HIJACK!!! Hi Dawn! I just wanted to tell you- I looked through your profile- U LOOK AWESOME! That red dress looks so great on you! I cannot believe the difference in your pictures! You have done a great job! How long were you working out with a trainer? It really shows. Im thinking about doing it- as a birthday gift to me - its expensive but I know its worth it. I cannot wait until I am 150lbs or lower.. You look so great at 131. Hugs, Donna

Hi Donna Phew...I get tired just reading all your exercise.... You go girl........... Ok, so which day this week is your birthday? We're not letting you off the hook that easily... Thanks for the congrats... I hit the 100 lb loss from the beginning of my journey quite a while ago, but, finally hitting it from surgery is AWESOME.... been waiting for this for a while...that's for sure. Great job on your exercise.... ((((HUGS)))) & Tammy

Hi Carrie - you look great! Keep up the good work. I know you weren't asking for advice or anything, but I thought I would post a fast note. I really recommend you watch the diet soda- for two good reasons. ( I know its a good break from everything).. BUT 1- Earlier this spring- a frend posted on the NYBoard- that a postop had died- she had ruptured her sutures- eating pizza and diet soda. It was the third time she ripped them. She was eating 3 slices of pizza and a can of soda. 2- Soda has HFCS- High Fructose Corn Syrup- the scourge of the fast food industry. I've discovered one clue why people may overeat and why so many of these places are being sued. One is HFCS. This syrup- when it enters the bloodstream- reaches your brain- and literally "turns off" your "I'm full" button. And becuz it does that- it lulls you into eating more. The more you drink etc. So that may be another reason why the docs say it stretches your pouch- plus the carbonation- but even without the carbonation- I think its dangerous becuz I can see how it helped me to keep eating- I drank it more than coffee or tea. And after reading the post about the PostOp - I asked my surgeon about it. (It wasn't his patient) and it seems all surgeons do the surgery differently. My PA told me- they staple 3 rows and then sew the pouch and staple again( I think) cuz I was concerned about ripping staples. But she also pointed out - I dont drink soda. But I do eat pizza (once a month) and look anorexic doing it. LOL. So I just wanted to pass that along. Many people don't know why its bad. I always think- it may not affect me now- but later on- who knows? Might even be one reason why people gain back their weight later on. Hugs, Donna I

Hi, yesterday I had B protein drink L 1/2 c whole wheat pasta w/ 1/2 cup meat sauce D lean cuisine swedish meatballs had a few chips & an almond bar. coffee, crystal light vitamins & calcium Tammy

Hija Tammy, The bike ride sounds nice all the way around. I capped off my week of bike rides, PT, softball, and tennis with 2 hours of kayaking on a lake near me. The National Park Service there offers free moonlight kayak tours on the lake. It's another item off my list to do checked off! Dawn 258/134/135