coops

Here are some pictures from our trip!

Finally a few minutes to post!
It was so fun to meet Sheryl. It was great to talk!
I agree that I also felt it gave me a boost. In person she looks awesome! It's interesting how we are so critical of ourselves and they are things that others don't even see.
I also love the confidence that shines from her the moment I met her. There was even a guy checking her out when we were walking around!
I hope in the future that somehow our paths will cross and I can meet all of you in person!
Out family trip is wonderful, we are nearing the end. We have had many adventures and have seen so many awesome things. I know I was nervous with not feeling my best but I have made things works and our family really needed this!
food wise I have been doing ok while on vacation but obviously having little extras while on vacation. It'll be interesting to see what the scale says when I get home.
Florinda hang in there. Frustrating as it may be keep it up. Maybe try to change things up every few days and then go back to what you're doing? I know you've tried many things I wish there was a magic fix that worked for everyone or even for you!
Sue, good to hear from you! Sounds like you have lots going on.
Georgia, I forgot to tell you congrats on your new grand! A boy, so exciting. Post pics of him when you have time. I love baby pics!

Yes Kim ... once it has healed I will post it... it is a really personal piece which is why I was worrying that it might be ruined. I have a red rose and three daffodils - these represent my lil family - the red rose of England for the hubby and the three welsh daffodils for me and the kids... underneath it says: 'Dau a ddaeth yn bedwar', which is welsh for ' we two became four'.
I am hoping that it heals and looks like it did when it was first done, which is stunning! The lady that did it is a true artist.
Steve, the hubby, had one done today - it is dream catcher and it is full of vibrant colour... it isn't finished yet and it looks amazing already!

Yes Kim ... once it has healed I will post it... it is a really personal piece which is why I was worrying that it might be ruined. I have a red rose and three daffodils - these represent my lil family - the red rose of England for the hubby and the three welsh daffodils for me and the kids... underneath it says: 'Dau a ddaeth yn bedwar', which is welsh for ' we two became four'.
I am hoping that it heals and looks like it did when it was first done, which is stunning! The lady that did it is a true artist.
Steve, the hubby, had one done today - it is dream catcher and it is full of vibrant colour... it isn't finished yet and it looks amazing already!

Yes Kim ... once it has healed I will post it... it is a really personal piece which is why I was worrying that it might be ruined. I have a red rose and three daffodils - these represent my lil family - the red rose of England for the hubby and the three welsh daffodils for me and the kids... underneath it says: 'Dau a ddaeth yn bedwar', which is welsh for ' we two became four'.
I am hoping that it heals and looks like it did when it was first done, which is stunning! The lady that did it is a true artist.
Steve, the hubby, had one done today - it is dream catcher and it is full of vibrant colour... it isn't finished yet and it looks amazing already!

Your 'tat' sounds amazing coops, hope it heals well.

I am loving that pic Sheryl and Sarah - hope  you had lots of fun!
 
Florinda, I am hearing and feeling your frustration... try to keep strong my lovely... and although it is difficult don't that stupid scale dictate to you... it is only a machine!
 
Kim, sounds like overall good news from the doc... you're doing something right eh?
 
Sorry if I have missed anyone... been reading but not posting lately.

Look who came to visit! It was such a joy to meet Sarah and her beautiful family!

Another milestone in life reached. My youngest son finished his finals yesterday and hence university. Therefore I don't have any children in education. I won't miss the exam stress.

Well, I've finally gotten to log on to BP!  Have to admit, it really hasn't been a priority lately not because I don't love all you girls!!  I really do but just got tired of it all for a few weeks and then we had BABY NO #1!  Hims so precious!  My first GrandBOY!  Still feels somewhat surreal and we had some complications along the way with my daughter so it's been quite hectic for the last couple of weeks.  I'll attach some photos so you can see Elton John Ray Crochet!!
 
The baby was partially transverse so after pushing for over two hours they did an emergency C Section at which point the surgeon sliced through Amanda's bladder!  They had to call in a Urologist to do the repair and she had to go home days later with a catheter for 10 days!!  Just had the test run and all looks good so they removed the catheter and she is doing well.  EJ (baby) doing great as well!
 
As for me, I just totally lost all desire and willpower!  I truly just went into "junk" overload!  Surprisinly, I haven't gained any EXTRA weight from what I had ALREADY gained.  So, I'm back on track "for this week" and like all of you have said, it sure comes off much slower and with MUCH more work and MUCH less food!
 
CGJ, I agree - sometimes I really want to just be able to EAT the foods I used to like to eat and enjoy them.  I can eat small amounts, of course, and for that I am TRULY grateful, but the real taste of anything is just not there for me.  EXCEPT junk!  candy, Cake, chips, etc!! 
 
Kim, I am in the 80% of EWL and at 5 years out (as of 6-10), I'll take it!!!  I agree with others who have said it - I/we need to just "chill" somewhat and enjoy being where we are right now.  Most of us are STILL a LOT of pounds down from where we started and even if we are not at goal, it's still truly amazing that we have done so well!
 
I do intend to lose back to my original goal frame which means I need to lose about 15 pounds to be at the lowest.  Love you all!!   Will try to stay more connected - although, we have BABY TWO due in 2 weeks!! 

Florinda, I'm no dietician and I know you know your body better than anyone but is your daily low calorie count enough for your body? I can hear your frustration at the slow weight loss. Would it help to have a couple of days at higher cals to see if it shakes things up?
My own weight is up and it is totally my own fault, I have had a weekend in Turin (Italy) and we ate and drank. It was the drink more than the food- it goes down too easily. The weather and the atmosphere was great and we took advantage of it, glass of wine before lunch, same at dinner and then sitting out in the squares people watching with a drink later. I think it is no alcohol for me this week so that my poor liver can recover.
We went to Turin to see the shroud and it was an amazing weekend, made all the more amazing by meeting a Muslim lady and her elderly mother who were also there to see the shroud. We were able to discuss with each other the things our religions had in common. It was really special. It also follows on from an amazing exhibition I saw in Marseille recently which was about the things that the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths have in common. One fact I took from that is that Mary (mother of Jesus) is mentioned more in the Koran than in the Bible! And that the Muslim faith have a deep respect and reverence for Mary because she is The mother of Jesus who they acknowledge as a prophet (as does the Jewish faith). As humans that is what we should focus on - the things we have in common, not the things that might/could divide us.
Anyway a lean day for me I hope!

Hi all -- I haven't been around much cos I was avoiding this thread for a while, during the time I was sooooo down and depressed cos I was just a huge bummer. I need to catch up on what I've missed as well as update you on news from my side, but have to carve out some time to do so!! I have to go on a biz trip next week and anticipate a lot of hurry-up-and-wait, as well as jet lag mid-night awakeness, so hopefully can do it soon.
The short version is: I'm doing MUCH better, thank you all for your support while I was in the $h1tter of life...
xoxoxo

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Buster's puncture wound seems to be healing properly and he shouldn't need surgery - thank goodness! He is a "senior" horse who I love dearly but I wasn't relishing being put in the position of having to decide how much money and time to spend on surgery and rehab.... The nursing care I am doing right now is a PITA, but it is paying off. My goal is to avoid cellulitis which is a big freaking deal on a horses leg. Anyway, not totally out of the woods, but encouraging. Oddly, even though he has a big draining hole in his leg, I am supposed to keep riding him... so been doing that!
I found a few lost pounds due to wine and chips and stuff this weekend...sigh. That is okay, monday, back to Protein Drinks.< /p>
Actually, I feel like this is my modified 5:2 although it is a crime to call it that. I am doing Breakfast and lunch shakes and a protein/veggie dinner most days of the week. Then, I let myself "endulge" at events and parties and going out times... I can lose and maintain on that program because my body does respond well to the "variation" in calories/carbs. I find that not trying to stick to the 500 calorie thing helps me avoid the mood issues I was having with the more restrictive 5:2. trying to eat so low calorie/carb seems counterproductive to my good mental health!
Key is to keep this up!
Have we heard from Dee lately? I have gone completely blank on her user name otherwise I'd do one of those@ her BP names...

Forgot to mention.. today I had Protein Drinks for Breakfast and lunch and then my restaurant "birthday dinner". I took my BDay off from work and did work around my place, was really active all day. Only reason I had my lunch shake is that I felt weak/tired - no hunger.
The lesson that I learn over, and over and over again is quite simple. When I am eating alot, i get hungry. When I eat lightly my appetite decreases. sheesh, this isn't that complicated and yet it continues to be elusive.

HI guys, nice to see you all here... I have been working on some prints, drypoints. Here are some photos... the press, a pic of an inked up plate and a pic of the finished print. Its old school and so much fun.
These are of a pair of earrings I bought in India years ago, I wear them most of the time and they show up in my paintings now and then too....
Got a few pound off... trying to stay on track...

@@sarsar - glad you are a little less dizzy. What a setback that whole ordeal has been. You and I both understand that we don't want to give up being active! It is part of my life now and i am not giving up easy!
@@coops That is so cool about your daughter and you doing the challenge. I don't really have anyone to do that with! Keeping fingers crossed on your job prospects. I also agree you need to sometimes just go for it!!!
Florinda - loved the black dog
Kim - what is going on in your art world?

618 cals yesterday and I was so full I had indigestion well into the night! chicken, lettuce, 1 tsp caesar dressing... 2 pieces bacon, 1 egg, 1 tiny coconut flour pancake. It was the egg that gave me indigestion.
Hung my art last night for this month's show, it's hanging in the street facing window!

Last night I had 3 large strawberries sprinkled with brown sugar, before bed. I have been eating clean for four days now and I spent the entire night twitching, waking up intermittently, and itching. Coincidence? I think not. The strawberries put me at 944 cals but considering that I have been eating thousands of calories a day (I seriously wouldn't doubt it) for close to a year, I'm not going to beat myself up.

Please don't flame me CherylJane but, with all the issues with your hip, why did you tempt fate by going on a hike? It took 6 months of doing NOTHING remotely strenuous to get past the bursitis in my right hip, and it took that long because I was so pigheaded about wanting to continue my exercise regimen, wanting to do my yoga, etc.
I did 868 cals yesterday but only managed to get to 41g Protein. The big calorie user was the avocado I had for lunch, 300 cals by itself! But the nutritional payoff is such that I am willing to incur the "cost". I guess I am going to have to double up on my Protein Shakes if I want to make the daily recommended minimum of 60g.
Doughnuts in the office today, I know my 5:2 peeps understand what it took for me to NOT have one!
In four months I am taking my Mom to Italy - we are going to florence for a week! Tickets booked, apartment booked, travel guides are being studied, we are excited! Neither of us have ever been and my Mother has only ever been to Mexico, Canada, and the Bahamas. I do NOT want to be fat for this! I want to be able to hike the Tuscan hills and wear beautiful clothes and get whistled at Above all, I do NOT want to be the stereotype of the fat American, too out of shape to wear anything but elastic waistband shorts and sneakers D:
update: lunch with one of the bigger wigs meant I had to eat restaurant food. Luckily it was a slightly fancy place and I was able to order steamed mussels in their own juices so that 18g protein puts me at 60g protein, without having to drink 2 shakes, yay!

Hey, Gang!
Sorry it has been so long. I've just kinda been in a "head stuck in the sand" kinda mode for last few weeks. I've read most of your info and see that many of us seem to be a bit down - I know I am - like Kim said, it's insidious. When I look at it overall, I know I SHOULDN'T be and MANY have it a lot worse but that doesn't make it seem much better. I even got back on my Zoloft (my daughter and husband said GET ON IT! and have been on for a week or so. Hopefully, that will help take the "edge off".
It's not debilitating but it is affecting me overall. I'm 20 pounds up from goal - the same 20 pounds I lost almost two years ago now and that's irritating. Family stress going on that has made a lot of anxiety.
I'm back to modified 5:2 this week - did really good for a few weeks and lost about 5 pounds - got off track on travel and poof! right back! LOL
It's not hard to do while I'm working but if I'm home, I really want to munch/snack all day long!
On other news, my daughter is 37 weeks now and DIL 34 weeks! We have babies coming soon!!!! Elton Jon Ray Crochet and Iris Grace Smith!! Makes for a busy summer - throw in the other three "Grands" and life is very busy!! They say it will keep me young!! Here's hoping.
Anyway, thanks for thinking of me, Kathy and Kim and others. Thankful that we have a "safe place" to spill and re-energize. Love to all!

Sarah, Happy Wedding Anniversary... and Happy Sleeve-sary too! x

I forgot I was going to say that today is my 19th wedding anniversary. We didn't do anything special. I wasn't in the mood to go anywhere or do anything.
I then remembered that on Saturday it was 4 years ago that I was sleeved. I am thankful for my sleeve and I wonder what the next year will have in store for me...

Denise, let me know when you'll be in town and hopefully we can work something out this time! I think I can handle the drive there, it's not that far from me. I hope to be feeling much better in the near future.
Glad you're having a nice time with Owen. What does he do with his home when he is on his boat and gone for weeks at a time?
Cathy, great thoughts.
Kim, that's a lot to lose in 5 days. I have been eating too many carbs and too much junk. I can't believe how much I can eat but as soon as I go back to the Protein I fell right up really quick and my sleeve does just what it's supposed to do.
For me it's all been emotional eating. Going back to the same old habits because I don't want to deal with life right now. I wish being thin automatically meant that I was happy all of the time! I know that's not reality but I wish it was.
I've been reading up on intermittent fasting (IF). Not just 5:2 but actually fasting on a regular basis. It's interesting to read about. It sounds like it works long term for some people and it doesn't for others. Same as anything else out there.
I was also reading that some people have had issues with mood and such but it seems to get better the longer they keep up with the IFing.

I have just read 5 day pouch test owners manual while I was on the train and I am pumped up to get on with it when I get back.
Everyone will recognise the 4 rules
Protein first
Water
No sliders
Exercise
It made me look at why I did this op and what I wanted from it. It's true I went to a foreign country, where I did not know the doctor, and allowed him to operate on me. I wanted this so badly then so what has changed? I have allowed a change in mindset to take over, become lazy and complacent. I'm not where I want to be so I have to take control.
Kim I hope you are doing well on the 5 day pouch and am really interested to hear your comments on how it was. I know it is not about losing weight but about feeling in control again.