TerriDoodle

Hi Ya'll! We had a great time at the SPCA Mutt Strut! It's a beautiful day here today and the weather was perfect...sunny and 80 degrees. Saw dogs of all shapes and sizes...from Pomeranians to Pyranese! After that Hannah and I went to Old Town Spring...a historical section of a suburban town where they have lots of cute shops and we wore ourselves out there! I was BEAT when we got home and I haven't done much since!! The kids are at the movies and I'm going to hit the shower and get in my jammies. Kat - are you feeling better now?? Are you able to eat ok? Laura - Sorry about the DH trouble

Wow. What an emotional day for my Violets! Tracy - Having to "give up" possession of my children to live with their father was the absolute hardest thing I ever had to do ... but they were not adjusting well to their new schools and missing their friends in their old neighborhood and it's what they wanted. I sobbed for a week solid. And I wasn't even giving up a nano-fraction of what Damon is giving up. I admire him so much for doing the right thing because I know it went against everything in his being to sign those papers. Just as a young mother has to give up a baby for adoption because she cannot raise him is a great act of love, so is Damon's sacrifice. It will haunt him daily and forever. It will change him....hopefully somehow for the better. I know he has been a creep in so many ways, but in the end he did the right thing. I hope now he will just stay gone until Robby is of age where he can make up his own mind whether or not he wants a relationship with him. As Robby grows up, make sure he understands that his dad made a big sacrifice for him and that to sign those papers took a lot of courage and humility....and that in the end he did it because he loved him.

Most divorced parents have "joint custody" and an event like elective surgery would need to have the consent of both parents...at least that's the way it reads in my decree.

I am so sad (major understatement) to hear about those of you who were abused as children...the percentages are staggering. I've always wanted to get involved with the organization here in Houston that advocates for child victims of abuse but don't have the courage....I don't know if my heart could take it. I hate that about myself.

Not so much just 'in the evening'...but all day long while at work, especially. For example, yesterday I took the stairs 3 times where I normally would have taken the elevator (I work on the 6th floor). And I manage the deficit more from the other end...the eating side. I just like the feeling of control I have from hard numbers it provides. I am really looking forward to analyzing things after I've been wearing it for a month or so. I'm in a major plateau right now, so I'm hoping this will be helpful. Making a few changes to my exercise, too. Bottom line: I love my band(s)....both of em!!

It's quiet in here lately. Or is it just my imagination?

I've been wearing mine for 5 days now....it's a winner!! I really like it! Two thumbs up.

Here's a Body Bugg fun fact: You don't have to wear the bugg every day (like if you're wearing a sleeveless top or one with tight sleeves). I have been wearing mine every day this week and find that I burn pretty much the same calories during the day while I'm at work: 880-950 calories. So on days that I don't wear the bug, I can just plug that in as my calories burned for that time period and strap it on when I get home. I didn't have any problems wearing it under my clothes this week...and nobody noticed it that I know of.

Yea Jane!!!! Good girl!! I'm glad you're feeling better.One day at a time now. Pamela - Is the aide OK? What do ya'll do to kids that get into fights? In our school district they have a "zero tolerance" policy and the kids go straight to alternative school..."A-school" as they call it. It seems to keep the kids in line. My kids say they feel safe and don't have trouble with gangstas or anything like that....which is amazing considering it's a very mixed bag of kids. They also installed lots and lots of security cameras all over the schools this past summer which will be a great help in showing what "really" happened...as well as showing it to parents who don't believe their little angel could ever do anything like that! My daughter got punched in the face late last year but fortunately a teacher saw the whole thing....and THANK GOD my daughter didn't fight back...she just walked away! I was so proud of her for having the smarts to do that. She didn't get hurt beyond a slight shiner and the girl that hit her went to A-school. This year they stay far away from each other. (Oh, and the girl did end up calling Hannah to apologize.) I've got the day off tomorrow, going to the gym first thing, then the grocery store and then I get to do some beading! :mad: Saturday I walk in a 5K for the SPCA. I raised $750!!! I'm very excited about that. I'm not gonna confess nuthin'!!! :heh:

As Gayle said, you didn't hurt your band....but you'll get 'stuck' again someday! That's a promise! LOL

My doctor charged $12,900 and that included hospital, anesthesia and one year of follow-up (fills). It did not include any pre-op testing which might be required if you had serious co-morbidities like heart disease, diabetes, high BP, etc. You will find that the prices range anywhere from $10,000 - $20,000. It pays to shop around but I do advise that you have a surgeon close to home...or at least have a place close by to have your fills done after the surgery. If you line up a different place to do your fills, they may charge anywhere from $75 - $300 for a fill. Some may charge in a lump fee like $1500 for a year, something like that.

Well said, Judy!!

OMG Tracy!!!!!!! That's the best news I've had all year!!!!!!! Thank you, GOD Thank you, Lawyer Thank you, Shreck!! Thank you, Shreck's GF!! Thank you, Charles!!! Thank you, Judge! Thank you, Angels in heaven! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!!! What a wonderful day!!!!!!!

I agree that 800 is way too low. If you read the article I linked above it says this (in part): Lowering calories too far…"It takes calories to burn calories" There is an old adage, which says, "It takes calories to burn calories." This is true both internally and externally. Internally, the body simply lowers its metabolic rate when it senses too large a decrease in food intake. This still allows the body to function correctly, but ultimately requires fewer calories (after considerable weight loss), which creates hunger and prevents fat loss. Externally, the body is tricked into less spontaneous physical activities, (i.e., you get lazy, tired and, therefore, move less and more economically). Solution: Keep calories slightly below initial maintenance so metabolism and energy levels remain high during exercise and daily activities. A deficit greater than 20% of maintenance calories makes it much more difficult to maintain lean body mass For example: My maintenance calories are about 2200/day. A 20% deficit means I should eat about 1760 calories a day to lose one pound per week, keep my metabolism revved up, and energy levels high.

(((Losingjusme))) - I am so with you on this...and i've only been at it for 6 months!! You maintained your enthusiasm for a year and you did, and still are, doing soooooo great!! My cheap advice is this: 1) dont buy or store junk food in your house or desk...period. 2) don't expect perfection or even the same level of enthusiasm that you once had...start over with baby steps ...lower your expectations! 3) Pat yourself on the back OFTEN for the things you have done, and are doing, RIGHT! 4) Do NOT leave LBT or let 24 hours pass between posts. One day at a time. Baby steps. (((HUGS)))

Good Morning Sweet Violets! Judy - I LOVE LOVE LOVE your banner!!! I might just have to go over there and make one myself...that is just toooo cute! Amanda & Ms Jen - did ya'll have a great birthday?? (Amanda, you understand "ya'll" don't you??...LOL) Personally, i try my best to ignore mine! Janie- Feeling better today? I hope so. I've been in a funk, too...so i can relate. I just kind of had to re-group and start over with baby steps and it seems to be working. I may or may not ever get back to that gung-ho gym nazi mentality again, but this "everything in moderation" thinking is OK, too. Try not to expect perfection from yourself...be as loving and forgiving of yourself as you would be with any of us! Kat - (((BIG HUGS))) for you this morning. I can feel the nervousness in your post. I wish I could be there for you. Please know that I think of you several times a day (not just when I'm logged in). Oh, and in your list of things you had to deal with since your banding, you forgot the time when Kinsey was in the hospital!!! That was horrible!!! As I've said before, you have had way more than your share lately and I just can't imagine that God would burden you with anything more right now. As you've said...it's time for a rest and you are so right to let go of the discipline "dieting" requires. You are maintaining without effort, and you are beautiful just the way you are, so just enjoy it. If you can't make it on our trip you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be making a trip to NM!! I have just GOT to meet you somehow! Jenn - I am thrilled that we found a spot that you can drive to easily. I mapped it yesterday and looks like it's only about a 5-6 hour drive?? Is that right? I actually think youre lucky that you don't have to rush around at Christmas and get tugged in 5 different directions...it's not all it's cracked up to be! It's going to be a quiet one for us this year and for that I am grateful!!!...after 15 years of trying to make 4 celebrations in 2 days, I'm ready just to enjoy Christmas morning with a nice breakfast, gifts, the paper (and the sale flyers!) and staying in my jammies until 1:00!! Oh, I've got a million powerpoint slides to do today! My fingers are all warmed up now so I better get to it. Ya'll have a wonderful day!

Pamela - How far apart do ya'll live from each other? Mmmmmm! Cocktails!

This is a really good article about what causes plateaus. You don't say how long it's been since you've lost a pound or two...is it just a little stall or is it a true plateau? A week or two without losing is nothing to fret about... A true plateau can last for weeks or even months!!

Just a reminder of how far you've come in such a short time...... :biggrin1:

I am SO in for the cabin!! I also vote for no DH's....or, if you do bring a DH he has to sleep somewhere else and he can't show up before noon !! LOL I'm staying in my jammies 'til then! OMG -- are we really going to be able to do this??? I won't be able to sleep until then!!!

Judy -- I just wonder if you've made it to Victoria's Secret yet??

Well, first of all, to lose 5# in one week you'd have to have a calorie deficit of 2500 calories/day....which is essentially NOT eating at all. Secondly, that is not a healthy thing to do as your body would immediately start shutting down your metabolism to conserve energy......this is a big no-no!! But to address the theory of your question, that would mean you're in a plateau (if you're eating less than you're burning but not losing) ....and these are caused my many factors, most of which are not clearly understood. This is a great article on that subject: http://application.bodybugg.com/files/static/kb/15_understanding_fitness_plateaus.pdf Obviously I just experienced a 7 week plateau which can't be explained by my eating/exercising. I was doing the 'right' things most of the time. All I can say is that I am incredibly jealous. :phanvan BUT, I am happy that you're getting to enjoy it!! Lucky dogs! It would be if I was burning 1800 EXTRA calories, beyond my basal metabolic state. If i don't do any exercise at all...if I am just a slug all day and don't do any chores around the house, no shopping, no cooking, no gym...like I'm just laying in bed sick, for instance, I'll still burn maybe 1800 calories (at my age, weight, level of fitness) just in order to keep my body functioning. If I want to lose one pound per week, I have to average a calorie deficit of 500/day. So I can manage that deficit by either moving more or eating less. The body bugg basically monitors that intake/output and records it in my profile. The website is one of the best I've seen in the area of "dieting", the science of metabolism, the latest research, and fitness. If you go to Welcome to myApex! and click on "Fitness Resources" there are tons of articles and Q&A's that aren't even related to the Body Bugg per se. Good reading. Scale stuck at 184 today. That's a good thing! Denise - Love your 'jellybean' picture!! That is soooooooo exciting!!! Kat - I love Kinsey's choice of song...it's the one I used to sing to my babies when they were little! ....still do!!

Kat - Welcome home! Ok, all my violets are safe and sound and accounted for. I can rest now. Hey, where's Haydee?? Where's Ms Jen? I know where Michelle is...she's got her feet propped up somewhere (I hope). Denise??? You haven't checked in for a couple of days!! Guess I can't rest after all. I like the Bugg so far. It's keeping me from eating when I'd really like to right now! It's telling me I've only burned about 1800 calories so far today (ah, the life of a secretary) and I'm not going to the gym, so I'll burn maybe 2000 total today. My calories are at 1300 and I shoot for a 750 calorie deficit, so I can't eat anymore tonight! This really IS interesting seeing how many calories I am burning ...'hard' numbers as opposed to estimating. It's a pretty cool little gadget and the web program is very good, too. You don't have to count calories if you don't want to. It will give you an average after a week or so on the program by seeing how much weight you lost vs. how many calories your burned, then computing what you must have taken in from that. Make sense?

OH!!! And WOO freakin' HOO on the size 12 jeans!!! OMG!!!

<Big Huge Sigh of Relief> .... Thank God, Tracy!!!! That is probably about the best news we can get right now. It could have been better...but it sure could have been a lot worse too. For now, we'll be happy with it the way it is!! Tell Charles we love him, too...for being such a good Dad and husband!!:kiss2: