Thin...As 2 cute said, the low hemoglobin wouldn't cause goofiness, but definitely tiredness...Remember...take Geritol for "Iron poor blood?" Actually the clots and the low hemoglobin are two separate issues. A small clot can get temporarily lodged in the brain, blocking the blood flow (and oxygen to the brain.) Then it dislodges and moves along. TIA, or transient ischemic attack can cause a change in mental status. Blood thinners like Coumadin help to keep the blood running freely. My Dad's been on Coumadin for years.

Whoops...gotta take the kid to school...back in a few....

Well, I'm seriously off now. This frickin' touch pad mouse that does stuff on its own just backtracked the page on me and I lost my post full of replies.

To sum it up:

to Thin, 2Cute, and Barb.g for the health issues of family and disappointment over the study.

to Kat for exercising and sharing it so I can exercise vicariously through her and to Andria for staying out of the chocolate.

And to Mary - I agree with Thin about the cake. Its not like we're going to avoid it for the rest of our lives. Just eat it, enjoy it, and make adjustments in other meals. Hopefully you only dreamt of the burger not actually got one!

I'm late now. Have a great day!

Hi Girls!
Just stopping in for a very quick Hello. I have to run to the Dr. office to have some blood drawn to test my FSH level. I've been drinking tons of water so they can hopefully find my veins today. Then I have to get back home and dig into work. I had some rush projects come in last yesterday so today will be rather busy, but I'll stop in later. I didn't post yesterday because I was in a rather lousy mood - due to PMS, cramps, yucky feeling. Today is off to a better start.

I'll catch up more later. Hubby is going to a hockey game tonight so I should have more time to myself.

Have a great day!

Barb

And here I am thinking I was exercising vicariously through YOU, Terri, what with all your Pilates and ab work with a broken foot! Okay, we'll have a mutual admiration society! BTW, my fellow bike rider...is your weather as perfect for riding as ours is? Makes me want to get pedalling! So sunny, but cool. I hate riding when it's hot outside!

Since my bike is still at my sister's house, I opted for a walk this morning, down by the bay with my doggy in tow. We walked for about 45 minutes on the beach, it was heavenly. Not another soul out there, so I let her run free to explore and swim, (yes, she did....brrrr!) and sniff to her heart's content. I had my radio and my headphones and chuckled all the way down the beach, listening to Howard Stern. *gasp!* Oh stop...he's funny.

My food choices have been excellent. The "diet" seems to go much better when there are few restrictions...more like 'guidelines,' (fruit/vegs, protein, no white stuff, water, exercise) I'm not setting myself up to fail by falling off the wagon, if I don't face strict no nos. BTW, I'd LOVE some carrot cake, Mary! Listen to these smart women. Enjoy it and move on. Look at the big picture. Do your good food choices outweigh the bad ones?

Decision time...nap? Shower? Food shopping? Laundry? I'm thinking shower then nap! I have to work tonight again, but then I'm off til Saturday night. So I'd better rest up. After all, I've already exercised!

The only problem I did eat the burger and I ate pizza today please stop the wagon so I can get back on

Mary - if the wagon stops - please hold it for me! I fell off yesterday, and although I dusted myself off and ran to catch it again - I tripped. Lunch meeting - I had a sandwich with no bread and the veggies - then they brought out chocolate brownies with chocolate iceing - I admit I didn't exactly fall of the wagon I jumped.

It's time to get back on plan and quit these excuses. I have been feeling good about the progress so far - I am 20 lbs down, but Atkins takes it off fast at first - water weight.

My daughter Kathleen and I are maintaing our walks in the morning and Richard Disco in the evenings pretty well - one or the other if not both. Now if I can just quit sabotaging myself by indulging in something that isn't going to help me be healthier or feel better.

I am going to try to join the chat tonight. I hope to see everyone there and get to know everyone better. I've been reading bios - maybe it would help if I printed them!

I love these smileys - I've never used them elsewhere.

Hey Barb, quick question (from someone who has trouble having blood drawn as well)...do 'hard to find' veins have anything to do with being overweight? I was just curious, i always assumed it was..but they never can find veins i end up having to go to some lab specialist and have them draw blood out of my wrist or hand..even foot. :/ it's really unpleasant.

Good evening!

Work is kicking my butt this week. I have agonized over reviews, salary adjustments, compentency assessments, and now performance objectives/development plans since sometime in December. I am so worn out and sick of them. At this point, I don't even care if people are happy with their raises or not, with my assesment or not, and my plan for them for 2004..or not. My motto this year is....GET OVER IT....now, isn't that a nice manager?

Food is starting to slip just a wee bit. Today it was some almonds & peanuts while I participated in a web conference in "Pension Accounting for the future". Don't I lead an exciting work life?

I signed us up for NetFlix last night. Anyone try it yet? My movie friend from work and I were talking about documentaries and the Academy Awards - like who watches them and how do you even know about them - so we are going to expand our horizons by watching documentaries. Like we really have time for that. I think we're doing another movie after church on Sunday.

DH now has to teach me how to play poker. That friend from the past that had invited DH and I to join them in cards a couple of weeks ago is now doing a girls only poker and she invited me. I've played video poker but not in a live game. Its only for nickels and dimes or something small like that.

Kat - Okay, now that just does it. I'm moving in. And bringing baby Bear with me. He would love to run on the beach and play in the water. We have had a few nice days that would be great for bike riding. I am so hoping that my foot heals and by May can ride again. If so, I will have no stamina and will take me all summer to regroup. I love to hear about your exercise because you go to the gym and do all the classes that I would love to do. Looks like you're doing well with SBD.

Barb - How did the blood work go? DH has the same problem. The last lab person told him that drinking water wasn't all that effective. His veins roll and they have to dig around trying to get the needle in or it collaspes before they get enough blood out. Makes him very cranky. How did work go?

Mary, Mary, Mary - Haul yourself back up on that wagon seat NOW. You had been doing so great and had lost a few pounds. You don't want that coming back and then some. You can do this. You know you can. Now just make your environment one where you make the right choices with food!

Judy - I don't think I officially welcomed you. I'm feeling a bit senile these days. for your 20 pounds gone! Good job too on the exercising. Now let's all get back on the food wagon and no more slipping! And if we do - NO guilt! Just knock it off immediately. I need to do the same.

Okay, I am out of here. Have a great evening and tomorrow!

Hi all! Today just seems like it's been sooooo long! I didn't do anything today but go out to lunch with friends, donate to my IRA, get the taxes done, go out to dinner and watch TV.

Yes, you probably noticed that it is Wednesday and Curves was not on my list. I didn't get done yacking at lunch early enough to get to Curves. Tomorrow is a full work day so I'm not sure about tomorrow as a make-up day either, but I'll try. Friday is a DEFINITE!!!

Katrina: Thanks for the info Dr. Kat! SIL very well could have some other blockage stuff going on to cause the goofiness. Who knows? If it was a TIA, they haven't said, but she did get home from the hospital today so hopefully all will be right from now on. * Your walk on the beach sounded heavenly. It must be wonderful to live on the coast.

Terri: You sound like you have been soooo busy and that must be so hard with that broken foot. You're really getting around. * I had a terrible time with a glucose tolerance test when I was a teen. The stupid nurse poked and poked and poked some more. Finally I told her to take it out of the other arm. She did and one, two, three she was done. Go figure. Ever since then, when I have to have blood drawn I won't let them touch my right arm, I make them go straight to the left to begin with.

2cute: Glad your sister got off and running again today. I wish there was something more to say about her condition, but I know there's not. My thoughts and prayers are with her. * My SIL had 3 transfusions when she was in the hospital before. This time they were just worried about dissolving the clot.* Sorry you wrote and erased and wrote and erased. Don't you know by now you don't need to do that with us??? * Congrats on the 10 pounds, but that's a helluva way to lose it. I'm crossing my fingers that your illness will be totally gone by the 9th! [[[hugs]]]

Barb: Hope your blood draw went well. I never knew that drinking water would puff up the veins. BTW, what is FSH? Fish, without the 'i'???

Melissa: I've never heard of veins being harder to find in heavy people. Maybe our resident 'medic' has the real take on this. But I was under the assumption that some people have "deep" veins and some have veins that "roll" and others are just easy.

Judy: Good job for you and your daughter keeping up with the walking. I think it helps to have someone to go with. Kinda keeps you honest because I'm sure that there are days when you would blow it off and she says 'comon mom, let's go' and then there are probably other days when you're doing it to her. Then rather than actually blowing it off, you go so as not to disappoint each other. That would be a good thing. I used to have a neighbor here that walked but unfortuneately, she was into it long before I even wanted to try so I felt like I would hold her back. Not to mention that I can only get about 4 houses before pooping out. Keep up the good work!

Mary: Time to get out of the eatting funk. You know what to do, heck, I know what to do. We just have to get doing it!!! Come on, let's go!!!

Well chickies, time for this old girl to go read a chapter or two and then hit the hay. See you all later. Love ya bunches.

Good Morning Gals!
How is everyone today? I am doing pretty good here - after 2 days of major PMS, cramps and giving into food cravings. I had some major motivation this morning ---- I was walking down to get breakfast and two of my co-workers stopped to tell me how good I looked - commented that I am really slimming down in my abdomen area -- It made me feel so good. The scale hasn't been moving much lately, but I think I am toning up a little more, cause DH also commented on the abdomen bulge shrinking -- you know what I mean - that roll at the top of the pants!

Yesterday was a somewhat long, stressful day - remember the co-worker who's job I had to justify --- I had to send my opinions/findings to my boss yesterday. Unfortunately I had to take the emotion out of the situation and let him know that if needed I could perform my job without her back up. However, I did go on to say I would like to explore options to keep her on the payroll with less hours if needed or have her take on other jobs. It's so difficult -- because I am thinking months down the road hoping that I get pregnant and am taking time off. However, I can't say that to my boss --- I really have two bosses --- one more senior and one under him. The one that I am having these discussions with knows nothing about what I am going through right now to have a baby, the other one does. Not sure where all this is going.....I just have to hope for the best with the situation. I had to be professional and honest about it.

As for the bloodwork --- I don't believe being overweight has much affect on the ablility to draw blood - even as a child and in my lighter days I've always had problems. I have very small and deep veins. Some lab people have no problem, others have brought me to tears. It seems to depend more on their experience. At this point I know the 2 most likely spots to draw blood and yesterday the lab person found it right where I told him. Not sure about the effects of drinking water - I've read that it helps and I also had one lab person recommend it. I figure I need to drink lots of water anyway, so what's the harm?

Thin - You asked about FSH --- nope, not Fish missing the I It stands for Follicle Stimulating Hormone. It comes from the pituitary gland and stimulates the production of egg development. If you have too much or too little it can increase your difficulty to have children. Luckily mine came back just fine! One more step done in this long process! I am now taking Birth control pills! Yes, I am trying to have a child and taking BCP. Strange? Yes. However, due to medical procedures I am going through it controls my hormones until I go into the drug stage to increase egg development. I have no idea what all these drugs are going to do to my body. I know I will have a much more difficult time losing weight due to the hormones and I will have some times of restricted exercise. My focus is staying healty! See all the things you can learn on a weight loss support site????

Okay, as much as I want to continue talking to everyone I have to get started on work - I have been dilly dallying for too long this morning. I'll try to come back during lunch.

to all!
Barb

Barb, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you...I hope that ALL of your tests turn out fine and hubby's too! I know that you will be a great mommy! :

Kat - Thank you!

Thought I share this cute cartoon that was just sent to me.
(Sorry it came out so small)

everyone alseep this afternoon? That's where I wish I could be, but no, here I am again, holding down the fort (well the office anyway) I haven't had time to even say hi. I have managed to read a few post while I'm on indeffinate hold.

Well, I'm not sure what I've said or done lately as far as postings go. I think I let everyone know I was kicked out of another research study the day before I was to get the first injection. Well I decided I would just go to my PCP and talk to her, and see what her bright ideas are as to what I should try next. I need to make sure that she documents that we discussed it in her records, because if I go through with the surgery, some insurance companys make you wait until you have it documented that you have tried at least two or three different weight loss methods before they will approve the surgery. The good news,[/SIZE][/FONT]which is bad news for insurance approvial. I do not have any of the co-morbities that helps WLS be approved. I'm not diabetic, I have a good heart, no ashma, no sleep apena, just FAT! So I made an appointment to see her and couldn't get in until 3/31! I have to come up with a plan in the meantime!

Well enough moaning and groaning, have a great day and night everyone.

It's Survivor Night!!!!

Sue is supposed to go NUTTS!!! Can't wait. See ya'll later.

Any Apprentice fans???? Do we get rid of Omarosa tonight?

Gotta go.

Hello Ladies,

I really enjoy the posts, and everyone sharing their ups and downs. It helps to know I'm not alone.

My daughter Kathleen is wanting on - so just wanted to say hi and thanks again for the warm welcome.

Judy