TracieR

Hi. I am in New York. I started with a trainer that was a friend of a friend. He charged $50 per session. We worked out twice per week for about 60 - 90 minutes depending on the night. I was with him for 5 months. I just switched over to a gym - LA Fitness. I booked a trainer with them. I made a 12 month commitment to buy 6 thirty minute sessions a month for $26 per session. I like it because you get 6 sessions in your "bank" every month. So if one week you want to do twice a week you can and the next once etc.. Also if you want to buy an extra you can for $26. The sessions carry over from month to month. You can change trainers or stay with one you like - up to you. The trainer has been my saving grace! He got me to join a gym in the first place and got me doing things I never would have thought possible before. I totally recommend some sort of trainer even if it is just once per week. Good Luck!!

Seafood! Fish is a great choice and low calories. I also love crab legs. Low calorie, high protein and takes forever to eat so you feel satisfied. Just stay away from the butter. I use cocktail sauce to dip in. Happy Birthday! Enjoy your night out!

I've been having the same issue. Night eating. I have tried Power Bar Pria bars. I put the mint chocolate ones in the fridge and when I need something sweet and chocolatey thats what I go to. They are only 110 calories and 5 grams of protein. My problem is just stopping at one! My night eating has become such an issue that I have cut out all sugar completely to see if that will help with the cravings. I am only on day 2 but so far so good. I also have set a rule of no eating at all after 8pm. I needed a good kick in the a** to get myself on the right track again. Whats that saying - It works if you work it! That is my new mantra!!!

I have BCBS FEP Standard. My bmi was over 50. I was approved with no comorbidities without any kind of supervised diet. My surgery was in March 2011.

Congratulations! Isn't great to be a person who loves a sport? You go with all of your races! I'm about 7 months out and I feel like I need to reevaluate what I have been doing lately because I am stalling out due to my own poor choices. Good Luck to you!

YAY! This is really the first step for you...It is such an exciting journey. I wish you all the best and anything I can do to help you along the way please feel free to email or message me! Good luck to you!!

I have an office job also. I had surgery on Tuesday returned to work the following Monday. I felt good but was exhausted when I got home.

I agree that you should stay on your mushies on not go backward. Follow the plan your doctor gave you. I didn't lose that much during my healing phase, but learned patience! I was not really exercising at all before my surgery. I started walking shortly after surgery. 30 minutes everyday. My doctor cleared me to workout 8 weeks after, with no restrictions. Definitely check with your doctor! Good Luck!

Name, real or screen~ Tracie Age~ 36 Weight on October 1st~ 277 Goal Weight for October 29th~ 270 (that would be 101lbs lost!) Exercise Goal for October~ Go to the gym 4 times per week. Dietary Goal for October~ Less snacking, more Protein. Personal Goal for October~ get more sleep (stop staying up so late and then snacking) Date Banded~ 03/08/2011 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 95lbs Thanks for doing this! Last month was my first challenge and it really helped me be accountable!

I take a bunch of vitamins including calcium and protonix, an acid reducer.

Totally different for everyone - mine is the cup size has reduced and the band size stayed the same.

I was banded 3/8/2011. As of today I am down 95lbs.

I would tell! I tell anyone who can stand to listen. It helps keep me accountable and if they have anything negative to say I give them an education real quick!

I'm down 95 lbs in 7 months. I am so happy and feel so good I sometimes forget that I have another 100+ to lose before goal. On a bad day I look in the mirror and think "ugh- I've worked so hard and I'm still so fat!" or "I could have lost more if I just didn't or did do this or that." It is such a mental thing. I slow myself down and remember that this is lfestyle change to save my life and it will come off as slow as it needs to. I also know when I don't exercise as much or don't make great food choices it comes off slower. I am learning that I am in charge of my destiny (and my band!).

Maybe you need another fill? Sorry if I wan't helpful just sharing what has worked for me! Sounds like you are doing pretty good to me- 45 lbs down in the last few months, off a med. Congrats! You are off to a great start!

Try Unjury. They are my favorite and you can order samples of all their flavors.

I don't eat every three hours. In the morning I have a cup of coffee, and a Protein shake. lunch is usually a Soup, low fat chili, or a grilled chicken salad. Then dinner I have a protein (tilapia, scallops, shrimp, chicken sausage) and a veggie. Then I have an evening snack - cocoa roast almonds, power bar pria bar, or a sugar free ice pop. I know its tough to find time to work out but that has made all the difference to me. I work 60 hours per week and have a 2 year old so I hear you. I started working out late at night when everyone is sleeping. That has really worked for me. I am so not a morning person. You just need to find the time that works for you. One thing that really got me started was getting a trainer the first couple of months to get me on the right track. It is kind of pricey but so worth it if you can swing it. My advice would be to really track your calories. In the beginning I thought I was eating well but when I tracked calories I was way over!! Now I know if I want to treat myself to something I just adjust my workouts. I keep losing and I don't feel deprived. I wish you much success! You can do it!

Last night I made plans with a friend. I was so excited all day about it. I couldn't wait to get home and meet up with her and start our exciting Friday night. Do you know what we did? We went gym shopping!!! We checked out 5 different gyms. I was just wondering if anyone has any tips to share for choosing a gym. Things you wish you had considered before picking your gym or something you couldn't live without. Please share! Anyone belong to an LA Fitness? Seems to be the nicest one with out a long term contract. Big and open. Lots of classes to choose from. A pool, hot tub and a sauna. Thanks in advance!!

Definitely call your provider! I had the same issue and I filed a claim through my insurance company and they paid the charges.

I was finally able to throw away (donate) my "first round" of fat clothes. As part of my goal for the month to declutter my garage I went through all my clothes in there and in my room. Boy, I had way too much stuff! Anyway, I got rid of everything that was 3X, 26/28 or bigger. I also got rid of a few 22/24 things. I am kind of in the middle of the 22/24 - 18/20 sizes. I don't think I have been an 18/20 since I was a in college almost 20 years ago. It was an emotional journey. I vowed to get rid of everything, even favorites. Trying so hard not be sentimental for a favorite t-shirt or pair of pants. I will never go back there. I did come across a few things that I haven't fit in in years so that was the fun part. I also kept one or two t-shirts to work out in! At the end of the day it felt great. What have you all done with your fat clothes? I've been having a rough go of it latey. Making poor food choices, making excuses for not working out, drinking calories. Yesterday I started over. Back to no eating out, bringing lunch to work, getting back to the gym. I am going to the gym tonight, tomorrow and Saturday morning. I haven't had a fill since Aug. 4th. I go to the dr. next Thursday - I will definitely get one then. I so need it! I was even thinking last week that I should postpone my appointment by a week to be able to eat at a wedding we are going to over Columbus Day weekend! What was I thinking!! I will go to the Dr. next week as planned. I so need it. I am going on Saturday to buy some new underwear and bras. YAY! I have finally gotten to the point where they just don't even stay up anymore. Maybe even a couple of pairs of pants for work. Right now I am using an elastic hair tie to make the waist tighter. It is pretty pathetic. I just didn't want to buy anything because I am planning on passing this size right by.....woosh! Have a great weekend all!

Hmm...good questions. Let me think.... My favorite thing about my lapband is my weightloss. Although I can pretty much eat anything I want it limits my portion size. (I choose to avoid bread, pasta and limit my carbs.) I guess my least favorite thing about it is I can eat anything I want , meaning it is not a magic pill and I still work my ass off to lose the weight. Working out has been an enormous help. I still have my favorite foods in moderation and make sure I up my workouts that week to compensate. It works for me and I don't feel deprived. I've eaten pizza! Most of the time if I am around pizza, I will just eat the toppings and a small part of the crust. The worst pain after surgery for me was gas pain, and a super sore throat for the first couple of days. The gas pain lasted a while. Just keep moving it really does help. Also, everyone is different and your experience may be completely different! Good Luck to you! Congratulations on your new life!

Good Morning - I am Tracie from West Islip, NY (Long Island)! Enjoy your day!