HealthyNewMe

I've always read that a person needs to MIX things up. In exercise, it might mean doing one day of HIIT'S, one day for endurance, one day for speed, etc. In other words, keep the body guessing. I also have seen that you can do this with food and calorie intake..... For example, some people do carb cycling days, others do several low calorie days, followed by a high corie day, etc. SHAKE THINGS UP.... and go see your doctor. You have nothing to hang your head low about.... You might be on a plateau, but you're NOT GAINING!!!!!!

My daughter is 118 pound lifelong runner..... She and I happened to be working out at the gym the other day, and as she's running her 7 minute miles, an overweight lady next to her was barely shuffling on the treadmill. I looked over at the two of them and I was inspired, in awe, and proud of BOTH of them. Later that day, my "runner" said that she is much more INSPIRED by non-athletes trying to regain their health than muscle bound gym rats. On another note she said that when she's in her "zone," she doesn't even really notice others in the gym. Her whole mindset is on her run. And, I'm starting to get that way too. Im traininf myself to be more focused on me than others. It is my humble opinion that it is only human nature to compare. We (I) have done the whole comparing thing in many aspects: what "they" are eating vs what "I" am eating, what "their" workout is like compared to "mine," what speed "they" are running vs what speed "I" am running. I see both side's opinion on that article!!!

Haven't tried it bc I'm still losing and following guidelines.... Just am now getting to the GREEN. But, I saved this website as a possible future reference..... Thanks and Good Luck!

Maybe Alex would consider adding STARTING OVER as a whole new forum category!

Julie, I have a 10 cc band. My protocol is liquids only on day of fill, mushies the day after fill day, then on to regular diet. I lost 7 pounds this past month. Keep in mind, I only weigh at the doctor's office once a month ( I can't stand those daily fluctuations with the scale, so I decided a year ago to quit weighing, except once a month). My doc said that after about the fourth fill, they just start "tweaking" the band with smaller and smaller fills. They always ask me how many weeks did the last fill feel like it was working..... I think that's bc the band does adjust/change over time.... What might be too much of a fill might "settle" in over time .... I'm not sure about that last statement, but I believe that's what they are getting at. Glad you're feeling like getting BACK ON TRACK. How's that whole snacking on junkie food going this week?

Julie, I went in today for my regularly scheduled monthly appointment, thinking I would probably not get a fill. Doc did add .2cc. So they start adjusting with tenths of a cc after a while to start "tweaking" it. Glad to see you've been getting all of that exercising in. Keep us posted, TAMMIE

I started on the stationary bike.... Just got my legs moving again and beginning of building up the cardio. Started out after two week checkup post surgery.

BANDISTA ..... I just read this and it goes hand in hand what you just posted... Stop eating CRAP : C - Carbonated drinks R - Refined sugars A - Artificial foods P - Processed foods

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING FOR NINE MORE DAYS! You can do ANYTHING for nine more days!

I had my sixth "fill" today, so my protocol is liquids on day of fill, mushies on second day, then back to regular food. Tonight, I placed a cup of my homemade vegetable soup into my Ninja, and puréed it. Delicious! Hang in there.... YOU CAN DO "ANYTHING" FOR TWO WEEKS!

I personally only drink coffee in the morning. Never was much of a breakfast eater even before the band (I like breakfast foods, just not in the morning). As far as slowing down, I'm a work in progress. I have to really pay attention (in other words, I can't be scarfing food down standing in the kitchen). I must sit and I often set my timer on my phone in order to keep me mindful. When I do this, I'm okay. When I'm doing two or three other things, I'm having stuck episodes, finishing quickly, etc.

I guess each surgeon has his or her own protocol. I had to lose eight pounds in two weeks, consuming only four protein shakes a day (600 calories a day), or I would not qualify for my scheduled surgery. You can bet your ___ ___ ___ I followed that diet and I exercised as much as I could bc I didn't want to blow this chance. I lost eleven pounds. I did all of this last May, when my third child was graduating from high school. I drank my protein shake while I took my entire family to his favorite restaurant, I drank a shake at two different graduation parties, and I drank a shake even as we threw a crawfish boil in his honor. It may have been the hardest two weeks I ever spent without food.... But I kept repeating my mantra (that I live by during difficult situations).... YOU CAN DO ANYTHING FOR TWO WEEKS.... YOU CAN DO ANYTHING FOR TWO WEEKS.... You've come a long way..... Don't blow it now. You deserve to get yourself healthy. You are worth more than that food. You can do this!!!!!!

Sorry to read this. I, too, was banded in Augudt of 2013. I have seen my doctor every four weeks since surgery. Tomorrow will make my SEVENTH visit. I had five fills so far, but I'm finally feeling like I'm in the Green now, so I do not expect another fill for now. No wonder you feel frustrated, disappointed, discouraged..... You paid dearly for the surgery and you're not getting good aftercare.... Obviously the second part if the lapband success equation. Keep calling..... You must advocate for yourself. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.... So to speak !

Julie, How often can you get fills? This is crucial for the band to be adjusted properly...., until then, you are just dieting. I have follow-up appointments every four to five weeks. they are scheduled for the first year like this. i have gotten a fill each time. I go back tomorrow. I don't think I need a fill now bc everything seems to be good. I have restriction enough to eat a small meal three times a day. We'll see what doc thinks tomorrow. In my very humble opinion, I think you might still need more fills. Don't stop now..... You're only partially through your journey. Fills are necessary until you get in the GREEN ZONE.

65 mins on elliptical... 681 calories.... Yahoo!!!!

Love dropping those clothes sizes. Congrats!

My husband and I ate at a very "fine dining" restaurant for my BDay this past Friday... Clancy's in New Orleans. We ordered two appetizers and each ordered a lump crab salad. We shared the delicious appetizers. Did not order an entree. They brought us a complimentary dessert for my BDay, and we wach took one bute snd savored it! left the rest on the plate. As we were eating, I was telling him how the French eat wonderful, rich foods, but they savor each bite and the experience of fine dining. Their obesity rate is much lower than that of the U.S. .... We used to be all about processed foods and QUANTITY.... Not quality. With the band, I now focus on quality. I'm enjoying my life and sticking to the basics 90% of the time. The other 10%, I'll be living like the French.... Enjoying the food, the wine, and the dining experience. Good for you. I'd still like to meet you when I go to New York in April.

I've raised two girls to womanhood and nursed their broken hearts through many hurt feelings caused by their so-called "friends." I will repeat to you what I told them (and showed them with my two best friends)..... A "friend" is someone who loves you, supports you, lifts you up, protects you, and is there for you in good times as well as bad times. A "friend" realizes that two people will not always see eye to eye over every issue, but will support you with your issue, and more importantly will be there to support you (closed lipped) if your decision falls through. There are acquaintances, friends, and true friends. True friends are a rarity, but when you have one or two, you know it!

I'm pretty much a creature of habit during the weekdays (weekends are quite different). As I said before, I usually do not eat breakfast; however, when I do, it's either eggs and bacon or sausage, or oatmeal. For lunch, I make lots of salads for the week: tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad, chef salad, seafood salad, or chilli, or protein shakes after I exercise. I buy a vanilla already prepared shake, and add either frozen fruit or an extra scoop of choc protein powder and a scoop of PB2 and a frozen banana. I whip that up in my blender ...... Thick, rich, and full of protein. For dinner, I eat whatever I fix for my family.... Usually meat (ground beef, chicken, steak, roast beef, turkey) and some sort of vegetable. I might also eat beans or Italian, Mexican, Chinese foods. I pretty much eat anything, just modified. I try to not eat: sugar, white flour ( so no baked goods), white bread, white pasta, or white potatoes. I really like those carbs, but I really try to NOT eat them. I do not worry about fat.... It's like the one thing I'm not willing to "give up." So, I'll eat fried seafood or fried chicken every once in a while. It's all working, bc the band helps me with the portion sizes. Like I said before, I do not buy or bring into the house snack foods. I do like guacamole and chips, so I found a brand of chips called Beanitos ( made of ground black beans or pinto beans). I'll eat those chips and homemade guacamole, but I eat it as a meal, not as a snack. I log all my good into MyFitnessPal to track calories each day. I aim to eat 900 calories a day. Since I exercise each day and burn around 500-600 calories, I eat those calories back, so I eat about 1400-1500 calories a day on days I exercise.

WOW....... to the Nth POWER

I know that this is probably an irrational fear, but whenever I take an OFF DAY from exercising, I have a fear that it will be the first day of me quitting this beautiful exercise routine that I have finally incorporated into my life. Does anyone else ever have such a weird fear?

I take OFF days. I like to "schedule" them, but I also know how life is and some days don't go according to plans. I also know that it's probably an irrational fear, but I guess my anxiety in writing this post is that I ALSO KNOW ME.....just when things are getting good( weight loss , smaller clothes sizes, compliments, workout routines), I have, in many cases, gone back to ALL OF MY OLD HABITS..... Couch potato being one of them.

Now that's what I call PROGRESS !

Sandy..... You and I are BIRTHDAY TWINS.... I was thinking the same thing when I read the March 7 date. Your March 7 date is sort of like a REBIRTH in to a whole new healthy life. Best wishes!

When I started exercising, I rode a stationary bike bc the seat of the bike carried my weight. That's how I began to build up cardio endurance. My doctor said to wait six weeks to start exercising, but he encouraged us to do a lot of walking..... Not at a pace to build up a sweat, but at a comfortable walking/strolling pace.