chrissylu

Innumerable consumers, lawmakers, and healthcare professionals alike celebrated at the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, in 2010. The ACA expanded healthcare coverage to millions of Americans and promised to put this country’s broken healthcare system on the mend. The law came with an unprecedented focus on preventive medicine and wellness, and nationwide improvements in obesity treatment seemed to be coming.
Many weight loss surgery candidates and healthcare professionals, however, have been disappointed. The ACA has plenty of shortcomings when it comes to bariatric surgery. More than half of states do not cover bariatric surgery. Among those that do, many put up barriers to getting the procedure that prevent some weight loss surgery candidates from being able to qualify for reimbursement.


Advances in Obesity Coverage Under the ACA
The ACA does have some provisions that help to reduce obesity on a national level. It includes $15 billion in funding for wellness and disease prevention programs, many of which will target obesity. Another preventive measure is that the ACA requires restaurant chains to post calorie counts on menus. The ACA requires Medicare providers to cover obesity screening and counseling when you go to the doctor, and many healthcare insurance providers are also providing these services.
Another provision of the ACA is that employees in qualifying programs are reimbursed for their healthy behaviors. If they do not smoke, maintain a healthy weight, and have blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels within the normal range, employees can get up to $800 per year. Employees with obesity can get cash back if they lose at least 10 percent of their body weight, but will not receive the money until they reach a BMI under 30.
The ACA also forbids health insurance providers to deny you coverage based on pre-existing conditions. Since obesity is now recognized as a disease, according to the American Medical Association (AMA), health insurance providers cannot refuse to accept you just because of your obesity. You also cannot be denied coverage just because you had weight loss surgery in the past.
Measurable Benefits Expected With These ACA Provisions
Each of the above provisions can lead to small amounts of weight loss. For example, counseling for weight loss can lead to a loss of about 5 percent of body weight on average. This modest weight loss can improve blood sugar, blood pressure, and other measures of health, and it can save you, your provider, and the government money.
Limitations/More Is Needed
However, if you are a weight loss surgery candidate, losing 5 percent of body weight will still leave you with a good amount of excess body weight. Obesity-related health conditions such as diabetes and arthritis are still a threat, and your obesity is likely to continue to interfere with your daily life. Bariatric surgery can be effective against obesity, and it can also fight diabetes and other conditions. With its potential to treat obesity, you might expect it to be covered under the ACA. Unfortunately, only some states cover it.
State by State Differences in Healthcare Coverage – Benchmark Plans
The ACA requires states to offer acceptable health insurance plans, but these plans may vary by state. The plans that states can offer to fulfill the requirements are known as benchmark plans. These plans set the minimum level of benefits that a state must provide, and the benefits are based on current plans within a state. So, states where competing private plans do not cover weight loss surgery are not likely to offer Obamacare plans that cover weight loss surgery.
To make matters worse, the states that do not cover weight loss surgery tend to be the states with the highest rates of obesity. In effect, the more likely you are to have obesity, the less likely you are to live in a state that covers bariatric surgery.
You can find out more about each state’s benchmark plan from the government’s The Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) site.
Which States Cover Weight Loss Surgery?
So far, 22 states cover bariatric surgery.
Arizona, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming

Five states and cover weight loss programs, but do not necessarily cover weight loss surgery.
California, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico

Twenty-eight states do not cover bariatric surgery or other extensive obesity treatment.
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin

Coverage Often Seems Reluctant
Even if your health care coverage includes weight loss surgery, it can come with a lot of hoops. For example, you may need to wait a certain number of months or diet to lose a certain amount of weight before you can get the surgery. Your plan may not cover the type of weight loss surgery that you are hoping to get, especially in the case of newer surgery types such as the vertical sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve).
There can also be a lifetime limit of one surgery, which does you no good if your first surgery did not work. If surgery is a disease, shouldn't you be entitled to treatment that works?
What Can You Do?
You can advocate for making weight loss surgery a required service under Obamacare by reaching out to state and federal representatives. If you live in a state where bariatric surgery is already covered, contact your representatives in Congress. If you live in a state where bariatric surgery is not yet covered, contact your Congress people, and also contact your state representatives.
In your letter, phone call, or email to your representative, explain what bariatric surgery means to you and to the thousands of others like you. Explain why you need it to lose weight, and how you feel that it could impact your life. Describe the obstacles and health problems that you face because of obesity. Your goal is to convince the representative that weight loss surgery needs to be covered.
If weight loss surgery is the only effective treatment for obesity, it should be included in a healthcare plan. Otherwise, we will continue to struggle with these same problems because not everyone can afford the thousands of dollars it takes to get the surgery done.

I'm going in for a check up in a couple of weeks myself. I'm concerned that I might have a slight slip also. Thanks for sharing Otaknam! Once again, our sharing has made me realize we're not in this alone! Just take it one day at a time and remember the basics. I'm even going to ask my doc for a food plan and to give me a list of no-no's again. I'm just going to try to start over, whether they adjust my band or not. We're here for you! BTW, hi everyone!! Sorry haven't been on much, but I think about you all every day. God bless!

Are you finding yourself at over a year out and now you find yourself struggling?
Do you miss the excitement that you first had when you had post op surgery while the weight seemed to melt away?
If this is describing you, then I want you to listen up…


How To: Get Back on Track and Stay There
Are you finding yourself at over a year out and now you find yourself struggling?
Do you miss the excitement that you first had when you had post op surgery while the weight seemed to melt away?
If this is describing you, then I want you to listen up… you are not alone. In fact, I’d say that probably all of us post-operative surgeries have felt this way at one time or another. The difference between all of us is how we respond and how quickly we can hit the ground running again after a setback.
So then, what are those who are successful doing differently compared to those who are struggling more? I have been doing extensive research in the last 6 months and I’m going to share with you what I have discovered. I’m hopeful that it will help everyone out there, because none of us are failures. If we have a setback, we MUST forgive ourselves and fight to get back up. The only time one can be determined as a failure is if they simply give up. As long as you don’t give up, you still have a chance.
Weighing In:
I’ll be the first to tell you that your self-worth has nothing to do with the number on the scale. That said, the scale never lies, but you just have to determine what it is telling you. It will let you know when you have not been on track, that’s for sure. During my weight loss phase post op, I never went more than 10 days on a stall. I’d sometimes fluctuate up a Lb. or two due to hormones and Water retention but it was the scale telling me I needed to do two things, drink more water which is a natural diuretic and second reduce my sodium intake. I tend to crave saltier foods at that time and no, the scale did not lie one time.
Sodium is a major culprit in water retention, not only that if you have high blood pressure you will always want to be mindful of how much you are getting in. Someone with HBP should keep their daily total to 1,800mg or less per day. A normal person should be around 2,400mg per day or less.
Back to weighing in however, doing so at the same time of day daily, weekly or monthly (whichever you personally prefer) is really the best way to measure the difference between your last weigh in. Again, do not allow the scale to crash your mood. It is a measure of success or changes that might need to be made. But it won’t lie to you! If you are up 5 Lbs. then likely you need to put on the brakes somewhere and get back to basics. Put a limit on how much you will allow yourself to weigh on your scale. You decide what that number is, as long as it’s a healthy number for you.
The WORST thing you can do regarding staying on track is ignoring your scale altogether. It has to be a part of your regimen because take it from me, it is much easier to lose a 5 Lb. gain than to realize you have gained 40 and desperately need to stop the gaining in its tracks. If you have been ignoring the scale then it’s far beyond time to stop lying to yourself and check the damage. In the smaller sizes it only takes 7-10 Lbs to go up a size. Do not wait until your clothes feel too tight, because by then you probably have already gained that much.
Diet:
Diet: di·et1
noun
noun: diet; plural noun: diets
1.
the kinds of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats. (Google Definition)
What does your Surgeon and/or Medical staffs say about this? Did they leave you with any kind of eating plan before you left from your hospital stay? The majorities of all of the journals I’ve ever read regarding post op diet plans are extremely similar to one another, give or take a few variations on when to move to the next step in foods. I’m talking about long term eating however, not the liquids or soft foods phases, but more what and how to eat as a Weight Loss Surgery patient once your stomach has healed.
Back in 2011 when I was being asked by numerous members on the website how I was able to maintain my weight so well I decided to create a thread called the Basics Bootcamp. It was a regimen I held close to me if I felt I was falling off track and it helped me to stay at goal for nearly 3 years. I recently have made a bit of a revision to it knowing what I know now regarding nutrition and health sciences. I’ve been studying Nutrition and Health for a while now as well as speaking to many Bariatric Registered Dieticians and Nutritionists. But it still has the basic concepts which are: We do not need to eat so much sugar, we do not need to eat so much salt, we need to focus on Protein first and we need to eat our fruits and vegetables. We especially need to be sure we are getting in our minimum of water every day.
Sound simple enough? It should be but we have to deal with head hunger too.
Indulging in sugar can become a slippery slope. Some people can do much better at moderation of these types of foods than others. I am not one of them. I find that if I abstain from junk food all together I do not think about eating it as much. But once I eat that first bite it feels almost uncontrollable to stop when I should. I continue to crave it for a week or more but then as time goes on the cravings do diminish once again. It all comes down to knowing how YOU react to them and recognizing these behaviors. Getting in tune with your personal triggers and avoiding them is one of the best ways to both get back on track and to stay there. When you hear that sound in your head that says “It’s okay, other people do it and they are okay. Go ahead, you’ve been good, you deserve it.” Realize this voice is a liar and if you listen you will likely find yourself back in square one.
Anyhow, here is the thread if you’re looking to kick start getting back on track: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/306411-basics-bootcamp-v2-getting-back-on-track/#entry3459464
Exercise:
Working out... Does everyone really need to do this? Even if you’ve lost weight really great in the beginning? The answer is definitely YES. Everyone should have some kind of exercise regimen tailored to them, but no matter what everyone should be doing something. Maybe all you can do is sit on the couch and do leg lifts. Then do that. Maybe you’re very advanced and you can run marathons… good for you! But do it and don’t stop. It takes a long time to become conditioned enough to be advanced but only a matter of weeks to fall all the way back to level 1.
According to the mayo Clinic standard adults should get 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise every week, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercise weekly. Break that up into 21 minutes per day if you have to, but just be sure to do it. This is a general guide and a good one to follow, especially if you are just starting up or starting again.
The secret is figuring out how to stay there is to find something you like to do. You don’t have to train to run a marathon if you hate running. All that will do is burn you out and likely you will want to give up because it does not meet your fancy. Keep searching and doing new activities. Even brisk outside walking is considered moderate aerobic activity. I personally love it; I can treat it as my getaway at work. I put on my head phones to my favorite tracks and just let my mind wander to another place and relax. Yes, I love it so much I find it more relaxing than tiring. I breathe the fresh air and let the sun soak in. Believe me there are so many choices out there, you only need to find your favorites to keep you coming back.
If you are doing this for reasons such as health, you will want to add in your workout. That’s not the only thing working out is good for however, it can help tighten your loose skin, toning can help fill it out. Also, being able to withstand longer periods of workout can help with simply being in a good mood. It’s a great stress reliever.
It’s all mental:
Yes, it really is. Your attitude will always be the driving force to whether you become a success and especially if you stay a success. How do you perceive yourself? Do you see yourself as worthy of being healthy, active, and happy and at a reasonable weight?
Celebrate every pound you are down, no one pound deserves more praise than another. Lose the word “only” or “but” when describing how well you’re doing. It is okay to feel good about yourself and shout it out to the world! Take periodic progress photos so on days you’re feeling down, look at them and see how far you have come. Take as many photos as you like! It is not a bad thing.
Another rule to hold dear is to ALWAYS forgive yourself, get back up and keep fighting. A baby never learned to walk after his first step. It took many try’s, stumbles and falls – but the baby keeps getting back up and builds those leg muscles until it can walk without effort.
One last thing, NEVER compare yourself and your journey to anyone else!! You should only compete with who you were yesterday.
Struggling has quite a bit to do with how you feel about yourself, and how you feel about yourself will have everything to do with how often you’re struggling. Stay positive, always. Every time!
“If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but think you can't
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you've lost,
For out in the world we find
Success being with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you're outclassed, you are:
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.”
― Walter D. Wintle

Hi everyone!
Otaknam, JDI...thanks for the encouragement and to you ladies and NJ2NC (and everyone else)...thanks for sharing your struggles & victories. Over 2 years later, its so great to still have this group of support & encouragement...and to know we are not alone in this journey. I'm logging food today...hope I can keep it up. I'm also thinking about making an appointment to have my band checked...my last appointment was a year ago!! I just want to make sure all is well & that it hasn't moved or I haven't stretched my "pouch". Planning to get back to my exercise routine today too. Its a beautiful, sunny day here in Nashville & I work downtown...so I'm planning to walk, walk at lunch today! Love me some sunshine. God bless you all!

Hi everyone!
Otaknam, JDI...thanks for the encouragement and to you ladies and NJ2NC (and everyone else)...thanks for sharing your struggles & victories. Over 2 years later, its so great to still have this group of support & encouragement...and to know we are not alone in this journey. I'm logging food today...hope I can keep it up. I'm also thinking about making an appointment to have my band checked...my last appointment was a year ago!! I just want to make sure all is well & that it hasn't moved or I haven't stretched my "pouch". Planning to get back to my exercise routine today too. Its a beautiful, sunny day here in Nashville & I work downtown...so I'm planning to walk, walk at lunch today! Love me some sunshine. God bless you all!

Chrissylu,
I do not post a lot but I start over every day. My journey in the past 2 years has been like a rollercoaster. When I wake up and my feet hit the floor I can either have a productive day or a destructive day. Maybe for me it is easier because I am single and only cook for myself. Then again being I am alone I can eat what I can not always what I want. It's like WHO will know. I knew going into this new LIFESTYLE that it was forever. I have to say every day when my feet hit the floor " THIS is My life I can make it better or go back where I was" I have to take a look at my start picture that I have taped inside my medicine cabinet. As I do my multi Vitamin I look at the picture then turn and look in the full lengthy mirror. And say out loud. " Karen... Look at how far you have come." " and yes you can always go back if you want"
I have concurred cancer this past year and never looked back at that. But boy I can beat myself up over a bad choice or a bad moment. But the mirror does not lie. And I can step back on the right track easier knowing this group is here and most of all you Chrissylu for refreshing my red flags along my journey. This is not a race.......

oh you guys! well...I should say ladies I guess...I don't know of any guys on this string. I am miserable & disgusted with myself. I'm doing everything wrong...and I know it. I say I'm going to do better, and then wind up sabotaging myself. At this time last year, I was down 112 pounds from the day I first saw my surgeon. I've gained, lost and regained the same 20 pounds. ugh!!! I know I must get back to logging my food. I know I must start exercising every day again. I keep saying I'm just going to start over...but can't seem to make myself do it. help!!!

Hi there- Lady B, I'll have to check out that site.
I am day 3 of back on track- got up to 208 as of this morning, but think it's really more like 207 ish. I'll lose that and then onward and downward! I love my fitness pal.
And all of you too!
Nicki

Saturday was my 2-year anniversary...yay! What is everyone else's date? I've forgotten.
Nicki...awesome news on "dipping the toe in" to Onederland! Great job! Otaknam...good to see you. Please share with us your experience with the plastics if you go that route. I've been thinking about some Lipo myself. Honestly...its the money that's holding me back since I know insurance won't even look at something like that. I guess I just need to get my butt back in gear & get back on the treadmill. Oh...and Nicki...don't beat yourself up over the chocolate dive. We all have our moments or days...LOL. I just came off a 21-day Daniel Fast with our church. And though losing weight was not the goal, that basically vegan diet did help me lose about 6 or 8 pounds that I had gained back. However, the first thing I grabbed to break the fast was dark chocolate covered almonds...and then I licked the chocolate frosting off a mini cupcake. LOL. I pray you all have a wonderfully blessed day.

Whoop-whoop!!

Otaknam, I'm jealous, plastic surgery!! I'm pretty sure DH won't be on board for that, lol. Do let us know the process and everything!
Ladybandido, thanks for the run down. It reinforces that I need to add strength training in. I have Pilates dvds I can do, but have always wanted to try the reformers.
My big news-199.8!!!!! Just dipping my toe in, but it's feeling good!
Have a great day!!
Nicki

Chrissylu, yay for you! 100 pounds is SO good, and maintaining is even more awesome. I also agree that fruit juices are very acid-filled. I used to like orange juice, but not anymore. If I do drink them, I take a tums.
Otaknam, great to see your update! Plastics, oh my. Tell us how that goes. I've toyed with the idea, but thinking I probably won't go that route. Would love to know more about it though. And congrats on your maintenance, that's awesome.
Nicki, keep with it ... You are there! As you know by my slow slow progress, I also dealt with self-sabotage at weights of 200, 180, and 160. It was like when I broke 200, I got to 180 with not much problem. And then struggled. Then then the same at the other weights. Not sure why, not sure of I want to delve that deeply, lol.
What I found that works recently is weight lifting. I do very little cardio, although I'm much more active (walking, moving) than I used to be. But I lift light weights regularly, and that really did something to help me burn more calories/fat. I also take a Pilates class (on the reformer machines) between 2-3 times a week. That has been a miracle and I love it. It is not hard at all, but gives results very quickly. At first I just lost inches all over, and not a pound, but then the pounds started adding up too. More people actually comment that I'm getting smaller now than when I was losing all the weight to begin with. Go figure.
A typical eating day is Greek yogurt with flax or chia seeds, or some fruit, for Breakfast.
A Protein (lettuce) wrapped cod filet from Carls Jr, or a taco salad, or Wendy's Chili, or a small sandwich when I'm at work for lunch. I still love Soups, but they don't always "fill" me unless they are chunky too.
dinner is any number of things. I try to do Protein and veggies usually.
I don't really count calories, because I'm so horrible at it, but I still monitor amount with my band. Sometimes I'll eat Pasta and bread and the like, but I am very aware because then I'm not getting in enough protein. I would say that I now eat like a normal "thin" person. (Who would have ever thunk?!!!) Eating now is WAY easier than when I was actively trying to lose. And with my exercise program and the band, I find that the scale doesn't go up 5 pounds if I indulge in something heavy on calories once in a while.
Wow, this is a long post for me. I'm so very proud of all of us. It wasn't that long ago that we were all starting out.

Hello I am still out here.
I go to see a plastic surgeon in morning. I have held my weight between 150 to 157 for the past 6 months. So going for a consultation to see if I am close enough to eliminate some skin. I might not be as bad some but may be worse then others. All I know is that I am the one who looks in the mirror. I am so glad I am single because my mate would think I was part elephant with all this wrinkled sloppy skin.
When I figure out how to get back in here I will return.
Glad to see all the old and the new in here....

Hi everyone! Sorry its been so long since posting. 4th Quarter has been crazy here at work. I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas, Hanakuh (sp?), holiday that you celebrate! Wishing everyone a Happy New Year too! Hi Shelly and Sharpie! Sharpie...don't worry about starting over. The majority of us on this thread were banded January 2012...we are coming up on our 2 year bandiversaries (wow! 2 years!!). I think all of us have "started over" more than once. its okay...that's the beauty of the band! Shelly, I can't speak for everyone else, but I chose the band because its less invasive than gastric by-pass. It also "moves" with you, so to speak. Meaning...that if I'm too restricted because of sickness or maybe I'm dehydrated...or just too much Fluid in the band...it can be adjusted. If I'm able to eat too much...they can take care of that too. My mom didn't have that luxury with gastric by-pass. if she had days where she couldn't eat, she had to suffer through it. That being said, you have to do the research and figure out what you feel is going to be best for you. The band is not perfect. We've all had our struggles with it. God bless and good luck to you! To all my other friends here: Praying many blessings for you in 2014, continued good health & success, and for all of us to keep up with each other here.

Hi everyone! Sorry its been so long since posting. 4th Quarter has been crazy here at work. I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas, Hanakuh (sp?), holiday that you celebrate! Wishing everyone a Happy New Year too! Hi Shelly and Sharpie! Sharpie...don't worry about starting over. The majority of us on this thread were banded January 2012...we are coming up on our 2 year bandiversaries (wow! 2 years!!). I think all of us have "started over" more than once. its okay...that's the beauty of the band! Shelly, I can't speak for everyone else, but I chose the band because its less invasive than gastric by-pass. It also "moves" with you, so to speak. Meaning...that if I'm too restricted because of sickness or maybe I'm dehydrated...or just too much Fluid in the band...it can be adjusted. If I'm able to eat too much...they can take care of that too. My mom didn't have that luxury with gastric by-pass. if she had days where she couldn't eat, she had to suffer through it. That being said, you have to do the research and figure out what you feel is going to be best for you. The band is not perfect. We've all had our struggles with it. God bless and good luck to you! To all my other friends here: Praying many blessings for you in 2014, continued good health & success, and for all of us to keep up with each other here.

Hey everyone.. I was banded Jan 15, 2013.. I have lost 55 lbs so far.. I have been stalled the past month.. but I am going to do the liver shrinking diet I did before surgery.. I lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks .. christmas Cookies and candy have been kicking my butt .. I got up this morning with the resolve to get back to business.. I have been happy with my progress so far and don't want to get back into bad habits... Happy New Year to everyone...

My doctor said I should drink at least 64 oz of Water a day, so I try to do that each day. Sometimes, its plain water, sometimes its mixed with sugar-free Hawaiian punch mix, sometimes its unsweetened tea with a little bit of Splenda. Its a GREAT day when I can go over 64 oz.

Hello strangers! I'm back! Wow so much has happened with everyone! So here is my update. We sold the house, got our divorce and I am happy again! I have a cute little apartment, 2 kittens (Cinna & Lily), I got rid of the family gas guzzling car and bought a 2008 Prius, and requested a sight transfer at work and got it! Things have been great emotionally. My work is easier and my life is calmer. I am back to working out 4 days a week and annexing in extra cardio 2 of those days. My eating is pretty good except for weekends. Someone mentioned Cookies earlier well that is me too! Oh and I live a block away from Dairy Queen! When I first moved in it was almost a daily visit but I have gotten it down to a treat once every few weeks. I am back up to 188, but under the stress I was going through I'm going to cut myself some slack. I hope to loose a pound a week and have a new goal of 160 by next spring. If it happens sooner then great! I am no longer seeing my dr since I can afford the $250 for a 5 minute visit and a possible fill, but I think I am in the green zone and have been for awhile. I have only puked 3 times in the last 3 months but it was due to eating too fast when I was too hungry. Well that is my update. I will comment on everyone later this week!
Everyone have a fantastic week!

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't posted. I have been in a regular routine back at the gym. I'm also logging my food every day. That surely dies help. I haven't seen any real change over the past month since I got back on track. Its also TTOTM, so hopefully in a couple of days I'll see some change. I want to lose these 18 pounds I gained back, but, if I stay a size 14...its better than a 26! I so glad we're posting again. I love hearing from all of you & it certainly does help to stay on track.

Ladybandito...LOL! And actually yesterday...I skipped the gym. My Kiddo talked me into taking a "rest day". We were there, dark & early at 4:15 this morning though!! LOL. All of you all's trips (i know that is grammatically incorrect...sorry) sound so cool. I would love to take another one but looks like its going to be a while. The kid has to have braces. JDI...I'm in bed by 10p usually...so I only get about 5 hours sleep. I have to start going to bed earlier though. Its starting to wear on me. However....its working...slowly, but still working. Down 4 lbs since I started back on 8/1.

Hello everyone. Just waking up here, and thinking that Chrissy has been at the gym since 3 hours ago. Sheesh! The early morning workouts are such a great way to start the day... When I was younger...much...I used to do a 5:30 am and I felt so awake for the rest of the day. Nowadays I seem to need every extra minute in the morning cuz what used to take 10 minutes now takes an hour to get "presentable" with hair and makeup, LOL.
SueBee, nice that retirement is close for you and you've found a fun and interesting way to continue work! I know many travel agents and they all love their jobs... Lots of travel perks. Where are you cruising to? Our next trip is to Mexico in the fall.. Already booked and paid, though, and one of the reasons I'm on a push to lose my last bit of weight (I want to feel relaxed on the beach),
Nicki, you've got it going on and it's so great that you and Chrissy are working together on MFP. Things like that and this forum makes it seem like we are all in the same room together!
I feel a great week continuing for all of us. My weigh-in is 161.
Xx

checking in for the day! Sue, the travel agent gig sounds fun! I wish I could convince DH to go on a cruise. My parents are taking a Mediterranian cruise in September for 3 weeks. Sounds so fun!
Chrissy- yah, 4 am then school might be hard, but that is cool about exercise helping ADD- it kind of makes sense. And exercise is good for lots of things besides weight loss. Endorphins rock!
I have Zumba today, speaking of exercise. I really like going, it's such a good workout and the kids go with me to the Y- they even help them with their homework, which I love! OP food all planned and I'm logging away, right Chrissy!
Everyone have a great day and Just Do It!!!
Nicki

Thanks Chrissy and Nicki!
Great job both of you!
I am so excited to get back to doing real stuff, two more weeks! I just planned vacation for December and hope that I will really be able to enjoy it. A week cruise out of Miami (if anyone is interested it was really cheap) and then we are meeting the in-laws for a week in Ft. Lauderdale. Maybe I should have switched that around to have my own relaxation time!
Slowly working toward my retirement job. I am starting to work with my travel agent so i have something to do when i retire! So let me know if you ever need assistance!
Hope everyone has a great week!

Nicki, your weigh in is awesome! You must feel great. That is motivation for the next week. Keep up the great work.
I am doing well with my recovery. Not much pain at all. Just if I am out too much during the day, shopping or walking around or if I sit too long at one time. I am on week 9 now and am hoping that at week 12 I will be free to do most anything I want! They haven't allowed me on the treadmill yet or the elliptical. Just stretching and strength training with 2-5 pounds. Really waiting to get on my bike, play golf and then tennis! Can't wait. I feel a little stronger each day and my balance is better every day.
Actually wore platform heels to work this week and it wasn't bad at all!
Thanks for asking!

It is great for the veterans and I hope to start to see more communication going on here too.
I am 1 1/2 years out, at goal, had hip replacement this summer and can't wait for a couple weeks so I can really test my new body out after losing 165 pounds.
I am thankful every day for my band and all of the support from everyone!