Sex, chocolate cake diet!

I know that's not fair, but since I got your attention, how about a role call on this board? We have about 40 lurkers and 5 or so active posters. I think the Bayou Fellowship could do us all well. I would love to hear who you all are and how you are dealing with the up and down temperatures and how you alter your Louisiana dishes for your new awesome lifestyle. Can I get a word from "home?"

Hey, Frances, great suggestion I'm a Louisiana native and I've been back in the state for 10 years after a brief "vacation" to Texas. Funny, I think the the spice of life and fellowship gumbo had a lot to do with the fact that I couldn't stay away. I love Louisiana and ALL it's people. I'm a graduate of Louisiana College and yes, there's a liberal arts college in Pineville (not just the crazy farm, like some people used to tell me). I'm a journalist by trade and I've worked in three Louisiana newspapers including the Alexandria Town Talk, the Lake Charles American Press and The Advocate in Baton Rouge. I've taking a vacation from "making ends meet" to find my self in self-employment and free-lancing. I'm 5 months post-op after having the lap band procedure. I'm down about 55 points and hoping for much more. My favorite post-op food choices are chili, beans, chicken (100 ways) and fi****hink the most overlooked protein source is dried beans: Go beans, go! Thanks again for making the suggestion, Frances. Onward! Frances Journey: http://www.francesspencer.blogspot.com

Hello! My name is Rhonda. I have lost 80 pounds since my surgery. Right now, I fix my family (hubby and 3 kids ages 8, 6, and 3 1/2)regular meals. I eat pretty much what they have except I really watch rice, pasta and potatoes. I make sure I get mostly protein and my vegetables. I just love vegetables. Right now I am fighting head hunger really bad. I do good during the day but at night when things get quiet and it is just me and my man up, I get it really really bad. It is like if I don't get a snack, I am just gonna die. I have started buying the kids' snacks that I don't like and I get those snacks that are 100 calories a bag for me. It comes in oreo, cheese nips, fruit chews, and a few other flavors. I just hope it will ease up! As far as Louisiana weather, well, you just got to go with the flow. What can ya do? I just wi**** would make up its mind. I kinda like the 60 degrees stuff. Hope ya had a good day! Rhonda 225/145

HI Francis, I am a day late on this one...but I am usually running behind..lol.. I check this board often.. just not much going on here... Anyhoo.. I am 5 months out today .. I am down 96 lbs. As far as food goes.. I just cook regular for my family.. I just eat smaller portions. I have problems with bread.. so usually eat my sandwiches breadless...lol.. I can do rice in moderation.. pasta also.. one thing I miss is sausage.. I can only tolerate a bite or two of it... take the sausage and the rice out of the gumbo and it is just not the same for me.... This rollercoaster ride of temps gets amusing sometimes....dont really know what to wear from day to day....not that I have much that fits me to begin with..... I enjoy your blogs... Sondra

HI all,I'm from up North LA way,but it's all good.Hope we can liven up this board abit.And Frances thanks for bringing my attention to the roll call.As far as Louisiana weather we all know that if we don't like it at the minute just stick around a few minutes and it's bound to change.I'm a nurse and you know what they say about nurses and DR(we truly do make the worse patients).Now don't ya'll feel bad for my future nurses.

Hey Frances, My name is Missy, i have lived in Metairie all of my 33 years. I had the RNY-Lap done on 9-9-04 and i have lost 94 lbs so far and i am sooo excited. It is really good to see that there is a message board for Louisiana. This is obviously my first time here. I know you asked about cooking and eating, well, i don't cook often and as far as eating, i eat whatever i want, but i try to make much better choices than before. I am single and i don't have anyone else to cook for, so it is hard to just cook for myself. I do eat Lean Cuisine and lots of salad, and i try to get all of my protein through food since i can't seem to find a protein drink that i can tolerate. I still love my seafood, i eat shrimp and crab every chance i get, those things seem to go down well and are good sources of protein. As for the weather here, i can't stand it sometimes. I have to step out the front door everyday before i get dressed and even then it is hard to figure out if it may be hotter or colder in a few hours. Well, again, it is nice to see this message board and i plan to check it out more often. Good luck to everyone and keep up the good work!! ~Missy~

Hi Frances I love your sense of humor!! Usually I hang out on the Over 50 Forum, check the main board regularly, and every so often check the August 2004 and Louisiana boards. Now that I know there are so many nice people here, I'll stop by more often. My surgery date was 8/26/04, RNY. So far I've gone from 265/249/197, from size snug 22 loose 24 pants to 16, and from 44 / 3x tops to 18/20 / xl. Feeling great except for a gouchy pouch every once in a while. When acting up, his name is Oscar, otherwise it's "Oh, thank you God"! It's just DH and me at home, all three kids are now out on their own: oldest - daughter - married with a 3 y/o son in Joplin, teaching biology at college level; second - son - chef here in LA; third - son - married with an 18 m/o son, ER nurse at local hospital, lives across the street, but will be moving an hour away soon. My cooking hasn't changed much, I try to make lower fat versions of what I've always cooked. I have a little trouble with rice, some pasta, and most breads . As far as our weather, I can't wait for spring - I'm always freezing. I keep a sweater or sweat shirt handy, and at night, I'm covered with at least two blankets and a sheet while DH is covered with only the sheet. I'm a state employee and work as a secretary at the local medical center. Been at it for 18 years now - time flys when you're having fun. Thanks for posting this - hope we meet a lot of new friends! Debbie