OK everyone...no more LURKING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Roll Call

This board has been far too quiet lately!!!  I know, I know, the holidays, yada yada.  So quit your lurking and let's get going here!  What's everybody been up to, how were your holidays, how are you doing with dealing with your eating plan during the holidays, how are the kids, did your dog bite your brother in law, are your decorations still up, what did Santa bring, is this the first Holiday season where your actually lost weight instead of gain, have you been off work, when do you go back, did the family notice the change in your weight, are you getting in all your vitamins and water????? Come on......don't be shy, lazy or whatever it's been that has kept you from just checking in! Love you all!

Hello Susan and to all, We had a great Christmas. All my family, except for my daughter that lives in Joplin, Mo came here, here being Hot Springs,  to my house. We had a big party and opened gifts. It was fun. That was on Saturday. Then on Monday we loaded up and went to my daughter's in Joplin. Spent Christmas there with her, her husband their four kids and his parents. WELL, that was interesting. We started opening gifts at 7:30 and didn't get done till 10:45...OMG.... They didn't let the kids open their gifts all at once. Each child had to do it one at a time. So it took FOREVER!!! Then we started home wednesday. We normally go through Fort Smith and around by Mena, but I felt a little sick, so we came across I40. Had no idea there was bad weather any where around. Got caught in the snow mess around Russellville and Conway. Kinda scary but we made it home ok. Taking my tree down TODAY,, YEA!  Looks lonely with no presents under it. I'm still waiting on approval by my insurance compay for surgery.  BUT, all I need is a letter from my pcp stating I'm in ok shape for surgery. He sent them one back in September when I started this but they want another one now. I go to see him Jan. 8. So as soon as he gets that in to the insurance company, maybe I'll be good to go. Let's hope so. That would be a good way to get the new year started. And I am so ready. Hope everyone had a good and safe Christmas and I want to wish everyone at OH a happy and healthy new year!!!!!!

Three hours for kids to open their gifts?  Man-o-live!!!! Those are some lucky kids! Glad you made it home safe and sound. Driving in bad weather scares me....too many years living in sunny California, I guess. Yeah, I was going to take my tree down yesterday but got too busy with other things. Sunday for sure! I agree that it's sad looking all empty underneath and all. My mom used to never take her tree down until New Year's Day, but she was funny about lots of things. Hope you get good news from your pcp and your surgery date soon. We need some new loser's on this bench. Take care,

I'm here!  Been away a little the past 2 weeks, but things should slow down now! Everyone in my family had a nice Christmas & we're looking forward to an even better New Year. This was my first Christmas since being Banded. I'm down 45 1/2 pounds & I'm looking forward to weighing in on New Years the lowest I've been in over 15 years!

Hi Amy, Isn't it wonderful to move the focus of the holidays away from food to what we're really celebrating? Glad you had a nice Christmas and that you're checking in with us. Take care and keep up the good work!

I'm here!   Still alive and still losing!  (75 pounds gone as of today - around 40 more to go) In all honestly, my holiday this year has been so busy and stressful that I was hardly even able to enjoy it.  Normally after the holiday I feel sort of let down that it's over.  This year I feel relief.  It wasn't a BAD holiday.  It was just a very busy and stressful holiday.  I have had NO trouble avoiding the holiday feasts because I haven't BEEN to a holiday feast.  I did go to my mom and dads for dinner, but all I ate was some fried Chicken with a little bit of gravy on it.  (I know anything fried is not the best choice, but I don't fry ANYTHING myself - so I'm not worried it will become a habit.)   My kids got what they wanted for Christmas (iPods, PS2/XBox 360 games, etc) and they were happy!   My husband took the tree down the day after Christmas, so that's done.   I miss everyone and can't hardly wait until support group next month!  Hope everyone is doing great! 

Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee  75 lbs is awesome!!!! So sorry your holiday was so stressful. Before we moved here, when I was a VERY busy hairdresser at home, I almost hated Christmas because it was so crazy for me. Now, I'm a very slow hairdresser who is stressed because I'm not busy! Can't win???? Anyway, don't you think the whole idea of this surgery is to teach us to be more moderate in our eating? Who says we can't have an occasional piece of fried chicken?? I don't worry about you making it a habit...you're way too far along now to fall for that! I'm looking forward to the next meeting too but hope to chat here before then. Take care, hope I recognize you at the meeting!!

I took the tree down the day after Christmas.  Not that it was a huge tree, basically, I left the decorations on, pushed the limbs up, and shoved it back in the box.  I am still enjoying my time off from teaching/studying.  I have decided to give up cream of wheat.  I know, it was my only dessert, but I don't need it.  So today, I steamed sweet potatoes and just ate them without any other food and thought about our trips to Russellville.  We have got to do that again. The next time, though, let's stay longer. 

Why did you decide to give up cream of wheat??  It's good for you, but then, sweet 'taters are too. When do you go back to school? I hope we can get together soon and do some serious catching up. Gotta run, time for me to hit the sack, but hope to hear more from you soon! Hugs

I gave up the cream of wheat because many times instead of eating food, like protein foods, it was easier for me to have a package of cream of wheat and my hair has started falling out and I Know I'm not getting enough of anything except cream of wheat with splenda.  So, I gave it up and am making myself eat real food.  Yesterday, 1/2 chicken thigh for lunch and for dinner I had a hamburger patty, which made me sneeze and made my nose run.   Classes start Jan 14.  I am going to try and get away soon.  I'll let you know.