I'm here to help...

[Mrs. Bubba 0]

Laura, great news about your dad and your return home... And as for the weight loss, it's a good thing no matter how it comes off at this point... I say good for you and keep up the good work....

I'm a little better today.........no headache anyway.. back and neck are still a bit sore but I am managing to get a few things done.. Got my batch of homemade oreos made to take with us tomorrow... Also have a pan of banana bars in the oven.... bananas needed to get used up... Will probably take them along tomorrow, too... Or they will be fine in the freezer, too.. I'm not having a good food day..... don't know what the problem is... Have to regroup and get back on track real soon.. I've been lazy because I've been feeling so poor... Just eating whatever is easy and tastes good... I was hoping to start my walking tape soon, but doc said to wait a little yet,,, I guess I can do that...

Well, I'm hoping you all will have a great weekend.. I'll be back Sunday or Monday... TTYL............ Julie

[IndioGirl55 32]

Hi everyone. Janet, yes, I agree with you -- I bank my exercise calories too. I never eat more than 1200 a day no matter how much I exercise cause those days when you exercise less or not at all, those "burned calories" help to even you out for the week, at least in MHO. I feel very lucky I'm able to do the aerobic exercise I need to do -- so lucky I don't have knee problems. Charlene, I guess I misread your post, I was thinking you thought Livestrong.com cost money, rather than the nutritionist. I'm also surprised that your nutritionist costs extra -- like Janet, mine is included as well. My bicep was feeling much better but last night it started bothering me again. I did check with my trainer at the gym and she said I can ice it for 15 mins. and then use a heating pain for 15 on and off during the day and that should help it heal. I'm continuing to stay away from weights until I know it's better. I'll just continue with my aerobics for now. I'm sure a few weeks away will take care of it. Great, we do time share exchanges -- we have a two bedroom condo so my sister and her family can stay with us -- we are staying at the Grandview in Vegas -- it's about 6 miles away from the strip toward Henderson -- my son lives (and works) in Henderson, so it'll be convenient for them for us to be on that side as well. I lived in Vegas back in the early 90s, so the strip does not hold the fascination for me as it does for some. I just want to relax, swim and maybe see a few shows and enjoy my family. We'll probably head out to the strip at night (when the weather is slightly cooler) as my sister and her kids haven't seen most of the newer casinos. I like downtown too. After the week at the condo, we will stay the extra few nights at my DS's. I'm looking forward to 10 days off. I'm working back to back shifts this week (80 hours) in order to save some vacation time. I work weird hours -- I work 10 hours on Fri., 7 on Sat. 20 hour on Sunday and 3 on Monday. In order to have 1 week off (Sun. to Sun.) I have to take 60 hours of vacation. So, one of my co-workers traded his shift during the week this week for my Sunday so I don't have to use so much vacation time. That's the only thing about my shift that I don't like. Other than that, it's great. Meredith, sorry to hear about your PB, sounds like it was over quickly though, which is a good thing. Gotta get busy with my work out, have a good day everyone. Linda

Well you gotta hit the outlets - I loved them when I went to Vegas in January..

OMW - the hours you work - Crazy... I have been here 30 yrs get 25 pto days - and I try and steach them out as long as i can..

Becareful with that arm !!!

I too very fortunate that I don't have any physical limitations when it comes to exercise - some mental ones some days :0) !!!

Have a great time w/your family !!!

Janet, thanks! I totally agree with you! I absolutely love weight watchers. I have only been doing the plan since Monday I believe, that along with my new elliptical and Shape-ups shoes I have posted a 4 Lb. loss today (from last Friday). The best part is it's TOM!! Wow!! Next week will be just as good :-D

Weight Watchers + Lap-Band = Holy Grail of weight loss/management. That is truly how I feel. It keeps me accountable to every little thing. Rule #3 states, "If you bite it, you write it"... LOL I thought that was so awesome!

It is also a HUGE motivator for me to make sure I'm doing all my workouts as I should. You gain more eating points for all your workouts - and for me, every 10 minutes on my elliptical is worth 2 points!! Haha!! You better believe I'm pushing it. I'm only doing 20 minutes right now - but it would probably be 10-15 without that extra incentive. Also with my new crazy shoes I was only doing 1 mile instead of my 2. I push that 2 now!

Anyway, I'm just totally jazzed. I'm also jazzed I can EAT! It's gravy!!

Irene - Congrats girl - WTG :scared2: on the weight loss and getting remotivated :tt1:

I learned WW on the exchange program - I have done points but got my points according to my weight - Like I said - I bank my exercise calories - the only thing that I do is save my calories/point to comensation for my night time Snacks .

I am really proud of you for getting back on track ..

Another WW saying that I love and quote often

"Better in thee (thrash) than in Me"

Drive by post~ I was having a hell of a time with the internet connection last night! I tried to post 3 times and it kept losing everything I wrote!!! uuurrrrghhhhhhh!

Here are the cliff notes version:

1) Nelson is better. Think it was allergies.

2) Dad is doing a lot better. Creat. from 8 to 4. If it is ok tomorrow he will be discharged. He had an endoscopy today for blood in stool and stricture in his esophagus. He did ok.

3)If weather is ok, we will fly home tomorrow.

4)I am down 7 lbs since I arrived! Not sure that is the way to do it. But ready to get home to my gym and my kitchen.

You guys have been so sweet during this hard time! Your kind words have really helped me out. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Hugs to all. More in the coming days.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxopeasout!!!

Laura - Hell of away to lose weight - but at least it's gone - Glad to hear Dad should be released soon... Have a safe trip home - I bet all three of you (you dh & Nelson) will be happy to all be back together agian ...

Hugs GF We love you...

Laura, great news about your dad and your return home... And as for the weight loss, it's a good thing no matter how it comes off at this point... I say good for you and keep up the good work....

I'm a little better today.........no headache anyway.. back and neck are still a bit sore but I am managing to get a few things done.. Got my batch of homemade oreos made to take with us tomorrow... Also have a pan of banana bars in the oven.... bananas needed to get used up... Will probably take them along tomorrow, too... Or they will be fine in the freezer, too.. I'm not having a good food day..... don't know what the problem is... Have to regroup and get back on track real soon.. I've been lazy because I've been feeling so poor... Just eating whatever is easy and tastes good... I was hoping to start my walking tape soon, but doc said to wait a little yet,,, I guess I can do that...

Well, I'm hoping you all will have a great weekend.. I'll be back Sunday or Monday... TTYL............ Julie

Julie

OMW how can you make all those sweets - my food would be terrible too - and you don't feel good and it's always hard I think for most of us to eat well when we don't feel good or are tried. This is the biggest reason - I don't keep to much danergous food in my house... I know my limits...

Have a great time and safe trip - Hugs

[ocotillo 0]

Cheri...."Julie, I actually hang from an incline board because I have trouble with my whole spine. My neck has been particularly bad. It can be very difficult to tell what comes from my herniated discs and what is internal issues. A tight band gives me pain in the same places my neck does. For a while, I had referred pain going back and forth between them. Hope you get relief soon."

Does the incline board help? I have a herniated disc also and a new pain has cropped up on my other leg.....one that feels like a nerve pain, but I just can't tell. I keep thinking I should also try an incline board. The weigh coming off isn't going to happen fast and any pressure I can take off my spine might help, I'm just not sure the include board is the answer.

Meredith, we are going to get our fills around the same time too, mine is scheduled on the 22nd. No, I don't dream about McDeath (my not so nice name for McCrack). I only use the restaurant for their bathrooms when I'm traveling and desperate. Actually, I can't remember ever having food dreams...I dream about that when I'm awake.

Linda, Vegas is fun but I can't stand it for more than a couple of nights and a full 24 hours. Of course I don't have family there either. The heat there is as bad as here. You are brave to go there in the summer. You can soak up a lot of sun but I live in AZ and get a lot of sun anyway. Have fun in Vegas, it is fun to see what's new there.

LilMissDiva, cool on the weight loss and the WW plan. What ever works is cool.

Laura, glad to hear things are turning around for the better, for you, your Dad, and son. If you get to go home tomorrow, have a great trip.

Julie, have a restful and enjoyable weekend and hopefully next week will be better for you. I know I eat badly when I don't feel well. Of course with me it's any excuse. Take care.

It's Friday night and I'm here posting....how sick is that. My husband went out to see a band and I didn't want to go. I actually fell asleep for a while, but now I'm up again. TGIF and I have no early morning obligations.

Our weather has sort of cooled off a bit and I'm hoping it will be nice enough to walk in the morning. I really need to do that. Then maybe I'll be able to get something done this weekend.

Have a great night everyone.

Eva

[IndioGirl55 32]

Good Morning Gang

Eva - I did the same thing when I got home from work yesterday - (fell asleep) but then was up til like 12:30 - and now up at 5. Our weather here has cooled off too - some high or low above us that's cooling us off - like 100 yesterday - which is cold for August :0)

I love going to the gym on Sat mornings ... I have energy and it does help jump start your day..

Well, gang just cking in - Apples gone - Linda gone - Julie gone - hopefully Laura is on her way home - Great is camping if I remember correctly (that's a big if now a days (remembering lol)..

What's everyone else doing - Me gym then meeting gf for lunch and movies..

Well just cking in - CBL

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

UuggHhhhhhhh! (Sigh) the weather was looking iffy! Dad says it is better to fly tomorrow. Also it looks like he will be discharged today! So that will be good that I will be home for his arrival. Let's pray for good weather! Hope everyone is ok.

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

gosh darnit. his labs were horrible this morning. docs want to keep him longer. they really want to do a kidney biopsy, but not sure if my dad wants that. the risk is just too high with one kidney. my dad is starting to wish he was at duke. maybe that is best?! they sure have a good reputation there, but it IS a teaching hospital. he's on the board of trustees though and will get a somewhat VIP attention. only bad thing is mom will be 2 hours from home. siiiggghhh

I am going home tomorrow with nelson... weather permitting. dh said we can all 3 fly up on friday depending on how things are. he is so sweet. and he has been calling my dad 2 times a day minimum.

i am going to go back and watch my little boy. i just pulled out my mom's old bridge table and a king size sheet to make him a tent/fort! LOL. He is so excited. No one even knows what bridge is these days. I have such memories playing under a bridge table.

hope everyone is ok.

peasout

[ocotillo 0]

Laura, sorry to hear about your Dad's labs. I am glad to hear you are going home and your DH is willing to fly back with you at the end of the week. That is too cool. I also remember making forts and tents with the couch cushions and sheets or blankets. It was fun!

Take care and thanks for keeping us posted.

[ocotillo 0]

DH and I went out for Breakfast this morning and I walked home from the restaurant. It's 2.3 miles and most of it is up hill. I used to walk a lot, but haven't in more than a couple of years, so this was good for me. The weather was hot, but not miserable.

There is another thread with a link to a "TIME" article about how exercise doesn't always help you lose weight. I think the article has some merit. The premise is if you exercise hard, but eat a high calorie "treat" because you exercised, you really haven't helped in the caloric intake/caloric burn off department. Of course it does state that exercise really helps with other health issues such as diabetes, blood pressure, cardiac, etc but it doesn't always help with weight loss.

Okay, I'm going on a little rant here.

I hate to exercise. I don't run, jog, or speed walk. I don't like to sweat, pull muscles, feel the burn, what ever. I do like to walk, hike (when I'm in better shape), work in my yard, pour concrete, play in the pool. I understand about how muscle burns more calories, I understand I need to have decent "core" strength to support my failing spine and pelvic area. I understand a body looks better with a decent underlying muscle structure, but do I have to get that from a gym?

I don't feel everyone has to "work out" to be healthy or to lose weight. I do feel everyone needs to keep moving. IMHO people need to move, either by walking, or working in their house & yard, or at a gym, or with exercise videos, or dancing to the music on the radio, whatever even if it's their jobs that keep them moving. The movement and continued movement is a good thing. I rarely sit for hours at a time....sometimes at work I get too engrossed, but I usually get up and walk around or go "down the hall" several times a day especially if I'm not out in the field. I am out of shape for extended walks, hikes, and I doubt I could pick up that bag of concrete today, but with the weight loss and my increased activity because of the weight loss, I know I'll get there. (Besides, I really need to finish my sidewalk)

Janet is truly amazing because she goes to the gym faithfully and I applaud her and everyone else that does that. Those of you that can stick to an exercise program are amazing. Those of you that don't, what do you do? Do you still keep moving doing other things besides a regimented workout? Are we bad because some of us don't stick with the exercise? I think I will feel guilty the rest of my life because I don't like to exercise. I would rather park at the far end of the parking lot and walk to the store or take the stairs a couple of floors up than go to a gym.

Okay, I've ranted enough. And a little FYI, it took me over a half and hour to type this because I went and did another load of laundry and some other stuff in between paragraphs.

Thanks for letting me rant.

Eva

[doodlebug11 0]

Good Morning ! You guys have been so busy, it's taken me over an hour to catch up with all you've been doing ! If I forget someone, please forgive me!!

Laura~~ was so glad to read your Dad was doing better , and then let down to hear about his lab tests ! I may have missed it but why does he have just one kidney? When I was little , we used to play in Moms sheets and blankets when she hung them on the line outside, of course, she never knew that or we would have gotten in trouble !! When my Grandkids were small, they would spend the night with us and I would make them tents and they thought I was sooo much fun !! But now the older ones think they are too old for stuff like that ! Have a safe trip home !

Julie~~~ Thanks so much for the things that you and your DH have done for this country and what you continue to do !!!!!! I think it is just awesome that your DH still keeps in touch with his ppl like he does !! My Grandfather, also my hero, was in WW2 and my brother retired from the Navy and I know the sacrifices that they made and my eyes teared up when I read about how your DH was looked up to !! Glad your feeling better !

Linda~~ I have a niece and her family that live in Vegas, my sis lives in Utah and when we go out there, we fly to Vegas and stay with my niece for a couple of days to see the sights ! It is pretty but I don't think I would want to live there! The first time we went, we were walking the strip and I saw some cards that were thrown all over the side walk, I thought that they were playing cards so I picked some of them up, well, they weren't the kind of playing cards I had in mind !!! My sis just laughed at me when I realized what they were !! I couldn't believe that ppl were allowd to just throws things like that on the ground !!! But any way, I learned my lesson, oh and I took some of them home to my freinds at work ! They got a kick out of them !! They know how easy it is to embarrass me !! Have fun on your vacation !!

Meredith~~ hope your feeling better, also. I have never, knock on wood some where, pb or slimmed ! But I think it's because I don't have very much in my band, just 2.6cc's. My Dr. won't fill my 10cc band but just to 4cc's. I've had 2 fills and the last one was .6cc's so maybe that's why I don't. A friend of mine got her 1st fill and she got 5cc's. Maybe my Dr. is just careful or something, I don't know but I wish I did ! But any way you are doing really good !!

Eva~~~ I agree with you on some things, I DON'T like to exercise, either but I do feel better when I do. The last time I really tried to lose weight, I was walking 4 miles a day, with a friend, and dancing 2 or 3 nights a wk. I got down to 159 from 200 pds but I was enjoying doing both of them!! I think you have to do what ever you enjoy and like you said anything to keep moving! I know I don't do enough moving around and that's why my weight is coming off slowly, but just do what you enjoy ! Oh and when my freind and I were walking and danceing, she lost lot of weight also, and left her husband for a man that was in our danceing group !! SOOO that's why I stopped walking and danceing !!!

Janet~~ I wish I had your energy !! Maybe if I did exercise more I would, wouldn't I !! But on my job, I work in heat all day long, like one day they checked how hot it was and it was 120 !!! It's not that hot ever day but it is around 110 every day and when I get home, I'm just DRAINED !! I have been thinking about going to a different department to get out of the heat, it's getting harder as I get older !! I know it can't be good for a person to be that hot all day long !! We have had several girls pass out on the line cause of the heat !! But anyway, I admire you and your energy !!

Sorry this is soo long but just trying to get everyone in there and if I missed someone, I'm sorry !! I've got more but I'll save that for later !! Sharon

Edited August 9, 2009 by doodlebug11

[ifyourstomachoffendsyou 1]

I haven't been doing exercises to strengten those muscles. Any suggestions?

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I was at my family reunion. Basically anything that strengthens the muscles around the knee. Sit on a chair with your knees bent. Slowly straighten out your leg till its extended straight in front of you. Hold for increasing amounts of time. Alternate legs of course. Do throughout the day.

Stand at the kitchen counter and hold on. Stand on tiptoe and tighten those quads. Go up slowly and down slowly. Finish each rep by rocking back on your heals, body straight, holding on the the counter (by the sink, so you can grip.) Keep your toes curled up and off the ground and hold for increasing counts.

Lie in bed on your back with your knees slightly bent. Extend your lower leg and straighten leg and hold. Alternate legs.Do with toes pointed and then do with toes curled back.

Water walk with knees slightly bent. Go backwards and forwards. You can also Water walk sidways. Stretch out one leg till you're in an upside down y position, then pull the other leg towards it till you're straightened up. All water exercises should be done with only your head above water if possible.

Any form of kicking movement in the water will also strengthen your knees.

Just do everything in super slow motion so you stain nothing.

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

We are home. Exhausted. Happy to be home. So happy to see my DH!!! Feeling a bit guilty and sad for leaving my mom and dad. Just spoke to them... Dad's labs back up to 6.2. He has decided to go to Duke. They will transfer him in the morning. I need to go chill, just wanted to let you guys know the news.

[young at heart 0]

Laura I am so sorry to hear about your dad's illness and my heart goes out to you and any of you gals with family worries and trials. I have learned in all my years here on this earth we all have crosses to bear but the Lord is good to us and we do get through. I made it into Bandy-Dandy Land on Thurs. and came home late Friday but since I am home I feel like I am in Nauseaville. I have to crush all my meds and the heart meds are so nasty tasting plus the pain med is liquid and I just gag and heave and feel nauseated after taking them. That makes for a hard time getting in all my liquids. Took my big band-aids off this am and took my first shower which felt really good. I only have four small incisions. Three right above my waist and one about 4" about waist level on the left. I will write more later as I think I need to lie down for awhile.....Young At Heart

[ifyourstomachoffendsyou 1]

Incline Boards--not for everyone, but they can save a lot of money with chiros and phys. therapists. I had my husband help me for a long time to make sure I was OK hanging upside down, and could get myself back up and not stroke out or something. They can be tricky to get just right.

I like them because I don't like anyone stretching or manipulating any part of my spine. Chiros and phys.thera. have over stretched an manipulated me in the past and put me in more pain. I have overly stretchy tendons and joints that once stretched do not return to normal. This puts too much play in my joints and is part of the reason I have so much arthritis. Yoga also did more damage than good. I've had major neck surgery with a lot of bone removed in order to relieve pressure on herniated discs. When I hang almost upside down, its my own body weight gently relieving pressure on all my discs, and my hips, without manipulating or deliberately cracking, twisting or forcing. With all my herniations and spurs and previous major surgery, this is the only safe way for me to go. I control the stretching out and reallignment.

My daughter has avoided back surgery by using this method. I'm at least holding off having more surgery.

[ifyourstomachoffendsyou 1]

About exercise. Over-exercise can be a problem for food addicts who become compulsive about it. Its officially a form of bulimia like throwing up and laxative abuse. Yes, exercise has many benefits. The key is balance. Live a balanced life. If your job is sedentary you do need to compensate. I don't think Apples needs to exercise. I do. But I try to do things I enjoy that stimulate me and aren't boring. I'm also very careful because of my arthritis. Overdoing any one exercise leads to repetitive stress syndrome and worse arthritis in my joints.

Anything that gets you up and moving is generally good. I've actually seen desks designed around a treadmill so people with sedentary jobs can walk while they take phone calls and work on their computers while they walk. They're actually more productive. Scattered shorter periods of exercise throughout the day are actually more the way our bodies were designed. If I could dance my way through the day, I would.

[Great2BThin 5]

I'm back and the bears didn't get me!! Didn't even see any sign of them, though they did have all the warnings out about them in the area. We were 20 miles from Steamboat Springs and went into town yesterday, fun city! Looks so different in the summer seeing as how it is such a huge ski town. WE camped about 5 miles from the Continental Divide so we were way up high about 9500 to 10,000 feet up. It got cold at night and I wasn't as prepared as I should've been. Of course, DH wasn't cold at all but since losing weight I get so cold so easily. The wildflowers were just gorgeous too. Just beautiful up there.

LJV, I lived in Vegas (Henderson actually in the Green Valley area) in the early 90's too or maybe it was mid 90's.

Exercise, I agree on the I hate it part. I hate the sweating, etc. And depending on what one means when they say 'be more active' would depend to me on if they need more exercise on top of that. To me parking further, taking the stairs is good, but isn't a substitute for a good cardio workout or strength training workout. But if your more active is say riding your bike to and from work, well then I'd say that qualifies. What I do like is what the exercise has done for my body and my health.

Well I've skimmed the posts can't remember all I read, and will try and catch up more later. Hope Laura's Dad is doing better.