roziecakes

I also thought I'd mention that a big goal of mine is to become a yoga teacher specifically for larger people, or people with mobility issues / "handicaps", etc. I think that there are a lot of people who think they can't do yoga because they are in a wheelchair, or because they are "too big." I started at over 400 pounds, with modified poses, and it's changed my life. I think that's why I haven't had to get back surgery. I'm at 309 now and can do most of the yoga poses that 'regular sized' people do, but I still have some challenges. Anyhoo, I have a great book recommendation for folks who are interested: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0757002153/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000IY06NE&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1QHM7J407YPW9ZNRFYT3

WOOHOO! I'm an execise FIEND. I love it! Honestly, that's part of why I got the band. I was an avid exerciser before I got it, and I am even more of one now. I have mentioned on other threads, that I was stuck in a cycle of: My back hurts! (I have a slipped disc) so I can't exercise, well, I need to exercise to lose weight so my back hurts less, and my back hurts less if I exercise more, but I can't exercise more because my back hurts (AAAGGHH!) So the band helps me intake less and kickstarted my weight loss so that I've been able to start exercising more... VOILA, my back has hurt so much less, and I've been exercising like crazy! I just love it. I love nothing more than to go out on the trail and run or walk for miles. Wow, this got stuck in italic, and I can't get it off... anyhoo... I love the endorphin high that I get from exercise. I am SO thrilled to know that there are other exercise lovers on here. It makes my heart glad. So far I'm running/walking, doing yoga, aerobics for cardio, and I really want to take a zumba class. I enjoy hiking very much as well. I haven't found one yet in my area that's at a good time for my work schedule though. I'm going to be taking a cardio Belly Dance class starting next month Does anyone know of a good zumba video that I can buy so I can do it at home?

You're sort of on the right track. The difference is this: because you will only be able to get a small amount of food in, what you want to do is to get the most nutrient rich choices. So even though you can only fit 1/2 cup of potato chips in, a 1/2 cup of good protein and veggies is a much better choice for you nutritionally; it's more nutrient dense, calorie efficient, and will stick with you longer and provide more health for your body.

Thank you for sharing your experience, I think it gives us all perspective. Good luck on those last 30 pounds! You can do it!!!

I was told, although I haven't gotten a fill yet, that when you get one you need to treat it almost as though you just got surgery and take it really really slow, since there will be swelling for a couple of days. Those who have gotten fills can correct me if I'm wrong, but I would give it a day or so and then see how you're feeling.

I was given coffee 10 minutes after surgery... and I've been having one cup every day since. However, I also have no history whatsoever of GERD or any kind of reflux, so that may be why my doctor thought it was okay. If it were me, I would definitely check with a doctor who knows your physical history and needs the best. Some people can't have coffee at all, some can have it right away, and some can have it within a week or two.

So, one month post-op, still on mushies. I am looking for some more variety in my diet; and I really want to eat some oatmeal. However, I am concerned because a) I am worried it will stick, and b ) I am unsure about how to flavor it and don't want to make it calorie heavy. I was thinking of just adding a scoop of my vanilla flavored Protein powder and some stevia or agave nectar to it. What do you folks think? I miss oatmeal... Thanks!

Heck YEAH! I'm with you!!

Ah, bummer. Hope it went well though! So the oatmeal experiment went off without a hitch! It was great! I'm so thrilled to have my favorite Breakfast back in my life Thanks again everyone!

Wow! That is so cool!! Thanks!

I agree! Some of the best articles I've read so far

I'd still tell him no. His lack of knowledge about the band would cause me to question the amount of knowledge he has about physical fitness and health in general...

I had to lose 20 pounds before surgery to shrink my liver and to get my BP down. I took about a month, and lost 25 before surgery. I started out about your size a couple of years ago. When I went in for the surgery consult I was at 378; weighed 352 the day of surgery.

I'm going to use this method. Steelcut Oatmeal is what I like, I don't like instant Oatmeal. This sounds like a great way to do it! THANK YOU!

Thanks everyone for responding!! I really appreciate it. I'm going to try it tomorrow morning. And I quoted this reply, because putting SF Caramel syrup in it sounds heavenly good right now... wow!

I really love to exercise, and part of it is that I do things that I think are fun so it doesn't seem like a chore. Do you like to dance? Work in the yard? Hike? Swim? Those things are fun, and they are exercise too! Cuz to be honest, although I love to exercise, I DO NOT like to do it at the gym. I get really bored sitting with a bunch of other sweaty people on machines and weights. So, to get my weightlifting in, I do it with a set of weights at home while I'm watching a movie, or I run up and down the steps in front of my house with the weights, I lift weights and do stretches in the park or somewhere else outside. Also, I watch a bunch of different exercise videos so I can vary what I'm doing and not get tired of it. I run every morning, and if I get tired of the route, I change it up for some new scenery. Another thing I've noticed that really helps is to exercise with a friend! My neighbor went down the trail with me this morning, and it was WAY fun! Made it so much more interesting. Hope this helped! Good luck, and congrats on your success so far

I DOES seem like much! That's fantastic! Hope it just keeps getting better from here Congratulations!

I'm in my 20s (well, for another 7 months, then I turn 30) as well, and I even have to say that it really does seem like a maturity issue. Of course not everyone in their 20s is at that stage, I'd like to include myself and wheelchair in that statement; but your post really does seem like that's the issue. I'm not trying to be cruel, since I'm a nice person, and I'd love to help you out if I can; but the way you presented yourself was standoffish, vague, rude, and well, not very intelligent. You've been banded so recently, granted a little longer than I have, but not very long; and in my opinion not long enough to just ditch the concept of it. Anyhoo... you don't seem to be open to help either, so I don't know how much more I'll participate in this thread. Sorry you're having a hard time, but my goodness; life is tough sometimes. Like I said, the good things in life require effort, and that includes health!

Well, that's great! I hope you've lost a lot and are doing well. Just remember though, that just because that was your experience doesn't mean it is everyone else's experience, and that doesn't mean that the band itself is a gimmick. That just means you personally were able to accomplish the same thing with or without it.

Beautiful quote!!! I love it!

I think we're all different; I think that part of my success is that I've been working on losing for a really long time and had kind of gotten the process started already; plus I exercise like crazy because I love it. I have been told that a lot of it could be Water weight. I have A LOT to lose still, and had a lot to lose when I first started. I've been told that sometimes being in that situation makes it come off a little faster as well. I was a little scared at first, but now I notice it slowing down some to what I consider to be a more healthy weight loss. It was like 2-3 pounds a day at first, and now I'm at 3-5 pounds a week, which is better for me. I lost 3 pounds last week for example... But like I said, we're all different, and that's okay, I noticed that you've lost about 100 pounds, and that's amazing!! I'm inspired by that.

Congratulations!!!! That's wonderful news Good job!