Whew. Week over. Luckily for me since I don’t work Fridays. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it to try and cram everything into 4 long work days. But I always say that on Monday. Or Tuesday. Or Wednesday. I never think that on Thursday. Or Friday. 😉
Thank you ALL for being so sweet. I think everyone know what those weeks are like. Not fun, anyways.
Lily update: Miss Lily’s knee cap has separated from the ligament/tendon (not sure which, I’m rusty!). Doc said she should be holding down the couch for 2 weeks and they will re-assess for surgery at that time. She was given anti-inflammatory meds in the meantime and I think she’s feeling a bit better, but it’s impossible to say whether it’s true improvement or the drugs kickin’ in. So, that’s that. I’ll keep you all updated. Some of you love Lily as though she were your own. And well, she kinda is…this is like the Prevention RD & Lily’s blog, you know. 😉
My Lap-Band meeting went REALLY well last night. I strongly emphasized the role of diet and exercise as a lifestyle change. I went on and on about the diet and then said, “If you’re thinking that following these guidelines is going to be tough, maybe this isn’t the path for you. The Lap-Band is an assistive device, it doesn’t flip a switch in your brain to control craving or alter your unhealthy lifestyle habits. If you are seeking Lap-Banding you should be doing what it takes to make forever changes with or without that band. Don’t waste time now, capitalize on this opportunity and the people sitting beside you. This is a forever, not a today and tomorrow.” I felt like a politician or something. Kind of empowering, actually. 😀
My firm approach in the group setting produced some discouraged looks. It produced some excited looks. But in all the faces, it resonated an understanding that there’s a lot of ways to skin a cat, and that Lap-Banding is not a sure fire way to lose and maintain a weight loss. It comes from within. It comes from a drive to achieve goals. It’s determination and persistence.
I’m expecting some patients to drop out of the program, but I’m expecting the right candidates to plow full speed ahead in making all the appropriate strides towards gaining the life and lifestyle they want to lead. You are all wise to recognize how rewarding my job is — I see people’s lives changing from one meeting to the next. It’s truly amazing.
Thank you for all your support. Your comments are always so heart-felt and motivating to me. Someone asked how I make the time to post each day, and it’s because this is my Zen. You bring me happiness and the strength to make it through weeks that I just want to throw in the towel. Thank you.
Question: Do you have a Friday afternoon routine? Do you do anything to celebrate the end of the week? What are you doing tonight?
I always have a beer on Friday evenings. Always. Not wine. Beer. Tonight will be no different 🙂
Random Question: If you’re an American Idol fan, who do you want to win?
Team Lee!!
Cheers,
I almost always have a drink to celebrate the week being over as well. In all honestly, it depends who I am sitting around with on Friday evening. If it’s my mom then it’s wine and if it’s the boyfriend, then its an ice cold beer!
Hope Lily starts feeling better soon!
I got weightlifting (no cardio, just weights) then come home and have a protein snack while I watch tv and make a grocery list.
I always have a glass of wine. But that’s not really a “Friday night” thing– it’s kind of an “every night” thing 😉
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I like it! Me too many nights 😉
No real Friday traditions here… maybe I should start doing something! I love your blog and I totally respect what you do, it makes me wish that my job was more like yours… I would love to work with people and help people on a daily basis. I’m jealous! 🙂
As far as Idol goes… I am a fan but this season just isn’t doing it for me! I like some of the idols… but the talent just isn’t the same as is has been in past seasons…
My family is visiting me this weekend, so major celebration! Thank goodness it’s almost Friday afternoon. 🙂
Tonight I’m going to cook my meals for the week and hopefully get a little house cleaning done.
I always kick off the weekend with a glass of vino 😉
I am super into American Idol this season. I was Crystal Bowersox to win! Or at least get a major record deal (which I think she will) out of this.
Have a great weekend! Enjoy your brewsky 🙂
Sadly I don’t have a Friday afternoon routine because every Friday for me is different!
I would love to end the week with a glass of wine though – maybe this summer when work quiets down for a little while…
Sounds like things are on the up and up–perfect, since it’s the weeeekend!! 🙂
My Friday night routine as of late has consisted of a glass or two of wine and red box. I know, I’m a wild child… lol
Poor little Lily, I hope she heals well and quickly and does not need surgery.
I think what you told your lapband patients is awesome. It is going to be hard work for them and a “lifestyle” change. I hope the right candidates are the ones that stay in.
I try to have a fun little “friday night family movie night” with my kiddo. It doesn’t happen every Friday but we do try to do it as often as possible. The kiddo knows that we get to watch a movie and have dinner in front of the TV. Dinner these nights are also something “silly” like popcorn and fruit or even an ice cream. She eats so well most of the time that it is fun to have dinner “outside of the box” sort to speak.
Have a Friday!!!!
My company just started a program called The Full Yield…have you heard of it? It is a healthy initiative, very Michael Pollan-esque…I would love to hear your thoughts!
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I will definitely look into this! Thanks for asking, I’m really interested in learning more about corporate wellness!
I seriously just love to relax on Fridays. Call me a granny, but I’m happy take naps into the night with Mr. How Sweet!
I love how you stressed the LIFESTYLE change and not being on a diet. I think people would be a lot more successful in weight loss and gaining health if they looked at it as a new life and not a temporary diet full of deprivation.
My hubby works on Saturday mornings, so our Friday routine is much like any other week night, but Saturday night it’s on!
Sorry to hear about that.. I hope that Lily will start feeling better soon.
I loved reading your “speech”. You’re SO right! Those people are so lucky to have you.
Unfortunately I have no celebrations at all.. I just take things easy and enjoy my time off 🙂
I usually have a big bowl of ice cream! 🙂 Hope Lily feels better soon!
Congrats on the program you’re running. The motivation you’ll provide will be great for those guys. I’ve read a lot about patients who get versions of bariatric surgery and then end up regaining the weight because of not following the diet restrictions. Hope Lily gets betters! She’s in my wishes!
YAY!! I am glad your stressful week is over and now you can PLAY! Happy Friday Nicole!
Poor Lily! I hope she takes well to staying put on the couch. My dog would go nuts. She would love the part of laying around on the couch, but she would hate not being able to follow us around. Glad your meeting went well. Enjoy your weekend.
I think I’ve mentioned it to you before, but my mom has thought about having lap band or gastric bypass (her doctors say she’s a better candidate for GB), and I completely agree about the lifestyle. It’s a HUGE decision – so I think that is great you are telling them everything they need to know ahead of time!
Sadly, no Friday routine for me – maybe falling asleep by 10? hahaha – I seriously crash on Fridays!
On friday the only routine is to wait for the weekend, to go out and have fun…have a lovely weekend nicole…take care
Blogging is my outlet too. I love it for that reason! And I also love having a way to connect with people who have a passion for helping others and health. I bet that meeting was amazing and it will be even more so as you see these people learn and grow. 🙂
Aww Lily! I hope she doesnt need surgery.
My Friday afternoon usually involves wine and What Not to Wear.
Tonight Im changing it up a little bit and having wine while watching a movie. But with a friend – not by myself like I usually do! lol I am SO exciting!
Poor Lily, hope she gets all better soon.
Enjoy your beer, I know I will be having one tonight as well.
First, good luck to Lily!
Second, your job sounds soooo interesting…I kinda want it 😉
Third, no special plans. Uneventful weekend. Lots of Thinking I guess….but a BEER will definitely be had. AND agreed – not wine, but BEER :)…and maybe some pizza…
AI??! I don’t really have a favorite…well, no I like Crystal Bowersow (? LOL doesn’t look right…), but I really like Lee – that rugged voice…yum.
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Bowersox 🙂 Close enough!! I melt when Lee sings…he’s rather hunky!!
Keep the stories coming about the job–it sounds soo interesting!
Enjoy the beer–I know I will be enjoying one as well.
Did they tell you what caused this???? Poor Lily…I hope she is not in pain =/
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Nope, but she was at doggie camp that day. She goes once a week, but maybe she played a little too hard?? We’ll never know! Thanks for thinking about baby girl 🙂
Poor Lily!! I hope she gets better! (And it’s the ligamentum patella or quadriceps femoris tendon depending on whether it tore from above or below…hate that I know that.)
A four day workweek sounds awesome! Maybe you can convince Cornell to do that with the school week…
Go you for being firm about lap banding. People need to realize that it’s a lifelong commitment!
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Cornell? Dang lady! You’re a superstar! I totally get your anatomy lesson, however I’m still not sure which it is 😉 Hubby did the vet visit so I didn’t hear the report first-hand. Have a great weekend!
It sounds like you might have gotten through to people, way to go, way to not give them false hope or let them believe this is a quick and easy fix. I really like your approach.
Poor Lily, have you ever tried giving her glucosamine? My lab was on it the first 2 years of her life (no hip problem and she is now 9 years old) She now gets a maintenance dose once a week still no problems. The breeder she came from swears by it, the vet thinks it is helpful, at worst it does no harm I just buy giant bottles of it at costco. The downside if the painkillers if she feels better but isn’t really better she might be more inclined to push herself.
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True story. Great suggestion. I’ll pick some up the next time I’m out. Like you said, can’t hurt!
My week has really sucked to!! 🙂 I’m on team Lee. Hope Lily’s resting makes her better.
AMEN! I’m having my beer right now 🙂 Nick and I usually split one early, then again later. Tonight we are just catching up on all of our shows, and relaxing for our weekend “vacation” down to the casino boats!
I’m glad Lily is doing well 🙁 Poor dog. Also, I couldn’t agree with you more about your lap-band speech. So many people think it’s a quick fix, but in reality, it’s a lot of work! Which, it should be. And if they aren’t ready, they shouldn’t do it. It’s a waste of their money, and OURS!
Enjoy your weekend Nicole.
I’ll be praying for Lily. Poor baby.
Love Friday afternoons!! Because I am super lame, my idea of a good Friday afternoon is working out and cleaning. I’m about to get up and work on that right now actually. Have a lovely evening!! 🙂
I am so working on and tweaking the sure fire way to weight loss…
On Fridays, I usually watch a movie with one of my friends. I find it’s a good way to decompress especially if it’s a feel good flick.
Enjoy…your weekend and everything.
Love Friday! I don’t work either on Friday so it’s my day to catch up and breathe : )
I usually blog and go to yoga!
I almost always relax with a glass of wine (or two) each Friday night!!! Have a great weekend 🙂
poor lily hope she is ok waiting eagerly for my parents to arrive depending on flights out of Europe!
Black Star is me ! Rebecca
oh no poor Lily! 🙁 I hope she recovers soon and you can have a relaxing weekend. I’m getting stressed with the end of the semester and my work and not having a bike or time to train for the century coming up, but I just have to take deep breaths and know that things will be ok 🙂 I usually go to the grocery store after work, but today I just felt like going out to eat!
I’m glad your lap-band meeting went good! And so glad to hear about Lily. I hope she continues to heal. Her story makes me more aware of Bella and to be more watchful on that leg she was limping on. Oh the things we do for our children, I mean dogs. 😀