stI24nger

First of all, Rachel, congrats on your 32 pounds. Second, it totally sucks that you haven't eaten in 6 weeks! That's just....wrong!!! I would KILL myself! LOL. Anyway, I'm in a similar position as you. I've had 3 fills and 1 unfill so far. The first was 3, the second was 2, and the third was 2. After the third, I was up to 7 cc's and couldn't even keep water down. I had to go directly back the next day, were my doc removed 1.5 cc. I definitely have restriction, and some days are definitely better than others, but I'm totally eating more than just liquids/mushies! I've been at 5.5 for a couple of weeks now, and think I will probably wait longer than I was and get a smaller fill than I did last time. My goal was to get to "ONEderland" before I intentionally "slowed down" on the weight loss, but I'm at about 203 now and am cool with taking it easy. I think eventually I will get to 8 cc filled, but from now on, I think I'm going to take it .5cc at a time and feel it out.

I hear that, bigbaby! And speaking of which, I just got back from the gym and wanted to announce loud and proud, I JUST COMPLETED WEEK 9 DAY 1!!!!!!! That's 30 minutes of running! I actually did 32 minutes because I wanted to see if I could. That damn gym was so hot and I was sweatin' like a stuck pig, but I DID IT!!!! Hurray! :rolleyes2:

Okay, I'm back! I have fallen off with my forum reading/posting, but not my running! I even ran while I was in San Diego on vacation. I am ashamed to admit it, but I finally skipped a day! I made it 8 1/2 weeks before my first skip, so that's pretty good! The only reason I had to skip was that I spent most of my run day travelling from Cali to TX. I'm getting back on the horse today and am going to do day 3 of week 8. I may do one more day of week 8 just to say I did all three work outs, but on Thursday, I'm starting week 9!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOO HOOOOO! I still can't believe I've actually made it!

The good news of all of it is that yesterday at the doc I weighed 209.6 and today I weighed 207.0. That's great! He took out 1.5...yeah. He said from now on we'll go .5 at a time. I think that's a good plan, even though it means more fills and more money!!!! That's okay, it's worth it!

Thanks, everyone! I AM feeling better! I got 1.5 taken back out, leaving me at 5.5. I feel like a whole new person! I actually came back to work! So, now that I've been away for 3 hours I have a lot to catch up on!

holy crap. the owner of chick-fil-a just walked in with a bag full of chicken biscuits and chicken minis. Talk about torture!!!! Kill me now!!!!

Okay, started week 6 last night at the gym. It was harder for me than running 20 minutes outside last week was. I have a few theories on why: 1) I'm actually running slower outside than the 4.3 mph I stick to on the treadmill (that's kinda sad) or 2) It was hard because I was on liquids only yesterday because of my fill. I kinda hope it's the latter....speaking of fills. Holy moly, I now have restriction. I'm a little worried it may be too much, but I'm going to take it easy for a few days and see what happens. Yesterday, I was fine all day drinking liquids. Today, I've pretty much been "stuck" all day. Even on just coffee and water. I just have the pressure in my chest that tells me to stop. But shouldn't I be able to drink thin clear liquids just fine? Like I said, it may be a little too much, but I'm going to stay on liquids for a few days and see how it goes. Does anyone have an opinion for me?

Wombat...are you kidding me? I just have to throw a little bit of scorn your way....you say 'they don't need to see all this jogging'??? Girlfriend, you're BELOW MY GOAL WEIGHT!!!!!!! You're not "all this." YOU'RE HOT AND SKINNY!!!!!!!!!! Feel great!

Whosya....congrats on all of your accomplishments...you definitely are an inspiration. The photographer posted pics from the race last Saturday on the web, and there are certainly some great ones of both Mindy and me...but unfortunately, I can't copy them, so it would take you 25 years to find us. Oh well. So, I got another fill today. Thank goodness, because tomorrow is my 3 month bandiversary (half of whosya) and I've only lost 25 pounds (one fourth of whosya). I am definitely in the mood for a kick start! I'm starting week 6 tonight. After running 20 minutes straight on Monday, this should be a cinch--has intervals of 8 minutes and 5 minutes running. I can't believe it AT ALL, but it's true--it DOES get easier, and we CAN do it! I'm lovin' it!!!! I've actually inspired 2 or 3 people to get on the C25K bandwagon!

I love that...."overserved." Kinda takes all the personal responsibility out of it....and goodness knows it's NEVER my fault! I'm gonna use that from NOW ON!!!!!!! hahahahahaha!!!

On a side note... First....I meant to say congrats on running 5 miles, whosya....I know it wasn't 6....my Superbowl party just ended and I'm having a little trouble typing. Second....I'm getting my third fill this Thursday...and after today's said Super Bowl party, I must say I'm definitely ready for it!!!!!!!!

Wow! I sure have missed out on a lot since I last posted! Mindy, thanks for posting the pics! Honestly, I am sooooo proud of myself. Besides the BIG uphills, I really DID run most of the race. I can't believe it! The course, like Mindy said, WAS extremely hilly--a huge departure from my neighborhood and the treadmill. I kinda thought I wouldn't make it-I was breathing so hard....but I did! When I crossed the finish line, there was an announcer who said, "number 160! Great job, Tina!" How cool it was to hear them announce my name! Still kinda freaking out about day 3 of week 5...I have to run 20 minutes straight. BUT....as I've always said, I'm just going to try it and see what happens. I'll use whosya as my inspiration....btw...congrats on running 6 miles! That's incredible. I HONESTLY NEVER thought I would be a runner....but the accomplishments really make me proud of myself, no matter how small each one is, and I'm really enjoying myself quite a bit. This really could turn into something!!!!!!

HOLY MOLY, whosya!!!!!!! That's a Loooooooooooooong time! Good for you!

Okay, I slept pretty much all afternoon yesterday and til about 10 today. I'm back on the horse. I'm going to start week 5 tonight and see what happens. Mindy and I went and picked up our "Race" packets today (RACE--Yeah, right, more like "jog and walk packets") and I'm feeling all right. I'm going to really try to avoid getting sick, even though I feel like I'm on the verge.....

All right, so I finished week 4 last night! It was a little hard...I've been soooooo tired these last few days (am I getting sick now too???). I was looking at the week 5 schedule on the web and realized that next Monday I'm going to be running 20 minutes without stopping!!!! Holy moly! I don't know if I'm ready! For the past four weeks, I've maintained my "just do it and see how it works out" attitude, and it's worked well for me so far, so I'm just going to continue to follow the program and "listen to what the man tells me" (on the podcasts), and hopefully I'll be running up to 20 minutes in a mere 6 days. We'll see!

I was thinking I wanted to get to 7....maybe I'll ask for 6.5 first and see what happens.

luluc----how many cc's is your band, and how filled are you? I'm at 5 of 10....hoping my next on 2/7 will put me in YOUR place!

Okay, so I started week 4 last night...... IT WAS HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!! I, however, DID IT!!!!!!!!!!! I'm with everyone else as far as having difficulty getting past 4 minutes. I'm such a goodie-two-shoes, though, that I told myself I HAD to do what the man said, and I just kept running til he told me to stop. I swear to you, if it's not a little easier on Saturday when I do my second week 4 run, I just don't know what I'll do.... So, even though I already did it, I'm still scared, but am going to continue to just go with the flow. I refuse to quit until I just involuntary fall out---Biggest Loser style (they're always falling down on that show).

Congrats, and good luck tomorrow. Your life has officially changed--for the better!!!! Get some rest, and enjoy those pain meds!

coltonwade's 6 year old is in the emergency room again!!! i just called her, and she's sitting at the hospital..... Everyone keep him in your thoughts/prayers!!!!!!! I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but hopefully he'll get well soon!!!!

I agree--it definitely gets easier....like I said, you will be stunned as the days go by and you find that you actually CAN! Congratulations, and Keep Going!

coltonwade....do you just seek out the drama posts, or what? ROTFLMAO :tt1: :rolleyes2:

You should TOTALLY do it! It's awesome and fun, and you'll be so thrilled with yourself when you realize you actually CAN!!!!! It's so empowering!!! Oh, and Luluc, You're no whimp....but I'm sorry if I made you feel that way! Believe me, I'm as STUNNED as anyone else that this is really working!!!! Keep on going, Girlfriend!!!! Yee-haw!!!!!!

Yeah, that's true! But, I'm doing the Couch to 5k running program with my audio podcasts...I'm hooked. I think I may be turning into a "runner". And believe me, coming from my lips, that's just Crazy Talk! If you're interested in checking it out, here's a link to one of the threads about it: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f81/couch-5k-anyone-want-start-me-48023/

Yeah, okay....I'm totally ready for another fill. I'm really trying to change my eating habits...like chewing thoroughly and putting down the fork between bites, but I ate dinner at about 5:30, went to the gym at 7:20, and now it's 8:23 and I want some freaking ice cream so badly right now I'm about to throw a hissy fit!!!!!!!!!! I'm NOT EVEN kidding you. The only reason I know I'm not going to get it is because it's cold and rainy and the car is already in the garage. BOO! I will call the doc tomorrow and shoot for 2/7 for a fill date. That's 12 days before I leave for San Diego, so great timing. I hope I'll be able to talk the doc into 2cc's so I'll be at 7. I think that will start to be good for me.