Before and After Pics

[Mariposa Bella 3]

I thought I would pop in for a quick bit and just say HI.. I have been MIA for Awhile - you know always busy with my boys (6) & (10).They do keep me on the go.. Here is my latest Pic - not where I want to be but close, I am working on getting 20lbs off that I gained but I am at least happy with where I am. I attached a before and after Pic of where I started.

Well hope to stop by soon again - you all take Care....OMG can someone make me smaller please...

Mary

Hello Mary. Glad to hear you are doing so well. You probably don't even remember me. There were very few of us back in 2004, this site is so big now, it is hard to know everyone on here. Glad to see one of my oldies on here and don't worry you'll get those 20 lbs. :biggrin:

[globally yours 0]

Mary you look fantastic!

[Kat817 19]

Wow---I truly believe this is a classic case of "the grass is always greener..."!!! But yes, we could easily figure a meet up! I would guess the Albq/Santa Fe area would have the most bang for the buck. But mostly depends on what you want to see. Indian Ruins are more in the 4 corners.....but there is a definitive lack of shopping, often times even for the native american arts----as they do travel a circuit usually of flea markets and craft fairs.

I am pretty sure the NM State Fair is the 2nd & 3rd weekends in September....there are lots of different arts brought in for that, and many for sale, as well as Old Town in Albq. going strong, with Native American Arts & Crafts.

Then the balloon fiesta is the first 2 weekends in October---and things are pretty widely open then, most of the Pueblos have a showing etc.

You are unfortunately not talking to most organized person in the world....or even in the state of NM....definitely not even in my small town....ok, ok, ok, not even the most organized in my household of 2 people!!! BUT I am willing to look into whatever, whenever!

There is a big Tram up the Sandia's you can ride up, I am working on being brave enough to go---I am doing it before I hit 50---I have promised myself--I think this is the year!

The Ruins near me are---right here in town is the Aztec Ruins, nearby are the Salmon Ruins, and in SW Colorado is the Mesa Verde Ruins which are amazing!! It takes a day or 2 to fully see all the offerings they have.

Y'all discuss it, and let me know what you want more info on. Most of the ruins, and the special attractions such as the fair and the balloons should be available to look at online. Albuquerque - Official City Website then look in the visiting for that info.

I have to get some things put away--------go to run errands and check my computer before finishing my job----there is no hope for me!!

And yes Wheetsin, Laurend---all are welcome! I will say NM may never be the same again!!

Kat

[green 6]

I sure am one disorganised grrlie. The one thing that I can say is that the bigger the gang, the more stressed out and dysfunctional the experience will be. This means that Kat, Green, BJean, Laurend, and Wheets look to be a fine gang, one who will enjoy each other's company and who will have tres beaucoup de fun together. A group of 5 also means that we will feel comfortable splitting off into sub-structures according to our interests and yet we will, group-wise, be unlikely to feel threatened by our individual forays.

The big deal, the way I see it, is that we want to hang with Kat and yet we don't want to squeeze her. For sure Kat does not want a bunch of crazed band brats crashing on her living room floor. This means cheapo hotel rooms. It is either that or engaging in short-term romantic relationships with some of the local cats. I think I prefer the first option at this point in my life. I am old and I am on a bunch of anti-depressants.

[lindata 1]

Next time a Jenny Craig commercial with Valerie Bertinelli comes on, or any weight loss program's commercial for that matter, look at how her body position is different. In the before her legs are spread and the perspective is more direct. In the "after" her body is skewed with one leg bent in towards the other. Now do you believe that she is giving an honest impression of her weight loss? NO! She is doing it to SELL a product.

Oh, I HATE that! I totally agree with this sentiment about commercials - or those ads at the back of magazines which show a 30 pound weightloss and they don't really look any different. That is a pet peev of mine.

Trixie, I am not going to bash you on this rant and I think everyone could tone it down a bit. Personally, I love the before and after pics.

And I really like your new fairy pic! It's cute.

Kat - you've got my interest piqued. I'm going to look into vacationing in Albuquerque now. Hey, we should start a vacation thread - places people have lived or vacationed that they could recommend.

Linda

[nat36 2]

I dont get it doesnt EVERYBODY even those of us not struggling with weight want the best angle?. How many times have I seen on TV the stars walking the red carpet and as soon as they see a camera immediately turn to their good side or whatever. Nobody wants to look bad.

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

I dont get it doesnt EVERYBODY even those of us not struggling with weight want the best angle?. How many times have I seen on TV the stars walking the red carpet and as soon as they see a camera immediately turn to their good side or whatever. Nobody wants to look bad.

LOL...but that is exactly why she said we are fooling ourselves.

[Kat817 19]

I don't "get" the corrolation of wanting to look your best, to fooling ourselves. I mean, I can only speak for myself, and I know fully well that I am not 125 lbs and 20 years old anymore. So am I supposed to not try to look nice anymore? Is putting make up on and doing my hair, not accepting myself getting older each day?

Standing up straight, and smiling, and turning a shoulder towards the camera is the same idea....I don't do it expecting anyone to suddenly see me 30 pounds slimmer!

It has been mentioned hundreds of times over on the actual before and after thread, that the after pictures, people look half their before age. Many of us were ashamed of what we had allowed ourselves to become and as a result there were few pictures of us, and the ones we do have, are seldom flattering! We see a new us emerging, and feel pride in our accomplishments---and are no longer hiding from every camera.

Then again, maybe I just prefer living in a way that I CAN fool myself!!!

Kat

[changenow 0]

I have a sincere question for you that is off subject. You look great and have lost a lot of weight. I am flip flopping trying to decide to band or not to band. My question is if you could have lost the same weight by diet and exercise without the band?

[Kat817 19]

I'm sure you are talking to BK---but I will answer it from my perspective.

I was able to lose some weight, and once I even lost 60 pounds with Atkins. BUT could I keep it off, or could I have lost over 100 pounds? Nope, I tried, and did everything I could. I counted calories, and carbs, and fat grams. I was so heavy, that I was unable to do much as far as exercise goes....

The band has been a blessing in so many ways!!! It put me in control again. I can control how much I eat, and be satisfied with it! I can control the cravings and urges to eat anything and everything...because it controls my hunger.

I have recently had other surgery, so have not been doing much work with my band, have just levelled off--and it is allowing me to maintain, without any regaining of the weight! I was so thrilled to find that out! I had wondered about maintaining after the loss, I see now it is going to be a non issue!

As the weight has come off, I find myself looking forward to physical activity, which seems so abnormal for me!!! I had turned into a real slug! Now I enjoy being out and doing things, I no longer feel like everyone is looking at me because of my size and trying to do things. I can shop in the Misses section of any store now---and not get looks like I am going to burst every seam!

I tried dieting, and exercising to the best of my ability. But no matter if I met with some success during the diet -- it never lasted and it never stayed off. Studies have been shown that it is quite common, that something like only 5% of people who lose a significant amount of weight keep it off for 5 years.

If I could have done it on my own, I would never have gotten to almost 300 pounds....I tried diet and exercise from 180 on up.....

I LOVE my band!!!!

Welcome to LBT!

Kat

[My Life Back 1]

OK.....first, Rockies are a brand of western, higher waisted often decorative jeans, sewn to highlight your butt!!! Made for VERY thin girls....I think they size them from 00 on up!

Ropers are low, flat heeled- leather western boots. They have them in both pull on, and lace up styles in every color you can imagine, girls wear pink, purple, lime green....you name it!

Now as to the belt buckle....yep you find those kind of "cowboys" everywhere! Most of the actual cowboys I know---ones who work with cattle---not in a rodeo sense, but as a way of living---ranchers--have long standing jokes about the monster belt buckles. Most along the idea of the bigger the buckle...the smaller the _ _ _ _!!! When I was younger and occasioned the Country Western Bars, the big buckles were referred to as Tombstones....because they were usually erected (yeah pun intended) over a dead _ _ _ _!!

Green several of us are heading to San Antonio Texas for a meet----I will think of you as I have my bbq!! Someday you have to come this way. New Mexico is not as far south as Texas, but....I can introduce you to REAL cowboys, REAL horsemen, REAL bar-b-que, and REAL belly rubbin', buckle shinin', country western dancing!!!

Consider it an invite!

Kat

Just a quick history on myself - I was born and raised in Texas in the country and on the farm - and have now lived on my farm in Florida for the last 13 years. As much as I wanted to, I never got to rodeo. :cool:

I read what Kat wrote and LOVED every word of it - it sure made me homesick, so I decided that I would add my 2 cents worth and take it a bit deeper, but Kat was right on with everything she said - Rockies are cut for VERY thin girls with NO shape or curves what-so-ever. I was never too fond of them cuz they ride right on up where they don't need to be!!! :eek: I think the size ranges from 00 like Kat said, to 00.5! :crying:

As far as the Ropers - those are the BEST boots in the world! They look good and are comfortable too! And yes, I had them in several colors!! There is an entire "attitude" when you put on your Wranglers and boots!! It is hard to explain, but you definately feel it when you get dressed.

Now as far as the belt buckle goes, I have personally always just loved a man dressed to the hilt in his tight Wranglers, cowboy boots, a nice starched button up shirt and a cowboy hat. I don't care what hel looks like, ANY man is TOTALLY HOT dressed like this!!! :thumbup: This is the surest way to get my attention!!!

I too have heard the comparison to the bigger the belt buckle, the smaller the "member". But from where I was from, you just didn't say it, joke about it, or even imply you had heard it before. HOWEVER, when I read what Kat wrote about them being called Tombstones - I just about fell out of my chair laughing hysterically! I had NEVER heard that one before, but now that I think back, most of the time it is SOOOO TRUE!!! :tt2:

The things I miss the most about Texas is the 2-steppin'! Here in Florida men only know how to dance in circles - they can't count to 2!! :rose: The BBQ is another well missed item, as well as the Mexican food. Man-o-man do I miss that food!! :drool:

Green, I hope you make it to NM to try BBQ and see some of these "cowboys" that we are referring to. It can be somewhat dreamy to see the Marlboro man riding by :tt1:

Anyway - sorry this was so long, but I just HAD to comment - it was quite a trip down memory lane. Thanks again Kat.

[Boo Boo Kitty 3]

I have a sincere question for you that is off subject. You look great and have lost a lot of weight. I am flip flopping trying to decide to band or not to band. My question is if you could have lost the same weight by diet and exercise without the band?

Could I have lost the weight without the band? I think no. I know there is no way I could have dealt with my hunger the way that the band allows me to do. I tried everything there was, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, Medical Weight Loss, every pill ever made ect. None of them worked for me. I would never ever ever go without my band now, it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Hands down I would do it again in a heartbeat! Good luck!

AND KAT---shame on you to assume you aren't the one she meant! You have done great! Bad Kat!

[Kat817 19]

LOL--- My DH does that jokingly when he is on my case about something..."Bad Kitty" LOL....now I am not even safe on LBT!!!!!!!

Get my LIfe Back----some things never change....and real true cowboys and horsemen are among them I think!!! The Rexall Rangers---or Drugstore Cowboys will always follow the latest fashion fad....or what have you--but cowboys not so much....not that most would notice.

I am slowly changing my opinion as I typed that sentence!!!

The cowboys I know---do sort of follow a fad---however it for some reason is a bit different. It follows the market, and the almighty $$$. I know ranchers who have changed out herds of hundreds for another breed of cattle!!! BUT they are still wearing the same denim chambray shirt, and re soling the same boots until they can no longer do so!!!

Come back South and have some fun-dancing, is great exercise!!!

Kat