K@t

I've only lost 20lbs because among other things I have been seriously ill, and have had a port revision and have only had 2 fills. A lot of it has to do with the medication I'm taking for my illness. That's a little catty of you to mention something like that with out knowning all the facts. And regardless of what you think different things work for different people...what your doing may work for you but not for others...there are slow losers out there and there are people who have other problems that keep them from losing as fast as some one like you. Now Shell...I hope your feeling better...let us know what your doctors says.

Cindy - I don't know where you got your information from, but if you stick around this site long enough you will see the norm for bansters is about 1 cup of food at a meal. Thats what most of our band doctors recommend. And just because you don't believe in the starvation mode doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Our bodies all work in different ways and I have seen numerous posts from members here stating that they increased their weight loss dramatical just from upping their calories. It's not an excuse to eat more. Different things work for different people because we are all different.

I just got back from the store, I stocked up on nuts and green beans and some other canned veggies. Also I stocked up on lean meats, chicken breast, turkey breast, etc. and some nice cheeses and lean lunch meat slices to make salads with. They didn't have any cottage cheese at the store though darnit. I'll keep you guys updated, I'm going to weight myself in the morning.

I know how you feel, although I don't have restriction yet I haven't lost hardly any thing since my surgery in April. It sounds like to me that you are over filled. Good idea to speak with your doc, maybe you aren't eating enough calories. Good luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

I hear south beach is a healthier alternative to Atkins. I have the book and I even joined the website, but it's hard because here in Portugal there are no "light" products and none of the sugar free candies and stuff to help me out in a pinch. And a lot of the recommended recipes include something that isn't available here. For now, I'm going to just have my meat, salad, and a veggie with my meals. I'll have a piece of fruit for a snack later, I actually made a list of some Snacks that I thought where healthy. Salty Wheat or Integral toasts (I like those thin ones that have sesame seeds on them) with a bit of cheese or ham Small salad with any 2 toppings I would like and a sensible dressing. (lights are good but check the sugar counts, I usually use olive oil and vinegar since thats what is mostly available here in Portugal) Nuts (unsalted if I can) - walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, Beef Jerky - which isn't available here but I think it deserves to be on the list. Soy chips - which again isn't available here but I ate them when I was at home and I will again when I move back this summer. In fact some one posted a link here on LBT to an online store that sold carb friendly snacks like soy chips and beef jerkey...it looked really nice but they don't do international shipping...if I find the link again I'll post it here. Sweet Any piece of fruit (try to skip the high carb stuff like banana etc.) Yogurt - watch the low fat ones though a lot of times they take out sugar and add carbs...read the backs...there are soy yogurts available too which are good. Cottage cheese with fruit (i like pineapple or peach) low fat milk with a little chocolate powder and sweetener (it's like powdered nesquick but with out the sugar, buy the powdered baking chocolate and add a bit of sweet-n-low, or equal or splenda, what ever non sugar sweetener you like. Sugar free candies - there are loads of these around, but try to only use these when you really have a craving..we want to try to maintain a healthier eating style and candy is still candy. So this is my plan for now, plus 4 days a week at the gym. I would love to be down to 80kg by the time we move in July, but I'm gong to have to really work for that, I have had 2 fills and have some restriction, but I don't know if I have hit my sweet spot yet, I may go back for another fill if I don't start losing. Also, my uncle who found out he was diabetic did the Sugar Busters with some level of success, his blood sugar is in a healthier range now even though he's still a bit chunky....

Alright people.....how many of us just can't eat carbs??? The only time I lost any real meaningful weight in my life was when I went on Atkins. While there has been lots of talk about how harmful that diet is to your body, the fact remains that I think my body just refuses to lose any weight until I stop eating carbs. I'm not advocating eliminating fruits or veggies or all carbs in favor of bacon and real butter, but I think that as long as I eat white rice or pasta, eat breads or any other type of refined carb, my body is gonna hang on to every pound I've got. So my new years resolution is to eliminate as much refined carbs from my diet that I can, which is hard here in Portugal because almost every dish is served with rice or pasta and every meal comes with bread. Any one else out there like me??

I didn't think he would be executed so soon, I thought that there would be appeals and such. The whole thing is a mess. I would rather have our boys back home. And even though Saddam is dead, the war still rages on. My cousins husband is going to Iraq next month....their baby just turned 1 year old on Dec. 15th. They are trying for another one before he leaves because she doesn't know if he will come back home. Also...religion should have no place government. Although most governments were founded on religious beliefs, the fact is times change and more countries have many different religions living together and our governments should change as well. They need to respect the differences and remain unbias in their laws and day to day activities.

I think there is a glitch and when ever some one enters it never shows them as leaving...so everyone who has been in lately and left still appears to be there....

Is there any one else who hasn't gotten their gift yet??

Angie, I spoke to Derick and he did order you something from Amazon, but apparently it was out of stock and the ship date is January 8th. I asked him to send you a PM about it but apparently he didn't. Have faith something should arrive for you soon. Housecatgirl. I sent a PM to mykidsrock, but she didn't respond, I know shes been having trouble at home so if she doesn't respond soon don't worry, we will get a sub to send you something out.

wow that would totally freak me out! We don't use collars on our cats because they don't go outside and I've seen some cats try so hard to get them off they end up getting half stuck in their mouths and struggling with it. It's nice to know about those safe collars....we might order some of them.

Here is the list of who bought for who. If any one hasn't gotten a gift yet and has not hear from their SS please PM me. If you have sent a gift but a thank you wasn't posted, please pm me also. Thanks! Jorjet - Turner24 Woodys – housecatgirl Ralheit - J.S. La Madam - Barbara465 Sallyjo – Jorjet charlene821 – apinksoprano apinksoprano - Charlene821 Maudeispam – Jahair DerickM – Devana Barbara465 – Sallyjo Angie92 – DerickM Mykidsrock – Woodys J.S. - Angie92 Cat804 – Ralheit Turner24 – Moongoddess DrewsLou - Cat804 Jahair – Drewslou Moongoddess – Veggestyle Housecatgirl – mykidsrock Veggestyle - La Madam princess_n_thep – maudiespam Devana - k@t k@t - Princess_n_thep mysherrijo - k@t Drewslou - mysherrijo

I was waiting until I had a picture to put up, but the camera won't cooperate. But I still wanted to give a HUGE THANK YOU!!!!!!!! to Jenna (princess_n_thep):wow2: :cheer2: for my presents. She sent 2 nutrition books, a key chain that says Diva, and some trail mix (which i think my sister ate) and a windchime to hang outside. I'll still keep my fingers crossed that I can get a pic...but if not... THANKS AGAIN JENNA!!!!!

Thanks guys! I had a really nice day, other then having to work..... Hubby and I went out for lunch together, and I had dinner with a few friends. Last night we had a dinner party with some other friends for both me and hubby since his birthday was yesterday. Thanks for thinking of me! Heather

no we can scowl..... :angry is that a scowl?:rolleyes :heh:

Congrats on your NSV, and it shows what a caring person you are that you felt for that women. Maybe one day she will also be able to have an NSV like you.

Okay here is the necklace for my mother in law. I'm just waiting on the posts to make the earrings. Then I'll post the complete set. And this is another pair of random earrings I made.

wow Ali, it looks great!

Here is another set of earrings, and a bracelet to go with the yellow earrings. You can click on it to see a bigger photo.

I'm glad you liked them, the sents just sounded so good...christmas cookie and what not...yum! I'm gonna have to get myself some when I go back to the US!

very pretty Carlene! I don't have any "christmas" china, but pfaltzgraff has a really pretty set that I've got my eye on for when we move to the states. Laurend...I could never wait that long, I LOVE to see the lights when I come home and see the tree. I love this time of year.

Thanks guys! This is just my first try at jewlery making. But it's really not that hard at all! I heard about the memory wire, but I haven't tried using it yet. There is a really good website there in the US called Artbeads that has tons of that stuff you can order. Here in Portugal it's harder to get stuff. I've been ordering things from the UK on ebay. When I move back to the states, I'm thinking about starting a little online store or something.

Thats a really great idea! I just started making stuff today so I'm really just experimenting. I ordered some more stuff and when it arrives I'll think about bracelets and such.

Welp, I got into the whole jewlery making thing.....these are a few pieces I made today for Christmas presents. There is another neclace earring set, but the earrings aren't finished yet, so I'll post a photo of that when the set is complete.

I wanted to do the blue and silver thing but hubby wanted red and gold....so I guess we know who won that one!