PhotoNut

Hmmm.... pizza in the blender? It's a thought. *snickers*

Just making sure you're paying attention. *winks* I see Tricia K in the thread tonight. Hiya Tricia! *waves hello*

Hey Liana :eek: Nah, nobody gets dropped. *points to each individual in the club* This club is for you, and you, and you... it's yours. Take from it what you need, give what you can - when you can. Whether you're the vocal type that likes the social aspect of the club, or you're the sit back and watch type that draws strength and knowledge from listening to others, the GFG Club was started for you with no expectations... only hopes that it will help when help is needed. :eek:

Have you ever heard the saying, "It takes guts to get out of ruts." ? Well, there's a reason for that saying - it's not an easy thing to do! But you CAN do it. It's not forever, it's only for a short while. In the meantime, put some bean n bacon Soup in a blender, turn it to liquid and heat it up. Yum Yum. Salty, creamy, warm goodness that will fill you up. You're an addict (smokes and food) going through withdrawals, but this WILL pass. Each day will get easier. And each day that you fight your way through, you WILL feel better. I promise! *hugs* Hang in there, you can do this.

Hey Jess - I'm sending over lots and lots of peaceful and comforting thoughts for you, and I'm praying for a successful surgery and quick recovery for you as well. Can't wait to see your results. "FlatBellyKellie" looks awesome, doesn't she? You will too! I'm so grateful to you gals who are braving this ahead of me. It gives me the courage to follow after you, cause I know there's no way this bod is going to return to any reasonable shape this time. I'm too old and I've done it too many times. You'll do just fine. I'll be thinking about you all day tomorrow. *hugs*

My old dragon, still taunting me -->:croc:<--- My new dragon, determined to win!

Gotcha covered in prayers, Brenda. Don't even try to cheat. God is on alert and He will catch you! *laughs* Well my baby went home this morning and cried when I left him with Mommy and Daddy. Gosh I love being a grandma :eek: I will do 30 minutes of cardio every day. (Went to a great photography workshop today and walked my fanny off! Everyone in the group was fit except one other girl who was younger and not as fat as me, so I was working my poor little fat legs as hard as I could to keep up with everyone as we walked around downtown Boise.) I will drink 6 - 16.9oz bottles of Water every day. (On track so far) I will write down every bite I put in my mouth - quantity, calories, Protein. (Yup, keeping up on this.) I will take on one realistic self or home project per day. (Colored my hair - Yay! I'm starting to actually care again! And went to the photography workshop. Will be doing this every Saturday for quite some time. Love it!)

Right.. well, the Insert Image icon is for linking to pics that are on a server. I was talking about being able to attach pics that we upload (paperclip icon), like we do in regular posts. Thats how I did the first pics in my journal.

:bounce::welcomeB: :bounce: to the Club Wonkette and VegasWildflower! Paula, if you put your weight now you'll have a loss to show next Wednesday. *winks*

Woohoo!! I'm rich! A round of lapbands for the house, on me!!

That's it - I'm not going back for another fill now! Thanks Randy :eek: *snickers*

Thanks Vegas! I claim insanity from living with a 2 1/2 yr old for the past two days. I didn't get in my Water today, didn't walk, blech. I ate right and didn't sit on my lazy rear all day, so that's something anyway. *laughs* I'll try again tomorrow. The cutie pie goes home in the morning. I'll miss him so much!

Heyas Dawn, Welcome to LBT! Your story sounds so much like mine. Healthy in most respects - just terribly obese. I'm not a snacker, don't care for sweets, loved to cook, centered every family event around the planning, preparation and serving of food. I didn't know how to cook small or eat small. I ate huge quantities of food, and often hated myself for it. I wondered how in the world I was going to give all of that up. I've had the band since Jan 9th of this year and my entire outlook has changed. A lot of it without my even noticing it. Family events now center around family - not food, which gives me much more relaxed time to enjoy the people I love. The drive to eat and eat and eat and eat at every meal is gone. The last time I felt self loathing over the food issues was pre-banding. That's been replaced with a slowly increasing sense of accomplishment. You said, that "this is a scary, life-altering procedure". I was afraid of the changes too. I was scared to death that I would fail somehow - I've been so good at failing in the past. I didn't know how I was going to cope without my comfort (food), and for a time before surgery I was feeling remorseful about giving it up. But what I found was a very pleasant surprise. I don't feel deprived. I don't feel like I've said goodbye to what I thought was my only comfort in life. Since banding I've gone through a bored, down in the dumps time when I felt like I wasn't really going to lose this weight, and if I did manage it, it was going to take soooo loooong to do it.. yadda yadda... which typically would have been the point I would have falled off the wagon and started gaining back - but I didn't do that this time. The band kept me going, even when I didn't want to. That was a huge break-through for me. Life-altering? Yes, I'd say so. I've lost 52 pounds. I'm starting to feel stronger and more agile each day. While I'm still a bit afraid to put my full faith in the success of this venture (strictly because of my self-destructive patterns), I'm beginning to have glimmers of believe in it. That's HOPE. And that's something I had lost before the band. And without hope, we are dead. So yep, it altered my life in a big way. It brought me back from sure death and gave me another chance at really living and enjoying my life. Scary? Yes, it's never easy venturing into the unknown. But each day I keep putting one foot in front of the other (on the dreadmill.. hehe) I am finding that it's not so scary after all. In fact, it's quite do-able, and very pleasant. I was self pay as well. I felt guilty as sin about spending all that money on my lazy, self-gratifying, out-of-control, fat self. Twenty-six thousand dollars can go a long way in paying off bills, helping family, taking a vacation, etc. However, my family all agreed that they would rather have me alive and healthy to enjoy the years ahead with them, than anything else they could think of to spend the money on. I thank them for that, from the bottom of my heart. And if I had to do it over again, I would. As for Mexico - I hear only great things about Dr. Rumbaut. The others.. well, I've heard both good and bad.. some very bad. The important thing is to be sure you have a local doctor set up for follow-up care unless you can easily get back to Mexico if you have any problems. Some doctors in the states won't touch a bandster who was banded by another surgeon, let alone out of the country. I look forward to welcoming you to bandland and to hearing about how it's altered your life. :eek:

Good lookin' guys Penni! I'll bet it seems like only yesterday that were the size of my grandson!

Please pass along our sincere thanks and congratulations to your brother in law.

Honors Page for GFG Club Members :eek: (And they ask if this works!) :eek: :whoo: :first: 100 pounds or more gone for good! :first::whoo: --------------------------------------------------------------- HeatherGurly - 103 pounds Chunk - 100 pounds 90 pounds or more gone for good! ----------------------------------- Patty103 - 99 pounds Kimmcneely - 93 pounds Joe - 92.4 pounds Coyotegirl - 92 pounds 80 pounds or more gone for good! ----------------------------------- Txblue_eyedqt - 86 pounds JillS - 85.2 pounds PinkMary - 80 pounds 70 pounds or more gone for good! ----------------------------------- Kimbo - 79.5 pounds Bell - 77 pounds EmilyKaye - 77 pounds Kelliebelly - 73 pounds NaturalBeauty - 73 pounds Tricia K. - 72 pounds 60 pounds or more gone for good! ----------------------------------- LSasha - 69 pounds Wonkette - 66 pounds Paula - 65.8 pounds Daisybelle - 63 pounds Drj - 63 pounds P'Nut - 62.5 pounds Betje - 61 pounds Dawg - 60 pounds MollyMolly - 60 pounds ScrapKarla - 60 pounds 50 pounds or more gone for good! ----------------------------------- LegallyKristin - 59 pounds The best me - 58.2 pounds Anillacookie - 57 pounds Mychevygirl - 52 pounds Maggie63 - 56 pounds DianeChef - 55 pounds Kim_8 - 54 pounds Marypetunia - 51 pounds Marie485 - 51 pounds RHONDAKO - 50 pounds :clap2: Great work everyone! Now let's get more of us on this page! :clap2:

Welcome to the Gone for Good Club The members of this "club" are like-minded people who want to challenge each other to keep working toward our goal of weight loss and keeping it off! We have no illusions of the band being a miracle cure, nor do we believe that we will achieve our goals without working for them. We understand that if we continue the lifestyle and eating habits that got us fat in the first place, we will not achieve our goals. We come together in order to strengthen our determination by sharing our dreams, our struggles, and our victories with one another. Everyone is welcome to join the club - banded, pre-banded, no band - all are welcome to join at any time. To join, please post a brief introduction of yourself and list any information you want posted on the main page. See the list of members below to get an idea of what info you can post. The only requirement for joining the club is a commitment to your own success in your weight loss journey, and the ability to say NO to Girl Scout cookies! (club joke *winks*) Wednesdays are weigh-in days for those who wish to have us update your progress on this page. Please post a brief note on Wednesdays in the following format: C 265 (-42 lbs total, -3 this week) We encourage everyone to get to know one another while sharing tips, support, struggles, and encouragement... and a kick in the rear when needed! *grin* This is not a contest, there is no deadline, and everyone is a winner by being a "loser"! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (H-highest weight, S-weight at surgery, J-weight when joined this club, G-goal weight, C-current weight) AliDiane - H & S 224/ J 210/ G 120 (-14 lbs total) Anillacookie - H 270/ J 214 (-57 lbs total) Bell - S 300/ J 223/ G 160 (-77 lbs total) Betje - H 300/ S 286/ J 239 (-61 lbs total) Chameleon - H 275/ J 269 (-6 lbs unbanded to date) Cheri - H 266/ J 234/ G 150s ? (-32 lbs total) Chunk - H 320/ S 300/ J 220/ G 200 (-100 lbs total) Coyotegirl - H 305/ S 294/ J 220/ G 150ish/ C-213 (-92 lbs total) Criss Kellogg - H 245/ S 241/ J 211/ G 175/ C 205 (-36 lbs total) Daisybelle - H 400+/ S 403/ J 343/ C 340.5 (-63 lbs total) Dawg - 307 (no band)/ J 265/ C 247 (-60 lbs total, -3 this week) DianeChef - H 258/ J 208/ G 150/ C 202 (-55 lbs total) Dongger - newly banded! Drj - H 295/ J 234/ C 232 C-213 (-63 lbs total) EmileeKaye - H 303/ J 227/ C226 (-77 lbs total, -2 this week) Fee2Young2B40 - H 278/ J 230/ G 150?/ C 229 (-49 lbs total) FunnyDuddies - H 372/ J 340/ G 120/ C 355 (band date July 28th) Gloria37 - H 310/ J 285/ G 190/ C 281 (-29 lbs total) Gurly - H 365/ S 329/ J 279/ G 190/ C 262 (-103 lbs total, no change this week) Founder, Resident Hot Chick and Biggest Loser of the Gone for Good Club Iziksmom - H 274.5/ S 268/ G 135/ C 238.5 (-36 lbs. total, -3 lbs this week) Jaygerl05 - H 245/ S 243/ J 200/G 165 (-45 lbs total) Jerseytammy - H&S 308/ J 269 (-39 lbs total) Jill S - H 320/ S 289/ J 246.6/ G 155/ C 234.8 (-85.2 lbs total) Joe - H 362/ S 320/ J 269.6/ G 200 (-92.4 lbs total) Josette - H385/ J 395/ G 220/ C 385 Kaybug - S 360/ J 348 (-12 lbs total) Kelliebelly - H 265/ J 191 (-73 lbs total) Kim 8 - H 235/ S 218/ J 192/ C 181.5 C 180.0 (-54 lbs total, -.5 over last week) Kimbo - S 292/ J 226/ C 212.5 (-79.5 total loss, 5 lbs this week) Kimmcneely - H 256/ S 218/ J 163/ G 140 (-93 lbs total) LegallyKristin - H 298/ S 264/ J 251/ G 140/ C 239 (-59 lbs total, -6 this week) Lianna - H & S 229/ J 204/ C 192 (-37 lbs total, -2 this week) LindaV - H 315/ J 299/ G 170/ C 296 (-19 lbs total, -3 this week) LSasha - H 340/ J 280/ C 261 (-79 lbs total, -10 this week) Wow! :eek: Maggie63- H 285/ S 277/ J 235/ G 190/ C 229 (-56 lbs total) Marie485 - H 275/ S 270/ J 224/ G 140 (-51 lbs total) Maryb - H 219/ 1st Dr Visit 207/ S 201/ 1st G 180/ 2nd G 150/ Final G 130/ C182 (-37 lbs total, -2 this week) MaryPetunia - H 342/ S 333/ J 303/ G -200 lbs/ C 291 (-51 lbs total) Michelle43mi - S 215/ J 186/ G 125 (-29 lbs total) Mistjin - H 304/ J 297/ C 293 (-11 lbs total, hoping to be banded soon) MollyMolly - H 288/ S 264/ J 230/ G 140/ C 228 (-60 lbs total) MoOrLess - C 276 (-2 this week, waiting to be banded this summer) Morsaille - S 312/ J 287/ G 180/ C 285 (-27 lbs total) Mrycrltn - S 189/ J 168.5/ G 125/ C 151.5 (-37.5 lbs total, -.5 this week) Mychevygirl - H 380/ J 351.5/ C 322 (-57 lbs preband, -5 this week) NaturalBeauty - S 283/ J 228/ G 185/ C 213 (-73 lbs total, -2 this week) Nightingale2u - H 257/ J 219/ C 221.5 (-35.5 lbs total) Papillon - S 291/ J 255.5 (-35.5 lbs total) Patty103 - (-99 lbs total) Paula - S 248/ J 185 / G 150/ C 182.2 (-65.8 lbs total) Penni - H 296/ S 296/ J 252/ G 200/ C 262 (-34 lbs total, +5 this week) *hugs* PhotoNut - H 307/ S 291/ J 265/ G 130/ C 244.5 (-62.5 pounds total, -1.5 this week) PinkMary - H 265/ S 265/ J 185/ G 130 (-80 pounds total, no change this week) Poster child - H&J 258/ G 130/ C 256 (band date May 8th!) Pugmum - H 250/ J 240 (-10 lbs total) RHONDAKO - S 270/ J 229/ G 150/ C214 (-56 lbs total) ScrapKarla - H 321/ S 310/ J 250/ G 190/ C 250 (-60lbs total, no change this week) ShackDog - (-30 lbs total) Shauntil6266 - H 223/ J 223/ G 150 (banded March 29th) Skbishop78 - S 205/ J 185/ G 125/ C 172 (-33 lbs total) SkyeBlu - H 210/ S 206/ J 191/ G 130/ C176 (-34 lbs total) Sunta - (-20.9 lbs total) Tellymelly - H 240/ S 235/ J 219/ G 135/ C 218 (-22 lbs total, -1 this week) Tess L - S 216/ J 195/ C 187 (-29 lbs since surgery, no change this week) The best me - H 242/ S 223/ J 188/ C 183.8 (-58.2 lbs total, no change this week) Tricia K. - H 283/ S 274/ J 216/ G 160/ C 201 (-73 lbs since surgery, - 1 this week) TwinkleLil_star - J 264 (Band date May 12th) Txblue eyedqt - H 296/ S 296/ J 224/ G 140-150/ C 210 (-86 lbs total) Valhallagirl - S 250/ J 238/ G 130/ C 237 (-13 lbs total) VegasWildflower - H&S 285/ J 265/ G 160/ C 261 (-23 lbs total) Wendyr - H 230/ S 226/ J 188/ G 135 (-42 lbs total) Wonkette - S 245/ J 179 (-66 lbs total) TOTAL GROUP LOSS PRIOR TO JOINING CLUB: 3,053.3 pounds (1 1/2 tons!) March 2006: 223 pounds Gone for Good! April 2006: 182.8 pounds Gone for Good! Total group loss week ending April 05: 63.6 pounds Total group loss week ending April 12: 39.2 pounds Total group loss week ending April 19: 30.5 pounds Total group loss week ending April 26: 49.5 pounds

Ok everyone. This is my last post on the GFG Club March thread. I'm going to be asking Penni to lock this thread now. I'll be starting the April thread tonight because I'm going to be gone most of the day tomorrow. Thanks everyone for contributing to the beginning of this wonderful thread and very special club. You all are the best! Click here to go to the Gone For Good Club - April 2006 thread.

Because you want to. *grins and holds out her hand for her million dollars*

Karen, it's great to hear an upbeat tone in your voice. How you're managing that with all of the stress you must be under right now, is beyond me. You and your loved ones will be in my prayers - I pray that you and hubby get great news on all counts and that your mom comes through surgery quickly and finds her life so much better for it. *hugs*

Sooo... let me get this straight. Your skinny jeans, the ones you've dreamed of wearing again, the ones you've been waiting to fit into again.. are too big?! Seriously??!! That's fantastic! Now you can buy some even skinnier jeans! w00t!! Grats Carla!

Hey Shanna.. sorry to hear about this. I'll be keeping good thoughts for positive result of the unfill. Best wishes and lots of hugs.

No worries. Don't rely on your veggies for protein, rely on animal protein - fish, chicken, dairy, and red meat on occassion. Veggie proteins are not easily broken down by the body so only 30% of the protein is absorbed. The rest lays in your colon and rots, creating gas problems. An no veggie by itself is a complete protein, so you'd have to research with ones to eat together to make a complete protein. So, that's the good news yea? Veggies are important for carbs - good carbs. Broccoli is a great source, and if you only eat the tops you'll have no problem. It's the stringy stalks that can cause problems. Fresh might be a problem as well, not sure. I use frozen. Raw veggies such as lettuce and carrots are an option if you just don't care for cooked veggies. Like Alex, I eat my protein first and am usually getting pretty full before I start on veggies, then I only eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of peas- n-carrots or broccoli-n-cauliflower a day, usually at dinner. So veggie haters can relax.

I will do 30 minutes of cardio every day. (Only did 15 - I've been bad about keeping up on this. I figured on a few days of doing the usual 15 to get back into the habit, then move up to twice a day.) I will drink 6 - 16.9oz bottles of water every day. (Drank all 6 today!) I will write down every bite I put in my mouth - quantity, calories, protein. (Yup, keeping up on this.) I will take on one realistic self or home project per day. (Spent all day running errands, visiting with friends and our grandson is staying with us, keeping me very active.)

Mo - I make the changes to the page. You can either PM me or post it here. Thanks. Skye - Nothing I could possibly say could make things any better for you, so.. *big warm encouraging hugs* Hang in there. You'll get through this.