FeliciaLevy75

What a couple of weeks it has been. My house was broken into, I have/had three presentations at school, and work has been a whirlwind.... and yet I was able to stay on track. Quite the accomplishment if I do say so myself. And, in all seriousness, I owe it to my weight loss journey and the tools I use to manage it. Stress, chaos, and crowded calendars can make it easy to get off track. You tell yourself, "just this once; a small bite; I'll make up for it next time; I don't have time; convenient beats healthy right now...." Soon enough, bad habits are back and you don't realize just how bad until you study your food diary (you *are* keeping a food diary, yes?). The truth is, my food diary is what saved me these past two weeks. It's a constant in my life, a steady, reliable part of what I do every day. Even when everything else seemed too unbearable - and there were quite a few hours of that feeling recently - my LBT and LIVESTRONG accounts and my Daily Plate were a source of comfort. Unaffected by my personal drama, these electronic resources - and the friends I have made using them - were still there, ready, willing, and able to perform as intended and expected. They (animate and inanimate resources alike) kept me focused, reminded me of the things that I can control and helped to promote in me strength through use of that control. Everyone has bad days during which they feel like they just can't do what is expected of them. This may be true when speaking of the expectations of others, but when it is your health, your weight loss journey, and your overall well-being... you can do it like no one else can do it. You have to, because no one else can do it for you. Focus on that, and you can get through anything.

What a couple of weeks it has been. My house was broken into, I have/had three presentations at school, and work has been a whirlwind.... and yet I was able to stay on track. Quite the accomplishment if I do say so myself. And, in all seriousness, I owe it to my weight loss journey and the tools I use to manage it. Stress, chaos, and crowded calendars can make it easy to get off track. You tell yourself, "just this once; a small bite; I'll make up for it next time; I don't have time; convenient beats healthy right now...." Soon enough, bad habits are back and you don't realize just how bad until you study your food diary (you *are* keeping a food diary, yes?). The truth is, my food diary is what saved me these past two weeks. It's a constant in my life, a steady, reliable part of what I do every day. Even when everything else seemed too unbearable - and there were quite a few hours of that feeling recently - my LBT and LIVESTRONG accounts and my Daily Plate were a source of comfort. Unaffected by my personal drama, these electronic resources - and the friends I have made using them - were still there, ready, willing, and able to perform as intended and expected. They (animate and inanimate resources alike) kept me focused, reminded me of the things that I can control and helped to promote in me strength through use of that control. Everyone has bad days during which they feel like they just can't do what is expected of them. This may be true when speaking of the expectations of others, but when it is your health, your weight loss journey, and your overall well-being... you can do it like no one else can do it. You have to, because no one else can do it for you. Focus on that, and you can get through anything.

Never too late; welcome!

Thanks, guys. I had to post something; I am so angry. I am half-hoping someone tries again. The minute they do, I will own them.

Screw you. Who the hell do you think you are, and what f--king right do you have to enter my home uninvited? What in the world did I ever do to you? Nothing. I know this because we are one of four houses you have burglarized in two weeks. Random. No connection other than geography. F--k you. You didn't know me from Eve when you decided to kick in my door (leaving fabulous foot and finger prints for the CSI, thanks for that) and relieve me and my roommate of our flat screen, our XBox360, our jewelry and cash, laptops.... You know me now, though, and that is why I want to sink a crow bar into your head. You may not remember what you did or what you saw, but I do. I saw what you did to my bed, my drawers, my closet, my photos, my shelves. I still feel you in my house, in my bedroom and bathroom. I can hear you rummaging through my personal belongings in the hurried pursuit of something you can pawn for a quick buck. F--k you. It may be just "stuff" to you and yours, but to me it is memories, personal space, homework.... things I cannot easily replace or rebuild. Gifts from my father who died almost two years ago; research and hard work for my business, my employer, my education; unique and personal to me, including material things, time and effort; you felt entitled, so you took it. F--k you. It's my home, my safety, my security. You took it all, with no regard for anyone or anything save the $20 you can get for something to feed your habit. F--k you. I feel shattered, uncomfortable, vulnerable, insecure, watched. F--k you. F--k you. F--k you.

Screw you. Who the hell do you think you are, and what f--king right do you have to enter my home uninvited? What in the world did I ever do to you? Nothing. I know this because we are one of four houses you have burglarized in two weeks. Random. No connection other than geography. F--k you. You didn't know me from Eve when you decided to kick in my door (leaving fabulous foot and finger prints for the CSI, thanks for that) and relieve me and my roommate of our flat screen, our XBox360, our jewelry and cash, laptops.... You know me now, though, and that is why I want to sink a crow bar into your head. You may not remember what you did or what you saw, but I do. I saw what you did to my bed, my drawers, my closet, my photos, my shelves. I still feel you in my house, in my bedroom and bathroom. I can hear you rummaging through my personal belongings in the hurried pursuit of something you can pawn for a quick buck. F--k you. It may be just "stuff" to you and yours, but to me it is memories, personal space, homework.... things I cannot easily replace or rebuild. Gifts from my father who died almost two years ago; research and hard work for my business, my employer, my education; unique and personal to me, including material things, time and effort; you felt entitled, so you took it. F--k you. It's my home, my safety, my security. You took it all, with no regard for anyone or anything save the $20 you can get for something to feed your habit. F--k you. I feel shattered, uncomfortable, vulnerable, insecure, watched. F--k you. F--k you. F--k you.

STRESS!!! My house was burglarized (burgled?) Tuesday and even since my update Monday or Tuesday, I am down three pounds. Good or bad, it's gone. Everyone is fine, neither me or my rommmate were home, but still.... UGH!! Updating the list and fixing the alphabetizing... Name...............Starting................ Current.......Goal..............To Go agreatknead............237......................205...........180...................25 areellady................189.......................189...........159…...............30 BIGB.....................342.......................342...........300 …...............42 BellaPerdente........287.......................251...........200....................51 Boos02..................258.......................226...........200…. ...............26 Brandy...................221.......................220...........191.. .................30 BrownBear............240.......................240...........200..... ...............40 Claudine................250.......................250...........225. ...................25 Bunkey1965..........194.......................189...........170....... .............19 Cutiew/booty..........251.......................251............220...................31 Dionna113.............199.......................199...........160... ….............39 FeliciaLevy75 .......240.......................234...........190.................. .44 GillieBean.............304.......................304............264. ..................40 Hollie ....................l54.......................154............125..... . ............29 Jeni 85...................182.......................182............160.... .. ............22 Josie74...................260.......................260.............215. ...............45 klmsilva...................216......................216.............190. ...............26 legster....................183......................183..............160 ...............23 linksmom.................251......................251..............200 ... ............51 Liquidbluegal............225......................225..............199 ... ............26 Liz_hager..................161.....................158..............130... ............28 lotzasunshine............292.....................292..............250. . .............42 Luu2008...................230.....................203..............153 ... ............50 Mamanmidwife..........295.....................295..............260.... .... .......35 MELISSA AGUIRRE..266....................233..............160................73 Melody2006..............223.....................223..............173.. ... ..........50 odizzzydori...............242.....................242..............199 ... ............43 paige65.....................252.....................252..............208.. .............44 rainer........................236.......................233........... ..199. .............34 reif78........................294......................195...............40.................40 soontobehottie...........201....................201..............165. . ............36 srknepler...................285....................285..............255.. ............30 squale.......................353....................353............. 325...............28 Sunshine2................177.....................176..............160 ...............16 stevegoad..................370....................341.............. 267...............74 Terilynn112................240....................240..............199 ................41 Truediva.....................299....................285............... 235..............50 thininside28...............255....................255...............215.............. 40 youcandoit!...............196....................196................162..............34

Update time! Great way to start the challenge! Name...............Starting................ Current.......Goal..............To Go agreatknead...........237......................205...........180.......... .........25 areellady...............189.......................189............159.. ................30 BIGB......................342.......................342............300 .................42 BellaPerdente.........287.......................251............200.... .............51 Boos02..................258.......................226............200.. ...............26 BrownBear.............240.......................240............200...................40 Claudine................250.......................250.............225..................25 Bunkey1965...........194.......................190.............170.... .............20 Dionna113.............199.......................199.............160... ..............39 FeliciaLevy75 ........240.......................237.............190..................47 GillieBean..............304.......................304.............264. ...............40 Hollie ....................154.......................154.............125...... ..........29 Jeni 85...................182.......................182.............160..... ............22 Josie74...................260.......................260.............215. ...............45 klmsilva...................216......................216.............190. ...............26 legster....................183......................183..............160 ...............23 linksmom.................251......................251..............200... ............51 Liquidbluegal............225......................225..............199... ............26 Liz_hager..................161.....................161..............130... ............31 lotzasunshine............292.....................292..............250.. .............42 Luu2008...................230.....................203..............153... ............50 Mamanmidwife..........295.....................295..............260........ .......35 MELISSA AGUIRRE..266....................233..............160................73 Melody2006..............223.....................223..............173..... ..........50 odizzzydori...............242.....................242..............199... ............43 paige65.....................252.....................252..............208.. .............44 rainer........................236.......................236.............199. .............37 srknepler...................285.....................285..............255.. ............30 squale.......................353......................353.............325...............28 Sunshine2.................177.....................177..............160...............17 stevegoad..................370....................341.............. 267...............74 Terilynn112................240....................240..............199................41 Truediva.....................299....................285...............235..............50

I'll be home for a while now... I am taking 2 classes at a time from now until December 15 - GRADUATION. It will be worth it to be a homebody for a while. :tt2: Tiffany, welcome. We would love to have you join us. Yvonne, how's the food diary looking? That's always the first place I look. It's easy to not realize how much or how little we eat - both are bad for the waistline. Too much can cause you to not lose or worse, gain. Too little can make you lose slooooow or not at all.

Thanks!! We made the trip but changed it to DC instead of NY. I have been there, San Francisco, and now I am in Phoenix... all in the last 2 weeks/3 weekends. BUSY! But tons of fun. So excited to meet everyone!

This is AWESOME!! So glad we can all do this together!

Hhehe <3 to you, Bunk! I felt like I was sooooo slow going the past three weeks. Then I started eating MORE... and now I am moving again! Great way to end the challenge!

GRATS EVERYONE!! Last weekend I flew to SF to see my baby (ahem, he's 28! LOL) brother and his wife. I was there for her baby shower. I came out of the BART station headed towards him and he looked right past me. I had to say, "Yo, Giacomo...." He just gaped!! That was great! Tonight is Phoenix and friends I haven't seen in almost 2 months!

So excited! Another 2 pounds gone! Name.............StartingWeight....Current.....Goal.........To Go Bunkey1965........220.................193............189...........4 CQQlgirl..............200.................198............190...........8 Cadets71............239.................221.6..........219..........2.6 Dreamsize8.........216.................216............190...........26 FeliciaLevy75......286.................238............240........... -2 GOAL!! 8/25/08 Gayle21..............190.......... ......190............175...........15 Jeni 85................189.................182............169...........13 Laura bough........215.................205............190...........15 Liz_hager............172.................161............150...........11 MMarg.................220.................214............199...........21 Newhope4me......163.6...............159.6..........150..........9.6 NukeChik.............227.................227............197...........30 Scrappy_friend....222.................207.............200..........7 TexGirl................202.................198............180...........18 Thininside28........271.5..............256.............245...........11 Wannabthin.........199................199.............179...........20

I've also started a new challenge for Q4 2008. Hope to see you there. Here's the link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/4th-quarter-weight-loss-challenge-74034/#post973270

I have had fun with these, and now that Labor Day is here (as of Monday, anyway), I thought I would start a thread for the last 4 months of 2008. The Challenge: Choose a goal for weight loss during the period September 1 through December 31. Just like the Labor Day Challenge.... add your name to the list, give us your current, your goal, etc. Name.............StartingWeight....Current.....Goal.........To Go FeliciaLevy75......240.................240............190...........50 Just copy the list from the most recent post and add your info! Let's do this!

I am sooooo there. I have missed the past two, and I am not letting that happen again. This is INKED in (debating on the tattoo, ha ha ha). I can't wait!

Honestly, the focus should be on finding a healthier lifestyle that will ensure long-term success.... If the changes are hard for you now, how will they be once the surgery takes place? It's tough, I don't discount that... but the focus shouldn't be so short term. If success seems elusive, you may want to evaluate what is causing the issue and making it so hard in the first place. Remember that the band or bypass are only part of the equation. You need to make some serious changes if you expect either one to work properly.

hahahaha =) Awesome! Sorry I missed the draft, but I can't say I am unhappy with my team. *giggle* Sooo looking forward to this!

I DID IT!!!! As of today, I am at 240 and CHALLENGE GOAL! =) It was so slow this month, compared to before, and I was traveling so much I thought there was no way I would lose it. But today when I weighed in.... it was gone! Name.............StartingWeight....Current.....Goal.........To Go Bunkey1965........220.................194............189...........5 CQQlgirl..............200.................198............190...........8 Cadets71............239.................221.6..........219..........2.6 Dreamsize8.........216.................216............190...........26 FeliciaLevy75......286.................240............240........... GOAL!! 8/25/08 Gayle21..............190.......... ......190............175...........15 Jeni 85................189.................182............169...........13 Laura bough........215.................205............190...........15 Liz_hager............172.................161............150...........11 MMarg.................220.................214............199...........21 Newhope4me......163.6...............159.6..........150..........9.6 NukeChik.............227.................227............197...........30 Scrappy_friend....222.................207.............200..........7 TexGirl................202.................198............180...........18 Thininside28........271.5..............256.............245...........11 Wannabthin.........199................199.............179...........20

OK, my tracking has sucked, but I went back and figured it all out. I am up to 700 minutes for the month (440mins since last update), walking or biking a minimum of 30mins a day + adding in more when I can. The gym workouts have been few and far between the past couple weeks, but I am hitting it again tonight with fervor! Over the weekend I went to DC and walked easily more than 2 hours a day (but only tracked 2), and not that sissy strolling crap, either. =) That was great!

Grats, Mary!! I finally lost again. I was fluctuating last week between the 243 I reached and 245.... Frustrating! So I didn't weigh in for a while and I watched what I was eating and doing to move... and this morning I am down! Love it when I lose weight on vacation! :thumbup: Name.............StartingWeight....Current......Goal.........To Go Bunkey1965........220.................196............189...........7 CQQlgirl..............200.................198............190...........8 Cadets71............239.................224.5..........219..........5.5 Dreamsize8.........216.................216............190...........26 FeliciaLevy75......286.................242............240........... 2 Gayle21..............190.......... ......190............175...........15 Jeni 85................189.................182............169...........13 Laura bough........215.................205............190...........15 Liz_hager............172.................163............150...........13 MMarg.................220.................214............199...........21 Newhope4me......163.6...............159.6..........150..........9.6 NukeChik.............227.................227............197...........30 Scrappy_friend....222.................222.............200..........22 TexGirl................202.................198............180...........18 Thininside28........271.5..............256.............245...........11 Wannabthin.........199................199.............179...........20

I just saw a kid wandering the airport who looks like Harry Potter.

Grats, Gal!! I have decided it's time. I have a looooong way to go, but I am so happy that I had to share. #1 is before. #2 and 3 are at just under 8 weeks or so, down 35lbs or so. #4 is at 11 weeks or so, down 50ish lbs. #5 was something I posted to the May group, I thought it was interesting. #4 and 5 are already out of date (woot!) but you get the idea. PS - Forgive the cell phone mirror shots, please. Me and my camera's auto timer don't get along. LOL

I wouldn't be posting them!