feedyoureye

Basic science is imperfect.

Love Amy, really want to see it....
Had my knee shot up today, so far so good. My other knee was starting to hurt because I was favoring it... hope this gets me back on track for a while.....

Florinda, we have all been there. I think you must know that our worth isn't about the kids we have or the number on the scale. Easy for me to say, I know. But I think you also know it is true.
I finally got my mammogram with follow up ultrasound. great news - no sign of cancer. Bad news, need MR next. I feel like a piece of crap that I have to be sedated to handle an MR without freaking out. Most likely implant needs to be replaced which frankly is NOt the end of the world but I feel pretty low right now, right this minute.
I think on an emotional level, i want my lifetime of obesity to be BEHIND me, but it isn't. Between this, needing hip replacement and my knees killing me it is like a constant reminder of all that history that is still my present reality.
sorry to be so depressing.
On the fun front, did a partial weekend away with Dan - I had a great time. He has a loving personality and as I mentioned I value that alot even though i am not "in love". It is nice to be with someone who genuinely feels compassion and caring to me as well as thinking I am cute.

Well Ms Skinniness admits to the problem for HER. Empty calories aka crap! This isn't easy for any of us or we wouldn't have to had surgery. Someone asked about age earlier. I'm 52 so not young by any means but I didn't have a super high bmi to start with @38 I think it was. Now it's 21. And it took me about 20 months to get to goal. this surgery may not be a strong enough fun for a bmi over 45 though. My 2 friends who gained back were much heavier than me to start. Although I have a male friend who weighed in the 340's and now maintains at 210ish.
By the way my name is Laura everyone!

School's summer holidays have started... we are a week into it already - no break for me yet - went into school Mon,Tue, and Weds. Thursday I had a dentist appointment - two fillings - grrrr! In the evening I cut my son's hair, my friend's hair and cut and coloured her daughter's hair. Then Friday I cut my dad's hair and cut and permed my mam's hair! No rest for the wicked eh?
All week the weather has been sh"te - rain rain rain, but yesterday it was sunny. Yes! Sun in Wales... so I took advantage. In the morning we had to run the kids around... Hywel was training first thing (you should see the physic on this teenager... my! I am so proud but slightly envious of his muscle...lol) and Betty was working, so Steve and I met up and had some Breakfast out! That was lovely and something we don't do normally. In the afternoon - the sun was still out - we sat outside, with our books and read in the sun... did I say the sun was out...lol. That was a great feeling. I love reading and I love the sun, so a perfect afternoon was had. In the evening I went to the pub, it is my friends birthday, and we drank plenty of cider, had a lil dance and laughed a lot... yesterday was a good day.
Whilst I was out I was talking to my friend's mates - two guys. The one is a runner and has been for many years. We started chatting about how I never 'got the hang' of running, even though I really wanted to but because I felt I could never get the distance up I felt I had failed at it. He found this odd. He said that I should just do what I can do... walk -run, run - run, walk - walk; whatever is right for me... and that is not failing. It put a whole new perspective on it for me. I need to reignite my fitness - I know I keep saying it, but I really do... can't find my mojo but thinking about what he said has helped. He also said that perhaps I need new goals; that made sense too because even though I haven't reached my weight loss goal, I've reached and maintained my size goal.
Perhaps that is why I have stalled with the weight loss - might be a subconscious thing. I am certainly feeling and acting a little complacent about my size. I am at the very top end of my bounce now, and would like to get back down. I think after my holiday - we go away in 10 days! I will sort my head out... holiday time often leads to reflection for me so I am going to use it wisely!

I just love the length and breath of the topics we talk about on here...
Florinda, I love Macklemore - wel-jel you saw him live - I love going to concerts too haven't been to one in years, the last one was Take That with my hero Robbie! That was freaking awesome!
And Cathy! Mr Jones! That is too cool for school...again, wel-jel. He might be older but he can still belt out those anthems... love it. And enjoy your son's graduation and your proud mam moment.
It is horrid to read everyone's troubles - and I wish I could just give you all a big welsh cwtch! I agree with Sheryl, there isn't enough affection and it really does help... so a cyber cwtch to you all.
If I ever win the lottery, once I've bought my dream home, I would fly over and give you all a cwtch in person and then buy coffee!

Talking of live music I saw Tom Jones in concert last night. Went to horse racing in York ( came out ahead!) then Tom Jones had a concert on the race course. It was really good and approx 40,000 people there. Tom is older but still great performer and of course Coops he is Welsh!!
Weight is up a bit ???????? but I'm drinking too many of my calories.
Going to Oxford tomorrow as my sons graduation is Monday. Proud Mum.

Glad you are enjoying Chicago - that is the land of my peoples - well the boonies 40 miles outside of Chicago to be more exact, in the land of corn Beautiful but far too humid for me.
Florinda, I am sad you are angry - I get that way too - but it quickly goes to "poor old me" - have been working on snapping out of that madness more quickly and it seems to help.
I love my husband dearly, more than anything, but if anything happened to him I do not know if I would be interested in marrying again - we have been together over 15 years, met when I was 35 and we get along swimmingly, we got into an altercation yesterday (which happens every few years) and it was about the frequency of sex - we can hump like rabbits and he still thinks it isn't enough at times, then he gets his feelings hurt if he gets turned down (like wanting sex at 3:30 in the morning when he gets up for work when I am in deep rem sleep - I'm lucky when I can even get to sleep these days) - this happened yesterday and he fumed all day and when he got home basically let me know that he feels that he is a chore to me...wont go into it, but I am very lovely dovey but he can be a spoiled brat sometimes lol. Get over I say. If he spent half the time worried about my pleasure that he does with his own - things might be different! Okay, Rant over - I really hope folks cant read this board other than our own group members.
Good news - the scale is down - I need to go confirm the exact number but its 5-7 lbs. My Aria scale is finally far enough away from hubbies weight that it doesn't confuse us and ask me which one of us is on the scale - that means I am at least 8 lbs away from him - i'll take it
I've been doing my best to try and reign in the carbs, haven't been eating any bread - and have switched from vanilla latte's to cappuccinos - been eating Protein Shakes, lots of hard-boiled eggs, and ground turkey and feeling good. As always working on the hydration, which can be better. And so can the Vitamins, and waiting to drink after meals lol - working on those post rules that are so easy to break when one is far out.

Sounds like a fun time with Dan. I have dated a number of musicians, and the club scene can be fun, lots of dancing and back stage access. Sorry about the stress! Waiting for health results are so stressful.... My stress is really so much better after starting the Citalopram... really like it. I just had to change my medical plan, and will have to change all my doctors and such... do not like that, but will make the best of it.... the monthly charge is lower than before, I like that... Best of luck with the diagnosis on the breast swelling... sending positive vibes....

Florinda, I should have gone to the surgeon I am going to now, instead of the one I went to in the first place. The new one is a nuerosurgeon. I just didn't want to go to Eugene since it's 2 hours away for me. I should have bit the bullet and had him look at my original MRI and gone from there. He might have done then what he is going to do now, which is a much more extensive surgery. I trusted my original surgeon because I had been under his care for 10 years. He obviously knew nothing about post op infections because he completely screwed that up.
I love being in Chicago. Since I can barely walk, we went to the casino and for the first time ever, I got a royal flush and won $200. It would have paid a lot more but I was playing nickel machines cause I am too cheap to put money in those machines. My brother won $2600 cause he was playing quarter machines betting the max. Even betting the max, it's only 200 on a nickel machine. I'm happy though cause I didn't lose any money. It was entertaining for an afternoon. I don't know how people do that as a regular activity though.
Lake Michigan is so beautiful with all the yachts and skyscrapers as a background of sparkling Water that goes for miles. Maybe tomorrow, I'll go to the beach and people watch.

I think there is a line were what you need to do, and what you can do may clash. Not as easy as saying "just get your head in the game" or "Just eat less" or "Just exercise more". Of course these things count... but it looks to me like there may be some other factors at play here. Brain chemestry? Biome health? When I decided to get the WLS I knew that I would have to do something different than I did before surgery. The lifetyle change. I also knew that I couldnt go so far out of my current lifestyle that I would be falling off the wagon at every turn. I decided I would focus on Portion Control, not super low carbs.... I am a vegetarian, and very low carb is pretty hard to maintain with limited low carb Proteins. I could however eat less carbs. I reworked many recipes to better meet my health needs. I would try and eat everything I wanted too... but keep an eye on the numbers at all times... write it down, weight and measure, get enough Protein, drink my Water, maintain consistancy with my exercise.... Every day is a work in progress. When stress and tragidy come into the picture... its just that much harder. The drug componant of food becomes a player too. I have seen others around me here going cold turkey with carbs... I can do that too, but know I can't and don't want to live that way, I have tried to make lifestyle changes that will last in the long run. This means for me that I am closer to the edge of gaining... if I graze a little too much, if I dont bother writing down what I eat for a few days, if I eat for the drug effects (sugar!) or just step out of my routein too much (eating out... vacation, house guests, parties) it all shows on the scale. I have dedicated two days a week to lower carb and calorie consumption for the last year, and I think this helps keep me from gaining more than I already have. I find it harder and harder to really get back into the downward loss mode these days. I just finished the 5 day pouch test a few weeks ago.. I lost 6 1/5 pounds which felt great, of course you know that kind of quick weight loss is a water dump from low carbs, so very easy to gain back. It value was to remember how lower carbs and higher protein can work for retriction which is a value if you have lost track of that quality of the sleeve. (or pouch). I really don't want to become a yo-yo dieter again... and am looking for a way, in the long run to keep this weight off. At 4 1/2 years, I am till in the "successfull" range, but still looking backwards to the time I was at goal and working to try and get back there if possible, in a sane and sustainable way.

Just keep up what your doing. Eat plenty of fresh veggies. Stalls are normal. It took me 3 year to get to goal... now THATS slow!... and its still a process at 4 1/2 years. Use your myfitnesspal to keep track of your micros... I know I can lose track if I don't.

Weight loss isn't voodoo -- either when it works or when it doesn't work. In every person's WLS situation, there are inputs and outcomes. In my own situation, if I can measure accurately all the inputs and outcomes, that fits my definition of "science."
That's not saying everyone's inputs and outcomes have to be the same as mine or others'.
But if we look carefully at all the inputs and outcomes, we can often find some useful cause/effect relationships. If we can do that, we can develop new hypotheses (possible solutions) that might produce better outcomes.
At least, that's the problem-solving approach I find helpful.

As is life. The trick is finding the balance between the two.

Basic science is imperfect.

So sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing.

Okay, I just gotta know.....
How did he smell???
I can just imagine. Mmmmmmm.

When I get into the tub and my body is actually under Water and my stomach is not sticking out!

I have posted this before, but it really illustrates this point....

Feed your eye...nobody reads or if they do they re so eager to proclaim 'it int gonna happen to me!' Well, let them enjoy....

Sheryl, I make a lot of activities last minute too... I decide I want to cook, and good luck finding someone to join me, but sometimes they do, and its fun. I don't mind going out by myself, When hubby is away, or is not in the mood, I go by myself to eat, or take a walk in nature or something. It a good time to think and relax. No one to please but myself. I occasionally feel sorry for myself if I really want company, but not that often.

Hi Deedee, you have done great!! I hear you want to lose more, but congrats on not gaining. I am a veggie too. I think it is important for you to get in your Protein. That may be the primary reason you have gone into maintenance. The old story, Protein first is great advice. It is not always easy for vegetarians to get in enough protein without getting in carbs too. I have a list of go -tos and sometimes they are my medicine, to keep on track. Do your research, explore recipes, there are protein full pastas, do you eat dairy? I have problems getting in enough protein too, and carbs are my bad friend. Its a struggle, but we can do better. Stop turning up your nose at fake meat and tofu.... find a way to enjoy.

I have lost ninety five pounds, thirty before surgery and sixty five afterwards. While that is not as much as some and I still want to lose twenty more I am happy. I have gone from a size 28 down to a size 16/18. I feel healthier and happier, I was pre diabetic and I had high blood pressure. I have neither of those issues today. I can also get on the floor and get back up. I can walk a mile and more and I feel pretty. A good accomplishment for a year.

I do agree that it is more of having someone learn to control themselves. I am sticking to mine from FEAR of complications and such, but it has become mind numbing!!! LOL. I'll survive, I just look at all these different "phases" and the time lines from various nutritionists and surgeons and I am like, " Is their scientific data behind this?" lol
Seems to me mine is a CYA ( cover your ass) plan so I don't end up with complications and my surgeon has a better success rate short term and long term without me coming in with a leak or something. Can't blame him..I am not a risk taker myself. It's not a bad strategy. I'm just in the mood for something REAL.

I heard that in Europe many Docs say go back to regular foods right away. Let your stomach be your guide. I think sometimes the strictness of early diets are more to get us used to having to control what goes in the pie hole. Later on, when its east to eat anything, having the strength and experience of moderation may help to pull us through the temptation to free form it.