Hi there. Just wanted to see if I could build a new home with some new (and hopefully old) friends. I do not wanna be 'homeless' anymore so here I am! This is gonna be a place for friends to meet (hopefully) and talk about anything & everything.

My name is Tracy and I live in Deer Park, Texas. I have been married for 6 years. I was banded in April '07. Got 4 pounds away from goal, quit smoking and gained 46-50 pounds back so I am on my journey again. This time as a non-smoker :w00t:

This is a life change and with it comes lifelong friends...wanna come along for the ride? :blushing:

Can someone come here immediatly???????????

I need help. I just made a homemade Apple Cake with walnuts. It's in the oven baking right now. Am I out of my freaky head????????

This is going to be a great test for me. A few pieces will stay here but I'm going to take the rest of it into work at the hospital.

Still, I'm crazy.

Hi-

I am happy for you Tracy. I need some of your mojo right now.

I feel you, Suzie. I made pumpkin muffins this weekend. If I could reach around and kick my own ass I would.

...I have a fill appointment on Wednesday. I have gained a total of 25 lbs. from my lowest weight.

What is it about food?? I mean, I feel like I have control when it comes to any other decisions I make. I am disgusted with myself :laugh:.

Angela

Angela, About 21 years ago I quit smoking. I mean I just walked away from them. I guess it helped that I was really sick and in the hospital for 2 weeks. But when I got out, I never picked up another cigarette. I so wish I could quit shoveling food into my mouth as easy as it was for me to quit smoking. I find control over aome other stuff in my life, I just struggle with the food issue.

I definitely struggle with making good choices, and probably fail as much or more than I make right. BUT.....I consciously think about the type of food I am eating now, and I am more knowledgable about how food reacts when I eat it---the carb /blood sugar issue for instance. So I am at least thinking about it, which is more than I ever did before. I did diets before, but more of a "fad" thing than a common sense one. I TRIED being informed, but the weight is so much slower going away that way than it was with some new fad, that I always abandoned that thought quicker!!!

Once I was banded, I tried to imagine the size of my pouch, and to think about filling it with healthy stuff as opposed to filling it with junk.

I lost tons, and tons of hair post banding, and I thought it was poor diet, so I was seriously learning everything I could about healthy eating when one can only eat small portions! In the end, the hair loss stopped, but I had gained tremendous amounts of information on how my body worked with the food it took in!

Sometimes I have to bargain with myself---tell myself 2 more bites of veggies and I can have some ice cream for desert....and often times the 2 bites fills me to where I cannot eat the ice cream! Usually not, but it is 2 more bites of healthy vs. the 2 extra bites of ice cream!!! LOL

Suzie, to have lost 200 pounds is such a huge accomplishment, especially when you have been through so many stressful situations in that time. You may not be on the losing fast track, but you have plugged along, only gaining when you were unfilled for surgery---and even then keeping it to a minimum----you have done soooo well!

You work out at work, and away from work, I just want to commend you on your continued efforts, and your continued efforts to keep us slackers motivated!!!! LOL, we are so glad you are here!!!

Tracy, you are doing it!!! Every day, every choice is helping. Helping your body, and helping your emotions---by knowing you are doing the right thing. You go girl!!! Big giant hugs!!!

Cindy---my granddaughter has her first parent teacher conference this Friday. My DD said she is afraid she may get the "talks to much" thing!!! I have to laugh! I got my share of them over her Mom!!

Kinsey lost her first tooth last night. We ordered a pillow off of Etsy, for her to hang on her doorknob with the tooth. she sleeps so wild, we knew the tooth would never be found! When she got the pillow it come with some letters you could download, and print for your child from the toothfairy, and also a little bag of irridescent and silver , extra fine glitter...or "fairy dust" so Manda tucked her money and letter into the pocket on the pillow, and sprinkled the fairy dust by the door and she said she was totally excited! Such fun.

I did not sleep well last night. I am surprised anyone around me did either!!! My stomach is all icky again! And I don't smell pretty! TMI I know, but yuck!!! Feel better today, but sticking to a totally bland diet. Used to be I would eat rice, and it would settle my stomach. These days I can eat about 1/4 cup of rice, and I am full, it keeps swelling I think after I eat it! LOL Just glad it is feeling better.

Rick is in the field so not sure when he will be home. Guess I better go dig in the freezer for something to make for dinner, so it will be ready when he does get home. Will talk to y'all later!

Oh yeah----Michelle, did you ever hear anything from the hardware store????

Thank you Kat, Your words are very kind and I guess I needed to hear that. I know how far I have come and am extremely proud of it. But as you saw, I still have a ways to go. I'm hoping to lose another 75 pounds at least. So I do get down on myself and berate myself. But sometimes I feel that that is what I need to do to get it thru my head that I need to get this done. I know at this point that if I never loose another pound, I'm still happy. Just this summer being at Disneyland with my husband and being able to ride the rides was huge for me. Things like that happening are what make me smile and do keep me going.

Just got a call from the Docs office. Looks like I will be having my surgery the second week of Nov. I'll let you guys know tomorrwo what day. We are waitng on the Insurance to let us know what hospital. 2 days before I have to have all the fluid taken out of my band and it will be 6 weeks before they put any back in. Holy Cow. I know I can, I know I can, I know I can make it thru the 6 weeks. The nurse did tell me that they got approval for revision or replacement. That way if he got in there and saw something wrong with my band that he can go ahead and fix it and not have to do surgery over again. As much as I would like to have a new band, if this one is not broke then don't fix it.

Can someone come here immediatly???????????

I need help. I just made a homemade Apple Cake with walnuts. It's in the oven baking right now. Am I out of my freaky head???????? Yep :thumbup:

This is going to be a great test for me. A few pieces will stay here but I'm going to take the rest of it into work at the hospital. I hope you are strong....That would make me buckle i think....especially if it were ala mode!!!

Still, I'm crazy.

Hi-

I am happy for you Tracy. I need some of your mojo right now. I wish I could give you some too....I would in a heartbeat!

I feel you, Suzie. I made pumpkin muffins this weekend. If I could reach around and kick my own ass I would. Come on over...i'll kick it fer ya! :tt2:

...I have a fill appointment on Wednesday. I have gained a total of 25 lbs. from my lowest weight. Good for you! We can do this!!

What is it about food?? I mean, I feel like I have control when it comes to any other decisions I make. I am disgusted with myself :mad:. Whats in the past is just that, the past. Leave it there and move on

By the way, i grabbed some of the lysol wipes on sale....thanks for the tips!

Angela

Angela, About 21 years ago I quit smoking. I mean I just walked away from them. I guess it helped that I was really sick and in the hospital for 2 weeks. But when I got out, I never picked up another cigarette. I so wish I could quit shoveling food into my mouth as easy as it was for me to quit smoking. I hear ya! You knew me when I quit. I took the Chantix and it worked wonders! I wish they had a pill like that to make me not want ice cream and chocolate. :laugh: I find control over aome other stuff in my life, I just struggle with the food issue.

Once I was banded, I tried to imagine the size of my pouch, and to think about filling it with healthy stuff as opposed to filling it with junk. That is what i am doing again. I did it before, i will do it again, right?!

I lost tons, and tons of hair post banding, and I thought it was poor diet, (me too)so I was seriously learning everything I could about healthy eating when one can only eat small portions! In the end, the hair loss stopped, (mine did too) but I had gained tremendous amounts of information on how my body worked with the food it took in!

Sometimes I have to bargain with myself---tell myself 2 more bites of veggies and I can have some ice cream for desert....and often times the 2 bites fills me to where I cannot eat the ice cream! See...this is my problem, I eat and eat and eat full or not. That is why it is best if i just not have it in the house. I have switched to SF popsicles. Usually not, but it is 2 more bites of healthy vs. the 2 extra bites of ice cream!!! LOL

Suzie, to have lost 200 pounds is such a huge accomplishment, especially when you have been through so many stressful situations in that time. You may not be on the losing fast track, but you have plugged along, only gaining when you were unfilled for surgery---and even then keeping it to a minimum----you have done soooo well!

You work out at work, and away from work, I just want to commend you on your continued efforts, and your continued efforts to keep us slackers motivated!!!! LOL, we are so glad you are here!!! Amen!!

Tracy, you are doing it!!! Every day, every choice is helping. Helping your body, and helping your emotions---by knowing you are doing the right thing. You go girl!!! Big giant hugs!!! Thank you girl!

Kinsey lost her first tooth last night. We ordered a pillow off of Etsy, for her to hang on her doorknob with the tooth. she sleeps so wild, we knew the tooth would never be found! When she got the pillow it come with some letters you could download, and print for your child from the toothfairy, and also a little bag of irridescent and silver , extra fine glitter...or "fairy dust" so Manda tucked her money and letter into the pocket on the pillow, and sprinkled the fairy dust by the door and she said she was totally excited! Such fun.

Awwww, how cool!

This is the story of how I got my mojo back. First of all the show The Biggest Loser has always been an inspiration. This time, there is a guy on there that was really close with his mother. Last year (i think it was just last year) his mom passed away from things related to her obesity.....she was 51. I got to thinking...51 is only 7 years older than me. Then I got to thinking, hmmm, macy is 7 years old, so if that were ME that passed away at 51, macy would only be 14 years old. Talk about a slap in the face, punch in the gut reality check. Then I went back in time in my mind as to why I had the band put in to begin with. I had it done to be healthy and for my daughter to be proud of me instead of having kids make fun of her mom and her having to defend me to them. Kids have it rough enough these days....she doesn't need for ME to add to it, ya know?!

Today I was talking to my mother on the phone and i told her how i thought it is kinda funny how people always say something about how GREAT you are doing when the weight is coming off but not a SOUL says anything when the weight starts coming back on. SO...I asked her to talk to me about my weightloss when she calls...keep me honest and on the right path. I need someone to keep me accountable. I wish you would all do it too. ASK me....'how is it going Tracy'....lol. I am such a nerd, LOL. I keep thinking that maybe if someone would have said something while i was gaining, (even though I already knew i was gaining)....it would have reminded me that people ARE noticing. Did that make any sense at all?

Another thing I am going to do when I get back to the smaller sizes is I am going to buy button & zip jeans instead of elastic waist. You may not believe this but I wore 12/14 stretch jeans from 190 all the way back up to 250. THAT is how much they stretched! SO, therefore it made my denial easier. I have realized alot lately, and I am so glad I did.

I believe in the power of prayer and that is another thing i have started doing on a daily basis. Praying for strength, praying for courage and praying for wisdom to make the right choices. I owe it to my daughter and to my husband to be around for a long long time....so I am going to do MY part to make sure that happens.

I love you all. Thank you for being here for me.

Sorry for the essay....

Edited October 11, 201015 yr by TracyK

LOL :thumbup:

Good morning everyone~another day has come and gone and I did a great job with my eating again. I am proud of myself. :laugh:

Hope you all have a fantastic day!!!

Awesome job, Tracy!!!

Angela, About 21 years ago I quit smoking. I mean I just walked away from them. I guess it helped that I was really sick and in the hospital for 2 weeks. But when I got out, I never picked up another cigarette. I so wish I could quit shoveling food into my mouth as easy as it was for me to quit smoking. I find control over aome other stuff in my life, I just struggle with the food issue.

Yeah, I smoked for 14 years and I quit about 14 years ago. it was easy enough since I had to make the decision to smoke or breathe. Doing both wasn't working since my asthma reappeared and I had bronchitis on top of it. Cigarettes we can choose to have or not, food we must have daily...sucks!

I did not sleep well last night. I am surprised anyone around me did either!!! My stomach is all icky again! And I don't smell pretty! TMI I know, but yuck!!! Feel better today, but sticking to a totally bland diet. Used to be I would eat rice, and it would settle my stomach. These days I can eat about 1/4 cup of rice, and I am full, it keeps swelling I think after I eat it! LOL Just glad it is feeling better.

Kat, this has been going on for a week or so, hasn't it? Have you called a doc?

Tracy, You make me so proud to call you my friend. My promise to you is that I will be more forthcoming to you and tell you not only what I want to tell you, but what I should be telling you. :tt2: :thumbup:

Ok, time for a group hug

WTG, Tracy.:laugh:

Thanks Cindy....by the way, I love your new pic too :laugh:

I had a good eating day but I will admit that I did have a 2 inch by 2 inch piece of cake. No icing. So that is my treat for the day.

Thank you Suzanne :laugh:

I had a good eating day but I will admit that I did have a 2 inch by 2 inch piece of cake. No icing. So that is my treat for the day.

Icing is the bad stuff. That little piece of cake satisfied you and probably kept you from eating a whole bunch of other junk. So it's all good!

Oh, and thanks, guys about my pic! Y'all are the greatest!

Hi all

quick fly by post. Just in from fd monthly meeting and going to bed, I'm working a long hard day tomorrow. Work at 6:30 home about 5 fd drill at 7 then back to work until midnight or so

going to be a long day

Tracy - I'm so proud of you

Suzanne - You have come a long way and what great accomplishments this year

I lost all thoughts - I'm off to bed

Cindy, it is still going on with my stomach issues, but they are different issues!

This is either the chinese, or the fat free ice cream---it was simple stomach disagreement! Rick has had similar issues lately, so possibly even a bug. But the sour, hurting, unable to eat feeling, is gone. I honestly believe in hindsight, I had something stuck. When it hit it's limit, and I got so sick to my stomach I vomitted, it was almost instantly eased. No pain anymore, no sour stomach, and I could eat! Did fine after that until something I ate yesterday disagreed. Feeling better tonight, had a normal dinner, bland, but normal!!!

I would be making an appt. if it was the same issue going on. That was miserable.

Tracy, I will do my best to help you in the ways you ask. I will support you in any manner I can. I will not help you beat yourself up for slipping....but will try to help guide you back on track.

I have not missed a day walking since bringing the dog home! The first 2 days were short ones, as I figured she was healing, but, now she is full of it, and we have been taking walks. I intended to take one a day with her, minimally,so I go right after I get home, well the last 2 evenings, after dinner Rick suggests we take her walking.

We walked together every day when he was recovering from his heart surgery. I had not realized how much I missed it. We notice totally different things as we walk....it is so good having him with me! He is in the field this week, so there won't be many nights he will be home in time to walk with us, but I fully intend to take advantage when he is, and walking is good for him too! He works hard physically at work, but walking is different.

Made a mess of my kitchen floor a minute ago. I peeled and sectioned an apple to take with me to work tomorrow, and put it in a zip lock bag, then proceeded to pour in some 7 Up......but my bag leaked, so I have soda all over the counter and floor-----grrrrr I mopped it still dried sticky. I mopped it again, and waiting to see. I got another bag, and it seems to be holding!

Well, I am off to finish watching Two and a Half Men.....will see y'all tomorrow!