TracieR

I get that way if I am dehydrated....I'm terrible about drinking enough water.

YAY! You look great! So exciting! I can't wait to have one and get rid of this hanging monster I have!!!

Love that saying!! Great job! My family gatherings are always focused on food also and my biggest worry was feeling deprived. I've learned that it feels way better making good choices and getting the weight off. I don't feel deprived at all!

Mine is pretty high, kind of between my breasts. Never effected me wearing a bra. For the gas - The walking and gas x never worked for me. I used pain killers and a heating pad. That was the only things that helped some. Good Luck!!

Congrats! That is so exciting! I can't wait to get to onederland...that is my next goal. Only 50lbs to go!!

I am able to take all my pills, as long as it is not in the morning because I am pretty tight. My doctor said no ibuprofen so I take Tylenol Cold when I need to. I believe they make it in a liquid also. For allergies my PCP gave me a nasal spray to use when they bother me. Hope that helps! Feel better!

Good for you! I am back on track to after the holidays and vacation! It felt so good this morning to be in the gym. Have a great week!

I so need to do this! I'm back on track as of today and hope to Name, real or screen~ TracieR Goal weight for February 29th~ 241 Weight on February 1st~ 253 Age~ 36 Dietary goal for February~ more Protein and no sugar! Exercise goal for February~ 4 days per week at the gym Personal goal for February~ go to bed earlier Date banded~ 03/08/2011 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 120 Do you have any Valentines day plans (How do you plan to handle Valentines dinner)~ we decided to buy a new tv for Valentine's day instead of doing food and candy!

I am a broken record. I do well. I screw up. I start over. Is that ok? Is this life? I know I have lost a lot of weight over the last 10 months but I also know it could be more. I used vacation as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted, granted very small portions but still. I didn't get enough protein and other than walking a million miles a day in Disney did not work out at all. As a matter of fact I have not been to the gym since before Christmas. Why? I was so addicted before. I promised myself the week off after Christmas as a gift of sorts for all my hard work. That was stupid. I still want to lose another 80lbs. I have been stuck at 120lbs gone for a while. I didn't deserve a break. I need to keep going. I went to the gym this morning. I felt so good afterward. I wish I could bottle that feeling up and use it as a reminder when my alarm clock goes off at 5am. It really does a world of good physically and mentally. I don't feel guilty during the day that I haven't worked out. I tend to eat better that day. I do my hair and my makeup and put energy into the clothes I pick out instead of throwing on the comfy yoga pants I love. I'm so frustrated. I know what to do but I seem to sabotage myself all the time. Today is a new day. Starting over again.... There is no finish line!!

I just started it. I got the zumba for the xbox kinect for christmas! i don't have much rythym but I'm moving and sweating. SO much fun!!

The hair loss is usually the effects of not enough protein or just your body adjusting to the quick weight loss. Mine was thinning for a while. I believe it breaks not falls out. I take biotin 5000 and keep my protein up. It seems to be helping. Good Luck!!!

The new year is here. I would assume the gym is busier than ever. I wouldn't know because I have been since last year! I will be there tomorrow though. I am such a lazy bones since the holidays. We are going on vacation next Sunday and in my head I'm like "I 'll get back on track after we get back". Why wait? I will go work out tomorrow and Wednesday and Friday! On another note I am so excited for vacation. We are going to Florida. Visiting the in-laws for a few days and Disney with some friends for a few days. I am so excited for Disney. I am so excited that I am 110+ lbs less. I will be able to keep up with everyone. I'll be able to ride the rides with my son. My feet will hurt less. I already scoped out where the gym is in the resort. My goal is to at least make it there twice during the week. I stocked up on my favorite quest protein bars. I figure I can have a shake for breakfast, snack on my bars in the park and then a good dinner. Save money and eat healthy. I also have to come clean about something. I am the worst water drinker in the world. I really have not been getting my 64 oz a day. I do drink crystal light and decaf coffee. Well, lately I've been getting these really bad pains in my back. I think it is my kidneys. When I get them I stop what I'm doing and try to get down a big glass of water. It seems to help the pain subside. I mentioned it to my doctor. She gave me a script for blood work to check kidney function. I think I was scared straight. I also read up on the benefits of drinking water. It could also account for the dry skin problem I have and a while host of other things that are wrong! So I am on the water drining bandwagon and am aiming for 100 oz per day. This is what I found online.... Top 11 Health Benefits of Drinking Water You will be amazed of the benefits of drinking water as follow: Lose weight: Drinking water helps you lose weight because it flushes down the by-products of fat breakdown. Drinking water reduces hunger, it’s an effective appetite suppressant so you’ll eat less. Plus, water has zero calories. Natural Remedy for Headache: Helps to relieve headache and back pains due to dehydration. Although many reasons contribute to headache, dehydration is the common one. Look Younger with Healthier Skin: You’ll look younger when your skin is properly hydrated. Water helps to replenish skin tissues, moisturizes skin and increases skin elasticity. Better Productivity at Work: Your brain is mostly made up of water, thus drinking water helps you think better, be more alert and more concentrated. Better Exercise: Drinking water regulates your body temperature. That means you’ll feel more energetic when doing exercises. Water also helps to fuel your muscle. Helps in Digestion and Constipation: Drinking water raises your metabolism because it helps in digestion. Fiber and water goes hand in hand so that you can have your daily bowel movement. Less Cramps and Sprains: Proper hydration helps keep your joints and muscles lubricated, so you’ll less likely get cramps and sprains. Less Likely to Get Sick and Feel Healthy: Drinking plenty of water helps fight against flu and other ailments like kidney stones and heart attack. Water adds with lemon is used for ailments like respiratory disease, intestinal problems, rheumatism and arthritis etc. In another words one of the benefits of drinking water is that it can improve your immune system. Relieves Fatigue: Water is used by the body to help flush out toxins and waste products from the body. If your body lacks water, your heart, for instance, needs to work harder to pump out the oxygenated blood to all cells, so are the rest of the vital organs, your organs will be exhausted and so will you. Good Mood: Your body feels very good and that’s why you feel happy. Reduce the Risk of Cancer: Related to the digestive system, some studies show that drinking a healthy amount of water may reduce the risks of bladder cancer and colon cancer. Water dilutes the concentration of cancer-causing agents in the urine and shortens the time in which they are in contact with bladder lining. Can you see the importance of water to your body after understanding the above benefits of drinking water? I will report back how the water drinking is going....Good Luck to all for a lighter month!

yay! have fun! I hope your date goes great and most importantly that you enjoy yourself!

It brought tears to my eyes reading your post! It reminds me of so many times people are thoughtless. I wish you much happiness and success for the future!

Congratulations and best wishes for a happy and healthy mommy and baby!!!

My doctor says not to drink with meals at all right from the beginning. Once I recieved restriction it has become a non-issue because I physically can not drink while I eat. Everyone's doctor is different but from what I have read you should not drink while you eat at all.

Congratulations! Good Luck with you first half marathon! That is so great!

I weigh myself everyday. I record it once a week. It keeps me on track. I figure not weighing myself for so long is why i got like this to begin with! You are still healing. Keep following the rules your doctor gave you and get your body moving and the weight will start to come off. Just keep at it....Good Luck to you!

We started at almost the same place. I had surgery on March 8th and was 371lbs! Whenever I fall off track I go back to basics. Liquids for a couple of days and then mushies finally solids. The aftercare is super important as well. I see my doctor monthly but seem to be averaging a fill every other visit! The thing for me that keeps the weight coming off is exercising. As long as I keep that up even if I have bad week of eating the weight still comes off, albeit slower than if I make good choices but still....can't be perfect. I think starting over is a great choice! You should google 5 day pouch test and follow that - it is kind of a reset! I wish you all the best! You can do it!

Go for it! I have no restrictions and can actually do these things now that I lost weight! Good Luck!

I hear what you are saying but I started this journey in March at 372lbs. I couldn't even get down or up off of the floor to play with my son. If you told me 10 months later I would be addicted to exercise I would have laughed at you....but now I am at the gym at least 4 mornings a week. I don't always love getting up but I am addicted to how I feel after. I guess my point is you just never know.....and I am so not crafty!!! Good Luck!!

Hi Erica! Having the lap band was the best thing I have ever done for myself. Good luck to you!

Is it that time of the month? I get super tight right before. Also, I can't eat grilled chicken. Gets stuck everytime. Once I get stuck I have to do mushies for a day or so because I swell from the stuck episode. Hope that helps!