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You know, relatively. First off, I feel the need to simultaneously thank and apologize to everyone who read through yesterday's bitter, angry rant. I did need to get that off my chest, but now Logical Me has woken up from the knock out punch she took from Emotional Me and is able to add a sliver of rationality to the discussion. Because there IS more to this than calories in and calories out, and I'm not in this for an overnight weight loss. I'm in this for the long haul. I really do appreciate everyone who took the time to point out all the things Emotional Me didn't want to hear, because I do need to remember all that, things like: we're more than an equation, plateaus happen, the band does work, calm down and just keep chugging along. I did need to hear that. I didn't really want to yesterday, but I needed to. One good thing--one really good thing--did come out of yesterday, though. I had my mad on yesterday, and I was plenty bitter. I had more than my share of "to hell with it" thoughts, and in previous years that would have equalled a cheeseburger at the very least. Instead, I just kept plugging. Yeah, I ate a few more calories than the day before, but I tracked them all and I still stayed below 1200, which in bandster hell is still something of a victory. I kept working, and even if I didn't have a smile on my face the whole time, the work is the important part. So today, I woke up and got back to it. Breakfast was a small protein shake and half a banana, and I already have lunch and dinner planned with lean protein and fresh veggies and the knowledge that I can't control the scale, but I can control my own behavior. Thanks to the band, that is. We just need to keep getting to know each other and figuring out how this all works. I think we can do it.

Top of the morning family :D Today is a great day to fill yourself with some spiritual vitamins, your body will thank you!! Vitamin T: TRUST Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will direct your path! We must understand that God has all power, and that it is he who sustains our life. He has allowed all of us to be on this journeys path, so we must "Trust" that if "He brought us to it, he will see us through it!"

One of the most humbling things, I think, that one can experience is for someone to tell you that you've inspired them to do or be something. Wow! What an impact. Having struggled with my weight most of my life, I never really thought about the possibility of being an inspiration to anyone in the area of being healthy. Sure, I try to inspire my son to be a child of God, to work, and go after things the focus on the talents God gave Him. I try to inspire my husband to see the positive side of life and encourage him that he is a good father and husband. I've tried to inspire people in faith and that God is an awesome God. But that's not really happened much in the health arena. Until now. Since I've been posting about my procedure, my success AND my failures on facebook and in my blog at www.chrissyluther.wordpress.com, I've had two people say that to me and have wanted to know more about the surgery, my doctor, the band itself, the diet, the food, excercise...everything. I feel so blessed that God would give me this opportunity to share what I'm experiencing and learning as I go. I understand what these particular people are going through...I've been there. Its not fun. Its not easy. People look at you weird and judge you without ever knowing you...and most times don't take the time to get to know you. I think that's one reason God give us trials to go through. So that from that experience, we can learn, move forward and then on to helping someone else who is going through the same thing; letting His love for that person flow through us, into them. I want to encourage you today, that if you've not made that step to get healthy...branch out and take it now. It doesn't have to be LAP-band. It doesn't have to be surgery at all. It might not even be about losing weight. But trust that God has a solution in mind for you, and He will show if you ask Him to and listen for Him to do so. I'm praying for you. Blessings, ChrissyLu

Well I am now down 51 pounds! Sooo happy! Life is going great and I'm unbelievably happy. I recently started the couch to 5k program on Monday. The first time, I thought I was going to die. However, I did it for the second time yesterday, and it was noticeably better. I am really trying to focus on breathing and it's helping. I also purchased the Fitbit. To be honest (and I know this is not the opinion of most) I probably should have just saved my money. It hasn't been helping me with anything really. I think it's interesting to look at the numbers, but that's all. Oh well! Well, not much of an update, I know, but I don't like to let too much time pass without a post! Hope this finds everyone well. Have a blessed day!

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Fitness Through Technology - Be your own Coach! by, Luke Thomas - Bariatric Liaison, CRMC Smartphone’s are becoming a regular mainstay in society. Some haven’t adopted the Smartphone lifestyle yet. Others are glued to it like I am. The truth is more and more people of all ages are learning how to use their phones as personal organizers, cameras, video cameras, video gaming devices, online browsers, social media devices, financial managers, GPS’s, media players, e-readers… you’ve heard the slogan, “There’s an app for that.” Flurry Analytics, a technology analytics firm out of San Francisco, New York, and London recently did a study that says Americans spend an average of 1 hour and 34 minutes per day using mobile apps. This is 20 minutes more than actual web browsing (on a PC or laptop), which came in at 1 hour and 14 minutes. This means people are using Smartphone’s more than surfing the web on a home PC or laptop. Dr. Edward R. Laskowski, M.D. from The Mayo Clinic writes that the Department of Health and Human Services recommends getting at least 30 minutes a day of moderate aerobic activity (walking, swimming, mowing the lawn), or 15 minutes a day of vigorous aerobic activity (running and aerobic dancing [ex: Zumba]). It is also suggested that it is spread out over the course of a week. Want to hear something ironic? The statistics I cited in the paragraphs above are articles I looked it up on my Smartphone. Since were on the theme of time, it took me 3 minutes. Who cares? Why does this matter? What does it have to do with Bariatric patients? Some of you have either recently made a significant lifestyle change, or are considering making one with the Capital Regional Bariatric Centers Lap-Band® Program. Part of that lifestyle change is a life-long commitment to diet and exercise. Guess what? There’s an app for that! No, none that do the exercise and diet for you. I mean the commitment part. Rather, accountability towards your commitment. If you are a Smartphone user, it makes you wonder how much of that 1 hour and 34 minutes per day is being spent on something you would consider “productive” toward your weight loss goals. So, I made a list of mobile apps available on both iPhone, and Androids that I consider to be great tools to help you with your journey. I actually use some myself for my own fitness goals (and sometimes lack thereof)! Instant Heart Rate Pro – $0.99 (free version available) This is pretty nifty! It’s an app that you place your finger over the camera lens of your phone, and it monitors your heart rate; a great tool for any level of healthy living. You press the icon, hold it for 10 seconds, and that’s it. I use the free version, but you can go “Pro” for 99 cents. My Fitness Pal – Free – Luke’s Pick!!! I love this app and use it daily! It calculates your BMI. It calculates your BMR. It counts calories (over 1,000,000 food database from all restaurants). It lets you enter calories burned with exercise. It gives you reports on your progress. Plus, it’s free! Picked by Wired Magazine, and PC Magazine as Editors Picks for lifestyle apps. It’s easy, fun, and addictive! You can also log in from your home computer, which I prefer more than the app! My Tracks – Free I also use this app when I go out for a run, jog, or walk. It takes your map and GPS function and maps out your route as you go, recording distance, speed, and altitude. Sounds complicated, but the great thing about this app is all you do is click the app icon, and hit “start.” When you are done, hit “stop.” It does the rest for you. Eat This Not That - $4.99 Eating out is the bane of every diet. Based on the selling book series, this app lets you compare restaurant choices based on nutritional value, so you can make better choices based on information. It comes with a database of foods and nutritional value info so it streamlines the process of searching and comparing entrees, making it a little quicker for you. JEFIT Pro - $4.99 If you really want to take it to the next level, then JEFIT is worth the price. It has all the basic functions as My Fitness Pal, but dives into each workout by logging progress down to the set and rep, if you’re into that. It’s probably too intense for the beginner, takes a lot of time to enter information, and can be somewhat “un-user friendly” at times. Again, depends on what you want to us it for. There is a free version with limited functions available too. Ultimate Weight Watcher Diary - $3.95 This app gets a lot of good reviews, and pops up first on all of my searches for “Health and Fitness” apps. It states to be the most comprehensive application for those following a food value based plan (ex: Weight Watchers). Other Practical Apps: Basic Notepad App – Free Having a note pad app is great for quickly adding notes about health and fitness information you hear about (or anything really). I like to blog, and I compile information in what I call “blog blurbs” in my notepad app. Hint: If you are like me and hate texting, you can also download an app that lets you “talk-to-text.” Makes it a lot easier, quick, and hands free! Sometimes it misspells what you say, but for the most part it works great. Camera/Video Camera – Free (usually included on all phones) Things like before/after pictures, and video journals are important for motivation. Bar Code Scanner – Free Having a bar code scanner on your phone is great for checking prices, and nutritional value of food you intend to purchase. Also, some applications let you compare prices on certain items. For example; you are at a department store and you are looking at buying a set of 5lb dumbbells. You can scan the bar code on the item, and go online and compare that items prices. There are many more health and fitness apps out there. No matter what level you consider yourself “technically savvy” these apps are easy to get, easy to use, and sometimes free! These apps are by no means a necessity for a lifestyle dedicated to health and well being. Basically, you don’t NEED them to get results. However, similar to the Lap-Band® device, these apps are great tools to work with to achieve your weight loss, fitness, and wellness goals. They are great for logging benchmarks in your success, stay accountable, and getting great information quickly. So, after spending 1 hour and 34 minutes on your Smartphone, and 30 minutes exercising, you’re free to use the other 21 hours and 56 minutes however you choose!

Having surgery to help me manage my weight has been something I have only dreamed of being able to do for years. Things are finally lining up. I have only just begun this journey. I am excited, anxious, jumping out of my skin. I can't wait to find out what the next step is....

So here I am--almost 3 months post op. Ive had 2 fills & Im just not feeling it 100%! Everyday I ask myself is it me? What is it about me that I dont feel it? I started off at a great momentum losing weight, but I havent lost a pound since January. So, today & tonite Ive been thinking really hard on it & trying to be totally honest with myself. Have I exercised enough? No Have I eaten something I shouldnt have? Yes--but not like I did before the surgery! On the plus side---Ive stayed away from diet coke. Ive avoided what I call the useless foods---chips, candy, bread, carbs, starches. I think we all must go thru this at some point---for me part of the problem is this time of the year. The weather keeping me indoors, and then the dreariness really sucks!! And Im so tired after work, I dont have the energy to go work out. Ive not lost the faith & committment to this lifestyle change, just slowed down a little! I need to recapture my excitement & momentum that carried me thru to the end of January. ugh OOHH!!! there goes my excitement & momentum running up the stairs--better go catch it now!

First, I want to say a big THANK YOU to all the positive comments I received from my first post. Secondly, I've realized that I'm not the only one who has faced struggles. I've also learned that I need to take baby steps, this is a slow process, but the end result is what I hunger for. I can't push myself any faster than my body will go. I've got to have faith in my doctor's thought process when it comes to the diet, slow and steady does win the race. I found out the hard way the other day what happens if you rush things, I was so excited to eat scrambled eggs, that I ate too quickly and the end result was me getting sick!! Getting sick is something I hate, so lesson learned. I'm still getting used to drinking water in small sips instead of giant gulps but I've had no trouble with drinking the correct amount of protein drinks. Looking forward to my first follow up appt. with my doctor and as for weight, I'm down to 286.4 today from 298 (typo in the first post) on 2/15/12 which was the first day out of the hospital, I had my surgery on 2/13/12. So for being post surgery by 11 days, I can finally say I'm happy, I'm happy to be baby stepping towards my goal!! Thanks again

Life has been so good with my Lap Band! I remember anticipating getting my band and thinking, "when I get banded that's when my life will really begin." I'm sure you've probably thought the same thing. And in so many ways, it's true! Now I've always been one to make the most of what I've been given and to live life to the fullest, but the Lap Band has really helped me to accomplish a fuller life on a whole new level! On my surgery date(7/8/2011) I was 208lbs and size 18. Today(2/23/12) I am 167lbs and size 12. I still want to lose about 40 pounds(be a size 6) but life is so much better than it was! I have so much more confidence and hold my head a little higher! Okay.... a lot higher! After my surgery, I began to submit my resume to airlines for a flight attendant position(with no experience whatsoever). I wasn't sure it would actually pan out, but I thought I would give it a try. I always thought it would be a fun and adventurous type of career, but would have never dared apply when I was a size 18! Well, I just so happen to get a call back, was flown to my interview, went through an entire day of the grueling interview process, got the job, and I start my training in 2 weeks!! I'm so excited! The Lap Band has opened so many doors for me! I'm getting the job I've always wanted, I'm going to travel to places I've always wanted to go and take incredible vacations with my husband while flying for free! I was even recently asked to speak at a Lap Band seminar and tell my story! It's amazing how much better life is! My motto in life today is, "Think positive and positive things will happen!" I spent way too much time verbally abusing myself and beating myself down in the past. The awful things I would tell myself were downright harmful and damaging! I am such a positive person now and intend on taking advantage of all life has to offer! I hope you will do the same. I've changed my tune and this is my new perspective on life, I hope it will be yours as well... 1. I WILL be successful at losing my weight! I may have failed in the past, but I will not fail this time. PERIOD! 2. I can and will be ANYTHING I want! 3. I have the power to create the life I want! Life is whatever I choose to make it! 4. Hard work makes everything possible 5. Don't hold back! Not in life, love, work, or at the gym! Give it all you have! 6. Be passionate about life...live it to the absolute fullest! 7. I am what I think! So think Positive! 8. I will not diet! I eat whatever I want in small portions. And sometimes what I want is a salad. Sometimes it's Chick-Fil-A. I will not diet! 9. I'm proud of myself! I will not apologize or feel guilty for accomplishing my goals! 10. I'm worthy of happiness!