JustDoIt130

OK girls, quick question- should we start a new topic maybe in the general area to do our monthly goals? Or just keep it here and check in? I'm good either way, but I really think we should keep setting goals....so let's figure out where we want to do it and then set some goals for August. I need some things to shoot for- a food goal, a behavior goal, and exercise goal, maybe a personal goal....what do all y'all think??? Nicki

WHOO HOO!! YOU GO, KYMIE!! Congratulations, that's how we January Bansters do it!!!! Chrissy- that's just how DH sees things, and I'm respecting his wishes- not really sure why, though he's explained, LOL.

Hi chicas! Meredith, that's cool about your neighbor. There's a woman in church who came up to me yesterday and asked what I was doing to lose weight- DH does not want ANYONE besides my family to know I had the surgery, so I just gave her the "eating right and exercising and myfitnesspal" speech- but I felt bad because she could really potentially benefit.... So what about that kickboxing class??? LOL Hey horsegirl, that is cool about that walking dvd, good for you! How was WID? Chrissy- I was a total grazer yesterday!! Couldn't feel full....I get a fill tomorrow, hopefully that will help. ValAnn- good to see you! I loved your "testimonial"- I feel the same way. So so glad I did this for myself. Now I know I"ll be successful, even with glitches on the journey... As for me- some major stuck on a hamburger on Friday night- totally threw up, first time, it was horrible. That's the second time well-cooked hamburger did that to me, so guess what I'm not eating anymore, LOL. I do believe I'll be down a couple lbs on Wednesday, which is my wid, so plateau is over- it probably wasn't even a plateau, just a lot of water retention due to the really salty calamari I cooked last week. No matter why, it's nice to see the scale go down... Got up this morning and did a 50 minute Firm video from Netflix- just cardio and weights, no fanny lifter- but a sweaty workout, for sure! Going through some really major stress, and I'm feeling tight, but still want that fill tomorrow- I really feel like I'm not quite in the green zone- I don't want to be too tight, for sure but I do want to be tight enough . Nicki

Up half a pound to 217. Oh well. Life happens!

I use unjury. Love chocolate splendor. Also vanilla mixes with skim mill and 1 Tbsp pistachio pudding mix. Or a scoop of vanilla, 1 c trop 50 oj and some frozen strawberries and ice. Super good!!

I have lost 67 lbs in 6 months (my 6 month bandiversary was yesterday). I love my band!!!!

I have a little something sweet almost every night- a pudding, some kettle corn, etc- logged and accounted for in my calories. And on Sunday I allow myself a bowl of ice cream. I have lost almost 70 lbs in 6 months, so this is definitely a great tool if you're dedicated. I track all my calories and I exercise an hour for at least 5 days a week, and usually six. So it's not all eating sweets, I have definitely modified my behavior and eat much less than I used to!! And I don't crave the sweets like I used to and I really watch what I eat. I am so much happier that I was almost 70 lbs heavier. Good luck!! Nicki

Meredith- that is funny!!! LOL I think you should do that kickboxing class! Why wait until you get to goal- this will help you get there and DEFINITELY increase your endurance!!! Erica- Whoo hoo, 4 lbs down, that is super great! It's nice to progress. I saw a better number on the scale this morning, we'll see if it stays. I am supposed to get blood work done for the 6 months check- I'm putting it off because I HATE to have blood taken. DH is driving me on Monday just in case I pass out, LOL. It will be interesting to see what my cholesterol, etc is. Still stressed out over various things, but I guess that's life, LOL. Everyone have a great day! Nicki

Fpr protein- I eat canned chicken or tuna, I really like store bought rotisserie chicken (it's moist). I eat a lot of scrambled eggs with morningstar farms original sausage patties crumbled up in them. I also eat a lot of black beans and refried beans. Keep track of your food in myfitnesspal, it keeps track of the protein grams you're eating and you can make sure you're getting enough. I strive for at least 80 g a day. I also have a protein shake every morning (I use unjury) and I add 2 tsp powdered fiber from WalMart. Hope this helps!! Of course I eat other things, this was the protein part . Nicki

Oh my gosh, where'd you get that picture of me doing zumba??? I'm the one on the left.....LOLOLOL That was very funny and so so true for me- in my head, I'm awesome Nicki

Hi everyone- Chrissy- 75 lbs gone!! Yay!! In 6 months!! That's HUGE!!! Congratulations!! Nicole- glad the plateau has ceased- it gives me hope, LOL. That is a really good goal/coping strategy to go for a walk when things get crazy with the fam- good luck, have what fun YOU want to have- remember, we're in this for the long haul and there will always be stress!!!!! Erica- thanks for the encouraging words regarding plateaus, I really need them. I am not binging, I am doing everything right, and it's going to break!! That is a LOT of working out, I look forward to seeing what your WID brings- whatever it is, you're doing awesome!! Kymie- glad you're off your plateau too! I can't wait for my fill on Tuesday, I feel it might kick start me again. I agree- I've had fills every time since I started, as I havea 14 cc band and am feeling a smidge of restriction, but just not quite there yet!!! Hopefully I'll get to the ultimate green zone soon- I think I'm right on the edge of the yellow/green. Got up at 5 am and did my Firm video- Meredith- they REALLY work the legs- thighs and hips area!!! Plus good cardio and overall toning. It kicks my butt, for sure, but I can see I'm getting better!! Food in line, logging everything!!! Have a good day everyone!! Nicki

I know what you mean, that was a big factor to me- getting older but have little kids that need me for the long haul. It's good motivation, keep up the good work!!!! Nicki

I'm struggling with this too- doing everything right and showed a gain- but IT"S OKAY!!! WE'LL SUCCEED!!! It's a marathon, not a sprint!!!! It is super frustrating, though. We'll power through it and it will NOT derail us like it did on so many other diets- at least, it would derail me! But this is a lifestyle, forever change, so I might as well be in it for the long haul and be successful!!! Good luck, hang in there, it will happen! Nicki

Horsegirl- don't beat yourself up- goals are for stretching to reach, sometimes we don't reach them. I didn't meet my Savannah goal (well, for tomorrow, but I'm not going to meet it), but that's okay. We're still successful and can make new goals!!! Kymie, I like your new avatar! Very cheerful. And yay for you for losing again! It's a good feeling to head down the scale. I can't wait for my fill on Tuesday!!!! Nicki

Hey Nicole- I ignore all my calories stuff on myfitnesspal, LOL. I stay between 1000-1200 on a good day. Meredith- Yay, that sounds nice and refreshing!!! And a good visual too, LOL. So I'm officially on a plateau, dang it. I am up 1/2 lb this morning to 217. That's okay (that's okay that's okay that's okay...). I am doing it right, I'm still going to be losing, this is just a blip and not indicative of my overall progress. Everyone has plateaus, I will get through it....can you tell I'm trying to convince myself!!!! Sigh, it still sux. NIcki

I'm not sane, that helps, LOL. No, seriously, do try to increase the Protein. Also do things to distract yourself- go for a walk, paint your nails so you can't snack. Also, maybe don't go by cups? Go by weight- weigh out 3 oz protein and some veg. Limit carbs, but my grocery store has a low carb Pasta I do sometimes add. Are you counting calories? I try to stay between 1000-1200 calories with an occasional day in the 1500-1700 range just to keep my body wondering what I'm doing. Good luck, this will pass!!! Nicki

Dino- the green zone is when your band is filled enough so that about 3 oz of solid Protein and some veggies will keep you satiated for 3-4 hour. You don't overeat and you don't eat "slider" foods- things that slip thru the band, like ice cream and chips. Usually the green zone is achieved after several fills. Good luck, and we are here to help!!!!!

Nicole- The Firm videos are led by various "master instructors." The one that I remember right off the bat is Allie del Rio. I will look at the titles tonight and try to post them tomorrow. Congrats on the size 14! I have a bunch of Eddie Bauer stuff I can't wait to fit into again- then get too small for and have to buy more Eddie Bauer stuff, LOL. Kymie- that's how I'm feeling too, let's get this bad boy tightened up and me back losing weight, LOL. I was up a lb this morning, back to 217.5. Oh well, it will come off. Sunday was high salt and my ice cream. Yesterday was eating out at Moes- half a kid burrito and a bunch of nachos. Not the best choices but usually it would have been ALL of it!!! So it's logged and accounted for. Tonight is zumba, so always a great workout. It's not that I'm not motivated still, I am. I think my band has loosened up a little, not feeling the "stuck" feeling I was having. I know I don't want to have that feeling all the time, but want it occasionally to remind me not to eat too fast, too much, etc. I have a fill next Tuesday. I hate that I don't know how much is in my band, hopefully the NP will tell me, the surgeon didn't the last 2 times I had fills!!! Nicki

It was explained to me that 1 of two things happen- first, it can wash out the food in your pouch faster, making you feel hungry sooner. Also, sometimes it can cause food to swell in the pouch, making you uncomfortable. It is also said that you should not drink 1/2 hour before- I asked my nutritionist and she said that is just so you don't feel full on liquids and can eat the solid Protein we're supposed to, but she said that wasn't really necessary as long as it doesn't affect me. It has been really hard for me too. I just don't have a drink around me. At restaurants I have Water that I place out of reach!!

I too use Unjury- I use 1 scoop chocolate splendor, 1 c ff milk and a couple ice cubes- cold chocolate milk. I also use 1 scoop of the vanilla, 1 c ff milk, and 1 Tbsp sugar free pistachio pudding mix and a couple ice cubes. Yummy pistachio flavor. And my favorite, 1 scoop vanilla, 1 c trop 50 oj, 6 strawberries and a few ice cubes- that's my staple fave!

Or try an exercise mat, I know what you mean-it's made a big difference for me.

And mine is 6 months on Thursday. Almost 70 lbs in 6 months!! I have been thinking a LOT about my ice cream gorge- I'll tell you what, just knowing I could have some on Sunday made me NOT have some other things that might derail me the rest of the week, so I think I'll see where it takes me. I am still losing weight, so we'll see- unless this plateau (and I don't even know if it's a true plateau, WID is Wednesday) lasts a couple weeks, then we'll shake it up. Chrissy- if you have netflix (I don't have on demand)- I just looked and they have the Firm dvd's- they also have one of my favorite instructors, Karen Voight- I LOVE her stuff, just added some dvd's of hers to my queue! I have an idea, everyone, tell me what you think- for our goals, let's have a weight goal, a fitness goal, a food/eating goal and a habit goal- all or any of them that we want to do. Of course we want to lose weight, but as someone (sorry, can't remember right now!!!) said we have to make permanent behavioral changes! So our Savannah goal was for July 26- now who has the next date? Then let's commit to the goals we want to- weight, fitness, food and behavioral- whatever we think we need for that particular time. What do all y'all think? So what should our next goal date be? Anyone with a birthday or special event closer than Erica s October goal? I know I'll need something in the interim!!! Nicki

Hey everyone!! Still stuck over here, I think. I did not weigh this morning as I had a TON of salt yesterday and know I'm going to be retaining H2O, so didn't want to depress myself, LOL. Got up this morning and did 45 minutes of The Firm- whew!! That is hard core, for sure! So that's done . Meredith- that is such an awesome NSV!! Especially from a 16 year old- they're harsh critics, LOL. Good for you!!! Chrissy- that is awesome for you, size 16!!! That is awesome. Erica- I think that is an awesome goal. 38 lbs in 3 months is a stretch goal but doable! Good for you, and it will definitely be great motivation. I still had my giant bowl of ice cream last night. We'll see what the scale says. I know I'm DIR (doing it right) for the most part, so I just have to still keep on doing things right and working out and eating well. I know it will come off, that is what I love so much about my band, it's the motivation I have to keep on going. Before with a plateau it was like, "Great, this isn't working, I might as well throw in the towel and screw it anyways." Now it's like, well, I know it will work eventually if I just keep on going! Everyone have a great day!! Nicki

Hi all! Ladybandito- glad that irritation went away!! Sounds like you have a good plan, and do remember that with less to lose it will be a little slower- something I keep in mind for myself as I lose, that it will slow down. I'm just now approaching where you were when you started, LOL. Erica- on the constipation- I have been putting 2 tsp of Wal-Mart brand fiber powder (it's a taller cylinder, white and green)in my AM protein shake and it seems to help a little- at least way better than before adding that! And tons of water, which is good anyways. Awesome about being 4 lbs away from halfway- I am about 9.5 lbs away from halfway. Exciting, isn't it???? And we're only about 6 months out!!! Chrissy- it's awful here in NC too, hot, humid, thundery and icky!! Do keep logging your food, it will keep you honest . Kymie- I'm glad people are at least supportive to your face, who cares what they think, LOL!! Nicole- it's nice to have a week free to try something out. I wondered about that at curves, if the workout would be intense enough. Sounds like if you're feeling it the next day, it is! Do you have a YMCA near you? I know at ours, if you volunteer a certain number of hours- and it's pretty low- your membership is free. They have lots of classes and TONS of equipment, it's a really nice atmosphere too. I did end up doing a 30 minute The Firm dvd. They kick my butt!! I'm so sweaty at the end of it! I have been kind of stuck- I was at 216.5 on Wednesday morning, now yesterday and this morning back up to 217- not sure why, I haven't eaten badly or over calories and I'm exercising. Oh well, I'm dir (doing it right) so it will happen. Have a great day!! Nicki

Hi there! Thanks Kymie- mine says a little over 23%!! Yay!! That's fun to see. Erica- sounds like a lot of fun, 2 weeks off I haven't told anyone at work, but I too would feel a little betrayed- but you're probably going to just have to let it go. There's no way to figure out who blabbed, really, and it would make it a bigger deal. So just keep on being successful and you'll have the last laugh, LOL. Meredith!! WTG on the Columbia shorts victory! That is awesome. I've started doing my The Firm dvd's- they do a LOT with the lower body/legs/thighs which I really need. I got me some hips, girl!! Anyways, it's really helping to sculpt that area for me. Chrissy- how you doing?? Did you decide to do a couple days of liquids? That might be something I will consider in a couple days too, just to curb things a little. Want to keep moving downward!!! Well, it's a pretty good day so far, food planned and logged into myfitnesspal. Not sure what exercise will be- yesterday I did 45 minutes of The Firm yesterday, maybe another one today- I have a bunch so I can mix it up. Maybe a pilates dvd....hmmm, I'll let all y'all know!! Nicki