madfroglady

I started running just over a month ago. I was 256 this spring and about 225 last month. Losing that 30 pounds first made a huge difference for me. And the couch potato to 5k program mentioned here is great. I modified it to suit my needs and this morning "ran" 27 out of my 40 minute workout. I put ran in quotes because many people walk faster than I "run". Even jog would be an over statement. But I figure 27 minutes of chugging along is a heck of a lot more than I've ever done before. Slow and steady wins the race, as the turtle said. frog.

For those that don't have a GPS, there is a similar treasure hunting activity called letterboxing. You only need a compass (and know how to use it!) and the directions are like "20 paces north from the last fence post", etc. Letterboxing North America for more info.

Hooray! my treat for myself when I hit goal is going to be a 5 day ride with my mom in vermont. I've wanted to go for years but you have to be under 200 pounds to sign up. frog.

Since you'll be on clear liquids at that point (probably), I suggest ginger tea. It works wonders and most of the airlines will be able to make you a cup of hot water to steep it. Whole foods in Madison carries it. You might be able to find it in the regualr groceries too. frog. (a former Madisonian)

I had TWO great exercise NSV's this morning. I have been walking & running (couch potato to 5k program) for nearly a month now, using the bike bath near my house. NSV #1: I ran (ha! that is an overstatement of my very slow jog) 22 out of 40 minutes I was working out. All the way from my starting point to the bottom of the big hill (15 minutes) then turned around and walked back up the hill and ran (7 minutes) back to my start. Woo! NSV #2: just as I was ending my run, I was very tired and wanted to try to keep running back to the start but wasn't sure I could. I see the same people on the path every day, including one lady with her huge black poodle. This morning, she smiled at me as I was running my last tenth of a mile, and said "I wish I had your energy!" I was so flabergasted I had to ask her to repeat it to make sure I heard her correctly. Then I laughed! Tomrrow I'll have to make sure I tell her how much it meant to me to hear her say that. :whoo: I'm really starting to love this running thing. Frog.

I use kid's chewables. (Flintstones with added Iron.) They also make gummy chewables for kids. You just have to make sure you are getting an adult size serving. (I take 2 to get 100% of the stuff I need.) IMHO the adult chewable stuff tastes gross. :-) Frog.

I agree. I had one awful birth expereince and one wonderful birth expereince. But I wouldn't want to go through something as serious as a new band within the first few weeks after either one! If you can breastfeed, it is a great way to lose weight! Frog.

Now to see if the stain comes out of the pants.... :-) frog.

WABB -- I love this idea!! I'm going to go figure mine out. frog.

are not death in this case, but an amusing ancedote. Today I decided to treat myself to a juice and piece of chocolate on my afternoon walk. I was a major chocoholic preband and I've been very good until now. But next to the cash register they had those little round Lindt chocolate truffles, so I thought "I deserve it." and bought it. Not having anywhere to put it, I stuck it in my pocket to enjoy a few minutes later. Work has been really hectic and before I got back to my office, I got stopped by half a dozen people with various questions. Then I had to prep for a meeting, facilitate the meeting, drive like a maniac to pick up my kids, make dinner, clean up and get the boys in the tub. I finally sat down and notied this reddish brown stain on my pants. I thought I had somehow opened one of my incisions (I had a c-section and lost sensation in my abodmen so I wouldn't necessarily be able to tell if I had.) what the heck? :faint: I looked my stomach all over before I realized: it was chocolate. :nervous frog.

I have not one but two counselors (one for marriage, one for personal) so I know what you're going through. It is important to find a good fit. I started by going to my insurance company and getting a list. There were 5-6 in my area that I could choose from. Then I called in the evening and listened to the answering machine or voicemail. If I liked how that sounded (!) I left a message asking for someone to call me for a preliminary appointment. Some of them never called back. (Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!) At the first appointment I made it pretty clear that I was interviewing them. (I always do this. I'm not going to deal with so-called "professionals" that don't meet my standards. I'm paying them so they work for me. IMHO, a counselor should be challenging but not rigid; supportive but not enabling.) It usually takes me a few to find one that I like. Don't be afraid to go to someone else if you don't like someone for any reason. They aren't going to be upset if you go to someone else. They're used to it-- that's their job. That's my 2 cents. frog.

No problems here either. Your surgeon and anathesiologist are used to these issues. Talk over your concerns with them or one of the nurses. For my previous surgery (not the lapband) I was terrified. One of the residents who was in training to be a surgeon asked me what was wrong and I told her how scared I was. She held my hand (literally) until the anathesia took effect. She was wonderful. So even if someone there won't hold your hand, we'll all be here thinking of you and cheering for you! frog.