LJCBF

I am sad - I get it - I want you to have Hope to Know that the even the smallest action begun TODAY can and will make the difference for you. Lee

Hi Paula, WOW that's really scary ... I have lost 100 lbs twice in the past (before surgery) and gained it all back PLUS a bunch and it REALLY SUCKS ! I assume you have considered getting a fill? Although that doesn't really stop you if you are committed to eating around the band. I would consider shaking up your schedule as much as possible - even visiting someone if you can that can help keep you clean 3 or 4 days. You probably know you are playing with fire here right? The FIRST thing I would do is bump up exercise a lot ... Join group fitness class the earlier in the morning - the tougher the class the better. Sign up for a race 5k, 10k or longer distance - maybe a triathlon and start training. Good luck - really hope you get it back on the track - only you can do it : ) Lee

Skin sagging is a problem I enjoy compared to the ones I had at over 450 lbs. Focus on food Plan, sleep and Exercise becoming healthy and fit because these are all things you can affect! Lee

Good morning Donna, Struggles and less (sometimes way less lol) than ideal choices will occur and our response and ability to continue forward doing our best, accepting that as good enough, is an action shared by the "successful" in the weight loss world. The 3 pillars to weight loss and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle are: food PLAN - sleep - EXERCISE I will leave the food plan to you and your nutritionist, just know that MANY studies show that things like sugar/simple carb can effect key hormones that drive hunger and spike cravings assisting in keeping our brains in food crazy mode. SLEEP - you are already probably aware that sleep and lack of will up the increase of cortisol which in turns causes the body to "hold onto" and "store" more fat, as well as increase hunger. My experience w/people that aren't getting "enough" sleep (8 hrs - most would agree 6/7 will work) is they say have tried but ... Fill in the blank. What I have found is that usually people try to increase their sleep by going to bed earlier. This fails because they just look at the ceiling and don't sleep and that's even worse ! THE KEY is NOT going to bed earlier it IS getting up earlier. If a person gets up out of bed and gets moving at 5am (earlier if needed) EVERY day (yes weekends too) without fail for two weeks THEN they will go to bed earlier and sleep. This works with 8 out of 10 people I work with on average. EXERCISE - Several studies show that exercise dramatically effects mood and our choices and we now know that it's actually changing the brain - adding brain cells - "bumping up" the Prefrontal cortex (PFC) the area of the brain "in charge" of moderation and impulses. So, even if you discount the calorie burning, muscle building, increased flexibility/balance and increased BONE DENSITY benefits of exercise and just focus on how it increases our brains ability to help us "do the things we want to do" like NOT jumping up and grabbing a handful of almonds (in my case) or Cereal bar (in your case) when "no one is looking" - it's still clear exercise is the pathway to freedom. Conveniently we can accomplish two of the three key pillars at once... LUCKY US ; ) exercise early in the morning will assist sleep and get the crucial exercise and "brain" work to start the day. As far as what exercise and how much how often... Blend of strength training versus cardio etc... That's a discussion for another time. I will say that it should be 6 days a week - 7 days in the early stages and regardless of how broken our bodies are safe effective exercise can be accomplished. Good luck - I hope you take the path to free your mind & body : ) Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present! Lee 280lbs Lost - All Diseases Reversed

What type of symptoms do you need for medical necessary to qualify ?

Thanks and I admire your willingness to help the group by posting. It's pretty impressive and I will look to read more about the recovery etc... I have lost 280 lbs - will be 300 lost by end and I have an entire heavy stretchy "skin suit" which is frustrating. I have/am considering the surgery but would need full body... Still weighing the pros n cons. Lee

Slow and steady wins the race ... Consistency trumps all - especially in exercise. Congrats on your 13lbs!! Lee

Hey Stept04, Think about it like this... The band(as is all WLS) is simply a tool. For example, I need reading classes or I can't really read - its too blurry. If you hand me a stack of books and my reading glasses the books don't get read by me simply putting the glasses on - I still have to "do the work". The good news is that I can read as MANY books as I want to ... The Lapband is the same way. You will be able to "read" the books with the help of the tool of the Lapband. MEANING... You know have your vision corrected to 20/20 like everyone else BUT you still have to follow a balanced food plan make smart healthy decisions EXERCISE and determine a way for FOOD to no longer m be how you Celebrate and/or commiserate, life's successes and challenges. ACTUALLY because the Lapband is the only "dynamic" WLS out there you have an even better chance of long term success as you can adjust it etc... I have LOST 280 lbs , All Diseases reversed - I was given two years to live and was on oxygen READ my story on my profile to learn more. Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present! Lee ACE Certified Personal Trainer & Health Coach

Hi and congrats on your decision to jangle your life : ) Three Questions: 1- How many calories are you consuming each day and is this exact (weigh measure etc...) or a Ballpark number ? 2- How much sleep are you getting each night? 3- What time of day are you exercising? Lee 280lbs Lost All diseases reversed

Hey KC, AWESOME!!! You totally totally get it : ) the type of decision described and mindset will be a big part on your success and more importantly sustained success. My Mission statement around Food is as follows: Use Food only to nurture and strengthen my body so I can have more exciting and fuller experiences. Never use food to honor or celebrate a day/person/experience/occasion or to "feel" or to NOT "feel" an emotion such as happiness, sadness, boredom, frustration, panic, fear, stress. Congrats on your progress!! Hope in your Future is Power in Your Present! Lee

Really REALLY Exciting!!

Not to be a part popper but.... I no longer use food as a reward or to "honor" anything - doing so got me over 450lbs. Lee 280 lbs Lost - All diseases reversed

Hey Jrock, Congrats on your decision to embrace exercise!! I wast 450+ pounds and on oxygen and started my walking program with 30 seconds and now I compete in Triathlons. The key is start today... And increase a little each day. Also I used to live in Vegas and understand the heat you are dealing with there. I suggest: 1- Immediately get a Leslie Sansone walking DVD / pop it in and follow - keep track of the time ( how long you do it) start with what you can do without it being an huge huge effort - write down the time it took - maybe 3 min maybe 5, it doesn't matter just document it. Then do it EVERY day adding 30 seconds each time. 2- Two additional days a week go to the mall or a target or Walmart and walk briskly and with purpose - distance and time of walk depends on your specific rate needs etc... 3- The DVD walk should be done as soon as you get out of bed - Pre coffee Pre shower - right away. Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present! Lee 280lbs Lost - All diseases reversed - ACE certified Personal Trainer & Health Coach

Hey RK, Guess you don't live in a glass house the way you are heaving stones at this person?!!! Calling someone lazy is NOT helpful ... If you are so passionate about MFP, which is a solids resource, then how about done tips on share a struggle you had and your path to success ... That provides HOPE and therefore help ... two things we ALL need : ) Hope in your future is power in your present! Lee 280 lbs Lost - All Diseases reversed

Hi Beach Congrats on your dedication to working out! Zumba is fun cardio and an excellent way to meet healthy people. Assuming that your calorie intake is appropriate to achieve your goals then I can def tell you what's going on. Your body is adjusting "adapting to imposed demands" a rule of human physiology. Therefore, it's important to vary your workouts to keep your body "adapting"... in this case losing weight, becoming more lean. I would keep Zumba but trade out some days doing some other exercises. A combination of cardio and resistance training WILL give you the results you seek and DESERVE!! You are putting in the "work" so you should get the results - it's a matter of tweaking your routine, in essence working smarter not harder. I am glad to give you more specifics if you would like them - just let me know. Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present! Lee 280 lbs Lost - All Diseases reversed - now an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach