NancyintheNorth

@ - thanks for your reply, I'll be sending out info to you on the first meeting. @chichiA oh please, don't be discouraged...I'll send a private note to you. @@Patti33 I'll be sending out information to you very soon, thanks for replying @@Yoga lady - consider setting up a group there. If no one is leading one, why not you? Who else is out there that would love some support in the GTA?

Hello there everyone, If you live in the local GTA area, I want to tell you about a new local support group. I'm going to be the new chapter leader in the Oakville/Mississauga/Burlington area. I was banded in March of this year by Dr. Christopher Cobourn. While I'm not working now, I have a background in management and human resources and I hope to learn along with you. I welcome anyone with a weight issue who has had or will be having any type of bariatric surgery. I'd love to know who would attend meetings and whether a daytime or an evening meeting is preferable. I can do either. You don't have to be from Oakville/Mississauga or Burlington. It doesn't matter, however meetings will be held in Oakville. Bariatric Pal is providing us information for discussion purposes. Our first meeting would be in approximately two weeks where we will discuss the venue and meeting times, how frequently, what people need assistance with etc. Feel free to comment here, or send me a private message.

Who else is in the GTA of Ontario that might want to join a group? Please send me a note either here or in private. Thanks Nancy

Hi Patti - I'm just getting started with meetings. I'll advise once a date/time is set. Do you prefer a daytime or an evening meeting or does it matter? Thanks Nancy

Hello there everyone, If you live in the local GTA area, I want to tell you about a new local support group. I'm going to be the new chapter leader in the Oakville/Mississauga/Burlington area. I was banded in March of this year by Dr. Christopher Cobourn. While I'm not working now, I have a background in management and human resources and I hope to learn along with you. I'd love to know who would attend meetings and whether a daytime or an evening meeting is preferable. I can do either. You don't have to be from Oakville/Mississauga or Burlington. It doesn't matter, however meetings will be held in Oakville. Bariatric Pal is providing us information for discussion purposes. Our first meeting would be in approximately two weeks where we will discuss the venue and meeting times, how frequently, what people need assistance with etc. Feel free to comment here, or send me a private message. Thanks Nancy

Hello!! As I said in my last blog post, my stall is now over. How did I break it? By doing a few things that are working for me (that means they may, but may not work for you!!) I limit myself to no more than 1400 calories a day. That might seem really high, but I also REALLLLY exercise and my body seems to be handling that well because I'm losing weight. I feel good. I found a diet - really just a great eating plan that works for me, although I modify it for myself. I focus on how food feels inside my body and while I'm exercising I focus on repeating several mantras. There are some things I don't eat - tofu is one of them and I don't handle beef well now that my band is in place. I eat chicken and fish and I have veggies and fruits. I was never a good salad eater and I'm still not, but I insert veggies into omelet's, into stir fry, into anything. I also can't handle bread, but I can eat crackers and I love my Wasa crackers. I'm using less and less in the way of shakes because I'm aware that they don't keep me full for a lengthy period of time. Shakes and liquids pass through the bad relatively quickly, whereas 'real' food has to process through the band, through the stomach. So I had only my 2nd fill scheduled for this Tuesday, but I'm also in this groove, and I don't want to play with that at all. After speaking to the nursing team at the clinic where I had surgery, they agreed. I'm pushing out on having another fill in another three weeks. I can move that up if I need to. After reading a lot, I decided that it was a possibility that I wasn't eating enough, and for me, that turned out to be true. I felt there was little harm in experimenting. Just like not that long ago I discovered that I can push my body with exercise. Believe me when I say that I barter with myself constantly. "Maybe I'll only do 20 minutes", "maybe I don't have to exercise today", "maybe it's too hot/cold/windy/early/late to exercise", "maybe I can eat that entire box of cookies"...UGH! It goes on and on and I ignore it all. I feel so good when I have promised myself that I'll eat well and exercise that day and I actually do that. Upon occasion I allow myself some treat. I feel like I could go on a bender at any time and I try to keep vigilant. All is good right now, and I know that can change, but I have my band to help me and an outstanding medical team at my disposal. I wish everyone success! Nancy

I don't use many diet products. My exceptions - sweet n low, milk (skim) and I occasionally eat a luna bar, and occasionally a Protein shake.

yesss finally that stall is over. I'm losing so painfully slowly but it's still losing. The best news is that I feel great, I'm learning every day about what I can and can't eat, how my body tolerates change and when and if I'm hungry or bored, or thirsty. It's struck me how out of touch with my own body I've been. I am obsessing about how much food I need for me. For my body type, how much protein, how much carbohydrate, etc. I'm looking for help with that issue. My sister in law is a nutritionist, and while I don't need help with what to eat, just how much. I have a theory that one reason my stall was so long is that I wasn't eating enough. I've been on a roll, eating properly, exercising, devoting part of every day to health. Best wishes Nancy

I lost most of my weight in the two weeks before surgery. After surgery I gained 3 pounds and I've lost that and am now just starting to lose again after a long plateau. I'm in my 50's I'm 6 weeks out from surgery As other posters have said, this will be different based upon so many factors. The band isn't quite working for me yet, I've had one fill and will soon have another, but I"m sticking with a diet that makes sense to me. Best wishes

I'd be upfront and honest with your surgical team. Talk to them - tell them about your concerns. Best wishes

I'm also about 6 weeks out and I can still drink as much Water as I want. I can't eat bread, but I do fine with crackers. Experiment! Never say never

look at you!! wayyyy to GO!

Hello everyone I'm a fit bit user and I've just signed up for my first 5k walk happening near the end of this month. yesterday I decided that it would be good if I tried to walk further. I've gone just over 10,000 steps only one time. I had to drop my car at the shop and I thought that rather than taking the shuttle, that I'd walk home. I mapped things out using something called "google pedometer". I have zero idea if it's accurate. But after fiddling with this I decided on a route that I thought I knew. Turns out I didn't know, and I got lost, and I ended up walking for an hour and 44 minutes before I finally found my way home. Later yesterday I found a 4 week course upcoming on Power Walking (different from Race Walking) that started last night. It was pouring here with rain, and I figured I go as it being the first course was likely just going to be examples or videos or diagrams...noooooooooooo Out we went into the driving rain. An hour and 1/2 later all totaled, I'd walked over 22,000 steps. And I lived which inspires me because it tells me that I can do much more than I think I can, that I work against rather than with my brain at times. Now today I'm taking it easy. Despite an epsom salt soak, I'm still sore. I did take the doggie out for her walk, but we didn't hurry. Power Walking is about walking quickly but with precision so that you are efficient. Race walking requires a gait that I'm not comfy with at all. I'm excited for this class as I want to improve my form, my distance, and my time. Push yourself. What can you do that you think you can't? Nancy

Personally - when I moved to solids, I gained three pounds. I'm told by my doctor that this is normal, you'll shed those again. I had my first fill only the past Thursday. Keep moving, keep with your program. Good luck!