Apples2

Me and my band LOVE popcorn. I am careful about the amount of calories and would not eat the theater popcorn. I treat myself to one 100cal bag every night. I pop one for myself, DH and black lab.

You can be a quadruple friend if that works for you! No resolution to lose weight this coming year. After 15 years of trying!

OOPS...forgot to add to my plan for 2009. I plan to not forget the encouragement that I have gotten from all my friends here at LBT and especially my 50's friends, I am here to help friends and June 2008 friends. Love ya all and hope to get to know you even better in 2009!

Orea....what a great post. For me, 2008 was one of the greatest years of my life but also the most stressful. Waiting to get accepted by ins. company for surgery, dieting b/4 surgery and making sure I stuck to it, having another surgery shortly after are some of the stressful points. But, positives hugely outweigh the stress of it all. I FEEL SO WONDERFUL. I can outrun an 18 yr old, I sleep laying down without choking, my body does not hurt all over, my bad knees and ankles have healed and NEVER hurt, I am no longer a "furnace" 24/7, I hit goal and then some, I can go into a store and pick a size 6 off the rack and know it will fit...sometimes a size 4 (I am very small boned), and best of all...I am so happy...that cloud of obesity has lifted. My goal for 2009 is to remain active, happy and healthy. I do some form of exercise each day in my home (15 miles to gym) and am faithful about it. I plan to NEVER forget where I have been and how I got to the place I am now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Long...we will be taking the lap top to FL. Bought it for DH a couple of weeks ago. It was actually a self-indulgent gift. Bought it so he would keep his butt away from MY desk. Now he can sit in recliner and surf. Disappointing that we might not meet but understand. Aren't those shopping deals (especially on clothes) great? Got some Laura Ashley long sleeve T's for $11 and Laura Ashley jackets for little or nothing. I love a good deal. Have only been in a Kohls store a couple of times. I would love a good deal on summer clothes right now. I took a guess last summer and bought some clearance. Knew I would need them for our trip. Bought mediums and could have used small but will make them work. Just bought capris and tshirts. Jeans, khakis, etc. are the correct size. Hope you can go on your cruise. Would be a great trip. I don't think cruises are my thing even though I love them. Last one we did...I ended up with virdigo for close to a year. Flat in bed for 2 weeks when it first hit me a week after we got home. DH was on a farm trip and was left to fend for me and the dog. Not pretty. Still have not ventured out on the icy roads. Arm is a killer. Typing with mostly left hand. Just don't want to risk further injury on the roads. Drove 60 miles yesterday on ice.

Flowers...you're never going to be the only one struggling from time to time. We are all going to be going through that for a lifetime with our bands. Just have to tell yourself that's it and no more "one more times"! I'm a believer that you still have to treat yourself once in awhile though. I did all throughout the weight loss process. A couple times a week I would allow something "naughty" in my diet. (Wrong word choice....there is no food that should be thought of as naughty). It is usually some kind of snack food...not attracted to sweets except for chocolate with coffee. I pretend. I eat my Viative chocolates and caramels (3 per day) with my coffee. They are actually very good.

I eat pretty much all of the above that others have mentioned. Just wanted to throw in a suggestion for when you are on the run and need a quick meal. I carry Pure Protein bars (Walmart) and beef jerky in my purse. 20gr of protein in the bars and 25g with the beef jerky. The jerky keeps me full for up to 4-5 hours. Protein bars for about 3 hours but really does give you what you need on the run.

Yep...would really suck to have a cast on this arm and with our trip coming up. We leave Jan 13 and come back Feb 16. Wish we would have stuck to the original plan of 2 months in FL. Will just have to take a trip end of Feb or March to somewhere warm. Hey Long...speaking of FL...are you still planning on being with your folks in FL during the time we are down there? Would absolutely love to meet you. Let me know if the above dates work for you. We decided to use our airline miles and fly instead of driving. We love to fly but thought it might be fun to road trip...next year. We have been looking for a little Toyota mini. Would most likely just be used for our trip in the winter to get us to our destination. We figure that our dog would be more comfy in the motorhome. Hope we can find one b/4 next winter. They all seem to be in FL and CA. I was able to jockey and get First Class round trip tickets for no extra points. I only had to whine a little! LOL

Hey Long...I KNOW we are mostly over 50....are you trying to send us a message with that HUGE print? LOL

LOL...Just booked with so much Christmas stuff...gone from early morning till late night. Most of our nights in the last week have been about 1pm getting to bed. It's all so nice though. I hear you on the sugar hangover, Janet. Have never been much of a sweet eater but decided that I would try out every treat...made me feel icky. :hurray:

Good Morning Kids!!!! Been MIA the last couple of days. Had a nice Christmas with DH's family and friends. I have no family but fill my life up with very supportive and loving friends. First off...Mimi....so sorry to hear that you lost your father. Sending hugs your way. Take care and take some time for yourself. We've had one thing after the other going on the last three weeks. So many nice parties and seeing people that I have not seen since last year. Would get the jaw dropping look when I would walk in the door. Most of my friends I have had for 30 years or more have made comments like: It's nice to have the old you back and looking healthy. #1 reason for doing this was health. Want to be around to spend retirement with DH....hopefully there will be some grand babies thrown in there too. My boys better get busy! One of the best things with Christmas celebrations is the children. We have a lot of great nieces and nephews and it so much fun when we get together with them. DH and I decided that this year we would not do the gifts under the tree and in the stocking thing. We were just going to buy each other a Garmin GPS and that was it. Well, he was naughty. I had a new diamond ring under the tree and a new DVD player for our lake place (the other one died) Am not complaining...just felt bad I had nothing for him. Janet...great Christmas photo!!!! In my life I have never hit the stores the day after Christmas. I ventured out this year. Wanted to get in on some of the good clothes deals and the Christmas cash was burning a hole in my pockets. I got some great stuff for very little. $13.97 for a cute dark green hooded suede coat, 2 jean jackets, a $299 suit for $45...some tops to go with jeans, etc. All of it loves being in my closets. Cold, icy day here today. DH is already napping in recliner with 100# lab on his lap. I need to head to town to get arm exrayed. Fell down the steps and think I might have cracked a bone in my arm. Rear should have been broken also but somehow it's OK. Going to wait a bit to see if the ice melts off the roads some. Not worth the risk of driving 15 miles on ice. You all have a great day. Stay warm.....especially Phyll and Janet who are not used to cold weather.

Hey Blklab...welcome to our group. You hit the nail on the head...you will find all kinds of support and friendship with these ladies. Happy to hear that you feel comfortable with your surgeon. That's very important. I LOVE (not literally) my doc. He has been so wonderful throughout this entire process. I wish you luck on your lapband journey. Live by what your doctor wishes for you to do and you should have a successful experience. Black Lab lover, huh????????? Same at our house. I have a 100# black lab laying in the recliner right on top of my DH as I post this message! Again, welcome!:thumbup:

That was such a cute greeting, Phyll...thanks...

Welcome to band land, Mary. You will get through these first stages and things will fall into place for you. Never be afraid to ask a question...we've all been where you are at. Merry Christmas!

Message to all of my "50's" girls....Wishing you the best holidays ever. Love ya all! Enjoy family and friends. Enjoy your newfound "inner peace" that our bands have given us! Never forget what it took for us to get to this place! Peace and joy to all. Karen

Miralax is mentioned on LBT quite a bit and seems to work for quite a few. It just seems a bit harsh for my system. I used to put it in my morning coffee a couple of times a weeks. No taste and didn't mind taking it. I get gaggy on most things like that. Bottle states that it usually works in 2-3 days. For me it would hit in three days and I wouldn't DARE be more than 20' from the nearest bathroom! It's worth a try. Miserable being blocked up. In the last two months I have switched to eating a couple handfuls of any kind of Fiber One Cereal. Works for me. Now I am in the same routine as b/4 surgery. Well worth trying different things to see what works for YOU. Life is good. Love this time of the year. Only thing that could be better is if youngest DS could make it home. But we will deal. I just don't want him to be lonesome on Christmas. His girlfriend (live in sweetheart) flew back home and will spend time with her family and ours. At least we can spend some time with her. No daughters for us but if I had the chance to hand pick one...she'd be the one. I know the next couple of days will be extremely busy for all of us and just want to let you guys know (everyone of you) that I feel as if I have friends in all of you. Have the best holidays ever. Appreciate the ones around you and feel blessed that you have had the opportunity to have the second chance that our lap bands have provided. No, the second chance you have given yourself by choosing to do the lap band. Peace. Karen

For the last two months (give or take a few) I have been putting quite a few extra Snacks in a day. Have been sampling some of the Christmas baking and goodies. My DH thinks that I will be one that will require at least 1800 cals a day. I'm thinking that too. No need to worry and thanks for the encouragement. Just need to figure out my base calories and go from there.

I just wanna cry!!!!:smile:

Hockeyson...so sorry to hear of yet another puppa that is sick. Thinking of you and hope she does well!

Thanks for the response, Janet. It's the same thing my DH says...my body will find the weight it should be at. I really don't think I could get any sort of an unfill without being hungry all the time. I just need to find what I need for fuel to keep my body weight where it should be. Was just shocked that I was down another 5#. Thought I was getting enough calories. I also think I am being too "healthy" in my eating and need to throw something rich into my daily menu at least once a day. A year from now I will be wishing I had the same problem!

Sent expedited positive wishes. Should be delivered by Dec. 24!!!!!!!!!!!:smile:

PJ, will be thinking of you today. Never easy to go through what you are with your puppa. We love our baby and cannot imagine what you are going through. "Hugs"

Nice to hear from you, JoAnne...sounds like you are doing good and that the band is working for you. Wish I was your daughter in law. I love quilted wall hangings. I collect quilts (do not make them though). I have a friend that does quilting and I love each one that comes out of her shop. Pretty much ready for Christmas at our house. Floors are all scrubbed, gifts are wrapped, plans are all made. Just have some baking to do which I thoroughly enjoy. Have everything planned out to bake tomorrow. Have one last day of volunteering at hospital on Tuesday and will not go back to the job until about March 1. The only way this Christmas could be better would be if our youngest son (25) could be home. He just started a new job in Atlanta a few weeks ago and just didn't work out for him. He is starting up a flight school from the ground and also flies charters. Will see him sometime in Jan. so at least we have that to look forward to. Happy to hear that you and DH are doing better with Abbie's passing. It's never easy but lucky you have Jack to keep you occupied. Hey everyone...this thread has been very quite all weekend. Hope you are all doing well. Our blizzard finally let up after two days. Snow plows went by not too long ago. Snow predicted again on Tuesday. Don't really mind it...just want everyone to get to their Christmas destinations safely. Have a good night and sleep tight!!!!

Oh no, CharleneK, we would never stoop to the level of calling "you all" CRAZY....just plain NUTS!!!!!!!LOL

All right, Katies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let the new cycle begin!!!!!:tounge_smile: