I'm here to help...

[IndioGirl55 32]

Congrats to Joyce, Laura and Arlene on the weight losses -- wtg and keep up the good work girls!!!

Lori must be on her way -- so jealous -- sounds like a great vacation. Hoping she can relax and enjoy and not worry about the move until she gets back.

We're going overnight tonight -- just a quick overnight stay at a local casino - they gave us a free night and free buffets for our b-days this month and need to use before the month ends (tonight). So off we go! It's just an hour and a half away, but will be nice to just get away from it all (kids). They have a good seafood buffet on Friday nights so I'll enjoy the crab legs.

We are in the middle of severe storm warnings - it looks weird out -- hope it happens soon and gets over with.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend - enjoy it and stay positive!!!!

Linda

Have a great time - !!!! Hope you win !!!

Checking in... At the mechanic getting my car checked out for the drive to NC. We don't drive long distances much. My car is 6 yes old and just turned 50k. I usually leave this stuff for dh but schedule is iffy before this next week. They always cram MDs schedule with call the week before and after vacation. (U still have to have 11 or 12 call days for the month even with 7 days off!)

Thanks for the kind words Linda. Have fun on ur overnight! Love crab legs.

Typing on my phone, so can't review posts nor spellcheck. Prob can but don't know how..lol.

Hope everyone has a gr8 weekend. Julie, waiting to hear what doc says. Hope he can find out solution (non surgical if possible). Janet, ur work sounds so stressful. I am sure ur weekend getaway should be fun.

Ok guys, take care. TTYL-peas

Yep, down 2 more lbs. I saw Dr. Davis......he is pleased with my weight loss. He gave me homework for the next two weeks. I have to write a possitive affirmation like....."I am reaching my goal" or something like that. I have to recite it over and over before I go to sleep and when I wake up. Then I have put a picture of myself I hate next to a picture of my favorite food. That is on top of a page.....on the bottom I need to paste a picture of what I want to look like and a picture of a healthy meal. I have to look at it before I go to bed and when I wake up. I am sure this in the Beck book , but I didn't get that far. I am gonna do it. My nutritionist said when I am feeling like munching find something to do that gives me comfort and replace it with snacking. I decided I will crochet. I love to crochet, but I just haven't done much in years. Okay, now y'all know the next step of my plan. Just wanted to share in case it might help any of you.

HUGS!

WTG Arlene! That is such a great idea. I might just have to join you and do it too!!! Sounds so simple- but imagine it would have such an impact. Is he as nice in person as he is on tv? I remember watching the show way before I decided to have surgery. One episode they spent talking a lady out of LAP-BAND® surgery- he told her she just wouldn't be successful (in his opinion). It really hit home and for a year or so I actually stopped thinking about surgery. I was and am too chicken to have RNY. I have seen too many of them go terribly wrong. I feared the band wouldn't work. Some days I regret not having bypass and others I am so glad I had the band. My sis is now down to 190 and in size 14 (and she is doing very little effort). It's just frustrating b/c I had surgery 3 months before her. Of course I KNOW intellectually NOT to compare the two. And I KNOW that I look and feel healthier than she does. I am sure you get what I am saying b/c of your DH. Do people compare the two of you? Do you ever regret not having bypass? Just curious.

Laura

Laura - Kick in the butt - your sis is most likely going to gain her weight back (by all the things you have said) you aren't..

It's about retraining our heads - and she isn't doing that - you are !!!

I asked the doc which would be best for me bypass or band - after I filled out a questionnaire - he said band would be fine for me - If he had suggested bypass I may have considered it.. The pple I know haven't really had any issues.

Sorry, but I didn't take the time to read the posts... I knew you all would be wondering what happened with my appointment today....... Not much..... I'm still crying.... Neurosurgeon looked at my MRI and said, "I'm a surgeon and I like to operate... I'm good at what I do....but I don't do surgery unless it's necessary and in your case I don't find it to be necessary.... " I was stunned.................... I asked, "so what do I do now?" He sent me back to my doctor for more tests and if he can prove to him that there are pinched nerves then he will consider surgery.... I actually was able to see my pain doctor today, and he said he will do some sort of nerve tests, order another epidural shot and maybe a CT of my chest...... All needs approval from insurance...... Then he asked if I had enough pain meds...... There doesn't seem to be enough.... I am getting worse and it's spreading to my right side now... I've had to take pills twice already today and night isn't here yet.... I'm so upset...........I've cried most of the afternoon and got testy with my poor DH... I needed to do shopping for the benefit I'm in charge of on Sunday.... We tried to find paint for our project, but came home without any...... Just a bad day all around.... I just want to crawl in bed and pull the covers over my head and never come out again..... I'm so sad and so tired and so at the end of what I know to do... Please pray for me some more..... I'm out of ideas... Sorry to be such a downer, but I'm sure down... Going to go ice my neck....... Mimi is spending the night..... DH takes care of her and I just watch...... she does usually fall asleep on my lap....... but that's about all I can do...... Thanks friends... Sure glad you're all rooting for me.... Maybe one day we'll get this figured out... As of now I'm just waiting to hear when I can have the tests, if ever...... Hope you all have a good weekend..... Love and hugs to all... Julie

Julie - are you taking your anti depressant meds - the ones that were helping with the pain - I think all this pain is making you more depressed - I think you need to camp out on someones door step - Hugs GF !!!!

Yes, Laura, Dr. Davis is as nice as he is on TV. And so is his dad. Actually, he thinks people with a BMI over 50 should have bypass. He wanted to do bypass on me, but then said because of my previous surgeries the band would be better. He almost didn't do the band when he got in there. I am covered in adhesions. He likes the sleeve, but many insurance companies won't pay for it. He thinks if I do this for a few months and re-train my brain I will have success. He said if everyone would eat healthy he wouldn't have to do weigh loss surgery. Right now me and a young girl in her thirties are going through the program together. She is losing 4lbs a week. Age makes a big difference. She has crohn's disease and he won't do surgery on her. I think the little mind things we do can do a lot to change our thinking about food.

Oh, and I have had the same feeling about the bypass too. My friend has lost 120lbs without effort and eats the same junk food she ate before surgery. My DH has lost 90lbs and eats the same , but smaller portions. He doesn't journal his food or count calories. That's okay, You and I are becoming healthier!

Julie, I am so sorry for your pain troubles. I know this may not be your problem, but I had a bad shoulder and arm for about six months. Turned out I had an abcessed tooth. It was draining so it never really hurt. I did take several rounds of antibiotics before it was pulled. After I had it out my arm and shoulder quit hurting. I hope another shot will do the job for you. My third shot fixed my back for a whole year. Yesterday I took my mother's wheelchair out of the trunk and jacked up my back. I am hoping the pain is temporary. I am gonna take a muscle relaxer tonight.

My mother is doing great. Getting her out of the hospital made her feel so much better. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes.

Charlene - Hugs on your Back !!!!

Glad your Mom is better !!! Continued prayers

I too am of the option if you have a higher bmi - that bypass may be a better option - but that's just due to the fact of the amount of weight to be loss - but again depends on pple med issues/prior surguries etc..

Yep it's all about retraining our brains - I bought trail mix from costco - telling myself - just a little everynite - well we all know we can't do just a little of some things (choc m&m) so threw the damn bag away - so next time I go to costco - i won't buy any cuz I will be wasting $$$$

TGIF!! Happy Friday, everyone! Hope you're all having a GREAT day and off to a good weekend.

Julie.... so sorry for your dr. appt and the disappointing news. Laura had some good advice. And I'd definitely give the epidural another try. I've had a couple that did nothing and I've had them give me months of relief, so it's worth a try. I am so sorry you're having to deal with all the pain.

I had an appt for a dental cleaning yesterday and forgot to take my mandatory prophylactic antibiotcis beforehand! DUH!! How many times do I have to reschedule before I remember???

So... had to go back this morning. Thankful they had another appt available so soon! I have to take 1500 mg of Keflex one hour before and three hours after dental work, including cleaning, because of the hardware in both knees.

Had a good appt.. complimented for my good oral hygiene! Had a hygienist that talked non-stop. Then I continued to cruise the neighborhood on my scooter... which is sort of like my golf cart now! I can walk so much better, but... long trips around the neighborhood... I take the scooter.

One of my stops was at the gym where my DD#1 & GD work out. DD gave me a coupon for 1 free week, so I thought I'd go check it out. I had a personal tour by a nice looking young man who showed me every nook and cranny except for the ladies' locker room which I explored by myself. So, at the end of that I made an appt with a personal trainer for Monday morning. I will see what kind of program they recommend for me and probably join. A 1 yr Sr. membership is only $24 a month, and they will freeze my account when we leave for the winter and restart it when we get home. I think that is quite reasonable. I miss my winter time Water aerobics, so this wil be very good. They have all kinds of equipment! And places to plug in your iPod, so I will have to put together a "work out" playlist.

Cool, cloudy, rainy weather persists here in the NW and I am so missing the sunshine and warm temps in southern CA. I've heard they've had horrible wind this week, though, and that is never fun! Another good reason to start going to the gym.... when weather is yucky I sit in my recliner in the condo and veg on the laptop!! I did do a load of laundry today and made some progress in the book bags, etc I have to sort through.. stuff that came out of the RV that is still sitting around the LR!!!

Tomorrow is DD#1's 44th BD!! SIL made reservations for 4 of us to go to dinner at Tokyo Steak House... never been there but sounds good. Someone at work told her about it so we'll give it a try.

Ya Phyl BAD winds a couple of days ago and cool - but starting today suppose to warm up 85 then the rest of the week 95+

Hey Phyl, Is the steak house the teppan yaki kind? Cook at your table with the fancy knife work? $24/month for a gym is very reasonable especially if there's no initial start up charge.

Arlene, good going on the weight loss. You knew banding wasn't fast and 2 lbs a week is great.

Laura, good for you too. Your sister rewired her insides, you didn't. So you lose slower and have to work harder, but I think in the long run, you are much better off. Her system may learn to reabsorb all those calories in another year or so.....yours won't. Your car is nice and in great shape, you shouldn't have any trouble driving to NC. I'm thinking of driving to Ohio in November with my 2001 vehicle...I might get new tires by then.

Linda, win lots of money at the casino!!

We are going to Benson to visit friends tomorrow (it's an hour away) and then pick up a load of horse poop for my tree hole. It's supposed to help break down the oils and poisons from the eucalyptus tree. Beside laundry, that's all I have planned this weekend.

I did go shopping today and bought some new capris and a pair of shorts. It still amazes me that I can wear the size I do. I just think the pants are getting bigger. I also got another set of new undies.... I'm throwing the old ones out and need new smaller ones. Yeah!

So the thread may be quiet with people all traveling everywhere....hum.....hope they have fun.

Later,

Eva

WTG on smaller clothes and shopping in general - I know how much you love shopping ;0) xoxo

No I did not work at the Tasty Freeze and it is a good thing because I was already fat enough! Instead my first job was as front desk person at a dry cleaners on Saturday. I was trained by 4 older women that my mother called "The Jewels" because they were named Ruby, Opal, Pearl, and Amber. LOL They taught me all about being a hard worker and a good employee. My next job was Christmas season in the Toy Department at Macy*s - what a fun job!!!

I took myself out to dinner tonight to my favorite Mexican restaurant. I had my favorite dinner of Carnitas - roasted pork, refried Beans, mexican rice, lettuce, tomatoes and avocado, flour tortillas, chips and salsa.

I ate less than a third of the pork and about a third of a cup of refried beans, a bit of lettuce and chopped tomatoes and was so satisfied. No craving the tortillas, chips or rice. I brought home enough food for at least two more meals. I used to eat all of it, plus the whole basket of chips and an order of guacamole.

I am losing slowly, a little over a pound this week. I go in to talk about a fill on Tuesday. I feel some restriction but I think I could be eating a bit less. I have lost 7.8 pounds since surgery - 23 days. I think that is a fair weight loss, although part of me just wants to see it fall off quicker.

So far, the band is working well for me. I am trying to do my part - eat lots of Protein, steamed veggies, no white carbs, no sugar. I have had two pears and a few strawberries in the last week. I am not hungry and it is like a miracle!:thumbup:

Froggie - WTG and you aren't losing slowly - 1-2 lbs a week is average... Keep up the good work

Julie - I'm so sorry your appointment was discouraging. I'm praying for you.

Eva - wonderful on those smaller size capris and shorts. It's new underwear time for me too. 23 lbs. less makes them very baggy. But I don't think Victoria Secret will be asking me to model.

Have a great weekend, ladies.

Joyce

Joyce - lol Victoria Secret Model - hell none of us are ever going to be able to model for them - just do to our age :0) and what it has done to our bodies - but who cares dressed we look just fine :0)

Good Morning Gang

Well went to the gym @6:30 - it was freaking closed - no water - I thought the parking lot looked really empty = then when I got to the door and saw the not - I understood why..

Going Shopping out of town w/GF Deb today... So I will get in some walking and trying on clothes is exercise ;0)

[ifyourstomachoffendsyou 1]

Saggy underwear and saggy skin. Got rid of the underwear, still got the skin. LOL. But 58 year old women in general shouldn't run aroun exposing too much skin anyway. Saw a woman I grew up with last week, always thin, very attractive. I swear she looked older than me. She looked rode hard and put away wet.

Julie, I really feel bad for you. I remember thinking no one was ever going to be able to help me and I was just going to keep going on a downward curve. I cried frequently. Neck, shoulders, knees, hips, lower back. I've been blessed that I've found medical solutions and accommodations in my lifestyle that have allowed me to keep going. But the neck was the worst. It still is.

Hope you get another shot ASAP. Just remember to do nothing to yourself after the shot, and to do absolutely nothing after the shot. Give it all time to heal and settle down. That takes weeks and even months.

Have they checked you for other things like auto-immune stuff? Fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.?

Are you still taking your anti-depressant? I frequently had to go on one when my arthritis was really bad. It really helps you deal with the pain and with the anger and despair.

The Lord bless you and keep you and cause his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance on you and grant you peace.

In other news, I went to my doc after more tests and I still have high Calcium but my parathyroid is fine. So, I'm collecting my urine all today and first urination tomorrow morning. Hope the container they gave me to keep in the fridge is big enough. I drink a lot of Fluid and pee a lot. What a pain. I'm going to my daughter's this afternoon and will have to try to collect over there, too.

Laura, maybe you know more about this. I might have something where calcium stays circulating in my blood and doesn't exit. Don't know what the implications of that are.

I talked to my Dr. about changing my anti-inflammatory and maybe supplementing it. My muscles in my shoulders, neck and upper back are in continual knots from my neck. Swinging my arms while walking makes them even worse.

She prescribed a muscle relaxer to be used sparingly. I had told her I couldn't take vicodin or Tylenol 3 because they make me hyper and keep me awake at night. They also don't seem to make much difference in the pain.

Well, the muscle relaxer keeps me awake at night also. Wierd. I find if I take it early in the evening like 6 or 7 p.m. then I can fall asleep and I don't seem to wake up as frequently needing to shift positions because of pain in my hips or shoulder. Plus it does make my neck hurt less in the evenings.

She told me it was addictive and might make me drowsy. Don't think so.

But now I know its safe for me to take in the afternoons at school which is when my neck starts to hurt. That will allow me to more easily go for a walk when I get home without triggering the muscle knots. Hopefully, it'll still carry over when I go to bed.

Getting old sure ain't for sissies.

Cheri

[Charlene K 1]

Good morning gang! I am looking for something to crochet when I feel like a snack. That is my new homework along with pictures and positive affirmations. I absolutely love, love , love ptoato salad. Back in the pre band days I could eat it everyday. That is the food I am gonna put as my fav. Turkey and dressing is next and then pecan pie. The healthy food is gonna be a salad with chicken and fruit. I have plenty of FIRST magazines to cut pitures from and a whole lot of FAT pics of me.

I ordered a new booklet from Amazon called "Shake it Up"by Chef Dave Fout. He writes cookbooks for weight loss surgery people. It is a recipe book on Protein Shakes. I have to have lots of recipes to keep this going on a positive note.

I hope all of you have a great weekend!!!!!

[Charlene K 1]

OOPs! The booklet is "Shakin It Up" by Chef Dave Fout. I ordered another cookbook from him too. He has a website too.

[1day at a time 2]

OOPs! The booklet is "Shakin It Up" by Chef Dave Fout. I ordered another cookbook from him too. He has a website too.

Let us know how the books are when you get them.

[JeweI 2]

Hey gang, I am back. Still hurtin from my last fill. I can't keep anything down but fluids. I think I am gonna stick with Protein Shakes tommorrow and try foods again the next day. I tried fish for dinner and it wouldn't go down, chicken for lunch, eggs for Breakfast. None of it went down. My weight is though. If I can't get something down after monday I guess I'll have to get an unfill. I really don't want that to happen. I want to be able to use my band. Before my fill I was wide open now I am so tight.

I am sleeping alot again. Don't know if it is from not eatting or if I am getting depressed again. Probably the latter. Just gotta get through this last week of school before I have a melt down.

With this new level of tightness I find that I am feeling the same way I felt after surgery. I miss food. Now it is stronger cause I am losing sight of my goal. Back in my post op days I was high on the thought that I would be thin one day. So I was not bothered by my longing as much. I am just confusing myself so don't know if yall will even understand my ramblings. I am just a little down by my last checkup/ fill. Doc says I am a carboholic and just as an alcoholic can't allow themselves 1 drink I can't allow myself 1 carb loaded meal. I need to quit making justifications to eat carbs. I feel like a failure at this. My last 2 visits have been this way. I am losing the momentum I had and not making much progress lately. I did contact the therapist that works with my surgeon. Hopefully monday I will get a response.

[ladykcusa 1]

Jessica - sounds like an unfill is needed. Wish I could give you some extra energy to make it thru the last week of school. Hang in there, my friend.

Julie - I've been praying and thinking of you. Can't bear to think of your pain and frustration. Have you considered a second opinion? Might be good to have a new physician explore your symptoms and review your history. Sending hugs.

Had a nice lunch with my daughters today. Nice walk with my puppy tonight. After 5 weeks of PT, the walks are easier.

[Froggie D 1]

Hey gang, I am back. Still hurtin from my last fill. I can't keep anything down but fluids. I think I am gonna stick with Protein Shakes tommorrow and try foods again the next day. I tried fish for dinner and it wouldn't go down, chicken for lunch, eggs for breakfast. None of it went down. My weight is though. If I can't get something down after monday I guess I'll have to get an unfill. I really don't want that to happen. I want to be able to use my band. Before my fill I was wide open now I am so tight.

I am sleeping alot again. Don't know if it is from not eatting or if I am getting depressed again. Probably the latter. Just gotta get through this last week of school before I have a melt down.

With this new level of tightness I find that I am feeling the same way I felt after surgery. I miss food. Now it is stronger cause I am losing sight of my goal. Back in my post op days I was high on the thought that I would be thin one day. So I was not bothered by my longing as much. I am just confusing myself so don't know if yall will even understand my ramblings. I am just a little down by my last checkup/ fill. Doc says I am a carboholic and just as an alcoholic can't allow themselves 1 drink I can't allow myself 1 carb loaded meal. I need to quit making justifications to eat carbs. I feel like a failure at this. My last 2 visits have been this way. I am losing the momentum I had and not making much progress lately. I did contact the therapist that works with my surgeon. Hopefully monday I will get a response.

I think I am a carboholic too. As long as I eat under about 30-40 grams per day, I do fine. As soon as I eat any more than that, I can't seem to stop. I am doing great right now and eating just what I am supposed to eat. That is why I am afraid to try too many things. I really understand what you feel. Don't give up. It is worth it to cut the carbs and lose the weight. They way that being overweight makes you more insulin resistant and crave carbs more. Maybe when you get your weight off, you will have reduced cravings. I hope I do. At least that is a motivator for me!

[Mrs. Bubba 0]

Hi friends,.........yes, I'm still on my anti-depressants.... Don't know what good they do, but i take them.... there's no good news to report so I'll just say I'm the same....

Jessica, hope you will be better... an unfill might be in order..... You're almost finished with school... You've done so well and you can make this next few days... Just hold on... Do you get the summer off to relax and regroup a bit??? Hope so....

Froggie, I'm a carb girl, too... I just let myself have some and try not to over do it... bread is my downfall... But I find eating a little sometimes makes me happy and doesn't affect my weight.... I still can lose even with bread in my diet... I just don't overdo...

Charlene, I have some great books for crocheting little things like book marks or tree ornanments... Something to do in a short amount of time.. I can run them off for you if you want them..... How are you??? You deal with pain all the time, too... How do you cope....??

Cheri, I know you really get where I'm coming from... thanks for all the empathy... Wish I could take all you have learned and put it into my head and know what to do..... crying just doesn't do much but is most of what I do lately..... some from the pain and some from the frustrations.... I pray and pray.... for me, for the doctors to help me..... to get better, to be able to cope better... run out of things to pray for.... and don't seem to understand the answers just yet... Thanks for yours...

I finally hit 274 today.... that's the lowest I've been in over 25 years.... With all this dang medication by Constipation is bad.... I'l be lower if I could "unload" some of this "stuff"..... anyway.... I was happy to see 274 this morning....

well, gonna try going back to bed... I was there once, but the pain started up so I got up to get an ice pack... the one I had was warm..... Hope the rest of you sleep well and have a good night... Hugs......... Julie

[NYSparklegirl 1]

Hi everyone. Hope all is well with all you and all are enjoying your weekend. For all those who live on the east coast....hope you are enjoying the great weather. I think im pretty much the only one huh?

Today we spent the day pretty much in the park. We took a large sheet, food and Water and spent a couple hours. My daughter had two freinds sleep over for shabbat and they had fun with the "Boomer" (foster) dog. I sat and read my "picture perfect weight loss program" witth "Starlight" our dog under a tree.

"Picure perfect Weight Loss" by Dr. Shaipiro, I had this book for such a long time that I totally forgot about it...then when searching for something to read last week I remembered that I bought this last year but never ended up reading it. I started reading it and really like the program that it talks about.

I like this program as it uses illustrations to show you all the items you can eat and the calories for all. It also shows you foods that you might think are low calorie and oposite each they show what you could be eating instead with the number of cal. For example...on one side of the page was a picture of a corn muffin and cal of I think about 400 cal. On the other side was a pic of about 6 different items of fruit plus two whole wheat somethings for the same amt of cal. hmm

This is how the book goes through breakfast, lunch, dinners and Snacks. They have several different "demonstrations" of what you might consider typically for meals with the cal under each and then what really is better choices with the same amt. Objective is to show that you can eat alot of food that doesnt have alot of calories from fats and carbs or so called low fat diet foods or that we might think is low fat.

Im not sure about anyone else but seeing for me is believing. I need the visuals. If I dont see it then its not getting through and so this seems to be helping. It also discusses the importance of not making drastic changes on eating patterns that we are used to. People are differnt and appetites and food routines are differnt. It talks about not changing these but changing the food choices for those times to foods that are satisfying but lower in cal.

The best.....is the idea that deprivation is a bad thing....the idea is not to deprive but to give in to what ever cravings with better choices if possible and if not work what you are craving into the daily program. Premise being if you dont get what your body and mind wants its going to get it two fold later with other items that are possibly even unhealthier.

It also comes with a shopping book to take along with to the supermarket and goes through each dept and illustrates differnt pictures to help you choose healthier items compared with items that wouldnt be good choices for those depts. This has helped tremendously as shopping had become a 2-3 hour ordeal because I now am looking at each item I want at the nutritional value....and it is quite amazing how I never cared to look at anything before...if I wanted it I bought it.... never looked to see what the contents was...if it was organic then it was good....but now I see OMG> how could I have ever eaten something on a reg basis that was 700 cal a serving?? well....times a changing. lol

Has anyone else been having shopping experiences like this.

I just know that I could be in the super for about an hour and come out with 4-5 items. My daughter sometimes is like. what???? Thats all you bought?? wheres the food!? I just laugh because shes right..until I figure it all out and it becomes a little easier...with the help of my shopping book...this is the way shopping will be.

Ive lost 30 llbs as of last week. Havent weighed in since last Monday. People have deffinetly begun to notice. Yea. My clothes are becoming loose and it will be time to go shopping yea! Ive noticed Ive diff lost in the face and upper body..I also lost in the hips and legs. Im narrower however...the stomach is what needs to go!!! lol

ladykcusa

Yes, gyms are expensive. I pay membership $69 dollars a month and private trainer is $60. It is a very nice gym. Has all the ammenities of first rate gym but no pool. Gorgeus locker rooms with everything from toothpaste to shaving cream and razors. Steam room and Sauner. They have a store, lounge and health food bar.They do have a childrens room but I dont need this anylonger, but they do have a computer area for the teenagers.

Lori, I hope I didnt miss you....but I think I did...But if you check posts...I hope you are having a fabulous time.

Eva, fabulous idea about the cruise!!!

Julie, my prayers are with you. I have included you again in the names of people who need to get well during my daily prayers.

Jessica, im sorry you are having such a rough time with this fill especially during finals. I hope you feel better soon...and continue to do great on exams and finish soon so you can enjoy all the ammenties of your new apt and get really settled.

I hear what you are saying about the memories regarding your childhood and bringing them all up again when visiting your brother.

I hear you...as Im getting ready to go to my brothers baby's bris tomorrow and my ex stepmother and step sisters will be there as well. My dad is not coming as he will not be in the same room as them. Their divorce was a bitter one and he asked my sister and me not to continue a relationship with them even though they were married for 12 yrs and my step sisters and I grew up together pretty much.

I loved my step mother and was sad when they divorced. My dad isnt in the greatest health and having us keep up relationshop with them well just was too complicated and hurtful for all... unfortunately my half brother from my father and my step mother...gets really shafted as he does have a relationship with them as she is his mother and my step sisters are his half sisters....so complicated!!!

SO as I get ready to go today to this shin dig...I dread what words will be said there and to whom. My sister has allready said...dont talk to them, dont greet them etc etc.

hmm. how not to and why not?? so, complicated even 25 yrs later. So, I hear you and Im sorry for you as well....its sad when you visit with loved ones and in so doing you have to have emotions that run deep be dredged up. Hugs to you. dont let it get you down, try to work through them so you can get stronger and stronger!!!

Janet, Happy shopping, hope you get some good things. Enjoy the weekend.

Everyone else.....enjoy the rest of the weekend!!!

Jodi

[Charlene K 1]

Jodi......CONGRATS! on your thirty lbs! Awesome!

Julie.....your in my prayers. There is an answer.....just keep looking.

Janet.....WooHoo......meeting an Idol contestant!

Great.....are you gone on your trip! Wish I was going with ya!

Apple......come home and burn up this thread....we miss ya!

I went through my pictures yesterday and found my fattest picture and one of me in 1985. I put the fat one with potato salad and the slimmer one with a salad. I framed them. Yuk! I don't ever want to go back to that fat place again. How did I move around?

Those pictures framed on my computer desk make me really think before I go eat bad stuff.

Okay, gotta go get ready for church.....baptisms today. I am the towel lady.

HUGS! for all of you today!

[IndioGirl55 32]

Charlene- I buy First too:0), Self and More and ladies home journel and Oprah - I don't always read them every month have a basket full - but they are there when I am in the mood to do quick easy reading..

What could I eat everyday - pre band - can't think of anything - I would go on spurts - a weekend eat brownie - one weekend homemade bean dip loaded w/cheese and home made chips (very greasy) then triskets w/salami & cheese. then enchillada - then grilled cheese sandwiches - then bag of candy - I just ate everything nothing particular - ate too much and didn't move..

Jessica - I think for the most part most of us are/were carboholic (flour/sugar) Not carbs from fruit or veggies. I consider those carbs healthy and as we all know healthy isn't what we crave - it's the Pasta - rice - potatoes - bread - tortilla - along w/the mayo/cheese/butter that we use on them - so the combination of carbs/fats is got us where we are today - that an not moving - cuz we couldn't cuz we were so heavy and it took too much energy..

Remember this isn't a diet - but a lifestyle change - I allow carbs/starches - but limit them - measure 1/2 cup of them and allow at one meal only.. But you know what lately I haven't been craving them as much

I do follow the Protein 1st rule then veggies and carbs are the last thing on my plate that I eat - I rarely eat sandwiches even on lite bread - cuz I save my starches for night when I crave them the most..

You just have to figure out what works for you -

You aren't a failure and quit thinking like that - when you have those thoughts - say STOP I am not a failure - that's the devil talking to me... Think of the cravings as the devil telling you to do bad things - then it may be easier to say NO - I know that worked for me and still does..

You are too tight and need unfill - ya the scales may be moving in the right direction - but that's cuz you aren't eating - you have to eat - moderation. Yes we are food addict but we have control - we really do.. It just takes awhile to convince yourself that you do - I rather not eat that candy so that I can keep what I have attained - I don't want to go back to 250 - I feel too damn good at 138-139..

Froggie - I do have reduced craving - I still get them and some days I eat them - but not every day not every meal

Moderation

Julie - Hugs Hugs Hugs - wish I was there and maybe take your mind off your pain for a minute... Congrats on 274!!!

You are in my prayers gf for some relief from this pain issue

Jodi - yes on the shopping - if you are reading labels it takes a long time to go thru the store - I still do it now espcially when I want the junk - I read the lables - is it worth it - 99% of the time no..

How far do you live from car bomb scare/issue??

I did well on my shopping - didn't buy everything I tried on - Moreno Valley Mall isn't what it use to be - alot of stores are gone.. Got 4 tops 2 capris 1 bra 1 sundress..

Jodi - Sorry about the family issues - I feel sorry for your bro - your dad shouldn't put you guys in the middle of he and his xwife crap - very childess of a grown man - I can't hold on to hate - it eats us up - I am just to idealistic - Why can't we all just get along - I am glad you are going and supporting your family and the pple you love ..

Charlene - it was cool to see a celeb of sorts - WTG on your plan !!!

Well it's taken me 43 mintues to read and post almost 9 gotta get moving...

cbl

[Froggie D 1]

Jodi - congrats on 30 pounds - that is wonderful and enough to really notice. Have fun buying some new clothes!

Mrs. Bubba - hang in there with your pain. I really feel for you. Glad you are losing - every pound helps that pain reduce a bit, I am sure.

Indiogirl - I am so glad to hear that you do have less craving at a smaller weight. I am looking forward to that.

I have now lost 9 pounds since my banding and 32 pounds total. I went shopping and bought a size smaller pants yesterday. It was very exciting.

My carboholism is currently under control with all the Protein I am eating. Low carb veggies and limited fresh fruit do not seem to jump start the cravings, so that is good. I do not crave bread, fortunately, but I think about candy, especially chocolate, and Cookies. Once I get rolling, all the awful carbs are up for grabs - donuts, candy, cake, cookies, rolls, tortillas, potatoes, french fries, etc. :smile:

I was diabetic and on Metformin before my banding. I was getting high fasting levels of 150 to 160 each day ON the meds. I stopped the meds at surgery and now I am getting 115 to 135 OFF the meds. :thumbup: I figure a few more pounds and that will drop back to normal. That is my biggest goal for my surgery - to not be diabetic. My blood pressure has dropped a little too, from 128 over 80 to 116 over 68. Not enough to cut meds yet, but some progress.

Still debating over whether I should change my appointment to another week away for my first fill since I am still losing and not hungry. I would like to talk to my doc about it but I hate to take off work and have to take off again for a fill.

Well off to the health food store for more chewable B Vitamins, soy milk and soy Protein Powder (I am allergic to dairy). I really think the protein powder is helping keep my appetite under control.

Everyone have a great week!:thumbup:

Debra

Edited May 2, 2010 by Froggie D

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

hi guys~

It's a quiet weekend on the thread, huh? Where is apples when we need her junking it up?! LOL. She'll be back soon enough and then we won't be able to catch up. ; ) Hope everyone had a good weekend. I have been super busy- DH was on call for 72 hours, so had to keep Nels occupied. (especially Saturday when DH came in after being up for 24 hrs and had to get a few zzz's just to go back in to the OR in the afternoon!) We went to a pool party on Saturday. Nels stubbed his toe about 15 min after we got there and refused to go swimming. We were still there 2.5 hrs! They had plenty to do AND they had margaritas for the adults! I love love love children's parties when they have adult drinks. : ) Today, I had the neighbor's girls (8 and 12) over to swim and play with Nelson. They love coming here b/c I feed them and let them act wild and crazy! I made them hamburgers on the grill, cantaloupe and corn. Then after swimming, we went fishing in the lake. Fun fun fun.

I was doing so good today food-wise and then I finished the 3/4 of a chocolate icing donut that N couldn't eat. Now I am in pain, have indigestion, and have guilt. It couldn't be a worse feeling. ugghhhhhh. Why do we do it?! (I was on my way to throw it in the garbage). It wasn't even good!!! Hate DD donuts, btw.

Attaching a few pics.

Peasout... Laura

[ladykcusa 1]

Laura - love the pictures - you are such a fun mommy - I might have to come and play too.

Darn that donut - one thing about the bad, if we eat, we suffer. That won't happen again.