notateechanow

The "new technology" that you referred to has been used in some Curves for a year or two now. It allows you to check in to each machine and will shut off when you've been working out for too long. It costs an extra $5 a month at the Curves here, and not all franchises have them. Another caveat is that your information isn't available yet if you use a travel pass. That's in the working now, but still not ready.....my former boss uses that and looks great. The Curves where I belong doesn't have it, so we have to rely on pushing ourselves.

Brandy, I used to work for a Curves in Boston. To the best of my knowledge, we never did any sales pitch to people who came by for a free trial workout unless they expressed interest. It isn't a high powered gym or a big pitch to sell, at least in Massachusetts. It's a place where women of all types and sizes workout and enjoy themselves. It does get a little boring when there aren't many people on "the circuit", but it's sometimes less intimidating that way, too. There is a staff member who will show you everything and will walk you through working out. Each machine responds to the amount of effort you put in through air resistance. Thus, the harder you push, the harder it resists. If you want an "easier" workout, just don't push as hard. You spend only 30 seconds on each piece of equipment, then 30 seconds on a "recovery" station. This station allows you to continue moving at your own pace. You are also required to stop and check your heartrate at least twice during the workout. At that time, you count for 10 seconds to determine a goal based on your age. If the rate is too high, you need to workout with less intensity. If your heartrate is too low, then you need to put a little more effort into it. This way it best suits your needs. If you have any old injuries or issues with movement, the staff will assist you to figure out what to do. The first meeting is usually low profile, without sales push. I hope you'll at least tour one near you. For people without previous workout exprience, Curves is very successful in getting them to move and lose! Good luck.

I love going to Curves because I don't have to change pins on machines, deal with meatheads from the gym and it's very social. We have members from 18-85 at my Curves. Talking and enjoying my workout makes me go more often. Good luck!

The number of machines at Curves is dependent on the size of the membership--so the more members the more machines. However, with that said, a "complete" workout is 26 minutes with 4 minutes of stretching at the conclusion. My doctor recommended 6 weeks of no resistance training after my surgery, but clearly all doctors make different recommendations. I was told to get right back on the treadmill, though....and did my first 3 miles the day I got home from the hospital. My doctor explained that he didn't want me to do any type of lifting until the port and band had the chance to completely heal in place. The ab/back machine is definitely a bad choice, as is the lat lifts, (rocking from side to side) and the one that simulates trunk twists, the squat machine, and the abductor/adductor machine. Realistically, you're using your abdominal muscles to get in and out of any of the machines so you'll want to do it really carefully. Go easy, you wouldn't want to cause any unnecessary problems. Besides, it's not like your body is going to go through a remarkable change from 3-4 extra workouts.....give it a few weeks to be sure you're healing properly and stick to cardio. :smile2:

Wow---you've done GREAT! I've lost half of the weight you've lost and we had surgery on the same day. Sometimes when you lose weight quickly, it takes your body a little time to catch up with the weight loss. I know the last time I lost weight I was nearly 75 pounds down but still looked very bloated--my face, arms, stomach--everything. I swear you'll just one day look at yourself and be shocked at the difference. Give your body time to catch up. It has gone through some tremendously dramatic changes in the past 6 months. It still needs to heal. Don't be disappointed. I've only lost 45 pounds and I'm ecstatic! I went from a tight 22 to a loose 18, sometimes 16. I can't even DREAM of a 12!!! Regardless, I am so happy with the changes. Keep working out and eating right. It'll happen. Be well and keep it up!! Congratulations on your hard work paying off! :smile2:

Lanejane, Anytime. I can't tell you how invaluable other people have become when I didn't feel like I could do this on my own. Because I've opted not to include my family and friends in this journey with me, I have to rely on people on here. Also, avail yourself of any kind of support groups offered by your doctor. I find mine to be tremendously uplifting. It truly allows me to know that others are having the same struggles as me. This isn't easy, but the more you allow yourself to depend on others when you're feeling weak, the easier it will be. Keep at it! Take each day as it comes and consider increasing your calories slightly--I tried increasing by 200 at a time until I found the right amount. Be sure to track your calories AND specifics about what you're consuming, along with your exercise. This will allow you to find consistencies and maintain what works while stopping what prevents you from losing weight. Watch your sodium intake in case you're sensitive to that.....play around with what you eat until you find something that works. MOST importantly, weigh yourself only once a week. NO more. Have a great week. :behindsofa:

Don't give up on it yet!! If you read through other posts I've put out here, you'll see I've struggled with losing weight at the same pace as the others on here. I started at 304 and have lost only about 45 pounds since December. It's slow, far slower than when I did Weight Watchers...but this time is the last time! I'm finally at a place on the scale that I haven't seen since 1996. Remember that you don't want to start working out for longer than you can maintain through the rest of your life.....I, too, was doing an hour and a half a day and wasn't losing weight. (I do gain muscle mass easily...) With that said, I met with my nutritionist and she told me to 1) increase my Protein and Water intake and 2) workout LESS!!! I'm now doing about 45 minutes a day, sometimes a little less, depending on my week. I lost inches and went from a size 22 to a snug 18 in my first 3 months, only losing about 15-20 pounds. Then, the scale started to finally work with me.... Remember that without the band tightened, you are doing this on your own. Give yourself time and keep at it. Watch the negative self talk. You didn't eat this on overnight, and it certainly won't fall off over night. Celebrate the NSV's (the non-scale victories) You'll get there if you're willing to put in the time. It's clear that you're willing to put in the energy. Don't give up and keep in touch with people on here. They've been a tremendous influence on keeping me on track. We all lose at our own pace.....but, if when all is said and done, I get down under 200, I don't care if it takes me 4 years to lose all the weight!!! Good luck. Be well. :biggrin:

Cate, you might consider throwing on a pair if bike shorts beneath dresses and skirts. I've been doing it since 1990--long before those Spanx came out. I already owned the shorts for the gym so it didn't cost anything extra. It really helps to avoid chafing. You might also consider using Gold Bond powder before leaving the house. My classroom used to get far beyond 90 degrees and I'd run into the restroom at lunch time to re-apply. No more chafing for me, regardless of the size of my thighs. :biggrin:

Also, don't assume that people are thinking the worst when looking at you..I use people as my incentive to do better. Nothing gets me working harder than seeing someone larger than me or some senior citizen kicking my butt in the gym!!! I am in complete admiration of people who get out and go jogging and walking--particularly on hot days--who are considerably overweight. If ever I'm staring, it's because I envy your determination and hardwork. Know that people aren't always thinking bad things--that's a change we all need to make. People aren't as critical of us as we are of ourselves. You're doing great. Keep at it and do what is best for you. Smile and work it out! Three weeks is a great start--just think of the health benefits. It will get easier. Talk with others, if you're so inclined. Sometimes being busy in conversation seems to make everything else going on at the gym disappear. It also makes time pass faster! Don't give up!:tongue2:

I had surgery in December, too, and am only down about 45 pounds. I have worked really hard to lose every ONE of those pounds and am not at all disappointed by that amount. Keep at it and don't beat yourself up. Do the best you can, day after day. The defeatist attitude is part of why we're here in the first place. My old WW leader told me that WW is filled with perfectionists...the moment they make a mistake, they scrap the day or the week and have to start over. Let today be your first day and start fresh. You'll get there, though not everyone has a detour free journey! Learn from it and keep at it. Good luck. I hope you are problem free from here on out. :tongue2:

4C makes something with added vitamins, but tastes just like Crystal Light. I'd highly recommend them. I think they're called Vitastix. Even if you just have their regular iced tea, fruit punch or lemonade, you're still getting all of your vitamin C in....can't hurt to have that! I will admit, though, that I use the 23 oz. bottle of water rather than the 16.9 oz as the sweetness is too much for me in the smaller bottle.

May I just add....after getting the number of a hot guy, having your friends envy what you've just done, DON'T CALL HIM? That's right...give him the taste of his own medicine, so that when you run into him again in a few weeks (oh, and another 10 pounds down...) he'll ask what ever happened?! Once again, get his number without ANY intentions of calling. Call that big teddy bear guy who always treated you with respect instead---the one who never cared about your size. :tongue2:

Ok...I have a question for all of you. I was filled about 3 weeks ago and have had a great few weeks, at least for the first 2. I have eaten properly, not had any issues with vomiting or PB'ing, etc. I finally dropped about 6-8 pounds while on vacation during week 2 after my fill, but I know it probably had more to do with the fact that I ate predominantly cottage cheese and fruit the entire 5 days. Since then I feel like my band has tightened, but haven't had a fill. I've tried having warm drinks and starting meals with soup. I typically have tightness in the morning, but this is in the afternoons--after 1:00 or 2:00, too! I finally found some relief tonight after working out. I have had a really tough time for the past 5-6 days, which coincides with not only my menstrual cycle, but also with a stressful and busy time at work. Do you think this is all related? I finally got some dinner down tonight after hitting the treadmill for a quick 3 miles....ugh. Any suggestions or ideas? I don't want an unfill as I'm finally losing weight, and up until this past week, I actually thought I wanted another fill soon!!! Thanks for any ideas/advice.

Not sure if early summer is a busy time for people or if we're all finally working with the band...but doesn't seem like many have been out here lately. Cajun, how are you doing?!

Thanks, Fanny. I'm guilty in that I've used this excuse all week not to workout as much as I normally do. I've stuck to 45 minutes on the treadmill--about 3 2.75-3 miles OR circuit training (light weights) for 45 minutes. (and, I skipped working out entirely Friday and Saturday as I was just flat out too busy!) I'm trying to be easier on myself. My body is finally changing and looking less bulky, less stocky muscular and I'm loving it! I've tried for so many years to workout more like women and less of the heavy lifting that I trained with when I was younger. I'm a work in progress but I sure like the progress. How are you all doing? Lachica, you're in my thoughts and prayers. How are you faring? Give yourself a break. If you "need" to let go of your eating for a little while, the band will be there when you're feeling stronger and ready to work with it. We all know what it's like to have the emotional eating. If it didn't make us feel better, we wouldn't do it. Be well and be strong.

"Easy? The sucky thing is that it's not easy at all. Forevermore, instead of having a glass of wine with dinner, I can have a glass of wine OR dinner. Thanksgiving as it was is permenantly over. I'll never drink a Diet Coke again. That ain't easy, that is what permanent looks like." It's funny how I never considered all that I'd be giving up to have the surgery. I was devastated the first time I tried to have sicilian pizza and got stuck, but boy, I'm over it. The feeling I had of seeing numbers on the scale that I haven't seen since 1992 were worth every piece of pizza, every soda, and every Thanksgiving dinner I'll have to give up. Things may never be the same again, but the feeling of control over food is so great. To finally enjoy a meal--the company, the experience--and not have the food rule my meal is amazing. I've stopped craving the bad stuff and embracing my new life. It feels great---and it will for you, too! I'm only about 45 pounds down in nearly 6 months, which by standards here seems pretty slow. That doesn't make any difference to me, though. It took me YEARS to eat this on and it's finally leaving. I think about that every 5 mile walk I take and relish how wonderful I feel AND how much less I have to work without my thighs getting in my own way! I've never regretted my decision to have surgery or to keep the surgery my own secret. I love my new life! Good luck with whatever you decide! :eek:

I decided not to tell anyone about the surgery, for a variety of reasons. First and probably foremost, I didn't want people watching me and expecting the weight to simply fall off of me, as it does with GB patients. I also worried about people judging me, particularly with the possibility of failure. I don't want to feel like the Science experiment at every meal who people watch. I now sit at meals and enjoy my company, not worried about what they'll say. I have never regretted my decision. No one even noticed me gone! I was out of work for only 2 days (I have a flexible job that allows for me to do some work from home) and no one was any wiser. I've even traveled to Aruba twice since surgery and though I had some worries about issues arising and considered telling my girlfriends with whom I traveled, it never came up. Do what you know is right for you. This is solely about you. If you worry about how people react, simply choose not to tell them. I wish you the best. I've changed my eating habits and continue to work out at least 45 minutes every day. No one even wonders why I've lost weight because they all see the changes I've made. Look forward to your new, post surgical life and do what is best for you and your family. May your surgery be complication free! Good luck! :thumbup:

As long as you're expending more energy than you take in, you should lose. I realize that sounds simplistic, but it's true. Not everyone needs the same amount of calories. I found that with 800 to 1000 calories I wasn't losing weight, even with working out about 45 minutes to an hour every day. I needed more to lose weight. Have you talked with your doctor and a nutritionist? My doctor was very supportive when I brought this up and pretty much forced me to meet with the nutritionist again. It was tremendously helpful. I strongly suggest that you do the same. Good luck!

Yeah!! I've found one of the cheapest stores to shop is the Guest Room closet. Mine is filled with all sorts of clothes--some worn, many new. When the department store, Filene's, was bought by Macy's a few years ago, I was on may way to a slimmer me. I bought tons of clothes a size smaller anticipating I'd need them, but never did. I'm finally fitting into them now. I love it! I still can't find a pair of jeans that I like, though....even those new better fit things from Lane Bryant don't do it for me. Some day soon.....for now, I'll just sport the capris and skorts I've got!

As I continue to struggle with frustrating weigh-ins, I've had to keep myself motivated by considering all of the many changes that I've noticed since banding. I was curious to notice what you've found to be the most surprising or remarkable changes. Among my biggest surprises: 1) skipping meals, not because I've forgotten, but because I'm simply not hungry. 2) feeling out of sorts when I don't exercise. 3) clothes still don't fit. It hasn't been any easier to find clothes--they're simply different sizes, but I'm still so particular about how everything fits! 4) kids meals are still too much food. I order from a kids' menu when I'm out, but I rarely eat it all. 5) this hasn't been easy. All of the people I met who were banded talked about how fast they lost weight. I haven't. I feel the changes, and my measurements go down, but boy, I'm often frustrated by the scale. So...to you all...what are your biggest surprises since being banded? Happy May to all.:cool2:

Cerrin, You can't tell a portion of a story and leave it like that....come on!!

Stephanie, I totally agree with you on all fronts. For some reason, when we're overweight and unhappy (not everyone who is fat is unhappy, but I speak for myself here....) we tend to believe we're not worthy of people treating us respectfully. I also find myself more pleasant to be around. I'm happier, I sleep better, I ache less, I smile more....what could be better? I find that I have more energy to focus attention appropriately when I have issues and stress. My temper is dissipating and I'm far easier to be around. My bf told me the other day that while he was sad I'm losing my "shape" he is very excited by how much fun I am to be around. He was initially sad that our eating out has changed shape, but realizes now that my eating less leaves more for him! I didn't stress over having to sit next to someone on the plane last week and I no longer worry about feeling miserable at the Red Sox games. (Our baseball stadium was built in like 1912 and hasn't been updated...my knees still jam into the seat in front of me, but I no longer worry about the arms of the chair jabbing into my sides.) I never considered all of these wonderful side effects of losing weight. As I read somewhere, in losing weight, I'm finding myself. I'm glad we're on this journey together!

Cerrin, If your ticker is accurate, you shouldn't have any issues with finding a suit in the stores. I know we've all done the mail order thing for years, but I think you may find yourself down more than one size from last year...why risk getting the wrong size? For the FIRST time ever, trying on suits wasn't degrading and upsetting. I was pleasantly surprised that I no longer needed the largest size they make...but I instinctively grabbed it anyway. Go ahead and go to the store to find a suit this year. I think you'll be surprised at what a difference even 40-50 pounds can make!!!

I enjoyed myself in a bathing suit. I actually ENJOYED being at the beach and wasn't constantly worrying about how I looked......

I feel so fortunate to not have to report of any issues. I'm enjoying my spring and have just returned from Aruba. I had a new experience while there this time. (I was just there in January....) I didn't want to invest a lot of money in a new bathing suit as I don't feel like my current weight is my intended destination. I bought a 2 piece tankini from Target, with the top a tank top (too busty to wear those halter styles still....) and a normal panty like bottom. I put just a skirt on over the bottom whenever I was out. For what I think may be the first time in my life, I didn't worry about wearing a t-shirt to cover my shoulders and arms. Even in college, when I competed for the track team as a hammer thrower, I always put a t-shirt on over my uniform tank. I don't do tank tops, but am seriously now considering buying a few. I can't believe how much confidence this surgery has given me. I feel like a million dollars and am so excited that I made the decision to do this. I feel so blessed to have my life going in such a positive direction. Thank you all for being so supportive during this time. It truly has been a great learning experience. I look forward to finally being below 260 for the first time since 1992. Does anyone know if NOT working out can help you lose weight? My body is accustomed to working out 45 minutes every day, either with weights or the treadmill. I've used the treadmill only twice since Memorial Day and I've finally lost about 7 or 8 pounds---just like that! Any ideas????