susannah

Gday, I was banded when I was 36. Lauren are you only 24?!!!! I thought you were much older. I don't often check people's profiles to see their age. Man I feel like an old lady now at 37. Susannah

Hi Carlene, I don't hate Paris Hilton for having the list of attributes that you mentioned. I don't hate her for any reason. I just hate the act of drink driving. Susannah

Hi All, Kylie how exciting for you to be getting banded. There are some Queensland people on this board and other boards who could give you the local spin on things. To answer your questions, I am not a drinker at all, but I have heard that wine in moderation is fine. Fizzy drinks are a no no from the time you are banded onwards. I have found that I do not miss them at all four months on. I haven't posted on this thread for a while due to feeling that it had become a real downer. Oh well, life is like that. Susannah

Hey, Well it looks like sanity has prevailed and Paris Hilton has been returned to jail. I am sorry but there is not one rule for the masses and another for the rich. She was heard to yell "Mom it's not fair" while being led from court. Well I am sorry love, but it is also not right or fair that your action of driving under the influence could have killed another person. Suck it up. Susannah

Hey, Australia too violently ripped Indigenous children away from their families to raise in "White is right" type institutions. It is a shameful and dark part of our history. Look, I am all for people who live in a country contributing and being involved,but people will do that in their own way. Immigrants do contribute just by working hard and helping the economy to flourish, and by bringing their own cultural heritage and traditions (and food:hungry::biggrin1:)for others to experience and enjoy.Immigrants will speak English when they can, and many try in ernest to. Some people just do not feel comfortable speaking English also, as others would judge the standard to which it is being spoken. Others just want to speak in their own language and that is ok too. It all adds to the rich tapestry of society. Evilah It is not an attack on you, but maybe because you are not an immigrant it is hard for you to grasp the enormity of leaving your homeland, and the struggle and challenges that you are faced with when trying to start your life again in a new country. Susannah

What chutzpah telling people who they can and can't marry. I mean really. This seems to me to be a violation of one's human rights if you ask me. Marriage is so not my thing, but I don't believe the government has the right to ban anybody from making this commitment should they so desire. Eddie, the situation is not much better in Australia. Susannah

Gday, Thanks Insub. How are you travelling with this whole banding caper? Susannah

Hey, People can and will speak any language that they like. We live in a global village and who are you to demand that English be spoken by the masses? I guess because you are asking in a dainty and polite manner, that all must conform. It is not going to happen. I love that I live in Melbourne, which is a very diverse multicultural city, and I can hear five or six different languages spoken before I get to the end of the street. It makes life rich and wonderful, and worth living. Once again I sense passive aggressive racist undertones here. It really steams me. Susannah

Hi All,Just popping in to say hi, and see how much weight we are all losing. I have lost 24 kgs so far. It is a real slog though, no doubt. It has been said before that the band is only an aid. The weight aint gonna lose itself. Susannah

Hey, I find her release under home detention to be so offensive. Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence. My friend Alastair was killed by a drunk driver in 1991. He was only 21 years old. Of course the drunk survived with only bruising and scratches, and got a pathetically light penalty. This is serious. You can kill other road users if you drive under the influence of alcohol and other illicit substances. Susannah

Hey 396, How is your poll working for you? Susannah

Honestly does it really matter if a hotel employee has a nose ring and pink hair if they are wearing a suit and look presentable? I personally could care less. In 2007, I think as a society we have bigger fish to fry to be honest. Susannah

Interesting point Babygrl. Sus

Hi, Good on ya Stef!:clap2: You will find the band will change your life if you put the work in. Susannah

Hey Alexandra, If you really keep up your exercise it will keep the pounds at bay while you wait on the insurance issue to resolve. Susannah

Hey Minty, These dvds can be done quite easily by people of all levels of fitness. I like that she takes you through steps that are pretty simple to do. But the main thing is that these dvds really work. I have already lost a lot of weight. I also like that it is winter here, and the other day it was pounding with rain and I was inside doing my workout. I would advocate that everybody here do some form of exercise that they enjoy. It is important to do exercise that you can manage, and to do it at a frequency and intensity that you as an individual can manage. Some people can do more and harder, but you have to do what you can manage in order to stick with it in the long run. The key is sticking with it for a life time, not just being a commando at it for six months and then quitting because you have injured yourself, or you are over it. I think you need variety also. Having said that don't be a half hearted slacker though. Do it to the best of your ability, and others will do their exercise to the best of their ability. No need to compare yourself to others. Susannah

Hey Tracy you are lookin good girl!!!!:clap2: You are also talking more like an Aussie every day. :cheer2::cheer2::cheer2::cheer2: Go Alex, get that AP Band girl!:biggrin1: Susannah

Hi Again, I forgot to also say that it is good to have 5-10 different dvds (with different fitness experts) for variety so that you can do different workouts. This should stop the boredom from setting in if you mix them around on different days etc. Susannah

Hi BetsyJane, Great question. I consistently do exercise dvd's at home without fail. I would recommend Leslie Sansone's " Walk away the pounds" as a great place to start as she has programmes from beginners level on up to advanced. I actually enjoy the workouts.:clap2: Great thing also is that they really do work. I have lost 24 kilos (52 pounds)since February. I really work up a sweat. The program is cardio and she does use little weights in the workout also. Get yourself a good exercise mat to stand on. I have a Nike mat which is quite good. I like exercising at home because it is private, and you can do it when it fits into your schedule. It is also good for extremes in weather as you are doing it in the home. I would recommend that you set aside time where you turn off your cell phone etc etc, and have that be your time to not be interrupted by others. That is not negotiable as your health is precious. That is your time. You can save a lot of money on gym memberships too. Put that money into your pocket and not a gym's. Good luck with it Susannah

Hi Alex, That is good news. You really need this new band, it is not negotiable. I feel sorry for you all in America re the insurance situation. Here I just pay my annual premium, and I paid my surgeon $3,500 (his once off fee) and that is it. I am covered for life for fills, and any and all possible revisional surgery/replacement of the band etc, no questions asked. Good luck with it, and work the system. Susannah

Hi Jacqui, Thanks for the great info. I thought the new Reebok I walk I run Treadmill looked pretty cute. Yes I know that is not a very solid reason to buy it. It costs about $1100 and is very compact. Check it out on the Rebel Sport website and tell me what you think. Should I go for it and just buy it? Bloody winter. It is now too cold to go walking outside in the afternoon/evening. Susannah

Hey Jenin, I think Senor Porkchop is a guy.:biggrin1: Susannah

Mate, Porkchop it is 2007 and not 1957. Families are diverse now. Why should a person's life partner be excluded from a benefits plan? No good reason that I can see. That would be blatant discrimination, and that is not to be tolerated on any level. Susannah

Hi A, You are dealing with people who have no clue that obesity is a lifelong health issue that we must fight forever. You need the band to keep your BMI low. Definately go the appeal route. Is self pay in Mexico a possibility? Susannah

Hi Alex, Why was it denied? On What grounds? Bloody insurance companies. Ahhhh! Susannah