checking in

[Guest guest]

Vicki,

Please don't take what I am about to say as criticism. It is

more of an observation. There are two problems I see with your

suggestion. One is that this is a support group versus a reading group.

When I need support I don't want nor should I wait for certain times to

post. I am going to post NOW. I suspect this is true for most of us.

The second thing is that with well over 2500 members it would be

virtually impossible for everyone to posted even one day out of the

month. I personally do not want to get 2500 emails from one group in one

day especially if the only thing they are doing is checking in.

The reality is that most people who lurk will probably remain

lurkers. It often takes a life altering event to get a lurk out of the

dark. Those who do post usually post on a regular basis. Now, I

understand that there are going to be people in the middle. But

generally speaking, I have found this to be true on various sites.

I personally don't have any solutions on getting people to post

who are lurkers. There are just some people that are more comfortable

remaining a lurker. Maybe they just need some information about the

surgery. Maybe they are afraid of being condemned. Maybe it is a class

assignment (to join a group of interest.) There are any number of

reasons a person may join. I would never require posting to be a

requirement of joining the group. I certainly would not want to scare

anyone off who truly may need the information, suggestions, hope, etc

that are expressed on this site. Of course, this is just my opinion and

I hope that I have not offended you in anyway. Lori O.

On Wed, 16 Apr 2003 12:00:47 -0500 " Vicky " writes:

> I didn't mean a rigid check in system of, this is how many pounds

> I've lost,

> this is how many inches I've lost, this is my structured diet... I

> meant

> checking in as in, how're you doing? Doesn't even need to be weight

> or

> surgery related at all. Just a time to let the rest of the list

> know how

> we're doing. We do this on a reading group list I'm on. On the

> 15th of

> each month we tell what we're reading, or a little about what's

> going on

> with us. It just encourages people to speak up that otherwise would

> stay

> lurking. Just an idea.

>

> Vicky

>

> ~ Spring! ~

[Guest guest]

Vicki,

Please don't take what I am about to say as criticism. It is

more of an observation. There are two problems I see with your

suggestion. One is that this is a support group versus a reading group.

When I need support I don't want nor should I wait for certain times to

post. I am going to post NOW. I suspect this is true for most of us.

The second thing is that with well over 2500 members it would be

virtually impossible for everyone to posted even one day out of the

month. I personally do not want to get 2500 emails from one group in one

day especially if the only thing they are doing is checking in.

The reality is that most people who lurk will probably remain

lurkers. It often takes a life altering event to get a lurk out of the

dark. Those who do post usually post on a regular basis. Now, I

understand that there are going to be people in the middle. But

generally speaking, I have found this to be true on various sites.

I personally don't have any solutions on getting people to post

who are lurkers. There are just some people that are more comfortable

remaining a lurker. Maybe they just need some information about the

surgery. Maybe they are afraid of being condemned. Maybe it is a class

assignment (to join a group of interest.) There are any number of

reasons a person may join. I would never require posting to be a

requirement of joining the group. I certainly would not want to scare

anyone off who truly may need the information, suggestions, hope, etc

that are expressed on this site. Of course, this is just my opinion and

I hope that I have not offended you in anyway. Lori O.

On Wed, 16 Apr 2003 12:00:47 -0500 " Vicky " writes:

> I didn't mean a rigid check in system of, this is how many pounds

> I've lost,

> this is how many inches I've lost, this is my structured diet... I

> meant

> checking in as in, how're you doing? Doesn't even need to be weight

> or

> surgery related at all. Just a time to let the rest of the list

> know how

> we're doing. We do this on a reading group list I'm on. On the

> 15th of

> each month we tell what we're reading, or a little about what's

> going on

> with us. It just encourages people to speak up that otherwise would

> stay

> lurking. Just an idea.

>

> Vicky

>

> ~ Spring! ~

[Guest guest]

Nevermind. I guess I'm just really bad at communicating. I never intended

it to sound like a requirement. I'll go back to shutting my mouth. Sorry.

Vicky

~ Spring! ~

>I would never require posting to be a

> requirement of joining the group. I certainly would not want to scare

> anyone off who truly may need the information, suggestions, hope, etc

> that are expressed on this site. Of course, this is just my opinion and

> I hope that I have not offended you in anyway. Lori O.

[Guest guest]

Nevermind. I guess I'm just really bad at communicating. I never intended

it to sound like a requirement. I'll go back to shutting my mouth. Sorry.

Vicky

~ Spring! ~

>I would never require posting to be a

> requirement of joining the group. I certainly would not want to scare

> anyone off who truly may need the information, suggestions, hope, etc

> that are expressed on this site. Of course, this is just my opinion and

> I hope that I have not offended you in anyway. Lori O.

[Guest guest]

Vicky,

Okay, what's up? It seems one of us is miscommunicating. What

is it that you are wanting or needing? Maybe I just misunderstood.

Would you like a couple of people on the site to just touch base with you

on a regular basis? Are you wanting to get the lurkers out of the

closet? I by no means intend my reply to shut you up. I was merely

trying to explain that it may not be something this large of a group can

do. However, I am willing to touch base with you a couple of times a

month to see how you are doing. If this is actually what you are

wanting, all ya have to do is ask. Please feel free to email me

privately if you'd like. Lori O.

On Wed, 16 Apr 2003 13:33:22 -0500 " Vicky " writes:

> Nevermind. I guess I'm just really bad at communicating. I never

> intended

> it to sound like a requirement. I'll go back to shutting my mouth.

> Sorry.

>

> Vicky

>

> ~ Spring! ~

>

> >I would never require posting to be a

> > requirement of joining the group. I certainly would not want to

> scare

> > anyone off who truly may need the information, suggestions, hope,

> etc

> > that are expressed on this site. Of course, this is just my

> opinion and

> > I hope that I have not offended you in anyway. Lori O.

[Guest guest]

Vicky,

Okay, what's up? It seems one of us is miscommunicating. What

is it that you are wanting or needing? Maybe I just misunderstood.

Would you like a couple of people on the site to just touch base with you

on a regular basis? Are you wanting to get the lurkers out of the

closet? I by no means intend my reply to shut you up. I was merely

trying to explain that it may not be something this large of a group can

do. However, I am willing to touch base with you a couple of times a

month to see how you are doing. If this is actually what you are

wanting, all ya have to do is ask. Please feel free to email me

privately if you'd like. Lori O.

On Wed, 16 Apr 2003 13:33:22 -0500 " Vicky " writes:

> Nevermind. I guess I'm just really bad at communicating. I never

> intended

> it to sound like a requirement. I'll go back to shutting my mouth.

> Sorry.

>

> Vicky

>

> ~ Spring! ~

>

> >I would never require posting to be a

> > requirement of joining the group. I certainly would not want to

> scare

> > anyone off who truly may need the information, suggestions, hope,

> etc

> > that are expressed on this site. Of course, this is just my

> opinion and

> > I hope that I have not offended you in anyway. Lori O.

[Guest guest]

So glad to hear your good news about the job situation! Tell Max to

hang in there!

F-

-- In RSS-Support , " Jodi Zwain " wrote:

> Max is still in the hospital, not able to tolerate food. I think

> the plan is to later today start him on very low volume g-tube

> feedings and see if he tolerates them. If not, then we will go the

> g-j route yet again.

>

> Meanwhile, Max feels like a king over there. I left him alone with

> a student nurse who is at his beck and call. There is also a clown

> entertaining him now and everyone knows Max over there, so I am not

> worried.

>

> The reason I left Max alone is that I have to sign a contract

> because I HAVE A JOB!!!!! I am going to be teaching kindergarten

in

> a self-contained LLD class! I am so excited. The hours are from 8-

> 11:30, so if Max is ever in the hospital again, I can leave in the

> morning, go teach and then be back at the hospital by 12:30. What

a

> relief to finally have a job. I start Monday.

>

> And is signing a contract tomorrow for a job, too! Finally

> things are turning around for us. It has taken long enough.

>

> Off to sign and then back to the hospital. I'll check back when I

> can. Thanks for the prayers and good wishes. They mean a lot.

>

> Jodi

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the list, ! It's great to have you here. Thank you for all

the great work you're doing for our clubfoot babies.

Bess

At 07:54 AM 2/25/2005, you wrote:

>Hello everyone,

>

>I've finally had time to join this forum. It's nice to see all the

>feedback, both positive and negative, about my braces. I can use

>all the information to help me make improvements that will make

>everyone's situation better. Feel free to e-mail any questions or

>comments and I'll try to respond as quickly as possible. I look

>forward to hearing from you.

>

>Sincerely,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for writing . It makes me feel so good that you would

join our group. You are a very dedicated person and I am so gracious

for all your hard work. Claire is doing so well with her shoes. They

have been our life saver. Thanks again for taking time out of your

busy schedule to let us all know that you really care.

Claire(1-16-04)bl atypical cf --'s 18 hr/day.

>

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I've finally had time to join this forum. It's nice to see all the

> feedback, both positive and negative, about my braces. I can use

> all the information to help me make improvements that will make

> everyone's situation better. Feel free to e-mail any questions or

> comments and I'll try to respond as quickly as possible. I look

> forward to hearing from you.

>

> Sincerely,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi and Welcome to the group! Hope you realize you will now be

bombarded with questions!! Your input will certainly be appreciated!

I have a question for you already, my son sees Dr. Dobbs here

in St. Louis and he has been working on a prototype of a new bar that

has pivots points allowing the baby to move his legs independently. I

am wondering if Dr. Ponseti has brought this to your attention yet?

Dr. Dobbs mentioned that he might be doing so, so that they could

develop something w/ this new bar with your shoes on it. Has anything

happened with this yet?

Thanks,

>

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I've finally had time to join this forum. It's nice to see all the

> feedback, both positive and negative, about my braces. I can use

> all the information to help me make improvements that will make

> everyone's situation better. Feel free to e-mail any questions or

> comments and I'll try to respond as quickly as possible. I look

> forward to hearing from you.

>

> Sincerely,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Would you mind if I subscribed you to our Picture list? We have a section

in the photo library dedicated to your brace. I will put you on no mail so

you won't get all the posts of baby faces but you'll be able to access the

photos and if you have any to add to show people you can just go do it.

If is ok with this, I'm going to exempt him from filling out the

form. We all know he's ok!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CFPics/

Kori

At 06:54 AM 2/25/2005, you wrote:

>Hello everyone,

>

>I've finally had time to join this forum. It's nice to see all the

>feedback, both positive and negative, about my braces. I can use

>all the information to help me make improvements that will make

>everyone's situation better. Feel free to e-mail any questions or

>comments and I'll try to respond as quickly as possible. I look

>forward to hearing from you.

>

> Sincerely,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome !

My daughter is doing fantastic in your shoes. Thank you very much for

working so hard on all of them.

Shook

Retail Operations Manager/Baking Instructor

Vie de France Yamazaki, Inc.

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite 500

Vienna, VA 22182

x374

x374

fax

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

Tommy is doing great in his shoes. His heels have come down

considerably. However the soft plastic at the back of the heel is

ripping again. This new material seemed tougher than the old yellow

stuff but it is happening again. He will need a bigger size soon so

I will try to wait it out. Thank you for making him a new pair so

quickly. You are a special person doing great work.

Aquilina

>

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I've finally had time to join this forum. It's nice to see all the

> feedback, both positive and negative, about my braces. I can use

> all the information to help me make improvements that will make

> everyone's situation better. Feel free to e-mail any questions or

> comments and I'll try to respond as quickly as possible. I look

> forward to hearing from you.

>

> Sincerely,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome !!! I'm glad to see you here. I feel so very blessed that you are

willing to do what it takes to help our children and I'm glad you'll get to see

a lot of positive comments here about that as well.

Chris

Checking in

Hello everyone,

I've finally had time to join this forum. It's nice to see all the

feedback, both positive and negative, about my braces. I can use

all the information to help me make improvements that will make

everyone's situation better. Feel free to e-mail any questions or

comments and I'll try to respond as quickly as possible. I look

forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Guest guest]

Hello Mr. ,

Nice to have you on board.

ee

Checking in

Hello everyone,

I've finally had time to join this forum. It's nice to see all the

feedback, both positive and negative, about my braces. I can use

all the information to help me make improvements that will make

everyone's situation better. Feel free to e-mail any questions or

comments and I'll try to respond as quickly as possible. I look

forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Guest guest]

Hahaha screw the wiping part...Sounds like you're kicking ass!

Congrats on your new life!

Azin

> Hey everyone! Hope all is well.. Its been 9 days since my

surgery and I finally feel alive again. Ill be going for my staple

removal tommorow, and Im a little concerned because 3 of my

incisions ( they were able to do it lap) look a little red, but hey

after the surgery everything else seems like a molehill. I finally

began to sip something other than water, iced tea, and popsicles. i

was finally 2 days ago, able to sip about 4 teaspoons of soup. Im

walking around and can finally wipe my own ass ( oops is that TMI )

Well the point is I wanted to say thanks for the continuous support

and look forward to continue losing more. I went in @ 465-468??,

and left the hospital @ 455.. Im actually starting to make plans

again, for silly things, like flinging my canes, and going shopping,

etc. Well I gotta go, and thanks for letting me babble.

>

>

>

>

>

> Ciao,

[Guest guest]

my incisions were really red from the surgery also and i was told by the surgeon upon removal of the staples that i was allergic to the staples themselves...............

colleen"Azeeeeeeeeeeen! (the excitement is optional)" wrote:

Hahaha screw the wiping part...Sounds like you're kicking ass!Congrats on your new life!Azin> Hey everyone! Hope all is well.. Its been 9 days since my surgery and I finally feel alive again. Ill be going for my staple removal tommorow, and Im a little concerned because 3 of my incisions ( they were able to do it lap) look a little red, but hey after the surgery everything else seems like a molehill. I finally began to sip something other than water, iced tea, and popsicles. i was finally 2 days ago, able to sip about 4 teaspoons of soup. Im walking around and can finally wipe my own ass ( oops is that TMI ) Well the point is I wanted to say thanks for the continuous

support and look forward to continue losing more. I went in @ 465-468??, and left the hospital @ 455.. Im actually starting to make plans again, for silly things, like flinging my canes, and going shopping, etc. Well I gotta go, and thanks for letting me babble.> > > > > > Ciao,

Colleen

[Guest guest]

, you had staples with lap? I had lap and on the outside all they put was tape. I am allergic to staples, but I didn't know you got staples with lap. My incisions where red 2 really bad, but I'm 6 months post now and you can't hardly even see them, but I've lost 87 pounds since surgery. Before surgery 42 pounds and at my 6 month post op class I'm down to 144, my goal high side was 150, so I'm sooooooooooo excited. Still want to lose to 135, and will keep working on it. Good Luck, keep up the good work. DonnaMICHELLE URIBE wrote:

Hey everyone! Hope all is well.. Its been 9 days since my surgery and I finally feel alive again. Ill be going for my staple removal tommorow, and Im a little concerned because 3 of my incisions ( they were able to do it lap) look a little red, but hey after the surgery everything else seems like a molehill. I finally began to sip something other than water, iced tea, and popsicles. i was finally 2 days ago, able to sip about 4 teaspoons of soup. Im walking around and can finally wipe my own ass ( oops is that TMI ) Well the point is I wanted to say thanks for the continuous support and look forward to continue losing more. I went in @ 465-468??, and left the hospital @ 455.. Im actually starting to make plans again, for silly things, like flinging my canes, and going shopping, etc. Well I gotta go, and

thanks for letting me babble.

Ciao, Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! for Good Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Donna.. A lot of people have been surprised about the staples, but hey I figure, if the surgeon can make this happen lap, I dont care what he put me together with (hahahha). Donna Jordon wrote:

, you had staples with lap? I had lap and on the outside all they put was tape. I am allergic to staples, but I didn't know you got staples with lap. My incisions where red 2 really bad, but I'm 6 months post now and you can't hardly even see them, but I've lost 87 pounds since surgery. Before surgery 42 pounds and at my 6 month post op class I'm down to 144, my goal high side was 150, so I'm sooooooooooo excited. Still want to lose to 135, and will keep working on it. Good Luck, keep up the good work. DonnaMICHELLE URIBE wrote:

Hey everyone! Hope all is well.. Its been 9 days since my surgery and I finally feel alive again. Ill be going for my staple removal tommorow, and Im a little concerned because 3 of my incisions ( they were able to do it lap) look a little red, but hey after the surgery everything else seems like a molehill. I finally began to sip something other than water, iced tea, and popsicles. i was finally 2 days ago, able to sip about 4 teaspoons of soup. Im walking around and can finally wipe my own ass ( oops is that TMI ) Well the point is I wanted to say thanks for the continuous support and look forward to continue losing more. I went in @ 465-468??, and left the hospital @ 455.. Im actually starting to make plans again, for silly things, like flinging my canes, and going shopping, etc. Well I gotta go, and

thanks for letting me babble.

Ciao, Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! for GoodClick here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Ciao,

[Guest guest]

Ron... You are doing incredibly well...to have lost that much weight without the benefit of the "tool" of surgery just let's us all know that you will absolutely be a success post-surgery! I'm so proud of you. Quitting smoking and losing weight at the same time is virtually unheard of, and the fact that you have accomplished both of these herculean feats is somethig that you can be very very proud of. You are right: your journey is particularly difficult, and I can understand why you feel discouraged, and that you might lose focus from time to time. But your new addition to your routine (walking to work) will make a big difference. I think that you should do the home gym thing, but that you should talk turkey to yourself, and USE it. I am all for working out...the stronger your muscles before the surgery, the faster you will lose post-surgery, and the better you will look

ultimately. Plus, it is good for your heart, and will get you in tip top shape before you go under the knife. Ron, it is GOING to happen for you this year, I know it. Here's my prediction for you: You will be ready to go by June. You are going to keep your focus, and you are NOT going to let yourself take any steps backwards. Full steam ahead. You'll add the walk every a.m., and perhaps, when it stays lighter out for longer period of times, you'll add the walk home. Your sister needs encouragement to exercise, and maybe the two of you can ultimately add some nice walks together in the evening, or on the weekends. And, like i said, the idea of a home gym is terrific. Just make sure you invest in something of fairly high quality, so that it is strong enough and solid enough to make you feel secure while you use it. Ron, you've been pretty darned focused for nearly

six months now. That's fabulous! Give it another six months for the pre-surgery (You may do it even faster, who knows!) and go for broke. You will be thin, healthy and living a brand new life in no time. When you think about this journey, relative to the number of years that you've had to live with obesity, it really is just a blip in time, you know? You have a choice about where you will be six months from now: will you be backtracking, having gained weight...with an even larger obstacle to overcome...or will you be at goal, prepping for this life-changing surgery? For me, someone who had to lose a lot less than you did, so I speak with some humility here, as I recognize that your discipline and will-power is far greater than my own...i sort of lost focus in and out for several months. Finally, I had to kick myself and say to myself EACH and EVERY time a temptation reared its head:

"this is your choice. You decide. Are you going to be hating yourself six months from now because you fell off the wagon YET again...or are you going to be on your way to a new Robynn? you make this choice today, this moment, this bite, this temptation, this decision at this moment about whether you exercise or not. This choice is in your hands, and you have no one to congratulate or blame but yourself." This was something I had to say over and over and over again until it finally hit me that my life was in my own hands, no one else's. Congratulations Ron. Be proud. You are halfway there...don't stop now. The finish line awaits you. We love you, and we're cheering you on! RobynnBBQ Man wrote: Hello everyone. It's been a little bit since I checked in with you all, but I've been here reading along with everyone's joys and woes. Congrats to all the new post ops (with special prayers going out to ). Welcome to the new members as well. You couldn't have chosen a better group for online support. The holidays have been somewhat tough for me. I did pretty well over Thanksgiving, but the Christmas season is just too darned long... I can't say I did too badly, but I stumbled a few times. Bottom line is that I gained 6 pounds between 12-15-05 and 1-3-06. As of this morning, I have lost 2 of those. I sometimes find it hard to stay focused on my journey. To bring you all up to date, my original orientation weight in August '04 was 505 at Richmond. When I met with Dr. Baggs, he told me I had to lose 100 pounds before surgery. I took that as a devastating blow and fell of the wagon for nearly a year. In that time, I gained 24 pounds (probably gained more, but was at 529 in July '05). I was allowed to get back into the program this past July, but I still need to get down to 405 before I can get a date. This morning, I weighed 466. Now... although I have lost 63 pounds so far, I still have 61 to go. I try so hard to stay strong (and reading the posts here DO help immensely), but it's so easy to get discouraged. In July, I had an "epiphany" of sorts and overnight quit smoking and started my REAL weight-loss program. Funny how easy it was at first. I was quite surprised at how easily I just quit smoking. After 30+ years, I just quit cold turkey. AND... I was successful at losing weight at the same time. When I think of that, I am just in awe of myself... ( I don't mean to sound conceited, really). But, as time has gone by, I find it's getting more and more difficult to keep up the pace on the weight loss. My sister (who I share an apartment with, and who has had her surgery on 8-31-05) and I have been discussing getting a home gym to work out here at the house. We have the room, but I'm afraid I may spend the money and lose my ambition... but I guess I'll really have to

push myself. I know I'm able to do that... after all, look what I've done already. AND, today, I walked to work for the first time ever. Over the past week, I've kinda been working up to it bu walking part way, knowing a ride was coming. Today, I decided to start out without calling for my ride. I just kept trudging along and soon found myself there. For me, that's a major milestone. Although I feel really good about finally making it all the way without a ride, I also feel a little guilty about it. You see, I only live about 1/4 - 1/2 mile from where I work. But weighing as much as I have for as long as I have, walking very far is pretty much out of the question.... until now. I'm going to try keeping up the pace and walk to work daily. For now, walking home is out of the question due to the hour of the night and a lot of uneven pavement and lack of sidewalks. I just don't trust

myself that far yet. So I know this has been a lot, but amazingly enough I feel better and am really glad I wrote all this down. I hope you all don't mind my ranting. It's certainly not as eloquent as any of Francisco's writings, but I think you'll get my points. Thanks for taking the time to read, and I now turn the floor over to someone else. Ron pre-op 466 and losing

[Guest guest]

Ron... You are doing incredibly well...to have lost that much weight without the benefit of the "tool" of surgery just let's us all know that you will absolutely be a success post-surgery! I'm so proud of you. Quitting smoking and losing weight at the same time is virtually unheard of, and the fact that you have accomplished both of these herculean feats is somethig that you can be very very proud of. You are right: your journey is particularly difficult, and I can understand why you feel discouraged, and that you might lose focus from time to time. But your new addition to your routine (walking to work) will make a big difference. I think that you should do the home gym thing, but that you should talk turkey to yourself, and USE it. I am all for working out...the stronger your muscles before the surgery, the faster you will lose post-surgery, and the better you will look

ultimately. Plus, it is good for your heart, and will get you in tip top shape before you go under the knife. Ron, it is GOING to happen for you this year, I know it. Here's my prediction for you: You will be ready to go by June. You are going to keep your focus, and you are NOT going to let yourself take any steps backwards. Full steam ahead. You'll add the walk every a.m., and perhaps, when it stays lighter out for longer period of times, you'll add the walk home. Your sister needs encouragement to exercise, and maybe the two of you can ultimately add some nice walks together in the evening, or on the weekends. And, like i said, the idea of a home gym is terrific. Just make sure you invest in something of fairly high quality, so that it is strong enough and solid enough to make you feel secure while you use it. Ron, you've been pretty darned focused for nearly

six months now. That's fabulous! Give it another six months for the pre-surgery (You may do it even faster, who knows!) and go for broke. You will be thin, healthy and living a brand new life in no time. When you think about this journey, relative to the number of years that you've had to live with obesity, it really is just a blip in time, you know? You have a choice about where you will be six months from now: will you be backtracking, having gained weight...with an even larger obstacle to overcome...or will you be at goal, prepping for this life-changing surgery? For me, someone who had to lose a lot less than you did, so I speak with some humility here, as I recognize that your discipline and will-power is far greater than my own...i sort of lost focus in and out for several months. Finally, I had to kick myself and say to myself EACH and EVERY time a temptation reared its head:

"this is your choice. You decide. Are you going to be hating yourself six months from now because you fell off the wagon YET again...or are you going to be on your way to a new Robynn? you make this choice today, this moment, this bite, this temptation, this decision at this moment about whether you exercise or not. This choice is in your hands, and you have no one to congratulate or blame but yourself." This was something I had to say over and over and over again until it finally hit me that my life was in my own hands, no one else's. Congratulations Ron. Be proud. You are halfway there...don't stop now. The finish line awaits you. We love you, and we're cheering you on! RobynnBBQ Man wrote: Hello everyone. It's been a little bit since I checked in with you all, but I've been here reading along with everyone's joys and woes. Congrats to all the new post ops (with special prayers going out to ). Welcome to the new members as well. You couldn't have chosen a better group for online support. The holidays have been somewhat tough for me. I did pretty well over Thanksgiving, but the Christmas season is just too darned long... I can't say I did too badly, but I stumbled a few times. Bottom line is that I gained 6 pounds between 12-15-05 and 1-3-06. As of this morning, I have lost 2 of those. I sometimes find it hard to stay focused on my journey. To bring you all up to date, my original orientation weight in August '04 was 505 at Richmond. When I met with Dr. Baggs, he told me I had to lose 100 pounds before surgery. I took that as a devastating blow and fell of the wagon for nearly a year. In that time, I gained 24 pounds (probably gained more, but was at 529 in July '05). I was allowed to get back into the program this past July, but I still need to get down to 405 before I can get a date. This morning, I weighed 466. Now... although I have lost 63 pounds so far, I still have 61 to go. I try so hard to stay strong (and reading the posts here DO help immensely), but it's so easy to get discouraged. In July, I had an "epiphany" of sorts and overnight quit smoking and started my REAL weight-loss program. Funny how easy it was at first. I was quite surprised at how easily I just quit smoking. After 30+ years, I just quit cold turkey. AND... I was successful at losing weight at the same time. When I think of that, I am just in awe of myself... ( I don't mean to sound conceited, really). But, as time has gone by, I find it's getting more and more difficult to keep up the pace on the weight loss. My sister (who I share an apartment with, and who has had her surgery on 8-31-05) and I have been discussing getting a home gym to work out here at the house. We have the room, but I'm afraid I may spend the money and lose my ambition... but I guess I'll really have to

push myself. I know I'm able to do that... after all, look what I've done already. AND, today, I walked to work for the first time ever. Over the past week, I've kinda been working up to it bu walking part way, knowing a ride was coming. Today, I decided to start out without calling for my ride. I just kept trudging along and soon found myself there. For me, that's a major milestone. Although I feel really good about finally making it all the way without a ride, I also feel a little guilty about it. You see, I only live about 1/4 - 1/2 mile from where I work. But weighing as much as I have for as long as I have, walking very far is pretty much out of the question.... until now. I'm going to try keeping up the pace and walk to work daily. For now, walking home is out of the question due to the hour of the night and a lot of uneven pavement and lack of sidewalks. I just don't trust

myself that far yet. So I know this has been a lot, but amazingly enough I feel better and am really glad I wrote all this down. I hope you all don't mind my ranting. It's certainly not as eloquent as any of Francisco's writings, but I think you'll get my points. Thanks for taking the time to read, and I now turn the floor over to someone else. Ron pre-op 466 and losing

[Guest guest]

I had to lose so much because I was so heavy. Dr. Baggs said that I was just too much of a health risk. Hence, the need for excess weight loss before surgery. It was hard to take at first, but after MUCH soul searching I've come to a better understanding of everything. It's still difficult, but a little easier when I don't look at the big picture... I just set short goals... when I'm finally within 10-20 pounds of goal, it'll be so much easier to get there...

Ron

Re: Checking in

WOW Ron, I dont understand why you had to lose 100 when 50 is 10%?! Is it due to increased risk? But apart from that you are doing an amazing job. What worked for me is to stop making excuses. I read Taming the Feast Beast and found it totally empowering. It takes away all the excuses.You are worth this and you ARE doing it!!Hang in there and Huggles>> Way to go Ron! Baby steps...that'll get you to where you need to be. > Frustrating? You bet! Hard? You bet! Worth it? Oh yeah baby! Keep on > trucking!> > Tina>

[Guest guest]

I had to lose so much because I was so heavy. Dr. Baggs said that I was just too much of a health risk. Hence, the need for excess weight loss before surgery. It was hard to take at first, but after MUCH soul searching I've come to a better understanding of everything. It's still difficult, but a little easier when I don't look at the big picture... I just set short goals... when I'm finally within 10-20 pounds of goal, it'll be so much easier to get there...

Ron

Re: Checking in

WOW Ron, I dont understand why you had to lose 100 when 50 is 10%?! Is it due to increased risk? But apart from that you are doing an amazing job. What worked for me is to stop making excuses. I read Taming the Feast Beast and found it totally empowering. It takes away all the excuses.You are worth this and you ARE doing it!!Hang in there and Huggles>> Way to go Ron! Baby steps...that'll get you to where you need to be. > Frustrating? You bet! Hard? You bet! Worth it? Oh yeah baby! Keep on > trucking!> > Tina>

[Guest guest]

Ron Glad to hear from you. Every milestone is worth feeling good about, and it doesn't matter how far you are from work, you did something you never did before and that is great. If you keep doing that the weight will come off. If you do get some work out equipment and us it only some times and not like you should, something is better than nothing and it would only help. Take care. DonnaBBQ Man wrote: Hello everyone. It's been a little bit since I checked in with you all, but I've been here reading along with everyone's joys and woes. Congrats to all the new post ops (with special prayers going out to ). Welcome to the new members

as well. You couldn't have chosen a better group for online support. The holidays have been somewhat tough for me. I did pretty well over Thanksgiving, but the Christmas season is just too darned long... I can't say I did too badly, but I stumbled a few times. Bottom line is that I gained 6 pounds between 12-15-05 and 1-3-06. As of this morning, I have lost 2 of those. I sometimes find it hard to stay focused on my journey. To bring you all up to date, my original orientation weight in August '04 was 505 at Richmond. When I met with Dr. Baggs, he told me I had to lose 100 pounds before surgery. I took that as a devastating blow and fell of the

wagon for nearly a year. In that time, I gained 24 pounds (probably gained more, but was at 529 in July '05). I was allowed to get back into the program this past July, but I still need to get down to 405 before I can get a date. This morning, I weighed 466. Now... although I have lost 63 pounds so far, I still have 61 to go. I try so hard to stay strong (and reading the posts here DO help immensely), but it's so easy to get discouraged. In July, I had an "epiphany" of sorts and overnight quit smoking and started my REAL weight-loss program. Funny how easy it was at first. I was quite surprised at how easily I just quit smoking. After 30+ years, I just quit cold turkey. AND... I was successful at losing weight at the same time. When I think of that, I am just in awe of

myself... ( I don't mean to sound conceited, really). But, as time has gone by, I find it's getting more and more difficult to keep up the pace on the weight loss. My sister (who I share an apartment with, and who has had her surgery on 8-31-05) and I have been discussing getting a home gym to work out here at the house. We have the room, but I'm afraid I may spend the money and lose my ambition... but I guess I'll really have to push myself. I know I'm able to do that... after all, look what I've done already. AND, today, I walked to work for the first time ever. Over the past week, I've kinda been working up to it bu walking part way, knowing a ride was coming. Today, I decided to start out without calling for my ride. I just kept trudging along and soon found myself

there. For me, that's a major milestone. Although I feel really good about finally making it all the way without a ride, I also feel a little guilty about it. You see, I only live about 1/4 - 1/2 mile from where I work. But weighing as much as I have for as long as I have, walking very far is pretty much out of the question.... until now. I'm going to try keeping up the pace and walk to work daily. For now, walking home is out of the question due to the hour of the night and a lot of uneven pavement and lack of sidewalks. I just don't trust myself that far yet. So I know this has been a lot, but amazingly enough I feel better and am really glad I wrote all this down. I hope you all don't mind my ranting. It's certainly not as eloquent as any of Francisco's writings,

but I think you'll get my points. Thanks for taking the time to read, and I now turn the floor over to someone else. Ron pre-op 466 and losing Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! Photos Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

[Guest guest]

Ron Glad to hear from you. Every milestone is worth feeling good about, and it doesn't matter how far you are from work, you did something you never did before and that is great. If you keep doing that the weight will come off. If you do get some work out equipment and us it only some times and not like you should, something is better than nothing and it would only help. Take care. DonnaBBQ Man wrote: Hello everyone. It's been a little bit since I checked in with you all, but I've been here reading along with everyone's joys and woes. Congrats to all the new post ops (with special prayers going out to ). Welcome to the new members

as well. You couldn't have chosen a better group for online support. The holidays have been somewhat tough for me. I did pretty well over Thanksgiving, but the Christmas season is just too darned long... I can't say I did too badly, but I stumbled a few times. Bottom line is that I gained 6 pounds between 12-15-05 and 1-3-06. As of this morning, I have lost 2 of those. I sometimes find it hard to stay focused on my journey. To bring you all up to date, my original orientation weight in August '04 was 505 at Richmond. When I met with Dr. Baggs, he told me I had to lose 100 pounds before surgery. I took that as a devastating blow and fell of the

wagon for nearly a year. In that time, I gained 24 pounds (probably gained more, but was at 529 in July '05). I was allowed to get back into the program this past July, but I still need to get down to 405 before I can get a date. This morning, I weighed 466. Now... although I have lost 63 pounds so far, I still have 61 to go. I try so hard to stay strong (and reading the posts here DO help immensely), but it's so easy to get discouraged. In July, I had an "epiphany" of sorts and overnight quit smoking and started my REAL weight-loss program. Funny how easy it was at first. I was quite surprised at how easily I just quit smoking. After 30+ years, I just quit cold turkey. AND... I was successful at losing weight at the same time. When I think of that, I am just in awe of

myself... ( I don't mean to sound conceited, really). But, as time has gone by, I find it's getting more and more difficult to keep up the pace on the weight loss. My sister (who I share an apartment with, and who has had her surgery on 8-31-05) and I have been discussing getting a home gym to work out here at the house. We have the room, but I'm afraid I may spend the money and lose my ambition... but I guess I'll really have to push myself. I know I'm able to do that... after all, look what I've done already. AND, today, I walked to work for the first time ever. Over the past week, I've kinda been working up to it bu walking part way, knowing a ride was coming. Today, I decided to start out without calling for my ride. I just kept trudging along and soon found myself

there. For me, that's a major milestone. Although I feel really good about finally making it all the way without a ride, I also feel a little guilty about it. You see, I only live about 1/4 - 1/2 mile from where I work. But weighing as much as I have for as long as I have, walking very far is pretty much out of the question.... until now. I'm going to try keeping up the pace and walk to work daily. For now, walking home is out of the question due to the hour of the night and a lot of uneven pavement and lack of sidewalks. I just don't trust myself that far yet. So I know this has been a lot, but amazingly enough I feel better and am really glad I wrote all this down. I hope you all don't mind my ranting. It's certainly not as eloquent as any of Francisco's writings,

but I think you'll get my points. Thanks for taking the time to read, and I now turn the floor over to someone else. Ron pre-op 466 and losing Donna JordonDSJordon@...

Yahoo! Photos Ring in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.