bwaydiva

Thanks Julie!! My fellow bay area chic came thru!! I'm from Mountain View. Muchas gracias.

Boo I am a professional chew-er-out-er of myself! I love Napoleon Dynomite... it was so silly. You RAN? Uphill?? That's amazing. Boo just for a moment remember that you can RUN 5 km straight without dying!!! That in itself is a huge accomplishment by my book! As for the 30 pounds, I went to a summer weight loss program for college women. Ironically I didn't even stay the whole time. But I did lose 40 pounds...10 of which I've gained back. I'm looking forward to seeing those numbers MOVE!! Julie, we all miss you! You are such an inspiration to all. I hope that you're up and about soon. I'm sending positive vibes toward you right now!! Kat, please don't think this is a stupid question but what are you herding? Horses, cows, sheep? I live out in cow country right now. They, the cows, pretty much stay in the same place all year round. Final thought: I just heard the geese flying over my house! That means officially that spring is here and summer is just around the corner! Woo hoo!

AHHHH!! APRIL IS HERE!!! I'm SOOOOO excited!!!! (as if you couldn't tell.) If you can, go join the exercise challenge. To see those April Bandits... wow... I can only dream of being that sucessful! Love to all. I'll post later.

Please :help: I'm looking around online for the super comprehensive list of what to bring to the hospital and what to have around post surgery. I can't find it!! Grrr... Can someone help me locate it? All I remember is "toilet tongs." :confused: I just remember that because I'm immature :heh: and I thought that it was funny! It was a great list that a couple of different groups added to.. Where, oh where can it be? :drama:

Please Help I'm looking around online for the super comprehensive list of what to bring to the hospital and what to have around post surgery. I can't find it!! Grrr... Can someone help me locate it? All I remember is "toilet tongs." I just remember that because I'm immature and I thought that it was funny! It was a great list that a couple of different groups added to.. Where, oh where can it be?

Molly: Not with this Pope! He's super conservative... with Pope JP... well I think he'd like my embracing my original being, sans clothing. He, he. Pot roast is ALWAYS good the second day. I'm on my Farewell Tour de food and tonight I had nachos. Nachos do not hold over very well. But Pot Roast.. mmm... sounds tasty. Hope you feel better! I failed Team April. =( I didn't go bike riding. My car died and my whole evening plan when ca-fooey (I'm from California so it has to be CA-fooey... other states it's just fooey) So maybe tomorrow I will get on my bicycle. I know I'm procrastinating...I just look like an idiot... a fat idiot when I exercise. Oh well, idiocy here I come!! Good night all.

I think that the praying idea is a really good one! Even if you're not into prayer per se, sending positive thoughts and vibes have been known to make people feel better and faster! Seriously, it was in the New England Journal of Medicine!! I just wanted to wish all of you Monday morning bandsters safe surgeries and speedy recoveries. I cannot believe its April! This is OUR month. Truly a new beginning for all. Break a leg (that's good luck in theatre-speak!) With love, Sheila

Okay so I know it's the 31st still but I'm gonna go for a bike ride to the bank and then to Church. Mind you that's maybe a mile total but it's a start! First... I probably should do some laundry. I don't have ANY clean clothes!! I'm not positive but I'm pretty sure that the Catholic Church is opposed to nude, fat ladies riding bicycles!! Ta ta for now!

Hi April Bandsters! Okay so I'm obviously a newbie and I'd LOVE to join your challenge but I can't exercise for 35 minutes straight... YET! I have EVERY intention of getting to that point soon but I need to build up to it. So I'm gonna do the tin-foil medalist of 14 sessions that are 20 minutes long. Can I still be part of your challenge? You all are such a huge inspiration. I'm so grateful for all the advice and encouragment you've given to the newbies. Thanks so much, Sheila

Jane, I'm self pay. The total out of pocket expense for me is 15,600 so it sounds like you're definitely in the right ball park. I'm using funds that I set aside for school to pay for my band. For me, there was no point in going to school where I was miserable because of my size. Professionally, when I graduate from school, I would have no options or jobs because of my weight. (I'm a soprano.) I'm trying to live in the present and pray that I'm making the right call. Yes it's a LOT of money but like the commercials: One Lap Band: around $15,600 A Few Sessions with a Therapist: $300 Gym Membership: $45 a month A life that is no longer defined by obessions over food, pounds lost/gained and painful social situations: Priceless Good luck with your choice. Ask yourself if last year at this time you had gotten the band, how different would your life be today? Have a goodnight.

Tracy sounds like a great idea! Okay now seriously, I need to go ride my bike!

Hey.... one last thought. I know we talked about it but what about an exercise challenge? Exercise is VERY important pre-op and we all know the benefits post op. Let's start with something really simple like 4 days a week for fifteen minutes each. So 16 sessions for the month of April? I don't know about you guys but exercise is certainly going to be a challenge and I'd love the support. Let me know if you're interested or if you think I'm crazy.

Heather, I am so sorry to hear about your situation. I will definitely keep you and your family in my prayers. Sara, it's so funny that you said that about fabrics. I go to the mall whenever I'm stressed just to feel the fabrics of the clothes. It's weird just how soothing that can be! I really do feel a shift in the air...so to speak... within our little thread. If you read back many of us, including myself, were freaking out. Now it seems that the April bandsters as a group, though still excited and anxious, are embracing the challenges ahead instead of fearing them. There is much more talk about doing therapy and acceptance of the new. Anyway, just some thoughts before I get off my butt and ride my bike. STAY STRONG!

Did any of you wait until you were at a certain weight to start running? Running HURTS right now... does it hurt less when you're smaller? Or should I just admit that I'm not a runner? You guys are all such an inspiration! I can't imagine running 1 km let alone 8-15 km in one day. Seriously, that's amazing.

Yippee! So I got up this morning and decided to take the bull by the horns and try this exercise thing. I have dreaded exercising but my surgery is in a couple of weeks and I would like to build up my oxygen levels. (I'm a singer so my lungs are good but I thought it would be a good start) Okay, I decided on riding my bike. I rode for only about 20 minutes and didn't go very far. However 10 minutes into it, my jaw started to ache and I tasted blood in my mouth. Did anyone else have this experience when they first started out? I'm also really energized... Does that mean I didn't work hard enough? I know it's only my first day.... still if ya'll could help me answer some of these questions that would be great! Thanks for reading.

I'm getting banded in a few weeks and I've been wondering what my body will look like at or near goal. :help: Does cellulite ever disappear? Do stretch marks ever fade back into the skin? :faint: I suppose I'm hoping that everyone will say "Yes Sheila!! My stretch marks and cellulite are ALL gone!" :clap2: Wishful thinking, I know.:think I suppose I'm hoping that my age will help my poor skin snap back into place and my body will forget that it's ever been obese. Kind of pathetic and vain but I'm still curious none the less. Thanks for reading. With love, Sheila

Can't talk long. I actually threw out my scale today. (I'll get another one after surgery.) I was really getting down on myself about why I haven't lost weight pre-op. I don't have a pre-op diet but I was gonna try to do something anyway... well that didn't work out so well. Whenever I "diet" I just manage to gain more weight and I feel hungry all the time. When I'm hungry I'm pretty bitchy and since I work with kids that wasn't really working out. I'm excited about the band and working hard battling the voices of self-doubt and self-loathing. I'm glad everyone seems to be doing well. April is just around the corner guys!! Talk to ya'll soon. Love, Sheila

I am not banded nor have I ever been pregnant but because of my job and my parent's professions growing up, I was hoping to offer some insight anyway. The reason why doctor's don't want you losing weight is because your body releases chemicals and toxins that can hurt your child. Your body needs to be able to release the "weight gain" chemicals in order for your baby to be healthy. If you're losing weight, even a pound a week, you might be jeopardizing the health of your baby. Dieting can also lead to malnutrition for yourself or your baby. If you go into ketosis (ie you eliminate carbs from your diet) you and your child will be in a ketogenic state which is great for weight loss but not so good for your baby. In fact it can cause fetal brain damage. Please be careful and ask your doctor before continuing any weight loss program. I hope this helps. Congrats on your pregnancy. Good luck, Sheila Here are some sites that might help you. http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/pregnancynutrition/3561.html http://www.thelaboroflove.com/articles/is-it-safe-to-diet-during-pregnancy/

THREE WEEKS FROM TODAY!! THREE SHORT WEEKS!! I can't believe by this time in three weeks... (currently 8:02 in sunny California) I will be banded! Our little thread sure is growing... Someday soon, maybe I'll have a banding buddy! Have a great day everyone.

Ohhh I am SOOOO jealous of all of you who are having insurance cover their bands!! GRRRRR!!!! I think I'm going to make a pay pal account where ya'll can donate to my cause. Or at least help me find a suitable brown box to live in. =) Just kidding. The money thing is REALLY hard for me right now. It's just eating me alive when I think about giving up school for the band. I'm not doing that... but I'm not all too sure where the finances for my senior year are going to come from... I'm trying to just let go of it and trust that things will work out the way that they are supposed to. Julz, my dad died very unexpectedly when I was a senior in high school so I can certainly empathize. But to lose a child... you are a fierce woman to have survived that and still see hope and goodness in the world. Sorry I was absent for a few days... March is audition month for all the summer shows... it's been a little nutty! With love, Sheila

Here's My List: I actually printed it out and framed it on my wall. Some of them are repeats but here we go! 1.) Being able to fully embrace myself as athletic, outgoing and sexy :drum: 2.) Feeling in Control :hungry: 3.) Cute Clothes 4.) No limitations on career 5.) Better health- NO DIABETES :eek: 6.) Fit more comfortably on a roller coaster and air plane :flypig: 7.) Feeling and being sexy in a pair of jeans 8.) Take cute pictures with family and friends:behindsofa: 9.) Meeting people and having them judge me based on who I am, not how I look 10.) Conquering the voices of self doubt once and for all!! :der: 11.) Looking cute at the gym 12.) Going clubbing without feeling self-conscious :nerd: 13.) Being a true friend who is no focused on her own issues 14.) Going back to New York looking smokin’ hot :embarassed: 15.) Not being self conscious ALL THE TIME! 16.) Getting to chose whether I want to where slutty clothes (as opposed to just saying "I don't wear fun little mini skirts." Really, I CAN'T wear mini skirts!):Banane20: 17.) Being healthy and happy 18.) Getting roles based on how I perform, not how I look :music: 19.) Happy feet- not the movie!! 20.) Being physically attractive to another person MY AGE 21.) Becoming a sponsor at OA for other overweight bulimics in recovery :welldoneclap: 22.) Going to the Renfrew Reunion in June and being healthy! 23.) Volunteering at Renfrew to tell my story 24.) Being able to teach my (future) children by example how to live well 25.) Being able to enjoy and relish the body that God gave me 26.) Being able to kick my dad’s butt in racquetball 27.) Having improved cardiovascular health :Banane43: 28.) HAVING CHOICE IN MY LIFE!! 29.) Being able to turn 21 and be around 210 pounds! :happybday2:

TERRY!! LOL!! Your images are hilarious. I love the combo of the rabbi and the dancing pony. You guys are so funny. OMG! I've been having wacked up dreams all this week. I mean wacked up dreams. Like, I had this dream last night that someone was chocking me and I woke up and I couldn't breathe. Talk about freaky. Then I went to get a class of water and I swear to you someone was sitting on the couch. I thought nothing of it because my brother said he would be home late. Talked to him this morning and he spent the night at a friends house!! Yikes. Jennifur, I totally agree with you about our lives starting in April. I feel like this band is the first of many good steps... buddhist saying... a journey of a thousand steps, begins with one. Brava, for working with a "head doctor" (that's so cute) and facing the demons head on. I feel like my weight sometimes keeps me insulated from facing my life and my past. It's really tough. You're doing a great job and I can tell that your wisdom will help this group be even stronger! Michelle, did it work? Is he shoveling? That is such a great idea. Thats what I love about guys, in general they are VERY simple creatures. I hope ya'll have a great day. We're gonna be banded before you know it!

Terry, I TOTALLY agree with you! I am WAY sick of being fat and uncomfortable. Everyone, with the exception of my mom, has been over the moon supportive... but I've been picky with who I tell. Or is it whom I tell? Don't know. Don't care. Anyway, I too am really looking forward to being banded in the Spring and Summer. All those fresh fruits and veggies! Also it's gorgeous during the summer here and the 100+ degree weather will certainly be an incentive to go hop in the pool. I'm thinking about joining a non-competitive, community swim team. Sounds like fun! I hope that all of you are sleeping as I write this... I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'm so grateful to have you all in my life. These decisions are exciting but also scary and it's wonderful to be able to relate to others in a similar situation. Thank you all so very much! Off to bed!

My mom gave me money for school and when I decided to take this year off, I just held onto it. Now I'm using that money, that should be going for school, for this surgery. I was going to have to account for the money eventually so I thought it would be better if she knew before hand rather than later. It's not really bravery on my part... I just thought it was the right thing to do. It had very little to do with her per se; it was more about my own need for personal clarity and integrity. I'm not putting anyone down!! I will not be telling my classmates or anyone like that. But I needed to tell her because she's family... That's all. Nothing brave. Please understand that there is no point in me going to school if I don't lose the weight. I'm majoring in musical theatre at school. When I graduate from school, if I'm overweight I won't have a future or even the possibility of one in my chosen profession. I'm sick of playing fat girl roles and I'm ready to embrace my new future. If I don't lose the weight I'm not only going to be unhealthy but I'll be giving up my dreams as well. I refuse to let anyone... even my own mom... stand in the way of that.

You guys are the best. I'll write more this evening. But I needed to tell you just how much I appreciate your wisdom. I think the April bandsters are really becoming my surrogate family... the family who really understands. You guys are great and I'm incredibly grateful to have you all in my life. With love, Sheila