JustDoIt130

Today for lunch I had a chicken soft taco and a fried shrimp soft taco. Banded 1/26/12, down 61 lbs from 284 now 223. Moderation in all things.

Chrissy, does your doc have you do liquids a day before a fill? Mine doesn't, though I do have a protein shake for breakfast- which is my usual breakfast....

I kind of feel that way during a stuck episode (which, luckily, are few and far between)- but I know I can breath, it's just a tight, painful feeling until it passes. But regularly I can't feel my band at all.

Hi everyone! Erica, that explains the strange hours, LOL!! Glad the dinner worked out well, I totally know what you mean by a dress with less fabric than you're used to!! Good for you!!!! Chrissy- I haven't had a chance to listen yet, I'll do it when I get home- I agree with singing the Lord's praises!! I don't do solos, though, I'm definitely a choir voice . Hope you're feeling better after your stuck! Meredith- About the fill thing- I do think it is super individual about the amount of fill- so just listen to your body and do what feels right for you. Savannah- I agree with this being a great group. I hope we do "stay together" as a group for a long time- I post on another site and that group has been together for over 7 years- and I have never met any of them irl. But if I win the powerball we'll have a big ol' get-together!! That is awesome about your 6 lbs, good for you getting to the green zone! I feel for you about the stuck episode- I haven't had one that bad but glad you're okay!! Well, I have another fill this coming Tuesday- I can't wait. I still don't feel full for that long, and can eat what I want (though I usually don't). I would love to feel a little more in the green zone, though I think I'm close! I also am missing my elliptical- I did one of my Firm videos and can't really tell how many calories- there's nothing online- I guess I need a fitbit!!!! Maybe for my b-day. So as of tomorrow we have 1 week to meet our July 4 birthday goal! I know I met mine, Chrissy met hers- who else??? Kymie I think did?? Anyways, post your goal/if you are close to meeting it. What is our next goal??? I like these, it keeps me on track!! Nicki

Hi Mark- I too had to do the 6 month thing- and I do believe they took my starting weight and my 2 year weight history (not pretty, LOL). My insurance turned out to be pretty easy- but I was very on top of it. For the 6 month thing, make your appointments around the same day each month and DO NOT SKIP a month or they'll start you over!!! And see the same person each time. I had a high bmi- just over 50- and only lost a few lbs during my 6 months- not really trying, not really not trying, if you know what I mean. I was banded on 1/26/12 and have lost 61 lbs so far. I follow the "rules," for the most part (really have to eat slower though, that's a struggle), and I am a dedicated exerciser now. It is the best thing I've ever done, I feel that I will be successful this time, not only losing but in actually keeping it off!!!

I do think that even a tiny fill/unfill can make a BIG difference. SO- work with what you have. Sometimes you just have to use willpower and mind over matter. DO the 5 day pouch test, that is always a good "reset." Do you log your food? If not, you really should- see what you are actually eating vs what you think you are eating. Also exercise. It is much better to be a smidge too loose than a smidge too tight- if you're too lose or just not quiiiite in the sweet spot, work with it so that when you lose a little more weight you might be able to get another fill to get you to the sweet spot. Hope that helps/makes sense!! Good luck!!!

I'm posting this here because I think I might get more response than on the fitness board... My beloved elliptical is broken, I think it might take major deconstruction to fix. So in the meantime I have to do another workout at home. I do zumba at the Y at least 2 times a week, but can't always take the time to drive there. So, I was burning about 500 calories doing the elliptical- 40 minutes. I have a bunch of the Firm exercise videos, but am not finding a good calorie count? I guess I can just do aerobics in myfitnesspal, but sometimes they use weights, etc.... Anyone know calorie counts for this type of thing? I need to get a fitbit or something I guess.... Either way, I'm going to continue my excellent exercise streak! I love my elliptical, and it's easy and out of the way of the kids, which I won't have doing the Firm in my family room, but oh well!!

Yah, I tried that, but there's no info really at all. I guess I just need to buy a fitbit and see for myself!!

Hi Chrissy- I don't know for sure how losing weight affects the voice, but it probably does help with at least lung capacity! I hope the solo went well. Let us know about your port. I have wondered what might make it flip.... NJ2NC- then vent, vent, vent!! LOL. If only that was all it took, right? See, all your hard work is paying off!! Good for you for logging your food- it will become second nature. Kymie- what did you get at VS????? I broke out my Firm videos over the weekend- I haven't done them since I broke (shattered) my ankle almost 7 years ago. But with my elliptical out of commission I have to have options at home. I found these Firm weights I had bought and never used, too, so I even have "new" videos to do!! LOL. I did one workout on Saturday, and will do another one tonight. I was going to work out this morning, but my DH fell in the bathroom (from dizziness!) and scared the heck out of me and it was hard to get back to sleep, then the stupid smoke detector started chirping at 5 am- I told DH there was no way I was getting up to workout, it would be done in the evening! I was just trying to get to be more of a morning exerciser (which I used to be) so I had more time with the kids in the evening, but we'll see! I did have another big bowl of ice cream last night- I just love it so (LOL)- and went way over calories, but logged it- I figure I am working out HARD and eating overall really well, so it won't kill me!!! Hope everyone is doing well!! Nicki

My elliptical- my wonderful, wonderful elliptical, is broken. One of the pedal wheels is broken. I ordered the part ($100!!!!!) and got it and went to change it and it looks like I'm going to have to take half the elliptical apart to fix it. My dh, though wonderful, is not at all handy nor helpful. I have been on SUCH a good kick! I'm up to 40 minutes- 10 min at level 1 and 30 minutes at level 2. SOOOOO- Of course I have other things to do- my Wii is broken and we're not replacing it until after the new one comes out around the holidays so I can't do my Wii Zumba. i do go to the Y for zumba 2-3 days a week, so that's covered. I have been walking in my neighborhood. I have TONS of The Firm videos, karen voight videos, etc- so there are lots of other options available to me. So, just reassure me that even without my elliptical for who knows how long I will still lose weight! I've been doing so well- I guess I should get one of those fitbits to see how many calories I burn with the other exercise. Just need my peeps to encourage me!!! LOL Reassure me that all those other things I can do are as effective (or is it affective? no, I think effective- this is the one that always eludes me). Thanks for listening. No one but DH and my mom know I"m banded irl, so I NEED all of you

They have tons of stuff at the Y but I don't always have the time- I want stuff I can do at the house......that's why my very own elliptical was so wonderful...

LOL, Kymie, that is awesome!!! Tell us what you bought!! Meredith- that is great about Outback- I know I am saving a TON of $$ not eating out- although I've gotten some fast food salads here lately- it's pricy! I need to go to the store and get my rotisserie chickens to shred. I love that with either black or refried beans. Nicki

Remember, it's only failure if you stop trying!! Go for it- you are beating yourself up way more than the doctor will. You've done it before, you'll do it again with amazing results!!!

Oh also, Difa- how's your vitamin D? If you're low in that it can affect your mood.

Difa- Truly it is worth it. For me, although I avoided most of the blues, I did have to get over being bummed that I didn't wake up from the surgery 50 lbs thinner. It's kind of a let down- the preparing, both with appointments and mentally- and then- voila- it's over! Now what? But now- it's the retraining yourself, your "head hunger" your eating habits. Just focus on the positive- but allow yourself to feel what you feel- maybe a journal to write out your feelings and explore....I do think these blusy feelings are normal. Carolina girl- We got fat because we focus too much on food! Go out socially- just focus on the company, find something you can eat that is easy but don't make that the focus. Try to remember why you did this in the first place- you'll be healthy and fit, and HOT too, LOL. TXgirl- it is temporary- it becomes easier to not make social events all about what food you're going to eat, etc. I used to wake up and think about what I'd have for lunch, dinner, treats, etc- now I think about what I put into my mouth, what exercise I'm going to do, the good book I'm reading, playing with my kids, wearing a "real" swimsuit for the first time in I can't tell you how long....I eat because it's fuel, and I eat things that taste good to me that are low in calories, high protein- but it's not my focus. It's normal to feel the blues- this is a BIG change, and it affects a lot of things in life.

Weighing in today at 223, down 2.5 lbs and goal achieved!!

That's not slow!!!!! less than 2 months you've lost 33 lbs????? That's over 15 lbs a MONTH!! That is awesome!!!! Remember, this is not at all a "quick" weight loss thing, this is steady, and you'll be able to keep it off. The average is still 1-2 lbs a week, and you've definitely exceeded that, so keep up the good work!!!

So sorry for that! Glad it was quickly resolved. I have a 14 cc (large) band too. Yes, it's normal to not feel tight enough- that i called bandster hell- the time between surgery and however many fills you need to be tight enough to feel restriction. You will be on a willpower, white knuckle diet for awhile- and there's not a specific number of fills that gets you to the green zone. So hang in there, glad you're not vomiting! and just remember how it works- first phase is surgery, second is getting adjusted (fills), third is losing weight and then 4th is maintenance!

LOL, that is so funny! I remember that- but now, being on the other side- it is sooooo worth it. So hang in there, don't hurt anyone (I'm talking to you, LLCoolNoe) and keep the end in sight!!!! Good luck!!

Good luck, and as far as the surgery date, if you can really stress what date you need it, hopefully they will work with you!

Hahaha I went to book my pedicure, and because of the overwhelming Groupon response my appointment isn't til July 9!!! Oh well, something to look forward to!

Hi everyone! I'm trying to figure out how to fix my elliptical wheel, I ordered the part and it came and now I think I"m going to have to do some major deconstruction! Bummer, why is nothing easy!!! So tonight is zumba again, since I can't do the elliptical. Nicole- those look like good bras! I just had to buy new ones from the store who shall not be named, same cup size but down 4 inches in my band! I too can't wait to not have to shop there, but still there for now. Congrats on the 16's- even about 7 years ago when I'd lost about 40 lbs I was in a size 18. You'll be in your 14's before you know it!! Isn't it funny- I'm about 15 lbs heavier than you (I'm at 223 now)- but still in a size 20 or 22 (which is waaay better than the size 26 I started in!!) and you're in a 16! It was Meredith that posted the swimsuit website a few pages back... Glad you're feeling the fill (LOL). Chrissy- yay for having to revise your goal DOWNWARD!!!! yay!!! Nj2NC- how's the logging going!!! It will soon be a habit, just like you do for your exercise. Congrats on all the compliments on the dress! It just goes to show that even if you plateau, your body is still changing. The weight will follow. Kymie! I've missed you!! What is this plan you're doing? A pound a day?? Sounds awesome! 65 lbs gone forever!! You'll make your goal and then some!!! Erica- Either you're a night owl or on the other side of the world- you always post so early in the morning (I'm eastern standard time)- so I don't know if you've already had your dinner - but here's some advice anyways- just take small small bites! And the fish idea is good- have something to dip it in (like tartar sauce or au jus or something depending on the dish). And chew really well. Eat slowly! Good luck. Well, back to the grind. I do have a pedicure today- my treat for the 50 lbs lost! Nicki

It does get better. I was cautious introducing food after I was banded, and I'm cautious after each fill as it does change. Remember, this is a lifestyle change, not an easy fix, you have to want to change your eating habits- and the band definitely helps!!!!

That is possible that you're allergic- do ask your doc about an antihistamine, or a cortisone cream to help with the itching!!! Also, try some ice on the site, that can calm the itch.

Hi Everyone! NJ2NC- I'm a fanatic with my logging because I know that's a big part of why I'm successful! I hate to log the 1500 calories of ice cream I eat when I binge, plus who knows what else- it totally keeps me honest. Nicole- I hope this fill gets you closer to green! And 4 lbs in 4 weeks is great!!!! Keep up the good work. Erica- I love the beach too! There were shark attacks at Myrtle Beach and also at Sunset Beach (where I was) the couple days before we got there- I just told the kids to stay away from things with fins, LOL. I have officially lost over 60 lbs!!! Yay! I met my birthday goal early! So now I want to lost 75 lbs by the time I go to France- either end of August or very beginning of September, not sure. So how is everyone doing on "my" birthday goal? 2 weeks from today is July 4. Also, I forgot to say how nice it was to wear my "real" swimsuit!! I felt normal! And almost pretty, if you know what I mean. Now, there is no photographic evidence of what I *really* looked like, but in my mind I was hot! Nicki