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I think finding a hobby/activities to change your focus away from food is very useful. Some years ago I recognized this about my horse world - yes, I rode even when I was huge. Anyway, I could be out all day with friends doing a long ride, and all the logistics that go with it and as long as I had enough water, I was fine. We might take small snacks along, but food just wasn't important. If i were home that same day - trying to go say 6-8 hours without eating, I would have hunger headaches, shakey lowblood sugar, growling tummy and general feeling of low energy misery. It would trigger an overeating when i did finally eat. Anyway, I use this basic approach now - I try to do things that keep me outside of the "foodie" world. I simply don't hang around with people or put myself in situations that are so food oriented. When i did the VSG, I lived with my ex Sig Other, and my two grown sons - I didn't expect any of them to change their junky food habits because I was obese and they are in the range of trim to a few extra pounds. anyway, what i discovered is that I was the source of most of that bad eating and they have all taken it further and really don't bring junk home. They use my approach for treats and temptations - have something you want but don't bring it home. Once you bring it home you have to "resist" every minute of every day that it is sitting on that shelf. Globe - I got really constipated to the point that miralax and all didn't work since i had basically a blockage. I had to use those glycerin suppositories which was gross, but worked. Cheri - I guess for many of us there are multiple dimensions to the whole obesity story. I know that being molested as a child was a major thing that set off my weight gain. You know what, i looked at pictures of myself at 4 or 5 and I was slightly plump, cute as a bug, long shirley temple like curls. My first grade school picture shows a girl with the shortest hair cut you can imagine (I wacked it off to the scalp with scissors myself) and decidedly obese. I remember how much I was teased for both the fat and the haircut... but I have reframed that whole event to thinking about how I was able to make the molesting stop - I made myself unattractive - and it worked. I had something else really bad happen in my late teens (again when I was not so heavy) and sure enough, my response to it was to gain weight. It is a shame that something in our past may have made us feel the need to put on a fatsuit for self protection. I think that I generally worked through all that baggage a long time ago, but by then the fatsuit became very well ingrained and it was time for a physical change (the sleeve) to help me lose weight. What gives me hope about long term maintenance is that I no longer feel afraid of the world, even when I am thin.

morning all! I have been a little absent, getting ready for a big show... over 75 pieces done over the last 30 years. I AM OLD... but not dead yet! The show looks fab. I will post a pic. You are so right! My doc keeps hounding me to lose 5-10 pounds, but really, I feel so successfull... even with the weight gain. It is so true, we have beaten the odds, all of us. SO FAR... aways vigelent.... It makes me SO happy to hear such an upbeat and positive post from you! Keep up the good work, and a prescription for massage! Genious! Iceland!!!! Lucky dog. I hope to do more traveling in the future. Its been toooo long. Craig is still in New Zealand, and will stop in Kona for a week on the way back. Good news from the Doc! This must ease your mind after all the problems you had with the trainor...

I had sad news this morning my SIL passed away (lung cancer) only 58. She was diagnosed about 8 months ago and was told at the time she only had a 1% chance of survival. She had op and a few rounds of chemo. She kept it from friends and only the immediate family knew, she was still going in to work a couple of days a week. She founded and ran a charity for disabled youngsters to enable them to meet up and have a social life. Her youngest is 22 and he has cerebral palsy and this was her motivation. Even though it was expected it was so sudden, last week she was at the Glastonbury Festival with her family. Weight gain seems very insignificant today.

Like coops I read every single day, many threads, but I don't always post. The weight gain has zapped my confidence a d I feel like I'm back on the gain, lose, gain lose roller coaster but the gains are exceeding the losses so it is going up. I wish re were a bit closer to each other coops then we could meet up and we accountable to each other with direct eye contact. You off work coops? I pulled my back a bit when my trainer was here last week so I stopped the exercise for a few days, back is fine now but I'm finding it hard to get back into it. I know I'm making excuses to myself and I too need a kick up the bum. Lipstick lady writes as she sees it and it doesn't go down well with some people. I don't recall the other person. It's true we are not a 5:2 follower group anymore, some try others have stopped but I do think we are a support group. People have shared a lot and I do think we have to be careful who we allow in. If it became confrontational some of those who do post (even now and then) might stop. I do wish we could get hold of some of the people who stopped, Brown etc.. It's going to be the hottest July day for 9 years so I had best go and slap on some sun cream before work.

Boy I have missed so much! Florinda I am so glad we heard from you. You know I am right on the coast. Are you going to come up the coastas far as OR after you leave Northern Ca? Bill and I just made that trip, going up highway 1 and 101. You know I would love to meet you . I go to Eugene all the time! did you meet this guy through an online dating type site? I would love to hear how you two found each other!! Sheryl, I am as far out as Susan.I don' t have the problems she has. I know people farther out than me who don't have problems either. We can run into problems if we don't take our Calcium citrate. I do the chewables from Bariatric advantage. I don't care about the calories. I feel my health is more important. They taste like Tootsie rolls. I have them on auto ship so I get 2 bags a month for 20.00. I would like to meet you too, but you have never answered whether that would be possible. I go to Portland all the time. Georgia, I know how you feel. I'll be 62 this fall and I don't feel like it, except when my back really hurts. Getting the sleeve has made me so much healthier! Cathy, I am so glad you're in your house!! As far as adding anyone, I am totally against that. I want us to be able to read and post without feeling stressed that I am missing posts because I don't have time to read them all. If gamergirl wants a support group , she should start another group. She can call it anything she wants. Peole close to goal, People close to being a vet, whatever. She can PM the people she likes, and start a group. Sorry if I have missed anyone. I haven't been able to get online. Bill is really sick. It's 2:30 am now, I need to go to bed. I'm having trouble too, with weight gain. Bill is such a bad influence, as far as fasting goes. It's a lot harder when there is someone eating around me.

Angelshere: Have you figured out your calorie intake for an average day? I find it hard to believe you will gain "fat" weight at what seems to be a low calorie count. Commercially prepared Soups and boullion do contain a LOT of salt - sodium will cause Fluid weight gain. Plus, you're healing, and even thought it doesn't seem like it, there is fluid from swelling of internal tissues. I did notice the same things going on post-op and from time to time. Also, certain hormones and cause cyclic weight gain. It's really hard when you think you're doing everything right, and the scale just doesn't cooperate! If your calories and Proteins are where they should be, I really think you will make progress. I think solids are easier since you have other choices than all that salty stuff like soups. I too have been on plateaus, even gained weight and I can't figure out what the problem is, but they do end! I must have a pretty low metabolism, because I have found I need to keep my calories to about 1,000 or less a day or I don't seem to loose. But when you add up the totals, I am doing great. SO...hang in there. Keep up the exercise, look at the total picture of what you're eating. Give youself time to heal. Consult your dietitian for some suggestions and advice.

Hi- First of all, congratulations on starting the process of weight loss surgery. This is a great site and you can get a tremendous amount of information and support here. I suggest that once you have a date you find the "monthly" support group here, as you'll get to go through the surgery with a group having the same experiences as you- it's great. As to which type...there are lots of questions to answer, some which having to do with how much surgery you're interested in having; whether you want something that will change your organs or something that can be removed, etc. I think 2 key factors is amount one needs to lose (in general, gb folks lose more faster); and very important, what kind of eater you are. Sweet eaters have a lot of success with gb because you just cannot eat them...you get to ill. Volume eaters often are better off with the band because if you have bypass and build up volume again- the band can be stretched- it happens alot- and then you have trouble and weight gain. So, there's a lot to consider. For me, it would be important, above all, to have a doctor who believes in the procedure I need him to perform..... Best of luck!

I've been back on the 5:2 bandwagon for a couple of weeks and have managed to rein in the really bad junk I was consuming; hence, weight gain. Have lost back down some of the weight. Need another 5-8 pounds to be where I want to STAY. (Yeah, here I again! ????). Haven't been on BP much because the new app freezes up everytime I try to read posts on any thread. Lots of people having the issue so hopefully, there is. "Fix" soon. Anyway, let's hit it, Girls! Florinda, "Fall- new season - fresh start!"

I feel for all of you who have ailing parents. I remember that time as being the hardest times of my life. Even when my husband died from an accident at age 36, watching my parents fade every time I saw them, just broke my heart so much. I kept their house in Arizona for 3 years even though I live in Oregon because I could not bear to part with their things and their house. All of us are dealing with the same thing, weight gain. We are all veterans though. It drives me nuts that I was 139 this morning and my clothes don't fit. How is 135 all that different from 139? It just makes no sense to me that I can barely button my jeans with a 4 lb. difference. I have a very large friend who is contemplating either gastric bypass or sleeve now that Medicare is finally paying for the sleeve. I am telling her of all the complications I know gastric bypass people face down the road. I know so many people who have gained all of their weight back, and deal with iron infusions, and hypoglycemia , who have had gastric bypass. You can definitely eat around the sleeve, but at least we are all healthy! I have to drive 3 hours next week to see a malpractice attorney. I really hope he can convince my first surgeon's insurance company that they need to pay my medical bills. He said he has gone against every malpractice insurance company any doctor can have. I really hope he can help me. I deleted a couple people from the group who have never posted. wish Brown and Sarsar and Kelly from Seattle would would check in!

Hi Ladies.. I had a great weekend. LV Glad your back in the game. UK Cathy. good idea on the personal trainer. I'm still not there yet. Cheri. She is adorable and of course a good reason for a weight gain. Just think you'll be able to set her on the right nutritionists path with all you've learned and your new eating lifestyle. I may not have been an overweight adult had I had more information about eating right during my youth and especially my teens. My grandmother always told me not to eat bread, but there was no real understanding of carbs and sugar avoidance or ever really balanced eating in my household at that time. Your children are lucky they have you to teach them all of that. CGJ glad you got back safe , sounds like the trip was a success. Continue to rest, relax and heal. The 50th anniversary party I threw this weekend was a great success. I had a fabulous time. There was lots of dancing and dancing and dancing. I had on a new dress, currently the smallest size dress in my closet and I felt beautiful. Really enjoyed my self, until I got home and started to relax. Well I got the worst Charlie horses and leg cramps I have every had in my life!!. So much pain I wanted my family to take me to the emergency room!!.. Lucky hubby was willing to rub my feet which is where the pains were starting , rub my legs and help me stretch them out. OUCH!! such pain. I know.. I know... if I were exercising often that would not have happened.. I have cleared a path to my recumbent bike and might have to wrap my head around moving more than once a year. Still nursing the initial 3 pound loss. I weigh daily, and I've seen a 5 pound loss, but it goes up and down. This will be the second week of really moving the calories down under 1200 and no snacking on fast days, not even planned ones. trying to learn control. Marching into a new week..

Misty and lapDancer = Yeah! Misty I got my first kind of foamy feedback today. Weird, just lost of white foam. I guess I overdid the Liquids, if you can imagine. Collector - thanks, I though perhaps they inserted some rocks or something to have that kind of weight gain when I was on a very healthy preop diet was disconcerting. I think I will stay off the scale until it's been a week. Other than the foamy stuff, I am beginning to feel my energy again. Yeah! Walked halfway down and up the block. It felt good. I just don't know how much is too much too soon. I am sooooo comitted to this losing process. Off and running. I have a Post Op appointment next Thursday at 10am. Hugs and blessings to you all; without you I wouldn't be here.

Hi ladies. Thanks so much for the good thoughts and prayers. I am back home. Yesterday was quite the day. Rich and I traveled up to Flagstaff first thing in the morning and arrived around 9am. We checked in at the office and were told my Endoscopy was scheduled for 1:15 in the afternoon. I ended up spending most of my morning on the phone trying to figure out insurance. They needed my PCP to write a referral since the GI Dr was out of network. Well I have only seen my PCP once ever since I moved to Tucson, last September when I had a double ear infection. She isn't even aware of my recent surgery. Oye. What fun it was trying to explain about my surgeon Dr Kirshenbaum in Colorado, my new surgeons Dr Berger and Dr Aldridge in Flagstaff, my emergency CT scan records at NW Medical from the ER visit, and why exactly I was in Flagstaff to see Dr Trujillo for the Endoscopy. Big mess. Needless to say they could not get pre-approval for the procedure in time, so we are thinking this is going to come out of our packet. The staff at Dr Trujillo's office was wonderful and very very helpful. If it ends up getting denied they will work with us on a payment plan. We decided to go ahead with the procedure since we were in town and I didn't want to wait days for an authorization that may never come through. Dr Kirshenbaum and Dr Aldridge seemed to be in agreement that the Endoscopy should be done right away to rule our erosion. The procedure went ok. The medication they gave me to knock me out... didn't knock me out. Go figure. I always seem to fall into the lucky few category that have averse reactions. I am still thankful that I didn't wake up during my surgery. That would have been something that would have happened to me. heh. So I was awake and gagging through the whole procedure. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't exactly pleasant either. I guess my body does not respond to "twilight" sedation. I had the same thing happen to me when I had a HSG years ago The "twilight" sedation never kicked in and I felt everything. No fun. I was practically jumping off the table for that one. At least this one wasn't as much painful as it was awkward. I have a big gag reflex and it was in full swing. Dr Trujillo determined that I have acid reflux, swelling, and irritation. He prescribed Nexium to help with the reflux. I was surprised to say the least. I have no symptoms at all of reflux, and would never have thought that I had it. Dr Berger did mention during my fill last month that I was refluxing the contrast. I didn't feel it refluxing and told him I didn't have any heartburn. Go figure. So the reflux thing was diagnosed and will be taken care of with the Nexium. I do not have a hole in my stomach or any indication of erosion. *big sigh of relief* However, Dr Trujillo mentioned that when he went down into my stomach there was not really a pouch above the band. He thinks it may have slipped. So now I am waiting for Dr Aldridge to look over the results of the Endoscopy since Dr Berger is out of town. I have been sitting on pins and needles all day waiting for him to call. I have been reading up on slippage and have found a lot of contradicting information as far as symptoms. I had a lot of pain, weight gain, no restriction, and acid reflux. All of which could be signs. Then again... other people report severe restriction and the inability to swallow even saliva. So I really don't know what to think. For now I feel good. My weight has leveled out for the most part which has been very frustrating. I am afraid to eat... worried that I may have a slipped band. I am still scheduled for a fill next week and plan on keeping the appointment unless something changes. I am hoping that the pain was from the acid reflux and the non-restriction and weight gain is nothing more than needing a fill. I am also hoping that Dr Truillo may not have looked at enough bandings under Endoscopy to know what the pouch should or shouldn't look like. Please may that be the case. So for now I am still waiting. Waiting for the all clear. These last few days have been frustrating and trying. I am ready for it to be over.

I'm bummed. ALL my exams and evals and stuff are done. I found out that I'm a tad "sicker" than I thought and even in more need of a band yet well enough to "survive" the surgery. Endo. found a wee hernia. Surgeon's office claims he doesn't "do" hernias. PCP said it's only an itty bitty one. Got my CRAP mask (intentional misspell) - because surgeon's office claims he won't perform surgery without the mask for the hospital stay. Pulmonary technician says my setting of "4" is the lowest setting for the CPAP masks. Cardiologist highly recommends Toprol (Beta-blocker) as a result of my 3-day series of tests (2-day stress, echo and MRIs) I immediately googled and learned that a delightful side-effect is WEIGHT GAIN! - (that monstrous metabolism thing again.) Also - may also cause sleeplessness and/or disturbing dreams. may also interact unfavorably with psychiatric meds may also mask diabetic symptoms (hypoglycemia) may also cause diarrhea (this one's OK - my hemorrhoids from hell will be relieved - literally!) And having said all this - I still must satisfy the 6-mo diet requirement as my insurance company's weight-management program doesn't count. although it may be factored in with my "official" dietitian/nutritionist program. SO - "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?" And - Here in the beautiful Northeast - 2-3 inches of the sloppiest snow against my stubborn roses with more to come overnight (snow that is - no more roses until the aforementioned spring!) Any comments about beta-blockers and LBS? :biggrin:

I show 7.1 lbs for you Dear! AND I must say you have been on your best behavior lately - on that Loser's Bench! You have been keeping your hands to yourself and playing nicely! I'm very proud of you! My favorite scrubs were ones that had baby otters on them! Just adorable! Wish I could wear them now! I am sick of PURPLE! I loved when Lifesaver thought we were all blaming our weight gain on poor Tom in the office! That was hilarious! I was engaged to a man named Tom once. A long time ago -- when Dinosaurs ruled the earth!

Hi Lizalee thank you SOOOO much for posting this. You have eloquently verbalized what I've been thinnkng for some time. Weight loss has been nil for some time. Weight gain....I don't want to go there. I found out that the food I shouldn't eat goes down well and the food I'm supposed to eat sometimes comes back. Talk about negative feedback. I also seem to get a delay in my full sensation. I agree that journaling is a good way to keep track of eating, I don't like to, but maybe that's because I have to own up to what I put in my mouth. I also agree that carbs are poison, so how do you get off them? My willpower and desire seem to be gone. So, having found a kindred spirit, we can do this. I liked feeling slimmer, less aches and pains, clothes fit better, more energy, the numbness in my hands when I'm typing isn't there, I fit in an airplane seat better and don't crowd anyone (I want to fly to my girlfriends house and visit, been puttng off because of the flight issues), and so one. So, 1 hour at a time? We can do it! Sue

Don't get discouraged. The weight gain with TOM is just swelling and fluid weight. It will drop off. That happens to me every month - and every time I work! I can gain 7 to 10 lbs over night! Don't dispair, it will improve!

Hey Laura....I look forward to your updates. Keeping fingers crossed that your dad's weight gain is a true gain from his diet and not water retention. A little tip on the muffins made from applesauce. I have found (after failed/runny/not rising muffins), that if you throw in about 1 cup of steel cut oatmeal it will soak up the additional moisture and you still come out with healthy and moist muffins. I was going to say "Poor DH" on having to do the extra chores, but I can't. Like you said, he will have a new-found appreciation for what you do. You needed to leave because of your family issues but he is in this with YOU and I am sure he understanding of it. He most likely really misses you. A brother dealing with sister's cervex issues would keep any man's mind off of how much house work and child care stuff he has had to do. Not a good thing to hear she is leaving because of health issues but a good thing you can come home to Nes and DH and just be your own family at this time. You and they will need that. BTW....boiled wool is not my only addiction. Let me name a few: Coffee Housecleaning and organizing Baking Coffee Reading LBT Coffee Myoplex Protein Bars Black Labs Coffee NY Times and LA Times Crosswords Cooking ETC., ETC., ETC. Enjoy the last couple of days with your folks. You are a good daughter.

Goooood Morning All!!!! I agree that we need time to laze around and yakkity yakkity yak while in Chicago. That's why we need a week! LOL. I'm hoping most can come Thursday evening and leave Sunday or Monday. I myself will probably plan to get there Thurs. and leave Mon. Morning since I'm taking the train -- I'm in no rush to return to work. LOL. Apples -- are there trains from your area? I'm excited -- I love travel by train -- so interesting and relaxing. Sandy, I too used to be like you -- I was soooooo clean it was sickening -- I'm still fussy (no one can ever clean to my satisfaction -- I always end up firing any and all cleaning people I hire), but I'm not nearly as bad as I was in my younger days. My ah ha wake up moment was when I had kidney failure -- that was when I decided i wanted to live and get healthy and enjoy life. I agree with you about the 50 thing of realizing we aren't going to be around forever -- I quit smoking right after I turned 50 but it took me longer to realize my weight was also killing me. I used to say I was a "healthy fat woman". Wow, who the heck was I kidding? I used to say, "I'm never going to deprive myself of anything again cause it doesn't do any good." I also used to say "I can't exercise cause of my back - it will make it hurt worse" when in fact it doesn't hurt any worse and often feels better after exercise. That was just the fat chick inside me determined to take over and kill me! Once my GD was born it made me realize I wanted to be around to see her grow up. I'm so happy I made those choices. Eva and Apples sounds like a fun day - even if you aren't into sewing I'm sure the quit show was interesting. Apples, I am like you -- I have gotten away from all my creative projects as well -- especially sad I have not finished my book. We must vow to get back to these things this year. I too have a huge stamp collection and never make cards -- I have all these supplies and they sit, year after year unused. I must stop procrastinating and to it this year!! My DH was not feeling well when we returned from Des Moines yesterday. Tried a new bbque place that someone recommended and it was good -- I had turkey and a few bites of Beans -- couldn't eat much - DH had brisket and garlic bread (including mine), beans and french fries so not sure if something he ate made him sick or not. I felt fine -- it might just be the regular flu - -he had chills and aches and upset tummy. Hope he's better today - he's still slumbering - I really want to see the King's speech. Hope we can go. Aylah called and said she made us some refrigerator magnets and wants to stop by and bring them to us. She's so darn cute -- she's so excited. Spent about 2 hours in the kitchen after our return cleaning my chicken breasts and butterflying them in preparation for freezing - bought 10 lbs. of breasts - and it took awhile. Then I took the meat off the rotissiere chicken for DH - will make him some more homemade Soup today -- that will cure him. Julie, sorry you are still having problems -- have you been to any doctors recently? When is your DH having his shoulder surgery? When is your DD due? Is it March? I can't remember. Sorry to hear about the weight gain -- try to eat mostly Protein and maybe some sugarfree puddings with extra protein in them -- that will help your hunger and shouldn't put on pounds. Have some Protein drinks when you get hungry -- it's quick and easy - add a banana in it -- some Peanut Butter (or our powdered peanut butter) really helps fill you up -- DH is right - you need to have food to keep up your strength -- but the right kind of food is what you need --not carbs -- they don't build up your strength. Hope things turn around -- maybe you'll start to feel better when the cold weather passes -- it may be linked to cold, damp weather. I'm trying to remember when all of this started -- was it during winter? Hugs to you Julie, we think of you often. Hope it gets better. Cheri, Kaye has information on dumping syndrome on her site -- from what I remember reading it sounded like we could get it -- not just the by pass patients -- if I see that article again I'll send you the link. Arlene, you mom sounds like quite a lady -- I'd love to see a picture of her. I'm so glad she's doing better and ready to get back to her old life -- she's quite a fighter by the sounds of it. Good for her - you are such a great daughter -- glad you have such a good relationship with her - it's nice to hear about. I miss my mom and wish I could have some more time with her now that I'm older I think we'd have a better relationship. So please hear me when I tell you to enjoy her and be thankful she's still in your life -- once she's gone you'll miss her everyday. Well, DH isn't up yet so I think I'll get dressed and go work out. Have a good day everyone. Linda

Hey, my Mimi is napping so I'm going to take a chance and post before she wakes up..... Apples, I'm not sure what I have in response to your idea about something that works for each of us... With all the problems I've had medically in the last year, I've rather lost touch with the things that were working so well for me the first 8 months of my journey.. I was just so ready for a change and the band and all the rules were very easy to follow... It was a blessing to have this new life and a gift to watch the scale drop and drop... Then when I nearly died from the abscess in my abdomen things changed.. I was lucky to be alive and very greatful.....but weak and needy... and it has continued with medical issues so long that I have lost touch with the feelings I first had.... I now find the rules more difficult to follow and need the band to do more of the work than I did at first... Anyway, I gotta get my groove back in order to lose the rest of this weight.... I am blessed with having no weight gain in the past year and small losses along the way. So, all in all, I guess I'm going to give God credit for all the blessings I've had on my journey.... I'm 110 pounds lighter and I'm alive and still kicking... No small feat..... The rest is yet to come and with His help, I'll get where I should be..... And with all of you... Sorry, Apples, if that wasn't what you really were after.... But I guess it's where I'm at.... Jessica, WTG on your first day of c25k...... That is way cool and you're so doing the right things for yourself.... Yes, and our babies do grow up.... I remember well when DD was like your DS..... Now she has her own almost 3 year old.... Where did the time go? When people tell you to enjoy each stage of their lives because they are soon into another one, they are very right.... Time has a way of flying by..... So, enjoy this stage.... the next is right around the corner!! Janet.... I have a question.... If I don't like regular yogurt will I like this greek stuff???? I can't do regular.... I can do Yoplait Whips.... that's it..... Something about the culture and the texture gets me bad...... I hear you all talk about this stuff and wonder but just don't know... Good girl, Laura, step away from the cookies..... I have to do that with certain kinds of bread.... Can't have it around.. I made some biscuits for company the other night and didn't eat any, but there were leftovers... DH was smart enough to take them for sandwiches in his lunch the next day..... I went to find one and they were gone....AHHHHHHHHHH.... they were gone!!!!!!!!!... Thank goodness and DH....... cux I would have eaten one... I could hear them calling me in my mind.... Linda, sounds like you had a good weekend.... And Arlene has had a good birthday so far.. Glad you are feeling so good about your decision to do this new plan. Well, I'm pushing it here as Mimi has been asleep over 2 hours and she'll be up soon... Better get moving... gotta plan some supper.. Pork roast, but need to plan the rest... TTYL................ Julie

Also, I lost weight while taking Flexerall. I doubt it caused your or Arlene's weight gain. It worked on my trigger points which allowed me to sleep comfortably and move freely throughout the day. Remember I'd had that bad fall and it took at least 6 months to heal. All my trigger points were triggered and firing. Moving freely and sleeping well helps you lose weight. Eating the wrong things triggers my appetite and consequent weight gain. Cheri, I gained weight because I gave in to the hunger it caused me. I take one when Tylneol doesn't work. I haven't had to take one in about six months. Chris......wow....you are getting your range of motion back. Good for you! Janet.......I agree. i was joking about eating in Vegas. Hopefully, DH and I can share a meal. Yesterday I told all of the kids that we are eating out for Thanksgiving because I can't handle the cooking(sample too much). They were okay with it. I will cook for Christmas, but we are having it at DH's house. NO leftovers are coming home. It is cool here. I am packing a heavy coat for the Grand Canyon. The Protein bars are 170calories, and the Protein drinks are 150. We are taking them so we don't eat junk. I am really trying to stay in my calorie, protein range. Next will be a 50gram carb limit. This is definitely a lifestyle. If you don't think so......just start eating the old way. I haven't been to Water aerobics this week. I hope to go on saturday and get back into the groove. I have missed it. Apples, I hope everything comes out good. Rest!

Welcome back, Janet! Good to hear you had a nice time. That catching up when you return is sooooo much fun, isn't it! Found a guy to look at freezer/frig combo...looks like it needs to be replaced. Crap! Only 8 yrs old and special ordered it to fit flush in cabinets. Oh well, that's life! Now I'm off to shop and hopefully will not have to special order but most likely will be the case. As far as constipation issues....I had some trouble in the beginning. Did the Mirilax but would rather eat my fiber. I know it is tough to get it in on such a restricted diet as us bansters have. I have found that a serving or two of Kashi Go Lean or Fiber One cereal does the trick for me. From day 1 of eating these cereals, I have had no trouble. I just take the box of cereal when I buy it and put into 1 cup servings and put into snack bags. (Now in my weight gaining stage I do not pay too much attention to how many of these a day I eat but a person needs to be careful due to calories). Beautiful day here on the farm. Perfect temps in the low 70's.....perfect for me and my 100lbs black lab. 80's or 90's would be better for the crops but for today, I'll take it. Hope you all have a great day and no band struggles.

Good morning! I envy you girls...going shopping in warm weather. We won't see a day like that until at least April. Hope you just have a really good time together. Was another 4am morning here. Had a quick cup of coffee and homemade blueberry muffins (made with no fat...just applesauce and ground almonds) and he was out the door to cut in some more fertilizer. Have a big day. Bookwork this morning and then meeting my friend for lunch (which is also my ins agent) to go over our farm renewal. The scheduled items are the bugger. Gotta grab DH long enough to have him go over it with me to make sure we have nothing to add or delete. After lunch we are going to hit my friend's "overstock" store (all new items he buys in bulk....no two things alike but high end brand names) and also hit the consignment shop in town. I was doing some "scouting" for her yesterday. This overstock store has some really nice things and everything is under $20. A lot of Loft and Ann Taylor, Pendleton (the BEST wool creations), Jones NY, etc. My friend has had a huge gain in the last 3-4 yrs. She was always about a size 6. Type A diabetes and mega weight gain without eating much. Anyway, found her some cute stuff and maybe it will make her feel better. She is an absolute beauty. Looks similar to Melanie Griffith (b/4 the botched face lift) and she is still under 200 but such a slam for her to go from a perfect figure to gaining 75lbs. I feel for her and you know with diabetes you don't just crash diet (it would cause her to crash). So...... that's part of my day. Need to do some things outside this morning and do some Christmas wrapping. Pretty close to done with shopping for everyone. I bought personalized glass domes for everyone (even little great grandkids) in "mom's" family. They we a little spendy but something to treasure forever. She was an angel collector. There's beautiful angels inside the dome and instead of snow it is teal colored glitter. She turns and plays "The Lord is My Shepard" . "Mom's" favorite. On the little plaque is just put "Our Mom, Our Angel" and then had her name written below. For the little kids (4 of them under the age of 7) I ordered "Protection Angels" in the globe and put their name and "Remembering Granny" and then Granny's name under it. Not sure what I will get DH yet. Gold toed socks are always a staple but usually come up with something else too. Just a box of Russell Stover makes him smile and then he tries to see if he can eat it all in one sitting. Yes, Janet, was sick about the bracelet. Didn't even want to tell DH cuz he gave it to me. He just said not to worry "It's just a thing". All I know is that it made me nervous to wear it and I don't know why I was wearing it that day. I usually save it for special occassions but, no, I had to wear it for trying on coats? I just can't figure me out!

I'd like to "weigh" in on the scale issue, and whether or not to weigh more than once a week. I was pretty faithful to that at first - weighing in only on Friday morning. Then I began to slip a little - curiosity was killing me - and I weighed again on Sundays and again on Tuesdays. Over the next few weeks, I realized my highest day was ALWAYS on Friday!! I began to weigh daily to test this out - turns out other days are almost always better. I've decided that I will weigh as often as I feel like it during any given week. I take the lowest weight of the week as my recorded weight. I know I am following the rules 95% of the time, my weight varies because of Water retention - can be up to 3 pounds. It is a matter of ignoring those water weight gains (while trying to weed out any particular foods that may be contributing to it) and concentrating on the importance of following the rules. I find I am much more aware of what I am eating every day - not just the day or so before my "official" weight day. I have come to the conclusion that "bad" carbs may be my worst enemies with respect to water retention and I have become much better at eliminating those little pests. I still have the heavier days, but the general trend is down and that makes me happy. and - Tuesday is usually my best day, Friday still my worst! This is just my personal experience. If you tend to want to "give up" when the scale is not your friend by a few tenths (or more!), this may not be the best method for you. For some reason I become more determined to beat the scale tomorrow, and it's easier to follow the rules. Whatever works!!

Hit back space a couple times and lost my post. Aargh. Main point. I am more powerful than my disease. I am more powerful than depression, injury, painful relationships, age, physical pain, uncooperative relatives, and cravings. When I fall off the horse I need to pick myself up, dust myself off, and get back on again. I control what goes into my mouth. No one is holding a gun to my head force feeding me carbs. I know what works. I know what triggers cravings. I can't have carbs. Period. End of story. I have 10 lbs to lose. Thank God I preplanned for relapse and lost 10 extra lbs and am still at an acceptable BMI. But I don't like the extra weight around my middle (which is exactly where I gained it. I don't like feeling sick and having my heart race after a carb binge. And I want to arrest this weight gain before it goes any farther. I rely on God, but he doesn't do the work for me. If I want a reprieve from my carb cravings I have to stop eating carbs. The cravings will subside. There is no easier softer way. There is no easy answer or solution. But if I tough it out for 5 days of no carbs, it will be much easier. Like Linda said, just for today, just for this moment, I will not eat carbs. One moment at a time, I can do without carbs. That's my part of the food equation. To deal with life I use the serenity prayer. "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Cheri

Morning everyone, hope you all had a good night... I did!!! Can't hardly believe it and I'm a bit afraid of jinxing it, but I slept in my bed, all night, with no pain at all............... I can't remember the last time that happened...(except the night they knocked me out with morphine and dilaudid!!) Saturday night was a sleepless one with lots of pain.. I have no idea what the difference was, but I'm very happy for the break in the torture.. I just got out of the hot-tub... Thought I would let those muscles relax a bit more before I start my day................I've got my fingers crossed that this is a new chapter in my recovery......... Our trip was good.. We took my mother and my 12 year old niece along..Mother was very happy to get to go as she can't go by herself anymore... The niece was in heaven... The center of attention with a grandma and 2 sets of uncles and aunts... He dad had given her some money and a gift certificate from Cabella's that he got as a saftey award from work. (We don't have Cabella's anywhere close.) She shopped and bought her dad a birthday present, her little niece a Christmas present, and herself a stuffed dolphin pillow... She was very proud of herself.............. Grandma bought her a new cute jacket, and her other aunt bought her a Corn Palace shirt and a stuffed dog and a game..... So, then we played games with her all three days.......... she loved it... We went to church yesterday and out to breakfast... It was so good to see her so happy.. She is from a broken home and gets shuffled a lot.. She is the youngest and is home alone alot... As for me, I enjoyed the break from being home... There was no mention of family stresses and that was great!!!! I didn't do so well with food choices, but didn't overeat either..... Just ate wrong things.. Not much protein.. No weight gain this morning, so I'm fine with what I did... Just did as I pleased... It was a nice break.. Apples, I expect we were in country that is about like yours... Wet and not really ready for harvest.. Lots of corn still standing.......waiting......... Gosh, I hope that can change now.. There were a few combines going on our way home yesterday... You must be almost to the end of your packing and such... It's been a big job... And speaking of jobs, what about the one you were considering... have you made any decisions? Life threw you a couple curves............... Meredith, take it from one who knows, you just have to put those candy bars in the past and go on!!!! You'll be fine... Stress gets us all and it can be a bugger... Just take a deep breath and move on........... Janet and Phyll, looks like you had a great time... You both look wonderful... And what a difference a couple years makes... Laura, I've got my fingers crossed that the report on your dad is a positive one.... I agree with Apples, your face looks slimmer... The pics are great.. Your Nels is going to be a heartbreaker when he hits the teen years... 1 Day, you and I must be in the same funk..... We'll get through this somehow... You take care............. Well, DD just called and needs me to take Mimi early, so I'd better get a move on............ Lots to do this morning to get back to normal.... You all take care and have a good day.. Hope to be back this evening.. Julie