turtlewind47

Great loss Jgunter83! Hope your feeling better, the band lets us know what it doesn't want. You posted a goal of 175-180, which I am aiming for also. Today I'm in a size 20 wool skirt...no more size 26/28 tents! Yes! Finally, friends are noticing the change after a 40 lb weight loss. Guess its difficult to tell when I was wearing baggy saggy stuff. The 24 hour fitness exercising is really making a difference, even though the scale is not moving. Being able to more freely, walk outdoors, break a sweat without gasping for air is invigorating. You asked for tips to avoid cravings . . . drink your Water, water, water; avoid white sugar/white flour/white rice highly processed foods with no nutritional value. Eat healthy fats (like olive oil) with your meals. Journal out your feelings when cravings hit, ask why? who? What? Where? And then meet your real emotional needs in a healthy, loving, self nurturing way. peace in your journey. Turtlewind47

The third week after surgery I went on a cruise and told as many people who showed a little bit of interest about my LB weight loss surgery. It helped get my happiness out! Finally losing weight, put me on a high. Eliminating back pain, gave me peace. And talking about it with strangers who had no preconceived idea of who I was, or what I should do was liberating. Now am back at home. Somewhat talked out. Am glad, as my weight loss has slowed to a pound or half each week. My DH is encouraging by noticing changes. A kind word goes a long way. As for the nay sayers, I look forward to continue growing and meeting upbeat new friends.

I've also been at a standstill, now for six weeks been seeing the same three pounds over and over again. So decided to follow lapband post op instructions and got the old measuring tape out. Seventeen and a half inches are gone of my body measurements, woo hoo! Yesterday, I walked my dog! He is half husky and half wolf. Those who know what malemutes/huskys are like, understand how they love to pull. It was a real upper body work out along with the walk. (Last August, before I got banded I couldn't even go for a one hour walk behind a shopping cart.) I am down 27 pounds from my most-morbidly-obeseness. If I hadn't had the band, I'de still be in the gaining cycle. Am counting my blessings.

NM Sunshine, I agree that exercise is a good addiction. Especially when it improves mood, agility, muscle tone, and self-esteem. Also, I like being outside, walking in the fresh air up here in the Pacific Northwest when we have a sunny day. Looks like a good idea to invest 6 months of self discipline in exercise. You've helped me set a new goal. Thx! Somewhere I read "for each pound of weight lost it adds two months of life".

I enjoy the socializing at the gym. Last month after restarting the membership, was pleasantly surprised how much better it feels to move. Gently, increasing the weights on Nautilus machines has not left me sore. And the reward . . . a nice sauna (which I turn into a steam bath by pouring Water over the rocks,) when my workout is done. It really makes the skin glow.

Exercise is my new addiction! I was too fat to walk aerobically before banding. Now I wake up before 6 a.m. with energy! Saturday morning I surprised even myself by walking outdoors around a soccer track. The sun was out, and a young adult soccer game was starting. They kicked a few balls out on the track and I kicked them back! This 54 years young grandma enjoyed it. (It sure beats hanging on to the bars of a treadmill.)