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Ugh! I still haven't lost another pound! I think it's fill time!

Holy Moly....8 Tuff Miles! That certainly LOOKS Tuff!!! Something tells me I won't be joining that crowd! On the other hand....I guess anything could change between now and 2009!!

FRANGI !!!!!!!! REMEMBER what I was TELLING YOU???????? Remember how I said "YOU CAN DO IT", "IT WILL GET EASIER", and "YOU WILL BE SURPRISED"?!?!?!?!?! Remember that I said, "JUST KEEP GOING" and "PUSH YOURSELF"?????? You see what I mean now, don't cha???????

Man, I haven't changed my stats since the first time I put them in! I feel like I MAY have lost an additional pound, but my scale kinda moves all over the place, so I can't be certain. I definitely think I'm destined for the slow losers club! I'm tryin' to deny it!

Mmmmmmm.....leg rub-downs from hot, sexy trainers!!! I'll do sprint drills for that ANY day! Goodness Gracious, that 5 minute run was HELLACIOUS in the 100 degree heat!!! The second 5 minute run was just about impossible for me--but I made it! I reluctantly reminded myself that the end of week 5 has that 20 minute run...YIKES!

Welllllll...I didn't run yesterday--holiday and all. I'm starting week 4 today--5 minute run, here I come! It's definitely hot, but if I just keep going, I will "condition" myself to be in the heat. At least, I hope that's true!

I can't believe that you've gone for 14 months of being uncomfortable and having to sleep in a chair!!! I wish you would have come to this site a year ago--we would have told you to go to the doc then!!!! Good luck to you....I hope everything is okay!

I agree-super easy. My doc doesn't do flouroscopy (doing the fill under x-ray_, numbing, local anesthetic, NOTHING! He just makes me lift my legs (so that the abdominal muscles contract and push the port upward toward the skin), feels for the exact location of the port, cleans the area, sticks the needle in, pulls the Fluid out (to check the capacity--make sure there's no leaks/red flags), then puts fluid back in. Like with everyone else, it's super-easy, super-fast, and painless. The only "problems with the fills" come if you, by some chance, get too much fluid in your band (causes problems eating/drinking) or if you have a doctor who has to "dig around" to find the port.

Rosemary????? In a protein shake???? Whoa! My expectations have just gone through the roof....that's right, girlfriend, you had BETTER perfect it!!! LOL!!!!!!

So, was it any good? And, when are you going to share the recipe? I wouldn't mind taking the protein-shake-advice from a shoulda-been-a culinary master!

Are you serious, CarolAnne? This forum is very "safe"--if you mean by that what I think you do. You just happen to click on a thread in the "RANT" section -- what you see is what you get here. I would recommend checking out a different thread--any thread but this one!

Whosya...You Run A LOT!! Good lord--you're an inspiration to us all! My update is this: -I skipped week 2, day 3 for logistical reasons. -Since I'm running OUTSIDE with a coworker, and not at the gym, I'm starting week 3 today and it's gonna be 95 degrees! -I got new shoes! I'm super-excited about them and am pretty pumped about runnning today!

Has anyone experienced joint pain or swelling? I can think of absolutely no reason for it, but twice in past week, my ankles have been swollen, and for 4 or 5 days now, I've had some minor soreness in my joints. Most notably, the ankles, elbows, and wrists. I have not really been taking Vitamins like I should, and I'm hoping that's a proper explanation, but I'm pretty clueless. Have you experienced this? Do you know the possible causes? I do have a call in to my surgeon, so I'm assuming I'll hear back from him or the nurse some time today.

Hmmm...that could be it...the doctor's office hasn't called me back -- the swelling hasn't gone down -- ARG! I don't feel like I'm eating an extreme amount of Protein either...and I haven't necessarily "cut down" on carbs.... I'm swollen and clueless!

protein is protein, honey!

This is definitely a question for the nutritionist. Is there one at your surgeon's office, or one that he/she uses? How about this--every morning, I drink a Protein shake and have a yogurt. Between the two, it's 23g protein and 0g carbs. It's yummy, lasts me till lunch, and is a great way to start the day. That's lots of protein, and very little carbs (only what's in the yogurt). NO MEAT!!! There are lots of other ways to get your protein in. There's this other stuff that some of my hippie vegetarian friends use called Texturized Vegetable Protein. You can add it to ANYTHING (either by cooking it in or sprinkling it on top) and it doesn't taste. But, there's protein, and again, NO MEAT! Like I said, you have to GET CREATIVE!!!!!

There are a LOT of vegetarians out there...so don't think you're alone when you say you don't like meat. One of the most important things to concentrate on after banding is Protein intake. If you don't like meat, you will just have to find other means of getting your protein in. You can get creative! Think of it as a challenge!!! :cry_smile:)

It's going to be a whole new experience. Like I said...you won't run and think about stopping. You'll teach yourself to think about other things besides stopping--then just stop when he says. I mean, really, it helps physically and mentally!

oh, btw....congrats on starting week 2!!! I knew you could do it!

Hmmm...yeah, it's definitely free. You know what? I think the best way to do it is to search for it through your iTunes. Get in iTunes, then go the iStore, then do an iSearch for "couch to 5k" or "running podcast" or "ullreys" (that's the name of the guy who did it) or "coolrunnings" (that's the name of the website where the program is). One of those SHOULD work...you'll see it, all 9 weeks. Hope that helps.

I say push yourself too, Franji. I just REstarted the whole program after already completing it once, and week one was hard for me as well. Especially because it's really getting HOT in Texas! I was nervous about week 2, but really it's only 30 more seconds. It's not going to get easier until you MAKE it get easier and you can't make it get easier without pushing your body to extend your limits. I'm not saying to do anything drastic or hurt yourself, but this program is GOOD and ATTAINABLE. If you're anything like me, you might actually be shocked and amazed at how much you are capable of. I've said this several times throughout this thread, but I will say it again: I'm a big proponent of the podcasts, because with that guy's voice on there, you can take the "choice" out of it. You just follow the program and do what the man on the headphones tells you to do. You walk when he says walk and run when he says run. If you don't quit unless you ABSOLUTELY can't go on, you will find that as the weeks go by, the longer run is not a frightening brick wall, but an exciting new challenge. Just tell yourself you can stop whenever you want, but just DO WHAT THE MAN TELLS YOU and you'll be FINE!!!!!

Scrambled eggs???? Whoa, baby! They are STILL on my no-no list! I get stuck on them every time! Anyway...didn't your doc give you a list? Here are some good mushies: -boxed mashed potatoes (add cheese for protein) -canned refried Beans (I like to melt cheese and put guacamole and sour cream on mine--but then again, I am a Texan!) -"cream of" whatever soups--run them through the blender to get any chunks out -Protein shakes (I like the EAS Carb Control in chocolate Fudge and Rich Dark Chocolate) That's all I can think of...I would call the doc if I were you though--all docs have their own post-op restrictions....

Well....I hate to be harsh, but get over it!!!! He's right...if you're losing weight doing what you're doing right now, obviously your body is still burning more calories than you're taking in. So, even if your head is saying that you're eating too much, 20 lbs in 6 weeks is your body saying you're not. Another thing, WHO CARES how long it takes you to lose 65 lbs???? Did you lose 65 lbs in the last 3 yrs??? I don't think so....or even if you did, and thought you could sustain that, you probably wouldn't be here in the first place. Another thing.....the faster you lose weight, the less time your skin has to shrink with you....take your time, and you might find that you don't need that PS..... I've only ost 35 lbs in 6 months since my band--and I'm frustrated--often. I've been averaging only 3 lbs a month since the initial weight loss right before/after surgery. So, I'm definitely not some lap-band hot shot telling you to chill your jets. It's taken me A LOT to get to a place where I can accept all the advise I'm given to you--and there are still some days when I get frustrated. But, if your doc doesn't think you need a fill for another 4 weeks, that's the least of your worries! Buck up and be thankful for your awesome success so far!!!!! FOR REAL!!!!!!

Wowee...I stumbled upon this from the home page, and wish to know more!! What in the world happened?

Yep, Mindy, I DID start again! I did that whole thing, totally quit, and exactly 2 months later, I'm starting again. Except this time, it's hot as PI$$ outside and VERY hard! I'm running with a friend of mine at work on Austin's Town Lake Trail...it's way hillier than when I run in my neighborhood! But, just like last time, I'm going to do what the man on the podcast tells me to and not quit!!!