SpecialK

For those of you who want to fit two fun things in on one day, check out my info on the scrapbooking our weight loss journey fun I'm sponsoring in Westerville, just off College Ave. and you could enjoy the fun from 10 am - 1:45 pm and still make it to this mall group get together by the 2pm start time. PM me for details. I'll demo from 10-11 am on how to use your computer to help do an album full of ideas, a coworker of mine is a Creative Memories consultant and she will take over from 11-12 noon, then the last 2 hours is hands on doing a project of your choice with our help to get you started. Beginners and experienced type crafters both welcome and its free.

I don't know what a neti pot is either??? Tess415 -- look at the scale once a week and give yourself a break. You know the program-- you will lose those 2 lbs or 5 lbs or whatever it is once this holiday insanity passes so just give yourself a Get Out of Jail Free card now.

Sorry, but I guess the image was too big on my original post and didn't actually upload so let me try again. Feelin Fine in 09 - smaller.bmp

Thanks for the help out there and I came up with this slogan to keep me on track and trucking along losing weight in the new year.

Hey Fenton -- you're an internet savvy guy right? Order a digital scale off the internet somewhere and have it shipped to your Paris place and keep one there for when you spend long periods there. Just don't get on everyday... to discouraging to some of us -- maybe 1-2x a week is enough to keep you accountable.

Okay, every year at Christmas when I am with my sister in Arizona (which I can't do this year) she and I come up with a motivating slogan for the new year. Lose Weight in 08! was this year and that sure came true. My mini slogan is 90 by '09 meaning I'm trying to get to 90 lbs off by January '09 but I'm trying to think of a slogan that rhymes with 9 or Nine. Ideas!

Harley - WOW - I can definitely eat a whole packet of oatmeal and I'll be full but not overly so. Tess415 and I are both Ohio folks and we've agreed on a celebration in person to have whoever hits -100 lbs first buy dinner for the other--- healthy dinner of course -- and just remember, now that we can't eat much, I'm a cheap date so it shouldn't break the bank. NurseNiki -- should we make the same dinner out plans at -100 lbs -- we're both past the 80 lbs mark! How fabulous is that!

SWOOD -- Baked Potato smoothie --- too funny. Keep your sense of humor and you'll make it thru just fine!

Fenton, I mentioned I had bought the Isopure blue raspberry pre-mixed in a bottle and with it chilled I thought it was okay. Hadn't tried Isopure powder. For all - I did get a packet of Syntrax Matrix 5.0 Cookies & Cream whey Isolate Protein Powder and it is something I liked the sample well enough that I went online and ordered more. It mixes instantly and 1 scoop = 130 calories and 23g Protein. I use 1/2 scoop in my coffee in the a.m. and it is good that way and gives me a protein start to the day in liquid form. The same company makes a protein mix called Syntrax nectar and I had a sample of strawberry Kiwi that was good so I checked a website and found they have one flavor called Fuzzy Navel - mix of orange/peach for a nice fruity taste - and I mix it with ice in a blender and kind of make a smoothie. Second they have a Syntrax Nectar Cappaccino flavor and I also mix it into my coffee -- you can use lukewarm/cold coffee and ice and also make yourself like a iced cappacino. Anyway, see if you find somewhere with a sample packet if you'd like to try these as it was a little pricey to buy the smallest size container they had but I am pleased with them as an alternative to chocolate Protein shakes and I didn't find plain vanilla protein shakes that good so I was looking for variety. Supplement Facts for Matrix 5.0 Cookies and Cream Supplement Facts Serving Size: 1 level Scoop (35 grams) Servings per Container: 70 Amount Per Serving % Daily Value Protein 23 grams 46% Trans Fat 0 gr Sodium 125 Milligrams 5% Vitamin A 0 0% Iron 0 0% Cholesterol 55 Milligrams 18% Phosphorus 0 10% Total Fat 2 grams 3% Calories 130 Vitamin C 0 0% Total Carbohydrates 5 grams 2% Magnesium 0 6% Calcium 0 10% Potassium 230 Milligrams 7% Saturated Fat 1 gr 5% Sugars 2 grams Dietary Fiber 0 gram 0% Calories from Fat 20 Supplement Facts for Important Amino Acids per 100g of Protein Amount Per Serving % Daily Value Glutamine 8.4 grams Histidine 2.1 grams Tryptophan 1.9 grams Valine 6 grams Leucine 10.3 grams Lysine 8.7 grams Methionine 2.2 grams Phenylalanine 3.6 grams Threonine 6.4 grams Isoleucine 5.8 grams Arginine 2.5 grams Directions Mix one scoop of Matrix 5.0™ per 8 ounces of Water or milk.(I put it in my morning coffee) For those with lower protein needs, one half scoop may be consumed with 4 ounces of water or milk. Note the extra calories when combined with milk. Consume Matrix 5.0™ two to three times per day to satisfy your protein requirements. Remember, the best times for supplementing protein are immediately upon rising in the morning, after intense physical activity such as weight training and prior to sleep. Matrix 5.0™ mixes instantly with a spoon and tastes great... GUARANTEED! Here is the per scoop nutrition info for what I gave you in a baggy Saturday. I gave you 2 scoops of each to try. Supplement Facts - FUZZY Navel flavor Whey Protein Isolate Serving Size: 1 Scoop (~27 g) Servings per Container: ~ 36 Amount Per Serving % Daily Value Calories 90 Calories from Fat 0 Total Fat 0 gr 0% Saturated Fat 0 gr 0% Cholesterol 0 Milligrams 1% Sodium 60 Milligrams 2% Potassium 120 Milligrams 4% Total Carbohydrates 0 gr 0% Dietary Fiber 0 gr 0% Sugars 0 gr Protein 23 gr 45% Calcium 0 15% Vitamin A 0 0% Phosphorus 0 8% Vitamin C 0 0% Magnesium 0 6% Iron 0 0% Important Amino Acids Per 100 Grams of Protein 0 Arginine 2.4 gr Glutamine 7.4 gr Histidine 1.7 gr Isoleucine 6.7 gr Leucine 11.9 gr Lysine 9.7 gr Methionine 2 gr Phenylalanine 3.3 gr Threonine 7.2 gr Tryptophan 2.1 gr Valine 6.2 gr Directions Based on taste preference, mix one scoop of NectarT per 8-16 ounces of water. For those with lower protein needs, one half scoop may be consumed with 4-8 ounces of water. Consume NectarT two to three times per day to satisfy your protein requirements. Remember, the best times for supplementing protein are immediately upon rising in the morning, after intense physical activity such as weight training and prior to sleep. NectarT mixes instantly with a spoon and tastes great! Supplement Facts - Cappaccucino flavor Whey Protein Isolate Serving Size: 1 Scoop (~28 g) Servings per Container: 36 Amount Per Serving % Daily Value Calories 90 Calories from Fat 0 Total Fat 0 gr 0% Saturated Fat 0 gr 0% Cholesterol 0 Milligrams 1% Sodium 60 Milligrams 2% Potassium 120 Milligrams 4% Total Carbohydrates 0 gr 0% Dietary Fiber 0 gr 0% Sugars 0 gr Protein 23 gr 45% Calcium 0 15% Vitamin A 0 0% Phosphorus 0 8% Vitamin C 0 0% Magnesium 0 6% Iron 0 0% Important Amino Acids Per 100 Grams of Protein 0 Arginine 2.4 gr Glutamine 7.4 gr Histidine 1.7 gr Isoleucine 6.7 gr Leucine 11.9 gr Lysine 9.7 gr Methionine 2 gr Phenylalanine 3.3 gr Threonine 7.2 gr Tryptophan 2.1 gr Valine 6.2 gr Directions Based on taste preference, mix one scoop of Nectar LattesT per 8 ounces of water or milk.(I put it in my coffee) For those with lower protein needs, one half scoop may be consumed with 4 ounces of water. Consume NectarT two to three times per day to satisfy your protein requirements. Remember, the best times for supplementing protein are immediately upon rising in the morning, after intense physical activity such as weigh training and prior to sleep. NectarT mixes instantly with a spoon and tastes great!

Fenton -- very good for checking in with us and being accountable! We'll be sure to tell Santa you're being a very good boy!

I'm volunteering doing free gift wrapping at my church on Saturday Dec 13 and its to run from 12-4pm but I'm going to see if someone can cover the last hour or so and I'll scoot up to the mall so don't run off before 4pm. P.S. Anyone who desperately hates wrapping Christmas gifts, come by my church WCC on College Ave. either Saturday December 13 or Saturday December 20th for FREE gift wrapping. We have the supplies you just need to provide the items in their boxes with some basic instructions if you want anything special. We'll do kids paper versus manly for a guy, etc. if we have an idea of who its for. PM me for more info!

There is also a pretty active Dayton, OH thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f56/dayton-ohio-bandster-47343/

Hi Tess, check in on the Columbus thread or the NE 1 Banded at Mt. Carmel thread as we're an active group on this forum too.

Cross reference over to invite and information about keeping a scrapbook of your weight loss journey. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f56/n-e-1-been-banded-mt-carmel-col-oh-31225/index88.html#post1083867

For those local to the Columbus area, I'll be presenting at the January Mt. Carmel Support Group on Scrapbooking our Weight Loss Journey. This is held at Mt. Carmel West Hospital at 6pm. PM me for more details. My agenda for January 5th for my presentation is: Why I chose to do this? How to get Started Photo Albums & Photo books Scrapbooks – Traditional & Digital Using your Computer to Capture Memories Topics to Consider for Pages in your Book Also: I'm hosting a Scrapbooking party/demo for our bariatric support group but I'm inviting others outside Mt. Carmel's program to join if they'd like. Who: SpecialK is contact point, PM me through Lapbandtalk for more details and RSVPs. •What: Learn how to make a photo album or scrapbook of your weight loss journey with Traditional or Digital scrapbooking on online photobook processes. •Where: Westerville Christian Church, Room 131, 431 E. College Ave, Westerville, OH 43081 –Directions •When: January 10, 2009 10am – 2pm •What to Bring: Basic supplies – see handout or PM me to get one sent to you. &&&& BYO Healthy Snacks. Basic Supplies (examples) Photos Logos, cartoons, slogans, pictures that represent our timeline or events that marked your progress Paper, Scissors, Glue sticks, markers Album – e.g. top loading (or empty album pages) Advanced Supplies (examples) Tape runner Embellishments – stickers, chipboard design elements, ribbon, buttons, etc. Decorative scrapbooking paper Decorative cutting scissors Glue or adhesive dots Paper cutter Shape cutting tools Stamps – for decorative touches Exacto knife & cutting pad Bring Examples of Scrapbook pages if you have them or a magazine example you are interested in help recreating.

I'm with the rest of you that I've been busy with the holiday preparations already but I wanted to take a minute to share a NSV for me -- I pack away my holiday sweaters, sweatshirts, etc. from one year to the next and I found a couple 1X things and said well, maybe next year and just for grins said let's try it on and see how tight it is -- it fit! OMG! I'm wearing a 1X red sweater to work today... woo hoo!

I'm with you Fenton on probably getting close to 2000 calories on Thanksgiving by grazing and eating too much fudge and Cookies. Its all packed up now and has names on the tins and gift boxes so that ends me opening the refrigerator for a meal or Water and seeing goodies. I know, I did it to myself so I can't whine too much but I really enjoy baking and cooking. I did try something different the next day and that was the Blue Raspberry Isopure Zero Carb Protein drink in a glass bottle. It was 160 calories for 40 grams of protein. I thought it was just liquid and wouldn't keep me full but I quickly found out I couldn't find room to eat lunch 1-2 hours later with my Mom. Interesting. I am finally coming out of the closet at work about having lapband surgery but I am still pretty private about it. Surprisingly those I've now confided in are pretty cool about it. So, yes, let's respect each other's privacy if that is what we ask for. Last, Fenton -- stay connected to your support group via LBT while in Paris at least 1x per week so we can help you feel accountable. There are tons of WiFi places with free or low cost internet access. We'll be looking for you to check in.

I tried the Blue Raspberry Isopure Zero Carb protein drink in a glass bottle yesterday and it was pretty good. Thought I'd try it since others had said that for 160 calories it got them 40g of protein in. Well, interesting enough, I thought okay this is protein but its liquid and its going right through me so I'll still be hungry enough to eat a lunch about 1-1:30 with my Mom at this nice restaurant she picked out that we had not been to in a long time. Wrong -- even an hour later, I ate this tiny roll they served before our meal and then had a small roasted half chicken, rice, and baby carrots and I only got maybe 10 bites (small ones) into my meal and I was so full I couldn't stand it. Ended up in the restroom with a mini-PB episode which my Mom was not wise to...thank goodness... because she was paying. I took the other 3/4 of my meal in a take home box but really didn't want it. So, beware I guess that the Isopure protein drink really does fill you up even if you think its just liquid. I keep learning new lessons as I go along.

Check out the New York forum thread and you hopefully will find lots of people in the NYC area that have had lapband surgery. It should be under the USA Local Forum groups. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f53/

Welcome Circleville from your neighbors north in Columbus. Congratulations on your band. Come on over and check out the Ohio forum threads if you get a chance. Here's a link over to it: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f56/

I kept on traveling but had to use a seat belt extender and the whole airline flight attendants group could use some sensitivity about dealing with overweight people. I have discreetly asked for a seat belt extender only to have the flight attendant make a really big deal out of it and wait until the last second to give me one. Other times, God bless them, they were very quick in helping and discreet about giving it to me. So, yes, I kept traveling and just realized that the airplane flight would be the absolute worst part of any vacation but I tried to remember that suffering for a few hours on the flight was getting me time to enjoy other things. Second, I also took alot of tour buses and in some cases, they have hard fixed seat arms at the end of the seat that don't go up and down to help you get into a row easy and that is a real pain if you are overweight. It is a way to force 2 people into the seat without any hanging over into the aisle. Other buses, these went up and easily gave us more room to breathe. Forget about amusement park rides. I went with family and ended up babysitting all day for the little boy who was afraid of the roller coasters and I really felt I missed out on alot. Thankfully at Disney, there are plenty of choices where size isn't a restriction too.

Congratulations Barbararosa! That is amazing that you were on your way so fast! Best wishes during the Full Liquids stage, then you'll be so "thankful" for mushies!

Nope the endocrinologist doc not our bariatric surgeon group.

I'm trying to remember that I didn't GAIN this weight faster than 1-2 lbs a week (on average) over 2 years = 150+ lbs and so losing it now at that pace should be "normal" but of course we all want this weight off instantly! Oh where Oh where is my fairy godmother when I need a wish granted! Maybe I'll hold out hope that if I go see Santa or write him a letter and tell him I've been a very good girl this year, I'll get my Christmas wish to hit 90 lbs by January 1st!

Yes I also went to a doctor today and he is thrilled about my 77 lbs so far and said at the one year point, that I'd hit about max amount lost and I immediately came back at him with well, I'm going to prove you wrong on that and I know alot of other lapband patients that are blazing along and dumping that statistic in the dust. Come on Shrinking Shamrocks, let's show the medical community out there what we really can do when we set our minds to it... and set our forks down too!