of burning FAT, it switches over to burn CARBS which dont need oxygen to burn... So, you stop burning FAT and start buring the carbs you ate that day instead. So, huff and puff exercise = carb burning... Good deep breaths but not dying = FAT burning... This is something that Ive been trying to figure out for awhile. Thought I would share. Will write more later! I posted more Before and During pics up on the Before and After thread! Go see what you all think :-)

Here are more before and durings... :-) things are moving along again! FINALLY -- I have to bike about 15 miles a day to see the results BUT grate thing is I CAN bike 15 miles a day! Couldn't have done that in December!

WOW! I got my bike back from the shop and had to try it out! I just got back from a 15.12 mile Bike Ride!!!:whoo: 1 hour and 6 minutes... an average of 14.6 mph!:clap2: I only intended to go out for 4 or 5 miles... but I wasnt even winded. So, I thought ok 10 miles... got to 10 miles and wasn't even winded. So, I thought ok, 15 miles. I was still NOT winded at all! breathing well... and hyped up on adreniline BUT if it wasnt for the fact that it was getting tooo dark to ride safely. I could have just kept right on going!! I feel great. So, happy I got started on this. I LOVE my bike! ------------------ Next order of business, NSV -- OMG I had my first Cat Call tonight!! hahaha -- these guys saw me riding my bike -- as they came out of their apartment and totallly did "the whistle" and shouted some kind of "hey baby" comment at me. I was like, "what the hell!?!?" (then I started thinking) I ride in these little bitty short shorts and tank top... I never once thought about what I must look like up on that bike. Half my ass is probably exposed! :omg: i guess they got to see a whole lot of "leg." haha... and mamma must be looking better these days when she is riding around town! I laughed so hard when I figured out the whistling was directed at me! I almost fell off my bike. THAT would have been sexy! ------------- Claud -- well, at least you found a nice guy to spend the evening with... sound like you may want to give him a bit of a chance. I know your heart is in Chicago BUT this guy sounds awfully polite and nice. He would be great to spend time with and just enjoy yourself. BUT I know what you mean, when you heart lie somewhere else -- it is hard to even look at another person. Booboo -- YEAH!! for not killing the mother! haha -- I am glad she finally came around. That probably took alot for her to make that compliment. She seems like the type of person that would have had to swallow her pride to say that one. So, I know must have meant alot to you. Kudos on the tubing!! I was with my 5'2'' sexy as hell Hawaiian friend this weekend. She is GORGEOUS! and she is like "you want to go down to the pool?" I had to have looked at her like she was crazy! I havent been in a bathing suit in over 10 years! in a publice pool since I was 15 or 16! and here she is in all of her perfectly tanned and toned glory!! YEAH... um, that was NOT the day for me to try out sun bathing... I love her to death. Best person ever, but she is like Ms. Hawaiian Tropic... THAT would make anyone feel infearior. Steph -- yeah, I would let them have it too!! haha -- i dont put up with ANYONES crap anymore. or at least I try not to. I just cant handle it. Give 'em hell! I am glad to see you checking in more. I've missed you! Congrats on the awesome day! Make sure not to skip breakfast, it will put your metabolism in SLOW MO for the entire day. Ive been setting my alarm for 5am getting up eating my breakfast and then taking an hour power nap before I have to keep getting ready for work. It helps jump start my metabolism -- so I keep on burning up the food all day. Just an idea!! hehe about "the boinking" of the husband. you crack me up girl. You seem to have a very healthy happy relationsihp with your husband. that is good! Keeps you both young and um..... satisfied??? haha:heh: BabyGotBack! Hey chica! I keep up with you on the boards... I check up every few weeks to see how you are doing and how things are progressing :-) OF course we remember you! You are doing an awesome job with your band. I was plateaued for about 2 months. I've had to kick up the exercise HARDCORE to see results. But I think things are finally moving again! So good to hear from you!

Claud -- how did the DATE go!?!? Vaband - it was a great weekend. Now, im just waiting for the "bad" part :-) it never fails to come once I've decided that I am having a good time. Just about the time, im like "hey! I enjoy this... I enjoy you" THAT is when the guy changes his mind. Sooooooo, we will see. I am supposed to spend 3 or 4 days with him coming up here in august! So, we will see. I am still keeping myself at a distance. i don't want to be the one getting attached. I've been through too much to deal with more disappointment. Steph!! Hey girl! glad to see you back in action. dont get yourself down about the exercising and eating. You can get right back on board with this thing. you aren't gaining any weight either. SOOO the band IS working. You son sounds awesome. I am a UFC fan myself. I would actually love to learn Muay Thai and Brazilian JuJitsu too. It is on my list of things that I would like to start doing! Sounds like in incredible fight. I wish we had more of those around here. SweetHot -- hey mamma!! OMG, just saw you pictures up on the before and during!!! You look WONDERFUL! Definitely can see the difference. You're doing an awesome job. I know you had a rough go of things at the start. (no thanks to the crazy german doctors over there) So, good to hear from you and CONGRATULATIONS!!!!:clap2: ONEderland for you!! yeah! So, glad things are seeming brighter to you :-) and yes, getting rid of those carbs helps. Good news is. When I eat them NO I dont lose weight either (like you) BUT i dont gain it when eating them in smaller doses... so WHEN i get to goal, I will be able to eat them in moderation again! I bet you will too. So, just remember cutting them completely is just for this losing period. We will get a few of them back one day! Thank you for the compliment on my before/during picture. It is good to hear how you guys see the changes. Expecially since we've all been there with eachother since the beginning! and YES I love collarbones now! So happy to see everyone checking back in... I knew if I talked long enough that eventually everyone would keep coming back... haha!

Bandiva!! Hey honey! You're rocking that band girl! Way to go. You should definitely post more often :-) It is so hard to stay motivated and I think this is a very frustrating time for all of us with this band. Things are slowing down a little bit and we are all having to step up our efforts to keep things moving. So, I know we all need the support, inspiration and encouragement! ------------------- I got my bike back today! She is as good as new. I cant believe how nice of a job they did on it. So, watch out world... my wheels are ready to get back to rollin! (VAband) Man Update: I just had the most incredible (yet, well behaved) weekend up in Indianapolis. I actually spent the whole time with the guy Ryan (the one with alot of potential). He is an amizing guy. An absolute perfect gentlemen. and i do mean perfect gentlemen. I was even cooked a shrimp and steak dinner. Which was to DIE FOR. He is an incredibly talented chef. I was impressed. His friends absolutely adored me. All I heard all weekend was about all of the nice things that they'd heard about me and how they were glad to see they were all true. :-) I don't think I've felt that appriciated and like I belonged in a long time. They are an absolutely positive and incredibly fun group of people. Ive had a smile on my face since friday and my cheeck even hurt from laughing and smiling so much. ha. I did NOT want to come home on Sunday. It was hard to leave. -------------------------- But I am back home and it is back to business. Exercising my butt off!! eating properly, and trying to catch up to Bannannie!! hahaha I'm coming for ya girl! -------------------------- Claud!! Hey girl! You know how well your doing. dont let that person's comments get to you. My sister is very good at doing that. She would rather say something negative that something supportive and positive. I think some of it is jealousy of our accomplishments. Not everyone could do what we have been able to do for ourselves. They just dont have the mentality. bkwalling -- girl!! Awesome on your ellipitcal workouts. It gets easier to do every day that you keep at it. It can get monotomous. Find something very interesting to watch on TV or something very funny. It helps pass the time. If I am distracted while on that thing it goes SOOOO much faster that when i am watching the clock! faithmd -- heck yeah!! Cabanna boys... THAT works for me too! I will join the runaway train! booboo - I'd be frustrated by someone not understand the surgery too. You cant compare and GB patient and and LB patient. TWO completely different things. Take a deep breath. I hope you had a good weekend and I hope she comes around and quits comparing her surgery to yours. :-) That has to be frustrating. jilrn!! hey honey... you've been gone awhile. i know what you mean though. It is hard to catch back up on here if you are gone for a few days. you will always see my BIG mouth a runnin though. You guys are my life line. my support!! I couldnt have done this without you. It's meant the world to me... having someone to share this experence with. No one here in my life understands or has even tried to understand everything that I've gone through. I know each and everyone of you know exactly how it feels! I've learned so much from you and am inspired all the time. BY the way!! Thank you Bannannie!! Your biking inspired me BIG time. You keep letting me know that it is your doing and I am gonna keep taking notes! your such a help!

Hey everyone... I was gone all weekend. Have lots of stories for you all. But my scale finally moved and in a pretty big way :-) FINALLY 177lbs as of 5pm this evening... i weighed myself when I got home from my weekend away in Indianapolis. I was shocked. I got on and off the scale 6 times just to be sure. The exercise finally started to work! thank goodness! I will writing everyone soon!! Hope you all had a good weekend!

Well, I took Nat's advice: I took my measurements last night. I haven't lost anything significant from most parts of my body... It was like 5" total ALL over my body. My waist hasnt lost ANYTHING. Legs nothing calves nothing... arms... I lost like .5" Neck.5" BUT I have lost 2 inches on my BUST line! My chest measurement is the same. But around where my breasts are -- there are 2" missing! NOT where I wanted to lose inches BUT i am hoping is was the nasty arm-pit fat and NOT my boobs!! haha... I know my "girls" are getting smaller though. I don't really mind... BUT I wish this gut of mine would lose something. I do TONS of crunches everyday and I haven't lost any inches from my middle. I just keep hoping that as I gain the muscle that my scale will somehow start moving again. I am FRUSTRATED!