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Sandy, that's really nice of your neighbor and husband. I usually don't want my DH to cook....ugh...unless it's something on the grill and even then I usually have to prep it. You are a lucky woman to have a man that cooks. Cheri, Happy Birthday! I don't think I can top what Janet posted. Hope your day is wonderful! I really like the idea of a retirement villa. I think they have wonderful services and help in the areas that are needed and you can take advantage of which ones you want. I hope your parents will see the sense in this because I believe they are very practical even if they are a little pricey. I'll take the 10 points on the IQ test over the hair. Oh, I'd love to take you out for lunch for your B-day....sorry we aren't closer. Linda...that would be very funny if we all ended up in the same retirement community. There are many many really nice ones in the desert here. Just a suggestion. Meredith...so glad you found your dog nephew. It is hard to believe he survived out in the cold, but dogs have been doing that for centuries. I believe they are tougher than we think. Hope you start feeling better soon. Laura, school starts next week, right? Even when you think you are going to get me time you know you'll be busy doing other stuff. I don't think you know how to "take time off" either. So good to hear you had a nice visit with your parents and they did look happy. Hope your sister figures it out, but some people never do and it doesn't help if your parents are criticizing. You can't live her life and she does have to make her own choices. Maybe she needs a job. Tina, your partner has lost faith in you it seems. The only way to fix that is to follow through with the lap band and do what you say you are going to do. It will not be easy and in the end, it may turn out that she is not the right person for you....or it may be the beginning of a new and more fulfilling relationship for the both of you. Only time will tell and that is one of the hardest things about this journey. Hang in there, you can do it. Melissa, don't let the weight gain keep you from doing what you want to do. Now the traveling might be a different issue, but if you are spending the night there, go for it. Bring something to read in case you are bored and do leave early. You need to enjoy yourself however you choose to do it. Janet, there are a lot of people that don't get the food addiction thing. Good thing you like your trainer and you can have those discussions with him. Not only do they help you with your workouts, they will help him expand his view and enable him to help future clients. Yep, it's cold. It was very windy last night and I didn't sleep well but it was only 50 degrees. Now it's 39 degrees and it's already rained but the wind has stopped. Hello to everyone else I've missed. I'm going shopping today. Need to get some stuff for the posole and I'm going to look for a new MP3 player. The computer doesn't see my old one anymore. I'm also going to look for some sunbella fabric. All the cushions on the front porch chairs have rotted away and I don't really like the replacement pads I've found. Besides that I'm not doing much today....so there....it's going to be a down day for me. Talk at you all later.

Saw snow in Castle Rock on this morning's news! Don't get discouraged if you have a weight gain after surgery. I think the first time I weighed was a week after surgery and I was up several pounds. But I wasn't thinking about all the swelling in my leg. The next week 3 1/2 lb loss and then 2 lb this week. And now that I am able to walk 1/2 mile at a time, I'm sure I'll continue to lose faster than I was prior to surgery. You'll do the same.

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

Linda, I thought Lyrica caused weight gain. That's why I turned it down. Xanax and Flexeril cause me to gain too.

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

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!

Arlene, sounds like WW is going low-glycemic. It's healthy eating but with your sensitivity to carbs you may have to eliminate even low-glycemic carbs to lose weight. Or do a couple of days of no carbs to lose and then do the low glycemic to maintain. I alternated during weight loss and I go back to no carb to take off any weight gain. Also, just a few lbs weight gain, including that caused by salt, can make your stomach swollen and your band tight. I find that just a few lbs makes a huge difference. When my weight is down and I'm not eating salt, I don't pb and vice versa. Eva, I am going to Europe in June. The concert was unbelievable. We're doing a number of spirituals for Martin Luther Kings Birthday celebration in South Holland and a couple more concerts before we leave for Europe. Cheri

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!

Don't quite remember what the Dr. said "AA" or "aa" stood for. I know that one word was anti-bodies, I'm assuming that's a possible indication of Rheumatoid Arthritis since I'm being sent on to a Rheumatologist. I'll ask my sister. She'll know. Lori, I can't even imagine what your husband and you went through. It sounds like a bad movie but it was real, both the car-jacking and the trial. Enjoy all your trips. You guys deserve it. Arlene, it seems to me that you've acquired more energy! Has the FM improved with the weight loss? Apples seems to think that either her diet changes or her weight loss or both helped her get rid of her symptoms. Hope the same happens for you. Linda, welcome back. You looked great in your pics. My body shape has changed also. I have a flat butt, skinnier thighs and arms, and a rounded upper belly and flatter, flat tire, lower abdomen. I probably would look something like this if I'd never gained the weight but without the flat tire and other areas of melting butter. I think the changes are age-related, particularly the loss of estrogen and androgen due to a complete hyst 12 yrs. ago. Women who don't gain still seem to thicken around the middle in their middle years--despite tons of exercise. Ah well. Fruit is a wierd thing. Some of it is lower on the glycemic index and some of it is high. I tend to like the high--sweet very ripe red or green grapes. Bing cherries that are black but still firm and so sweet and juicy. I quite literally could eat bowls and bowls of it. Too much of even lower glycemic fruits, especially when not balanced with protein, will shoot your blood sugar up. Shooting your blood sugar up makes it very difficult to lose weight. Janet, I had to laugh about the toilet too. I remember someone saying during a total electrical blackout that there couldn't be a blackout, the cars still had their headlights on. Laura, you've also been bitten by the energy bug. Keep it up. Julie, weight gain can make you pb more. It was explained to me that as you lose weight, the fat pad around the stomach shrinks, loosening the band, which is why we keep needing fills. So the reverse is also true. You mentioned you'd gained some weight so that might be the reason. Well, gotta teach tomorrow. Early. CBL Cheri

Went to 125th Anniversary celebration of Roseland Christian School yesterday. Sang in the gospel choir and led the congregation in a song as an alto in a women's trio. Great speaker, great music. The 5th grade girls did a praise dance that was beautiful. I had to wear a black bottom and bright top for the choir. I wore form fitting low rise charcoal pants and a form fitting sweet-heart necked top. I couldn't believe it fit and I looked good. I had to wear an old strapless bra I never thought I'd fit in again. Then I went straight to my 40th class reunion. Fun in a different sort of way. However, hardly anybody I ever hung out with was there. I was not exactly Miss Popularity back in high school. However, three people I'm friends with on Facebook (though I never hung out with them in high school) did come up and mention how much they enjoy my blog. One of them is having LAP-BAND® himself in December. His wife had a band which had to be removed and now she has a sleeve. She looked great. Like me, it was only 70 lbs but it was killing her emotionally as well as physically. I did my 2 Protein shakes and nothing else so that I could eat normally at the banquet. By which I do not mean I ate the way I used to. But I ate some of everything served that I liked and went ahead and drank punch, Water, and coffee while I ate, took tiny bites, and thoroughly enjoyed my food. No weight gain this morning so I must have done well. However, I will walk again today (once it warms up, brrrr) and will really watch my food as well. I'm going to tell the Dr. on my next fill that I want it filled to point where the food squeaks on its way through. I have no desire to ever go back to the old me.

HI All, I just got back from a day and a half away with hubby. I can't believe that we actually got away, just the two of us!!!! It was great, all too short, but great to feel like I didn't have to be a full time caregiver. We went to Big Bear Lake, just two and a half hours from here. The mountains were beautiful; the lake was peaceful, my food was what it should be and we took long walks, which gave me the exercise I so desparately need. I've got to learn a lesson from this weekend, about caring for myself!!! Not an easy lesson to learn at my age. Lori, you are staying at or near your 75 pound loss. Everything that went on with your parents would probably have provoked a weight gain in the past, but you didn't do that. Be proud, my friend. Stand up and be plenty proud!!!!! And give yourself even more credit, because you are so right on about dealing with the feelings that we normally would have stuffed down in the past. It's like we are small children, learning all over again how to deal with the world and it isn't easy. It isn't easy at all!!!!! But you are doing it! You are realizing it! A few choices doesn't mean you are caving in; it doesn't mean someone else has power over you. It just means you are human. We go forward; we go back - a little, but we keep going forward and that's just what you're doing! Right on, my friend. Love, Ellen

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

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!!

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.

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.

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

Charlene .... WTG on your NSV !!!!! You have a band for a reason - go get a fill !!! Stay away from the starches and sugar period !!!! Muscle doesn't weigh more than fat - a pound is a pound - a pound of feathers is large in size than a pound of muscle - but its still a pound.. I takes a while to build muscles - so I am going to say that it's a weight gain and not that muscles weight more than fat - cuz again they don't.. If you are gaining you are eating more calories than you are burning.. Go get a fill - and be accountable with Sandy & Phyl and Great.. You can do this gf - just quit allowing yourself to make all the excuses you have been making about your eating... 3 days no sugar or starches - do a cleanse I hope to have my Peanut Butter when I get home - tonite Ya Great - feel so sorry for you with all your jet setting... Lucky Girl !!! .