mousecrazy

You are doing so great! I'm proud of you, and know you are proud of you, too! Fantastic! Cindy

Hi friends! Zan, you are making me tired with that schedule! I bet you're brilliant and motivated, and will whip out a presentation in no time, AND it will be better than anyone else's! Do try to relax a little, even if it's for a little while. If you can't, go get another cup of coffee! Beanie, I left you a message last night...Cindy from LBT...I was at church, so I felt weird saying "This is mousecrazy, your band buddy," out loud! LOL! YOu are doing fine, it sounds like, and you'll get better every day! I guess watching the Food Channel is out of the question? LOL! Eileen, you're so crazy! Your description of Dr. Phil is hilarious! I like his question, "Soooo, how's THAT working for you?" I use it at school all the time. I never watch the show, though, because, well, I'm here at work. Betty, dig out the sweaters! I know my DH will be covering the plants (and we have bunches...he likes to garden and dig in the dirt, thank God, because I don't). But, as you know, I love the cold weather, so I'm looking forward to it. Sherry, you are getting closer to your big day? Are you all ready? Patty, I can be a worry-wart, too...but we want to save our worrying for things that are worth it, right? Like anything WE think is something that should be worried about! Did that make sense? Apparently there's a sign on my door that says "class closed" because no one's been in here since I got back from lunch....not complaining. Pat, gee, I miss you! Get out of that car and take a break! Have a good afternoon/evening, everyone! Cindy

I was stuck at 237 from before Christmas...just this week, the scale started moving again. Remember, fat takes up a lot of space, but doesn't weigh much...you can lose a lot of fat, and it will only be 1 pound. Also, when the scale isn't moving, the body is changing...I didn't lose any weight from December to this week, but I was able to wear one size smaller. Relax, and let your body adjust. Keep after it, and you will see the results you want. Cindy

Hey, glad to have you here! Take it easy, if you'll look at the statistics thread, you will easily see that erosions are a small percentage of the total...not there isn't any risk, of course, there is. REad everything you can, get all the info you can, and ask lots of questions. Be sure to use the "search" feature up at the top under the big banner...you can look up any aspect and find discussions we have already had on them. But, ask away! Cindy

Eileen! You are hilarious! I'm still giggling about the port cherry! Seriously, I am so glad you have your fill, FINALLY! Take it easy as you start eating new foods...and if you get that golfball feeling, stop! Dianne...glad you got your surgery date, sorry I forgot to mention it yesterday! Beanie, hey girl! How's the life of leisure going? I am soooo sorry I haven't called you YET! I go running around after school, taking DH here and there, and then I lay down to go to sleep, and POP! OMG! I didn't call Beanie! Well, it's 10 o'clock, and that is just not a proper time to call someone, so...maybe this afternoon. I'm glad to hear you're doing well. Patty, don't be scared! Just do one step at a time. No use worrying about stuff that's way ahead of you....I'm glad to hear that your "to-do" list is getting shorter! I'm swarmed with kids right now...Urgghhh! Love ya, Cindy

Gosh, Betty...I don't know. I'll check into it. I was probably foolish enough to think I wouldn't get another ticket, and just ignored all those articles! LOL! Thanks for the "heads-up"!

Cindy, Diane, I understand what you're talking about regarding the body image in our minds...the only way I can combat that is through photos...I took one front, one back and one side view before surgery, and then on the 22nd of every month, I take the same three pictures again. When you look at them all side by side, you can see where you've been, and how much progress you have made! The only other trick I've heard of is to put a bag with holes in it for your eyes over your head, and look in the mirror. Taking your face "away" is a trick for helping your eyes see what is really there. You have lost so much weight, and I know you are proud of yourselves! Glad to check in with everyone! Cindy

Good afternoon! I'm still swimming in all kinds of "catch up" projects, but I have been reading some of the new posts...boy that one about why people eat around and through their bands touched off some controversy. I didn't post this on that thread (I wisely decided not to touch it!) but something that I wonder about - just generally, not about anyone specifically - is if the tendency to take EVERYTHING personally is one of the traits that leads to eating as "stuffing your emotions" and might be worth looking into, if you happen to be one of those people who take everything personally. I trust you guys to know I am not attacking anyone by the mere mention of this possibility. Maybe I'll write about this in my journal. It's an interesting, and frustrating thread to read. And it is up to 5 pages! Betty - I hope your interview was a big success! Eileen - I'm still mad at your doctor for that horrible fill experience! In Texas we don't have points, but I know what you are talking about because a friend of mine in Colorado has those...here in Texas, you just pay your fine and move on, or contest the ticket and go to court, or take Defensive or Driver Safety courses, which wipes the ticket off your driving record, and doesn't raise your insurance. Irene, hope you are feeling better! Sounds like you are doing really well! Patty - glad you liked your support group...remember, you are in a support group here with us, too! Pat - I'm so happy to see you again! You got some great Valentine's gifts from your secret cupid! I kinda wondered if you were going to like your new (old) car...glad you are getting what you want! Zan - glad to hear from you, as always! You are busy in that big city, girl! Anne - OMG! What is happening in the ol' body? I hope everything will be okay, and I will be praying for a good report. Keep up informed! Love you guys! Cindy

I'm especially excited for you, since you had to fight like a dog to get approved. You fought the good fight, and now, the rewards are yours! Take care of yourself, and welcome to "Band Land"! Cindy

Hello all! All I can think about today is Beanie's surgery...I hope you are home, Irene, and sleeping right now. If not, then only sip your drinks, and walk from the couch to the bathroom. The port area will be the most uncomfortable, followed by gas pains. It will pass (no pun intended)...I think I was driving about 4 days later....I really CAN'T remember, if that's any consolation to you. I will give you a call. I got a little info on the old principal...not enough to insure my future, but enough that I can raise an eyebrow at him if he's not nice! Betty, you're right...very busy trying to catch up on the time I missed at the conference. Oh, and just for fun, I got a speeding ticket in Denton when I was returning from the airport! To make it worse, I got this ticket in the exact same location I got one last year! You'd think I'd learn....so, I'm going to find out exactly when my last ticket was, and cross your fingers it was at least a year ago, so I can take Defensive Driving again. Oh joy. A really cool NSV: I could buckle my seat beat on the plane, and had 3 inches or so to spare!!!!!!!! I also lost down to 233 on Sun., but after I weighed I ate all the junk at the Super Bowl party (some party, two grandpa's, my DH and DD!), so I was back to 236 this morning. Still, the scale moved! Gotta run, it's time to go home...to everyone, keep up the good fight, and keep praying for Beanie! Cindy

Hang in there! ((((hug)))) It may take them a while to figure it out, but you will get your answer, and then you will deal with the results. One step at a time. Thanks for letting us know! Cindy

Glad you're here! As an English teacher, I enjoy a great analogy, and yours was perfect! I got tired of "being wet" also! I love the band, and hope I can keep it healthy; that's the goal, anyway! See ya around, Cindy

Glad you're here! Congratulations on your fantastic weight loss! Cindy

Glad you're here! While you are learning, use the "search" feature and you can read past posts on topics of your interest. See ya on the boards! Cindy

Date Banded: 7/22/05 Country: US State: Texas Surgeon: Dr. John Marsden Eroded?: NO

Like everyone else has said, you are very brave, even if you don't feel like it, and someday, your kids will see that you stood up for them and for family. You mentioned your DH was like his father; well these sons may see a different example set, and you could be giving them the best gift ever. I am sorry you are going through this, and be sure to take care of yourself (one of the hardest jobs ever given to mothers!) (((hugs))), Cindy

Here I am again, hanging out in the room, checking in on my LBT pals! We went to Mi Tierra tonight for dinner, and my principal asked a high school friend and his wife to join us, so we learned some fun stories of Mr. Principal in his, let us say, "younger" days! Fun! Eileen, OMG I can't believe this fill thing is so dang difficult for you. Not for YOU! I swear, mine are so easy, and have never been difficult. I hope it is like that for you next time! I have my fingers crossed for you, and will add you to the prayer list. Anne, sounds kinda fun to do the photo albums...what is it that makes her sad, or should I know that already? I apologize if I should know, and am spacing out on it. Enjoy your adult dinner! The girl I'm rooming with is someone I've known for about 15 years, and we were young single girls together (at the same school) with another friend/colleague who isn't here this time. So, we've been roomies on conferences before, and actually get along great! I just like my "alone" time when I get the chance! Zan, good to see you again! Betty, glad you enjoyed the rain, I think it's over now according to DH. We changed our flight to early in the morning, so I'll have more time at home than I was expecting this weekend. I have to go to an observatory (stars and stuff) tomorrow night with the Girl Scouts; should be interesting. Sunday is the Super Bowl...I think we'll get chicken wings or something. DH's father usually joins us, at least he has every other year. Since I haven't been home, I'm not sure if the invitation has been extended. Beanie, I KNOW you're chomping at the bit to get the big day here and over with! I'm thinking about you, girl! Gotta get to bed, have a very early morning tomorrow! Cindy

Hey, Robyn! You read my mind...I was just wondering about my July bandster buddies! Although, I hate to measure up to your weight loss results, and I can't, I am still proud to report 45 lbs gone forever, and 3 sizes down! Check in, July bandsters! Cindy

I am just getting to this thread for some reason, but you do speak the truth, Veritas (great name choice!). I KNOW what I'm supposed to do. I have this forum to talk about issues. I am well-educated about the medical and emotional aspects of weight loss. I can encourage others. When I have that feeling, and reach for the salty snacks, or even the chocolate ones, it's as if I've left my brain somewhere else and, like you said, disconnect. We'll just keep working on being "present" all the time, and making better choices. Thanks for your post. Cindy

I'm not recommending this, but just letting you know there are all kinds of support. I have never gone to an in-person support group. I have used LBT only, and couldn't be happier. You know yourself; you decide if you need a person-to-person support group, or if this will do nicely. Do what works. You are pretty new, but you are doing okay, and it all takes time. We'll try to give you the support you need, just ask! (((hugs))) Cindy

I flew to San Antonio this morning, and I could buckle the seat belt, AND had 3 inches of extra strap! It felt so good! I'm not having many scale victories, but am sure noticing some NSV's! Congratulations to all of you on yours! Cindy

Hi, everyone! The wifi works great! I can hardly believe it! My roomie is out having a beer, and I am up here in my room, blessed alone time! We had a nice dinner at La Fogata...I had tortilla soup, and it was great! Then our principal took us to the mall and we "shopped" without spending money, just looking around. When it was beer time, I begged off and cam up here to play with you guys! Tomorrow we have lots of little sessions. We're going to breakfast at7:30. Beanie, I'll give you a call later this weekend. To all, good night, Cindy

What causes "blue" days? I can be going along, doing pretty good...then the next day, WHAM! All I think about is mom, I replay the scenes from her last days, I remember other times that were great, and times that I know I hurt her feelings. This type of thinking is with me all day, if I'm lucky, and several days or a week if I'm not. It affects everything...my work, my family, my attitude. The strange thing is, I KNOW I'm doing it, I know it isn't helping, and I cannot nudge myself out of it. Tears are just waiting to be released, but not every time is a good time for a cry. I mean, I can't just start crying in the classroom...I don't want to upset my DD by crying too much. I can cry on the way to work, but it does take a toll on my make-up and I arrive at school all red-eyed, and at this school, the automatic thought is that I'm smoking pot...that comes from the kids, not the teachers! Just don't want you to get the wrong idea... Maybe these waves of sadness are the reverse of birth contractions. There's really no way to avoid them, and at the end, a new life arrives. Like contractions, fighting them only adds to the pain, and you know they won't last forever. But it feels like that, that these pains will never go away, and when you're in them, it is your total focus. Mom had these pains when I was born, now I have them when she died. I guess that's about as balanced as you can get. I'm grateful for being able to wear some pants that didn't fit last week. I'm grateful for the love and comfort of family. I'm grateful for the blessing of a good mom, thank you God.

What causes "blue" days? I can be going along, doing pretty good...then the next day, WHAM! All I think about is mom, I replay the scenes from her last days, I remember other times that were great, and times that I know I hurt her feelings. This type of thinking is with me all day, if I'm lucky, and several days or a week if I'm not. It affects everything...my work, my family, my attitude. The strange thing is, I KNOW I'm doing it, I know it isn't helping, and I cannot nudge myself out of it. Tears are just waiting to be released, but not every time is a good time for a cry. I mean, I can't just start crying in the classroom...I don't want to upset my DD by crying too much. I can cry on the way to work, but it does take a toll on my make-up and I arrive at school all red-eyed, and at this school, the automatic thought is that I'm smoking pot...that comes from the kids, not the teachers! Just don't want you to get the wrong idea... Maybe these waves of sadness are the reverse of birth contractions. There's really no way to avoid them, and at the end, a new life arrives. Like contractions, fighting them only adds to the pain, and you know they won't last forever. But it feels like that, that these pains will never go away, and when you're in them, it is your total focus. Mom had these pains when I was born, now I have them when she died. I guess that's about as balanced as you can get. I'm grateful for being able to wear some pants that didn't fit last week. I'm grateful for the love and comfort of family. I'm grateful for the blessing of a good mom, thank you God.

Congratulations! You have a great attitude and I'm glad to hear that things are going well for you! Cindy