TerriDoodle

(((Judy))) What wonderful things you have going on right now!! I am so happy for you -- you absolutely deserve it. You're a beautiful soul!! Was your birthday yesterday (or when)?? Did you give DH the easy way out and get married ON your birthday so he could 'combine' presents? Hmmmm. How IS DH doing with his weight loss? How's he feeling? With you in his corner he really can't go wrong! HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!!

**160*** crunches a day???? Good lawd, woman! I am jealous!! I can only do about 60. My abs are probably my weakest set of muscles....from sitting behind a desk for 27 years!! That'll do it! BTW, my trainer said that you really can't overwork your abs....that they don't need the 'rest' that other muscle groups do. He's given me several different ab exercises to do 'while I'm watching TV' HA!! Yeah, right. Mdrai - I know that you already know this...it's been said a bazillion times. But do TRY not to get discouraged if the scale doesn't move for you. Seriously. When you first start exercising your muscles retain all kinds of water to help them repair. Just keep doin' it!! If I worried about the scale so much I'd have hung myself by now. But every week my clothes are looser and looser...and I keep throwing shirts and pants into my charity pile. That's AFTER I gave away 4 bags-full to my girlfriend! Oy! Point is, just keep moving forward every day. Go look at the B&A thread. You think those girls were all perfect little bandsters? I doubt it. I just want to say how proud I am of all of us for exercising like we should be! And don't you FEEL BETTER? I am like a new woman -- amazing energy most of the time and very few aches and pains. Feeling muscles grow, too. Can't wait 'til I "lean out" and voila!...the muscles will be waiting for me underneath!

Where the heck is LUNASA??? :noidea: :noidea: :noidea:

That's kinda how I work too. I have to wallow a bit in my past failures then remember that IT'S DIFFERENT NOW. I take an attitude check, take an inventory of the JUNK I've eaten the last few days, decide to do differently, then wake up the next day and start over again. I KNOW AND BELIEVE that sooner or later the good stuff will stick and the bad habits will fade into the past. Kinda sad the lives we lead, eh? Hmmm...this is great advice, HH. Maybe I'll try 1/2 apple a day and see if it helps. Great snack with a piece of cheese. Laura, you know better. In your heart, you know better. You gotta remember that you are under a LOT of stress right now (take extra Vitamin C!). Your homework is just to make the best possible food choices that you can and when you get back from Vegas you can start your life anew.... all of it. I looked last night and I've lost exactly 2# in the last 4 weeks. Yippee. But I know I'm doing (most) everything right...so what else is there to do? I'll just keep plugging away. One foot in front of the other until I get "there". I, for one, am really glad you didn't get the RNY!!! Hang in there with us as we will all have our ups and downs....and keep doing the best you can. It's a simple phrase, but it's loaded with meaning. Do the best you can. If you're doing your best, it's a lot easier to sleep at night, y'know? XOXO.

I had a starting BMI of 35 and have lost 20# in 2.5 months. I've dropped almost 2 sizes.

Be a little patient. I promise in a week you'll feel 100% better... a week isn't so long!

Dry white chicken Boiled eggs any steak except filet mignon fried anything dry tortillas

Is anyone else able to get onto www.thedailyplate.com? It's been down all day for me! Frustrating!

Jenn - I'm kind of on the same roll for the last two days. I'm going to call about another fill (my 3rd). I'm feeling less restriction and more hunger. You're still eating less food than I am, though...and you're still losing, arent you? So why fill? Hey, I have a question for you girls.... What food (meal) do you find keeps you full the longest? For me it's tuna salad. I like the sweet & spicy Star Kist, mixed with a little mayo and pickles. I can only eat about 1/4 c. and it keeps me full for 3 hours. (Note to self: buy tuna!) Thanks for all the sweet comments about my pic. I don't feel so beautiful, but the scenery sure is! Mdrai- don't go there, girl! It's not time for you to be beating yourself up yet!! Take it one day at a time. Make good choices. Haydee -- Good to see you! How are things with the dbf?

Give it a few days, ard. Both times that I was filled the restriction was pretty tight for the first week, then relaxed. However, not being able to get water in IS serious and you should call your doctor. Have you tried hot herbal/decaf teas? Warm fluids do help a lot.

pamela -- You Rock Girly!!! My recommendation for a vacation is anywhere in Colorado!! I've been to Cordillera, Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Monarch, Salida, Buena Vista (at a guest ranch!), Vail, and Steamboat. Ya'll would have a great time in Steamboat....there's lots to do!! Rafting, hiking, shopping, eating, jeep tours, hot air balloons, a huge water slide, take the gondola up the mountain, Fish Creek Falls, ...on and on. Great for a long weekend! If you want more info, I'll hook you up! How about a trip to the east coast? Maine? Vermont? Mass.? Lots to see and do there, too! Camping and rafting in Idaho? A guest ranch in Montana? How 'bout a cruise? It's WAY too hot for Mexico and it's hurricane season in Aug. Don't go south!

Hey everyone - Just thought I'd post a pic of me on top of the world! I'm amazed at how fat I still look :scalesno: Can't even imagine what I looked like 20# heavier...glad I lost that at least! But anyway....isn't this beautiful? I loved Steamboat and can't wait to go back!

Hello Everyone!! Did ya'll have a good weekend?? I had a fantastic time in Steamboat Springs with my girlfriends!! We laughed so hard and had so much fun! Weather was picture perfect and got lots of good exercise in those mountains! I didn't have any trouble with my eating, but I did have to be very careful of what I ordered....I was determined not to PB and I didn't! So all went well on that front. Weight held fairly steady...I may have gained a pound from all the vodka I drank but who cares!! I'll catch up with everyone tomorrow. Right now I'm pooped! Sara - glad to see you back! I sure missed you!

LOL! Took me a minute to get that one, Judy!! I thought it was a typo at first. You are so funny. You must be a hoot to sit around the dinner table with!! THANKS TO ALL MY VIOLET SISTAS for the birthday wishes!! It was a strange (read: uneventful) birthday...funny how they do that as you get older. I was busy getting ready for my trip and DH had an important business dinner so I gave him a hall pass. I ended up eating scrambled eggs for dinner then going to the gym 'til 8:30! My DH made up for it though by giving me 2 pieces of gorgeous Brighton luggage!!! Combo Mothers Day/Birthday/ Anniversary gift. I just LOVE it! We're planning a trip to the Marriott Las Vegas Resort in September (anyone been to that resort?), too. We go once a year to Vegas...wish we could go more, we love it there. This year we're going to hang by the pool more rather than do all the shopping and walking so no need to be on the strip. I can't WAIT!!! Janie - 10# in ONE WEEK??? Oh, what I would give!! Jenn - I do hope you hear something soon about the job. When are they going to make a decision? Maybe by Friday?? Fingers crossed, big time!! Love to you all!! Have a great weekend and I'll see you Monday!

Today is a banner day for me! 1) It's my birthday. 2) Saw 195 on the scale this morning (it finally moved!) 3) That marks 20# total loss (31% of my goal) 4) Tomorrow I escape the heat and humidity of Houston and leave for Steamboat Springs with my girlfriends! Hooray me!! I better go read my horoscope....the stars are all aligned nicely!

Betsyjane - I agree with Dawn. Everyone is different in what works, keeps them motivated, fits into their schedule, etc. I have a whole library of videos that have dust an inch thick on them. Tried them all, got bored with them all. The magic for me has been a routine at the gym, classes and working with a personal trainer. Here's a hint: Try renting videos or borrowing from the library first! Or buy used tapes on Half.com or ebay. Best to you!

This is so true! I forget about the times I've noticed someone lost weight but didn't feel right saying something. One friend asked me if I cut my hair...does that count? Poor Mdrai! Ok, remind me...when do you get your 1st fill? Ok, the thing I'd like to suggest is this: eat whatever you want (within reason) as long as it's not simple carbs (like breads, potatoes, corn, rice, sugar, etc.). Eat all the caesar salad you want, eat all the ham and cheese you want, eat all the broc/cheddar soup you want, fruit, vegetables, etc. JUST NO JUNK! Make that one rule for yourself: NO JUNK FOOD. Can you do that? And work on your head stuff. Read a book about how to change bad habits, visualization, make a collage of picture of you when you were at your ideal weight and put it on your wall. Buy a size 14 swimsuit and tack it to your closet door. Get the vision of your future self in your head and BELIEVE, girl...BELIEVE!!! Catch those negative thoughts in midstream...gently dismiss them and replace them with loving kind thoughts of yourself and your abilities. KNOW that you can do this. Know it to your core. Believe in yourself and stop RIGHT NOW the beating of yourself. K? XOXOXO!! For those of you starting a new exercise routine...have you thought about making some goals for June? Let us know what they are and how you're proceeding by pasting it in your signature. It helps to keep you accountable! Really!

:Banane01:Mmmmmmmmm Nanners!! I have one on my desk right now! :hungry:

Congratulations, Brandy!! It feels wonderful!! I'm excited for you!

Tracy - Nobody has noted my loss either....BUT THEY WILL!!! Just keep doin' what you're doin'!!! You absolutely did give up hamburgers for a very good reason...they're the supreme killer beast of the food world! Yucky! Pooey!! This totally made my day!! Tracy, you won't be sorry. Just keep going, even when you don't feel like it and before you know it you're a 'junkie'!!! I hope you get to try the Zumba class someday. I went last night and it was SO much fun. I wouldn't have made it all the way through the class 2 months ago and would have been discouraged. It's quite a workout! I was so red in the face (always am) and sweating like a PIG but I was smiling the entire time so that's a great sign. My point is, just take it easy and go slow. Don't push yourself too hard with any workout at first or you will be discouraged. But it doesn't take long to start feeling a real difference...3 weeks or so. I'm so excited for you! Denise, thanks for telling us about Zumba! If it wasn't for you, I would have never tried that class! Had a wonderful time and it kicked my butt....which is a good thing! DH went too (he's hispanic so I thought he would like it) and it kicked him hard too...maybe too hard!! Don't know if he'll go back.LOL Uh, what's wrong with a taco salad??? I wouldn't have a problem with that! What the heck are you beating yourself up for? Jenn - That is absolutely incredible!! I'm so happy for you. I can only imagine how good that made you feel! What a GREAT day!! This ALSO made my day!!! WOOO HOOOO!!! VIOLETS ROCK!!! :):banana:youcandothis::Banane08:

Laura - I'm sorry, honey. That must be a horrible feeling. I have a friend that went thru a similar experience here. They were days away from closing and their brand new $400K house was all ready. The builder had put in all the landscaping and grass. They "water in" the grass around the clock for a day or two. Somebody had taken the sprinkler and put it inside the front door!! It ruined the hardwoods, woodwork and the fortune in faux painting they had done in the dining room & kitchen!!! The house took months to repair so our friends had to find another one. They figure it was a disgruntled worker. Grrr. One of my co-workers had his house papered last night. They also spray painted all means of obscenities on his driveway. Just horrible. His kids go to a Christian private school and he is on the board as well. Nice, huh? Judy - I thought you finished your beds yesterday or day before!?! Man, how many flowers to you plant, woman?? You must send pics....it must be lovely! Lunasa - Thanks for the encouragement. My calculated BMI is 30.8 or something. The electronic analyzer at the gym says it's 39.1%!!!!! HUH?? I like the calculation method better! 39.1%!!!??!? That's just downright depressing! I'm not going to lecture you about exercise, but before I became addicted I did have to 'force' myself to go. My mantra is just "Feet On Floor"....which is a code for me to just keep putting one foot in front of the other all the way to the gym and before I'm 5 minutes into my workout I am SO glad I went. Repeat daily! Before you know it, you're addicted 'cause you just feel so much better. Guilt-free and more energy, too. Gotta love that! I ALWAYS used to come home from work and just collapse in my chair 'til DH got home. Eat dinner then collapse again. I get all kinds of things accomplished in the evenings now. Way cool. Good luck with your fill!!!

It sounds to me like you have strained your back. I've had several episodes like this in the last 10 years or so. One of the worst was when I was lifting weights...over my head. The pain does feel at times that it is radiating to the abdomen. Until you can call your doctor, I strongly suggest that you get OFF YOUR FEET, in bed or in a recliner. Using a heating pad helps. You may want to use some liquid (children's) advil to relieve the pain, but only sitting up and with a meal. Stay off your feet as much as possible...otherwise it just takes longer to heal. I usually am in bed for 3 days. You may not be that bad. I'm sorry you're hurting

I was self-pay, so I'm not an expert or anything. But in the interest of giving you an idea I will try to answer your question. I'm sure that more people who are more knowledgable will come along soon. It will all depend on your insurance company and what they require. In more cases than not they will require certain documentation that you have tried other supervised weight loss programs in the past and were unsuccessful at keeping the weight off. If you have such documentation in place already that will speed the process up. They may require an additional medically supervised program for further documentation. This is where the waiting game begins because when you submit your doctors letter to the ins. company they will come back with their list of requirements for approval. Testing is usally a part of this as well, such as sleep studies, upper GI, blood work, and psych evaluations. After all of this, the insurance company can still come back and NOT approve the payment. If that happens, you have the right to appeal and you should. I've heard of quite a few that were approved but only after an appeal or two. Best of luck to you.

Mdrai - my doc considers cottage cheese to be a full liquid, so that might be a good choice for you, too. I eat mine with fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, canned peaches, pears or pineapple....and 3 packets of Splenda. I use full fat cottage cheese, too. For the difference in taste, the 1 extra gram of fat is worth it to me. I also ate ripe avocados with a sprinkle of salt (they're SO good right now!), ripe melon, bananas and a bit of creamy Peanut Butter mushed together, and refried Beans w/ salsa and cheese. I ate a LoT of broccoli/cheese soup. That exercise class I just finished kicked my butt. And it's not what I need anyway...like a full body weight training workout in 1 hour and I already do weights with my trainer. So tomorrow I'm going to try the "Latin Impact" which I think is taught by a Zumba instructor. Tuesday I will do Aqua Fit. Just looking for some fun cardio besides the elliptical and bike....y'know? Mix it up a bit. WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING FOR EXERCISE TODAY??? HMMM???

It's too early in the morning to be visualizing your hoo-haa, Teach, but I'm ecstatic for you nonetheless!!! :girl_hug: Really! Just no B&A pics, please. There's always "something in the water" everytime we eat Chinese food around here. DH and I always have it on Sunday nights while we watch our fave shows on TV...and Monday mornings when we weigh we're always, always up a pound or two. It's probably all that work you've been doing in the garden...the heat, humidity and sore muscles retaining Water. No doubt. Congrats on the undies!! Your hoo-haa is having a red-letter day today!!! Break a leg at church, ok? I'd love to hear your choir! Kat (and everyone!)- Thanks for the words of encouragement. I'm heading off to a new aerobics class this morning ...got up early on a Sunday morning to do it, too. Kids go to their dad's for 2 weeks today so I will be able to hopefully make up some of my missed workouts. I find that this plan is making me feel better already. It's just so strange how addicted to exercise I've become and then when I don't get it...just like an addict...I start getting depressed and cranky. Hmmmm. Who is this person??? 3 months ago I would have never dreamed I'd be joining a class. I feel ready now. It's aerobics that uses weights as well. Should be quite challenging not to pass out, but I will take it easy. Maybe go for a nice swim after. Great way to start the day, eh?