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I am having trouble getting messages.  The message box say I have 4 messages and 4 notifications but I can't acess either of them any suggestions.

Happy Halloween,  Hard to believe it has been over a year since surgery.  I have stopped loosing wait but keep trying.  Keeping up with the protein and down on the carbs.  I have lost 80 lbs. and the lowest weight since before the birth of my first charge. 

I am feeling much better, frustrated that I can't get past the 190 mark I did see 186 once but can't get there.  I will just keep working at it.  I would like to be down 20 lbs by Christmas.  Who knows.

We are still in Texas as gate guards and enjoying the laid back work.  We really like the relax and work but there is usually more relaxing.  The photo ops are great and we enjoy are selves.

I will keep dringking the protein and watcing the carps.  Oh by the way I found a pretty go protein drink in the "muscle building section of Walmart.  It is EAS Protien it is about a dollar cheaper than ATKINS and tastes o.k.  I still have days when I feel like I can't get all the protein I need and this is low carb low sugar low sodium.  It is a quick fill.  

We plan on staying in Texas until the fall of 2010.  We have gotten use to Texas and enjoys the culture and diversity.

It was 108 to day but it was 61 two days ago.  This is the beginning of Fall.  The coldest months are December and January.  It gets down to a comfortable 50-60 degrees.  But that is a drop from the triple digits since May.  You get use to the heat and pray the air conditioning does not break.

If anyone is interested in some of the photos I have taken let me know I will post them. 

Tell later.  Pray that I get off this plateau and moving the scale down the line. Later

I have been very busy since my last blog entry I apologize to those who are following along the journey.  I am still in Texas and working as a security guard on gas well productions.  I was out of work for about 5 weeks and went home to Florida to see friends and relax.  I am now back and working again. 

I have continued to loose very slowly but I have been graving carbohydrates.  I have talked to several people and find this is usual and to watch the portions.  I continue to supplement with protein shakes often because of convenience.   I can get the liquid and the protein.  On very busy days, when I am working 24/7 it keeps me on schedule.  I am down to a 16-18 and weigh less than I have in 35 years.  It feels great but I am having a hard time getting the last 20 lbs. off.  In fact I think I will work toward another 45 lbs. that will give me some flexibility.  It is a long term goal If I had a tummy tuck I would loose about 20 lbs.  I can see my self from head to foot and am amazed the difference in energy and a lot less pain in the knees.

I can walk up to two miles  when the temp. is under 90 degrees or there is an emergency.  It is really hot in the Lower Rio Grande Valley It has been as high as 128.  Today was the coolest in a month and it was 103.  We sit in full sun and walk about a mile a day just going from the motorhome to the gate.  Legs are getting firm but can't seem to loose the belly.

Everyone that is working toward their personal goals "go at it with all you have"  It will make a difference in your life.  I am on two medication for my heart, down from 13, and no longer on blood pressure med.

We are having a wonderful time, the job is great and the scenery is awesome.  Texas is a diverse state.  Moving from one site to another the terrain changes.  We have been in mesquite trees fields, tall wild grass, and now we are in sand.  If there was any water near you would swear you were on the beach (except for the burrs, frogs, and sage brush).

Keep up the good work and progress.

Thanks for caring
redpetal

Hello to those who are following my blog.  Thanks for the continued support.  I don't know why but I am having trouble access this site.  It boots up ObsietyHelp but only links to other links on the internet.  It has been very frustrating until I entered through an old e-mail posting.  Any suggestions????

I have been in Texas for about 6 months now and really enjoy the adventure.  I spent about 4 wks about 20 miles east of Laredo, very interesting.   This southern border and Tropical Tip appear to be more violent than any major city on a per capita basis.  The small communities along the border, especially in the Tropical Tip, run together until you get to Brownsville.  There is a significant amount of drug and human trafficking so the Border Patrol are very busy.  

It is a beautiful state.  Very diverse in weather, and eco-systems.  We are in the Tropical area now but have not seen rain since we left the hill country in November. (about 200 mi. North)  Everything is getting green from the humidity and deep ground water.  It is amazing.

About the weight loss.  I continue to reach toward my goal.  I have broken through the 200 barrier and weight 190 lbs.  I had wanted to reach 200 but have changed my goal to 100 lbs.  I hope to be in a size 16 by the end of summer.   right now I wear an 18-20 very comfortably.  I am recycling my clothes with my sister (age 65) who is investigating her by pass surgery option right now.  She visited us at our current oil field site about a month ago and went home to get the process started.  I am so excited for her.    I am feeling good, have had very little discomfort or "problems."  Sometimes I forget I can only eat a small amount , then I end up putting something back for later.   I have found the Hormel 90 second gives you a lot of protein and excellent taste.  It is enough for one setting then I go back and have fresh vegetables and fruit for a snack.  I eat a good breakfast, continue to watch my protein in take and drink, drink, drink.  I have to work hard to get all the liquids in and find that it continues to be difficult.  I use the protein drinks for both fluids and protein.  It is the only way I can get it all in during the day.  Bariactric Choice is an excellent site for products.  You get a free sample if you order 79.00 so I order about everyother month, try new things and continue with the things that help.

Hope all of you are doing well and able to put the knochs in you gun barrel clicking off the goals that you reach.

 met a woman in goodwill last week that was 25 years post op.  She was in her fortys and she looks great.  She has maintained her weight loss and continues with regiment of vitamins, biotin, citracal and high protein.  She says there are somethings she still does not eat but it has not stopped her for have a full life.  She enjoys going out to dinner, dancing and  of course playing Bingo.

So for those of you who are wondering if anyone live a long life she is a witness to the fact that you can.

So did the ground hog see the sun?  You all of Ohio I Hope so. 

I have been in Texas since Sept. it is hard to believe it is Feb.  The time has gone by quickly.  The pounds are dropping as well.  I have lost 75 lbs with 30 to go.  I have gone from a 24-26 to an 18-20.  Amy said it would be hard to stay out of the XXXL size clothes.  Now I can go to Goodwill and have a variety of things to choose.  I still don't have my black cowgirl hat and boots but one day .  I have lost about four inches around my waste and I do not recognize myself in the mirror.  I look like my Aunt Jane.  When I first saw myself I had to look away it was a shock.  I am getting use to me.  My hair is now long enough to cut so I hope to get it done soon.

We have been working as security guards in southeast TX.  At one post we were a mile from the Rio Grande River.  Some of the Spanish I had in High School and College is coming back.  You have to be bilingual to work in this area.  We have gotten to know the Border Patrol well.  The job is tracking people who come on the ranch and turning away anyone that does not belong or a need to be there.  It has been interesting and sometime exciting.  We spent about  2 weeks in the bottoms of the Rio Grande.  The had just harvest sugar cane, had cabbage to pick (the rancher gave us six heads) and onions will be ready next month.  We have also been on very dusty sites.  We had to have the air conditioning on because we could not open the windows.  But it all has be great.  We plan on doing this for a couple of years and then settle down in Florida and I will go back to real work. 

I hope everyone is doing well and on schedule.  I can't believe the change in mobility.  Getting up out of a chair, rolling over in bed; simple things as long as my back holds out.  I can take a walk of about 1000 steps.  One day I did 1900 but paid the physical price..  I guess the back will never change but my heart is doing well so I just keep on moving and doing the back exercise I learned in PT.

I have found I have a high tolerance for sugar and have to work at eating healthy foods and lots of protein.  It is hard to get all the protein in one day if I eat carbs or sweets.  I have switched to Kashi cereal and Quaker Oatmeal.  I use a scoop of protein in each bowl but these cereals have strong flavoring and very little of the protein taste come through.  On thing for sure if you eat to much or to quickly it is going to come back up.  Interesting I don't get nauseous.  I start salivating and I know I need to head to the bathroom.  Then I kick myself for my forgetfulness.  My biggest fault is eating to fast. 

Happy Valentines Day to Everyone.  Just think Z. you will be a few lbs lighter by 2/14/09.  Good luck.

 

Well  the chicken was eaten, a small piece of sweet potato, a scoop of dressing and  green bean casserole.  I will admit it felt psychologically strange not to have a heaping plate of food.  But everything tasted wonderful and it stayed down.  I was back getting seconds in about four hours.  So it has been a good day. 

 It was the first Thanksgiving in my 21 foot RV.  It is a little crowded for two people and two dogs but we have learned the dance.  I am working as a gate keeper for oil and gas rigs in Texas.  We stay in our RV at a site until the work is completed then get reassigned.  I worked the night shift last night so I made the sweet potatoes early this morning.  My partner made the rest of the dinner while I slept and putts around.  I don't have an oven, just a microwave and a three burner stove top.  So logistically it was interesting  to get it all together.  I made a counter top on the bathroom sink, the shower became the storage area for things that are normally on the counter and the dinette that is the home for the computer and printer was actually used to sit down and eat.  It was really a good day.  

I am still having trouble getting a picture in my profile.  I tried late last night again.  It keeps telling me I have to have a picture less than 20 K.  Not sure what that means when I can post pictures on the photo area. 
I will keep trying.  I am not trying to be mysterious just not as computer literate as I should be.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who see this.  Will write again soon.

Just an update.  I continue to lose weight, slowly, but the Dr. said I would slow down because my beginning BMI was just at the qualifying point.  I am down to an 18-20 depending on the manufacture.  I am eating most foods except for red meat, and pork. Throw them up everytime.  I can eat one or two bites of red meat but then I am done.  Chicken and fish are best.  I continue to supplment my diet with liquid protein and high protein supplements from the various sites on the web.  Some are good some are not.  I try to shop where they send free samples with a large enough order.  

I went to my PCP, as I am in Texas and do not have access to my surgeon.  Everything is going well.  Protien is a little low 5.8 should be 6.00 so it is necessary for me to keep at it.  I continue to have constipation problems and have switched to Benefiber three times a day. It has helped by still struggle.  

Health wise I am doing well.  My mobility has improved as long as the chronic pain in my back does not kick up.  I can walk 1000 steps before the pain starts so I try to do that each day.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Redpetal