Also MIA but coming back

Like Nina I have been MIA from the message board for several reasons. However, I have been lucky that I am still on my path and doing well weight loss wise the last time I weighed myself I was at my goal, which was to reach the upper limit BMI limit for my height. Now, my goal is to get down to about 165 lbs +/- 5 lbs band and maintian.

I have been away from the board like I said for many reasons.
I have been really busy at work and the Japan earthquake and tsunami helped increase my work load.
I have also been busy with my schoolwork working on my MBA as I progress in the program the classes are getting harder and requiring more effort from me to maintian my high GPA.
As I mentioned in a response to Nina, I recently had hernia surgery about 4 weeks ago.
During the recovery I had what appeared to be a allergic reaction to tylenol. My allergist believed it was from the red dye in the liquid tylenol I took. Just this past Monday, I had another reaction to tylenol 3 and both times required high doses of antihistamines to get the reactions under control and keep me from the hospital ER.
I will try to do better with keeping in touch with everyone but it will be difficult since I recently became involved with a special needs children charity that alloows children with disabilities to play baseball at no cost to the parents. I have a special needs child myself and so I have a invested interest in the success of the charity. The league starts up April 9 and so I will be very busy trying to balance everything.
However, I am focused on my weight loss plan and to keep my goals. It is easy to stray from our paths and so I know I need to be focused on keeping true to my weight loss plan.

Today, I thought it was strange my dad came by my house and asked me to speak with a friend of his who is debating about weight loss surgery. He wanted to talk to someone who has had the surgery and successfully lost the weight. My dad mention to me of his friends diabetes, sore knees, lack of self control, and lack of exercise. I told him I will give him my say on weight loss surgery but I told my dad that his friend has to want to change and that he will have to work at losing the weight that the surgery is merely a tool. I am already thinking about what I am going to say to him, but my concern is will he really listen and is he going to listen to his doctors. I  am basically going to give him my story but rmind him that the success all depends upon himself.
OH family it is late and I have to be into work early in the morning thank you for the support.

Michael

MICHAEL-Welcome back! Congrats on your loss and KUDOS on the baseball team!!! I can't wait to see a team picture!

I applaud that you realize the tool is a "forever" thing, as is the need for ongoing support, from people who "get" you. As we go about our "normal" lives, a pound here and there seems to be able to creep on, and the next thing you know "we" could have gained 70 lbs, because "we" refused to step on a scale. Does it sound like "we" are speaking from personal experience???...lol...I just don't want it to ever happen to another WLSer. You'll be getting lots of exercise with your baseballers, but you'll also have to keep some crazy practice hours, etc, which makes for "off schedule" eating-and most ballpark food is not the healthiest--but you're a smart guy--and no doubt you'll have beef jerky, etc in your coach bag.

Again-welcome back, and look forward to your next posts!

Gina AKA Nurse Diva

It is good to see you on here. It sounds like you know what you need to do. We are all here to help you if you need it. Jump on the WLS Express if you can each day and there is a food accountability post each day also that Paige cranks up.

I applaud your work with your childrens ball teams. I'm an educational diagnostician and have a special place in my heart for the type of kids and ball team that you work with. Kudos for you. Our children grow up so fast that you better enjoy them while you can.

Karla