Leepers

I so understand! I don't have a lot of pics either. My before pic I took on the third day of my preop diet so I would have something for a before pic. It's sad how we have missed out on capturing so much of our lives.

I feel for you. I can't imagine how hard it must be to balance job, kids, hubby too. But, it sounds to me as if 30 minutes away is just what you need. How about after dinner, let hubby put away food and do the dishes and watch the kid while you take a short walk around the block? It would be a great time to be alone, sort out your thoughts, and get in some physical movement. I know, by that time, you're probably really tired, but if you can just do it anyway, you may find you enjoy it. Pick two days during the week so hubby will know when to expect it. Lots of people have lost the weight without exercise so don't beat yourself up if you can't do it right now, but it would probably be so good to have some time for you. Best wishes!

Congrats!! I'm inspired. I need to lose about the same as you. 130 pounds for me. I'm looking forward to that halfway point. You should post some before and half-way pics!

I was like that until my first fill and then for some reason, after the fill, I started getting cravings and super hunger. It might be because I started working out. If that's the way you feel, it's ok. Relish it. And don't decide to push it. You're doing great.

I recently purchased a cookbook at Kroger called Taste of Home, Healthy Cooking. I LOVE this new cookbook. I'm trying to get better about cooking and not relying on convienience. So, I like to find easy recipes that don't take long to fix. I've gone through the book and marked a bunch of recipes I want to try. I try to stay away from the ones with bread or Pasta, but there are still plenty in there. Plus, they have a section called dinner In 30, with quick recipes. I tried one tonight called Mediterranean Tilapia and it was delicious! Hubby loved it too. Oh, and the book has all the nutritional info for each dish too.Here's the recipe: 6 tilapia filets (6oz) 1 cup canned Italian diced tomatoes 1/2 cup water-packed artichoke hearts, chopped 1/2 cup sliced black olives 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese Preheat oven to 400. Place filets in 9x13 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Top with tomatoes, artichokes, olives, and feta cheese. Bake 15-20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. **note- I used frozen tilapia and even put it in the pan frozen. It just takes a few more minutes to cook. Also, I drained the tomatoes first. This recipe is a little high in sodium if you use the canned ingredients but it low in calories, low in fat, and high in Protein. Makes 6 servings Nutritional Info: 197 Calories, 4g fat, 446mg sodium, 5g carb, 1g Fiber, 34g protein

I like your sense of humor! Keep going to the gym. Yes, you may have to take care of other people, but take care of you first.

Rein those puppies in! I can't stand when a see a girl running and her boobs are floppin around. Lol. Sorry about your wardrobe malfunction and congrats on your run!

I think the cod will do just fine!

I agree. I've gone many years avoiding pictures. And how many times did I tell people not to tag me on facebook?

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Best wishes to you.

I agree, it looks like an ingrown hair. I would pop it and put peroxide on it a few times a day. If it doesn't get better, go to the doc. With things like MRSA, these days, you can't be too safe.

My first fill was today at 0940 and it went great! My totally good looking surgeon (looks just like Chris O'Donnell) (not my type, but who doesn't appreciate a pretty face?) came in, he was happy I had lost 8 pounds since my last visit 3 weeks ago. He asked me a few questions about how much I was eating and if I was hungry between meals and we decided to go ahead and do a fill. Side note: I was told not to eat any solid foods for 3 hours before my fill. I laid on the table with a pillow under my back. He felt around on my stomach and then had me put my hands behind my head and do a crunch. He said I was gonna feel a pinch and inserted the needle. It stung a bit, but not bad. Then he said, "OK, I'm in your port. Now here's the fun part." Then he had me sit up, with the needle sticking out of my belly (no pain) and turn to sit on the edge of the table. He handed me a cup of Water. He said that he had filled my band completely and he wanted me to take normal size drinks of water until I felt it in my throat. Then he said he would take out the saline and when I felt the feeling in my throat go away, to tell him. I started drinking the water and after about 4-5 drinks, I felt like I had a huge bubble in my throat. He then drew out the Fluid and when the bubble left he stopped. Then he had me take more sips of water until I felt that each drink went completely through with no discomfort or sluggishness. It was about 2-3 drinks until that happened. And then we were done. I asked him if he would tell me how much fluid was in the band and I could tell he really didn't want to. He said he didn't think it was good to compare yourself to others on the internet/forums because people have different size and brands of bands. I told him I totally realized that,but that since I'm a nurse, I'm naturally curious. (I couldn't give a darn what's in there as long as it does it's job.) So he told me it was a little over 2cc's. Then we discussed my diet to follow the fill. For the rest of today and all of tomorrow I am to do full liquids. Then back to solids while exercising caution. And there ya go! Easy peasy Japaneesy. I had to go to work after the appaointment and didn't drink anything till like 230p. I drank a Protein shake. I did fine. Sometimes I think I'm overly obsessed with every feeling and I kinda felt that if I didn't wait a bit between drinks, I would kinda feel the liquid in my espohagus. I don't think it's a sign of being too tight. I'm going to take it as a sign that I REALLY need to eat smaller bites and wait between bites. All of that stuff I've been trying to practice since surgery.....now is the time to really do it!

I love this! I wrote a blog entry today about how the mind is muscle that you must work. It's just as important as changing your diet and exercising. We must change the way that we think and focus on the positive. Push the negative thoughts to the side.

Well, not technically. But we forget that we have to work our minds in this process just as much as we work our body. If you are constantly thinking or saying negative things, then that is the energy you are putting out into the world and it is what you're gonna get back. A long time ago, I was sick of going to bed every night feeling anxious and laying there, having a thousand things a minute running through my mind. I decided, I want a quiet mind. When I couldn't go to sleep, I would stop myself and try to think of an image. You could pick anything, but for some reason, I always chose an apple. Sometimes green, sometimes red. I would picture the apple in my head. I would look at all of the details. The stem, was it long or short? Did it have that little rough edge on top? I would look at the body of the apple. Was there a shiny part? Were there little brown spots on the skin? How about the bottom of the apple? Did it have 3 or 4 little bump feet like red apples have or was it smooth? What about the little brown spot on the bottom. Was it rough? By doing this I was changing the focus of my mind. I was slowing it down. Sometimes, I would picture that apple for about 15 seconds before my mind was already back to racing thoughts. But after a bit, I would catch myself, and go back to the apple. Each time, doing my best to push all the other crazy thoughts aside. The more I did it, the easier it got to quiet my mind. Really, it's sort of a form of meditation. The same goes even during our waking hours. If we succumb to the negative thoughts, they will consume you. We have to learn to push them away. To ignore them until they disappear. I thought about this today at the gym. I spend a good part of my time there comparing myself to others, being self-conscious that I'm the fattest person there. Why do I have to have people running on both sides of me, when all I can do is walk? Do they purposely get on the treadmill next to me, so that they look better? All very negative thinking. And I keep reigning myself in. Stop it, Leigh! Stop thinking these negative thoughts. What does it matter? I don't even know these people. I don't care about them or what they think and I'm not gonna let these thoughts hinder my progress. I've found that as time goes on, it's easier for me to get rid of these and just focus on what I'm doing. The less you give into the negativity, the easier it is to get on with your life. So don't forget to work that muscle that is your mind. It really may be the most important part of this weight loss journey. We have to learn to control our mind. Bring the subconscious forward into consciousness and be truthful to ourselves, no matter how painful.

I've only had one fill and not a lot of restriction so far. I looove sushi and didn't even think about the fact that it might cause problems until after I had the band. So far, rice doesn't bother me. I ate some sushi last week and chewed it very well. I did Ok. It was grocery store sushi so on the last few pieces, I removed the outer ring of rice and just ate the inside. Still delicious.

I agree Kayvon, I too have done a complete overhaul of my daily diet. With hubby on board it's been awesome. I'm going to the gym 4 days a week and loving it. I'm not even sure how the band fits into my plan at this point as I don't feel like it's doing much. Only one fill so far. My hope is that it's there for me in the maintenance phase. My plan is to never eat like before. Large size Arbys beef and cheddar meal with a side of jalepeno poppers? Never again. As a matter of fact, if I never have Arby's again, it'll be too soon.

You can still eat your mom's yummy food, you'll just eat less! But it's probably a good idea to lay off of it for a while.

Yes, do a last big meal if you want. The hubby and I went to an awesome local restaurant. They have these big giant gourmet burgers that come with steal fries the size of the Empire State Building. A last hurrah and then I was on the straight and narrow.

This topic is inspired by a post Carolina Girl made on her blog today. It was about people saying I can't. It reminded me once of something my dad told me his marriage counselor had said to him. I've carried it in my mind ever since. The quote goes: There is no "can't" for adults. There is only "I won't" or "I don't know how." Think about it. Either you just won't or you don't know how. Either do it or find out how. And my quote for this journey: Do something. Anything. Just do SOMETHING!

Shel, I just added you as a friend with no problems. Weird.

More solids. Cheerios have liquid which makes them slide down to easy. Soup is a slider too. Eat solid food that you have to chew for a while. More protein. Some sort of exercise, even if it's just walking around the block. Best wishes!

Sometimes, when I get that message if I try again later, it's ok.

I haven't used any support groups so far, but they say it helps with success. I've been lucky to have my hubby on this journey with me. He doesn't have a band, but he's changed his diet along with me and we've joined a gym. Exercise is key. Even if it's just a stroll through the neighborhood. The only people I knew before getting my band were also unsuccessful. One lost about 60lbs but then got a bad infection around her band. They took all the saline out and she never got it filled again. She's kept off the weight but is still very heavy. The other lady just had no clue and from what I can gather, pretty much ate around the band. We can't worry about other people's lack of success. Believe me, if the band didn't work most of the time, insurance companies would not be paying for it. We have to realize that we still have to have a life style change. The band is just a tool. I have to change. You can do it. You sound ppro-active and informed. That's more than a lot of other's. Just stay focused and you'll succeed! And, oh yeah, keep visiting this forum regularly. You learn a lot about what to do and especially what not to do. Best wishes!

I know what you mean about being self conscious when trying to run. I'm going through the same thing right now. My hubby joined us to a gym that doesn't have very many overweight people. Especially women. There's some treadmills in a little upstairs area that I might try. But I keep telling myself to get over it. I'm 40 years old and what do I care about those people? I can't wait for the snow to melt so I can try some outdoor running. Keep it up, you're doing great!

I had problems with that too. Especially on my phone. We wanna hear the long story!