JustDoIt130

Kymie- thanks! I totally missed that, LOL- like my mom always says, if it had been a snake it would have bit me. ChrissyLu- awesome! You can totally do 3 lbs in 2.5 weeks!! We are with you!!!

You do need more than 40 g of protein a day, Steph had the calculation- your body weight x .3. So my body weight is 249 x .3 =74.7 g protein a day. I also take biotin - 5-7000 mcg a day. It's helped, mine has almost stopped.

I had to do a 6 month diet before I got lapband. I didn't necessarily have to lose weight, though I did lose a couple pounds. I totally went through the "I'm never going to eat this again, so I better have it- and a lot of it- now!!" I ate a LOT. HOWEVER- and this is the greatest thing that I have learned so far- it's not that I can't eat these things- I can! But I just choose not to. I was worried too about just still eating whatever I wanted until I got to restriction, eating around the band (my biggie is ice cream, which is a slider). I can honestly say that- though it's a process and I'm still learning- I have a different mindset. I am learning the difference between real hunger and "head" hunger- ie, eating when bored or mad or stressed. And I choose to not eat when I'm not really hungry. And I know as I get to restriction my hunger will go away and I'll feel full on less- and right now I"m just eating less and dealing with it, LOL. I'm logging everything, keeping myself honest, exercising. I decided I would be successful at this, so I am! I have lost 34 lbs so far- banded in January- and I am motivated.

Hi Shonda- this has to be a sustainable lifestyle, and you're right, coffee and one meal a day isn't that, LOL. Eat sensibly, eat small portions, even if you're still hungry- it's willpower until you get to restriction!! Do you log your food? A lot of us use My Fitness Pal- on the computer or an app on your phone. I log everything! Food and exercise. I wish it had a way to track Water, though. Good for you on the exercise, that will definitely help! You won't fail. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. I did 43 minutes of my elliptical on Saturday, plus weed whacked- my arms are still killing me . I have definitely noticed as I lose weight I want to get out and do a lot more!!

I used to eat out almost every day, sometimes for both lunch and dinner. It was a "treat" and I "deserved" it. I would look forward to it. Now, even just being banded in January, I look forward to my workout or to my small, well prepared (by me) dinner. Of course I have eaten out, my work sometimes requires it, but I choose well and healthily. I don't have much restriction, but I have determination. I will be successful because I'm going to do what it takes to be successful. I dreaded working out, but starting small, making goals, meeting those goals and pushing myself are worth it. It's not easy to be 280+ lbs and working out, I'll tell you, but its worth it. I am worth it. And I don't want to be fat and unhealthy any more. So expect a lot from yourself. Set goals and keep track. When you catch yourself complaining and whining-and you will, LOL- tell yourself that you can and will be successful! Good luck!!

I have my initial appointment in a week- would love feedback on him- I have read he's not got the best bedside manner, but I really don't care so much about that. What I want to know - is he good with answering any and all questions, what is his track record (looks good from what I see, but want opinions), and what is follow up with him like???

Otaknam, glad your appointment went well. All your hard work is paying off!!

I tried to reply on the site but couldn't, so I'm using the app. I was down 1 lb to 249. I'll take it!!

Oh, and do get all your protein in!

This happened to me about a month ago. I am pounding down Biotin, 7000 mg or whatever the measurement is. It has helped. My hair also did a fair bit of breaking off too. I also deep condition it with this macadamia deep conditioner I found at ulta that is great. Both these things have really helped.

Hi all! I just wanted to tell y'all that I increased my workout by 10 minutes this afternoon. 40 minutes instead of 30. Yay me, LOL

Yay! I'm in a size down in jeans! Luckily I have several different sizes in my closet, LOL. I had tried them on a couple weeks ago and they almost fit. Today, no problem. It would be nice to skip a size or two on the way down.

I have a desk job and had my surgery on Thursday and was back to work on Monday. I was still a little sore but off all pain meds, even tylenol.

I am!! I am at 249, so I will be 244 4/25!

I lost 1 lb this week- after losing 4 last week I'll take it! Slow and steady. I have to mix up my calories a bit and keep up with the exercise. It's a bit of a mind game to me- and I have lost 35 lbs! Otaknam- inches lost is a success! the pounds will come off surely. It is a process. I know for me it's hard to work and not see results, but I have decided that this is the time, it is going to happen for me and I'm willing to put in the work. You are doing the work too and your results will happen!!!! Nicole- how's the stress level going?? Have a great Wednesday!!!

Off topic, but I like your Avatar, B-52!!!!

Oh, and Chrissy Lu, how did it go?

Shoot, I just lost a long post!! Kim- I was banded on 1/26 also! Too bad your doc is so conservative, but slow and steady wins the race. Kymie- I know my doctor only does 1 cc at a time as you get closer to restriction- better to approach it slowly than go over and be too tight and cause problems. Nicole- I'm seeing things too- much more energy, able to sit in restaurant booths comfortably, LOL. I would do the 3 weeks too, I can't wait to get to some sort of restriction. Mags- one cheeseburger does not derail a diet! I know that "having" to log my food into my fitness pal kept me from totally pigging out on maerc eci the other day. No way was I going to log 2000 calories of that!! I like the weekly goals idea, I'm going to post them on our group too, but here they are for accountability- I don't go to that page a lot since we all post here. 1. Exercise 5 x this week 2. Get all my Water in 3. Journal my feelings Horsegirl- when myfitness pal asks if I want to reduce my calories I say no! Then I feel good about being so far under. I play mind games on myself, LOL. Well, I'm on mushies today. I don't really feel any differently after yesterday's fill. I have one big Vitamin that I half to take that sometimes gets a smidge caught, but today wasn't any worse than any other. I guess if I get more restricted I'll have to cut it into 4ths instead of half. Not sure I'll see much of a loss this week, maybe .5 lb, but I had a 4 lb loss last week, so I'll take it!

I love my fitness pal!!

NJ2NC, I think standard is 10 cc's, large is 14 cc's. I am only at 7 cc's, bummer if I still have 4 + cc's potentially! Oh well, whatever it takes. I know it's different for everyone.

So question for all you girls that I "know"- this has been discussed on other threads, but want your opinions: How soon after a fill do you feel restriction? For me, I don't know cause I'm not at restriction! This fill today, I'm not feeling really any different- but I am on liquids today and mushies tomorrow, so maybe I wouldn't feel it til I started eating solid food. Kymie- 7.7 cc's, I am at 7 in a 14 cc band. Tell me how it goes! I have my 3rd fill in 3 weeks, she does 1 cc at a time. Meredith- I would hate having to wait so long! But better safe than sorry. I think that this is really a learning process, which is why I asked about how long before people think they feel restriction after a fill. I agree with the head working for me- and it being a good thing. I have had a couple times I just want to sit down with a spoon and a half gallon of maerc eci (on another weight loss board I used to frequent we spelled our trigger foods backwards, LOL). NJ2NC, good for you reaching your goals! I have a hard time NOT drinking, especially while eating. I can't wait til the time when I cut up my lane bryant card!! The funniest thing about my losing weight so far are my pants are waaaaay too long! LOL! I'm going to have to have my mom hem all of them, then I can wear them for a few more pounds.

LOL B-52, me too.

I think liquid calories are only a big no-no when they come in the form of a milkshake, LOL. Really, I know I feel fuller on solid protein, but the protein shakes work well for me in the morning when that's all I have time for. I also think that as I reach restriction I will not want solid stuff in the morning until my band loosens up, so shakes are a good thing!

I just had my second fill, still not in green zone but I know I"m getting there! Good luck on your date, have fun!!!

This is a good topic, I like new ideas! The things that keep me going are- Bush's seasoned recipe black Beans, old el paso refried beans, and rotisserie chickens! I mix either kind of beans with 3 oz of chicken, very filling, moist and easy!! I'm definitely going to try that enchilada soup!!