Hi and Role Call

Hi everyone! How are ya'll doing in your journey?? We'll call this our "informal role call" I'm doing GREAT. Been stuck at a 70 pound loss for a couple weeks I think, maybe not that long, but it seems like forever to me. LOL. But I am ok with that. The weather is beginning to turn nice and I'll be kicking up my exercise (GOING OUTSIDE FOR EXTRA WALKS AND BIKE RIDES). Otherwise, I feel WONDERFUL. Like a whole new person! A couple weeks ago I started taking One A Day Weight Smart vitamins. They have more of everthing compared to what I was taking. Compared to 100% daily value in my old vitamins, these have 125% of my daily value. For us "malabsorbers" that is a plus. Also, I FINALLY found, after 4 1/2 months of tasting, a protein shake I can stand!! I ordered 4 flavor samples of Susan Maria's samples and tried the 1st one this morning. OMG! The Bananna Cream is to DYE FOR!!! Tomorrow I'll be trying the Pineapple Vanilla, then the Double Chocolate Ice Cream, and finally the Strawberry-Kiwi Nectar. The Bananna had REAL chunks of bananna in it. OMG, it was GREAT! Tasted JUST like a real bananna shake from an ice cream shop! For those of you who want to see what she offers, just go to "www.bariatriceating.com". Oh yes, and I also FINALLY have a job interview!! At Mary Greeley Hosp. in Ames. It's a receptionist job in the Physical Rehab Dept. I figure I have to start somewhere, maybe one day an accounting job will open there and I'll have one up by getting my foot in the door. The only down-side to things for me right now is my 10 page Ethics paper that's coming due SOON! I'm FREAKING OUT! I HATE writing papers, littlone a 10 friggin page one! UGH!!!!!!!!! Well, I hope you all post and let everyone know how your doing! Hugs Tammy Open RNY 11/03/2003 -70 LBS

I am doing great.....Went to a puoort group meeting last night with a lot folks from the Iowa boards.....it was a lot of fun......Jobs can be hard to come by now-a-days.....I cannot wait until my youngest is in school and I can go back to work.....I am glad I can stay home with them now....BUt I am NOT stay at home mom material.....I want to be working.....I will probably do college first, but who knows!!! I too enjoy the stuff from bariatric eating...yummy!!! I cannot wait for our weather to get better so we can get outside more....Everyone have a great day Jesi

Wow Tammy, sounds like we have a little bit in common, LOL. I have been stuck at 140 lb weight loss (out of a 200 total hopeful!) for a while now... and yes, with this weather, I think this girl needs to get out and do some walking, etc. Just have to get started right! I bought an elliptical, built the damn thing all by myself, and ever since then, screws fall off here and there, and I am not getting on it when screws are off! UGH UGH UGH! I was struggling with working full time 4-5 overnights a week, plus going to college 3 days a week, so I went in and applied for some additional loans, and got them, so now I only have to work about 2 nights a week. Things are going so much better as far as that goes. My stress level has gone down tremendously. Now, I just need to get a better routine down, just not used to not working as much! I am pulling a C in Anatomy and Physiology, which was the class I was dreading. Now that I am working less, my personal goal is to get it up to a B. The other classes I am in I am getting an A in . (Developmental Psychology and Health 101) PS tammy I took ethics last year, if ya need help, lol, oh wait, I hated that class, nevermind! lol As far as life goes, definitely back together with my guy, have plans to move in with him this summer. (yeah for me) now just to figure out the living arrangements, etc. And, I want to fix up his house, lol, and how do you go about doing that! hehe. Protein shakes? yuck! lol. Ok, I finally tried the Atkins ones, 20 grams of protein per shake! (the cans) so I do like them, but I rarely drink them. I try to get everything I need from eating. So far all my tests are great, not low on anything. this week is spring break, but now I have towork all weekend yuck! lol (nursing home) I would rather just not work at all! wi**** worked that way! better go work on some school work Judi 5/15/03 was 360 now about 220. want to get down to 175...(well under 200 would be fab now!)

I'm here and stuck at 100 pounds off. HAve been every since I joined the gym and started with the trainers. They seem to think I need to eat more carbs since I'm lifting weights. Still between 1000- 1500 calories. But it's almost 2 months now. Have an appointment with the surgeon in April- maybe he can shed some light on this. Walking 1-2 miles every day that's nice, and working out at the gym 4-5 days a week. Anyone else have any experience with this? Just 10 months out? Jeri H.

Howdy-Howdy-Ho!! I am here and hanging in there. Had a nice support group meeting last nice - well, the plastic surgery pics were not really that interesting - but I certainly enjoyed my time with the crew that I went with (hi ladies)! After my snacking episode last week, I have finally gained control of my eating. I am only snacking on sugar free popsicles or something that has a lot of protein in it if I absolutely have to snack. I have been first trying to drink lots of s/f drinks or water before snacking. (That makes it hard on the bladder in the middle of the night!) Weighed myself last night at the center (still have no scales) and am down a total of 62.5 pounds. I'm sure that it is actually more than that, but that monthly friend is hanging around right now . I have stepped up the walking and walk 2 miles 3 days a week. Need to join the Y or Curves, just have to decide which one. I want to do whatever I can before even thinking of plastic surgery!!! Well - Hi to everyone! I am so glad that you all are here for support - I couldn't have come this far without you all!!! God bless, Andrea 326/263.5/under 200

Hello Tammy Im here just hanging out went to a support meeting last nite it was fun. im down to 188 pounds from the drs scale so that brings me to 153 pounds off I been walking 2 miles a day I'm doing a walk for easter seals its a 4 mile walk it will be fun last nite after the meeting went out with a friend from on here had a good time did a danceing contest and won 2 dinners,lol im just getting ready to fix dinner were having meatloaf. take care hugs Laurie

I'm not on the losing side yet, but have been lurking a while. My paperwork wil be send in to BC tomorrow or Monday. Say a little prayer, or a big one would be better! I got really depressed when I saw a post on the main board about Empire Blue Cross. That's what I have. The poster was denied and has to do a doc supervised diet for six months with monthly weighins and exercise 5 x per week. I hope my paperwork is enough to show that I've been there, done that, doesn't work! So hopefully, in 2 weeks, I can say I have a date scheduled! Everyone keep your fingers and toes crossed! Thanks for the support I've received so far. I am so envious of all the weight you guys have lost. Lyn

Hey there gang! I've really been trying to get on the computer more...I want to know you guys well when we all meet at Adventureland Jeri...I had kind of the same problem when I joined the gym at the new year...my weight loss slowed and stopped. I was working out at least 5x a week...aerobics, pilates, spinning, eliptical, weights...and I was loosing less weight. Well i started working witha personal trainer (a friend that comes to my house when the kids are napping) I started only working out 3x a week and just having fun trying to get "fun exercise" in. when i work out now, it's usually pilates and work on my ball or I go outside and walk or ride my bike. I've started loosing again. Remember everybody is different and maybe jeri's bod needs more carbs...you never know. I'm doing well...I love seeing people I haven't seen for a while..its so much fun. I still feel the doubt creeping in telling me this is all I'm going to loose, but then I look at how far I've come and try to let myself feel pride (something we're told that is wrong to feel). I'm still giong to therapy but I feel like we're starting to wind down. I'm feeling stronger mentally and physically. Jason is finally off of his plataeu (7weeks long) He is 71/2 months out and has lost 96lbs. I am 6 months out and have lost 115lbs. We rarely get sick anymore and we both can eat a fair amount of sugar and just have gas. Jason had 1/2 piece of cake on his birthday..he stopped at only half, and felt good (that's what skinny people do...hee hee). I find that for me if I'm craving something, having a taste satisfies the craving and I can stop thinking about it and go on with my life. I find the protein drinks and bars with a little more sugar are easier for me to eat (taste-wise). Now if you are a new post-op don't listen to me...do what your doctor says. I just feel it's good to be honest. Thanks for all you guys Love, Deb

Hi everybody. Had Surgery January 19, 2004 and have lost 50 pounds. March 3ed went back into the hospital for 3 days due to a 100% stricture. Could not keep anything down. Doc put a feeding tube in my old detatched stomach for intake of food and water. Not sure what will happen next. Hay, I knew the risks going in as I did a lot of research so you take the good with the bad. I have home health care coming out to my house, much better than being in the hospital. Glad most of you are doing so well and keep getting smaller. Bob

Tammy - you're doing great! I too am sort of stuck at 81 pounds for the past few weeks. Can't seem to get over the hump but it will come. Otherwise, I'm feeling great, lots of energy. I joined Curves last week and got in once this week after 3x the first week. Pulled a muscle in my hip- OUCH! My partner, Sue, works in the PT department at Mary Greeley. Hope you get the job.