NanaRenan

One thing I can tell you, is stop doing it if it's making you feel miserable. That much you can control. What your doctor's going to say, I'm not sure. But I'm sure you're probably not the first patient he's had to do this. You made need to see someone who can help you work through the "head issues"...because that makes up a big portion of this game -- much bigger than we realize. But meanwhile -- stop beating yourself up. That isn't helping anybody. Spend some time reading on here -- you'll read where others have messed up, too, but picked themselves up and got on with the show. Make today better than yesterday and work toward an even better tomorrow.

The food industry bases their portion sizes on the average diner -- get this! -- a 35 y/o WORKING man. (As in laborer, not white collar.) Do you have any idea how many calories that dude burns in a day?? No wonder the rest of us with metabolisms as unique as snowflakes are not staying trim eating along side "Buddy" and "Hank" at the diner!! LOL My husband and I did WW together several years ago -- He lost 42 and made lifetime and I lost 50. Then we got less vigilant and over the next 5 years I put all of mine back on and he has put on, taken off and put on the same 15-20lbs. But one habit that sticks is we split 75-80% of the meals when we dine out. It's cheaper. You can enjoy your bread or chips without worrying about 'wasting' your food later -- (he worried about that more than "I" did,:rolleyes but then he didn't grow up in the "Clean-your-plate-before-you-leave-the-table!" house like I did.) It's a LOT cheaper, so you can eat out MORE often! You always leave content, and without that awful "I-can't-believe-I-ate-the-whole-thing!" feeling. Did I mention it's CHEAPER?? Of course, one reason it works well for us is we like a lot of the same things. But my girls are pretty good at it, and if I'm not dining with him, I'm usually dining with one of them. And no one bats an eye at it -- altho', I must make one suggestion. Please be extra considerate of your server. Even though the total might be $19.99 instead of $39.99 -- they did serve TWO of you so don't base your tip on your total alone. You've still saved a bundle and have the added benefit of making yourself much healthier -- and possibly your spouse/partner/friend in the process -- so spread the joy :whoo: and overtip the guy or gal who's workin' for a living. Nana<----benevolent friend of waiters everywhere. :hungry:

I think that's very wise of you. I've benefitted greatly from therapy in the past and look forward to that as an active part of my "recovery", as well. Thanks for sharing the article. It may help me think up some points to jot down to discuss with a counselor.

Okay -- I just did a search for 'losing jusme' and it says, "I've got nothing for you. Try another search." And then it invites me to enter your email address. But I'll be your friend. Try searching for Pamela Ford Hargrove. I just set this up hurriedly, because I've been having problems setting one up at MySpace! But I'd hoped to use NanaRenan and not my full name!

LIVERWURST....Alex, you made my mouth water!! Okay -- I can do this. **hunkering down to ride out the rest of the liquids phase**

I bought a Protein powder that is tasteless and puts some of that much needed nutrient in potato Soup and only makes it taste 'richer and creamier'. I'll probably add it to mashed potatoes for the whole family for the rest of our lives!!! Y'know....I'm having a flash back of my mother -- my grandparents used to get commodities...? Anyone remember that? Big blocks of cheese and stuff. They would give her the boxes of powdered milk that they didn't want. She added that stuff into everything she made, I think! And bought it the rest of her life, long after they stopped giving her the free stuff. Guess that's what she was doing...plumping up the protein factor. Pam<----learned something today!

You're not alone. I just posted a similar sounding lament on a new thread, without realizing yours was here. I'm just trying to figure out ways to make it interesting. I'll die of boredom way befoe I die from malnutrition! I think I remember seeing a can of BEEF broth in the kitchen -- at least that's a new flavor. My tongue will be so happy!:hungry:

I've been doing really good -- 'cept I'm sitting here watching the clock (doctor's orders are to eat every 2 - 2.5 hours) and I can't think of anything I WANT bad enough to truck on in there and get it. chicken broth Cream of Chicken Cream of Potato (blended) Protein shakes Pudding/Jello Popsicles With three weeks total of that stuff, I'm really bored with it. I'm eyeing a can of Bean and Bacon Soup and thinking of adding extra Water, blending it to pulp and then straining it....but its "not on my list". :cry Yeah, ya caught Nana doin' a full on pout!

Thanks for sharing that, Gayle!!! I don't want to sit back and expect a "wish" to get me where I need to be!

Yes, I have had some vivid and epic dreams since surgery -- BUT, anytime I'm going through 'something big' in my life I get them. The bigger the 'something big', the more OUT THERE the dreams!! Do you ever wake up thinking, if "I could remember all of that and write a screenplay it would be a blockbuster!!!"?!

Congratulations to all three of you for making it this far. No small feat in and of itself!!! Keep us posted!!

Check in and let us know how you are!!

Keep doin' what they tell you and tell us more when you can.

Ya'll are giving me wanderlust!!! I'd LOVE a trip to just sit and do nothing!!! But, we're gonna Celebrate every 25 lbs with a weekend getaway -- first stop on the itinerary is San Antonio. Very close, easy to do and although we've driven through it several times, neither of us has ever BEEN there. Enjoy your trip, Alex. Fill us in when you get back!

Kacee -- you're right about it being a genetic body type. They're learning more and more about the significance of it, related to diet, all the time. Tell me, are there any specific co-morbidities related to your body type? I know the "pregnant belly and noassatall" shape is very indicative of the diabetic/pre-diabetic.

Don't rush yourself, FTF.....everybody is different and you may be a Spartan when one of us is totally wimping out over something else!! Take it slow and easy and don't expect too much too soon. Keep us updated. It'll get better.

Rosie, check in and let us know how you're doing!

Let us hear how you're doin'!!

:clap2:CONGRATULATIONS!:clap2: Just let us know what kind of input you might need! We're all in the same boat and here to help and be helped. Visit the August 07 forum and join us -- the CRAZY ATES!

"NOASSATALL" I LOVE IT!!!!! When my granddaughter was a baby we laughed and said her back just ran down to the top of her legs and cracked. But her baby brother -- he has a booty that jiggles when he runs....we love it!!! He's just hit that stage where if he's not in a Onesie, the clothes are comin' off -- diaper, too! And its just too entertaining to marvel at the presence of a full-fledged BOOTY that we don't race to cover it back up!

Girl, I feel ya!!! I was one of those cars stuck on I-45 North trying to leave Houston ahead of Rita a few weeks later. I reset my tripometer when I got on the freeway at 3:05AM -- when I got off at 4:30PM I had moved exactly 9.2 miles. Reminds me of my Granny's house a long time ago -- without the 4-wheelers as such. As a kid I couldn't understand why relatives who lived in bigger cities than I did got such a kick of going out to the boonies. Now I understand it better. What part of Mississippi is she in??

Honey -- time and money NO OBJECT, don't you want more than TWO weeks? Or is it so very romantic two weeks is all you can stand...? :eyebrows:

I've been big a long time -- almost all concentrated in the gut. I've looked third-trimester pregnant for 16 years. My arms are still amazingly average -- not much bigger than my daughter who only weights about 150!! Up until a few years ago, my thighs were pretty average, too. But they started to creep up. And then SURPRISE!! One day last year I get out of the shower and realize I need about a 46 DD FOR MY BACK!!!! <<full body rigor>> I am still grossed out at that! So, I can deal with the belly being the last to go -- we're old friends, so it'll be a comfortable farewell. But those HAMHOCKS back there have GOT to go! NOW!!!!!:tired

Hi, Ashley. I was banded on the 14th and I am an itchin', clawin' FIEND right now! Seriously though, it does help if you very carefully apply lotion BETWEEN the incisions, so when you scratch AROUND them, you don't further aggravate THAT skin. But I'm even itching on my back and legs -- I'm trying to remember if I read something about surgery drying your skin out -- the anesthesia and oxygen or something. Anyhow, HAPPY HEALING!:whoo:

Great idea, Donna. That's the attitude I hope to maintain -- a great adventure.