VSG Maintenance Group
Monday 10/30/17
Happy Halloween Eve !
Liz... Hope you blew in safely ! High wind and flood warnings until 4 PM here. We still have power, and I'm grateful we had some trees and dead branches taken down in September !
The comments about how limited we previously were in terms of stamina for shopping and yard work really resonated with me. I can remember knowing where all of the benches and "fat chairs" in the malls were, and guiding my girls toward stores with safe dressing room area perches. Taking breaks every ten minutes during yard work was common. Having to have a cart to lean on when shopping was a requirement. Seems so long ago ! Devon...your comments about organizing the little stuff hit home too.
Paula... We will have a virtual glass of wine with you any time. Could we face time our group?
One more day until I can get this Halloween stuff out of my hall closet ! Protect your skinny sanity !
Age: 64; 5' 5"; High weight: 345; Start weight: 271 (01/05/15); Surgery weight: 218 (05/27/15); Pre-Op (-53); M 1 (-18); M 2 (-1.5); M 3 (-13.5 ); M 4 (-13); M 5 (- 8); M 6 (-12) M 7 (-5, Xmas); M 8 (- 9) Under surgeon's goal and REACHED HEALTHY BMI 12/07/15!! (Six months and one week.) AT GOAL month 8. Maintaining at goal range (139- 144) ~ four (4) years !!
Weight 116.5; Calories 1562.
It is good to be home, mostly before the storm. It was raining hard by the time I got home just before 8 pm but the wind had not picked up yet. It was howling last night! I guess it is supposed to continue to be somewhat windy this morning but then subside. Tomorrow looks like a good trick or treat night, but we will probably go out and just leave treats in a bowl (so the dogs won't be freaking out).
I just read Devon's comment about doing better when things are in order. I feel the same - for me that means that I feel in control. And if I am in control of most things in my environment it is easier to extend it to other things, like eating plans.
Have a motivated Monday!
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
Weight: 131.6
Macros: Cals - 2,012 , Carbs - 221, Fat - 84, Protein - 76, Fiber - 22
Veggies/Fruits (goal 8): 6
Sleep (goal 8 hours): 7 hours
Exercise: None
Weight is up 0.4 pound this morning. Given the past three days of extra calories, that finally makes sense. 
Yesterday's 6 V/Fs came from a banana, carrots, an avocado, beans, tomatoes, and red grapes.
I hopethis coming week will be "normal" with exercise classes, shopping, reading, and some cooking before we head off for hubby's diagnostics. I am also looking forward to a hike on Wednesday with a sister who lives nearby.
Diane, I'm thinking of you and Liz on the East Coast with your wet, windy weather. Liz, I hope you made it home and safely. EDIT: Whoops, just saw Liz's post above.
Normal.
ANN 5'5", AGE 74, HW 235.6 (BMI 39.2), SW 216, GW 150, CW 132, BMI 22
POUNDS LOST: Pre-op -20, M1 -10, M2 -11, M3 -10, M4 -10, M5 -7, M6 -5, M7 -6, M8 -4, M9 -4,
NEXT 10 MOS. -12, TOTAL -100 LBS.
Hello, My Fellow Maintenance Menagerie!
Paula, I'm glad you picked up those boots! Their boost will last longer than cake, for sure.
I agree that I feel better if everything is in order. I am still thinking about a recent comment here (Ann's, I think) about house-care being part of self care.
My hike yesterday was good. My azz was quivering at the top, a first! I think my 1 hour gym class before the hike pushed my poor glutes into overdrive. A bird dive bombed my tuna sandwich as I was eating it! Clearly he had no sense of my attachment to food. I held the sandwich tight as he flapped in my face and then ate it while he stared at me from the next rock. Did you think I wouldn't eat it just cuz you touched it, bird? Delicious!
Afterwards, I went to two malls, one for myself (ahem) and then with DD at the end of the day. DD rarely asks me to do things with her these days, so I didn't want to say no. My body was pooped by the end of the day.
DianeO, I had been thinking about a virtual get together, too. I'm in if someone tells me what to do.
BB, I'm sure your Halloween party was fab. Details, please. I don't think I ever commented how charming I found your husband's proposal. Great story!
Don't let your skinny blow away,
Shel
HW:361 SW:304 (VSG 12/04/2014)Mo 1:-32 Mo 2:-13.5 Mo 3: -13.5 Mo 4 -9.5 Mo 5: -15 Mo 6: -15 Mo 7: -13.5 Mo 8: -17 Mo 9: -13 Mo 10: -12.5 11/3/2015 Healthy BMI Reached! Mo 11: -9 Mo 12: -8 12/27/2015 Goal Weight Reached!
I'm like Shel - I'm in re a group phone chat, but someone will have to tell me how to do it.
FYI, I have an Android phone (Samsung). However, I do have an iPad that I connect to the internet via wifi. That might work, eh?
ANN 5'5", AGE 74, HW 235.6 (BMI 39.2), SW 216, GW 150, CW 132, BMI 22
POUNDS LOST: Pre-op -20, M1 -10, M2 -11, M3 -10, M4 -10, M5 -7, M6 -5, M7 -6, M8 -4, M9 -4,
NEXT 10 MOS. -12, TOTAL -100 LBS.
Our Halloween Party went awesome! My husband was right, as usual, that my worries were for naught. Most of our RSVP's came, and some that hadn't RSVP'd came, making our count about right! We think it was around 78 people--although not all at once, and because of the hours, people never eat as much as you might anticipate. Despite all my preparations and the help I had, etc., those last couple hours are stressful. There's just no way to throw a party with food and NOT (unless I suppose it's catered?!). I liken it to Thanksgiving plus a wedding because once you're done putting all the food out we don't get to eat and then sleep lol! We are ON our entertaining game. We try to make it around to everyone and be good hosts. But I thoroughly enjoy it. I love getting to open up my house, I love getting to plan the menu, I love getting to get dressed up, I love getting to see everyone else's costumes. I'm so glad we're still doing it. Even if it's pricey and stressful.
So first up is our costume this year
And the food spread
I wish we did all have a better means of connection. I really do feel as though I care strongly about this group. I feel like we share more, and more honestly, than most friends irl.
I need to go back and catch up on the weekend comments. Until then, hoping everyone is surviving and thriving.
My home scale is up 6lbs. from what it was (at home) on the day of my last doctor's appointment. This is ALARMING. I don't think this is legitimate fat. How could I gain 6lbs in 10 days?! But even that amount of water weight gain could signify something scary. So I'm pumping the fluids today. And maybe trying to miralax ;) (that was the nicest way I could put it!) I have indulged this weekend but not to that sort of extent.
One last photo. Since I mentioned the proposal, here's our photo from our first Halloween Party in which he proposed.
