Apples2

Hi Northern Lady, What part of MN are you from? Don't worry if you do not want to say. I'm from West Central MN. Have my last visit to surgeon (had to do six mo. supervised diet) on Tuesday and then will send paperwork to BCBS for approval. Sounds like you are doing great. Always nice to meet another from MN> Karen

Thank you for the kind words in your photo comment. I FEEL wonderful. Gotta say....best thing I have ever done for myself. 54 yr old and feel like I could keep up with a teenager.

Thanks for the positive photo comments, Jodi. It's been an amazing life change. I feel like me again. I did not start gaining the weight till I hit about 40 yrs old. I knew what it was like to be fit and healthy cuz I was during my 20's and 30's. Just happy to be back here again. Good luck to you on your journey to a happier healthier life!

Feather...thanks for the compliment on my photo. Surprising how weight loss can change a person's entire outlook on life. Best thing I have ever done for myself. Good luck to you on your weight loss journey!

Hey Armygirl...you are doing quite well. Hang in there....you'll be at goal b/4 you know it. I did not have a structured exercise plan. We live on a farm and staying active is just what we do. I just always made sure I was on the move and watched everything I put in my mouth.

Thank you for the compliments and good luck to you!

Thanks so much for the compliment. It's been a good couple of years but not without a lot of hard work. All worth it though. You look great. Wishing you luck!

Thanks for the compliment. Feel pretty good for a 54yr old. In fact, I have the energy of a teenager. Best thing I ever did. Good luck to you!

Heidi...sorry for the delayed response....thanks for the compliment. Best thing I have ever done for myslef. I feel wonderful. Just turned 54 a few days ago and feel as if I could run circles around any 19 yr old!

Thank you for the kind words. I will definately accept your friend request. You are doing great! You will be at your goal b/4 you know it. Keep up the good work.....If you ever want to talk, PM or email me and we will stay in contact. I'm on a thread that I love..."I'm here to help" ...it's in the mentor section and started by Indiogirl. There are so many nice people on that thread and so willing to answer your questions, visit about real life, just a little bit of everything and so willing to accept new people. Come joing us! Take care and wishing you continued success!

Thanks for the compliment on my photos. I do totally feel like a different person. More energy than a teenager at my old age of 54. Wishing you the best!

Hey Jackie....got your message. Thanks for the compliment of my b/4 and after. Checked out yours in your album. You are doing so great. What a beautiful girl you are. Congrats! Don't we just feel fantastic?

Hey Lindsay...thanks for the pic comments.

I was banded June, 2008. I started eating like a banded person 8 months b/4 surgery and lost 54lbs. I reached goal Oct, 2008. I am a believer in just moving at least 30 minutes a day. Treadmill, walking, weights. Wishing you luck! PM or email me anytime.

Hey Cindylou...wow...looks like you are at goal. Your avatar photo looks great. Got your friend request and happily accepted. I see you are from GA...my 27yr old son just moved back to MN from Covington.

Thanks for the photo comment, Dawn. You are looking pretty good yourself. Isn't it amazing how good a person can feel? I feel like I am making up for the years of feeling exhausted because of my extra weight. I've been so lucky...no complications and I can actually eat without many restrictions. Again, thanks!

Kerry, just sending a message wishing you good luck tomorrow and a easy transition into band life. Make a pact with yourself to follow all the band rules. You can then look forward to a new you. God Bless. Karen

Jewel...thanks for the photo compliment. This journey has not been without some work and it continues on a daily basis.

Here's wishing you luck in convincing your DH and in-laws that the band is for you! Take care and continue to stick up for yourself and do for YOU want needs to be done!

Hey...thanks for the compliment on my photos. Nope, don't plan on losing any more. Medical problem caused me to lose more than I wanted to but I am still within a healthy range and normal BMI so no worries.

Good luck to you!

Hey Speck....sent you a PM, came back here and looked at your profile. Just had to comment.....I LOVE TJMAXX. I could live there. Great deals on name brand. I never walk out without something.

I see you live in GA. I have a son in Covington. Close to there at all???? Only say if you want to. Son is 26. Moved there from Daytona Beach a year ago. He is a flight instructor and started up his own flight school. Struggle but he's working hard to get it up and going.

Keep up the good work, and, as I said in my PM, contact me anytime if you need support. Karen

You're looking good, Heidi and doing great on the weightloss. You'll be at goal b/4 you know it. Keep focusing on the final result and try not to get too discouraged if you hit a plateau. It tends to happen as we lose more. It will break and you will continue to lose. Just keep up what you are doing even if you don't lose for a bit. Take care and have a wonderful holidays.

Judy..thanks for the photo compliment. Yes, I feel wonderful and more like a 19 yr old than 54. It's ME time and going to live life to the fullest. Give yourself a year and you will be in the same boat. Love your posts on our thread. Look forward to following you! Take care, Karen

Thanks for the kind words. I have been at goal since Oct 15, 2008. Maintenance has been a breeze for me. But, I worked REALLY hard at the weightloss stage and it was well worth it. Good luck to you!

Hey Janet. I have name address if you want to send Mrs. Bubba a card. You can also go on hospital website and send an ecard.

Julie Rader

St. Alexius Hospital

900 East Broadway Ave.

Bismark, ND 58501

Karen

Charlene..here's a couple of my recipes:

Banana Bars

3 large bananas, mashed

3 large eggs

1 cup Splenda

1/2 cup honey

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup I Can't Believe It's not butter

1 cup white flour

1 1/2 cut whole wheat flour

1 tsp vanilla

Bake in jelly roll pan for approximately 25 minutes. Done if they spring back in middle when touched.

Frosting:

1 8 oz 1/3 fat cream cheese

2 cups Slenda

Blend with mixer until nice and smooth. Spread on cooled bars.

Blueberry muffins:

1 1/2 old-fashioned oats

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/3 cup packed Splenda brown sugar

1 Tbls baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup skim milk

1/4 cup I can't believe it's not butter

1/4 cup honey

1-2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

Bake muffins at 400 for 15-18 minutes

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Laurie...good going on getting banded and also on your weightloss. Keep on following the band rules and you will be at goal b/4 you know it.

Sorry for the delay in replying....at the lake most of the summer...only home two days a week.

If you send me your email address, I will send you b/4 and after photos. I don't post my photos on LBT.

Stay in touch and if you have any questions, just let me know! Karen

Yep, Allie....you PM'd me but you didn't leave me you email address so I can send you that photo...PM one more time and just write your email address and I will send photo right away. Karen