Non-food New Year's Plans

Hi, all-- Been very busy and not around, so decided to dig in here and get a new wave of energy for all this change. Amid all the positive, I have to admit that eating still does not go very well. It's not just the occasional experience with cravings, I just still feel "eeeeeeuwww" quite commonly after I eat. I check out okay medically and I eat from my surgeon's list still because I seem to be so sensitive to things, so there doesn't seem to be much I can do about it. I dunno, I really had an extended time of feeling lousy after surgery, about seven months, much more than some others seem to have felt. Maybe it's just taking me a really long time to fully recover and this will go away. In line with that, I was not looking forward to going out to dinner on New Year's. Why sit there while my husband enjoys the dinner and I eat a few bites and then just mark time. Not very fun. However, I've become a big fan of the musical Wicked and was googling around about it. Found out that Kristin Chenoweth, one of the original cast members is singing with the SF Symphony in a special New Year's Eve program. Some hors d'oeuvres etc. are thrown into the mix, just about my speed instead of 7 courses. So, we're going! I'm thrilled. I haven't owned any special clothes for New Year's for a long, long time but I think I will go out today and try to catch a sale. Whoopee!!!!! Just wanted to share that there are fun things out there apart from the food. I have to remind myself of this and seek them out!!!! Best, Gano

A good reminder! Have a great time! How's the business going? It's good to hear from you! Joy

The business is taking off and it seems to be all part of this big change, a very strange experience. It's like the total energy of my life has changed and lifted along with the weight. We now have a public identity, so if you want to see what I'm doing, go to www.limelife.com. I can't talk about our products yet, fun little things to start with. BUT my real ambition is to create some tools for all of us to stay motivated via our cell phones. There's a lot of travel while we raise funds and meet people. It's been great to be in NYC where my daughter now lives and spend some more time with her. It has it's scary side, as I shut down the other company and the financial arrangements for the new company are not yet complete. At some point, you have to have faith and leap. Hence, my obsession with the lyrics from Wicked and, specifically, the theme song Defying Gravity. Would that my loose skin would defy gravity but, at a certain age, gravity takes over. All of this has been hard on my body, though I have continued to lose. I've slipped a disk in my neck thanks to all those crowded planes. My water drinking's not great and exercise has been nil. So I'm back here trying to figure out how to take care of myself and really act on it every day. I've thought of us all often as I've been doing all of this and look forward to talking to everyone more. Gano

Great web site! I'd love to check out your products when you are ready! Joy

I love your concept! I adore it! I emailed you!!! Dina

Gano!! Hey!! So glad to see you back on the board!! I don't post much but I read everything. I know what you mean about not geting back to full speed...just when I get to feeling better from one thing something else pops up. My labs are in the toilet and my Lupus is flaring and I feel like something you scrape off the bottom of your shoe...but I'm at goal. Whoopee??? Some days I can eat without a problem at all and others everything I eat either makes me dump or hurts like heck!! Your New Years Eve plans sound wonderful!!! What a treat for you!!! Hope your new business is prospering! Happy New Year!! Va

Ugh. All I can say is that I have felt much worse for longer than has been publicized about this surgery. I have no regrets but, for me, I believe it is a year or more in recovery. I recently realized it had been a while since I had woken up wondering how I was going to get through the day. And I wondered that every day for at least 8 months. I just felt terrible. I would think that processing out all those fat cells would throw our systems into total disarray. As you know, I don't have lupus but have many of those symptoms and saw them wax and wane. In fact, I'm in the middle of my first flare up for a while now. I did a lot of traveling and voila, inflammation. I've procrastinated my labs because I'm afraid to see them. Mentally healthy...NOT. I think this processing of crap out of the body is slowing down and so I am crossing my fingers for you. For example, I lost a LOT of hair. It is still falling out somewhat, that's how much, and I just felt poisoned all the time is the best way to describe it. So I believe that the boat is going to stop lurching and get steady now. Please hang in there. Lousy news about all the anti-inflammatories. I'm thankful we had the surgery as all this emerges because we have a shot at living without them or living with less of them. Gano

Gano - I had no idea you had so many problems with eating like that. I know we've all had different issues all along, but I didn't know it was that bad for you. I'm sorry to hear that! However, it sounds like New Year's Eve is going to be a wonderful time for you. How perfect is that - hors d'oeuvres instead of a meal! Don't like one? Go for the next! I remember who Kristin Chenowith is - she had a short lived sitcom a couple years ago. I heard she is just fabulous on stage! What a little firecracker! I hope you have a fantastic time. Look forward to hearing from you again soon! Dina

Gano, I'm glad you're back. I was wondering where you had gone to. Your business sounds wonderful and badly needed. So here's what I'm doing for New Year's Eve. I'm going to a pimp and ho party. You either dress as a pimp or a hooker. Well.... leave it to my family to take the path less traveled. My sister, brother-in-law, a friend and I are going as the in-bred pimp and ho group. My brother in law is wearing his Bubba teeth and a flannel shirt, my friend will be in rolled up jeans, 4 inch pumps, a sexy top and her bubba teeth, my sister will be in Daisy Duke shorts, fishnet stockings and hiking boots. I'll be in my overalls, pigtails and pregnant with a blacked out tooth. I have no idea whether or not there will be food. Doesn't matter. Have a wonderfully Happy New Year's and here's to a calm tummy in 2005. Connie