Gone4Now

Jack, I love that saying...who coined that one? I love it. Courage, Action, Now...yes. I can do it. It also helps to have friends: I was going to eat a doughnut. I had it on a napkin on my desk, and I'd taken a bite out of it. A co-worker comes by and points and says, "No...I saw your sign! You fell into the trap! I saw your sign!!!!!" Over and over again. I started laughing and said, "THANK YOU!" and I threw the doughnut away. My sign is a picture of me at 300 pounds and I wrote: DON'T EAT THE DOUGHNUTS! on it. I have it taped to my speakers at work so that I can see it, but other's can't. I guess he came around one day and saw it and was reminding me of it! LOL So, that saved me. Now I'm back on track. Why is it so hard for the mind to catch on?

LOL! I hate that weight needs to be on there. I can understand the need, but really. It fluctuates so often and people lie about it anyway...why bother! But, that's an awesome and quirky NSV! :thumbup:

:thumbup: Thank you! Way to go on your loss!!! Actually, I'm feeling better about it than I did in the beginning. I'm doing the Weight Watcher point system, so I feel good about eating things I wouldn't on the band, as long as they're within my points. Last night I had a kids meal from Wendys with a cheeseburger and it was great! I think initially I was scared I would go crazy and have the head hunger over take me. After all, I am a self sabotager with past diets, so it was likely I'd mess this up, too, right? But, I'm keeping it in perspective and keeping my goal in my sights. I didn't come this far to lose it after a week (or two...or several!)

It's an amazing feeling. I know exactly how you feel about walking vs. waddling. And, when I go out, I'm not looking around thinking, "I'm the fattest person in the room."

I never found too many things that fit at Target, but what did lasted longer than Walmart. I see Walmart as disposable wear, since it falls apart pretty quickly.

Kat, thank you! I'm in 18's and 16's now, and really looking for blouses that fit. I took my work slacks to the dry cleaners and had them taken in. They say 22/24 on the label, but they fit like 18s. I think I'll just continue to get pants taken in until they tell me no more! I don't have too many clothes left from 22-24 size, but a couple jeans here and there. I've been giving mine to charity, but I'll be glad to hang on to them for someone down the road! :thumbup: But blouses are harder, and I have a ton of blouses that I don't wear anymore. I'd be glad to send those off as well!

Would it be possible for LBT to have a Clothing Swap? I know we're all on different parts of the weight loss journey, and I'm just getting into clothes that others may have outgrown. Maybe we could get a thread going in our community groups and have a day where we all get together and swap clothes. Am I being too naive? :thumbup:

Hi, Tulip! How are you doing? I love the band so much! I'm completely unfilled right now. :thumbup: I had a fill last week that was too tight and I tried to come home with it...over the weekend I just swelled too much, so I'm on healing time now. How did your surgery for the flipped port go? And, how are you doing w/the 7.6cc? Are you at good restriction? I'm done a lot of weight - more than I've ever lost in my life - and I'm sooo HAPPY. My 18 work pants are baggy, my Old Navy size 18 jeans fit quite comfy and I'm loving it. The very best decision of my life was getting this band. I love it, love it, love it.

Thank you! You are right! I am in control. That will be my mantra. After all, I'll have to do it when I get to goal, right? So why not start now!?

I did both...I used the carrier and I held her. I got yelled at by my friends for holding her too much! But, if I went shopping or needed hands, I'd take the carrier. I was able to stay at home (on my parent's dime) as a single mom for 18 months. I walked to the store every day, came home, did laundry and had dinner for my parents each night. They weren't rich - they just did it. I started work, I think, at a good time. I probably should have put DD in daycare a little sooner, because she was so attached to me that it was tough. When they don't know better, it's just a daily routine. As long as their caregivers are happy and loving, I don't think it makes a difference. My daughter is good in school, she's respectful to the teachers and is advanced-placement classes. I don't think daycare does any damage, and I think staying at home is fine too. I have always said, "I'm not the final influence in her life." I filter and shelter to an extent, but mainly I am there to teach and guide her into making good choices. After all, it's the environment in which they are raised that will end up defining them.

Okay, I'm a little nervous about this. I'm hoping the last 6 months have taught me something about eating right...and less. I had a fill last week that was way too tight. They took some out, but I think I was still too swollen and sore. Rather than do damage (further damage?) I went back this morning and the doc took it all out. I'll go back next week and he'll put most of it back in. He said he just wanted to give me time to heal. I am nervous at the idea of suddenly being able to eat ANYTHING, and it's doubled because I am coming from about 3 days of not even getting water down. So, I'm really tempted by food right now because I've been hungry. Like coming off of the flu. I've got my weight loss so far to keep me going, and I have been looking at old pictures, trying on the size 24 jeans - I'm a size 18 now. (Another week of being dehydrated and not eating, I'd have been into the size 16s I bought. That would have made it easier for the paramedics to carry me out.) I'm worried that this is a bad turn and getting back on track will be difficult. Has anyone had a complete unfill in the middle of their journey, and then gotten back on track with fills later? Thanks!

I must have missed the haiku posts. Maybe before my time. Thank goodness!

I think it's fabulous! And, yes...it would sure keep me on that treadmill! You rock! Keep up the GREAT work!

WooHoo! BBK - You look great! How does that feel???? I can't wait to get there!

Wow...catching up from a busy weekend. Yeah, that was me - I weighed the girls. :rolleyes2: I couldn't resist. Tacky people have asked how much they weigh - they are large - and now I can answer with a complete straight face. My thoughts on the subject of grammar police: THIS IS RANTS AND RAVES. Hello???? Do the same as ya'll are suggesting - if you don't like it, don't read it. I DO skip the posts I can't read - and that's what's bad. This is rants and raves; you can take it or leave here. But, when someone really needs help and can't communicate that, then they're missing out on the help they need. The issue is that it's hard to read, so your post with all the incorrections are going to be skipped - and doesn't that negate the point of typing it in the first place? Also, if you are a bad speller/grammatical user then this R&R may be just what you need. Take notes, read this thread without getting defensive, and instead try to learn from it. No one, that I've read, has reprimanded someone for spelling/grammar issues in the non-R&R threads.

My highest (with proof) is 298. Like you, I'm sure I tipped over that by about 10-15 pounds at some point, but never weighed myself. The lowest as an adult, I don't know. I know I was in size 20-22 jeans after high school, but I'm not sure. I would guess around 220/230. I can't wait to be less than 200 - It's been so long.

Congrats, LJM - You look so good! Nice butt!

Ooh! My two favorite things: A smack down and elipses!

And, to expand on that, I must admit that I have to fight the urge to answer NO to questions like: Will I be okay? Am I bad? I'll be okay, right?, etc. But, unfortunately, no would be too short of an answer and the fun would be lost.

Awesome! And, Awesome again...because one is too short. Damn it.

Interesting...It says you can "return" him in 7 days. I wonder if he could be used as a handyman. He should have at least listed qualifications. Poor EBay etiquette. I could always use a good gardner/cook/maid.

I agree to a point. I think a lot of the drama is just that - drama. It's the lure of writing and drawing attention to their posts, because they're sitting on their butts and are unable to eat. About sitting and crying for 3 weeks, I agree. We pacify people to tell them what they're feeling and thinking is okay. Who are we to say otherwise, right? But, there comes a point, you just want to slap people and ask, "How did YOUR genes survive?"

Me, too! I love basements and hate attics. I haven't been in mine since I bought the house two years ago, and then I only peeked.

:confused: Already there are only a select few days when I'm NOT dumb. I had no idea! If she lets me near her, I'll give her an extra big hug. Thank you everyone! I am so glad for this site.

I saw that with my nephew. "Have you taken your meds?" Became my SIL's most used phrase. And it was only because he was an energetic boy! He was fine when he visited us, and never took his meds. I don't believe in them. You don't sedate your kids just because you can't control them. That's just nasty. You actually have to *gasp* spend time with them and have a *gasp again* relationship!