luluc

Totally addicted, hubby laughs at me cause we were banded together,...each day he asks what I've learned knew..Ha

wow - congrats!

I keep the 4oz cottage cheese cups / hummus / tuna / frozen shrimp / frozen bags of edamame / nuts / danon lite & fit smoothies around handy at all times. The only food I can't get down are crackers & some breads..which is what got me fluffy in the first place.

Well Yeah!, As a newbie I found strength in those banded before me & hoped my millions of questions didn't piss off to many or chase away.

Hey Wendy - Shrimp is fine, and I eat it several times a week. Some may have to chew an awful lot and not be able to get it down...but I have no problem and it's a good source of protein. BTW - Also Self Pay w/ Dr Felts:)

Cedar Fever - only have the sneezy's .. nothing too bad tho my ranch is covered in those suckers.

Wow - I really enjoy reading others heritages / stories & how they've shapped the way we are today. I love knowing a little bit of back story, thanks for sharing yours. We've got some in common, I too am a product of dual faith parents. My mom is of German Jewish decent - but was never really one to practice her religion. My dad - Italian Catholic...mom had to convert to marry & that was how my brothers and I were raised. We all did the communion / confirmation classes - but were encouraged to seek other faiths if need be after what my parents classified "done our part of religious instruction/influence" ... you may now seek what suits you. None of us participate in the Catholic church any longer, all for different reasons - but a lot of similarities. My staunch republican parents have mellowed substantially when the real world came into our family framework: Divorce / Death / Homosexuality / Abortion / etc.. I now have Democratic parents, and I'm no longer the only one.. I am married to an ex "Assembly of God" member....and I'm rubbing off on him and his family too...ha My abortion in France was in 1989, Paris. I was so young, so was he and well I let his family take care of everything for me. They wanted me gone I'm sure., so I was in a private hospital, all bills paid by them - as well as meds. 2wks later I could not get a hold of him * never would. Que Sera?? I mentioned in my first response to this thread that I've read it all. I finally responded when the throws of stats kept coming, without many real stories talked about. I appreciate this thread, it's done nothing more than reaffirm my decision back in '89 (wow that was a long time ago).

Mindy - I'm in. Started Monday, then again today the Wk2 program/Workout 1. This a TX thing?...LOL

Green, I had to reply back - I find you extremely rational & eloquent when discussing this topic....I too was in France & my birth control did NOT work. I was put on the pill at 14, as many woman are due to bad periods. My niece, not so fortunate...a product of NO education as my brother is a single parent working and raising 3 kids with very little help. She was embarrassed to discuss with him., but even more so when she had to tell him she was pregnant.

Agreed BJean - I would never want any kind of Free Speach Limited, as tasteless as it is to taunt woman entering a building seeking medical intervention or education regarding pregnancy. My husband has a mantra "You Woman Would Rule the World if You Could Ever Get Along" - he's correct. This thread exemplifies that statement. The fact is, The Womens Movement of the 60's/70's - of my Mom's generation has gone by the wayside. There is no one speaking Loudly these days to protect the rights fought for & gained during this time frame. In 1973, my mom gave birth to her last child & upon delivery she wanted to get a tubal ligation. First she was not able to have my brother at the Catholic Hospital where the rest of us were born, and her Dr. (also Catholic) told her she needed to provide him a Notorized Letter from my DAD saying he was OK with her having her tubes tied. She fought him, said she go to another OBGYN (even though he delivered her previous 4 kids) & that no way in hell was she going to get such a letter. She didn't need to, her Dr agreed...he just wanted her to be sure she was done having kids & that so was my dad. I too wish the Pro Choice Movement would be as active - Unless Woman step up and take that lead.., we allow ourselves vulnerable to male politicians, who's regard for the unborn child is less than that of political gain.

I think so - I weigh 3/4 more lbs during my lovely PMS & can eat more as well. Once I start the "flow" the pounds come right back off & my restriction comes back 2!

As lulu's story indicates, however, this is not how it works in the real world. Very True Marjon, Abortion should never be something to be proud of, however the thought of it not being Legal / Safe truly terrifies me. I had mine done in a hospital in Eurpoe while attending school. I was treated with the utmost respect and cared for lovingly by my Dr & nurse. Fast forward 20yrs to the US and last month, when I took my neice to a Planned Parenthood to get a pregnancy test, at 18 herself, with a full scholarship to college, she IS terrified. What we encountered just to take a pregnancy test scared the SH*T out of her and me, bombarded with picketers, people shouting, and even more disturbing - young children holding posters of fetus'. I think this should be illegal - but they are very effective, it moved my niece tremendously - and she will be having her baby. Unlike me, she has a support system of parents and family that totally supported her Right to Choose & have an abortion...I knew my parents would feel the same, I just kept it quiet and moved along with my life - coming home to the states 20, unmarried, and with a baby was not what my parents had in mind for me - no what I had planned for myself. The story doesn't necessarily end there - She will be having the baby, but My husband and myself will be adopting he or she - So my niece will have the opportunity of college and young adulthood, and I will get a baby that' I've wanted for the last 7 years. This is how I believe it was suppose to be for me - mapped out this way. I realize the Pro Life movement should be pleased with this outcome.., I know I am - but this is not a real depiction of how an unwanted pregnancy & keeping it comes to fruition.

I have a pork loin recp that I've condensed to be fat/calorie concious: * 1 4lb pork loin (one that will fit your crockpot - 3/4lbs works for mine) * Salt & Peper loin & "lightly dust" with whole wheat flour * Sear loin on hight heated pan with light olive oil - on all sides locking in * S&P giving a light crust. * Line the bottom of crockpot with 1/4 cup white wine / 1/2 cup fat free chicken stock / 2/3 cup of Lowerys Lemon Peper Marinade. * Place Loin on top - add 1 seeded or unseeded (me i like hot so unseeded) jalepeno & 1 medium onion. * Cook 4/5 hrs depending on size, you may need to add more chicken stock. * You can add any veggies half way thru cooking process - potatos / celery / .. I use zuchinni & squash. For those that can't eat pork, this works so well...It turns out very moist.....,

2 of my many labs - Papa & baby bear:)

I LOVE the Buzz best!! Such a pretty face you can totally pull that off. Last month I cut 14inches off and dontated to locks of luv. I love having short hair again & will keep it that way.....Really love the buz.

Totally Agree!, I had to give them up completely, which is fine as my Dr would rather me on solid Protein rather than the liquid form. I couldn't drink one w/out having to be in the bathroom almost immediately - I will after a fill drink the occassional Atkins shakes....But the Isopure is in the pantry collecting dust.

Hey Justin - Did you go through w/the surgery? Love to hear back what you decided.

That is fantastic Karen - Can't wait to be in the same place. GOOD 4 U!!!

I'm not one to shy from the subject, nor could get grief here that I haven't imposed on myself. Counseling has been a part of my adult life with this subject both inside and outside the church/temple, to not do so would have been devastating spiritually to me. To still carry it around to me is healthy - I feel it would be callous to act & forget. I mentioned I was a contradiction on this subject. I can't give you the answer that satisfies either camps. I made a decision at 20 as and undergrad in Europe. Would I make the same decision at 38 - No. Do I want that right abolished - absolutely not. I'm very doubtful I can give you an answer that "fits" a camp precisely. Just my story - it is my body, it was a child, and I had a legal option at the time to abort. Interference by any govt on this topic truly infuriates me, as I will always see this as a personal issue, free from the need of laws. I truly respect your position - You and my BF have the same passionate opinions on the subject, I'd swear you were her. All the best for the NYR.

Because I believe it "was" a life, not just a fetus & something I can never shake. That's just me, my gut of sin - I have nothing more to explain it in words. As I mentioned earlier, I HOPE it's the hardest decision one makes. To go down the road why I feel it should remain legal, for me, is simple - I don't want law dictating what I can / can not do with my body. I've read all the posts, and realize I contradict myself & my position in many eyes on many fronts .... The net result was I made a decision, it impacted me profoundly, and from where I come from God is forgiving. Not sure I explained myself completely... yikes~ Lulu

After having dinner this evening w/DH, Bro & Sis In law - I realized that I threw out "sin". This is MY sin, and my sin only - not to be confused with any religious / political ties or opionions..it's just my own. I still work thru my Catholic/Jewish upbringing which will provide me a lifetime times 10 of guilt - thus the "Catholic Lite".

I've read this thread in it's entirety. I leave for a few days and come back, debating to engage or comment. As someone who has had an abortion at the age of 20, I hope it's the hardest decision one has to make - yet pray it remains a right for women for years to come. I get both sides, truly I do, My *choice* left me sterile - I can never have a child. I live with my decision every day, and though I still believe it was the right decision for me 18 yrs ago, it does sadden me - my decision cost me the ability to have a family outside of my husband and myself. I am the only daughter amongst many boys, only grandaughter - and the only one of my friends that does not have children. Not to say my life is incomplete, I have a lifestyle that some of my "multiple children" friends envy at times. I really don't need to belabour my story so much, as I realize the deep routed feelings on this subject. I believe I have to answer for this decision & live with always the "what if" factor. I just recently told my mother & she commented that she had known all along, and knew I had made the right decision for me at the time. As a "Catholic Lite" person (Episcopal), who did confess my sin - I Hope with all hope that the right to choose remains...I get ya'll on the other side of this debate...I really do. Lu

This YR is SOOOOOOOOO much different. I know I won't wake up with a hangover or feel like a slug till Jan 3rd. For the first time since college I went to the gym today and will go tomorrow. Making dinner tonight for DH / Brother & Sister in Law, I will have a glass maybe 2 of wine...but not a bottle or 2. Next yr I hope to put my size 4's on that have been collecting dust in the back of my spare bdr closet....Happy NYR to all & to me!!! Lulu

I loved hummus during this stage. Added to cottage cheese / tuna made it all creamy & filling.

I didn't eat solid food till 4 wks post op. I had a gradual liquid / mushie / solid food process, that by the time I did migrate to solids, I was only able to eat about 2oz at a time. Every Dr is Different, with mine - my first fill was a month from surgery, second 4wks, third 2wks. My Dr is more on the "aggressive" side of fills. Depending on how I feel 2-4wks between fills till I get properly restricted is how manages my situation. I'm at a good place now, I eat about 800 calories a day / work out 6 days a wk....4th fill is scheduled in 3wks.., I may/may not need one. Good Luck w/it all,