Charlene K

Hey Gang! The Dr. Oz show today was the best presentation of lap band I have seen on TV. FDA has just approved lap band for people 30lbs overweight that have diabetes or high blood pressure. I think that is great. If people can get a handle on their weight before they become mobidly obese it will prevent them from other diseases. They had a couple of ladies on there that had lost a lot of weight with lap band. Dr. Oz was positive about the surgery too. The bariatric doctor and the ladies stressed that lap band is a tool to aid in weight loss......it is not a magic pill. I had a successful low carb day. Boiled eggs, yogurt, tuna, chicken, and then my carb was a baked apple. I core the apple and use a little splenda with cinnamon. It is so good. I am going to bed early and read. Night All !

Hey Gang, just checking in. I am still doing low carb, but it is slow going. Anyway, Dr Oz is coming on right now. It is about WLS, and I think the new guidelines for Lap-band. I know most of you are at work. Sandy, love the pic of you and your DD! I will check in later! Gonna watch OZ

Good Evening Gang! Linda, I am so sorry your brother has taken a turn. I prayed for him, but I will pray for all of you. It is so hard on everyone. HUGS! Janet, you Vertigo must really be frustrating. I only had it a couple of times, but it only last a day. I hope you are able to go to work tomorrow. Oh, I bought the Chaz Dean special. I want to try it. I think it may make my hair healthier. I need all the help I can get. Jessica......I love the pics.......what a handsome family......and your DS....a cutie pie ! You look Marvelous Darling with that handsome DH! Joyce......Boo! You really did hurt yourself when you fell. It is really hard to remember not to lift when you feel better. Maybe you can wear some kind of brace while traveling so you will be reminding not to lift and others will know you need help. Wow! your weather is hotter than ours. We are supposed to get a front in tomorrow. Probably will drop the temp a degree. Cheri......funny text abbreviations. I really like my ipad. Of course I just use it to check email and google. My DH did download a program for printing. He hasn't got it to work yet. I think I may not have the right kind of printer. Apples,.....How's your weather? Have you started planting yet? I guess you are getting ready to open the Lake house. Julie.....you sound so much better. I know like me, you will find a plan that works. Boiling eggs and keeping them in the frig has really been helping for my snacking. My pup loves the yolks. Hi Eva.........How is your garden growing? Jodi and LauraK......thanks for the updates on your dates! I am happy for both of you! Melissa......You doing better? Well, I am watching The Kennedy's on the Reelz channel. Good show. I did walk this afternoon, but the food choices were not good....not bad either. I ate the turkey out of a sub sandwich, but I did eat some chips. We had a seminar at church today on finances. Box lunches were provided so I didn't have a choice in the matter. I thought we were going to have BBQ......NOT. I was planning to just eat the meat. Oh well......pushing through to tomorrow. Later!

Good Morning Gang! Apples......lol! You are too funny! I told the doctor I wasn't sure if I wanted to live in this world a long time considering the direction it is going. Also, I want to live long, but with a good mind and body. I don't want to depend on my kids. Linda, I tried to watch the 17 day diet episode. I tried from my ipad with no success. Did you know they are doing a 17day challenge so it must be going to show again. I am still doing the eggs, lemon Water, and counting my calories on Livestrong. I think I have stopped at 5lb loss because I went off track a few times. I am still plugging away. I walked this morning and hope to get back to water aerobics on Monday. We are going a cruise at Christmas to Belize. No Christmas stress this year. We are having a Thanksgiving Christmas. Kristi.....good going on reaching your goals. Wow! 80 minute workouts. I would be exhausted! Great rewards herself with Coach purses. I think she has bought two or three since she was banded. Right Great? Janet.....I am not buying on QVC today, but the Today's Special is Chaz Dean hair Product. I know you use it. Jodi......thanks for sharing about your outcome on Dassi's school. See, God provides.....you just have to ask. When you Bless.....you are Blessed! Woohoo! on meeting a nice man. You know we want to know all about the date. I think I may have bought the Diet Solution. I will have to go through my diet books. I like plans that are not drastic......and keep it REAL! Cheri, still praying for your DD. Sometimes it is good to have down time on a vacation.......glad you got some reading done. Eva.......the Easter party sounds fun. Our church is asking for volunteers to do egg hunts in our neighborhoods. Remember, the last two years we have had an egg hunt at the high school stadium. A helicopter dropped the eggs. Well, it was advertised on the radio and people from all over Houston showed up to grab the eggs for their own hunts. We saw women carrying hundreds of eggs while small children's baskets were empty and they were crying. It just didn't work and was very expensive. Anyway, I can't volunteer my neighborhood because the city has decided to do road work. UGH! I may help in another neighborhood. So far, we are having 30 neighborhood hunts. Okay, I am off to a birthday party with my two DGDs. I'll check in this eve. Have a great saturday!

Lori, I haven't read her book, but I think I have a devotional by her. She was just here in Pearland for a seminar. I missed it. Thanks for telling me about it. On the cruise thing. I think the Royal Carribean is leaving Galveston for Spain in May. My DS said that the rooms are starting at 450 for like 15 days. I know you don't want to be gone that long, but it sounds like a fabulous trip for a retired couple.

Hey Gang! I just got back from the endocrinologist. I was pleasantly surprised to find I do not have low D. In fact, he told me I had excellent numbers especially my cholesterol. My good cholesterol is 103. He is the second doctor in two weeks to tell me I am going to live a long time. He said he had never seen anyone lose 80lbs on a lap band like I did. He just doesn't know all of you. I have gained, but he said it was probably the Savella(FM drug) and Lexapro. Now, I am going to talk to the shrink about getting off of it or cut it down. Apples, I know you care very much about me succeeding on this journey. I appreciate all the comments. I just want y'all to know where I am coming from. I do believe I have an addiction to sweets. I inherited it from my dad who was and alcoholic. The more I battle it daily the more I forgive my dad for his disease. The more I forgive the stronger I become. This is definitely "One day at a time". Your poor FIL. I take it he is coming back to MN. Who is going to care for him while he recovers? Yes, you BIL is the current saint. I hope all the sisters appreciate his sacrifice. I know you do. Melissa, I know your DH is being a butt. Men always feel less than whole when they can't give their families all their needs. Try real hard to reassure him that you understand. I am praying for you a full time position. What is a carb monster Soup? Where are the recipes? Linda, I am going to see if I can watch that show online. I am sorry I missed it. I have been watching Dr. Oz. He has so many health tips. Eva, I have seven cherry tomatoes on one plant. Now I just go out twice a day to check on my garden. I had forgotten how much I loved having a garden. This is my first time to have an above ground garden. I put some Miracle Grow soil in it so I should have a good crop. LauraK, I know what you mean.....a vacation sounds so good especially after a hard winter Sndy......well, your doctor knows best. My friend just did not want to be put to sleep three times. She is a nurse so all that stuff scares her. I'm ignorant......so I just trust God has put me in good hands and He will wake me up.

Good Morning Gang! Meredith.......have a great time in Florida! We are having awesome weather and Florida usually has the same. You will get your "Happy" back down there. I can't imagine living in such cold for so long. Linda......thanks for the info on the 17day. Although I slipped a couple of times I am still using it as a guideline. I am enjoying the book. Like I said before I like reading diet books, self help books, and inspirational books. I always seem to take away nuggets of truth from all of them. My doctor told me about taking the thyroid medicine by itself, but I don't. I guess I need to. I am going to see him this morning. This getting hot and not being able to cool off might be a thyroid problem. Also, I read it was a Fibromyalgia symptom too. I hope the therapy will make you feel better. Of course having warmer weather would help too. HUGS! Eva, Happy Birthday to Glimmer! Apples......how is FIL? I prayed for him yesterday. Phyl.......Woohoo! Cabo! Use the excuse you have to drink a Margarita for every LB buddy. Have a great time! Joyce.....how's it going? Jodi.....You working on the 10lb? Melissa....I am so sorry for your insurance loss. Keep searching and you will find help. Meanwhile, take care of yourself! Resist that sweet tooth! Janet.......how's the vertigo? Gone? Cheri.....any update on your DD? Sndy......when is the TT scheduled? I went with my friend that has had a TT to the PS . Now she wants lipo in her midriff. I personally would wear Spanx for that, but she wants it gone. She is the one that had a TT, Boobs, and arms done all at one time. I was amazed how quick she recovered. The first week was rough then she was just really sore for a couple of weeks. You will do fine. Lori, you will love the ipad! Well, off to the thyroid doctor. I'm always low in something....usually D. Isn't everyone low in D? Anyway, I will get check in this eve! I missed the two Lauras and Kristi. I hope all of you are doing good. If I missed anyone......CRS! Oh, Julie......check in! I want to know how you are feeling.

My DD just picked up Bethany. I know if I kept her everyday I would lose weight. My band gets so tight from lifting her I can't eat. She is so cute. She keeps that smile on her little face that she had when she was born. She has big dimples too. Eva, Woohoo! on the contract. I had a friend that financed a home like you are doing. It sure helped her income during retirement. My zucchini are up to three inches and the yellow squash plants need to be thinned tomorrow. I can't believe how fast they have grown. Janet, thanks for the props. I could not have done this without your mentoring thread and the support of all of you. I know I should be eating less, but it is tough. 1100 calories add up fast. So far this morning I have had a boiled egg and a yogurt. For lunch I am making tuna with another boiled egg. dinner is chicken breast and broccoli and another yogurt. That should wipe out my calories for the day. I may can squeeze in some strawberries. I have a few left. I may just go down to the market and get a couple of pints. I think today is the last day they are picking from the strawberry patch.

Arlene, I understand what everyone's concern is -- I don't get the same impression from you - what I hear is that you aren't losing weight even when you limit your foods -- and that's frustrating (I know). Just keep plugging away -- by limiting starches I've lost all the extra weight I'd gained but now I'm stuck again at 138 and can't get past that - but I'm try to not dwell on that. Even eating healthy most of the time I just stay the same. Charlene – I use a food diary on my phone that tracks carbs, Protein, fat and calories. It is great! Good Morning Gang! Linda, Yep.....you got it! The reason so many people with a BMI over 50 get bypass surgery is they can lose at least 80% of their excess weight before their metabolism and weight loss collide. I may not be saying that right, but I know with my DH when he rode 100 plus miles a week on his bike he only lost 7lbs. With bypass he lost 100lbs then it stopped. He has been at a BMI of 29 for 18 months. I had a BMI of 52......now I am at 39 and have been there for a year. I am still morbidly obese. I am always looking for a combination of foods that will jump start me again. I still need to lose 80 lbs, but I would be happy with losing 50. I take five medications. Even though I have lost weight I still take BP meds, FM meds, Thyroid meds, and antidepressant. I started taking my pepcid again and found that the acid in my gut was causing my pb episodes. So, I will continue to seek information to keep this journey going because I don't want to give up and go back to super morbid obesity. This is another reason I am stuck like glue to Y'all. You keep me going. I am grateful for all of you! Kristi......I have the Livestrong app on my phone and ipad. I love it! Okay, gotta go walk before I babysit this morning. Later!

Apples, I just went to the "sleeve" forum. I checked out revision. I think you have to have two surgeries.....one to remove the band and then the sleeve surgery. Also they said you can leak if you have a lot of scar tissue around the band area. If so, that leaves me out. I am nothing but scar tissue. I will still talk to Dr. Davis, but probably a tweak of a fill will fix my issue. Eva, that dip sounds awesome. I will have to copy it and try it out. Hey, if I have I ever get to move to the desert I will give you a call. My mom is really tired. I told her to go the the doctor tomorrow and get her blood checked. He goes to the retirement home tomorrow. That is the one nice thing about her place.....having access to a doctor. I hope she just needs a B12 shot or something other than low sodium......that requires hospitalization. Sounds like the Cheesecake Factory was a hit. I have had many coupons for that place, but I have not made it there. It sounds like I couldn't handle going there right now. I read the Boundary book. I read the one for setting boundaries for kids too. It sure makes you think about your own boundaries. I hope you have success with the head issues. I believe the greatest percentage of our problems with weight is a head issue. Okay, gang, gotta go Water my garden. Thank goodness the cool front chased the June bugs out for a few days. I hate those things. One flew in my hair. Ugh!

Charlene - you just have to limit carbs and count calories since you know what your resting metabolizim is - I really do find that the sf foods satistfy my sweet tooth. Mine shows up at nite time.. Last night I had 2 sf puddings (dark choc). you and dh have had surgery - you both should be eating very healthy... Just set your mind to it - for 2 weeks don't allow any extra treats to kick the sweet tooth... I allow real sugar about every 2 - 3 weeks - but that's it. Arlene....the way I see the "trying this diet and then trying that diet" thing is this: It's like yo-yo dieting. What I get from your posts is that if you go off the plan and have something that is not allowed, you feel like you "cheated". If you just concentrate on eat day and plan, plan, plan as Janet said and not allow certain carbs, you will not feel so defeated. It's gotta feel like a continuous challenge when the only challenge you should really have is keeping the hunger monster at bay and making good/healthy food choices when the hunger hits. If it is meal time and you are really not very hungry at that time, don't eat at that time or just eat a few bites. That would be a way to bank your calories. I think that you trying to be so structured with your "diet" actually is making you feel defeated because it is sooooooooooo tough for you to stick to. Cheri's idea of having some dense Protein (like her moist chicken) on hand to just grab a bite in between meals. Having raw veggies with some FF dip on hand when those times hit. I do believe that you are extremely carb sensitive and should try to limit. Heck, if you are carb sensitive, a piece of cake could throw you off for an entire week. Not saying that you should not eat any carbs....just all the good ones. If it is not made completely by mother nature, don't eat. (fruits and veggies). Hugs Charlene, I understand your need for a system that works for you. Since you like eggs, and its one of the best sources of protein I see no problem with it. You do show a pattern of adopting various food plans and then abandoning them--the shake thing, the Weight Watchers thing, the 17 day thing. Janet is right. Just make healthy choices most of the time. For you, with your carb sensitivity and low resting metabolism, that means plenty of protein and not a lot of carbs most of the time. Also, you have an unstructured lifestyle where eating opportunities come up unexpectedly--like a chance to go out to eat. Nothing wrong with that, but I find that I'm starting to refuse offers to go out to eat. I'd rather make myself a salad. Now that's a change for me. Nothing wrong with a more flexible lifestyle and unstructured days and nights other than that its not conducive to planning. So I can see where having a plan done for you, like the 17 day thing is very appealing for you. The trick is not to worry about the times you go off it (as long as they're not everyday) and to stay with it most days. It can give you the structure you lack. But vary it more and change it up. You're going to get pretty sick of those hard-boiled eggs very soon and then what are you going to do? Okay, I here ya! I joined WW to be on the same plan with my DD.....to many calories for ME. I joined Dr Davis Protein Shake plan to take food out of the equation so I could learn to eat right. I did that to jump start my weight loss and learn to eat healthy. I still eat healthy, but I have let too many carbs in my life mainly because they go down now. The boiled egg thing is working for a quick snack. The Water with lemon is working. I am going to make an appt with Dr. Davis to see if I need a fill. If my insurance will pay for a sleeve I may get a revision. The last time I saw him about a revision he put me on the shake diet. Now, let's see what he says. I have gained 10lbs since I saw him in the fall. Well, I have lost a few too. Anyway, we will see.

Charlene - Girl - quit dieting please please please - I know you all were talking about some diet book a few weeks ago ... DIETS DON'T WORK... Eating healthy does - I really beleive if you deny yourself the things you like then you are dieting - I like sweets - I subsitute real stuf w/sf stuff - I like Starches - again I eat then but only once a day - I don't deprive myself - I just ask myself before I eat is it heatlhy or not - I made ck soup on Sunday - omg it had so much fat - and this is coming from a chick who LOVES fat - but you know what my taste has changed - I had to skim it off - it was just way too greasy.. Plan you meals- sit down tonite - plan a weeks menu and allow for bday parties or what ever you got going on - give yourself a calorie budget - and keep to that budget - follow lbt rules pt 1st then veggies .. Quit saying that you aren't going to eat carbs cuz you know that only last about 1 hr - then you are reporting - I'm off the wagon... Going off the wagon is eating a bowl of mashed potatoes for bf - lunch and dinner and toping it off with 1/2 gallon of ice cream and 2 liter of coke or pespi.. You gotta exercise your gray matter too... I still plan my meals for the most part - meat & veggies for dinner 99.9% - left overs for lunch or a green salad & pt for lunch - Breakfast - some kind of Protein for the most part - sometimes a starch - yogurt & berries too.. and almost every nite either a bag of 100 cal popcorn - 1 cup sf ice cream - or sf pudding Right now I am bbqing steak - steaming cauliflower - even snacking on a piece w/yogurt ranch dressing - craving it not bread not cheese - if you would just get in the habit of eating healthy the you won't crave the junk so much - hell when my #7 where here we ate out a couple of time - and a couple of nights we ate ravolies w/chicken but I can tell you by Friday I was so ready for my normal dinners - the food that I eat regularally - Girl you can freaking do this - quit looking for some quick fix - it all about what you eat # of caloires and what you burn - so if you want to get healthy - then you can't eat your cake & ice cream too - one or the other not both and only occassionally.. You will live - life doens't elvove around - it revolves around the pple in our lives... Janet, Thanks for the kick in the Arse! I know diets don't work. I am doing this do just get the sweet tooth out of my system. I have been counting calories. The only sweet I have in the house right now is fruit. I am loving the lemon in my Water and tea. And the boiled egg thing is working too. I have been boiling six eggs every other day. My pup is loving eating the yolk. Awesome for DIL going with the Sleeve. Dr Davis thinks that is the best surgery. He was going to do a revision on me, but at the time insurance was not covering it. I think Aetna covers it now. Melissa, I am so sorry for you losing your insurance. I wish you could find a policy at least for your medicines. Do you get a discount on your drugs at Sam's? Maybe you could talk to them about your problem. Okay, my pup will not go out of the doggy door because there are June bugs swarming on the porch light and patio. Yes, I said June bugs! They aren't supposed to start swarming till May and JUNE. OOPs! Yikes! there is one in the house by my computer! I must have let it in when I took Charlie out to potty. Ugh!

Good Afternoon Gang! Well, I walked and then went shopping at Kohl's. I had to get some Koh'ls cash for my next shopping trip. Really, their men's shirts fit my DH just right. I bought him several work shirts including two Hawaiian print shirts. He even wears those to work in the summer. I ache if I sit too long, but it should be gone after the front passes. Thanks for all the well wishes. The support I get from all of you is such a blessing. I don't really have anyone I can talk to about this condition. Apples, no, I would not do well up North. The only place I think I could live other than here is AZ. I might just have to find us a "love shack" in AZ. lol I am glad FIL made it through surgery. I am sure it will be a long recovery, but it sounds as though he is up for it. Lori, I saw that little boy on TV. What an awesome story. I would like to read the book too. Yep, I think this is day 10 of 17. I know if I had not fallen off the wagon I would have lost more by now. I will weight on Saturday. LauraK, you really had a lot of fun. I've seen the Blue Man Group, but I bet the zip line on Freemont was awesome. Sndy......yeah, losing weight and exercise is key to getting off of meds. I think Gastric Bypass is good for the super morbid obese. The girl I saw on GMA weighed like 198 and went down to 120. She was real short. Everyone has to research the best solution for their health. WTG! for getting off of the diabetic meds. Cheri, it's "Old Man Syndrome". Not all of them get it, but those that do.......geez! My DH loves for the grands to come over when there aren't any sports on TV or he isn't playing fantasy football. Yep, rolling and ignoring is a good strategy because no matter what you say they aren't going to change. Hugs for your DD! Julie, YAY! on straightening out your retirement. It is a miracle to get anything straight with the government. Linda, I know what you mean about people with good metabolisms. At least I am married to someone with a "shot" metabolism. I am glad he got bypass though. Taking a hundred pounds off in nine months made it so much easier for him to eat healthy. It is so tough for me that has a resting metabolism of 1100 calories a day. It doesn't take much for me to gain. Janet.......Yay! our sheriff is back on the thread!

Good Morning Gang! Just checking in.....whining. I have been up since 3am aching. There is a front moving in from the north with a low moving in from the gulf........thunderstorms = Fibromyalgia is kicking big time. I am going to still walk because I know it will help. LInda, one day you will see green on the ground. This sure has been a long winter. I fear it may be a very active hurricane season. Apples, what's the news on your FIL? Good Morning America just had a segment on Gastric Bypass, and how is can cure type 2 diabetes. It cured my friend's diabetes in less than 24 hours. Maybe insurance companies will start paying for more weight loss surgeries. Okay, off for a morning walk.......Later!

Good Afternoon Gang! I had written a long post, but poof.....it was gone. Anyway, I am back to doing my Water with lemon, green tea, Protein, boiled eggs, yogurt, and fruit ( fresh picked strawberries). My DD and DGD went to a local market that has a strawberry patch. They picked berries. Oh My, they are so red and good. Apples, How is FIL today? Julie, sorry about the stressful weekend. I know you will make the right decision for your health. HUGS! Lori, I think even though going to Wisconsin will be for a sad occasion you will enjoy the visit with your cousins. My cousins that I had not seen in forty years came to see us last summer. It was wonderful. We had such good times when we were young. I hope you get to go. I know you must miss DGD. Let's hope those two visits aren't at the same time. Eva, is that a storage shed for your garden stuff? Kristi......HUGS! to you too! Sndy......yep, the FM issues kicked in last night. I had no idea we were getting a cool front until I woke up aching during the night. My legs and feet were hurting. Janet......did you get your rest from the computer? Miss ya! Okay gang, I am off to take my second walk for the day. Later!

Hi Gang! Ugh! Off track. I thought I could eat a few carbs yesterday and get on track today.......NOT! My DD took me to Olive Garden after church. I had a salad and a piece of pizza and fried zucchini. Okay, now I am back on track. I plan on walking this evening. Linda, my zucchini popped up today and I have about five tomatoes on a couple of plants. All of your cooking sounds so yummy! Jessica......have fun on your cruise! Eva......is the Colorado home the one your parents lived in? Apples.......please keep us informed on your FIL. My mother is 87 too. She hasn't bounced back as well from this last illness.....very forgetful. I hope your FIL can keep going to AZ. You might have to add on to your "love shack". Have fun with the kiddos today! Great......snow! Sending you HUGS of sunshine! Joyce......Good morning to you! You need HUGS of sunshine too! Janet and Phyl......lucky seven week must have wore you two OUT! Check in when you catch your breath. Julie......How's it going?

Hi gang! Joyce, Good on getting rid of the sling! Go ahead and whine about the snow. I almost feel guilty that it is 85 and sunny outside. Yeah, on the weight thing. 5 down- 1 up after the fried seafood dinner. I am not giving up. I am getting used to this eating plan. LInda, Awesome news on the MRI. I would imagine that neck pain is real bothersome when you type. I typed almost every day for 35 years. At one time I thought I had carpal tunnel. I went to Walmart and got braces for my hands and wore them at night. They worked. It was a good investment for me. Wow, you hit the Jackpot with the meat. Happy Cooking! Laura.....Safe Travels. I know you and Nels will put a smile on your dad's face. Prayers and HUGS! Cheri........enjoy your Spring break. We had ours last week. All the schools are finally on the same page and everyone was out. Still praying for your daughter. I just got back from my DGS's two year old B-day party. I won't even tell y'all what was on the menu. Not good. Thank goodness I ate boiled eggs before I left. I went grocery shopping for my mother. On my way to her house there was a man with a "I am Hungry" sign. I do not give money, but I did have some of my mother's Famous Amos Cookies. I gave him a snack bag.....he was grateful. I see these signs every time I go to Houston. I think I am going to keep a case of Water and Snacks in the car for these men. Yeah, I know most of them are drug addicts and alcoholics, but these are hard times for everyone. Don't worry, I only crack my window.....and No Money! Later peeps! Enjoy your weekend!

Good Morning Gang! Apples, Woohoo! on the date night. I want to know all about it. Are you traveling very far for the event? I hope the weather behaves. Linda, This is day7 of 17.....down 5lbs of my weight I had gained since Vegas. I did go off track last night and ate fried shrimp and oysters with steams veggies. I probably would have lost more by now, but I couldn't resist going out to eat seafood. I am back being good today. I can't believe it, but I went out to my little garden and I have four little green cherry tomatoes. I had know idea they would start producing so soon. My squash is about four inches high. I will have to thin them early next week. Lori, WTG! on the pouch test! Lori, the ipad is just as easy as the iphone. I just don't what all it does do because I am technically challenged. I have three children in that field, but I still want to learn to do it myself. Melissa, Sound like you are getting back on track. Our eating issues are in our head. I go to a shrink, but it is for anxiety from taking FM medicine plus I think I have always had anxiety. That is why I eat so much. I think you could do this 17 day diet. There is a wider variety of foods to pick from. HUGS! on your success! Julie......so glad you are posting. Yes, it is sunny and 85 in the afternoons. Perfect weather for my plants and exercising outside. I have been walking everyday. The 17day diet says to only walk 17 minutes the first 17day then increase exercise to 45-60 minutes. I can do this. Janet......how's the vertigo? HUGS!!! Joyce.....how's the arm? That is awful about your sister's ex. My friend is 59 and her husband is divorcing her after 28 years of marriage. She is so afraid he is going to file bankruptcy. He is in that kind of work. I think he has a 25 year old girlfriend.....the DIRT BAG! He had the nerve to go to church with her during the marriage seminar and act like he wasn't doing anything wrong. I almost threw up when I spoke to him. She told him to quit going to church with her. He is still living in the house. Of course he said he doesn't have a girlfriend, but where has all their money gone. She will find out when the discovery is done. She just had her hip and knee replaced last year and needs her other knee and hip replaced. Her lawyer told her to drag it out so she can get those surgeries. Also, she is asking for support do to her disabilities. That is why she is concerned he will file for bankruptcy. UGH! Okay gang, I'm off to get routine blood work for my thyroid. I think my numbers will be high. I am losing hair again, my nails are splitting, and everytime I get the least bit warm it takes forever to cool down. Okay, enough of my daily ailment gripes. Later !

Good Morning Gang! Laura........you are so right......we take our freedom for granted. I can't imagine having to live in such chaos. I hope your MIL is safe. I know Syria is having riots too. Enjoy your time with your dad. Happy Birthday to DH! Linda, day 6 of 17. Well, I went up in weight this morning. I started back on Calcium and it constipates me so bad. I am going to kick up the Water this morning and hope I will get relief. I take Fiber at night and chase it with a bottle of water, but it hasn't helped. I know it will all work OUT. lol Lori, I love my ipad, but I still need my desktop. You can't do everything on a ipad, but it is only a matter of time. I probably could do more, but I don't like asking my DH for help. My DD and even DS are better at teaching me. DH just does it for me. Cheri......GO GOD! Awesome news about your DD! Janet.......where is our Sheriff? They Lucky Seven's must have worn you out. Jessica, loved the picture. Yeah, my friend that worked in surgery said she didn't want to be fat if she had to have surgery because of all the jokes. I am sure they had a field day when I was under the knife. No, it is not right, but is allowed. Apples, you have any relief from the weather?

Good Morning Gang! Jodi, Thanks for sharing the B M pictures of Dassi. She is so pretty........looked like a princess in that dress. You look great! I hope you get help with Dassi's tuition. So many judges don't rule by law, but how they "feel". Her money if for her health and welfare. HUGS! on getting counsel to help. Janet, you are such a exercise machine I bet you won't be that sore. Well, it has been two weeks since my fills. I am pleased, but I think I could have had some in my cheeks. Did you have fillers in your cheeks? I don't know if I will keep this up. No one seems to notice except for my eyelids. I've got to throw away that 10x mirror. lol Julie, I am so glad you are not suffering with neck and shoulder pain. I felt like the band may have been the culprit, but I had know idea it would have erroded in to your stomach. I an anxious to hear what the surgeon has to say. HUGS! Laura, I hope you enjoy your time with your mom and dad. I can see why he would want to get away. I know it wasn't funny to you, but I just had this visual of that alarm going off with the car keys in the washing machine. I did laugh.....of course I wouldn't if it had been me. Lori......loved the pictures of your new grandbaby. She is beautiful.....makes sense...... you and DD are beautiful too! Joyce.....good to see you posting again. I guess you can use more than one finger now. Good for you! Linda......glad to hear Katie has found a pain med to help her. I hope it will keep her from getting involved with stuff that she can get hooked on. I am on day 5 of 17. I was reading more last night about this plan. Your right, it is like the way we should eat. I am keeping boiled eggs in the frig. I am removing the yolks........my pup loves that! Apples......your weather.....my gosh.....it is hard for me to wrap my mind around snow when our weather in in the mid eighties this week. We are having a lot of March winds too. You mentioning about your DH's dental reminds me that I have to find a new dentist. I still can't believe my dentist of 35 years died two weeks ago. He was such a health nut. That is proof that some things are just genetic. Sorry, for rambling. Cheri, I have been praying for your DD daily. This must be a really tough time for her. HUGS! Phyl, you will LOVE your ipad. I put the Livestrong Lite App on my ipad and it is so easy to track your calories and fitness. My DGD runs to my ipad to play her games. It blows my minds how a two year old knows how to operate the ipad like a pro. I dread it when she learns to download apps. My six year old DGD knows how to download apps. Thank goodness I have a password and she doesn't know it so I get the final say. ENJOY! I'm off to drink my warm lemon Water then walk. I am going to hang around the house today. Oh Eva, I got my zucchini planted yesterday. My plants are loving the warm weather. I think I will have tomatoes by the end of April or sooner.

Good Morning Gang! Cheri, very good news for your daughter. I will continue to pray for her and your family. Linda, day 4 of 17. I am not going to tell what I have lost until I have been on it for 7 days, but it is working. I had gained more weight than I had reported. The last 5lbs was after the steroid shot for my trigger thumb. Everything makes me gain. UGH! Anyway, I actually can stay on this plan. The restriction on my band is coming back too. The only problem I am having is sleep. Carbs really help me sleep, but I will adjust. Eva, my plants are really growing. I am hoping for a plentiful crop so I can share with friends. I wish you lived near. With what I have planted salsa would be excellent. Meredith, I wish you well on your friend dillema. I've been there. I felt used later. Kristi.....WTG on you weight loss! Lori.....so sad about your friend's DS. I know she really needs your support now. You are a good listener. Jessica, I hope Jake adjusts to the new medicine. Stay in touch with the doctor on his behavior. It is hard to concentrate on weight loss when you have so much going on. Just try to eat healthy. HUGS! on the HUBBY! Trust me.....it doesn't get better as they get older. Try writing him a letter relating to something he cherishes ......like not caring for his favorite dog.....motorcycle.......or not keeping his area clean at work. I read in a book years ago that men don't get "it" until you can relate it to their life. It does work. Janet......glad you had a great time last week. We missed you! Rest up and get back to posting! Apples.......your weather is YUK today. Lots of rain. I hope you get some nice weather soon. Okay, I am off to shop for DGD's leotard and ballet shoes. She starts a ballet class tomorrow for toddlers. It is so cute to watch the little ones in their little tights. Later gang!

I think this 17 day diet is a close second to the pouch test. My pouch is already smaller. You ought to try it. You can have yogurt twice a day, and two fruits a day before 2pm. Today I have had a chicken breast 4oz, two boiled eggs ( removed the yolk), and a yogurt. Oh, I did stop at Chick fil a and bought a small fruit with a large unsweet tea. We are having chicken breast and broccoli tonight.....with maybe a small salad.

Good Morning Gang! Linda, Yes, I am drinking green tea at meals. I do get stuck from time to time on boiled eggs. In fact, I am sitting here stuck on one right now. lol I did not cut it up.....not good. I am getting ready to walk.....pups thinks I am taking him, but when kids are catching the bus he is a pill. He will have to go on the evening walk. Julie......HUGS and PRAYERS for you today! Later!

Hey Gang! Eva, WooHoo! My yellow squash is coming up! I love Squash.....raw, grilled, or steamed. Wow, what a good price on the inversion table. I have never seen one at such a low price. Lori, glad you made it home safe and sound. I bought gas on Thursday and it was 3.30, but that was several days ago. I saw on TV it will go to 4.00 soon. UGH! Apples, sounds like you had an awesome family time. Maybe GF will be DIL oneday soon. I thought my DS would be married by now. He is doing it all A$$ backwards. He moved in with her.....now they are buying a home together. I guess marriage is down the line. His divorce is still too fresh to jump into another marriage. Oh, well, it's his life.....I just don't want him to get hurt again. Julie, I hope we hear from you tomorrow. Prayers and HUGS! Okay Lucky Sevens.......we want to hear from you! Linda......day 2 of 17. I ate a boiled egg for Breakfast, yogurt for snack, BBQ thigh and green Beans for lunch, Yogurt and boiled egg for snack, chicken breast for dinner. The Water with lemon is curbing my appetite. Oh, I did walk this morning before church. MissAvery.....lap-band is a tool to curb your appetite as long as you eat healthy. Junk food slides right through. With gastric bypass you have malabsorption. You may eat 1200 calories, but you will only absorb about 600 of them. You will have to take Vitamin supplements the rest of your life. Have you been to a seminar explaining both surgeries? It really helps you make the decision. LauraK, sorry he wasn't the one. He is out there. I bet you are excited about your trip to Vegas. I want to hear about it. WTG on your weightloss! Jessica, My doctor and dietitian told me that half your body weight in ounces of water per day. So, if you weigh 200 it is 100ounces. I count tea and coffee as water.

Good Evening Gang! We planted bell peppers and onions today. I am not so sure about my yellow squash. I went out to Water and my little Charlie had jumped into the garden......dug into the squash row. UGH! Linda, I completed day 1 of 17. I had all the foods to start today so I just jumped in. I started with eggbeaters this morning, boiled egg and yogurt for snack, chicken for lunch, yogurt again for a snack....I just finished a large green salad with another boiled egg. It might have been too many eggs for the day, but DH did not feel like grilling the chicken I marinated. Now I am working on getting all my water in. Eva, Apples told me to boil eggs for a snack, but I quit doing it. This time I boiled a dozen eggs so DH and I can have plenty of Snacks. Kelley, good hearing from you. Sorry you had some rough days. Jessica, AH! a Cruise......how fun to go with the family! Y'all have a great evening!