Di4AU

Well, I've been home from Vegas for a week now and I have just stopped the feeding frenzy I've been on for two weeks. Stay away from Las Vegas, Shawna! Unfortunately, nothing stayed in Vegas, I brought back five pounds!!! I think it was all the Margaritas......Oh well, it will come off fast, now that I'm back on the straight and narrow... I plan to be at the next meeting (16th right?). I've scheduled someone to work that day, so I should be good. I need to be around my "band" friends to keep me in line. :thumbdown: You know, in the past, at this point I would have told myself to forget it, I've gained weight, what's the use? Now I know I can get back to eating correctly so easily and I feel great because of that!

I've been shopping online for the protein shots, and I don't see them anywhere. However, over to the right (an ad onthis page), there are some on fitnessfirstusa.com and they have some with 42 gms of protein and they have 176 calories. Not as bad as the ones at GNC (who have this kind also) that are over 200 calories. They have a smaller size too, which has 25 gms of protein, I think. That website has them cheaper than anywhere, too, although I've never heard of them. I'll go ahead and order some and let you guys know.................

Hello everybody! I have been out of the loop, I've been so busy at work, but I do keep up. I think I finally have THE fill. I got it six weeks ago and I can really feel it. I think it was my 4th or 5th. Anyway, have been really down on myself because I hadn't been losing, but maintaining. That period of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, my birthday (which conincides with Girl Scout Cookie delivery week) has always been the time period when I have given up and gone back to poor eating habits. Then I realized, I didn't do that this time. Sure I didn't really lose much, but I didn't gain either and then last week I hit "ONE"derland!!!! That has really spurred me on and I feel much better. You guys are all doing so great, you really inspire me and I'm sure a lot of people who don't even write (don't be afraid people, you can help someone whether you know it or not). I love the protein shots, too! But evidently, Jason is buying them everywhere! I had bought up all the ones in Sylacauga's Wal-Mart and now they don't even sell them anymore. Chelsea's Wal-Mart had them when I had plenty, now they don't have them. I'm going to have to find them online, I guess. The only ones I find at GNC are 42 gms of protein, which is great, but they have twice as many calories. Guess I could just do a half at a time?? I wish I could be at this month's meeting, but I'll be in Las Vegas! Thanks to all of you, love you guys!!!!

Have you been in that wine??? Just kidding You are right, this group is so motivational. I need to go back and read from the beginning. Great idea! Wendy, don't give up!! See how easy it was to lose that 5 pounds?? Keep it up.

I just realized I will miss the next two meetings. In March, I'll be on vacation (spring break) and in April, I'll be at a convention. Crap! I really wish we could have one at night during the week............

Yep, I think that's a good idea. I'm sure Veronica will help you. I keep telling everyone, I think we received such an education from our doctor's group, we could probably teach some pre-banding classes ourselves! I found out early on, if you keep those carbs below 15 and fat below 5, the calories pretty much take care of themselves. This is the reason most of those 100 calorie snack packs are out. The carb content. And don't cheat yourself with Atkins rules of subtracting fiber from the carbs. Carbs are carbs on this program. And I finally found the protein shots! Took grand tours of two different Wal-Marts. They're not bad at all. ......

YES! You will find out everything you need to know. Please ask questions if you don't understand something. It's a really small class so there is a lot of discussion and you will learn a lot.

Just dashing off a quick note, (it's all I seem to have time for anymore), I will see you all this morning at meeting. Haven't updated my ticker, but I have reached my halfway point FINALLY! Jason, I'm glad your Mom is doing better and I am so looking forward to FINALLY meeting you! I have an appointment Monday too, but it's at 9:45. Although, Ashely called me yesterday to reschedule for 9:00 but by the time I got the message it was too late. I may show up at 9:00 anyway...... See you guys shortly....................

Hi Tiana, it was great meeting you. The fill wasn't a big deal was it? Glad you made it to our little group here. If you're ever feeling down, just drop in. Everyone here is so inspirational to me. I need to drop in more often myself! I'm at a standstill. Need to exercise, need to exercise, need to exercise...... Jason, good to know everything is OK with you!

They ask you bring it with you in case you have to spend the night. You can leave it in the car.

Yeah, I think that's what hooked my Goddaughter. She said she had trouble getting into the book, but once she saw the movie her head is buried in these books. Guess she had to get a clear picture in her head!

OK JASON! Now we're really worried, you weren't at the meeting this morning. It was a really good one. I was able to meet razberry kisses and skinny lou! Great to meet you both. We told other people of our little group here and I hope some of them join us.

Well, after it took a week to catch up on all the posts, I finally have a minute to post myself! For the weeks leading up to Christmas, we were working 12 hours a day and then collapsing when we got home. Then, we left Christmas morning for Disney World and got home New Year's Day. Now, we're playing catch up! I sure hope you all had a wonderful holiday, we sure did. I only gained two pounds between Thanksgiving and now, so I feel like I did pretty good (considering what I ate and drank over that period). Of course, I didn't lose anything in that period either, but it's nice to know that I can have an annual binge. As long as I keep those portions small and walk at Disney five miles a day! Exercise this time of year is the hardest for me. I need to get back on my Wii Fit. So, is the next meeting the 17th? It's been so long, I've forgotten which week they are. And 10:00? I have no obligations on Saturdays for a long time. It's good to be home......

I am alive, but sooooo busy at the store. We've been putting out treats for our customers and the dang things keep jumping right up in my mouth! They won't stop! I'm home today preparing for our employees Christmas party and giving myself an attitude adjustment. We'll be in a parade Saturday (and working), so I won't make it to the meeting until January. I need it! Fills can be difficult when the ultrasound gal marks the wrong spot. It happened to me one time and it was the only one that was uncomfortable. Notice I still didn't say hurt, because they don't. I weigh every day. It really keeps me from losing control. Back to work......

I told you not to look at it!!!!!

First of all when they ask if you want the numbing shot, tell them no. I understand it hurts. The fill doesn't hurt at all, just a little prick at first. Like my pediatrician told me when I was a kid, if you don't look at it, it doesn't hurt.

I do know that I can have a treat once in a while and I don't gain, don't lose either, but as long as I don't gain I'm happy. Not too happy this week! I forgot to tell y'all the most awsome thing that happened. It was supposed to be raining and in the 60's at the beach while we were there, well it wasn't. We brought nothing but jeans and long sleeves and sweaters. Well, Friday afternoon it was so hot sitting on the deck I couldn't stand it anymore and went in search for something to put on. I put on my husbands' tshirt and boxers. They're mediums!!!! The peep hole in the boxers was gapped wide open, but I didn't bust a seam when I sat down. So, I'm all set for shorts this spring!

Sounds like we've all been bad except Shawna and Jason! I ate everything in sight. But, I did walk on the beach a lot! You know, "they" always say don't weigh everyday, but I do or I would gain more weight. It really helps to see what works for me and what keeps me from losing. I weigh everyday at the same time, right before I get in the shower. And you see what happens when I'm away from a scale for a few days, I go wild and gain 3 lbs. That's the most I've gained since surgery. It will be gone by Friday, I MEAN IT! Anyway, has anyone else noticed that the lack of fat in our diet has made our skin incredibly dry this fall? Please tell me you have and it's not oldage. The skin on my hands is like sandpaper, no matter how much lotion I use all day. With the humidity at the beach, my skin was so soft and within 24 hours of being home, I'm growing fish scales again........

It is beautiful in Gulf Shores this morning! Happy Thanksgiving. I think slippage is pretty rare, actually, but from what I've learned , it's most definitely caused by misbehaving! Eating solids too soon can cause your pouch to stretch before it is fully healed from surgery. I've read alot about what other doctors suggest here, and of course they are all different, but I stuck with what our drs recommended. Seems like Veronica has said, they have only seen two slippages (or it was a very low number anyway) so I feel they are offering sound advice. I have to say it boggles my mind, so many people in other forums here don't have a clue what they are supposed to be eating, etc. Evidently our docs are very good with education, as well. Hope you're enjoying this beautiful day!

It's the protein! Ashely suggested an apple a day. I can't remember that, so I get those Fiber Choice sugar free tablets. They work.

For the first time in my life, I'm not doing all the cooking and cleaning for Thanksgiving. For everybody, that is. Hubby and I are leaving for the beach tomorrow and I'm planning a new traditional seafood feast for two! It's amazing, when I stay on my "program", I lose weight. Another 1.5 gone this morning. I must behave, I must behave.......

Don't get discouraged! You just need to sit yourself down and have a serious talk with yourself. You've worked so hard to get this far, and was it really that hard? No! I really think you need to address the vomiting issue. You are either eating way too fast or too much. If not, then you are too tight and you should have a little unfill. I had a fill yesterday and for the first time Dr. Schmitt did it. We had a nice little chat about what you're saying. He was a little concerned that I was getting another fill (I'm up to 5.75 in a 9cc). But, I've never gotten stuck or PB'd. So, he told me to be very careful. Anyway, he said if you're vomitting, it's too tight. And when that happens, people tend to eat slider foods. And of course weight loss stops then. Geez, I sound like I'm scolding you, I'm not!!!! Just off on a tangent. So, girlfriend, find another stress reliever other than food. You can do this. You have been, don't stop now!

Susan, keep a pillow handy. If you hold it against your stomach when you get up and down it will help. You'll probably be more sore today. But keep walking, you're doing great!

That is funny, but true. I can tell a difference in my earlobes. Every time my husband puts his hand on my shoulder, he says "wow i can really feel you've lost a lot". I've always put my big clothes away for future use, but not any more. Every time I put something on that's too big, it immediately goes in the give away bag. I've bought a few things, but not too much. Pretty soon what I do have is going to fall apart from being washed so much! As an added bonus, my closets and drawers are getting cleaned out and now I have tons of room:smile: I thought I could make the December meeting, but I'll be in the Chelsea Christmas parade that day. Oh well, starting in January, y'all will see me there every month! Hey, I hit the 50 lb. mark this morning. Seven more pounds and I'll be half way there!!! Nine more pounds and I'll be in "onederland"! You are all doing so great and for our newbies, the time has flown and it's been so much easier than I imagined. You'll fall off the wagon occasionally, but don't beat yourself up about it. Just climb back on and the pounds will start dropping off again. Congrats on the new job, Shawna. I'm having a ball in my new career and keeping VERY busy. That's why I haven't been around much, but I am keeping tabs on all of you:sneaky:

For my morning snack, I have a few almonds and a string cheese. In the afternoon, I have a fat free pudding, which for some reason fills me up more than anything I eat. Maybe it's the time of day, I don't know. And I try to have about 4 ounces of Isopure a couple of times a day too for the protein. I notice I lose faster when I get that extra protein in. But, it is important to snack (carefully), so you're not so hungry and overeat at meal times.