So today was the day Patty and I had set aside to do our Christmas shopping. Well, HER Christmas shopping. I don't have any family to speak of, so all I buy for is her. But she has lots of family, and they are on their best behaviour right now, too. Her family gives presents that are to die for.

We were out shopping, her in her Amigo thing with a basket, and me walking beside her. We have division of labor, she tells me what to get and then I put it in the cart.

It's her job to decide what we're buying for her side, and while we're in the stores I pick up necessities.

I bought dog food. Got a great deal on fifty pounds.

When we got home I had to carry all this stuff in the house. Sure was a lot of stuff! I carried the fifty pound bag of dogfood in last. About halfway up the steps I realized this is about the same amount of weight as I had lost. Hmmmmmm. Boy was it HEAVY! I realized I still have a couple more of those bags around my middle. No wonder I was tired, no wonder my knees hurt. No wonder I couldn't sleep.

That sure put things into perspective for me.

So try this the next time you're worried that it's not coming off fast enough, get something that weighs about what you've lost and carry it around for awhile. You will develop a healthy respect for what you've already accomplished.

Now, I've gotta go rest. The stores are murder this time of year.

Isn't that when the reality sinks in? And just think, every time you moved, your joints were having to hoist that around!

cool...everytime I pick-up Roxanne my 7 YO who's at 68 lbs. I give her a big hug

(It's not easy picking her up)

Wow! Vera, great loss! You've lost a whole person!

That is a great NSV whipple. Made me smile. We got the giant 5 gallon water bottles which are heavy too and they always remind me how much I have lost when I have to carry it in. Your doing great! Teresa

I'd say that's a NSV, Ryan. Any step forward or awareness of what we've accomplished is a real victory. Good for you!

Sounds like a huge NSV to me. What an eyeopener. Oh yea, should you be lifting anything that heavy yet?

Well, it's been a month. And the day I came home from the hospital I vacuumed, did dishes, laundry, and mopped floors.

You all are moms and wives. You know that somebody's gotta do it. Well, in my house that somebody is me. Patty can't and I don't have any kids to enslave.

Doc only told me to lift less than 25 pounds for about a week. So I guess it's safe. Besides, I'm not lifting any more than I did every moment of my life, pre-band!

Wow Ryan, you are a tougher person than I am. No way could I have done that stuff! I had to have TLC!

Hey Ryan did you see the episode of the biggest loser. They had a race where they had to wear the weight they lost.... It reminded me of your story... congrats on the 50 lbs!