nicole1

Hello Everyone!! Thought I'd stop in for a quick update. I have been doing pretty good about my eating, I get a little needy for something sweet at night, but will either have a Healthy Choice 100 cal fudge bar or 60 cal pudding. My 3 fill did nothing for me. I am at 2.5cc in a 10 cc band, they are conservative and only put in .5cc every 4 wks. I can still eat anything, but do fill full for about 2-3 hrs. Willpower is still in full force!! I have only been exercising 4 times a week, but the days I do workout I am extremely sore the next day so I must be getting a good workout in. Family life still sucks, I am just working hard at keeping myself busy and remind myself it is my turn to take care of me!!! Erica and Bandito- I totally feel the stuck on a weight! I have been up and down 3lbs for 2 weeks, but I hope I can get over the hump like you did! JustDoIt- how exciting to be wearing smaller sizes. How low in sizes does you stash of clothes go? I gave up 2 yrs ago and just donated everything, so I have plenty to donate, but nothing to wear. The Goodwill and Consignment stores have been my friend!! Congrats Meredith on the 2lbs!! Hopefully I will be right there behind you!! Chrissy I am so impressed. I actually do not like to run I even have a new Nike shirt that says "Running Sucks!" But now that I am lighter I might actually like it! I will have to go to the track and give it a try. Apple, Pear??? I have no idea what I am, I am not an apple or a pear. yes my boobs have shrunk and my mid section have shrunk, and my tush, but my hips are all still there. Does that make me a pear? So I have heard great stuff about spin classes, I would love to try it, but due to an arm injury I can't, I highly recommend you give it a try!! As for the calories and exercise I have a hard time calculating all of that. I am trying to base it on my heart rate instead, by heart rate monitor calculates it for me, but I think it is on the low side. So wish me luck I am trying a Jazzercise class this week. I totally understand doing all of your exercising at home, I am like that too and it is part of why I got a personal trainer in a really small gym, no one would see me. I started circuit classes and every one is so busy with their circuit they don't have time to look at me. I will see if that is the same at Jazzercise! I am so excited for all of us! I hope this is the week I get below 220 and stay there! fingers crossed!!

We should meet some where there is a warm beach & hit the mall together to support each other in buying our 1st skinny bathing suit!! My last suit buying experiment did not end well. Last spring we went on a cruise so even though I never wear a bathing suit I had to have one for snorkeling. Went every where & nothing fit right then I found suits with bras in them @ LB. tried it on did the forward jiggle test, nothing fell out. Did the jumping up & down, nothing fell out so I bought it. Well on the ship by the pool I laid back in a lounge chair & the girls slid back towards my chin & fully exposed out of the snazzy bra!! Let's just say I wore a tank top the rest of the cruise & NEVER lounged back again!!

Mags I'm ok now just had to get it out of my system. I responded to ur personal message check it out it has more detail. Luckily I had my breakdown after 9pm while in pjs & there is no junk food in the house. So I was pretty safe from binging. I'm going to read myself to sleep & give myself a fresh start tomorrow Nite!!

Good idea Mags!! Where is everyone from? I'm in Portland Oregon.

I LOVE YOU GALS!! I was about to get on & complain about my bad day & temptation to binge, but after reading all of the posts I feel so much better!! You make me remember we all have good days & bad days but we have survived the worst. Even if today totally sucked emotionally overall I am loosing weight. I might not have control over my crappy home life but I am in control of what I put in my mouth & no one can take that away from me! All of you empower me! Ok now I am crying! Well off to bed & a new day!!

Welcome Shonda, Amica, Kganous, and Lady Penelope!! Sound like you are all in the same boat as a lot of us, white knuckling it and on pure willpower. Until we get to the right restriction, we are really on our own. If it wasn't for this website, I might not have lost as much as I have. Everyone encourages me to workout as much as possible, keep my protein up and drink all the water that I can (I am not good at the water thing). Well I suggest you post your basic daily meal plan and your exercise routine, maybe we can help figure out why you are not loosing as fast as you want. Horsegirl & Chrissy congrats on being the first to hit the green zone!! I can't wait to get there!! I am with you NJ2NC, still hungry, can eat what ever I want and as much as I want, I just choose not to. Well get to the green zone and will just have to rely on each other until that happens. Mags and Chrissy you guys are doing so amazing, you have lost so much weight! I am glad it is going slow and smooth, less likely to have that loose sagging skin!! JustDoIt- What would we do without you!!! Every time I log on you have so much positive inspiration!! You always make my day!! thank you for all of your support!! Well even though I did not feel any restriction after my mere .5cc fill I have kept up with my workouts and watched my food intake and I have suddenly have lost 4lbs!! so I have met my 4/25 goal! Thanks for the motivation Chrissy!! My goal will be to weigh in at 200lbs by 6/13, my daughters high school graduation when I will see my ex-husband after 11 years!! Have a good Week everyone!!

So I got my fill yesterday. It was the 1st time she struggled getting the needle into the port & it really hurt having her dig around!! She asked if I was able to eat a full chicken breast & bread & since I could do both I got the fill, but only .5cc. I am with all of you who have been going on will power, it is getting darn hard!! If I could have done it on willpower alone I wouldn't have had to put out the $20k! I also don't want to throw away my money & give in now. I am so close!! I have been keeping up on my protein & excercise 4 days a week. I still suck at getting all of my water in. If I don't set my timer for 30 min after eating I forget to drink water. Sorry about the complaining it has been a long week already. On the positive I have started a circuit training class & I like it better that other exercise class b/c everyone is Si focused on doing their own station right they don't notice me at all!! I felt like I got a great workout so I will be replacing my expensive personal trainer for circuit classes! I am excited b/c I feel like I can do the exercise thing on my own & hold myself accountable. Congrats to everyone for this weeks weight loss & holding in there for your fills. We can do this!!???ª???

Sorry I haven't been around been busy! I called & moved up my fill to tomorrow. I haven't lost any weight in 2 wks & feel no restriction so they told me to come in! I ja e to work hard to force myself to workout, but I have done it. I keep telling myself I have paid too much & waited too long to screw this up. Everyone keep up the good work! I'll check in tomorrow after my fill.

Yah Justdoit!!???ª congrats on the smaller size!!

I'm in!! I am at 223, so that would be 218 by 4/25!! This weeks goal is water, water, water!!! 4 workouts this week and find something to destress before going home. Today I got a Starbucks and window shopped!!

Otakam that is amazing from a 24 to a baggy 20!! Stop beating up yourself your loosing inches & that is what counts! Tomorrow is my 3th banniversary and I felt the same way you do. At firsts I only notice a change in my clothes and not the scale. I could have sworn it was broken. Then suddenly something clicked. And the scale went down finally!! I paid cash for my band too and I refuse to let my conservative doctor get the best of me. Right now I am loosing weight on willpower alone not the band. I have very little restriction. I understand taking it slow if we loose to fast we get hanging skin, yuck!! So cheer up you are an amazing woman who took the most important step in this life long journey you got the surgery!! Tell us what a day of excersise & meals look like for you maybe we can give you suggestions. Have a good evening!!

I just thought of a bunch of little things that I can do now and thought I'd mention them to the only group that would understand 1. I can sit in an armed chair at a Restuarant without having to squish painfully into it!!! 2. From a seated position I can now lean over & pick up a dropped pen without my face turning red as I reach over the fat to get it. 3. I can carry a load of laundry up 2 flights of stairs without stopping to catch my breath!! 4. I can get off the couch without having to push myself up!!!! Yah me!! 4/2/12 goals workout 4 days, drink my 80oz water daily & don't wait until I am starving to eat at work!!!

Nj2-WOW on fitting into a 14,I can't wait to get there!! Kemisha thanks for the idea! I increased my calories over the weekend and will see how it goes on Thursday, that is the only day I weigh myself. I have a 10cc band and only have 2cc and have never been restricted, they want me to wait until my next appt in 5 wks, but they said I can return if there isn't a difference in 3 wks, so I am going to try to get an appt on the 16th. It so crazy to have to wait so long especially if I will not be in the green zone until I am at 7cc, that is like 5 more months! Well at least I am still loosing!! It is all willpower and exercise. Congrats everyone on meeting your weekend goal and 2 out of 3 is great!! Even meeting 1 out of 3 would be good, a goal is a goal!

I met my 3 goals for the weekend and did an extra workout!! The only way I have been able to drink all of the water was to drink 24oz when I 1st woke up, then after I ate each meal I set my phone timer for 30 min then drank another 24oz. It worked!!

Ok January Bandsters it sounds like we are all a little stuck this week! I know I am feeling unmotivated and down and out lazy!! I think we should all post a goal for the weekend & support each other. I'll start GOAL Drink all of my water this weekend Create a new motivating workout playlist Do at least one workout I can totally do this!!???ª???„

NJ, my doctor is conservative too! I have received only 2cc since surgery. they said they will only do .5cc for now on. They also said my "sweet spot" is when you are so restricted in the am it is hard to get more than liquid or thin foods (yogurt) down. I had a fill Monday and there is no real restriction, but I do fill full and get hungry after 2-3 hrs. I called yesterday to tell them I didn't feel any different and they said I could call back in 3 weeks to get my appt. moved up instead of waiting the 5 wks. So you are not alone. I do think it is pretty cool that we are still loosing weight without the full restriction, that means a lot of it we are doing on our own!!

OKtham, thank you for the support, I do feel like running away at times. The 17 yr old is mine from my 1st marriage, but I have been with the 14 yr old since she was 2. I just wanted to mention that I notice if I did not eat ENOUGH I would gain or not loose weight for that week. I wonder if you are not getting enough calories and your body has put itself on starvation mode, so it won't let you loose weight. I think Justdoit mentioned increased calories helped with her weight loss or it might have been someone else. Good Luck at your appointment!!! Everyone, thank you for your support. I think I will pick 2 nights a week as the nights I will cook and if I happen to cook another night then they are luck. I am going to stand up for myself. You're right they are old enough and can fend for themselves and not starve. there is always plenty of food in the house. As for working out everyday, I do not have a typical gym membership, so I can only go on days I have training, besides I pretty much have my own gym at home and I would hate to waste the money on a membership. I do need transition time from work to home, so I am going to start finding different things, I will try stopping at the library on the way home and read for a bit, it is on the way home. Thank you everyone!!!

So I had my counselor meeting this morning. It appears my home stress is still making me want to binge. I have not given in, but I feel like it could happen any time. Having a heavy sugar snack before going home has always calmed me and allowed me to go home and deal with my home life. So I have realized how much that stress is still there and the "craving" to make it go away. I have notice on the days I go from work to my trainer, going home is not stressful and I am in a good mood. So my "homework" is to find other things I can do to prepare myself for home instead of wanting a giant piece of cake! So far I have a list of options, but they cost money I don't have. Here is what I have so far: stop and get an ice tea at a coffee shop and relax, create a ride home music playlist, go shopping, take a fun class at the local community college,workout as soon as I get home (this one is hard, someone always wants something from me when I walk through the door). I just need something in between work and home that is just for me and helps me relax. Any ideas anyone?? As for the family stress, I have been remarried for 12 years and we want to get a divorce, but can't sell the house so we live like roommates, he has a 22 yr old daughter that hates me and refuses to contribute to the upkeep of the house, his horrible dying dog drives me crazy and everyone keeps asking me "what's for dinner" when they are 14, 17, & 22 yrs old oh and there is dad who can cook too!! Sorry to unload, but thought you might want to see why going home is stressful.

So I just had my 2nd 6 wk check up (weird how we all have different times between follow-ups). I have lost 8lbs. I was disappointed at first, but them the doctor told me I only have 1cc in my 10cc band, therefore I have been basically loosing the weight on my own! So that lifted my spirits. She added another 1cc. She told me I will know I am in the green zone when I am tighter in the morning and I have never had that problem. So we will see if this fill causes that. I have been able to eat just about anything in the morning and it only got stuck once. Congrats Rockon!! I can't wait to be in the green zone!!

Ugh! I am stuck at 225 for the past 2 weeks. It is annoying because that is the exact weight I always go stuck at when trying new diets! I go for my 2nd fill Monday & maybe that will get me moving down again. I can't wait to get into my 18 pants again. I am so close! I can button them but they are uncomfortable. As for my exercising I am taking 3 days off. My lower back has hurt so bad. My trainer says it is due to working muscles never worked before. Makes sense. I have a massage scheduled for Sunday and a chiapractor appt for Tuesday. I have had some emotional days & have envisioned myself buying my binge food like that yummy piece of cake at Safeway but I have held my ground & had sugar free pudding. Now I am off for a week so I am worried. Good thing I get a fill on Monday & will be 2 days liquids & 2 purée that should help! Thanks for listening!! I love you guys!!!!

You're right JustDoIt it is your weight times .3 or 30% and that gives you the amount of protein per day. Mine is 226*.3=67.8 The port thing. I do have some soreness around the port area if a do a lot of core workout, but it goes away by the next day. I am also self pay and I purchased 4 mths of "oops insurance" and it runs out next mth, so hopefully everything will check out at my next fill appt on 2/26. Collar bones, Old Navy, oh my!! I am so excited for everyone!! I tried to buy some pants at Old Navy, but they fit at the waist, but not the thighs. Looks like I need to step up on those squats!!! My birthday was 1/6, so my family all bought me gift cards to places I normally can't shop, 2 more sizes and I am spending those gift cards!! (I am at a 18W and a 20R, there is a difference!!)

Oops I almost forgot!! Went into Dollar Tree & cashier offered daily special of a dozen mini candy bars for $1. I didn't even think about it & said no. On the way home I realized before the surgery I would have bought one for the family and one for me and eaten mine before getting home & hid the trash like I hadn't had any yet. Boy have things changed!!!! I love the new me!!

I have a lot of catching up to do!!! Protein-my doctor gave me a way of calculating ur amount of protein a day take ur weight and multiply it by .3. That will tell you how much you need daily. She recommended adjusting it each month based on weight Hair loss- I have not had this problem. What has your doctor said? Hopefully it will grow back healthier than before!!! Erica- I am so glad to hear ur port surgery went well. Remember how we all lost a lot right after surgery? Well that will probably happen once the swelling goes down & you will be ahead of all of us!! B52- congrats!! I figured about a year to loose 100lbs. I hope to follow in your foot steps. What was the thing you did that made you so successful? Me?? I can't wait to get my next fill. I am feeling more hungry & able to eat more before filling full.

Hello everyone!! Your stories are so exciting!! I know how hard it has been with work, kids, drinking water, don't drink 30 min before or after blah blah blah!!! Crazy!! I work 12 hr days and some weekends. I have a calendar on my iPhone totally dedicate to alert me to eat & drink. I am so busy I wouldn't eat until I sat down and realized I was starving!! So the alerts help especially with the water. Otherwise I will fill up my jug while eating, put it aside for 30 min & completely forget to drink it until my stomach grumbles & it is time to eat. Crazy days!! I am nervous about my second fill. I had 2cc 4 wks ago & go back 3/26. I have only gotten stuck twice. It felt like I was going to through up & there was pain in my chest. So my concern is I am getting stuck & don't really feel hungry for 3 hrs (that is if I drink all my water & eat right), should I even get a fill? Or is the goal to never feel hungry? To be honest I have such a busy schedule, if they over fill me I don't have time to go back in right away, but some of you said they can take it out at the appt. so I guess I should weight & see what the dr says. So how is everyone doing on solid protein consumption? I find myself snacking on protein bars or string cheese to get all the protein in. Keep writing everyone! I love your stories & support!! I love the gum idea!! I am chewing mint chocolate chip right now!! Gotta love desert flavored gum!!

Erica. That completely sucks!! How in the world did that happen? Can't you insist on general anesthesia and do it in their office? It sounds so extreme to go back into surgery just to flip you port! I am happy for you on the weight loss I had surgery 1/4 & have lost 30 lbs. you have done amazing!! Maybe you will loose a lot just like the 1st few weeks after the 1st surgery. Good luck!