Great2BThin

Bummer Alli! I know how bad you want it, I do too. I on the otherhand did hit 90 1/2 this morning!! I was thrilled, but am afraid to get too thrilled. The reason being, I am in a biggest Loser competition at the rec center. I am in first place, Prize is $700. Well I decided to pull out all the stops. I was feeling puffy and do have an RX for a diuretic to take when I get puffy and when I had high b/p. I took one yesterday morning and was down 4.5 today. I am afraid to count it officially as it may come back. I just hope it doesn't before tomorrow's weigh in. I can't imagine how the biggest loser contestants are feeling, my prize is only $700 and they are competing for much much more. Maybe I'll wait a day or two and see what the scale says then.

Good afternoon. Well the 'Artic Blast' arrived in the night. Yesterday we had 60 degrees, at the bday party we had no coats and some were out on the patio. Today it is currently -3 outside. BRRRRRR We got 3 inches of snow overnight as well. It never ceases to amaze me in Colorado how quick the weather can change. As everyone here knows I am in that weight loss competition and the final weigh in is tomorrow. I can just imagine how the finalists on the Biggest Loser TV show are feeling. Here my prize is $700 and I am nervous as heck, they are competing for a quarter million before a national audience. I did take my diuretic yesterday and was down 4 lbs this morning!! YAHOO!!! I hope it's enough. I knew I was feeling puffy but was amazed at how much. I'd love it if I got another pound or two tomorrow but am happy with the 4 if it holds. It put me at 90 1/2 lbs lost total. But I am not sure if I should count it 'officially' for my ticker and stuff here because it was with the aid of a water pill. Think I will weigh on Thurs. and take what it says that day (surgery day was a Thurs. and when I am being good and staying off the scale I weigh on Thurs. and Mon.). Wish me luck tomorrow!

Another 'twin thing'. I too had to self pay, but not as much as you but close. Anyway I think that has helped motivate me. I also thought I was going to be that one person that the band wouldn't work for. Keep up the good work!

Woo Hoo!!! Wait for me to catch you!! (just joking) CONGRATS!! But keep that 90 door open for me when you get there. I had a goal of hitting 100 by Valentines. I think I can do it! But with this plateau I don't know.

I had a similar thing happen to me 2 evenings before my Lap Band surgery at a support group. They were all bypass patients except for one band and me (this group has now flip flopped and is mostly band). They all started going on about how the bypass was better, blah blah blah. I left really 2nd guessing my choice. The next morning I had my pre op appt with my surgeon. He asked if I had attended any of his support groups, I replied as a matter of fact I have and told him what happened. He wasn't happy and asked me to write it all out in an email to him. By golly the next month I got so many apologies. He said both procedures are equally good. If he didn't believe in the band he wouldn't be offering it and as a matter of fact was helping his sister get one. We came to the conclusion that folks have their definite bias for the procedure that they chose. I definitely have a band bias, but would never bash the bypass to a bypass person, it's just that the band was the better choice for me for my circumstances. And now that there is a Lap Band and a Realize band, I see just as many biases regarding which type of band. Personally I am biased towards the Lap Band but maybe that's because it's the one I have. but believe the Realize band is a good choice as well. Hope that makes sense. I've known 2 people who have gotten bypasses and have regained LOTS of weight back. That was one of my reasons for choosing the band. They stretched out their pouch and there's nothing they can do about it. I can keep restriction but staying current on my fills. Probably had I heard the negative talk about the bypass any other time than 2 nights before my surgery when I already had the jitters, I would've thought nothing about it, but right before my surgery I did freak out a bit.

Good morning. Plan for today is go to SIL's for a Dec. birthday party. My MIL was busy in Decembers (well maybe Marchs LOL). BIL is 50 today, so hubby and BIL are both the same age for 2 days and on Monday DH turns 51. Then SIL's bday is the 19th. Also, have a niece with a bday on the 17th. WHEW!! We have a beautiful day out, temp is almost 60 and tomorrow the high is supposed to be about 17 and low of 1. BRRRR what a drastic change. They say we are getting an 'artic blast'. Also, snow coming. So better enjoy today. I took my first diuretic this morning in prep for the big weigh in for $700 on Monday. Hope it's not too early, may take another tomorrow. I think all I really need to do is lose just a couple to maintain my lead. For the others to catch me they would then have to have huge losses. I'm just not sure this time of year if they will at least I am hoping. Also, I will take the lightest weight clothes I can find to change into to weigh in. I am for sure not weighing in the jeans and sweater I wear at work there. And will make sure not to weigh anyone in myself and will have the other gal do it. Don't want there to be anyone questioning the results if I do win.

Lizalee, Hope you get internet worked out soon and are back online soon. I can't imagine going too long w/o the support here. Well the first week of the new job went well. It's a little slow and boring and I gotta get used to these early hours. I feel silly for feeling so tired. And they sprang on us yesterday that come Jan. they are going to open at 530... YAWN! :wink2: I'll be getting up at 415 or so. I worked out every day when I got off so that is a good thing. I almost talked myself out of it today as I was tired, foot hurts, knee hurts. Felt I 'deserved' a day off for being so faithful etc. But nope I did it. Just did mostly cardio. I know not to do weights every day on the same muscles. So I need to workout a routine where I do lower body one day and upper the next. I tend to do it all in one day.

I'd be very worried if I had to drink coffee in the morning. Personally can't stand the stuff. But I do drink a lot of Water. But will take small sips if need be before weighing. With that definition of introvert that fits me too. Fits DH pretty good too. He's much more gifted than me though. :wink: Well I gotta hit the sack. This 445am alarm is killing me. Hopefully I'll get used to it. OH and today they sprang it on us, come JAn. they will start opening at 530am meaning we will start a half hour earlier. :ohmy:

Well I sure hope so. I really don't understand why it wouldn't. I am 50 exactly, and was banded 6 mos ago and am already down 86 lbs. So I'm optimistic. And no I don't exercise super intensely. I do exercise, I can't run like Jachut with my knee pain (looking at a replacement maybe next year) but I do the elliptical, recumbant bike and I do weights. I think whether or not it's possible depends on the patient and how willing they are to follow the 'bandster rules'. The band works only as good as you work the tool.

My weigh in on Monday is anytime between 6am and 9pm, but since I have to be there for work at 6am I will probably weigh then. Though am contemplating waiting til I leave at 830 as long as I can go that long w/o drinking anything. Also gotta wear something light and I wear jeans while working, so I'll have to change into a weigh in outfit. Too bad the scale is in the lobby, so I can't strip down. :wink:

Apples, what is your 'side business'??? was that your 'real job'? My husband would love to farm. He loves to go back to the farm in SD. His brother inherited his grandparents home place but most of the land around it went to his aunts, they want to sell, he can't afford to buy it all so it's getting all parcelled out. Charlene, Never heard of ChexMix called Texas Trash, I have heard of one kind called Puppy Chow though. I've never been a fine of any kind of Chex Mix though. Hope things calm down for you and also for Ellen. You two have a lot of stress around you. I am meeting a gal for lunch (ZippyKat) whom I originally met on LBT, we've met in person many times now. We meet tomorrow, she is finishing up a 5 day pouch test, will ask her about it. I know I am stressing about the plateau but I think it has more to do with the timing of it and this contest. I know the scale will move again eventually, I know I am doing everything right so it has to. What I don't know is if I am going to retain first place at the Weigh In. Janet, didn't think of the laxative. HMMMMMM Can't decide when to take my diuretic to give me optimal weigh in results. Do I take it Sat. or Sun?? Decisions, decisions. Think I'll have salmon this weekend too, that always jumpstarts me it seems.

is this the volunteer job where you schedule the volunteers? That would be tough. I don't get too involved with the volunteers at the hospital where I volunteer at. I just have to go in the volunteer office to check in, get my parking validation then all my time is spent in the bariatric office. However, from chatter I hear in there, they all have their definite likes and dislikes of what they will and won't do. We get free valet parking and a free lunch on days we volunteer, do you get that? The other bariatric volunteer and I were joking on the phone yesterday (she couldnt' come in yesterday) that we'd 'do lunch' next week. For cafeteria food it's not bad either. Thanks Janet for the encouraging words about my weight loss stall. I know in time the scale has to move again. I guess I am feeling pressured because of the Biggest Loser challenge I am in at the rec center. Currently I am in first place by 1%. Our final weigh in is Monday. There is $700 in the pot and it's winner take all. So I want the scale to move by Monday! I feel a little puffy so may take one of my Water pills this week if it doesn't dissapate by then. Maybe that will give me a little shove in the right direction on the scale. I used to take them daily for my b/p but since it's normal now I don't take them so often. So is it too much to ask for the scale to move by then? That would buy a lot of new clothes!

I'm glad the volunteering at the hospital is so rewarding since it's volunteer and no pay. But I'd love to work in a real job for the bariatric program too! Since we've been 'twins' in this losing banded life, have you hit any of these stalls? I got so spoiled with the losses that I am freaking out now. I am in a Biggest Loser weight loss challenge at the rec center and am in first place. the final weigh in is on Monday and I am only in 1st place by 1%, I want to drop some so bad. It's winner take all and the pot is about $700!! I'm doing nothing different than I've been doing really. I just got a fill last week so if anything am eating a little less. I am working out 4 days a week, etc, etc, etc. Oh and did I tell ya, I am not a patient person???

Wow Donna, you are doing great, you seem to be posting a loss almost every day. congrats! I was but have hit a stall evidently. I've not had a loss in almost 3 weeks but was losing really rapidly before that. I thought for sure I'd meet this goal and exceed it with only 3 lbs to meet the goal I set for this challenge. I think still will but I hope I start losing again soon! Is 160 really your goal for this challenge? or is that your overall goal?

Hey Barb, welcome! I was banded in June too, on the 5th, by Dr. Snyder. Doing great. I am so thrilled with it and so glad I did this for myself.

My what a busy day today was. First off was my 2nd day at the 'mini job' and then went straight from there to my volunteer day at the hospital. That was very fun and rewarding today. Usually when I go, I do go visit patients in the hospital that had surgery, it's usually bypass as the banders go home right away. today they had a gal that went in for bypass but had complications and couldn't get the surgery. However, they could do a band so she was going back in late this afternoon or early evening for a band. She was real nervous and hadn't researched it much as she was going for the bypass. So since I was there, they asked me to go talk to her. I walked in and introduced myself, she asked me to sit down and I visited with her for over half an hour answering questions, etc. It was so rewarding to be able to do that and think that I might have made a difference. I also did lots of copying, phone calling and general stuff like that but it was fun. I ran into my surgeon in the hospital between surgeries and he said hi, said I was looking great and asked what I was down to now. I told him I hit my first plateau as I hadn't lost in 3 weeks almost. He said that wasn't a plateau but a 'mini break' and was sure I'd be losing again. He considers a plateau after 6 weeks. I sure hope I lose by then! I think my body is just resting and playing catch up with the losses I've had and needs to regroup before shedding some more. I didn't even lose after my fill last week. I'm not doing any holiday baking this year so that won't tempt me. We have a big gathering at our home for all of DH's family and I think that will be my time to give myself permission to indulge a little.

Cathy, what a dirty thing for your ex to go and run off with your best friend and for her too. You are a beautiful woman judging by your photo and if you want another relationship any guy would be lucky to have you! Who knows you may opt for that oven!! I just got back from my volunteering at the hospital. It was a very rewarding day. They had a patient in the hospital who went in for Bypass yesterday, but they couldn't do it so she is having a LapBand today. They asked me to go see her since she was nervous about it and had only researched bypass. So I did, the lady asked me to sit down and we discussed it for quite some time. I was able to answer a lot of her questions, etc. It just felt so good to know I made a difference. Scale still seems to be stuck. On Sat. it will be 3 weeks since I had a loss. GRRRRR This is the first this has happened to me, I have been really spoiled by the scale since surgery and I'm not liking it! I even had a new fill last week.

Ellen!!! I miss you around these parts, you've become scarce. I know you have a lot on your plate (no pun intended) right now. Are you finding some time for yourself? Have you talked to our friend lately? Got a correct email for her if you did?? Looks like you are doing well on the weight loss.

IMHO as well. It's probably why I can't find the perfect job again. Hard to top that one. It was so much fun, though the pay there was pitiful as well but the discount, Oh my!! And the employee sales and events...... Guess if the economy keeps heading south or DH gets laid off, I'll have to stop being so picky and just get a job. :tt1:

That's what I figure. The pay is pittance, but I look at it as though I am getting paid to work out. Just have to go a little earlier and I am committed to be there to open the place up in the morning so can't roll over and go back to sleep. And I still have all day off to do as I want, though I always have my eye out for that 'perfect' job.

I am sure eventually I will get used to shopping in the Misses departments. Right now I find it so overwhelming. Even though I hated shopping in 'Womens', it is my comfort zone. I know how to shop there, still feel I belong there etc. Yesterday while walking around the 'normal' sizes, I felt like such an imposter. Especially when I found myself in Petites, I know that means for shorter people, but I used to think of it meaning skinny people. I don't fit either category at 5'9". I felt like everyone was looking at me thinking, what was she doing here, especailly as I went to fitting rooms. I guess I just need to shop more often so I get more comfortable and less overwhelmed.

Good morning. Well I am home from my first day of my new 'mini job' at the rec center, plus I worked out for almost an hour afterwards and was still home at 930. this will be good to keep me consistent with exercise, good thing as the pay sucks but it is what it is and will be a fun little job. Am meeting DH for lunch a little later. My biggest change is going to be in eating. I usually eat breakfast of egg beaters and a slice of bacon. But this morning, I didn't allow enough time and only ate half my eggs and ran out the door. Had my bacon for a mid morning snack when I got home. I can bring something there to heat up in the microwave and eat while working so might try that. Joann and Soover, hope you are feeling stronger every day!

Good morning. What a productive morning so far it's been. Today was the first day of my 'mini-job'. I start at 550am and am off at 830. I think I will like it. It is very slow and easy work and the rest of the time I get to sit and gab with a good friend of mine that got me the job there. She works full time and I am just there for the early hours to help her open and check in all the early birds that use the gym, go to the aerobics classes etc. There's a lot to remember on opening, it will take a time or two before I learn where all the keys go and what opens what, etc. And all the computer programs to open etc. Then afterwards, I was a good girl and changed into workout attire and worked out before coming home at 930. So here I am at 945 when I'd just be thinking of going to the gym and I've worked, worked out and am home with a whole day ahead of me. I am used to sleeping til 7 so getting my just before 5 will be tough at first. When that alarm went off this morning I was like, 'do I really wnat to do this?'. :angry_smile: Tomorrow I will go straight from there at 830 to my volunteer stint at the hospital at 9, might be a few min. late if the roads are still icy. Becky, I wonder what size I'll get to as well. My doc mentioned a 10 once, that sounds so far fetched to me right now. But then again 16's are fitting and even some 14's but other 16's don't fit. And I am still about 40-50 lbs from goal, I think. Not sure where I want to get on the scale either, a normal BMI sounds nice, but right now I am shooting for just an 'overweight' one and to no longer be obese. It was a huge deal for me when I was no longer 'morbidly obese' and now to just be overweight soon is almost normal to me. :frown: How old are your twins? boys, girls, one of each? Janet, I love to Christmas shop as long as I know what to shop for. I hate wandering trying to come up with something for someone that I feel I should get a gift for but not sure what or how much to spend, those type of gifts I hate shopping for. It's so hard to have control when it comes to new clothes for me. It's like a whole new world out there. But so confusing. I hated shopping in Macy's and Dillards (found some Jones NY stuff to try on though) as I am used to one tiny 'Women's' dept where everything is all together. The normal sizes are so spralled out and if you don't know what brand or designer you like it's confusing. And what if I like pants in one dept but not the top and then have to go all over looking for something to match etc. For this newbie to Misses sizes it's overwhelming. I haven't been there for over 25 yrs. and it seems to have changed. But then again 25 yrs ago I was a young mother with younguns and my clothes didn't come from a Macy's or Dillards.

Good afternoon. Just got home from a day of shopping with my daughter. And I found a sweater to go with my black pants at where else? Ann Taylor! :wink_smile: And best of all it was on the clearance rack and everything in the store was an additional 20% off today. YAHOO!! Cathy, it's taken me several fills too.

Allie, I found the sweater today. It's a silverish one with sparkles in it and best of all it was on the clearance rack at Ann Taylor (love that store). So I am set. I start my job in the morning. Filled out all the paperwork today. My hubby says all the right things too. My weight has never been an issue for him other than when I am so down on myself over it. WE will celebrate 30 yrs in April.