valstar

Hey all, Not quite at 6 months but also, loving this band! I am down a little over 50lbs! I am down 29 inches! On another note, does anyone understand why I am unable to eat in the morning and then able to eat anything at night? Also, for the first time, my restriction seems tighter now than it did 3 weeks ago when I got the fill. almost 6 months, and I am still learning how this thing works, go figure! Val

Hey Becky, frangi, Salsa, whosya, etc, I have benn crazy for the past week but I am making to the gym! I don't know if I mentioned that besides being a full time mom, grandmom and worker, I am a fulltime student! Two papers due this week and I finished the last one this morning! Did a dance aerobics class yesterday and a pilates class today. By the way, upping my Water, lowering my sodium seems to have done the trick. Those extra pounds from last week are gone plus some! Keep up the good work everyone! Talk to you soon! Val

Hi all, I've been reading and not posting here. I'm glad I made the choice for Lapband. It is a slower process but I think that is easier on the body. It is also a process that forces you to change your habits. I am now exercising 4 - 6 times a week, I am drinking more Water and I am watching what I eat. I have no hormonal issues that would make me gain weight. I was just eating all the wrong things and laying around so the pounds attached themselves to me like barnacles to a ship.:eek: I have friends who chose RNY and they are happy with their choice also. They have lost weight faster than me but the surgery has greater risks. Some times I think maybe I should have had RNY. My family would not have supported that choice. It is an individual choice. Do your research and make an informed decision. Talk to people who have had RNY and not just us bandsters. :eek: I love my band but you have to choose what is best for you. It is a life changing decision so be sure!

Thanks for the response. I actually have been tracking. I average between 1000 and 1200 calories a day. I did however just go through my food chart and I realize that my sodium intake has been very high and I realize I have not been taking my Vitamins and meds the way i should. I have been eating a lot of Soup and crackers. I am going to increase fruits, vegetables and Water over the next few days and eliminate as much sodium as I can. I hope that helps. Val

Got another Pilates workout in today. I didn't make it to the pool but maybe tomorrow! I am feeling a little discouraged today. Those 4 lbs that I thought were water on Monday are still there!:confused: I have to figure out what I need to change. I feel like I'm working out so hard and not getting results. I hope I don't sound overdramatic. My frineds say I'm a drama queen. I am trying to stay realistic and motivated but it gets hard when the scale is moving in the wrong direction. I know this is not my usual upbeat self but this is where I am right now.

Sorry this is not my month but the thread name caught my eye. I hope the Feb Bandsters don't mind!

I was all set to post a similar message this morning. On Monday, I was 4 lbs higher than I was the day before. I decided to not stress it figuring it was water os something and then today, I am another lb more!:confused: What am I doing wrong! I have been working out daily. I have good restriction, I can eat about a cup of food at a time. I am averaging about 1200 calories a day and I am drinking water. This is very frustrating!:tt1: Any suggestions?

Shea, you look fantastic! From a 22 to A size 12 in 5 months! Wow!

Frangi that's funny! Who'sya, you are an inspiration! I think I will add swimming to my workouts two times a week. Since my Pilates class is so early, I could hit the pool then and still make it to work by 9:30. I got in some time on the recumbent bike, weights and abs today. Pilaters in the morning. Take care all! Val

Hello all, Managed to make it to my 7:30 am pilates class even after staying up to watch the big game and studying until 1 am. Sorry Patriots fans, but I am happy for the Giants! After Pilates I did HIIT on the eliptical. Can you say exhausted?:biggrin: I won't be doing that combination again! But I must say, I feel good about doing it. Made a mistake and got on the scale. It registered a 2.5 lb gain! :eek: I'm not going to stress. That's what I get for getting on today and not waiting until my regular weigh in day! Have a good one all! val

I wonder the same thing. I'm glad we all seem to be moving again. I was planning on an average of 10 lbs a month and am on target now but we will see if I make 60 by my 6 month anniversary. I have gotten really anal about tracking my intake. I was slacking in that area during my plateau. That may make a difference for me. I was allowing myself too many treats and without proper fill, that was dangerous. The fill I had two weeks ago seems to have hit my sweet spot. I am so glad! I feel so much more in control! More and more people are commenting about how I look and asking how I did it. With some I tell everything. I've gotten good repsonses. Got in a workout yesterday but none today (unless you count housework and taking care of grandbabies!). Let's keep moving on down the clothing rack sizes! Congrats on the size 9, Salsa! I can't even imagine! Enjoy the superbowl all! Val

Wow, you guys are an inspiration! I am hoping to be at 104lbs by my bandiversary! I know you feel good! I can't wait! Thanks for posting your accomplishments, it sure gives me reason to stick to it even when it's slow going! I am also glad to read it from soeme other forty+ folks! Val

Congrats, Frangi!

Sadie and Juli, I can really relate to both of your comments. my mom died a few years ago and I have had a hard time getting over it. I, too, turned to food. Through counseling I realized why all of a sudden at 10:00 PM I was starving. That was the time I would settle down and call my mother to talk about my day, the kids, the job, etc. Shewas my sounding board and when she was gone, all the feelings and junk that I processed and released with her were just there inside of me, so I put a blanket of food over them. I was always heavey but this certainly didn't help. I like what you said about helping myself in a different way now. Now is the time to take control and move forward. My 12 year old made a sign for her locker that says "The past is carved in slate, you can't erase it. If you could, you'd have nothing. Learn from the past and carve more into your present." God Bless her. I'm carving hope, light and forgiveness into my present. Good luck all!

You guys are doing so well! I am proud of you and proud to be a part of this dynamic group!:smile: I upped my goal last month and made it! So i am going to stay there this month and get in 18 days. I agree with Salsa, this is my lifetime plan. 4 -5 workout days a week is my forever goal. I am looking for 10 lbs this month so i may get in some extra sessions but the goal is 18. Congratulations becky on 31 years! My hat is off to you. :eek: Val

Good luck with this phase, Rainyday! Congrats Mary! I have purposely traveled by Train the last couple of years to avoid the embarassment of trying to stuff myself into the seat. I am looking forward to flying soon! I am celebrating and cross posting my acheivement of 50lbs gone!:frown::hurray: ! Lift your bottles of Water with me to the next 50! Cheers! Val

Hello all, I am down 50 lbs as of today! :frown: My 5 month bandiversary was yesterday. I am pleased. I slowed down after the month 3 but I think I hit the average of 1 -2 lbs a week. I completely stalled after the holidays for 3 weeks of no loss. I had a fill and lost 7 lbs over the last 2 weeks. I think I found my sweet spot. :biggrin5:I want to lose 100 lbs by the 1 year mark. Val

Frangi, I'm glad your shoulder is better. Hope everyone else is doing well. I agree with all, where is Dave? I hope he is moving along. If you are out there, check in! Got in another couple of workouts. 1 more workout to my January goal! Today is my 5 month bandiversary and I am .5 lbs from my mini goal. I think I'll hit the big 5-0 by Friday! My lowest weight in 15 years! Take care all! Val

Congrats Joyce, I was hungry the first day also but it goes away and you will feel full faster and longer. Stick to your Dr. orders interms of what you consume and try to listen to your body to differentiate between real physical hunger and head hunger. Good luck Val

Hello All! I can see clearly now the plateau is gone! Thanks for the support. I started a new Pilates class today (7:30 am) and I am already sore! 3 workouts, 2 lbs to my January goal! Val:biggrin:

Congratulations Ceradad! Good news! I'm off my plateau, the scale has moved, repeat, the scale has moved!!! Whew, I was begining to get worried! 5lbs down - 2 (I had gained) plus 3 more. So, my goal was 50 lbs in 5 months. I am going to be pretty close! I'm at 48 so I think I might be able to squeeze 1 more in by the end of the day on the 30th. Thanks for all the encouragement!

motivationally intended) lambasting Wow Suzanne, That's alot! First off, you have really done great and you will do great again! Now for the lambasting....Stop whining and get moving! You know what you need to do. You can lose 6 lbs in 3 weeks if you are determined and do the exercise , drink the Water and eat the right foods. Your mom's food may taste great but I'm sure it is not as good as the health and changes in appearance that you have experienced over the past year. Find your motivation. Do some soul searching and figure out why you are beginning to sabotage yourself. If you need to see your therapist, find the couch! Put a sign up that says "6 lbs to goal!" Look at it every day between now and your bandiversary. Come here for support whenever you need. But to quote Denzel Washington, "You've got to do what you have to do to do what you want to do." You have to workout, you have to eat right, you have to drink water, you have to get enough protien. Then you can have what you want, good health, an active lifestyle and a good feeling about yourself! This 2lbs a week is my goal also! I need to know that it is possible! Prove it Suzanne and if you don't atleast know you have done everything in your power from this day until February 15 to make it happen!

Wow to everyone! I read these posts when I'm feeling down and wondering why I did this. These posts help to keep me motivated and focused. Your weight loss and confidence is an inspiration. I am reminded of why I did his and why it's important to keep working at it. I am also reminded that my eating and food choices have more to do with emotions than hunger. I am reminded of the importance of exercise to my physical and mental health. I am reminded that nothing good comes easy but through work an dedication. It is for these self-learnings that I have no regrets! It is because of the support I get from this site that I know this will be successful and that not just my life but the lives of my children have been improved! There will always be naysayers, but what do you say? If you know a God, pray on it. Good luck with your choice. val

I'm shifting into mommy mode. Pack like you would a school lunch. Freeze 2 Water bottles and pack in a small container or lunchbox. The frozen water will keep the other foods cold for a few hours. Yogurts, tuna, applesauce and fruit cups are easy to go down and should keep well. These two water bottles you can then drink. I hope this helps.

Yeah, for you! I will weigh myself tomorrow at the gym. I start a new pilates class at 7:30 am. I hope I can report the same. I have been averaging 800 - 1000 calories a day. If I go under that I don't lose and prior to the fill, I was over that, easily. So tomorow will be 5 days since the fill. I'm trying not to set myself up to be disappointed if I haven't lost but I know I will be! It's been almost three weeks since the scale has moved. On a positive, the measuring tape has continued to move as I am tightening up. I have lost 7 inches on my waist! I actually have an hour glass figure. Well maybe more than an hour but you get the picture! :wink2: Anyway, Congrats on the loss again, I'll report back tomorrow. Val