We got in Tuesday night from vacation ... had a wonderful time! Ireland was beautiful, as green as you always hear about. The Irish people we're wonderful as we're all the people in our tour group. The food ... well it was OK in my book, nothing all that special unless you like cream soups and potatoes (I stayed away from both). I did things I could have never done a year and almost 160 pounds ago, it made the trip much more fun. We walked so much, and I loved it! I was able to kiss the Blarney stone, after walking up over 100 of the smallest/steepest steps ever. I didn't feel bad being out of breath since everyone was! Even came home to find out that I'd lost 5 pounds! Holland was warm, very warm in fact. We never wore jackets, and since mine was big already I gave it to one of the cousins, along with some other clothes that we're getting big. We had a great time with family and loved every second of the trip. They had no idea I'd lost weight so it was a very nice surprise. At the train station they walked right past me, never noticing me ... that was the best moment of the trip! Old habits came back, they snack all the time, and I would snack on things I don't buy at home like chips and crackers, and drink tea while doing it ... so bad! I did stay away from the sweets though, well, bad sweets, the cousins we stayed with own an ice cream shop and they now make a delicious sugar free/non fat tropical flavored ice cream that I treated myself to, one European size scoop (less than 1/4 of our size scoops) every other day, and usually I wouldn't finish that, hubby would eat the last few bites. I always love traveling, but must admit, it sure is nice to be home! Jan

FANTASTIC!!! Keep up the good work!

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's awesome!!!!!!!!

Just now getting around to responding.... 1. What types of food did you eat this week? chicken, steak, bean burritos, almonds, crab, asparagus, salads, had a chai...yummm 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? This was my last week of "light duty"...I'm going to be back on track starting today. Went to the National's baseball game yesterday and had to walk to and from metro (good walk). 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? Total I'm at 127/130...my body can't decide yet. 4. What was your biggest challenge? Carb cravings! UGH! I tend to want to snack when I study...and of course, carbs scream at me for snacking! 5. We've all pretty much reached 9 months by now, how are you at your goals? Are you where you are supposed to be? I'm not sure where I'm "supposed" to be, but I have about 90ish pounds to go according to my surgeon. I think if I exercised more consistently I'd do better. *Fun bonus question: What is your favorite room in your home? Why? What color are the walls? My favorite room in the house is our "library." It's our extra room where we have our bookshelves and a comfy recliner. The walls are a spring green color. This is the room I go into when I want to just have some time alone and relax....probably why I like it so much! Someday (next year?) we're hoping to make it a nursery (if all continues to improve w/us).

1. What types of food did you eat this week? >>protein powder smoothie, beef jerky, cottage cheese, steak, pork chop, salmon, deli meat slices 2. What types of exercise did you do this week? >>combo yoga/pilates/strength training class 2x week (I really like this class!), brisk walking with ankle weights, exercise video, hip hop dance class 3. How much weight did you lose? Total loss? >>down 4 lbs this week. Total loss 109 lbs. 4. What was your biggest challenge? >>staying aways from sweets. I was counting on dumping on sweets after WLS. I wanted that to control my behavior so I wouldn't have to. But no suck luck - I don't dump on sugar! So, I will have to work that much harder. I have gotten control over myself recently and cut out the 2 bite size candy pieces per day. I haven't had any sweets/candy in 2 weeks. 5. We've all pretty much reached 9 months by now, how are you at your goals? Are you where you are supposed to be? >>For the most part, yes. My birthday is 5/31 and my 1st son graduates from high school on 6/7 and I will be well over 100 lost by then. I finally went shopping for dresses for these occassions coming up (I am missing a shopping gene or something, so shopping is a really hard for me) and was very surprised that I fit into a size 14. I had no idea! I bought 3 beautiful and SEXY little black dresses as well and a flowy spring dress for my son's graduation. Shopping is hard work - and I didn't even get shoes yet, LOL.