Sades

PS... my cold has faded away and that certainly has put me in a better frame of mind. I think our challenges will help keep people motivated. Also, maybe we can get the exercise challenge going again.

Thanks Cindy and we miss you too!! :thumbup: It's good that you're busy, must mean the business is doing well... hope so. I think it's hard to stay motivated after such a long time and with everyone moving off the site for whatever reason. I think we just have to make the effort to pop in at least once a week for our sakes as well as for others' sakes. We make a good team and I for one could not have gone through this without the added support from my november nymphs!

Thanks very much for your kind words Steph. It hasn't been easy but I know that at least this time around I will end up with the restriction I so needed the first time around. It was scarey going under again but at least this time I didn't wake up in agony as I did the first time. I have started walking again which will also help. How are you doing with your band... still at goal? What about the new job? You've achieved so much since November and should be very proud of yourself! Hope we get to hear from you more often. Hey Judy, you are right, only we can control what goes into our mouths and it is extremely hard when there's something on or we don't feel well etc. I must say that the band does help so I'm glad I still have one and I understand how hard it must be for you. I think what you said about catching it before it goes too far is so true. I have never been one to do that but one of my sisters who is much slimmer than me has always worked that way. If she puts on 2-3 lbs she's back on the diet. I have always gone to 10 lbs before I even think about it, so a much bigger hill to climb. I went for a fill yesterday and he put 1cc in which means I am at 3cc. I can still eat so I know I will need another fill. I am not as hungry, so I suppose that's a good start. It's all new for me because as he said, the last fill when he went to 4cc I couldn't drink. I'm hoping it will take less fills this time around. Stick with the challenges on here and I'm sure you will get to goal before you know it! :thumbup:

Name............Start........Current........Goal.......To Go CindyG...........195...........195...........185........10 Momto1plus1......193...........193...........185.........8 Foofy............226...........226...........216........10 Sades............185...........185...........175........10

Thanks everyone, finally met one of the challenges!! Yay! I go for a fill today so hopefully I can meet the next challenge as well. Good luck everyone!

Thanks Cindy. Poetry is usually about how we feel but it so tells a story for many people. Okay let's keep this going then.

That would be the most frustrating part for you Linda because people make such a fuss about how much we've lost. I know one of my sister's asks every time she sees me how much more have I lost and I hate having to say that I haven't lost any more. That's why I felt like such a failure the first time around (thank heavens it wasn't something I did wrong). Anyway, Linda, hold you head up when you see your family because you have achieved so much and even though you've put on a little, they probably won't notice and if they do, I'm sure they'll understand.

Thanks Cindy. You're right, more people struggle to get all their weight off. I've noticed they lose 3/4 and then find it hard getting the last 1/4 off. I am happy that I've lost more than half of what I wanted to lose but I keep thinking that if I'd had the band working the way it should have in the first place then I would be almost at goal by now, given the amount of exercise I was doing in that 8 months. I know I can't control what happened with my band and should get over it but I guess I just wanted to express how I was feeling and why I was finding it hard.

You're so right Linda and sometimes not such nice feedback (not talking about this thread). :biggrin:) I think sometimes we go through an emotion and write about it before we realise it is a temporary feeling and not how we are feeling 90% of the time.

Size 8, fantastic!! Great effort to get down in such a short time.

I have to agree Linda that personal issues do get in the way of sticking to the plan. I have always been able to lose weight but eventually I end up putting it all back on before I get to goal because I go back to emotional eating. It's such a cycle. I know the band will help combat some of that because it is impossible to pig out on a full pizza etc. For me it's about losing more rather than just maintaining which is all that is happening for me right now. I don't always make the right choices especially when I am not feeling very motivated and under stress. Anyway, that's why they have support boards so we can come and vent and talk about our trials and tribulations. I'm on the way again.

That's for sure Marie, we have to continue to support each other and I'm happy to do that. I think it is easy to stop posting and think you are the only one struggling. Let's try and touch base at least once or twice a week to ensure that we all stay on track. Good luck till we next speak.

Thanks for your responses Bandpal and Linda, I think I wrote this in a moment of weakness. It is a problem but being sick just added a dark cloud over it. I would never take offence Bandpal, we need to be here for each other and that's what you always are with your words of wisdom. Linda it is about you and about me and about anyone who is going through a hard time. We do need to take action and as soon as I'm back on my feet, I will get serious about exercising again. Let's touch base more often about what we are doing to keep this thing going.

How's it going Kendra?

I used to write a lot in my early years. Not as much these days, especially with the age of technolgy and all the forums to chat on etc. Your poem is very profound and I think we need to remember that we generally do have the answer. This is something I wrote back in 1980. I was at a creative writing class and we were asked to write a poem about ourselves... SELF Many people pass without a second glance for I am just another in this hectic race I stroll along carefree without a worry in view At least that is how I present myself to this unfeeling crowd I walk and walk catching glimpses of my reflection off windows to my left It doesn't tell me much except I must go faster to catch that 5.30 exercise class It wasn't a particularly well written poem but it makes me realise how my weight has been an issue for me for many many years.

You can be my mentor Linda... pleeeeease!!! )

It's not easy Erika when there's a hiccup with the band. I had to be rebanded in July and I have to say I am having a hard time staying motivated this time around. I guess we just have to hang in there until we find a way to get back on track.

Good one Jill, it must feel great!

Congratulations on WW Wendy and on that great man you scored all those years ago... what a great thing to experience. I'd be hanging on tight to that one!! LOL

My band didn't slip, it just wasn't placed correctly by my dr, so he took the first one out and put another one in on 10 July. I lost about 8 lbs or so on the liquid / mushies part of the diet but haven't lost anything since. I go for another fill on 3 September. I must say my motivation has waned this time around and I'm a little worried about it. Even though I was scared about having it done again, I was more scared that I would put everything I had already lost plus more back on.

Welcome and good luck! Why not join the August 2008 group. They will be at the same stage as you. August 2008 Bandsters - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum

Any juice will do the job. I usually have apple juice. Take a sip and kind of gulp it down, do that a few times until the food goes down. It can hurt but once it's gone, it's such a relief. If that doesn't work then the only way is up. I haven't had to do that so good luck.

I haven't lost anything more but I'm happy to say I haven't gained anything in the last couple of weeks. The Halloween challenge sounds like the way to go Cindy. Hopefully we'll all have some good news to report on our band annivserary.

Looking good Marie!

I haven't weighed myself for a few days but I have been walking again so hopefully I'm maintaining. Hope you're feel better soon Linda.