JudiM

Hi all! I have no idea when the last time I checked in here but I put it on my New Year's Resolutions List to stay connected/reconnect with my Lapband roots to keep me on track since I realize that as I go into Year 3...it's all about maintaining (which I never really had much success at throughout my life!) To answer the initial question--I am happy with my success---took me about 2 years to lose 115 lbs....had some slow periods, some faster losses. But, overall, I am thrilled with it all. It's been a wonderful journey....one I wouldn't have wanted to miss it for a quick weight loss!!! LOL!! I say that now that it's behind me.....!!! :thumbdown: It was still the BEST decision I've ever made! There are time I see my reflection in the mirror and need to go back and check that's it's really me! I went from a Size 22-24 to a very comfy size 8 petite. WOOO-HOOO! I am at a point where I don't want to lose any more weight....just maintain. Therein lies my daily challenge. The blog that I started at the beginning of my journey is what keeps me focused on it all. Plus, I find other ways to remind myself of it on a daily basis. I do a lot of little things with key words in the passwords I use. Plus, I own up to my Lapband whenever anyone asks how I lost the weight--it keeps me honest and cognizant of it all. Also, when I reached my 50 lb milestone, I bought myself a Brighton bracelet that I wear daily that says "Live the Life You Love" and when I reached my 100 lb loss, I bought a Sabika crystal bracelet to wear along side it. When I see them....I know how far I've come and I recognize that I don't want to GO BACK! My Lapband is at an excellent restriction right now. I have done pretty well with most of the rules but I'm by no means perfect. I have not had Pasta or bread or any carbonated drinks since my surgery. Those were the things I thought would be the hardest things to give up. Thankfully, it's now my way of life. So, I know it can be done!!! I'd love to invite all my CrazyAtes brothers and sisters to visit my blog..... Stories from the road....... Hope you are all well and I hope we can stay connected!! Judi

Hello to all my Crazy Ate band mates! It's been awfully quiet around here! In fact, I have a little notice at the top of my page that reads.... Hi JudiM ! It's been over 30 days since you've posted on LapBandTalk.com . Are you getting shy on us ? Hello JudiM it appears that you have not posted on our forums in several weeks, why not take a few moments to ask a question, help provide a solution or just engage in a conversation with another member in any one of our forums? I'm going to make that message disappear right NOW!!! :biggrin::cool2::w00t::tt2::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: Wow! 30 days not posting? Shame on me! I guess that's what happens when you're living life like a normal person.....huh? So, I'm thinking that all of my other band mates are probably doing the same thing! Yahoo! That's what we've been working towards...right? Our Lapbands are now as common (and as necessary) as our right arms these days. They are so much a part of us! So, we're not talking Lapband 24/7. So....what are we doing now that we're not Lapbanding constantly? I know we're not eating......:tt2: So....let's switch things up a little here and share what's going on in our lives right now that are a direct result of our Lapbands (and that have nothing to do with our Lapbands.....). In other words, how are we spending our time....now that we're not hanging out here so much and talking Lapband..... I'll start.... -My blog...of course! What started out as a way to focus myself after my surgery has turned into something joyful and has reconnected me with some old and dear friends, brought me many new ones and given me the chance to not only write but to think about writing as more than something "I may do someday...". Plus, it's opened up my mind quite a bit....I'm finding new blogs everyday about so many different topics...it's been fun! -Shopping. The change of seasons mean a change of wardrobe. And, nothing fits from last year!!! Shopping is a huge time drainer these days (in a good way!). I have no idea what my size is, I have no idea what looks good on me and I have no idea what my "non obese" style is! I can't just walk in and buy some shapeless 3X and walk out the door without trying it on anymore! So, I am very familiar with every dressing room in every TJ Max, Marshall's, Ross's, Chico's and Coldwater Creek (to name a few) within a 3 hour radius!!! -Primping and tweaking. Yeah, I spend lots of time each night finding just the right outfit for the next day. My old uniforms of black pants and "whatever" tops and blazers are a thing of the past! -Walking! I walk very early each morning with a walking buddy and take frequent walk & talks at lunch instead of talk & eat. Plus, I've discovered a whole new way to get to some of those favorite places in my little uptown area (the area that made us buy our house where we did in the first place!)....I walk there! No more parking issues and lots more exploring! So, those are just a few of the new things I do these days! How about you????

Hi all! Yes, I'm here! We all need to keep up the positive self-talk and the postive words with each other! Becky is right....we are Crazy Ates for heaven's sake! WE ARE CRAZY ATES! Who can? We can!!! Alright, alright, high school football season can get me all riled up..... We've come 1 year---365+ days---on our journey. And, we've got a ways to travel. The road never stops....the journey NEVER ends. It only has twists and turns and detours. We're all traveling it together. Put on your sunglasses sweeties! Roll down the window and let the window blow back your hair! We're on the road......! Yeah, I'm punch drunk........it's been a long day! Judi

Jody, Eating bread is NOT a bad habit. But, the fact that you can do it with no problem probably indicates you need a little tweak. This last time I went, I was in the same spot as you---trying to decide. So, we comprimised--I went from 2.1 to 2.4. Appearantly, that's a little tweak. It was not enough to cause me problems but it was enough to act as a reminder that "yes, there's a Lapband in there!". Talk to the dr or technician. I've found that even with a little fill, my will power is called into service more often than I would have thought. So, don't make things harder for yourself! It's hard enough already! Judi

Wow Becky! Beautiful! Absolutely gorgeous! Your smile says it all! Year 2....we are all in this together! Hope you had a great vacation!!!

Thank You Jody! Yes and what a day it was! To think....last year at this time, I was quite a different person. Hard to believe. Thanks for being such a wonderful blog visitor and for all of your wishes! When's your bandiversary??? We gotta have a party! Judi

Hi Crazy Ate Band Mates! (sounds like a singing group!) The other day on my blog someone congratulated me on reaching my bandiversary and mentioned that the hardest part is yet to come. It got me to wondering why. And, I thought that maybe one of the reasons is because THIS is the time when a lot of the initial support goes away. Our surgery and our weight loss and our new life style is getting to be not so new anymore. And, we've lost weight so we are feeling better, looking better, etc. People in our lives are used to us being thinner now. Now, the only time we get a huge "OMG" is when we see someone we haven't seen for awhile. And, of course, we are not "all Lapband-all the time" like we were in the early phases. We're not out there hunting down information or seeking ideas or trying to figure things out like we did in the beginning. Now, we are the "seasoned" folks. Maybe that's why the hard part is now. This might be when we need each other most!! Another kind of support....not all the stuff we needed in the early days. This is the time when we need to really motivate each other and support each other and Celebrate each other in "more mature" ways.....:wink_smile: I'll admit, sometimes I feel myself getting complacent and a little lax with things. Often times, my blog and my blog readers is what has saved me. And, this group alone has got me through this year more than anyone knows! I'm so thankful for everyone here. SO THANKFUL!!! Gosh, when I think back to our first days....I find myself getting a little teary. Can you believe it's AUGUST 2008? Remember when I came here and asked for people to join me on this journey? Well, you answered me! And we became the CRAZY ATES!!! Oh yeah, we've come a loooong way baby..... Stay put Crazy Ates....we've got much work to do!!!! The party is just beginning.......

Hi Bandmates! There's only 10 more days to get your entry in for those adorable PINK CROCS I am giving away on my BLOG!!! Each comment with a shoe size is entered. And, you can post AS MANY times as you like! So, if you want to wear a pair of pink painted crocs with me on my Bandiversary (August 10), get yourself entered to WIN! The winner will be announced on August 3....on my blog!!! Be sure to join the party! Good Luck Crazy Ates! Judi

Hi Bandmates! There's only 10 more days to get your entry in for those adorable PINK CROCS I am giving away on my BLOG!!! Each comment with a shoe size is entered. And, you can post AS MANY times as you like! So, if you want to wear a pair of pink painted crocs with me on my Bandiversary (August 10), get yourself entered to WIN! The winner will be announced on August 3....on my blog!!! Be sure to join the party! Good Luck Crazy Ates! Judi

Hey all....After I did that post to Frangi last evening, I couldn't stop thinking about who was this person who invented the Lap Band. So, this morning, I got up bright and early and tracked him down.....it's Lubomyr Kuzmak. Unfortunately, he died of pneumonia in Oct of 2006. Now, I wonder what inspired him to come up with this amazing little device. The concept being so simple that it's ingenious! Judi

Yippee! What a wonderful accomplishment! You truly have been an inspiration and a wonderful team mate! It's been a joy to travel this journey with you! Your comment "My life is never ever going to be about "being fat" again" brought a tear to my eye! I never heard what I feel said so simply and so well. Because....YES...for so many years my life was about being FAT. And, I know I am not alone in that. My inner voice silently answered each question with "because I am fat" and approached every situation with those words too! This lapband thing of ours is a life-saving and a life-improving piece of equipment. Thank God for the person who invented it! Honestly, I was thinking about that the other night....wondering WHO IS THIS SAINT that invented the Lapband? I have to research that! I need to send this person a present (or perhaps my first born....LOL!). All of us Crazy Ates need to be immensely proud of ourselves. We have to really celebrate!!!! Our lives are no longer about BEING FAT. Our lives are about being ALIVE!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to you Frangi and to all of my Crazy Ate Bandmates!!!! We're still on this road together.......!!! I'm honored to be part of this wonderful, talented, beautiful, compassionate, smart, sexy, sassy and faboulous group of folks! I hereby dub August 2008 as THE MONTH OF THE CRAZY ATES!!!!!! Maybe we can get a Presidential Proclamation!!!! Should we march on Washington? Let's see some pix! Judi

Hey Crazy Ate Sistas & Brothas! Can you believe we are coming up on a year since we had Lapband surgery? To Celebrate and to thank all of my faithful and supportive readers, I listed 52 of my fav things (the Crazy Ates made the list!) that I came to love since my surgery. And....listen to this...I am having a shoe giveaway! Yes, that's right....I'm asking readers to share a comment...including their shoe size (please!). So, PLEASE comment....say something! Celebrate yourself...sing your praises...shout about your successes! Tell the world you are a sassy and sexy Crazy Ate! I'll be headed to the beach and I will pick up a pair of those hand painted pink crocs (that match mine!) that I wore to the hospital the day of my surgery! So, please......I want to thank everyone here....you are all a part of my journey! OMG....remember THOSE very first days???? Now look at us!!! So, if you are faithful reader and haven't had a chance to say HI...please do so during the entry period. If you just email me (instead of comment)....please be sure to comment on the blog (you don't have to have a Google account...you can just comment using the "anonymus button". You will have to identify yourself in some way so that I can announce who won on my blog and you'll know you are the winner!) And, of course, I'd love to have new blog reader freinds too! So, you are more than welcome to bring your NON Crazy Ate friends....a friend of yours is a friend of mine!!! The more the merrier! Come on...it's a party! I might even serve up some Margaritas or Martini's....you just never know (they are both Lapband friendly...right?) And, WE ALL DESERVE IT!!!! Come one, come all... you might find a few things that you come to love amongst my 52 and of course...there's a SHOE giveaway! What could be better? (Well, we know what could be better...loosing weight!) Here's the address.... Stories from the road....... It runs from today through July 28. The drawing is on August 3...I will announce the winner on my blog and I will get the shoes to the winner by August 10 so the winner and I can wear them on my Bandiversary! And, you can comment as many times as you wish during that timeframe! I hope to see all of my Crazy Aters THERE! It wouldn't be party without my wonderful Lapband mates! Judi

OOPS! Sorry, I didn't realize I was a ? on the running totals! Congrats to all..... I'm down 73 lbs as of today! Gotta update my ticker!!!

Hey all...... Back from the cruise! I'm having major re-entry issues. No one is making up my bedroom twice a day, no one is asking me if I want another glass of wine, no one is making up towel animals for me or putting chocolates on my pillow!!! Life on land is not exactly leisurely....is it? Anyway, I'd love to do meet all of you and hit the town in Vegas! Depending on when this get together will be in the Fall....count me in. YES! (I'm at a University so my schedule gets a little wicked at some points in the fall....). I've never been to Vegas but I hear what happens there stays there. :confused: That's my idea of Nirvana!!!!