Back on Maui.....and so happy!

Aloha Millie........Thank you for the welcome home.....much appreciated. I'm so happy to be home especially to be away from the maze that is the bay area........I'm just so used to the slow way of living that it made me nervous inside just to be out on their highways.

I'll send you some sunshine, and aloha......good as being here!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

HI Karen, It's so good to have you back on Maui again!  It just seems right to know you are there and enjoying the lifestyle for us!   Hugs, Kathi

Aloha Kathi....Thanks, sweetie......your words make me feel like a sister should feel.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

You know, I sit and read.  I'm beginning to understand your contentment with life as you know it.   We ARE blessed, aren't we? Glad you are back in the land of milk and honey.... radiant sunshine and wonderment at life. Janet

Aloha you cute little redhead, you,

Blessed indeed!! In so many ways. I forget to thank the Big Kahuna enough for all the goodness in my life. Just sitting here at my computer and looking out at the ocean and hearing the breeze in the trees is my bliss. I think if I moved to the mainland and lived amongst all the clatter and rush, rush, rush....I would wither up and blow away.

Thanks for chiming in......you are always a breath of fresh air!!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Welcome home Karen, You were missed.  Yuppers, the grandbabies are wonderful but my oh my how they sap the strength right out of us. Time to get on an eating schedule again. It seems like yesterday that we were stuck in a major stall. Now we have to WORK to keep the weight on these old bones. Hard to imagine!! Eating every 2  1/2  - 3 hours will help but try increasing your protein slightly too. My Nut suggested extra almonds and eating peanut butter right off the spoon.  It is so good to know you had a good time and are back home again. Annette

Aloha Annette.....sister who understands!

There were so many times when I was chief cook, bottle washer, laundress, tax driver, etc. etc. for my two little grands that I counted my blessings that I was able to DO ALL OF THAT! At 319 lbs. I would have been totally unable to participate in half of what I did. I ran up and down stairs, I carried heavy boxes, and children......I rolled on the floor with them and jumped up.....all miracles. When I complain about getting too thin or being stressed about this or that I must remember what it was like a mere two years ago.

On the way home from the hospital today I bought chunky peanut butter, whole wheat pita, apples, nuts...all things I can make quick snacks from. I AM going to eat every three hours.......make it a habit until I begin to turn the scale around. My real miracle (for many I know this doesn't happen) is that I am never really hungry. A little light just goes on in my brain that says "You should eat!" Not the raging megaphone that used to shout "EAT! EAT!" all day long.

Thanks for your support......it is always calming and welcome.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Hey Karen, so glad you're home and your trip was so much fun. Even though it was crazy busy you were doing things that made you happy, that is, of course, with the exception of the traffic and freeways!  When I try to explain metered freeway on ramps to people here I just get blank stares. They have no concept on what traffic is really like! One thing that helped me with my weight were Muscle Milk ready to drink protein drinks. They come in regular and lite  and don't taste too bad at all. They are great for "on the go", but be sure to have them very cold.  Oh...they're also lactose free in case you have a problem with milk. The SBD meal replacement bars are good too, great to keep in your purse for those busy days.....220 cals and 19-23 grams of protein. Hope you're able to relax a bit and unwind from your trip soon. I'm sure the kitties will appreciate some snuggle time, too. Big hugs from your "little" sister

Aloha Susan....Thank you so much for your suggestions. I know you have gone through much of the same weight loss issues and I am going through, so I welcome your ideas about what to do.

Protein bars (Pure Protein) kept me from losing probably more while chasing grands in Calif. I took two boxes of them, and ate all of those, and several protein shakes. But....I STILL lost 10 lbs.!! I had a card waiting at home from my bariatric doc with an appointment June 12th, so I will be glad to talk to him about my skin and bones body.

Ironically, my SIL and nephew left me a gift for using my home while I was gone of a massage at a fancy hotel here. I cannot for the life of me imagine letting someone massage this boney body with so much loose skin. Of course, they could not know that........and I'm going to try and trade it in for a manicure/pedicure. Do you understand my embarrassment over having a massage, or am I being silly?

Hugs to you friend,

Maui Karen

Oh boy, do I EVER!!!!   I work in a salon/spa and have two dear massage therapists who keep after me to let them give me a massage.  We trade services and they want their Spring pedicures but I can't  even imagine them giving me a massage. What's there to rub? Bones?? That's all there is under this skin and until I'm able to start going to the gym (weight restrictions from the last surgery) I won't have any muscle under there either. On the food subject, the last time I spoke with someone about my eating and maintaining, they said a good rule of thumb is to have double the grams of carbs to the grams of protein. So, if you have 80 grams of protein in a day, you should try and hit about 160 gr of carbs.  I've been trying it and it seems to be helping. It hasn't hurt me to even have more carbs than that.  I'm anxious to hear what your doctor says on the 12th, too.  Our local community college is opening a new campus this Fall about a mile from our home.  They are offering a nutrition class one night a week. Three units and just an intro course, but I'm going to take it.  Take care lovely one