OH Juli

How was Michigan's bowl game?

Two words: Appalachian State

I don't usually talk about my sexual orientation on the Marchies page, but gals you ranting about your fellas make me happy that I'm a lesbian! I just had to say that. Please continue with your rants.

Holy smokes, I could write a book... It took me 14 months to get the surgery and lots of wrangling. During that time I went back to therapy to really get a grip on what role food and eating plays in how I relate to the world. Also, I got this attitude that I've had surgery ***SURGERY*** to lose weight therefore I need to everything within my power to be successful. So I studied and read and did as I was told. I started exercising knowing it would be key. I started slowly and kept (and keep) adding new challenges. I tried running at 260 and that hurt so I started again at 220 back in October. That was 30 seconds of running to every 2 minutes of walking. Little by little I've added more. I'm still a novice but it's things like slowly chipping away at old bad behaviors and adding new behaviors a bit at a time. That way I've never felt like I've abandoned my old self in favor of this new gal and I've also taken the time to really enjoy the process. I'm not in a huge rush, but I'm consistent. And with all that "rah rah rah" stuff there are some shit filled, I hate this band days! But they are few and far between. I think preband, there were the shit filled, I hate this life days that I now just direct toward being banded. You know take it out on the most obvious target?! If you want more of my journey my blog is Lap Band Aid Thanks for asking about me. See yet another benefit of being banded...I appreicate it.

That's the truth! Our teachers work 185 days a year. Just over half the days in the year. Ugh.

Records day is when the teacher's do the report card recording, I suppose. I've never really asked. As of Vegas, I'm stoked but annoyed a tad too. The ideas was to meet other LBTers there that weekend. There was a solid group of folks who semi committed to going, but as we got closer to the date they petered out. At this point the only person I may meet from LBT is a woman who lives there. However, Alison is going with me and she's a Vegas LOVER. I've never been....I know, NEVER! But she and I will have a fantastic time. We have fun regardless of where we are....

I started this journey with the need to lose 180 pounds. I am more than half way there and I'm only 10 months out from surgery (tomorrow!) and I can't be more thrilled. The band has been fantastic and will continue to be the best thing I've done for myself.

I'm in my thirties for all of 3 more months! I'm going to cling to them and hang out here until April. Nice to meet you all.

I think you are so right! It's cheap and addictive. I've never been one to be all nut and twiggy, but there's something to not eating hightly processed foods and eating food grown locally. When you think about the environmental footprint of the food industry it boggles the mind. anyway.......

Food seeking whore? I love it and know of which you speak...been there myself. Hang tight, it will pass. WTF about school? Zoe's has records day on the 18th to give them a 4 day weekend with MLK day on the 21st. That would be the weekend I'm in VEGAS!!!! I can't wait.

This may be better in the food thread but I was wondering what you all do or have done about limiting sugars and specifically High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) from what you eat? I'm starting to recognize I have issues when I eat this stuff, like I want more and more of it, so I'm trying to rid it from the foods I eat. Aside from Heinz ketchup and Jif Peanut Butter I should be okay... Just looking for your thoughts and feedback on the subject. Anyone?

examine what you are eating and see where you can add some beans, broccoli, spinach, beets...things that clean you out naturally wouldn't hurt either.

Hell yes, this is what happens to me still.... But now I know I'll not be hungry in 10 minutes. I think of it as the same way I thought before I was banded and I'd eat and eat and keep on eating long beyond full...more because I wanted what the process of eating was giving me, not because I needed more food. I remember being disappointed that there just wasn't more room and I had to stop. (I didn't say this was healthy!) Well, I think of that desire I still have as the same mechanism. But I know that I could possilbly hurt myself if I stuff to over full or I'll PB, so I don't. It's good to know the "hunger" feeling will go away shortly after walking away from the table. And yes, it does get easier the futher you get out from being banded.

You suck... Well, I guess that's the point.

Yeah, a bowl of creamy soup from Applebees is probably way too many calories and it doesn't sit in the pouch and move out slowly like solid food would. It's hard to be stern with yourself when so few foods actually go down, but you might want to give solids a try again. Remember small bites and SLOWLY eat. Good luck!

this is before 2006 This was yesterday, me cooking, not the best picture, but from the dinner party.

Eddie, Glad to know you're doing well and had a good time. Hi new people. I'm doing well and moving right along with the weight loss. XO

JC, how could I forget you????? Hi buddy! I don't get that computer lingo so I can't contribute, but I'm happy to see you here.

Hi kids. The dinner party went really well. We cooked and drank wine and had a very good time. W- Great Job! HP- Happy birthday to you!:happybday2: I love the family challenges. Keep us posted. And IMHO you shouldn't give John any slack. He should shoot for -20 too! BG- We all know you're the sex toy, BJ queen on southwest Michigan. I for one am not surprised. ZZ-I too think majic bullet = sex toy, everytime I use mine (the blender) I giggle. You did well with Grandma's food. That sounds pretty reasonable. TX-Howdy, girl! B- Sorry to hear about your pup. I feel you on the paper. Sometimes half assed is better than no ass at all. It's better than dumb ass or even smart ass in the situation. D-I know you're out living life. XO Oh, and I ran RAN for a solid 40 minutes today in the 53 degree, moist weather... I'll be ready for my 5K in February. I'm stoked. And I've lost two more pounds. (If I see the number twice on the scale I call it real.) So woo hoo. And...jeez, it's a freaking book already, I'm off to Whole Foods here shortly. Happy Day.

BG about the stomach ass, I've always joked that if I got my navel pierced I'd need to use a bracelet... The stomach is gross. It has a mind of its own and its own center of gravity. I'd happily sign up for removal today with knowing I'd need a revision if it were free. Ugh. There you go, an invention idea, something like uber Spankz that will make the MO person who's lost weight look like she's had a TT. We'd make millions.

JC Hi! I've missed you. Glad to see you are super nerding it up with the spreadsheets. I'm jealous as hell actually...so I poke fun. Good to see you're getting churned. ZZ WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Oh what a happy day! That's fantfreakintastic! Please oh please take pics and share them!

Not silly. I've been noticing my hands too. My fingers are no longer little sausages. This past weekend Alison said more than once, "Have you looked at yourself lately? I mean, have your really looked at how different you look now? It's amazing the changes you've made...." She went on and on.... It made me stop and look at myself nakkit in the mirror and wow, amazing what minus 100+ pounds can do for a body. Aside from the frightening stomach ass I'm happy to see what I see looking back at me. My shoulders and neck are particularly good. So yeah, chica, I get the being awstruck by your own damn hands. What else has you going, "that's right mutha fucka, that's me!"?

Gwen, I feel the same way as you do about being tired of this process. But then I think this is not a process, this is my life. There are times when I get tired of my life too! Those are the times where a wait a week to pay my bills or I sleep a few extra hours instead of doing laundry...and when I take a breather from being hyper vigilant about food and exercise for a week or two. The beauty part is, that I know after a small rest I'll get back to it. I'll pay my bills, I do my laundry and I'll take my health serious again. With the band I'm not going to fall away from caring for myself as long (years at times) as I used to AND while I'm on sabbatical I don't gain 10 or 60 pounds as I did in the past. I expect there will come a time when weight loss/health isn't boiling high on my front burner, but I think it will always simmer on stove for the rest of my life, maybe on the back of the stove. I'll stir the pot occasionally but it will never be done. And to extend this metaphor even further...I've cooked the same recipe before but took it off the stove, put it in tupperware, tossed in the back of the fridge and forgot about it until much later; later when I rediscovered the mold growing matter I couldn't even recognize what it once was. I really see the band/having surgery as the key difference in between now and then. XO, y'all.

Jfran- You are beautiful You are motivational You are succeeding You are smart You are witty You are loved And you will continue to be all these things. Happy weekend, Juli

If I can get out shopping this weekend, you know I'll buy something pink just for Tuesday. I have some Kohl's cash....now if I can find the time!