I watched an interview this morning with Carnie Wilson on Good Morning America. Apparently she is being followed by the paparazzi and being bombarded with very unbecoming photos and stories about her gaining weight since her gastric bypass surgery nine years ago.

She admits to gaining weight and continually having had struggles with her "inner demons". Watching her reminded me of some of the comments I've gotten from various friends and acquaintances since having my lap band surgery.

Most people have been very encouraging but there have been a few negative comments as well.

I've had the backward compliment...."I'm so glad you are finally doing something about your weight. I always wondered why it was such a problem for you. It's always been a spiritual stumbling block for me. I figured if you couldn't control your weight you certainly couldn't help me with my problems."

I've also had the overly concerned comment: "I saw a show about women who have had weight loss surgery and replaced their food addiction with alcoholism or sex additions. I hope that doesn't happen to you."

I've also had the easy fix comment: "Well, if that's the only way you can lose the weight then you should go for it. Have you seen "The Biggest Loser" show? Those people lost their weight the right way. Maybe you should try that first."

I've decided that there is no easy fix. The lap band is a tool. I still have to do the work. I still have to make the right choices and I still have to exercise. I still have to push away from the table and I still have to make myself go for a walk, or ride the exercise bike .

The fact that I'm not always hungry anymore is a gift.

Daisy Dilemma: How do you respond to negative comments about your weight?

Labels: comments, Lap-band

...The first month has been rather rough for me but I think I'm finally on the up swing. Charlie gave me the flu for Easter so I wasn't tempted to indulge in Easter candy. Before I came down with the flu I was starting to regain some stamina and energy.


I saw the surgeon last Wednesday and he was pleased with my progress. I'm not hungry (which never happened before) so he did not schedule a fill of the lap band till April 11th. So far I've lost 19 pounds and it is nice to be able to eat real food again.

My cravings seem to be met with just one spoonful. I'm learning to only eat what I really like and some times after taking a bite of something I think I really want, I'm finding out that" That particular food" wasn't it!

I find that if I don't eat sweets, I don't crave them. Low fat yogurt and a few Dibbs ice cream dots have been the height of my sweet cravings. I've stayed away from breads but do like crackers and especially the Pringles wheat sticks. My all time favorite is Quakers' rice cake (Cinnamon Strudel) that has a little bit of frosting drizzled on it.

My knees is much improved with the weight loss too.

Labels: weight loss

Wouldn't ya just know it? Peeps ranked #1 Most fattening Easter Candy according to Newsweek Article.

Of course all my favorites were included.

Jelly beans ranked number two.

Fortunately I didn't have any trouble with Easter Candy this year. It held no appeal for me. (Probably because I got the flu for Easter....thanks honey!)

Emma wasn't exactly wowed with her first experience with Peeps. Check out her musical video called "Hanging with my Peeps" here.

On a good note to start the week I've lost 19 pounds so far.

Daisy Dilemma: Other than having skinny ear lobes and a thinner face my weight loss has been totally invisible. How much weight do you have to lose before people notice?

Labels: Easter, weight loss

Silly me....I thought they were yellow Daisies! What These Sunflowers Say About You

You are a truly warm person with amazing bursts of energy. You bring happiness to everyone around you, and you are adored by many. You're bright, bold, and cheery. You nourish friends you with your optimism.

Labels: Flowers

Labels: health update

Went to see my primary physician yesterday and get him updated. I found out that I gained two more pounds this week. He says it's fluid since I have not taken a fluid pill in two weeks. The more I am up and walking around the more fluid I have in my extremities . So I took a fluid pill this morning to see if I can get rid of some of the excess.

I figure if I take one once a week it won't deplete my Potassium levels. You can bet I threw a banana in with my Protein Shake this morning!

I had a nice problem. I had to buy new underwear as my Big Girl panties won't stay up any more. That was encouraging despite the increase on the scale.

Daisy Dilemma: How do you keep yourself encouraged?

Labels: health update, new underwear

Still wrestling with a few problems here. It's been a week and I'm finally over the urinary tract infection just to have it replaced by a yeast infection from the antibiotic! I'm beginning to wonder if I'm ever going to start feeling "just ok".

Saturday I over did as we had a group from Pennsylvania staying at the mission and working. They were a great group and I really enjoyed being with them but I paid for it later in exhaustion.

I forget that I'm running on reserves (or rather watered down gasoline) and that I can't make quick acceleration's any more. I'm definitively a marathoner and not a sprinter.

I'm home today.....doing the laundry, and getting out receipts letters. Trying to start a gradual exercise program. I gained weight this week.....I'm not sure how I managed that but it is discouraging to say the least.

Daisy Dilemma: I think my metabolism has gone into starvation mode and is holding on to every calorie.....any suggestions?

Labels: Still wrestling