It is time to blog. I have been away far too long. Let talk about my band. My band is perfect. I have restriction (or whatever you want to call the perfect adjustment) I get full quickly. My hunger is controled. So now you get to hear about what happens if you don't do your part.

You gain weight! I have gained. I don't know how much. I don't want to step on my Wii Fit to find out. So here is the perfect example of why you have to work the band. It doesn't do all the work for you.

I have only been hitting the gym about twice a week. I have been eating unhealthy food and I have been eating when I am not hungry. I haven't been keeping track on what I am eating. I know that I can come here and no one will judge me, but I also know that I need to start blogging again and getting back to the rules.

-Keep track of what I eat (on sparkpeople)

-Cardio at least 3 times a week

-Don't eat unless I am hungry

-Solid protien first then a health side until I am full

I have heard plenty of storied of people that say that the band doesn't work. Well I lost 115 lbs in one year. The band works for me, but I know if I don't work at it I will fail. The band helps. It makes it easier, but if I don't want it bad enough I will gain the weight back. I can lose more weight and all I have to do is follow the rules.

I have found that since I have given up almost all bread, pasta, rice and potatoes that I have developed a killer sweet tooth. I have to get that stuff out of my system. I am really looking forward to the New Year to jump start my loss, but I am starting right now!

I also have to admit and face the fact that I am an emotional eater. I have been banded over a year and lost over 100 lbs and I am STILL and emotional eater. We are looking at putting our 16 year old daughter in a Christian based residential program because of her bad choices and everytime I think about it and have to deal iwth it I want to eat. I feel it like an alcoholic looking for a drink. I am looking to pick up a part time job to make an extra $2000 a month to put her in this 15 month program. I work Monday through Friday days and now I may have to work Friday and Saturday nights (RN). I worry about working more and working out less and emotional eating. I guess every day is a new set of challenges. I know blogging with help and I am so glad that I have this place to come!

Best wishes I hope everything works out for your family. They are the most important people in my life. I would not be able to do this if I did not have their support. I will keep you in my thoughts. Happy, Healthy, Holiday season to you and yours. imaluckydog

It is a testament to our strength when we sacrifice for our children, I applaud you and hope it all works out for the best. Like the luckydog, hoping you have a wonderful happy and healthy new year.

They say that the biggest part of a solution is admitting that you have a problem. I feel you are on your way. We did not get where we are at overnight, and it is going to take some time and effort to get all of the weight off and get back down to where we need to be. You have already self evaluated yourself, and know what you need to do to make it work. I fall short too, but I get back up on the horse and whoop and ride for as long as I can until I fall again. Practice is going to make perfect, and when we bump our heads enough, we will eventually start getting it right more often. Experience is our best teacher, so let's learn from it!

I am so very sorry to hear about your daughter, what a tough time it must be and aside from the stress of what she's going through - the stress of additional hours isn't helping. If I remember right you are in the normal BMI range now. Please don't worry about your weight and your working out schedule right now. Your time and attention are much more important to your family. The gym will be there for you when things calm down. For now - focus on life.

That's what I think....

I want to be skinny so bad, but I know what you are talking about, when you say you don't want it bad enough. I am wearing a size 22 now in pants and XL in shirts which is awesome but only losing 38 pds is depressing me. Seems like I don't try hard enough, I KNOW I WANT IT BAD but i just sit here at night.

Hiya.. I am kinda new here and I was bored at work tonight (Xmas eve and hospitals dont normally mean busy hehe!) I read your whole blog..You are so impressive! Its great to see that you are still a human you make mistakes but you always got right back on the wagon!

I ALWAYS learn something from your blogs Julie Ann! Keep yourself 'on the list', even if you aren't always the top priority. Life does get in the way sometimes and we all slip up. (((hugs))) to you.. -BG

Julie Ann,

I am just starting on my journey (one month in to the 3 month doctor supervised diet required by my insurance to get approved) and I found your blog. I read it all in one sitting. You have become my inspiration!!

Right now, though, you really need to focus on your daughter. I hope all goes well for your family and your daughter, and please don't give up!! {{{{big hugs}}}}

Barb in KY

Thanks and good luck to all of you in the new year. I just got back from the gym. I plan to be back on track for a long time.

Julie Ann I wanted to tell you that you are and have been for a long time, my inspiration. I read your blog when I started this journey and watching you succeed really spured me on. To hear you have down times, emotional eating issues and stressful problems to deal with shows me that you normal like the rest of us yet you still keep going and succeed. You have helped me so many times (even though you didnt realise it) I hope I can do the same for you. The emotional hunger really is the hardest to beat but keeping occupied helps especially if its something that has nothing to do with food. Like blogging or going to the gym. I hope you and your family are doing well, I'm thinking of you x