Here we go with roll call 4/18!

Good afternoon. Sorry that I didn't get this on here earlier. How are you all doing today? If you set goals, how did your week go last week. I knew that I would have PMS issues, so I made a lot of cheese crisps. Overall, it wasn't tooooooooooo bad (I'm sure that my hubby would differ! ) This week, things will definitely be better. It should be a busy week with support group Wednesday night and then group picture for the Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery to celebrate 100 surgeries. It's casual dress for the phonto-op and I'm still trying to figure out what to wear. Don't think that they would like me in workout clothes and barbells in hand, held over my head in celebration..................shucks. Goals for this week are similar to last week: 1) KEEP CONTROL OVER FOOD EVERY DAY, EVERY HOUR AND EVERY MINUTE! 2) One small evening snack then be done and start on fluids. 3) Actually sit at the table to eat meals. 4) Get to the gym 5-6 times this week And do abdominal work-out daily. Now, how about your goals? For the question of the week - to tan, or not to tan? I love to be tan, think I look healthier with a tan. I'm a little ticked now because of our weekend weather. It was nice out, but I cleaned in the house all Saturday until about 1:30 and of course when I thought about going outside, it clouded over. Then, yesterday, it was cloudy after church and didn't get really sunny until about 6:00 - time for baths and bedtime routines for kids. I might just have to "fake bake" this week at the gym. Anyway, chime in and let us know how you are doing!! God bless, Andrea

Hey Andrea, I say to tan I go to a tanning bed I have since I have had surgery. I had gotten the ok from my dr. I find it relaxing and it warms my very cold body up and It hides all my old stretch marks I feel they are not as noticable and I don't look so pale. Plus I don't have to tend with bugs and it only takes 20 minutes. I guess they have stand up booths at places that only takes 10 minutes. My cna at work also has gotten sprayed and there are wipes you can use. Any way I am for tanning!!!!! I am doing better with everything lately. Today I was out rotto tilling my garden. I feel like such a wimp I was pooped out!! I guess maybe I felt stronger when I was larger I want to up my walking more. I am still having a problem getting my protein in with food still have to supplement most of it. I managed to eat 1/4 a piece of chicken and 1/2 cup cottage cheese for lunch today. Are you all planting gardens?? I find it relaxing and theraputic. My garden wasn't the best last year but I had surgery in March and I was behind on everything with my garden. Hope you all have a good day! Take care! KIm L.

Hi Kimberly, Sounds like you are doing good, and probably looking good, too!!! Why are you not able to get in enough protein? Are you eating high protein foods mostly? I still do a protein drink daily as well. About the garden - nope - don't plant one. I do enjoy the fruits of the harvest, however!! Well, hope your week has been a good one! God bless, Andrea

Hello I can't believe it. I got a membership to the "Y". for $20 a month, on their scholarship, for 6 months. I thought it was going to be harder to get a scholarship, but I thought wrong. I start going tomorrow. Can't wait! I've been going to see a counselor. And he is telling me that I should not go back to school in the fall. Because of the sores and blisters I'm getting. He says that they are from being stressed out and with anxiety. So, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Dad got me a job (knows president of the bank) at his bank, but won't start until August. Encoding checks. Won't start until then, because they are building a new building, and don't have room for me right now. It will be 7 years ago, Wednesday, that my "best friend" aunt, committed suicide. I'm trying not think about it. Friday is my 30th birthday, (boy that sounds old, but I think 40 is old). I have been missing her quite a bit. She and I would talk about everything. Oh, well, need to look towards the future. Goals: Study hard for my finals. May 1, 2, and 3, are my finals. Pack the car Friday, with 5 boxes of clothes to take to Grinnell with me on Saturday for the group meeting, hope they will fit. Drink more water. (Doing better) I don't tan, I burn. But when I try to tan it is usually mowing the yard for 7 hours. (Parents) Guess that's it. Take Care Love Lisa

Lisa, Hope that you are enjoying that "y" membership! Sounds like you got a good deal. Glad that you are seeing a counselor but concerned that it was recommended you not go back to school in the fall. Hope that the job works out for you. So sorry to hear about your aunt - those things have a tendency to really affect us. Hang in there! Happy early birthday!!! God bless, Andrea

Hi Everyone..I know I haven't posted for a while..the new little Baby Katie is taking away all my free time. I am down from pre pregnancy weight and weigh 177 (175 total loss) I am now about half the woman I used to be...wow..I thought I would feel different at this weight..but I still have issues with my self-esteem, money issues, and although I feel I've conquered so much with eating I still make some poor food choices with empty calories. Nursing is going fairly well.....I had issues with my last babies (twins) but thought it would go better this time...I'm not producing enough and have to keep going back to giving her some supplement after a few feedings. The lactation consultent says its because I'm post gastric bypass...but I'm not giving up. i have returned to work part-time and of course not getting enough sleep...life is hard and parenting 3 kids under 3 is even harder...I still want to turn to food in times of stress, but I'm working with my therapist to break those old associations with feelings and food. Has anyone heard about Carnie Wilson? I know shes pregnant and someone told me she's gained 40 lbs during her pregnancy? Deb Paul

Hey Deb- I am so proud of you to find some time to yourself at the computer. Now- go get some rest. Oh- and when you need some help just give your church friends a call Jen

Hey, Deb - can't imagine that you have not had any free time!!! Your hands must be so FULL!!! I can't believe that you have taken off your baby weight already and are doing so wonderfully! What an inspiration! Hey, about the nursing, I'll e-mail you some thoughts! Aren't therapist such a necessity? I definately need mine!! She is helping me work through some issues as well. I still have no control over some foods - like the s/f cheesecake recipe that I perfected and like low carb chunky peanut butter. Needless to say, they can't be in my house right now until I can exercise some restraint. I haven't heard anything about Carnie. Wow - wouldn't 40 pounds be a lot to gain? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Kinda makes me have second thoughts about having another baby. Then I look at you and think that I could do it! You are phenomenal! God bless, Andrea

Morning all I'm not one to tan, always told my folks & brother's I was adopted! They tan & I get the lobster look every time I look at the sun! Even tanning beds do the same to me. So I'll stay "lily white" I'm at 175 only 25 lbs from goal. Tomorrow is my "birthday" hard to believe it's been a year with 90 lbs gone forever! Know that the weight loss will slow down but am trying to stay positive. Lars (grandson) & I went for a long walk on Sunday, cleaned & mowed the yard. Wouldn't have done that a year ago! Yesterday took Courtney & Lars for a walk since it was nice out. Goals: Keep drinking the water (been doing great with that) walk more get packing done think positive thoughts Everyone have a great week Hugs Carolyn

Carolyn, - wow - 175 is wonderful!!! You are still doing so good. To what do you contribute your continued weight loss? Give me an idea of what you are eating. You know that I work out all of the time, but have seen the loss really slow down. However, I did lose another pound this week - and that is after that PMS time and time of the month. Yippee!!! Down to 184 now which means a loss of 143.5 since surgery, but from my high weight, a loss of 166 pounds. Wow - I almost lost me - (can that make any sense at all to anyone but me??? ) Anyway - you continue to enjoy those long walks and your continued success! Happy "re-birthday"! And, mow that yard as often as you can - isn't it a wonderful feeling?? Hope your week has gone well. God bless, Andrea