I do hope that you and Laela have a great day!  I have always been afraid of horses. But, I always think it looks like so much fun. When you get home tell us about your day. Judy

Ok dokey!
Did I tell everyone I went bacvk and joinede the gym?
yes I did! Oh goodie for me!
I've not worked out in over 2 years. I have gone walking in the past month. 4 times a week 1 to 2 miles at a time. steady but not brisk pace. Talking all the way with my friend Lauren.
Lauren has been trying to get the surgery without success buit thats another story.
Anywho with the dark coming quiker at night and it being cooler. i decided that I'd bite the bullet and spend the money on a membership.
I missed going to curves so muvh! I was a nut case aobut going 6 days a week back then.
I was terrified to start but I found agym that is nice not too busy at 7pm so I can go int and not feel like i am on display.
I felt wonderful!
iv'e been working on the treadmill for the past week. going at a brisk pace doing 30 minutes and coming in at 1.40 miles. I was happy with that this week is working with weights week with my trainer matt! oooo some nice young eye candy there! hehehe
but wednesday I strained a muscle in my knee. ouchy. nothing major. I have arthritis and have had it for many years since i was a young teenager. in fact one of the reasons for me wanting the stomach surgery was that they were talking about knee replacements. since3 i've lost the weight i've not needed them don't have any problems other than a ache now and then from them.
But I didn't stretch before or after my gym workout!
ok lets all say this together,....
I DID IT TO MYSELF~
Yet again i was stupid and just jumped on in my excitement to be working out again and hurt myself by not following the rules.
O yes I KNOW I'm suppose to stretch before and after OR I will get an INJURY!
so now I have an injury and can not use the treadmill.
argggggg

but i can still go to learn about the weight training! don't have to give up my lesson with the cute patootie!
I do have to take care of this knee and if it is not better than a doctor visit will be in the cards for me. i"m sure it will entale some nice physical therapy. maybe a stint in the pool therapy!!!! i love that! they used that on my back when I ruptured a disk 15 years ago it was wonderful.
thats it for me
so watch out for that excise stuff it can hurt!

A friend is picking me and Laela up, and we're heading out to the Goodwin Forest on the trails - she's got a big ol' gelding that will hopefully channel some confidence Laela's way and we'll hack out for miles without incident. It's an incredibly beautiful pre-fall day in Connecticut - I'm excited. I'm in my breeches and boots and feeling fit and strong, my abs are pretty tight, my legs feel like they are up to the challenge of finding the strength to communicate to Laela properly so that she has a good time. Now, if she decides that she's terrified, she will both and I might not live to tell the tale... think good thoughts, and I hope you all have a glorious day, enjoying your bodies in a manner that causes you to think, "Hey, I DID this! I changed my body so that I have changed the way I'm living my life!" Wish me luck!!!

Reenie---as I do love my life and everything in it, I also have my ups and downs as well.  I eat balanced.  By balanced, I mean I eat everything...including sugar...in moderation.  Some days I eat more than others.  I have had many MANY years of the ups and downs, self loathing, etc.  I made the decision to change that.  I set a plan and followed it.  It was not a matter of discipline or will power, it was for self preservation, both physically and mentally.  When I moved away from my home town it was done as a matter of survival. I was able to do this with the help of a good therapist, and a strong desire to change my life.  I do believe that my food issues are/were much different than most people who post on this board.  I have learned to find comfort in things other than food.  That is something, that if you decide to do it, it will happen.  I guess what I am trying to say is that YOU are in the drivers seat.  You are the one with the power to change things.  If you are in a bad situation at home, and your spouse or child talks down to you, it is only because you allow it to happen.  Since my lowest weight, I had a 12 pound weight gain.  My surgeon told me to expect this...that this was normal for WLS patients.  I get on the scale every day.  I have edema issues and have to take Lasix every day.  I also had trouble with constipation, and found that Senna tea does the trick for me.  Due to demands at work, I am not as diligent at the gym as I should be, however, I try to get a walk or bike ride in a few times a week.  
Yes, its true, my life IS balanced physically and mentally...it takes a lot of work and a strong desire to make things happen.  I hope you find it within yourself to set goals to get rid of the demons and find peace within yourself.  Sometimes the road to get there is drastic and painful but well worth it in the end.
Good luck to you, my friend,
Joanie

Reenie & Connie,

I agree with Connie - these three folks didn't "take care" of themselves post-op.  I know I've done my protein and vitamins just like I'm supposed to and though I've kept the weight off and my labs are mostly good, my health is awful.  I have a horrible time staying hydrated - I'm thirsty 24 hours a day and no it's not diabetes they've checked and rechecked - but I am hypoglycemic.   I drink about a gallon and a half of fluid every day and I'm still thirsty - I honestly can down 20 ounces of water in one drink and still be thirsty. My electrolytes are way out of wack because I drink so much.   Plus I have low blood pressure which both the LBS and the dehydration both aggravate.  I apparently had a silent heart attack about 9 months and now my Aortic valve is causing about a 30% regurg - I'm not intersted in surgery at this point - I don't think my body could stand open heart surgery.  The low blood pressure causes my heart to beat to fast trying to keep blood following to all the vital stuff.   My cholesterol and tryglicerides out astronomical - but I don't eat hardly any carbs nor do I eat fatty meats or fried foods.  I do exist pretty much on lean animal protein with some whole grain bread and raw fruits and veggies.  I still don't drink after I eat and that hour is torture because I'm thirsty.  

The specialists I've seen over the past 9 months have no clue as to how to fix me...one did suggest I have the surgery reversed.  I did ask my WLS physician's assistant and she said this far out there would be anything left of the old stomach to reattach.  I wouldn't really consider it anyway but that's definitely a closed door for me. 

Like Connie said - there's so much they don't know about the long term effects - we're kind of embarking on new territory now.