Apples2

I am 5'7" and weighed 242#. Wore a 3X top and 18-20 slacks. I am now 135# and wear a medium top and size 6 jeans. Took me awhile to move down a size when I first started losing. I think it was around 30# when I finally moved to a 2X top.

Beckyo...I'll be heading up to Brainard in a short while for some training for the volunteer work I do. I think we will be staying at Cragan's Resort. I love that area. We took our kids to Gull Lake camping quite a bit. Had out state bowling tournament there a couple of years ago. My boys spent a lot of time up that way when they had to go to Camp Ripley. Are you originally from MN?

Long...try not to worry about the email or the scale. We all go up and down just within a few days. It will come back. That is the reason I only weigh when I have my doc appts once a month. I would obsess otherwise. Sorry that person took your email wrong (or was she just waiting to pounce?). WELCOME BACK, CATHYCHATTS!!!!!!! With all that painting you are doing, the next time you recarpet your rooms you will find the carpet area smaller! Happy to hear you are doing well and feeling good. Gotta love that remodeling? We do a little every year and think we are about done. It's to the point where we just love our house. When we moved in 21 yrs ago...it was UGLY!!!!!!!!!! Only 5 yrs old and the persons that lived here beat the heck out of it. We finally have gotten it to where we want it. Now we can sit back and enjoy. Hope everyone had a good day. Did anyone else go through withdrawl not having LBT? Did have much time to sit at the computer anyway but every time I checked it was down. Well, time to do the LA and New York Times crosswords. It's an every night thing with me. Cannot live without it.

I will have to say that I have a lot of great memories of winters her in MN. It's just that the older I get, the longer the winters seem. You know what I am talking about. Gets cold mid Oct and does not warm up till at least April (sometimes May). I lived on my skates when I was younger. Lived across from a lake. Also had a sled hill in our yard. Spent hours outside building forts, etc. The cold never got to me then! Maybe there will be a time when you can come visit and spend some time on the farm. You would be more than welcome!

Thanks to both of you for taking the time to answer. It will put my mind at ease until I retake the test. I figured the ketosis was due to the high protein/little carbs diet. I am not diabetic and don't worry about that. As far as the bilirubin, I was surprised. My liver tests were also slightly elevated at the time with an ALT of 89 and AST of 78. Could that have something to do with it?

Had a urine test b/4 a hernia surgery a few weeks ago. Got a call from my doc today stating that the test was abnormal with ketones and some bilirubin in the urine. Is there anyone out there that can explain to me how this happens? I plan on going in the next couple of days for a retest. Could it be the fact that I am eating mostly protein (and fruit and veggies) and that's why? I am worried and would appreciate some insight on this. Thanks

There you are, JoannMarie! Can't quite see you being a LURKER. I bet you cannot wait for your surgery date. Will be nice to get it all behind you, a couple months out and on your way! Pretty flat where we live in MN. The winds whip across the plains pretty much every day. We can see for miles where we live. Looking forward to our time in FL this winter and out of the cold. The older I get the worse winters seem. I do like our the change of seasons we have though. It's going to be a very long fall for us since we have yet to start corn harvest. We will be combining in the snow.

We had snow here in MN yesterday. 2.5 inches. Met another couple for dinner and on our way there we could see where a couple of cars slid into the ditch. Too early for that stuff. I, too, have lost my insulation but just dress warmer. Bought some Woolrich vests that I wear around home to keep me warm. But then the hotflashes hit and I throw it off. I'd rather be too cool than too warm. You are right, Long. This thread has been very slow and we are missing some of our key people. Hope everyone is back and talking soon. I surely miss Janet. We have heard nothing from CathyChatts for quite some time. I miss her. Also, missing JoAnnMarie. Where the heck are you, lady?????????????????? Had a good day. Volunteered at the hospital. Helped DH fuel up machinery in field, gave rides to different fields, etc. Sitting here waiting for the other half of the guys to come and eat. Could be a few hours. That's life on the farm! I have been in a bit of a panic the last week. Upping my calories and hoping to find the right amount I need for maintenance. My doc says 1/2 cup 3xdaily without snacks. Well, that's just not going to work for me. Cannot get enough calories in with those small meals. Trying to incorporate 2 high protein snacks a day that stay within the 1/2 cup portion. I guess this is my body and cannot see what it can hurt to throw a healthy snack or two in to get the caloric intake I need. Now, if I start to really gain, I will back off on the snacks. Never worried too much while I was losing but I really worry now about maintaining. Weird, huh? I will figure it out but know it will take some time. Hope everyone had a good day and wishing you a great evening!

I'm close to 53yrs old so I went with a charcoal liner and a thin line. Most give you a free touch up if you are not satisfied with the outcome. I did my touch up but did not go darker, just a touch thicker on the top. After I posted I was hoping you didn't think that I felt you NEEDED it. Just suggested as a convenience.

I lost 54# b/4 surgery. Had BCBS. They took my weight of initial visit with surgeon.

Hit goal a few weeks ago. Really struggling with switching up my diet to maintenance. My doc says 1/2 cup 3x daily...no Snacks. That just isn't going to work with me. I stuck to that plan during weight loss but I just feel like I won't get enough calories in to maintain. I guess the way I feel about the only 3xdaily plan is: it's my body and if I can maintain my weight and still have snacks besides my meals, I will introduce at least one if not two snacks throughout the day (snacks staying within the 1/2 cup amount). Just wanted to start a thread to ask persons that are now maintaining their weight to give me a view of what your daily nutrition plan is. Thanks in advance for the the time taken to help.

JJ. Just saw your b/4 and after. Amazing. You are so pretty. I LOVE your cheeks. Just a thought for you...permanent makeup is an option if you would just as soon not put it on every day. I had my upper and lower eyeliner done and also had eyelash extensions for under $500. I do wear foundation once in awhile. I have a job where I sometimes need to jump out of bed and be a certain place in a very short period of time. Love just throwing on some clothes, running a brush through my hair and heading out!

Becky...what a nice momma to plan such a great meal for your daughter. Have fun celebrating and enjoy those smashed taters!!!!!!!

Hope you thoroughly enjoy it! Keep us posted on what you will be doing. I love my volunteer jobs...3 days a week at a hospital and the other days filled with my Family Readiness Group leadership position. They both keep me going.

Long...what will you doing as a volunteer??????????? Interested to know.

OMG...that would be great. We are leaving home around Jan 1 and taking 2 weeks to get down there (going to do lots of fun stuff on the way down. Have museums, etc. chosen to stop and see). We rented a cabin in the Ocala National Forest from 1/15/08 through 2/15/08. Would absolutely love to meet up with you! We'll talk about it the closer the time gets. Wow...how exciting!

Congrats on the great NSV, Katies. I bet you felt 20 yrs younger on you vacation. We spend a lot of time in FL but have never been to the Keys. Plan on putting some time at the Keys in Jan or Feb. We have a son that can fly us there and pick us up again so we don't have to do the drive from Ocala. Would love to parasail but not sure if I should. Did the sling shot a couple of years ago while in FL (shot me 360' in the air) and had trouble with verdigo after that for about 9 months.

Janet, makes me happy to see you back on the forum. Nothing I can say except I've been thinking of you at this terrible time and just know you have so many people here that care for you. Peace.

Congrats on the 50# milestone. I bet you feel wonderful. Hate getting stuck. It's only happened twice and HURT for about an hour. I have never taken anything to get unstuck. I just ride it out. It's a great reminder to chew and eat slowly:blush:

Hi everyone. Been so busy with volunteer jobs that I have not been home very much. Losing...hang in there. You've had a couple of tough weeks emotionally and you will handle things just fine. I had extreme issues with my parents (sexual abuse) and it took me years to LEARN how to put a blank tape into my brain when those things surfaced in my head. I know that there was a lot of anticipation for you b/4 your parents visit, the long visit, etc. Don't let yourself backslide. You have been so successful and such an upbeat person (and I include all my 50's friends in that) to all of us here. Just thank God that you got through the visit, lost weight in the process and not anything tooooooo negative came out of it. Isn't it just fun to shop? I haven't done it for years except for Lane Bryant tops and elastic waist jeans. To everyone else.....love ya all! Gotta go to a National Guards meeting and will talk to you all later. Phyll....just want to thank you for your words of wisdom and stepping up to the plate with Janet gone. You have great advice...I guess it's "tried and true" since you have quite a bit more experience than most of us here.

I can tell you right off the bat that it was not easy but once I got used to the idea I was not going to screw up yet another diet, it got easier. I started out by eating 1000 cals. a day and each week I would cut back 100 cals. until I was eating 600-700 cals. a day. (This was approved by my doc.). I just made sure I was not eating any empty calories and that I got plenty of Protein, fruits and veggies. Nothing else went in my mouth except for that. I don't know if this made a difference or not but I ate a can of spinach each day and took 2 Flintstone gummy Vitamins. There were days when I was sooooooooooooo hungry but I tried to take my mind off of it by walking, taking a bath, calling a friend and what really helped was drinking a warm drink (tea, coffee, low cal. hot chocolate (25 cal). All I knew was that I was determined to not break my pattern and get my head wrapped around what I was up against once I got my band. I wanted to be prepared for that. Did not want to have the feeling after surgery that the rug was yanked out from under me. I know a few people who had band surgery and went through a period of grieving and had a hard time adjusting. You are welcome to PM me any time and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Our friends do not always understand what we are going through. That's why it is so nice to have friends here that are in different stages of this process. This is a huge commitment and it's a lot easier going into it if you have the mind set that it IS going to be work but it's all worth it. I wish you loads of luck as you set out on this journey.:tongue2:

Thanks...feels good but know that I will still have to be very careful for years to come to stay where I want to be.

Long...I have had a few pelvic ultrasounds and they just told me to come in with a full bladder. I'm not sure if I could get down that much liquid anymore, especially with the band. I think I would make a call to my band dr. and ask him the question just to be sure. One thing I have noticed since being banded is that my general practitioner has no clue about anything to do with the band. If I mention anything about it he sits there with the blankest look on his face. I do know that in the future I will always check with my band dr. b/4 any questionable treatment.

Forgot to add. I think people react differently when it comes to surgery. 15 yrs ago, at the age of 38, I had gallbladder surgery and because of complications I ended up in the hospital for over a month. My hair turned completely white during that time period. I went right from the hospital to the beauty salon for a good dye job.

No hair loss for me. Have been banded for 4 months and started the weight loss process last Nov. I do make sure I get the required protien each day and take Biotin and vitamin E each day. Not sure if it helps or not but take it just in case.