nicole1

Just Do it You are right the food is 90%. The toning is really important because it prevents muscle loss and helps with the skin. At first I was freaked out because my skin was getting so loose but my trainer said all the fat was attached to the muscle & as you use your muscles & burn the fat away from them the fat disconnects & feels loss & jiggly!! As your muscles build, the fat disappears, more, the muscles start to pull the skin back in. I hope he is right I really hate the tummy jiggle!!! I used to have a solid muffin top now I have a soft jiggly muffin top!! I'm going to keep toning and prove him right!!! ???ª

I met with my nutritionist this week. She said I am doing great except for my water intake. So she has me drinking 20 oz when I 1st wake up. Then wait 30 min to eat. So I wake up drink hit the snooze button & it goes off about the same time I have to pee!! I have lost 3 lbs since we talked Monday! I think I love water!! It is hard remembering to drink 30 min before eating or after and I end up realizing I'm hungry & haven't had any water in a few hrs!! I am so happy to hear everyone loosing so much weight!! I wonder if we add up all of our weight lost what it would total???

Banded 1/4,1st fill 2/26. Lost 28lbs. 18 1st 3 wks now 2-2 1/2 wk. I am feeling hungry every 2-2 1/2 hrs again. It is mainly due to boredom, stress & feeling like i need a treat it doenst help that the family still has crap food in the house. I am working with my shrink to find replacement behaviors. I found one for bored. While watching tv or reading if I chew gum it helps. I stalked up on desert flavored gum. Love the chocolate chip mint!! It has worked to take away the need for munchies. As for wanting a treat I have either sugar free pudding or 100 cal fudge bar. I was also thinking if trying a sweet tea. As for the stress eating I am at a loss. I feel I should do something physical, but I already work out. If I get out of the house I spend money I don't have. Any ideas do placed to go without spending money?? I just need a break. From it all the family, work ex-mother in law. You get the point So any good ideas for my 3 behaviors that need replacing? Boredom, stress and just want a treat???

I was banded in 1/4. I continued to have gas pain for 4-5 wks. It helped to take frequent Gas-X, walk after each meal & drink a lot of water!! The pain got less & less during that time but I was always surprised when I got a sharp pain. The best thing was to walk around the house 1st thing in the morning. Good luck it will get better & be totally worth it!!

Oops forgot to answer ur questions 1. Chewing- I am getting worse about it as time goes by. I am also guilty of eating & doing something. The worst was eating & driving. I got so stuck I kept gagging but there was nowhere to pull over. I tried drinking water & it just made it worse. It got better after I got out & walked, but I was uncomfortable most of the day. 2.working out- 2 days @ gym, 3 days elliptical or 3. elliptical & 1 circuit training. 4. The needle?? It was horrible! I am glad I was lying down for it & I normally don't mind needles 5. Fills- I was told I would get one every 4 wks & the 1st 2 would be 2cc, then 1-.5 after that for 6ths. 6 changes- no hair falling out yet, but ally fat is jiggling even more than before, it is annoying!! Hopefully as my muscles start to tighten it will pull everything in tighter, only exercise & time will tell!

I had 2cc added. I didn't really feel restricted but I wasn't getting hungry every 2 hrs. Now that it has been a few weeks I am back to being hungry every 2 hrs again. I get my second fill 3/26. I talked to my trainer this week. I told him about the emotional impact the workout had & told him I didn't want to do that type of workout again. He said he was "breaking me down so he could build me up" I told him I have spent years breaking myself down duh that is why I'm fat! I told him his job is to build me up, I have already been as low as I can go. He apologized & we move on! Last night I went to a friends house for a dinner party. It was hard she made lasagna, that I couldn't have so I ate salad and fruit. Then desert was served. I had 3 tblspn Gelato & 1/2 an oatmeal cookie. It was a good night & I didn't feel guilty at all I total kicked ass in eating in moderation!!

Sounds yummy!! Congratulation on the double day workout!! Sounds like you are on a roll!

So I had a disheartening experience with my trainer yesterday. He had me work on "getting up" from a kneeling, sitting & laid down position. I really felt humiliated & it was the first time since surgery I have really felt my true fatness agin. I know it is something good to work a lot of muscles, but there are better ways then making me feel like a turtle who fell on her shell side & can't get back up. I was too embarrassed to tell him I don't want to do those but decided today I just need to be honest I am paying him to give me what I want out of it.

I have loved this site. I agree my doctor was less help than the site. When I called in excruciating pain they told me to pop another pain pill. I searched the sight for "right ribcage pain" & had pleanty of suggestions that ALL helped!! I also just downloaded the APP!

I started with a trainer 3 times a week for 2 weeks and now I have him twice a week. I feel that I wouldn't work out as much without him. He really holds me accountable. He had me get a heart rate monitor and I email him my results after each workout. Can't fake a heart rate!! I think I could go with just seeing him once a week, but I kind of like the individual attention and the support. Today we created an at home toning workout and I think it is easy enough to keep up with it. I made it really clear to him from the beginning I am not interested in a life time membership, but I want him to teach me how and what to do at home. We have spent the last month doing a little of everything so he can figure out what I can and can't do and modifying the workouts. For example there are a lot of exercise that my stomach is too big for so he has me do similar exercise that work around my belly!!! So I recommend being very clear about what you want to get out of your training sessions and make them stick to it. Also ask session what are we working on and why and can I do it on my own at home. He also took measurements and even though it was embarrassing I am glad we did. Today was my 4th week with him and we did measurements and it was so exciting to see the inches go down in all areas! Except my stomach, that was disappointing, but he explained that was normal, it is that last to go. Yuck!! Good Luck to all of you and your new training routines!!

You're doing great Kymie!! Don't be so hard on yourself. YOU made the 1st step and got the surgery!! I think everyone has mentioned a halt in the weighloss. I have been the same weight for 3 weeks, but my clothes are feeling looser, so pay attention to how your body feels not what the scale says. It is really hard to not eat what the family is eating, so I only cook what I can eat!! I still will cook a rice-a-roni for them, but I pick ones that I do not care for and it really helps!! Also I took a kitchen cabinet and put all of my food in it, so I don't have to go into the cabinets with their bad food. Out of sight out of mind!! Also my husband does the major grocery shopping and that helps. As for the exercise try including simple toning exercise that you can do to music or the TV. I do wall squats, where you lean against a wall while squatting. I could only do it for 10 sec at first and now I am up to 42 sec. The more you build your large muscles (thighs and stomach) the easier the walking will be. Even laying on your back and doing leg lifts works both and they are not too hard to do with belly in the way!! I will find the official name of some of my exercise and send you links on how to do them! Keep positive!!

Ok I got 2cc fill! I'm still hungry but that is because I am back on all liquids for 2 days & 2 days purée. I can't stand all liquids they are not filling but it is necessary to be sure nothing gets stuck the 1st few days. So officially I have lost 38lbs since surgery 6 weeks ago!!

Ok so I am sitting @ the dr office typing this on my iPhone. I have my fingers crossed I get a fill!! I am currently starving!! Maybe if my stomach grumbles it will prove my point! Everyone is right the 1st couple of mths are hell. Between the pain from surgery the being hungry and all the holidays it has been hard to be good, but I paid a lot (self paid) for this & I refuse to give up. I recommend getting a private trainer even if it is just for a few weeks to get you motivated. But interview them first & make sure they have experience working w/ banded clients. I love my trainer he sends me daily pep talks!!

Erin. You need to schedule your upper GI imaging ASAP. There was 2 doctors present during the x-ray discussing what they saw as they did it & took LOTS of pics checking the position of my band. I was able to get my radiology report that same day & knew the band was in the right place & hasn't slipped. I hope this helps!

Remember everyone we are taking in a lot of protein and it not only saves muscle but helps build muscle & muscle weighs more than fat. So if you only lost .5 fat imagine you gained 1lb muscle!!!

We did have surgery on the same day!! How are you doing? did you get your 1st fill yet? Did you survive Valentine's Day? Your concoction sounds yummy, but I tried another suggestion of sugar free pudding and it was good!! maybe on a weekend I'll try your recipe!!

Find some good music to get you in the mood to move!! I listen to my ipod while I change into my workout clothes and find myself dancing before even get my shoes on!! Good Luck and keep us posted!!

so you do eat anything 1st thing in the morning? I am starving when I wake up. Hopefully that will go away with a fill!! Oh and I got some sugar free pudding and it is tasty and adds protein!!! Thanks for the suggestion!!

where did you get your Injury Shakes? Do they come in ready made? I have one of the blender balls! It is great on the go, but I always forget to grab it, so I have been drinking the ready made shakes by GNC called Total Lean. I bought a case of 12 today and it was $21, not too bad. I have the powder at home for nights and weekends, it is not too bad. I like the vanilla in my coffee in the morning. But I am always up to try something new!! thanks for the tip on the "my fitness pal" I have actually paid for a few only to be disappointed. I wish they would have one that you can scan the container and it finds the info!! We shop at Costco a lot and most of their stuff is not in any of the program I have used so far.

I work in a school district and today wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I almost took a personal day, but figured I might eat out of boredom, so I went to work. I stayed out of the staff room and the main office and I did not attend any classroom parties. Last year I went from one party to another collecting goodies. I survived the day and really didn't crave anything I did see. I saw a co-worker opening up a heart candy and thought, "if I'm going to break my diet, it is not for one of those fake chocolates!!!" I will save that moment for a bit of one of my kids Godiva Cheesecake from the Factory!!! We go once a year and it is worth waiting for!! So today I had my 1st slice of pizza in 2 months!! I ordered Round Table Guinevere Garden on thin crust (it is so thin it is like a cracker!) I slowly nibbled on it, chewing well and stopping when the crust stopped being crunchy! I was able to stop eating when I 1st felt the signs of being hungry and I never dipped it in the ranch!!! I was even able to just throw out the crust! Oh and I tried on a pair of pants I haven't worn in 7 years and they fit!! Well mostly, the waist is a little tight, but that will just remind me to keep working!! It beats wearing my baggy pants with a belt and still having to pull them up! I would say this was a very successful day!!! I go in for my 1st fill Thursday and a weigh in!! My personal trainer is going to do my measurements on Tuesday, I am soo excited!! I know I have lost inches!!

Cheers to all of use who survived Valentine's Day!!!

I have not been counting calories, I have been counting protein and water only. I guess I should be paying more attention to calories. I have also been tired after a workout, but I workout after work and I am already tired to start with, but I push myself to do it. Besides I have to send my cardio heartrate tracking to my personal trainier 3 times a week and I can't fake that!! It keeps me accountable. I don't like many of the higher protein shakes, and reading the reviews most of them give you the runs and you loose the protein anyway, so why bother. I have tried one of those "shots" of protein, they are disgusting, but I wasn't able to drink my morning shake due to my stomach x-rays, so I tried the shot, I almost threw it up! I will try the pudding idea, maybe that will help curb the cravings. Sounds like you don't do a mid-morning snack how in the world do you make it from b-fast to lunch????

Well I will be 5 weeks post-op and I will be going in for my 1st fill. I hope they give me a fill. After about 2 hours I feel hungry. My weight loss has been disappointing. I have tried to only weigh myself once a week, but it does not seam to be moving down. it kind of does this up and down thing. I am doing cardio 3-4 times a week and toning 2-3 times a week and here is a sample daily meal: vanilla protein powder mixed into my morning coffee, protein bar around 9-10am or 2 fat free string cheese, at noon I have either tuna w/ tbls lite mayo & pepper and steamed veggies or leftover meat from previous dinners (love the turkey meatballs they last a full week) at 2 I have a V-8 fusion and at 3:30-4 I have a GNC protein shake before my work out. At night I cook a typical meal and just eat the meat and veggies. Right now I am not counting calories, just protein and water. maybe that will change at my next appointment. I did give into my cravings last weekend. The family bought chocolate dipped shortbread cookies and left them on the counter. I passed by them several times, but late that night I gave in and truly enjoyed it. But then I enjoyed another one the next night. I finally put them away in a cabinet I don't use and I felt better. After the 2nd night I really started hating on myself and gave myself a good guilt trip, but the next day, my friend reminded me we all make mistakes and instead of dwelling on it, I should just look at it as a new day a fresh start. It took me all day to let it go, but I realized if I didn't let it go, I would be back into my old cycle of "oh well I screwed up, I might as well enjoy it and start my diet again next week" So I did an extra day at the gym working off that junk food!! I still have cravings, but I think I am good if it is out of sight it will be out of mind. I hope I get my fill, I do not like being hungry ever 2 hours. I am glad to hear how well everyone in doing. What is you daily menu like? Just wondered if you have any good ideas???

Help! I suddenly craving again!! I am exactly 4 wks post-op, lost 14lbs (give or take a lb) and I have done fine with the kids junk food in the house & going into stores. But today I went to the store & I swear that single slice of cheesecake spoke to me!! Then I saw a kid licking the frosting off a cupcake & I felt like running out of there screaming!! To top it off all the commercials were about food tonight!! Ugh I have done so well even no holiday treats, but now feel like I am craving the satisfaction I used to get with sweets!? Any ideas? I have heard a variety of opinions "feed the craving now or you will eventually give in & over eat". But what about the next day and the next??? "replace the craving with something else" seriously??!! What?!?!

So your stomach is about 1/2-1/3 cup size. It doesn't matter ounces, just eat the right things until you're full. I get the sensation I'm about to burp when I am full. Here is a sample meal 3-4 walnut sized turkey meatballs & 1/4 broccoli & coliflower steamed (frozen). Or a packet (starkist albacore tuna in the blue packet not can) mixed w/ tspn lite mayo & 1/4 cup steamed carrots. I hope this helps.