marcyinak

Swimming is always and option...a stationary bike too...no weight, just the movement. Also a weight lifty class/program...you can leave out the squats and work your upper body.

For those of you who asked... Moose (1 lb. raw - like I could eat that much) 456 calories 3.3 g fat (it's the leanest meat out there!) 99.5 g of protein! If you cook it with a little garlic powder...tastes a lot like beef, I use it for anything with a sauce (taco sauce, meatballs, mixed with beef for meatloaf, speghetti, etc.) I also do a lot of roasts...it can get quite dry so I stay away from the steaks. We'll be making some jerky with this moose though...the freezer's getting full! :-)

I'm so excited! Andrew just got home from hunting today....he got his first moose! He was only out less than 2 hrs with his friend and they spotted a smaller one and while catching up to it they saw this one...we measured the antlers and they were 66 1/2 inches! (That's BIG for those of you who don't understand the lingo.) We figure we'll get about 600 lbs. of meat from him! WAHOO! :whoo::clap2::whoo::clap2:

Happy New Year everyone!:whoo::clap2: May we all be blessed with: -small numbers on our scale and big numbers in our wallets:D -small sizes in our waists/butt/thighs;) -big smiles from old friends:biggrin1: -big outlook on our new lives:rolleyes:

OK - TMI coming up, but need help. Got my tubes tied with my last kid and since then I have two added problems: I crave chocolate a week before my period (I don't normally like the stuff) and my blood flow is more than it's ever been. So, after sleeping through this past week I realized last night that I'm low on iron! No wonder since I can't eat meat and usually I just have a steak or two during "that week" and that keeps me going. Any suggestions on getting my iron up? I'd like to start working out, but can't get out of bed! Ahhhh!

Phyll - I'm assuming you're referring to a wet-suit/neoprene top thingy for swimming (we have those for the kids...even the indoor pools in Alaska are cold!). Here's the thing...you ARE working out, it's not like it would sit in a closet or become some sort of clothing rack (like so many of our treadmills), but you'd actually USE it. So I say, get it and then when it gets too big...take it to a tailor and have them take it in ...should cost less than $20 to do that. I think it would be a worthwile investment! :biggrin1:

Jackie - we got a Wii too! Haha! I'm glad it keeps the kids active...they just CANNOT sit down while playing. Even my husband can't just let them play, he's got to be in on the action. Unfortunately, I have issues with video games and until I feel comfortable not getting virtigo...I'll just be reading the posts here while everyone else plays. I'm debating whether or not I need a fill...need help deciding. -I know I can eat more than 1/4 cup of food...sometimes up to 1 cup (depending on food - Cereal I can eat too much of so I just stopped making it an option and have a shake instead) -my weight loss has somewhat stalled...nothing for a couple of weeks, then down 2 lbs then I "hover" again. -I admit that I'm not working out a lot, but I'm just trying to survive winter -food gets stuck often, but after the initial "stick" I can continue to eat more...hmmm So...what do you think? Weather is *nice* today. We had some more crazy wind last night, but today it's 15 degrees and calm. Would like the sun to come out though!

OH, by the way... Merry Christmas to everyone! Sorry I missed you all yesterday. I hope the holiday season is going well for everyone, regardless of what you celebrate, and that we're all remember the TRUE reason for our celebrations!

Yes my dear Distant...doesn't it just suck that the good stuff (chicken and other meat, veggies, and fruit) just doesn't want to go down easy, but throw in some chocolate, cookies, and candy and well, we've got ourselves a winner! I, on more than one occassion, have proven that it's sooo possible to cheat the band and be fat if that's what we want!:angry Sadly, this is a reality we're going to have to deal with. I told my DH last night that I was just irritated that I can't eat a few bites of grilled meat, but I can eat sausage easy as pie - which goes down pretty easy too! My grandma sent some Harry and David fruit (by the way, if sending a gift to Alaska...Harry and David fruit is an EXCELLENT way to please someone!) and I can't even eat a couple of bites of an almost too ripe pear! So sad! I actually ended up making a pear coffee cake...now, add some sugar and cake and it goes down ok! AAAHHHHH:eek:!!! Well, off to the races...not really, it's bed time here in Alaska! It's getting cold outside and my husband thinks he's going moose hunting in a couple of days! Haha!:confused:

Kristin - I, too, have had an issue with a bad PB and some (for lack of a better definition) "swelling"...I've found that I need to just have a liquid breakfast and lunch sometimes, which is fine with me...means my band is working (and, boy to I like to test it!). I'm suckin' with head-hunger right now!

Phyl - Now, as I've said before, paying for an Alaskan cruise is pretty asinine for me...but, I'll be in Ketchikan the end of July/early August and can arrange a NICE excursion for a group if a cruise was set up for that time...just something to think about. (I've got connections there!) ssanka - I've also heard that if you get unfilled, or de-banded, that you'll just gain the weight right back, but I have a friend who was banded in 2002, lost a TON of weight, got a total unfill then continued to lose weight and has been able to maintain that for over a year! Pretty incredible, but at least the band is there ... just in case. Indio - I like the gift exchange idea!:biggrin1: Kathy - NSV = Non-Scale Victory (not, a stupid moment, I still haven't figured out what imho means....I guess I just don't "chat" enough!) Something I've noticed...we've been told not to drink liquids while eating - because it'll make the food mushy and, therefore slide down easier and then you can just re-fill the pouch. Well, I have learned that I CANNOT drink while eating...I get stuck EVERY time and have to go PB it out...nnnniiiiiicccceee!:nervous I've been reading my daily messages with the previous day's posts, but haven't had an opportunity to actually get on the site and write. Christmas is suckin' for me...a little anyway. I make fudge as my "gift" to others...what was I thinking? That goes down easy - and it is currently sitting right in front of me!!! AAAAHHHHH!!! I need to package it and give it out or else I'm just going to die! A slow, painful, sinful, gluttonous death! I'm in need of a fill, but something wonderful happened with food the other day. We had a "progressive dinner" (don't know how "progressive" it was since it only entailed two homes, but it IS Nome and it's freakin' cold right now - and I'm used to colder, don't know what's wrong with me). The main dish was Prime Rib...I was so disappointed because I've had such an issue with meat so I made sure I "stocked up" on some shrimp at the previous house. Well, I decided that I'd try a very SMALL amount of meat and...what'dya know...I was able to eat it and not PBing! Must've been cooked just perfect! It was so yummy and I've saved enough to make it for two meals for the past two days..I'm good at eating left-overs...and it IS protein so not too bad...now if I can just get the fudge out of the house! I was able to lose a couple pounds right after the cruise (3 weeks ago), but now, I'm stable...not losing a thing...kinda sucks. I'm trying to stay active, but it's hard when you don't want to go outside. I've done my share of shoveling though and that makes me feel good. I'm in a slump, but I'm planning a trip into Anchorage in Jan/Feb for another fill and I'm going to try to start being on the losing end of the game again. Still, I've managed to lose on average 4lbs. a month since I started this journey and that's better than I was doing. Good luck my Lucky 7 folks! It's been a good year for us all!:whoo:

Yes, we see the Northern Lights here (aka Aurora). There's a whole study post in Fairbanks where I lived for over 20 years. They still fascinate me and I'll pull over when driving if they're out just to watch for a bit...they DO "dance". I've never seen red ones, but I've seen white, green, blue, and a little pinkish (red is rare). I had a friend who's job it was to take tourists out on snowmobiles so they could get a look at them...he knew where to find them EVERY night! Apparently, it's good luck to conceive under the northern lights (Asian thing). In Alaska there are A LOT of Asian tourists in the winter! Haha!

Kerry - well that just is the pits for you! And you're so young! At least you have time to clean/clear up your credit and get back on track. Sadly, I have always felt that if I were to lose weight I'd earn more money (of course, I'm an at-home mom now, but when I was working and I weill be going back to work someday). Maybe this will work for you? :-) So, I have a plan...my daughter will be able to go to preschool next year so I've decided to try to find a job next year and work (part-time). I figure I can save money and put it aside for my tummy-tuck (which is becoming more obviously needed now more than ever)...I "announced" this to my husband and he thought that was an ok idea...then I explained that the next thing "my" money would pay for is a plane for him...he was TOTALLY all for it. Haha! Swell guy I've got. Maybe I'll add a boob job just for him?

Salsa - HOLY CRAP!! 24%!?!?!?! That's outrageous! Can't you put it on a lower credit card or something...at that rate you'll never be able to pay it off. If you're in the position to buy a house, you're in the position to have a lower interest rate...PM me and I'd be happy to give you some pointers! There's no reason you should be paying that kind of rate...even if your credit sucks! I'm sure there are others here that feel the same way - I hate to see people get into situations like these! Snowing here...I actually HELPED the kids build snow forts last night. I shovelled and scooped snow for about 2 hours last night! It was great! Now...I need some snowpants!

Salsa - I find that when I'm having a head hunger moment I just eat...eat something I KNOW will get stuck! Yeah, it's a little sadomasochistic, but it works, every time! It gets stuck, I feel like crap, and then I just stay away from food for a couple more hours. Yes, this can go on all day for me. You really just have to listen to what everyone says and choose what's right for YOU! Now, on to bigger and better things: ATTENTION - I asked my doc to send me a letter stating my medical necessity for the Lap-Band (short and sweet, about 2 sentences long). This I can use to deduct the expenses for the Lap-Band...ALL expenses including travel and hotel...I encourage all of you to get this same letter. As much as we all paid for it, we should be able to receive the deduction if we itemize...it's actually easier than it sounds. Good luck!

brispenny - I also have the 4cc band and didn't have much restriction until I was filled to 3.0cc. He filled me up on a Wednesday to 2.5 and I called the next day to say I was just able to eat too much so he filled it up to 3.0. I'd say it's a pretty good spot...there are times I feel I could eat more, but the band stops me from doing that (as was intended). I'd say go for another fill...I just happened to know right away that it wasn't enough and needed more. (I have to travel by air to get to my doctor and have to stay a week after a fill for adjustments/issues.) Can't say that I've lost a TON of weight, but I don't mind losing slowly... Carol1951 - I have the 4cc band and was told that it will actually hold more than 4cc. Make sure there isn't a leak in your band/tubing...have the doc pull all the fluid out to make sure that there's 3.9cc in there before adding more next time. Good luck!

kcval810 - Congrats on the 37 lbs.! Weight loss is different for everyone, but 37 lbs. seems to me (through my own bad math and remembering what everyone else has lost) that you are actually just above average on the weight loss. Those who started with a higher BMI tend to lose faster than those who had lower BMI's. As for feeling like you could eat more...have you "tested" it out? For instance...TRY to eat more than you usually do...does the band stop you? If not then you need a fill. (I test mine on occasion, using foods I know are easy for me to get down.) I'd say that most of us can eat more than 4 oz. at a meal so really, that's no biggie as far as I'm concerned. Now, as for the amount of Fluid...this IS different for everyone. I have a 4 cc band and have 3.0 cc in it right now and am darn near perfect on restriction...I know people who have less than 1.0 cc and are more restricted than I am. I really depends on YOU...there is a thread about fill levels, but it wasn't really helpful to me when I had the same question...just proved that everyone really IS different! And that's OK! :-0 We've got a good thread here with lots of advise so keep in touch!

I just read a post on another thread I read...she said, "This waiting for skinny is lousy." I second that!

All this talk about clothing sizes...does anyone else have THIS problem: my legs are probably a size 16, but 16s won't go around this ball of fat/skin that hangs down in front of me! I have to buy 18s (and they're TIGHT, but keep me from eating crap) and then they're loose on the legs! Same thing with dresses...have to buy the bigger size for my damn tummy, but it's loose everywhere else! Now I blame this pannis (technical term) on my 12 1/2 lbs. baby (and subsequent large babies) and just a little on my weight gain so sometimes I think I DESERVE to have this "badge of honor", but I'd sure like to have some pants/jeans that fit properly! I'm not having trouble with holiday treats...but I do make fudge for Christmas and ALWAYS have too much of that...maybe I'll do something different this year? ...... nah, I'll just work out more! :-)

tjfandri - nope, not 60...just 35, but I'm not in a race here...I'm happy with my "slower" loss...although, I find with my other group (my surgeons group) I'm pretty average with the loss...especially considering I'm not big on excersize...working on that though. mango my sweet - I'm right here...I read the posts daily, just don't post myself all that often..I go in spurts. I still have TONS of unsolicited advise to doll out so don't you worry! I'm in Alaska (if that was REALLY your question)...in Nome (north, near Russia, on the coast...you know that Iditarod race, well it ends here) Brandy - you wouldn't have believed the strange looks I got at Breakfast...here's the buffet, my kids with plates stacked high of everything imaginable and me...with my slim fast shake...haha! Jackie et al - my S-I-L told me about her plane trip to Miami to join us on the cruise...man with two young children doing the yuppie expain everything thing (I'm old school when it comes to parenting), well he's explaining everything about the plane to them, and then the daughter states matter-of-factly, "There is no Santa Claus!" My SIL then turns around (she's had it by now.) and looks at the girl and tell her that, "What are you talking about? I LIVE in North Pole, Alaska...I see Santa almost everyday...I live down the street from his house and workshop. There are reindeer in our yard!" The girl and her dad shut up for the rest of the trip. NOTE: This is TRUE, she DOES live in North Pole, etc. I believe in Santa...if I don't he won't come to my house and confirm that I've been a good girl and leave me something sparkly! WOW! I'm impressed with everyone's weight loss (regardless of amount)...we all LOST weight this month! Oh yeah! I'm doing a little dance here, anyone see it? Oh, that's right, I've got a tan now and my butt isn't as bright as the North Star...well, you'll just have to imagine it then! :-)

Jenne - I wouldn't worry about the fill and being too tight...as long as your doc is near anyway...that is my problem...I have to travel by plane to get to a fill doc and have to stay there several days to make sure there aren't any issues. I understand that the fluroscopy fills are quite good and offer a more exact fill amount for a "sweet spot". Don't worry too much, that's why the band is ADJUSTABLE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHYL!

I'm not really having issues....I've noticed that meat doesn't go down too well, but salad does. Man, if I just wanted to eat salad all the time I would've saved myself $10K and not had the surgery! I'd still like to eat a little steak or chicken (not a lot mind you). It totally sucked on the cruise just licking everything...kept TRYING to eat meat and ended up running to the bathroom so I could belch it out...nice, eh? Have we heard from Dini? Is she still in New York? She really should have gone to Miami...the weather was just fantastic while I was there last week! I'm feeling like the begining of depression is hitting me...I'm working at stopping it...I'm walking a lot and going to start a kick-boxing class with a friend. I noticed this morning at 9:50 that the sun still wasn't up...then again at 11:00 no sun...I KNOW that the days are shorter up here, but when the reality hits it's just a bummer! I guess I'm just having a bad moment... Man, the cruise was nice, but reality isn't lookin' so great!

Crap, sorry, I'm re-posting the same pictures! Oh well, it's a good one.

OK, you asked for it! Really, this was a GREAT trip! There was a family in Isla Roatan, Honduras that had some "pet" monkeys - they charge you a buck to take a picture...it was very cool and I even realized I was risking fleas and lice, but it was worth it! I took my son back there later that day! We went to the Turtle Farm in Grand Caymen...very cool stuff! Later went swimming with the stingrays!