hollyberries

starting # current # goal # to go#

TxArcher................360....................346..........345....... ..1

Shortgal.................198....................192.6.......192. .......1/2 (now I'm aiming for 191)

Trixie......................264...................248..........244.... ......4

tyman311................168...................161..........150........ .11

Shalee04.................218...................208..........206....... .. ..2

Steph.....................203.5................188.5.......188.5...... .. ..0

hungry....................227.5................218..........215.5..... ..2.5

Longhorn.................211...................205..........199....... .. ..6

plump_princess.........237...................227..........227......... .. 0

Momto1plus1...........241...................235..........229.......... .. 6(229)

ellbrookes 191.........181...................175............................6

want2lose...............236.8................229.8.......225......... .4 .8

Hollyberries.............298...................285...........285..... ... ..0

Skinny_Jill..............195...................187..........180..... .......7

kristin1031.............256...................246..........240........ ....6

Cindyg..................218....................215.........208...... ......7

Teresajo.................212..................199..............205.... ... ..-6

Couldn't tell you how overnight that I lost 3lbs. I think between TOM, return from my business trip and depression over the PATS Superbowl loss I lost. I guess a Superbowl loss is good for the band and weightloss.

Cindy

I have had one fill and the second is this week. Can't wait until I get it though want some type of restrictions. On the brighter side, I have lost 10lbs. in 5 weeks.

Cindy

TxArcher................360........................346..........345... .1

Shortgal...................198........................192.6.......192. ....1/2 (now I'm aiming for 191)

Trixie...................264.......248..........244.....4

tyman311...........168.......161..........150.....11

Shalee04............218........208.........206......2

Steph...............203.5......188.5......188.5....0

hungry..............227.5......218.........215.5...2.5

Longhorn............211........205.........199.....6

plump_princess........237..............228................227........1

Momto1plus1.............241.......................235................. ...6(229)

ellbrookes 191......181.......175........6

want2lose.............236.8.............229.8............225.........4 .8

Hollyberries...........298...............289...............285..........4

Back from PA and down 1lb. Woo-Hoo! Can't wait for my 2nd fill on Wed. I could use a little. Looks like everyone is doing good. Keep it up.

Hollyberries, are you going to the gift show in NY? I've been a few times, reason....long story! but it's a lot of walking if that's where you're going!

I hope I can post at least one pound down since last week, we'll see. Still struggling with no restriction. Next fill appt is Weds. Fingers crossed!

Shortgal-

We were in PA. I own a Country Home Decor and gift shop. We head to PA for all the primitive goodies I can get my grubby little hands on. Take a look at my website..I have pictures of the store. Hollyberries Country Gifts I am opening a 2nd store on the 19th of this month. Gotta tell you I am very tired right now as I just got back. Of course I had to check in to catch up on this weeks happenings.

Hang in there! You are doing great. Can't wait for my next fill on the 6th.

Cindy

Well... since this is the "talk about weight loss thread"... I have OFFICIALLY BUSTED THROUGH THE 50 POUND BARRIER!

I have lost 54 total!!! YIPPY!!!

Man do I feel better than I did 2 months ago! what a change! That is 13.5% of my max body weight!

I went hiking the other day!

I am just more excited the more I think about breaking through that 50 mark!

Craig-

Great job, Man! You should be very proud of yourself. Missed being on the board while I was in PA. Don't know if I gained or lost while I was gone. I am going to weigh in tomorrow. Gotta tell you that I worked my tail off in PA. We were buying and loading a 16' truck with all the goodies. Before going on the trip I had to buy some pants. Well, I was down 4 sizes and this size won't last long because they are already getting big. Yeah! Lots of NSV moments for all.

Cindy

This is quite a journey we have embarked on together... we band of sisters and brothers, gurgling, sliming, and pb - ing our way to health, freedom and happiness across 24 time zones and six continents. How wonderful that we have each other to share with.

I have restriction after one fill. I have decided to blend my meals, having roughly 3 cups of food a day, which keeps me satisfied; lately, the temptation to eat at night hasn't been there, and that is a huge relief. For today, Breakfast was cottage cheese with garlic and scallions blended with a little skim milk for consistency; lunch was a small plate of hoummous with a tablespoon of tehina topped with oilve oil and spices; and dinner will be 2-3 oz chicken with steamed carrots and a tablespoon of brown rice in the blender. For now I'd rather get the food into me this way rather than dealing with the frustration of sliming and pb-ing, no matter how long or how carefully I think I have chewed my food. This was very hard for me, and I found myself fighting back by pb-ing and then stuubbornly going back for more. I've felt really good over the last few days and I know there's been weight loss as well.

I try to have one fruit between each meal - apples and pears go down well but I have to be aware of my bite size. I try to bite using my four front teeth only rather than stick the whole fork inmy mouth or wrap my mouth around an apple, and I have to make a conscious effort to chew slowly. When I eat at the table, two things work for me. I try to put my fork or spoon down between bites. This is a fun little game - amazing how hard it is at first - and it really slows me down. Another trick is to pck out the slowest eater at the table and to eat slower than they do (also fun!). In all things, the amount of food I put into my mouth is key - no matter how well I chew, some of the food will go down unchewed if I put too mych food in my mouth. For me, a good band -swallow starts with a small bite.

Great advice! Love the game you play to be the slowest eater at the table.

Now...I just wish I had restriction like all you people. Dang it! I have to wait a whole nother week....Not to mention I am on a business trip and not many good choices. I have done very well and have had only 3 meals and Snacks if I needed to but for the most part I have split all the meals in half and taken them back to my room. Thanks goodness for a microwave because we have saved a whole lot of money on our meals. I am a cheap date now.

Keep up the great work everyone!

I will be on a business trip this week so I am not sure I will get to check in much. Hope all are having a loser week. Me can we say STALLED! Yikes!

I hope to make good choices this week while eating on the road.

Name.......................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go

Hi Cindy have you ever gone to the Faulkner for an appt? Does Dr Lautz do appts over there? I have my second fill there w/ Dr Vernon on Feb 8th..I heard it was less hectic over there.

I am for the very first time hungry since my surgery 11/13.Hope this fill helps that.

~Mel

Actually, I am not sure but when I made my last appointment I was told that Dr. Lautz would be going to Faulkner to do surgeries. I haven't gone to the Faulkner for an appointment. I enjoyed Dr. Vernon's seminar. However, I had it my mind to go with Dr. Lautz. I love him; he is really quiet but knows what he is doing. I love love love my band. I go for my 2nd fill on 2/6/08. I can't wait; really need it. My weight has been going down slowly.

Best wishes!

Cindy

Okay, Cindy, what are you nipping? If y'all don't mind, I revised the table to include the mini-goal, as in the original challenge. And I guess we all know it's for 1/24, then 2/24.

Name.......................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go

1. TxArcher.................360..............353...............345 ........8

2. Momto1plus1............241..............237...............229 ........8

3. Hungryforchange.......227.5...........219.5............215.5......4.5

4. Steph.....................203.5............192.5............188.5 .....4

5. shortgal..................198...............194..............192 ........2

6. Hollyberries..............298...............291..............285. .......6

7. Trixie......................264...............253..............244 ........9

8. Longhorn.................211...............205..............199.........6

I guess alot! LOL! I was in a rush when I did it. Thanks for helping out. I can never remember what format it is in.

Thanks,

Cindy

Name.......................Start.....................Current.......... ......To Go

1. TxArcher..................360.......................353............... ......8

2. Momto1plus1.............241.......................237................. ....8(229)

3. Hungryforchange......227.5....................219.5..................4 .5 (total lost 8 pounds)

4. Steph....................203.5.....................192.5.............. ....4 (188.5 goal)

5. shortgal..................198.......................194............... ......2

6. Hollyberries..............298.......................291......................6 (lost 7lbs.)

Dang. Got 2 cc of fill today on top of my 4.5 already in there. So up to 6.5 cc. I could feel (and HEAR!) the Water gurgling through right after the fill. I'm on liquids for 2 days, so I started a Slim-Fast shake when I got home. I took my Vitamins while I was drinking the Slim Fast. YEOUCH. I thought for sure I was going to PB them. It hurt. And they weren't even big Vitamins. I'm taking supplements to hopefully help my skin as I lose weight and they're capsules. It took me nearly an hour to finish my Slim Fast after that. Gees. This might just be restriction! Goodness, I hope so. That would so rock.

I have lost a lot of weight and the NP asked how I've done it without restriction and I told her "will power." It's true - that's what this has been. BUT, the weight is at least a tad bit harder to regain when I slip, now. It'll be so nice to be able to lose weight with the assistance I PAID for over two months ago. LOL

Steph!

YOU ROCK! Ahhh! Restriction..how I miss it.

Cindy

Here you go you losers! LOL Hope everyone is having a good week!

Name.......................Start.....................Current................To Go

food for today was much much better than the last two binge days.

Breakfast: Weight Control Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal

Lunch: 3oz. of taco meat, 1oz. of Fiesta Cheddar cheese, 1.5 cups of salad greens 1/4 cup of Salsa sauce, 9 All-Bran Crackers dipped in some Herb & Garlic dip made with sour cream.

Snack: 13 almonds

Dinner: Nutrisystem spinach ravioli and 1/2 cup of canned spinach

Water: 24 oz of pure Water and 24oz of K2O Protein Water

If hungry later, I may have a some pudding dessert from Football party. I need to get in about another 200 calories. I was only at 1000 today.

Hope everyone is happy and healthy.

Cindy

Well besides what I listed above for my food today, I can add:

dinner: Lean cuisine, more almonds AND one packet of the stupid "weight control" oatmeal.

This is the most I have eaten yet!

Tomorrow, I am doing liquids, if I can only make it until dinner, I'll have to hope that's enough, but I have to stop this, now!

Now I'm asking myself questions. Like, did the last fill actually go in the port?

If I can't get a grip on this, I'm calling and asking to move up my appt!

I think I am now officially the slowest loser in the November group and I'm about to cry. This is not what I want the band to be about!

Shortgal!

Don't get discouraged this is just a season right now. You will begin will get there just be patient. I know that is harder said than done but are you worth the wait. I think so and you will get restriction it is just so hard right now because it is a game until they find the right level. The Band will work once you hit the sweet spot. You are eating fine and if you are hungry just eat. You are making great choices so eat. I am doing the same thing.

If you don't mind a suggestion. One thing that I have found that has helped me a lot is drinking K2O Protein Water. I put it in my Water and it Ice Tea flavored. It contains 5 grams of Protein and 5 grams of Fiber and it does help in between meals. Another thing that might help is drinking a Protein shake as a snack. I use Body Fortress whey Protein chocolate and mix with 1 cup of 1% milk and 1 Tbsp of Peanut Butter and 4 ice cubes and blend in my blender. It makes a thick shake that tastes good and packs 20 grams of protein. Now, it does have 200+ calories but it may help get your through a tough spot.

I hope that you will feel better because I know that you can do this. Have confidence in yourself and the great successes that you have already made. If you need shoulder we are here.

Keep the chin up!

Cindy

I confess that I am human and I madder than hell that I gave into temptation yesterday and today.

Today, I had a buying trip and we ate at Burger King for Breakfast (left house at 6:00). I got the sausage egg & cheese croissant. I didn't eat all the croissant because was going down a little hard.

lunch was out as well because we were still on the road. I had the inside of a Greek salad roll up and some butternut squash. I also drank a K2O Ice Tea.

Got home to all the dang Snacks leftover from the football party at my house last night and ate a bunch of peanuts, popcorn and 3 chocolate chip Cookies.

Right now my stomach hurts and I feel like crap. Bad bad bad Bandster Girl needs a spanking. As I state above, can't get the head to catch up the band mindset. Yikes!

Tomorrow is another day and I am truly looking forward to drinking my shakes for a couple of meals just to clean the body out of all the junk that I ate yesterday and today.

Cindy

I just bought some of the weight control oatmeal but it has more calories than the regular kind... what's up with that?

I am having a very difficult day... craving all day long.

B'fast: 3/4 c Special K low carb Cereal with 1/2 c skim milk.

Snack: 10 oz of Isopure CLEAR 10 Almonds

Lunch: Homemade Chix Soup with some small noodles, carrots and potatoes PLUS one non fat sugar free yogurt.

Snack: 1/2 of an EAS Protein bar ( hated it, but ate it anyway).

Dinner: Don't know yet, but I'm hungry!

This is going to be a long week until my appt NEXT TUES!

I'm thinking I need to do a day of full liquids and stay under 900 calories.

Can I do it????

When will I get restriction?

Shortgal-

I am with you in the restriction department. I have been a very bad bandster yesterday and today. I had a big football party at my house last night. I made all kinds of junk for the party and I ate a little of everything. Well, I still have it in the house today and had a hard resisting. Dang it. The mind can't catch up with the band. I hate old eating habits creeping in. I feel like crap tonight and I gained 2lbs. from eating yesterday. How the heck can someone gain 2lbs overnight. I am clueless.

Restriction will come. I don't have my next fill until 2/6/08...I hope I can make it on will power. Problem is I am going to a business trip next week and I will be eating off schedule. Any ideas about traveling and eating. I could use it.

Cindy

Hey Fellow Massachusetts Bandsters!

I live on the South Shore and had my surgery at Brigham & Women's under Dr. Lautz. I love my doctor and his staff; it is very busy though. I had surgery on 11/6/07 and had my first fill on 1/3/08. I have lost 65lbs. but am heavier than most so that is why I am losing as quickly. Started at 358lbs and am at 293. I love the band but it has a mind of its own. I know that I am ready for another fill because I am getting more hungry in between meals. I had pretty good restriction right after surgery and is the reason I have lost so much but I have slowed down. I lost 1lb this week. I will take it because the scale is going down.

Today will be tough because we are having a Football party for the AFC Championship game and the house is loaded with bad choices but I didn't do this journey to never eat bad stuff what is good is that you can have it in smaller portions and jump right back into your routine. The band is good for getting back on track for sure.

Would love to keep reading about us successful Massachusetts Bandsters!

Cindy

Howdy, y'all! We did a thread like this back in November but I'm glad you started another one, shortgal, as our group of November Nymphs has grown!

I'm 52, married almost 32 years with four grown children, ages 23 to 28. My oldest daughter lives in Denver, my identical twin daughters were both married last spring and live in Austin, and my son is a U.S. Marine who spent the last three years in Japan but is now stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. My husband, who is a remodeling contractor, and I live outside of Austin. I teach and tutor math at community college. Our nest isn't empty because we have five dogs, two to 11 years old and 18 to 110 pounds!

I'm an avid Texas Longhorns fan (all sports), a San Antonio Spurs fan, and a Dallas Cowboys fan. I'm also a political junkie of the liberal variety. When I have time, I enjoy reading, crocheting, and traveling.

I gained weight by losing it. Every time I lost 20, I gained 30, etc. Four years ago, I was up to 70 pounds overweight so I lost it on Medifast. This time, I meticulously fought every pound I regained and regained it anyway. But I stopped gaining five pounds short of my highest weight and got the surgery instead. I see a lot of folks blame themselves on this board (and everywhere else!) but I think much of that blame is misplaced. I believe we need to take responsibility for our health and our eating habits but there are plenty of thin people who make no effort to control what or how they eat (I'm married to one!) And there are plenty of overweight people who have worked hard all of their lives to change their condition. So it's my belief that many of us are fighting biology. It is not simply a matter of self-control. When I realized that the band would allow me to lose weight but, more importantly, to avoid regaining it, I knew it was for me.

I really enjoy the November Nymph board and look forward to continuing to share our challenges and success!

Longhorn..

How was you week back. Are you tired? Hope you had a good week back at school.

Cindy

Good post Shortgal!

I live in Southeaster Massachusetts just 10 miles from Cape Cod. I have 3 boys ages 14, 13 & 10 and am married to great guy my best friend. I am 40 years old (just had a birthday last Saturday). I homeschool my boys so that is why I am on the computer all the time. My husband and I own two Country Stores in Middleboro and Kingston Massachusetts called Hollyberries Country Gifts. You can check our website at Hollyberries Country Gifts.

As you might be able to tell we are super busy all the time with running two businesses and homeschooling our children but with God's grace we get it done.

I chose to homeschool the boys after my oldest son was diagnosed with ADD. He was struggling at the private school we had him in and when he was in the third grade we decided he needed the one on one attention that he would not be able to get in a school environment. He is doing super in the homeschool setting because he can go at his pace. I am not against school just needed to do something that was right for him and didn't want him to get lost in the school system. By the way, he wants to be a professional baseball player and is planning to go to college.

My youngest son was born with a birth defect; bi-lateral cleft lip and palate. He has gone through numerous surgeries for repairing it and will have several more before he is completely done. Just this past week he had some work done on his gum line. They had to rebuild it by taking bone from his hip. He is a trooper and did very well. I think the surgeries are harder on the parent than the child sometimes. The worry!

The Band...why did I choose it. Well, the straw that broke the camels back was it. I had hit an all time high of 358lbs. and knew that I needed to find something that would nip my weightloss in the bud before I was 400lbs. I can lose weight but can never keep it off because I always revert to eating large quantities. My problem isn't sweets it is the endless pit inside that doesn't know the sign to stop eating when I am satisfied. I was always the last person leaving the table because I was still eating 2nd's and sometimes 3rd's. I was so glad that I found out about the Band and researched it and decided that this was the option for me. What better way to combat overeating if you had a tool that would do such a thing. I was always the big girl but I wasn't going to eat myself into the grave. I remember meeting with the surgeon the first time and he asked why I wanted the Band? I told him to look at me...I am freakin' fat. I didn't have anything wrong with me just that I was fat and needed to lose the weight if I intended to live to be 80. Best decision of the my life...it's fickle but I still like the fact that I am the last one eating because I am chew chew chewing and on only 1 to 1 1/2 cups of food. Who knew! By the way, my doc who is usually more for RNY said I was a great candidate for the Band and didn't even try to talk me into RNY.

Well enough about me...I want to read more about you all.

Cindy

Hope everyone is having a great evening!

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 slice of cheese & 1 slice of light oat bran bread & 1/2 orange

Lunch: NutriSystem Rotini & Meatballs, 1 tbsp grated cheese & 1/2 cup of brussel sprouts.

Snack: 9 All-Bran Crackers, 1 oz lean deli ham & 1/2 orange

Dinner: 3oz of Meatloaf, 1/2 cup of GG Nibblets corn & 1/2 cup of broccoli & 1/4 cup of brown gravy.

I was a little hungrier today so need a snack between lunch & dinner.< /p>

Cindy

Cindy, I was hopeful this fill would give me some restriction, but this morning I was able to eat 1 and 1/2 packets of oatmeal. Hope is fading. I will have to rely on willpower for another two weeks!

The only thing that helps the weight loss seems to be the two days of liquids following the fill! UGH!

Why do we need the magic feeling of being FULL? It's like searching for the holy grail, trying to get restriction.

I have been avoiding social situations so I don't over eat until I get a fill that works (even for a bit) but I cannot continue this forever. My life lately is all about the two weeks until the next fill arrives and I was sore after this last fill so in a way I dread them.

Hope and despair all within a couple hours!!!

Hey Shortgal...how is your hunger in between meals? I find that I eat about 1 1/2 cups of food at my meals. If I am getting hungry between meals consistently than I know it is time for a fill. I am scheduled for my next fill on 2/6. I am beginning to feel hungry between meals so this is a clue that it will be time. Don't worry though we will reach the sweet spot and forget all about this hell.

Cindy

Ok let see....

Breakfast- protien shake - oats, small, low sugar

lunch-I/2 a chicken Breast and1/2 a cup of peas@ corn

Supper-2 cups of Beans and ham Soup

Snacks- trail mix bars (2) Sm choc. bar

Sounds like a lot, but I worked out 45 min. of cardio at the gym. I seem to eat more than a lot of you do. I am still losing though.I always feel guilty cause I eat more than most. Donna

Don't feel guilty! You need to eat if you are hungry and working out makes a huge difference in how much you need to eat. Your muscles need the energy to recover. Besides that is not a lot. What does it work out to in calories? You might be surprised. Have you tracked your calorie loss after exercise? For example, if I have done the treadmill for 30 minutes at a medium incline I might burn off 375 calories. So if you are only taking in 1200 calories per day you actually burn off 375 for net intake of 825 and that doesn't take into consideration the fact we burn calories just typing on the computer. You are doing just great! Keep up the great job!

Cindy I hope your son is doing better!!

I had Quaker Oatmeal Weight Control Maple Brown Sugar 1/2 cup made with skim milk. 2 strawberries, 4 blue berries

Protein shake mid morning - unjury chocolate

Tuna-3 ounces mixed with tsp of fat free miricle whip,2 baby sweet pickles, 1 slice of onion, 1/2 egg

dinner - chicken tenders 3 ounces and 1tbsp of corn

Protein Shake mid afternoon

And 9 glasses of Water

Holy smoke Kristin...how the heck do you get in all that Water. I struggle for 6. Yikes! Don't you just love the Weight Control Quaker Oatmeal. I usually try to go with eggs for Breakfast but have found that this oatmeal has staying power. hmmmmm, I might have that for lunch!

Cindy

name ...............starting# ....... current#.........goal#.......togo#

1. Momto1plus1.......241...............238..............229...........9

2. TxArcher............360........Last week, 357......???...........12

3. Hungryforchange...227.5..........225...............215.5.......10

4 shortgal ............. 198............195................192...........3

I was so excited to weigh in this morning! Last week I only lost 1/2 pound, but I guess the two days of liquids after my fill really made a difference. I had the lowest weigh loss goal for the challenge of everyone and was still worried I might not be able to achieve it. Maybe I can!

Can't wait to see everyone post today!

I knew something must be good when you were very excited to post your success. Doesn't it help us to have great success. You can do it! How is your restriction? I hope it takes you another week.

Cindy

name ...............starting# ....... current#.........goal#.......togo#

1. Momto1plus1.......241...............238..............229...........9

2. TxArcher............360........Last week, 357......???...........12

I am on business travel this week and cant weigh. Will know next wednesday when I have my 2nd fill.

Cag-

What happened to your Cowboys? At least one of us is still in it.:pray2:

Cindy