Penni60

Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement. And yes it does take work to be beautiful. I look at myself sometimes and I say EWWWWWW! then I look at myself other times and go Hmmm I am really cute. Nothing is ever easy is it? DeLarla you will succeed too with your sugar addiction. Good Luck Michelle you are my idol and mentor. You ROCK!! Christina we are starting over today. BREAK A LEG at the audition! Can't wait to hear all about the adventures. Wish I could be there to see it all. Ankle too swollen this morning. And yes I have a brace on it. LOL!!! Jachut and Fee I won't quit that is for sure. I have come too far to stop now. I just fell off the wagon and was scraping my knees but gonna climb back up and put some salve on those knees and continue on down that trail. Indians and all. Jessiebear did I hear you say "Water boy"? Hmmm nice tanned slender and rippppppped abs. OH WATER BOY!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Guys I just love you all.

This process SUCKS!!! It was hard enough pre-banding to deal with the weight and now that I am almost 18 months out it isn't any easier. I had a weight loss of 70 lbs about a month ago. Now I have gained back 10 of those and only have a 60 lb loss. THAT SUCKS!! I know the things I am doing wrong. I just came back from a dr. appt and we discussed all the things I am going to start doing RIGHT. Dennis, Dr. Billy's RN, spoke with me at length about what I am doing that needs to change. We have all heard this spiel. Count Calories, Drink your Water, Measure your food, Read labels, No more than 25 min eating any meal, NO snacks, etc. Well that all sounds easy enough right? Hell no it isn't easy. If it was then WLS wouldn't be needed. RIGHT? So I took a long look at myself and my habits on the drive home from Ventura to reflect and make myself accountable for my own actions. That sucked too. LOL!!! Nothing like looking at yourself in the mirror and owning your own shit. OOPS SORRY!! Had to use that word cause it is the only one that fits. LOL!! I have to begin a new day tomorrow (yes tomorrow cause I am exhausted today). Log my food with calories and proteins. Cut out snacks altogether cause they are my downfall. Even fruit is a sin for me. I overeat it so I don't get the benefit of it. Just added calories. I am limited to 1200 calories a day period. Drink at least 40 oz hopefully more of Water a day. Watch food portions closely. Increase my calcium to 1200mg a day. I am at risk for spinal fractures so he wants me to increase my intake. I already take Actonel for that. Osteoporosis is thy name. Curses!! Family history!! So just wanted to let you guys know even being this far out you have to start that excitement we first experienced being banded. Reflect on your goals often to keep that excitement fresh. Good Luck and Keep on losing. I am shooting for a goal of a 15 lb loss in 2 months. Wish me luck. I am gonna need it.

Speaking of my son Bradley, here is his senior pics. Isn't he a cutie?

My girlfriend and I on a drunken rage in Jamaica one year started calling ours "TING TANG". The guys were "ANACONDAS". Too funny.

How much water are you drinking in a day? That has a lot to do with it. Liquid fiber would help as well so yes I would drink it. If the "monster" doesn't arrive soon please do consider a mild enema. You don't want that to get worse. BELIEVE ME!!!!!!!!!!! LOL!!

Foot is still sore but getting better every day. Went to my chiropractor last week and he played around with it and manipulated the joint. I wanted to scratch his eyes out. But you know what it felt better than before. He also said I did tear something in there but it is healing nicely. I continue to wear a brace when I am up on it. Which is ALL the time. LOL!!! Christina and I are shooting all over Hollywood and San Fernando Valley doing things. SHe is looking at possibly moving out here but I will let her give details. Don't wanna steal her thunder ya know. LOL!!! Just wanna say my kitchen has NEVER looked so good. She and I spent all day long re-organizing and throwing stuff out. We polished all John's mom's silver pieces one night watching TV. We are planning on doing the Dining room and then the Great room next. If you need her reorganizing services then I HIGHLY suggest you contact her. SHE IS GREAT!!!!!!!!! Think "clean sweep" from TLC. Gotta run.

Here is what I was told by my doc what an "official plateau" really is. If you are following all the bandster rules to the letter and doing the exercising and being a good doo bee and still not losing weight then that is an official plateau. If you are moderately following the rules and getting minimal exercise then you just need to readjust your eating habits and the weight should begin to fall off again. It will come off slower though because of not following the rules. Wish it weren't so. Oh and during this stage you most likely don't need a fill but everyone is different here. So judge for yourself. If you are following the rules and exercising but notice you can eat a little more than usual and NOT (I stress NOT) PB'ing at all then you might want to consider getting a small fill. It is all subjective and the further into the process you will learn your body more and more. Loads of luck.

I have Pacificare PPO and they would not pay for my banding. I appealed and appealed and they refused to pay. SO good luck and I truly hope you get them to change their minds. I was self pay.

I am so thrilled and might I add just a bit jealous of you hitting that 100 lb mark. You are doing so great. I am so proud of you and can't wait to see you hit your next goal.

Michelle: HEY GIRL!!! I am so glad you checked in. Great to hear from you. Glad Calvin and you are still going strong. Looking forward to the wedding pics. Keep in touch.

I talked extensively with my doctor about this subject and he said there has not been any data to support the band being removed due to rejection. IT was typically due to other complications.

OK FINALLY I am home. Just waiting now for Christina's plane to land and then she will be here as well. WHOO HOO!!! Then the real fun can begin.

Hi Again-Christina here! As you can see from the photos at the Obestiy Walk we had a Blast! Great people & met new friends. Today is Sunday & we've been shopping & walking as best we can with Penni's BAD ankle. She is now in a brace & being a good trooper! Tonight were heading out for a night of true Blues & Jazz at the BLue note!!! World Famous & HOT ! I've been there yrs ago & was told its still the place to see & be seen. Last night we hung around the Hiltons modern decked out bar down stairs & met some cool guys that are the stage managers of broadways "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". Great conversation-Loads of laughs but no FREE drinks. We weren't their type if you know what I mean;0) Heading off to CALI EXTREMLY early in the morning-4:45am!!!--oooohhhhhh lol lol There Penni & I will try to become the "Next Greatest thing in Hollywood" Details to follow-hope all are well-Christina

Here is a couple of more pictures.

Here are a few more pics from us girlies. This is from the walk we did on Saturday.

Hi All -Christina here! Can't seem to log on as myself but having such a wonderful time! We went to an awesome jazz club tonight BB King's & had a wonderful dinner with way too much wine;0) Than it was off shopping again for matching hats to wear in the 5K tomorrow. Wish you were with us- tomorrow looks like a fun filled day & for a great cause. P.S. The weather is too perfect mid 70's & awesome. Also the restaraunt was so great were going back on Sunday & than too a concert!

Here are the pics of our purses

OK arrived here yesterday. Christina was at the hotel waiting on me. LONG plane trip but what fun. We went looking for beads later that evening and walked and walked and walked. LOADS of fun. Went back to hotel and collapsed. Today, Friday we got on the subway and headed to CHINATOWN. FUN!!!!!!!!!! Too much fun. As we exited the subway station, Christina got POOPED on her head by a NY Pigeon. TOO FUNNY!!!!!! I laughed so hard. So we had to head to Quizno's to the bathroom. ONLY we had to buy something before they would give us the key to the bathroom. SIGH!! So we bought two bottles of Water. LOLOL!!! Anyway, got the bird poopy out and then proceeded to stop at "Bread Tribeca" (SEE PIC) and had lunch. Michelle notice the shirt I am wearing. LOL!! Great place! Close to 6th and Avenue of America. Then we made our way back to Canal St and walked up and down looking at purses, pashminas, beads, crystals, etc. We were asked constantly (under their breath) "wanna buy gucci, rolex,". Too funny. Christina is such a bargain person I got a cute bag for $15 (pic to come later) and she got one after walking up and down Canal St for $22. (Pic to come later.) Took the subway back to the hotel and now heading out to B. B. King's Lucille Bar and Grill across the street from our hotel. Wanna join us? I am sure there will be pics to come. LOL!!

I also watched the BIGGEST LOSER as well the other night. It just inspired me to get my butt moving. Love all that energy from the contestants.

Kirsten suggested this restaurant. IT sounds like fun actually. SO Alexandra and the rest what do ya think? Anyone else joining us on Saturday the 24th at around 5:30p? For Saturday dinner: Ellen’s Stardust Diner, 1650 Broadway on the corner of 51st Street. Looks like a fun time- 50’s diner with singing wait staff. The menu looks decent, too----everything from burgers to nachos to sandwiches. Prices not bad at all either. Try www.ellenstardust.com and let me know if it’s okay.

Since I know you are all in suspense about whether or not I was able to get tips put on. I DID I DID!!!! They look fabulous too. Would take a pic but nothing spectacular. Just longer nails with a french manicure. WHOO HOO!! The sad thing is: I had a coupon for $35 that I forgot to take with me. BUMMER!!! But I can use it when I go to get a fill on my nails. LOOL!!

Michelle, I am not saying I feel like it was my fault he cheated. I am saying that it takes two people to work at a relationship and keep it going. If Jane's John thought he wasn't getting something at home he FELT he needed then he would of course look elsewhere instead of talking to his wife. Some people do that. I didn't mean all couples are like that. But for the most part what I have seen that is the reason for someone cheating. I am not saying Jane didn't give him her all but obviously it wasn't what John wanted or felt fulfilled his needs. He was a jerk for cheating period. I am saying that there are always two sides to every story. He obviously wasn't happy and most times the wife is the last to know. It is sad all the way around. John and I are great now. Counseling works wonders.

come on delarla give me my RABBIT PEARL NOW!!! Then delarla said,...

OK OK I will start too. I agree Michelle this is the only thing that will keep me honest. I hate the scale today. Breakfast: OOPS!! Missed that Lunch: One cheeseburger patty with no bun. Tall glass of iced Tea Snack: Boost Chocolate Drink 8oz

Having just gone through a cheating incident let me put my two cents worth in here. You have to look at the reason why he cheated. He wasn't getting something he felt he needed at home. I am in NO WAY saying it was Jane's fault please don't misunderstand. There was a HUGE breakdown in communication if there ever was any to begin with. I think John was a complete jerk for cheating. That is the easy way out of a marriage or relationship. It was an excuse he used. The reason I say that is he isn't even with the person he cheated on her with. SIGH!! I feel for Jane. I really do. I have been through a divorce and it wasn't pretty. Thank goodness she is not having to fight that out. This is one more clue that he wanted out of the marriage. I think he is using the "chubby chaser" excuse for the divorce. I think the marriage was done before she lost her weight. I really do. Anyway, My heart goes out to Jane and to John and their daughter. Divorce and the break up of a long term marriage or relationship like this is never easy on anyone. She is better off without him at this point in her life. She can now focus on HERSELF and getting the things she wants out of life. This is a new beginning.