TerriDoodle

I changed the quote in my signature this morning. This question is directed at myself. How bad do you want it, Terry? How bad do you want it and what are you willing to do to get it? I was ON FIRE before and after surgery. My goals and plan to get there were shining before me like a holy grail and there was nothing that was going to stand in my way. I absolutely loved this person that I'd become -- a totally reinvented self that for once in my life was 100% sure that I would get slim and fit....and most of all, healthy. I had no doubts. The doubts are starting to raise their ugly heads and I want to beat them back with a vengence!! I see the 'old me' creeping in the back door and I want to slam that door, bolt it and nail it shut!!! I have to find the strength somewhere (but where?) to re-commit. I have to rekindle that fire (but how?) to reinvent myself once again. I have to love myself enough (huh?) to do this for me! And so what is it that I am raving about?? 3 'simple' things: 1) Regular, intense, meaningful EXERCISE 2) Eating according to my doctor's guidelines and following The Rules 3) Not smoking My scale registered 188 this morning. It's going UP, not down. I have not exercised in any meaningful way for this entire month. Gee, you think those two things are connected?? It is crystal clear that I will not reach my ultimate goal unless I make regular, intense, meaningful EXERCISE a regular part of my routine at least 4-5x/week. And, in fact, I not only have to make it a part of my life for this weight loss process, but FOREVER. I have to decide...which do I want: 1) Eat fewer calories (enjoy food less, be hungry more) and be lazy (i.e. have a mushy body but more time to do 'nothing'!) OR 2) Eat more of the foods I enjoy, have occasional treats without guilt, and enjoy a body that is firm and fit although it requires effort? I choose #2. I CHOOSE #2!!! Yes, I CHOOSE it. Nobody is making me do it. I can be somewhat satisfied at this weight but I CHOOSE a to be something different! I CHOOSE to set a goal and reach it!! I CHOOSE to be as healthy as I can be!!! This is what I choose. I have free will! I can choose to eat Snickers all day if I want to, but that IS NOT WHAT I WANT!! I WANT TO BE HEALTHY AND FEEL ATTRACTIVE. I want to wear a size 10!!!!!! How bad do I want it??? I want it BAD!! I want it so bad that I am willing to do whatever it takes to re-invent myself once again. I will go into therapy or hire a life coach. I will enlist the help of any- and every- one on this message board. I will read inspirational books. I will COOK healthy meals! I will EXERCISE 5x a week. I will get back into training. I will have faith in myself and I will love myself. And I will succeed! [ROAR!!!!!]

I apologize ahead of time for what might be a long, rambling, self-indulgent post. This is more me talking out loud to myself, than it is an address to any of you...but someone may get some benefit from it. I changed the quote in my signature this morning. This question is directed at myself. How bad do you want it, Terry? How bad do you want it and what are you willing to do to get it? I was ON FIRE before and after surgery. My goals and plan to get there were shining before me like a holy grail and there was nothing that was going to stand in my way. I absolutely loved this person that I'd become -- a totally reinvented self that for once in my life was 100% sure that I would get slim and fit....and most of all, healthy. I had no doubts. The doubts are starting to raise their ugly heads and I want to beat them back with a vengence!! I see the 'old me' creeping in the back door and I want to slam that door, bolt it and nail it shut!!! I have to find the strength somewhere (but where?) to re-commit. I have to rekindle that fire (but how?) to reinvent myself once again. I have to love myself enough (huh?) to do this for me! And so what is it that I am raving about?? 3 'simple' things: 1) Regular, intense, meaningful EXERCISE 2) Eating according to my doctor's guidelines and following The Rules 3) Not smoking My scale registered 188 this morning. It's going UP, not down. I have not exercised in any meaningful way for this entire month. Gee, you think those two things are connected?? It is crystal clear that I will not reach my ultimate goal unless I make regular, intense, meaningful EXERCISE a regular part of my routine at least 4-5x/week. And, in fact, I not only have to make it a part of my life for this weight loss process, but FOREVER. I have to decide...which do I want: 1) Eat fewer calories (enjoy food less, be hungry more) and be lazy (i.e. have a mushy body but more time to do 'nothing'!) OR 2) Eat more of the foods I enjoy, have occasional treats without guilt, and enjoy a body that is firm and fit although it requires effort? I choose #2. I CHOOSE #2!!! Yes, I CHOOSE it. Nobody is making me do it. I can be somewhat satisfied at this weight but I CHOOSE a to be something different! I CHOOSE to set a goal and reach it!! I CHOOSE to be as healthy as I can be!!! This is what I choose. I have free will! I can choose to eat Snickers all day if I want to, but that IS NOT WHAT I WANT!! I WANT TO BE HEALTHY AND FEEL ATTRACTIVE. I want to wear a size 10!!!!!! How bad do I want it??? I want it BAD!! I want it so bad that I am willing to do whatever it takes to re-invent myself once again. I will go into therapy or hire a life coach. I will enlist the help of any- and every- one on this message board. I will read inspirational books. I will COOK healthy meals! I will EXERCISE 5x a week. I will get back into training. I will have faith in myself and I will love myself. And I will succeed! [ROAR!!!!!]

I'll leave the boobie bananas to Pamela -- I know how she LOVES them!

:Banane57: :drum: :Banane08::Banane10: :drum::Banane27::horn::Banane57::Banane25::Banane35::Banane33::Banane44: LAURA'S DOWN 50#!!! WOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!! CONGRATULATIONS! ------------------------------ Tracy - don't they make allowances for 'emergencies'?? Ask for a referral to another dentist and they might just suddenly find a way to work you in!!! Root canals are a dentist's dream! lol The antibiotics are probably making you nauseous. Are you taking them with food?

Hi Ya'll! Just dropping by to wish you all well! I know you must be getting nervous and excited as your day approaches!! Best of luck and stay close to LBT -- it's the best source of support on the planet! Good Luck!!!

Don't worry -- it won't always be like this!! The first 3-4 months can be a little rocky but you'll relax a bit when you get used to things.

I feel like I'm almost at my sweet spot. Last fill was 0.5 and was too much so she took out 0.3cc. I am getting hungry between meals and feel like my restriction could be a little better. Would it be silly of me to ask for a 0.1cc fill??

Sounds to me like you need to stay on mushies and liquids for 48 hours and then see how you are... also TOM can make you swollen. Have a little patience, follow all the rules and baby your band for a bit. I have an idea that you'll be much better in a week or so.

Laura - Your restriction may start to ease up a bit, but you certainly can enjoy it to the max now! Careful with those kabobs and the cruncy veggies. Chew well!! I had a terrible episode last night with some asparagus! I'm excited for you! When you hit 199 I think we WILL have to congregate somewhere for a proper celebration! TracyinKS - 2 of my friends are now bona fide botox fiends! They're 53-ish and raving about it. Well, one had botox and the other had collagen injections. I have to admit, they do look better! I'm sure that could take care of the brow, but I need surgery for my eyelids....they really are bad. Or rather, I should say, they could be so much better! I'm heading over to the fills board to ask a question... Ya'll have a great day!

I may be WAY off the mark here, but I'm inclined to say that she may be receptive to the idea of your doing a little research, 'just because you love her and are so concerned."...blah blah blah...and just bumming around on the internet stumbled onto this site...and lo and behold you found that people were raving about the band! They love it! It's reversible! It has a low complication rate and a high success rate! Wow! And look at these Before & After pictures! These people are all so freaking happy!! <shrug> I dunno...I think it's worth a shot as long as you don't belabor it. Throw it out there, refer her to the site and let it go...the rest is up to her. Best of luck and bless you for trying to help!

When I travel I keep Protein bars and fruit in my bag. There's lots of airport food I can eat if I choose to. I can eat almost anything. As for steakhouses, I always order the smallest filet or split the large one with my DH with a side of potatoes or green veggie. It won't be so hard after the first couple of weeks. You'll get in a groove.

Oh, i guess that makes sense, NM Sunshine! Thanks!

Kat - You're so sweet to all of us, but I see a little spunk in you!! I love to think of you just smiling and nodding when your SIL's size is mentioned for the 24th time....and seething inside just wanting to scream, "SHUTUP ALREADY!!!" I'm VERY glad you're not PBing all the time and enjoying life to the fullest! Look at you at 186....when did that happen?? Seems like just a couple of weeks ago you hit Onederland! (Actually, I think it was right around the time I did, that's why I remember.) You just keep doing what you're doing girl!! No, I didn't make the necklace...it was on sale at Avenue for $5 so I bought it for the beads! LOL I have only worn it that once. They are shell 'discs' knotted onto 5-6 strands of black linen cord. Any of you could make that....it's so easy! The hard part is the creative part...which I am not very good at. So I steal ideas from all kinds of places!! LOL Speaking of TV, Pamela....has anyone seen "Tell Me You Love Me" on HBO??? Yikes. Depressing but it draws you in somehow. I can't make up my mind if I like it or not. And good grief, the sex!! TracyK - What do you mean another staph infection!? Aren't those hard to treat??? AND you have a bad tooth? Sounds like you need your 50,000 mile maintenance, girlfriend! I'm chipping away at all the appts. I need to make...still have 4 more: gyno, mammo, GP and a fill. Always a fill! Going on Wednesday for just a smidgen...going to ask for 0.1cc. Hope she doesn't think i'm crazy. I digress.... sorry you're not feeling well, sweetie. Go see the doc and take care of yourself. Oh, and why would you pull the tooth rather than get a root canal?? Hang on to those teeth! They come in real handy later! Just ask my mom! Laura?? How are you feeling? I can't believe you're talking about going back to work already!! Ugh. Take it easy!! Judy - Hope ya'll are doing okay with your fills and you had a nice road trip! Gina - Thanks for the new avatar! The other was so dark I couldn't see who I was talking to! Jenn - You're in my prayers every morning and every night. Haydee - Where are you? Did you take your beading class yet? TracyinKS - :wave: Hiya! I'm going to troll the board then I'm going night night. Sweet dreams ya'll!

Ugh! That avatar didn't turn out so well....the real picture is a little better. You see that frowning brow and those heavy-ass eyelids?? YUCK. That's what I'm going to spend my bonus money on next summer to have fixed!

Kat, I meant to say earlier that I'm proud of you for un-volunteering your house for the birthday party! You're darn right you paid your dues and it seems like you're hosting a party every other week!! You work hard enough....let the youngsters handle it!

Here it is Tracy: Veggie Beef Crock Pot Soup

Ok, Pam....here's what I made last night and had for lunch today (w/o the tortillas): Chicken Tortilla Soup 1.5 pound skinless, boneless chicken, cut into bite size pieces 2 (11 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes w/ green chiles (might be a bit much for some) 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce 1 small onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 quart chicken broth 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 bay leaf 1 can niblet corn (Some people use fresh mushrooms, squash, black beans and/or sliced carrots for their veggies) 1 bunch cilantro, leaves removed and finely chopped 2 limes, cut into wedges 2 avocados cubed (optional but good!) 8 oz mild cheddar or monterrey jack cheese, cut in small cubes 7 corn tortillas vegetable oil Serves 6 DIRECTIONS Place chicken, Rotel tomatoes, corn enchilada sauce, onion, and garlic into a slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth and season with cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Cover, and cook on Low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on High setting for 3 to 4 hours. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with oil. Cut tortillas into strips, then spread on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until crisp, about 10 to 15 minutes. To serve, sprinkle tortilla strips over soup, and offer chopped cilantro, avocado, lime wedges and cheese to add to soup as desired. (The cilantro and lime is essential)

VERY well said!!!

OMG Tracy -- how FUN!!!!!! I wish I had the time to garage sale...I love bargains!

Where did you hear about the artificial sweetener as a possible cause? That's so interesting. Is it aspartame or splenda or both?

I think you've just lost a LOT of weight in your face!! It doesn't look nearly so round! And your hair looks darker. And your glasses look different! I just wish we could all meet so we wouldn't have to rely on these pictures to know who we're talking to! :car: Either way....you're so beautiful! Ah, to be young again!

Man, does THIS ever sound like my life story!!!

Well, you do need to ask how long the dr. has been doing lap band surgeries, and how many he has performed. You might also ask what his complication rate is for the various ones (slippage, erosion, flipped port, etc.).

BetsyJane - I seem to remember reading somewhere that tasting bile is a sign to head to your doctor.... Does Dr. Spivak know you're having these symptoms?

Ok, Laura...that avatar is really throwing me off!? That is NOT how I picture you!! Is that a recent pic??? What do you mean you'll never look like that again!? Are you kidding me? You're going to look even better!! You are so gorgeous!!!