LOL Donna!! Hmmm...I'm wondering if that's why I'm not spending as much time on the computer? Cause goodness knows my behind sure hurts when I get up after sitting down for too long. Glad to know I'm not the only one with this problem!! Susan

Wow....what a mixed reaction I'm having seeing this! I'm soooo very happy for Felicia and glad that she is living life and not spending so much time on the computer. BUT, I'll miss her terribly. As so many of you have said, she has such great insight and wisdom. That said, I have to admit, I don't get on-line as much as I'd like these days as "life is interfering". But, I do try to get on and read the boards at least once a week. Lately I haven't managed that on the OCT 06 board and for that I'm sorry. I'll try to do better. You gals have all been so supportive and there every step of the way with me, going thru the same things at the same times. Hope everyone is doing well!! Susan

I found this on web, although I can't quite remember where....guess that's a sign of old age!....thought it was very interesting... Does Juice Fit into a Healthy Diet? Often when I counsel clients, one of the weight-loss topics we discuss is what they're drinking. Many people simply drink too many of their calories -- and this puts on the weight. Fruit juice is one drink many people overindulge in, and they do so because they assume it to be a healthy choice. Fruit juice can fit into your daily diet if you follow these two rules: Drink only 100-percent fruit juice, and monitor your portion sizes. Read the food label to find out whether a product is 100-percent juice. Beware of terms like "fruit drink," "fruit ****tail" or "fruit punch," all of which may indicate it is not 100-percent juice and is loaded with artificial flavorings and extra sugar. As for portion size, adults should drink no more than two cups (16 ounces) each day. This may vary depending on your age, body weight and gender, but it's a good general guideline. Although most adults need about two servings or cups of fruit per day, 100-percent fruit juice can count as one, or even two, of those servings. The problem arises when people drink more than this, and those extra calories turn into extra weight. But please keep in mind: Whole fruits do offer some benefits over juices. Whole fruits have more fiber than plain juice, and fiber helps you feel fuller longer. Also, a piece of whole fruit takes longer to digest than juice removed from the fruit, which keeps your blood sugar level steadier. And there's an additional satisfaction from chewing something instead of merely guzzling it down. So try choosing whole fruits over juices in your diet. Children don't need as much juice as adults. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 1- to 6-year-olds only need 4 to 6 ounces of juice per day, while those ages 7 to 18 years need only 8 to 12 ounces. Again, we're talking 100-percent fruit juice. Even though obesity in children has often been linked to juice consumption, research has not found a link between consuming the recommended amounts of 100-percent juice and overweight in children. Bottom line: It's possible to fit 100-percent fruit juice into a healthy diet, but make sure to chose pure juice and enjoy it in moderation -- and continue aiming to make whole fruits a part of your daily intake. © 2007 Johns Hopkins University. All Rights Reserved. This article from Johns Hopkins University is provided as a service by Yahoo. All materials are produced independently by Johns Hopkins University, which is solely responsible for its content.

HEY ZEE, MAYBE WE SHOULD START A SORE BUTT BRIGADE. DID YOU EVER IMAGINE THAT WE'D HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HAVING SORE BUTTS WHEN WE FIRST STARTED OUR JOURNEY? IT CERTAINLY WASN'T SOMETHING I THOUGHT ABOUT. I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE GOING TO THE DR. AND TELLING HIM MU BUTT HURTS, HE'D LAUGH HIS ASS OFF THEN BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, IT WILL BE ALL OVER THE OFFICE AND ALL OVER THE HOSPITAL (WE WORK TOGETHER) AND THAT WOULD BE FAIR GAME. GO OUT AND GET A DONUT RING AND ENJOY. OUR PROBLEM? WE'VE LOST SO MUCH WEIGHT, INCLUDING IN THE TRUNK THAT THERE'S NO CUSHION/PADDING ON THE ****YX REGION OF ON BUTT. AND JUST KEEP SHIFTING TO RELEAVE THE PRESSURE. THE BEST POSITION I'VE FOUND WHEN I'M AT WORK, ON A BAR STOOL AT HOME OR SITTING AT THIS DESK IN SITTING FORWARD, THIS TAKES THE PRESSURE OFF THE BUTT. HOPE THE BUTT FEELS BETTER SOON. DONNA, SFY

HEY HOLLY, LIKE YOU I DON'T EVER PLAN ON GETTING BACK TO THE WEIGHT I WAS PRIOR TO HAVING THIS SURGERY. 1. I WEIGH MYSELF AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, WHEN I'M AT WORK, WHY ? BECAUSE I STILL HAVEN'T GONE OUT AND BOUGHT MYSELF A SCALE FOR THE HOUSE, CAN YOU SAY EL CHEAPO? 2. I HAVEN'T HAD A PROTEIN SUPPLIMENT IN A LONG TIME, I TRY TO GET MY PROTEIN IN W/ MEALS AND SNACKS. 3. FLUIDS W/ MEALS, I MUST CONFESS, I DO DO THIS OCCASIONALLY, ONLY A SIP OR TWO, USUALLY WHEN SOMETHING FEELS STUCK, THEN THAT'S IT. 4. FLUID LOADING; NEVER DO IT AND DON'T THINK I EVER WILL 5. CARBONATED DRINKS; I DO KEEP A 12 PACK OF DIET A&W ROOT BEER IN THE FRIGE FOR THOSE RARE MOMENTS I FEEL LIKE HAVING A SODA. THE CAN USUALLY LASTS ME A COUPLE OF DAYS. AFTER TWO OR THREE SIPS I'M SATISFIED. 6. DON'T GRAZE; SOME TIMES I CAN'T HELP MYSELF, NO MATTER HOW DENSE THE PROTEIN IS THERE ARE TIMES I'M JUST DON'T GET THAT "FULL" FEELING. 7. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER; GUILTY AS CHARGED. I USE TO BE FAITHFUL TO THIS, DRINKING A MINIMUM OF 64 -100ozs, NOW THERE ARE DAYS I'M LUCKY IF I GET IN 34ozs. 8. DO NOT DEPRIVE; I ALWAYS, ALWAYS EAT MY PROTEIN FIRST, VEGGIES NEXT OR IN CONJUNCTION WITH PROTEIN THEN A VERY SMALL (1tbsp) OF CARB. 9. EXERCISE; I'M TRYING MY HARDEST TO GET BACK IN THE SWING OF WALKING, I WAS DOING 2.5 MILES THREE DAYS A WEEK (my days off) WHEN MOM WAS ALIVE BUT I'VE LOST ALL MOTIVATION. ALTHOUGH YESTERDAY I DID WALK, INFACT AT EACH DRIVE WAY I JOGGED FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER FOR ABOUT .5ml 10. SUPPORT GROUPS: NO CAN DO, THERE'S NO SUPPORT GROUPS IN THE AREA, ONE IS ABOUT 1 - 1.5 hrs AWAY, AND WITH THE PRICE OF GAS? FORGETABOUTIT. 11. KEEP A FOOD JOURNAL; GOOD IDEA, I HAD BEEN USING FITDAY WHEN WE ALL FIRST WENT ON THIS JOURNEY BUT FADDED AWAY FROM IT, WILL HAVE TO RESUBMIT DATA INTO THIS. THANKS FOR THE GREAT ADVISE/TIPS DONNA, SFY