Suppport Group update

 Holy Moly, I started with a 40f that wasn't oversewn.  I hate hearing how much our Sleeves can stretch.    I'll be curious to see if anyone has their sleeve tightened in coming years.  This is definitely a lifetime commitment to keep the weight from coming back.

Thanks Diane for the update..it is very helpful to hear what he says!  Do you have to be one of Dr. C's patients to go to his support groups?  He sounds like he has great ones and I would love to go to one around here...Please let me know if you know he answer to that one.

Patty

Patty, no you don't have to be his patient to attend.  Please come with me on the third Wednesday of the month at Good Samaritan in Los Gatos.  I think they start at 6:30.  I am usually a bit late, but Sublimate and Frisco and MacMadam are usually there too.  We would love to see you there.

Elina...I would love to go to the next meeting.  Maybe you, Sublimae and I can meet up for a quick dinner before hand.  I would love to see you girls and catch up.  Let me know if that works.  but either way I would love to go to the meeting.

Thanks,
Patty

Patty, I am going to call Dr. C's office on Monday and confirm the date for the next meeting.  It is usually the third Wednesday of the month, but sometimes there are changes.  Once I know when we are meeting, I will PM you and we can set something up.  I would love to have dinner with you too.  Talk to you soon.

Thanks Elina...that sounds perfect!  I am totally willing to drive down there once a month for these meetings..they sound great and just what I need.  And to see you and Sublimate would be such a bonus.  I just never thought about it before..just assumed it was for his patients.  Will look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,
Patty

Interesting report Diane. The dietician in my support group always says that it takes at least 3 years for habits to become ingrained, so we do have some time to go.

In addition, I think the size of the stomach is important, but from the reports listed above, it still comes down to what we do with the tool that we have been given. We can eat around any of the surgeries, if we don't develop new, healthier habits, and implement a change in lifestyle.

Exercise has always been my nemesis in the past, but this time I think I really get it. I went to a conference on Obesity in early May, and there were workshops that discussed any type of movement is important and counts towards being more active. Our lives have become so sedentary that we have to work at being more active.

I don't always enjoy going to the gym, so I dug my bicycle out of the garage, had the tires fixed, and the bike tuned up and went for a ride in a local state park. I also went for a walk up and down hills last week. All of this counts as movement and exercise and doesn't have to be done in a gym. I celebrate the gift that I have been given and enjoy being able to ride a bike and climb up hills. I couldn't have done that a year ago.

I have also read and heard that exercise is even more critical during maintenance than even during the weight loss phase. It is normal to be able to eat more as we get further out. That is why all the doctors and dietitians talk about developing a change in lifestyle and habits. It is truly a challenge.

Also, I don't think there is ever a "safe time.' We must always be mindful of what we put into our mouths. We will gain weight, if we lose track of the good habits that we developed during the weight loss phase. There are foods that I won't even bring into the house, because I will eat them.

Gail

Gail, I just told my husband today that I thought I might like to get a bike and so that we could do some riding around our fair city (if the rain EVER stops). We're so close to the parks and where I am is relatively flat. I had a bike, and we used to ride together years ago, but it was SO old that I got rid of it a couple of years ago. I've never been comfortable riding in traffic but I wouldn't have to here to get to the parks...so I'm going to look for one...

Lizanne

Lizanne, Benicia has great bike lanes and paths. Since I hadn't been on a bike in several years, I took a Beginner Bike Skills class from REI in Berkeley last Saturday, just to learn more about safety and bike skills. Since I already knew how to ride a bike, I didn't need that class. We spent a couple of hours riding around a parking lot along shoreline and practiced starting and stopping and turning. It was fun!!! Then we spent about 1.5 hours riding along the Shoreline path and getting used to being with joggers, walkers, other bike traffic, etc. It ended up being windy and even rained on us at the end, so we had a little bit of everything. They provided the bikes and helmets. It inspired me to get my bike fixed. The instructor said that I would need more practice, before I am ready for the next level, so I started practicing last Thursday.

Riding in the state park was wonderful. It was at the end of the day and birds were coming out and chirping like crazy. I think I even saw a coyote cross the road. Surprised the heck out of me. There were other people riding their bikes, some joggers, and walkers. It is 5 miles round trip, so it was a perfect end of the day activity and gave me an opportunity to test out my bike.It took me about 25 minutes and I didn't have to go to the gym. I wi**** wasn't raining today, or I would be out there again. I think, next time, that I will ride down from my residence, which will give me another 4 miles round trip. Or, I could start from downtown, where the bike trail starts.

I would love to ride across the Benicia Bridge. I see bikers on it all the time and there is a protected bike/walking path. Carquinez Bridge has the same set-up.

When I went to UC Davis years ago, I used to ride my bike ALL the time. Davis is very bike friendly.

Gail

 Gail, bravo on the fun you're having on your bike!  I've looked at that REI class.  If I get a bike, I'm definitely going to check it out.