i finally passed my kidney stone. It had been lying there dormant for at least five years, which is when it was discovered. It has been on and off excruciating for the past three weeks. It passed this afternoon. It seriously messed with my eating pattern. It is hard to eat when you dick hurts. Anyway... I am happy. Very happy. It is out, there are no others, and Lord willing, there won't ever be others again. We now return you to your regular weight loss/maintenance program.

Hi guys...Sorry I haven't been around much. When I'm not in a good mood I don't post much. Been busy...Granddaughter, melanoma (they got it all), work, physical therapy (back), sleep.

I got on the scale today...200.5 I feel good about that. I've been between 207 and 199.5 over the last 3 months. Really want to be below 200...At about 195 because of my heart. There are fires here in California now (fire season), so the smog is bad. I need to join a gym for a few months till we get the rains in October (to clean out the air). Later, you are not forgotten, Brian (Cabin111)

Start of 6 month pre-op diet (2/14): 320 lbs.

7/9: 284.6 lbs.

7/23: 287.4 lbs.

Okay guys....I need some major encouragement now....

I missed a weigh-in because I was on vacation. Unfortunately you can see I didn't do great on vacation. This is the most weight (4 lbs.) I've gained since I started my 6 month pre-WLS program. I'm sure my weight management doctor is going to let me have it today when I see him. I tried to make good decisions on the foods I ate during my meals (high protein, low carbs), but it was the consistent exposure to snack foods in the beach house that was my problem. I just kept grazing here and there, taking little bites of foods and cheating a lot. I thought it would stop when I got back home on Friday, but I found myself doing the same at home over the weekend, although much less and healthier choices. Another issue was that I wasn't active on vacation. Lots of sleeping and sitting on the beach. I did hit my step goals a few days, but I wasn't doing the same amount of exercise that I would normally do in a week. Today I am determined to get back on track with my calorie counting and exercise routines. I really need to focus this week and hopefully get back on track. I have another vacation next week, but I'm more optimistic because several of the people I am going with are on similar diets and I tend to be much more active on this trip (lots of hiking, biking, and physical outdoor activities).

I put my car back in shop building and was walking back up to the house. Thought came to mind to give it five or six months and we'll be griping about it being below freezing with 2-3" of snow or ice and we'll gripe about that wanting a 109 degree day!

Thank you and good about nephew. He has to be the one to say enough is enough and want to make the change. Till he gets to that point - you can lead a horse to water..........

LED lights - put them over work bench in shop to replace old fluorescents. Come to find out it was not the lights crapping out but the switch crapping out. Replaced both. Have replaced some recessed lights inside and two on the front porch with LED's. Plan is to eventually replace ceiling fans and light kits going full on LED in process.

Last week: 184.6

This week: 186.4

Little transposition there. Too many trips to lunch counter.

Hotter than (insert favorite analogy) here! Expect another 108-109 day today. My butt is staying inside! Even with 50 SPF sun screen on yesterday morning doing the minimal amount of yard work I could get by with, two hours tops, face and neck feeling burnt. We did all of our running around yesterday afternoon to facilitate staying home today. A coffee run will be the extent of any getting out.

Have second new guy starting at work tomorrow. Wonderful. Our Chief has been gone on Holiday last 10 days. Sgt type person is on "light duty" post gall bladder surgery so he's been in and out leaving yours truly and new guy holding down fort. The heat is bringing out the dumb ass in everybody!

Cowboys head to training camp this week!! August 9th is first preseason game. Harmony returns to the Universe!