Lori_K

Well, so far so good! If I didn't have such a big chocolate craving, it'd be easier, lol. Well wait . . . I did have a glass of wine yesterday (just one!) ... does that count as junk? I know it's empty calories, but I think life just requires a glass of wine every now and then! :tongue2:

Agree with the sugary treats! How do we make cake get stuck? :confused: (no I'm not eating any!) The Daily Plate is a great site! It's much more comprehensive than FitDay. I still use FitDay, but will sometimes look foods up in The Daily Plate to get calorie counts and such. Yep, I still count calories - sometimes more loosely, but right now I really want to get the rest of the weight off, so I'm being very careful. And agree again StLouisGal - we need to keep moving! It's so nice to see all the posts here, it's lovely that we have our support group thriving still. It would be nice to see more of the VV gang too! :smile: Thanks for this StLouisGal! :thumbup: Both the ginger peach and the Chai white tea sound VERY yummy. I'll be looking for these! I like this! :biggrin::mad2: I wish I could write more, but I'm off to get busy stuff done. Have a great day everyone, and just keep swimming! June is NO JUNK Month! :w00t:

Wow . . . white tea? I've never heard of this before! I love learning something new. I drink green tea right now. Can you get the white tea in any grocery store, or is it a specialty thing? And congratz on sticking to plan! I did good yesterday too, jogged two miles on my treadmill (gotta work back up to 3!) and stayed on plan - I had a chocolate craving, and almost took a drink of chocolate soy milk (that we keep for my son) - then I remembered my promise here in the forum, and I put it back! Dang that was hard, but I did it. These posts do help! Big thanks to everyone! :ack2: I can relate to missing weeks of exercise, it's hard to get started again. I missed a lot when my IBS was acting up, I was just too exhausted. I was doing doing 5K (3.1 miles) on my treadmill, now I'm down to 2 miles. But I'm back on plan now, and back up on the treadmill and working. Whenever it decides to stop raining around here, I'm gonna get back outside on my bike. It's good to hear from you Nicole, hang in there! Perhaps once you get that tiny unfill you can start going back to Curves again - even if once or twice a week. It's good to start back slowly. :frown: Let us know how you do! I so wish I could run like they do! I'm almost to goal, and I still can't run like that. Jog perhaps, but not run. Maybe once I hit the 100 pound weight loss mark, I'll try and get my weight a little lower. Not much though, I already feel like I'm in someone else's skin. WTG Shiny and Angie! :welldone2: Oy, amen to that! I get bewildered myself, so many things are different between doctors, from diets to weight loss. I completely trust my surgeon though, and I think everyone should listen to their own doctor (of course). But I do know where you're coming from! The heights/weight/dress sizes are so different. I guess it shows how individual we all really are. And just as frustrating - clothes sizes in stores! I can wear a size 10/12 from some designers, others I need a 14/16 (I HATE it when that happens). I like shopping, but even after losing so much weight, it's still frustrating, especially when I'm also "petite". Still, it is nice having so many more choices! I'm no longer limited to those plus size stores. :thumbup: Good luck on your business trip Tap! 7 days of meetings does not sound fun. I don't know where you are staying, but if a hotel, maybe they will have a fitness center? Or even a pool - after sitting in a meeting all day, a nice swim would be refreshing and help you sleep better. Just suggestions! I do the same thing when I know I'll be faced with a difficult day or week - try to stay on plan the week before and after. Then just enjoy yourself (in moderation :clap:) the week you are away.

It sounds like your clinic is doing the same thing - when you get the %fat, bone density, etc, they do a scan (like an x-ray or CT scan) of your body, right? I think it's more accurately called a Body Composition Scan. It measures the ratio of lean body mass to fat body mass (as well as other diagnostics, like bone density). It more accurate than the scale or BMI. I was told that my percentage should be below 35% - and at 167 pounds, I was at 35%. Since I weigh less now, I'm not sure what my percentage is. Maybe I'll have another scan done. No swimming behind! :wink: swim alongside, I need your company!!! :smile: True, I did have fun, but just feel so bad for so many days of fun, lol . . . I could have celebrated without shoving so much carb junk in. Ah well. I did have to eat some of the cake my niece made! I'll dig out my camera and get a picture up. You are right, an all new start begins today, Monday of a new week and a new month! Back on track! Thanks for this Tap, I needed to remember it! When I started this journey, that was my mindset. I need it back now! June is no junk month! lol :w00t:

I like this, great idea! :party: My goal is no junk food for the entire month of June (I've had enough already in the past month!). No ice cream, no cake, no chips, no pretzels, etc. I've had a major carb craving lately, so it's good to be accountable here. Today's day one! :thumbup:

Awww, Ezma ((((Big Warm Hugs)))) to you. Please don't worry about "self-pity", I think after all you've been through, you're entitled to some! Those ups and downs are a part of healing. I'm glad you came here for some support. I didn't know your husband of course, but somehow I don't think he would be "mad at you", but instead be understanding and compassionate. And you should be proud for the exercise you are doing! Just take small steps like that every day, and be proud of them, concentrate on the good things you are doing right now. You have so much more strength than I would ever have. The anti-depressants are a good thing, I hope they will help lift you up and out of the times you are feeling down. Plus having girlfriends who care to chat with! You will succeed! :smile: Thanks for your excellent post for all those wonderful drinks! Complete with pictures even :cool: I'm gonna print those, I could really use them. Lower calorie foods and drinks for celebrating are something I need to learn

Melissa, I think your second picture looks great! I can't see sagging, your face is thinner, but you look beautiful to me. You are truly an inspiration too!

Angie, your time for 5k is awesome! Congratz to you! I wish I could do 5K so fast. Please don't worry about the other runners! At least you're out there running! That's what is important. In my book, that makes you the biggest winner! Just my humble advice I admire you for doing those 5K runs!

Well, I'm no longer "Rhapsody", I decided to change my name to the "real thing", lol. I (usually) only post in this forum, and I feel all the ladies here are such good friends, I'd like to be known as just Lori :cool: I will be keeping my motto, "just keep swimming!" I've been a bad girl again, this weekend I went back up those two dreaded ponds. I honestly have to learn to control my eating at parties, but the dang cake and ice cream look so good! Not to mention chip and dip, plus too much wine. Loads of empty calories there! So I'm back on some serious plan this week - I need to kick those two pounds to the curb for good. let's keep swimming all!

Thanks so much LilMiss! :smile: As for a secret . . . uh, well, you have it right, lol! :wink: I think the one thing that has really helped me is working closely with a dietitian all this time, she's really helped me change my eating habits. Just curious . . . what do the slim shots do???? Wow! You've got some major exercise going! Lots of different things. I use my treadmill and now riding my bike outdoors, but I find the treadmill still gives the best workout. When I ride my bike, I usually have to do it for a long time if I even want to break a sweat. I wish I could get another piece of exercise equipment . . . but really can't afford it with today's economy. Yes, the small fill is the way to go! I've always been real sensitive with the fills, I get heartburn and reflux if the band gets too tight. I'm hoping my surgeon will give me just a quarter of a cc . . . I'll havta wait and see what he says. I get the feeling he doesn't want me to lose much more - my body scan says my weight should be around 167. Blah. The body scan doesn't know a thing about women's sizes, LOL! I'm still about a size 12, I'd like to get comfortably into a size 10. I'm not too far away from it. As for the critters being cute . . . I love animals, so I guess they are! :wink: But they are not so cute when the woodchucks dig holes, the bunnies eat my flowers (the woodchucks do too), and the skunks stink up the place. The raccoons visit at night, now they ARE cute. They sometimes poke thier noses up against our doorwall . . . and it's always sweet when you see a line of babies. We had deer in our front yard this Spring, but I haven't seen any since. The woods are shrinking, lot of new homes going up all around. It is nice with the woods and such . . . but it's SO much work, and so many leaves in the Fall. Hubby and I are getting old(er) lol :smile: I sometimes wish I had just a small yard to care for. Mow the yard, plant some flowers, pull a few weeds, and be done! StLouisGal - planting in pots and taking them inside sounds like a good idea! I've often wanted to do container gardening. Then I could put it on our patio where the sun is (and hope the critters stay away). And I agree - working in the yard is a great way to get out of the house. I love being outside and planting. :smile: Angie - good luck with your 5k! You are awesome girl! Keep up the good work :thumbup: Have a great weekend all :smile: I'll be back on Monday! (((warm hugs)))

Aww, thanks Tap! It's ok belated or not, I appreciate the thought. :w00t: You're such a sweetheart! Hugs! Yesterday, I did great all day with staying on plan, eating the right foods and 30 minutes of jogging on the treadmill - then I trashed it completely by having a major snack attack later that evening. I really wanted something sweet! Luckily we don't keep much in the house like that, but I still found some protein bars and some chocolate covered pretzels. (SIGH). :thumbup: I think I need a fill - I can eat too much. The last time I saw my surgeon he didn't want to give me a fill, because I had lost 9 pounds in 6 six weeks. I hope my next appointment (in two weeks) I can get a small fill. I am struggling just to maintain right now. StLouisGal, it sounds like you've been having some fun traveling! A mountain hike sounds wonderful. Enjoy! I also wish I could grow a garden like that - fresh veggies sound so good. We have lots of woods and trees around our house there's almost no sunlight, plus so many critters, I'd end up just feeding them, lol. Let us know how your mountain hikes go! Have a great time :wub:

Wow, CONGRATZ on this LilMiss! :thumbup: I hope you get the promotion that you desire! All my best to you! :wub: It's great to see you here on the forum too! Not much exciting news from me, I'm just "paying the piper" :cry_smile: as Tap accurately put it, lol! I am staying on plan, and have managed to get my weight back to 156. Not my lowest of 155, but I'll get there. Only a few more pounds to goal, and I think they are gonna be a major pain to get rid of. Especially with so many celebrations in May & June. I'm gonna enjoy them though! Then back to plan and keep on swimming!

I hope everyone had or is having a great Memorial Day weekend! I had a fabulous weekend myself, got to shop for some new clothes for a birthday present (what I wanted and needed), and got some really nice stuff. It's so wonderful having a choice in clothing, instead of grabbing whatever fits in the plus sizes. :tongue: Then I had fun at a couple family barbecues and parties, and again, ate too much (or at least the wrong foods). I'm up and down the same two pounds, at least I haven't gained more. This week I'm on plan ALL week long! Gotta get back on plan with exercising every day too. My yard is suffering from neglect. Tap, you're giving me some inspiration to get out there and get moving on it! I need to buy some annuals, that usually gets me going. The selling of baked goods at a garage sale sounds like a great idea! I'm hoping to have a sale this summer, gonna have to remember that. ckkjteawallace, what kind of PS are you thinking about? Tummy Tuck? I've been thinking about it myself, but I'm nervous about the surgery. Michigan summers are so short, I like to enjoy all of it I can. I worry about the length of recovery. I'll probably chat about it with my surgeon at the next appointment.

Ooooo . . . that sounds so tasty! I love cantaloupe, and butter pecan ice cream is a favorite too. Sorry you got stuck on it though. I've been there when I've made myself throw-up, I just can't bear the pain of being stuck anymore. And I hate the slime part. It really does feel like barfing up a small jellyfish. :thumbup: Melissa, the wedding cakes are beautiful! I love the flowers of course Best of luck to you with your garage sale. Happy Memorial Day to all, have a safe weekend!

Best of luck to you msbrady! I hope you have a smooth surgery and a quick recovery. Let us know how you do :thumbup:

Awwwww, ((((Warm Hugs)))) Tap! Maybe you just needed a night with a break from the routine. If it helps any, you were not alone! I did a bit of insane eating last night - I ate FRIED chicken (honestly- first fried food I can remember in FOREVER), plus cole slaw, then later in the evening pigged out on tortilla chips (and I really don't care much for them, I hate salty stuff, I crave sweets), plus a glass of chocolate (soy) milk. OUCH! :eek:What the heck was wrong with me???? Maybe whatever possessed you got to me too, lol! :thumbup: Then I got on the scale this morning, I'm back up two pounds. (HEAVY sigh). Back to the plan, I've been doing good today (so far). :smile2: At least you'll have a nice new roof Tap! :laugh:

I wish you the VERY best of luck Jaime! Applause to you for not giving up, and recommitting. :redface: You can do it!

Thanks for the birthday wishes Tap! But they're not belated, my birthday is May 22nd, but I'm not celebrating it until May 30th - my sister's birthday is a week after mine, so we celebrate together. I'll see the birthday cakes on May 30th (my niece is making her mom one too of course!) and I'll post some pictures So I gotta stick to the diet thing, 'cus I know I'll probably gain a pound or two. Those kinda sweets always get me! :huh2: I agree, smsmithart really did pack a punch of info in one swift message! Congratz on your engagement, the size 2, and all the weight you lost! Yeah I will never see a size 2 either, lol. I'd be happy with a size 10 (I'm a size 12 right now). I think if I got rid of the SKIN on my stomach I would probably be a smaller size. I feel like I'm wearing someone's skin besides mine! :smile2: Aww, no quitting Tap! lol :redface: Just keep swimming! I know you can do it! :wub: Actually, I save some of my calories for eating a snack at night - yes I still track calories on Fitday (a bit more loosely now), it's just become a daily routine for me. Hang in there Tap! :crying:

And every single pound is a victory you can be proud of! :eek: It is such an uphill battle, with hunger and craving huge monsters in our way. But we have the lap-band to fight for us! Just keeping swimming! :sad: SHM, I LOVE those cakes! That graduation cake is sooo cute, and I really love the flowers on the confirmation cake. The mix of different flowers and different colors is really beautiful. Buttercream . . . oy! My niece is making me a cake with buttercream frosting, and I sooo can't wait to chow down on it. It's my birthday, and I'll eat cake if I want too, lol! And I'm gonna be feeling what you probably are right now, good weight loss then regain. Ouch! I'm so sorry. But, we can't be perfect with this weight loss 100% of the time, gotta have those fun days, I know I'd go crazy if I didn't! I hope you enjoyed your free day :mad: Sounds like you have a lot of busy time ahead of you, another cake, garage sale, plus you're moving! Best of luck with all of that, and be sure to get pictures of the wedding cake. Did you take a class to learn how to do cake decorating? I think my niece did. I'd so love to be able to do something like that. At least learn how to make flowers, they are my favorite.

Hello! I'm not recently banded, but I always enjoy talking to other Michigan people with the lap-band. It would be fun to get this thread going again. The band was the best decision I ever made for my health. Nice to meet you MSan914! Lori :laugh:

Awwww Tapshoes, you always make me smile! :wub: Thanks for all your sweet comments, I just love your upbeat spirit. Please please please don't have any envy! It's been hard work (can I get an "amen", lol) and the suppport here in this forum has helped contibute to my success. I will stay around, and hopefully give some of that support back! I so wish some of our other lap band double VV's would come back and let us know how they are doing. Ok, I'm repeating . . . Age is a number, age is a number, age is a number! It's just not a number I like, lol :laugh: Warm hugs and thanks again! :smile:

Well, I found an old photo of me. I really wish I had been smart like so many here, who took full body pictures before their surgeries. The pictures below are only "head and shoulders", but I think they show the changes in weight loss! The first photo is at my heaviest, 252 pounds (that's my great-nephew I'm holding, his one year birthday): And this is my most recent picture, 157 pounds, taken about a few weeks ago: I'm think I'm gonna print out these pictures, and keep them in my purse - just to remind me to NEVER go back to where I was. oy. I am SO thankful for the lap-band!

Hello all :hurray: I finally found time to read through (most) of the thread here, I'm so glad to see the chatter. I'm sorry for not keeping up sooner. Ezma - I read your post about your husband's passing, and it made my heart ache. I'm so sorry for your lost, you have my deepest sympathies and warmest hugs. I give you much credit for continuing on here - I think I'd fall apart and probably gain everything back. Please stay with us and share how you are doing. Shinyhappymommy - your cakes are amazing! Awesome creations! I love them. I really enjoy art like this. You are the second person now (that I know) for making exquisite cakes. My niece recently got into this, and she makes some stunning creations. My sister and I have birthdays coming up (they are a week apart) and her daughter will be making cakes for us both. I'll share some pictures! I'm going to be 45. It's honestly the first "age number" that has bothered me. It sounds so old! I just don't feel it though. :wink: Anyway, please keep sharing the pictures of your cake creations! Tapshoes - thanks for your support, you always make me smile. :puke: I'm sorry I left, I got a bit frustrated and angry with the lap-band forums (not at this forum or anyone here), and I decided I was taking things too seriously, and should probably take a break. I got upset with a person who is a frequent poster - apparently she is the only one who can give advice, and I know nothing. Anyway - I deleted my posts in that forum, put her on ignore and gave this website a rest. I shouldn't have let my emotions get the better of me, and leave my friends here. My mistake, I am sorry. I do miss everyone here. OK . . . I am putting that behind me, and will try and post here more. I need help to get back on track with my exercise. I have lost weight, but I don't think it's been in a healthy way. My IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) has flared up for the first time in years. It can be horrible pain, so bad that I actually become afraid to eat, for fear of an attack. I'm worried that when my bowel calms down and I get my appetite back, I'll regain weight. With only 5 pounds to reach my goal, I don't want to look back now! OK, :smile: enough rant from me :grouphug: I'm gonna keep my head above water and keep on swimming! Warm hugs to all.

I just wanted to stop by and wish all the moms here a Happy Mother's Day . . . I hope your day was special in every way! I have missed chatting here . . . I've been through some bad health issues, but I'm trying to get back into things. Sorry I was gone for so long, just dealing with pain in my body and in my spirit. I am gonna try and catch up in this very long thread . . . good to see the chatter, I'd like to join in again Angie, that is an awesome picture, big congratulations on your 5K! hope everyone is still swimming ...

I think as the weather warms up and Spring/Summer approaches, the forum will slow down a bit. But we never have to say it's over! I've been supporting my sister through the process of getting ready for baratric surgery, she is so excited and I'm excited for her! It all reminds me of what I've went through, and how far I've come in a year. She wants the RNY though, but she'll have the same surgeon as I. I am also looking forward to doing some volunteer work at a local shelter, The same shelter I adopted my dog from. It's something I've been wanting to do. So just keeping busy here. SHM, I'd *really* love to see a picture of the cake you are making! I love looking at the creations people can make with cakes, it's so artistic. Me, I'm lucky if I can spread frosting evenly on a cake. :crying: Not sure what threads to start seems like we've covered most topics, but it doesn't hurt to start some again! I'll be going shopping this weekend for some new Spring/Summer clothes, I'm tired of the frumpy stuff I have. It's exciting, because I have NO IDEA what size I am. The last time I went shopping was last Fall (seriously). I have a son who's pre-teen, he's growing out of his clothes soooooo fast. He's 12 years old, and can stand and look me in the eye! They grow up so fast, it makes me a bit sad, lol. Anyway, he comes first within the clothes budget! OK . . . enough rambling from me. I'll be around, and try and post some more. :biggrin: We are still family here!