Support Group Not Hose

I drove to Sioux Falls tonight with Vince to go to the support group at the hospital. It is so worth it to sit down and have a discussion with others who are dealing with the same life experience. Each person is so unique and each has a story. Tonight's meeting was about "paying it forward". I said, from the very beginning, that the reason I am writing this blog is to share my story and perhaps give someone the push to take a step in changing their own life.
I did share about this blog tonight and I also mentioned my Australian friends (not by name) that I have begun to feel akin with as we wander down this path of bandsterhood. I just read one blog and she calls them the bandits. I think that is so cute. About the time one feels like they are slipping, along comes a new bandit to help one refocus. That happened tonight at the support group. A beautiful young woman shared that she was banded in October and has lost 33 pounds. I reminded her that is 11 cans of Crisco. That is so great! It isn't that one wants to compete with her to lose more, but rather, it just compels one to continue the journey with a bit more ATTITUDE!
I am still having the wretched dents in the ankles when I take off the wool socks at night. Some one recommended green tea as a natural diuretic but I so hate the taste of tea. I think I will just try to drink more water and really watch the sodium content of foods.
I do believe there is a real benefit in having a support group. Not that misery loves company but rather, it is good to hear others talk about some of the same feelings and experiences and give their take on it. I believe we are never to old to learn something from others. I especially like to learn from others who have positive attitudes and this group is full of those kind of people.

Add four sticks of butter

And I am not talking about a recipe. I finally faced the day when the scale went the wrong direction. I know I was exercising each day while I was gone but I also know I am retaining fluids. I have big dents in my ankles when I take off my socks each night. I was bummed but I refuse to get discouraged about it. I will just have to kick it in the rear for the next few days if I want to reach my goal of 200 pounds on December 31, 2008.
We went to a house party tonight and I had to practically run to the bathroom to keep from making a rousing embarassment of myself. I didn't chew the little meatball long enough and it got stuck. I tried to PB but it didn't work and the next thing I knew I was racing to the bathroom. That will teach me to try foods at parties.
I will weigh again on Tuesday to make certain I have taken off that pound. I then weigh on Thursday as Thomas is going to Oregon for Christmas and I want to check in with him before he leaves.

Taxis - Read this and weep!

I think you all know that I have been at an educational meeting in Washington DC this week. Actually we have been staying the Gaylord Nation on the Potomac. Wow, it is beautiful. Anyway, today we drove down to the mall and parked at the wrong end of Independence Avenue from the Holocaust Museum. The museum was absolutely a most emotional experience. I have wanted to visit it for years and today was the day. Well, it got to be a little later in the afternoon and I knew we needed to get the car and I sorta wanted to miss rush hour in downtown DC. So I walked the 1 mile plus back to the parking lot and was back to pick up the gals in just 24 minutes. Now I know that is not moving out but it is for me. I just started walking and before I knew it I had worked up a sweat and was done with the mile. Never would have happened four months ago.

Exercise

I have managed to go down and exercise every morning we have been in Washington DC. We have also walked a great deal and I am handling it quite well. We went to the FDR memorial tonight and it was an absolutely beautiful walk.
The food at this conference has been healthy and when we have gone at night, I have tried to eat right. The real problem in restaurants is that the portions are so large. Tonight I was able to order a baked potato and that was just enough.
Sara and I just listened to a web report about Oprah and how she has gained all of her weight back. That is a really scary thing to hear. The reporter talked about her yo-yo struggle with weight. I can so identify with that. I wonder if she has ever considered a lapband. I wonder if it would work for her. I must say I still fear it won't work for me. . . forever. I wonder if the scale will go down every time it gets close to a weigh in. It is just so hard to believe in myself.
It will be 15 weeks tomorrow since my surgery. 105 days and I am hoping for 41 lost pounds on Friday.

Sunday Fill Ins from Washington DC

I am taking Tracey's lead and doing the fill in. Around the globe with the same ideas!
I give myself permission to feel good about my progress toward my goal.
Christmas with my children and grandchildren is what I am looking forward to right now.
If I could change one thing about someone I love it would be to encourage my husband to relax and laugh with me.
I have exercised and then walked and climbed the steps to the Lincoln Monument today.
Tomorrow I am planning on exercising and walking without pain at a conference.
I am going to decorate my house this week and begin to do some baking for Christmas.
I feel badly that we don't have any decorations outside on our house..
One of my favourite things to do is to spend time with Dillon.
I want to weigh 200 pounds before the end of 2008.
Attending church on Christmas eve is one of my best memories.

New Meaning for Love Handles

Those of you who follow my blog know that I am at educational conferences for 9 days. Today I put on my favorite brown wool skirt. It is straight and has always been soft and comfy. It is a size 22 but Allison and I decided I should keep it for this winter as it has always looked nice. Right length and pretty stylish. Well, I can grab a handful of fabric on both sides and hold what should be a straight skirt is rather FULL. Nice problem to have but I don't think I will wear it again this winter. I am afraid I might lose it. I brought a red wool skirt to wear tomorrow and it is a size 20. Both are from Talbots and I really love to wear them. Guess I will stick with mostly slacks this winter and buy new skirts next fall. Haven't exercised yet today but will get it in. Didn't eat everything on my plate at lunch either. So far, so good.

19 days left in Autumn

Since I was out of town on Friday, I weighed in with Thomas today. 204! That is a 3.5 pound loss in 10 days but better still it included a holiday. I can't begin to tell you how anxious I get when it is time to step on a scale. I just can't believe it is going to go down. I know the day will come when it will go up, at least I have seen that happen on almost everyone's blog. I know I will be devastated! Until then, I will continue to exercise everyday and eat right. The next 9 days are going to be a real test.
My goal for autumn was 43 pounds and with today's loss, I am at 39.6 pounds since August 13th. I have 3.4 pounds to lose in 19 days. I am going to make this goal. I need to. I have to. I am glad I didn't go for 50 because I would be disappointed. I am also adding a picture that Vince took on December 1st. Not only can I feel the difference, I am beginning to see it as well.
Would I do this again? Yes! Can you see the 13 cans of Crisco piled up?