Cingulus

I have not seen much posted about non-fat frozen yogurt? Which I must confess, I find somewhat surprising...so it has led me to ask. Is there some inherent evil associated with this diet friendly treat and the Lapband? An inquiring mind wants to know… I am planning on it being part of my post-op repertoire…or so I think? Second, it may just be my imagination, but it seems (no scientific data), that many of the newer banders are struggling with post-op weight gain and slow starts. While a few fortunate souls are making rapid progress, again the individual variable strikes…no two banders are the same. No real point to make…just an observation. Other than that it was a good gym day and we went to the Long Beach Grand Prix and got to meet Danica Patrick. Yes, she is as adorable in person. I am sorry to report, that they had the good corners of the drifting competition reserved for the VIP seats. The events held at Irwindale Speedway are much better, the venue is easier to get to and the layout is more crowd friendly. I everyone had a good weekend.

This is a great thread: 1. Be able to do pull ups (Never done one in my life) 2. Complete my black belt in Choy Li Fut Kung Fu 3. Complete Bikram Yoga instructors school and open a studio so I can go anytime I want 4. Much better sex with my wife 5. Buy affordable life insurance 6. Fit into sports car seats comfortably 7. Go the beach without having to think "F**K'em if they don't like looking at me" (Sorry a few anger issues) 8. Be around to see my grand daughter grow up 9. Wrestle my youngest son at the same weight...215lbs (so he can't claim I have the advantage) 10. Buy way to many clothes...

Hey, I have many milestones in mind: 1. Break 300 (I have not been under 300 since 1992) 2. Break 271 (The highest weight I weighed when I fought competitively) 3. Break 225 (Average NFL running back wight at 5'10") 4. Break 197 (My high school wrestling weight, and the goal in my weight ticker) 5. Hit 174 (Bonus goal...Frank Zane's weight when he won the 1977 Mr. Olympia) Each of these goals are driven by a number of historical, emotional and personal goals.

Jerry Seinfeld was quoted as saying that “Seinfeld” was a show about nothing…as it turns out so is this blog…here is a random potpourri trivial items from my week. Once a quarter we have our sales force in for training, account reviews and our quarterly executive business reviews. It is a complete blitzkrieg all week long, of never ending string of meetings and creating PowerPoint for meetings, hence, my lack of blogs this week. I did get stuck having to eat a meal during the day vs. my protein drink…my reflexes got the better of me. My boss asked me to go to lunch and I was out the door before I grabbed a SlimFast. I had a bowl of turkey chili, so I did not fall to far off the wagon. I was so beat when I left yesterday I had to take one of those “5 hour” energy shots to drive home. My commute is over a very twisting section of road (Highway 74, the Ortega Highway, that links Orange and Riverside counties in CA.) and you don’t want to be sleepy when you drive over it. I had been looking for a caffeine fix since I can’t drink zero carb RockStar anymore…and I don’t like coffee...these handy 2 oz. shots of have become my new pick-me-up. The good news is I did managed to get to the gym Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but Thursday and Friday did not happen. It is also good to report that, I got to sleep in this morning, do my weekly weigh in (dropped 5 pounds), went to the gym and then to the movies. We went to see “State of Play” with Russell Crow…Good Flick. Tomorrow, my son and I are off to see the finals of the Formula D team drift competition in Long Beach. Lots of horsepower, car show models and smoking rubber…it should be fun…http://www.formulad.com/. So much for my random musings…have a good week end folks.

Jerry Seinfeld was quoted as saying that “Seinfeld” was a show about nothing…as it turns out so is this blog…here is a random potpourri trivial items from my week. Once a quarter we have our sales force in for training, account reviews and our quarterly executive business reviews. It is a complete blitzkrieg all week long, of never ending string of meetings and creating PowerPoint for meetings, hence, my lack of blogs this week. I did get stuck having to eat a meal during the day vs. my protein drink…my reflexes got the better of me. My boss asked me to go to lunch and I was out the door before I grabbed a SlimFast. I had a bowl of turkey chili, so I did not fall to far off the wagon. I was so beat when I left yesterday I had to take one of those “5 hour” energy shots to drive home. My commute is over a very twisting section of road (Highway 74, the Ortega Highway, that links Orange and Riverside counties in CA.) and you don’t want to be sleepy when you drive over it. I had been looking for a caffeine fix since I can’t drink zero carb RockStar anymore…and I don’t like coffee...these handy 2 oz. shots of have become my new pick-me-up. The good news is I did managed to get to the gym Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but Thursday and Friday did not happen. It is also good to report that, I got to sleep in this morning, do my weekly weigh in (dropped 5 pounds), went to the gym and then to the movies. We went to see “State of Play” with Russell Crow…Good Flick. Tomorrow, my son and I are off to see the finals of the Formula D team drift competition in Long Beach. Lots of horsepower, car show models and smoking rubber…it should be fun…http://www.formulad.com/. So much for my random musings…have a good week end folks.

When I saw the title of this, I thought the 4/1 was your observed ratio of men to women who have the band. my initial reaction was... yeah, sounds about right. I don't have the real data, but there are far more ladies on this board than guys. It would be a good survey poll.

I am up on May 6th

As part of most 12 step programs you get a chip once you have been clean for 30 days. I am not getting a virtual Lapband chip this month. As part of my pre-op diet with the doctor I am supposed to do protein drinks during the day and 6-8 oz of chicken/fish for dinner. I have been following program (15 days down, 15 to go) until tonight. I did not go crazy, I ate to much chicken, some fat free cottage cheese, three scoops of peanut butter and non-fat chocolate frozen yogurt. It was one of the moments of weakness, we have all had. As I sit here I wonder what would have happened if I had had the band already. Without a doubt, my future Lapband would have provided me with a visceral and direct warning of the folly of gluttony. Apparently, I still have lots of work to do. Alas, tomorrow is a new day to make better choices and start working towards that first 30 day chip.

What a great story. It is exactly what I am trying to do. Started at 373lbs and Want to get to 197 Lbs. Thanks for sharing. Can you provide other details your diet and exercise programs. Shaun

As part of most 12 step programs you get a chip once you have been clean for 30 days. I am not getting a virtual Lapband chip this month. As part of my pre-op diet with the doctor I am supposed to do protein drinks during the day and 6-8 oz of chicken/fish for dinner. I have been following program (15 days down, 15 to go) until tonight. I did not go crazy, I ate to much chicken, some fat free cottage cheese, three scoops of peanut butter and non-fat chocolate frozen yogurt. It was one of the moments of weakness, we have all had. As I sit here I wonder what would have happened if I had had the band already. Without a doubt, my future Lapband would have provided me with a visceral and direct warning of the folly of gluttony. Apparently, I still have lots of work to do. Alas, tomorrow is a new day to make better choices and start working towards that first 30 day chip.

I can't wait to have that happen to me, so I can smile and ignore them and keep on going :thumbdown:

So I was driving to the gym last night, fighting my mental battle between I had done enough exercise this week and keeping to the rules of 30 minutes every day. Despite trying to rationalize my way out of going to the gym, I grudgingly kept moving towards the gym. It was not a bad workout, and I got through it. It was one of the many thousands of “right choices” that have to be made to be successful with the Lapband journey successful. I was able to weight in this week with a nice weight loss and it should be enough to meet my pre-op requirement. It was one of those proof-points that illustrates if you can make the right choices you can get the right results. I know there is very long road ahead, but this is one of the little victories that help fire the motivation along the way.

My wife, wants to kill the Wii when it goes "OOOOHHHHH" as she stands on it. Why you got the LB does not matter, keep working in the right direction and get what you want out of the process.

So I was driving to the gym last night, fighting my mental battle between I had done enough exercise this week and keeping to the rules of 30 minutes every day. Despite trying to rationalize my way out of going to the gym, I grudgingly kept moving towards the gym. It was not a bad workout, and I got through it. It was one of the many thousands of “right choices” that have to be made to be successful with the Lapband journey successful. I was able to weight in this week with a nice weight loss and it should be enough to meet my pre-op requirement. It was one of those proof-points that illustrates if you can make the right choices you can get the right results. I know there is very long road ahead, but this is one of the little victories that help fire the motivation along the way.

I was listening to Bob at the gym last night and as I felt the ocean breeze cover my mind. I found his music talking to me and here is what it said to me: 1. Jamming – Just keep jamming at any goal, it is hill that is climbed one step at a time. 2. Waiting in Vain – Waiting for some else to fix things is a vain hope. Lab bands give us a plan. 3. Get Up, Stand Up – Getting up, standing up and not giving up the fight is the only way to do this. 4. Satisfy my Soul – I need this to satisfy my soul and move forward in life. 5. I Shot the Sherriff – I going to shoot my old self and release myself from jail. 6. Redemption Songs – I am looking for redemption from my body for years of abuse, knees please forgive me. What Bob Marley songs speak to you?

I was listening to Bob at the gym last night and as I felt the ocean breeze cover my mind. I found his music talking to me and here is what it said to me: 1. Jamming – Just keep jamming at any goal, it is hill that is climbed one step at a time. 2. Waiting in Vain – Waiting for some else to fix things is a vain hope. Lab bands give us a plan. 3. Get Up, Stand Up – Getting up, standing up and not giving up the fight is the only way to do this. 4. Satisfy my Soul – I need this to satisfy my soul and move forward in life. 5. I Shot the Sherriff – I going to shoot my old self and release myself from jail. 6. Redemption Songs – I am looking for redemption from my body for years of abuse, knees please forgive me. What Bob Marley songs speak to you?

So the number 30 is looming large in my mind today: • 30 Bites – Chew, Baby Chew…this is going to be one of the biggest items for me. I am sure if I don’t , the Lapband will let me know. I just worry about forgetting to eat slow and swallowing to soon. • 30 Sets –of weights for my muscle workout days across 3 body parts per/day. Gotta, keep up the Vin Diesel look. :wub: • 30 Minutes – or more of cardio everyday seems to be the biggest key to success factor after eating right. Based on what I have read, this is seems to be what separates those who succeed with the Lapband from those who struggle. • 30 Hours – to get the surgery done, get some sleep and start recovery. Walking, stationary bike and good broth. I can’t wait… • 30 Days - until my surgery occurs, I have been making good progress on dropping the required twenty pounds for my banding. All I can say is…Shrink Liver…Shrink Damn YOU! • 30 Weeks – Needed to drop 100 pounds and reach my first major goal of returning to my MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighting weight 271 Lbs, then another 30 weeks to reach my second goal of 197lbs my wrestling weight. • 30 Years – Time to make up for 30 years of eating sins, caloric substance abuse and psychological games. I was 15 the last time I had my weight where I wanted it. 30 is my new favorite number…I think it is time to go to Vegas and find a roulette wheel.

Yes, I am also in the SCA. Cingulus Tacitus Maximus Member of Legio IX House of Atnuha Kingdom of Caid I have not been banded yet, may 6th, so I can't say what it will affect things, but HeatherO's answer seemed to cover most of the bases unless your are participating in the battles. With a good gambeson, and armor I would think things would be OK for the port.

I am sorry your friend is haveing such a hard time. I am amazed how many peopl have to go through that crap. I actually just wrote this blog about it today. One of my all time favorite movies is “A Knight’s Tale.” In one of the key scenes, William, our intrepid hero; played by the late Heath Ledger, is told by his father “a man can change his stars, and make a new and better life.” It is that spirit that surrounds this Lapband community. So for those of you who have people who doubt, alienate or deride you for “taking the easy way out”…stand true. You have chosen to “change your stars” and it can be a lonely road. However, truth be told, it was always destined to be a bit lonely because only you can make those changes. So take heart…there is a place where others understand, and you can find new strength and renew your purpose. I struggled with this choice for many years, my wife and mother both encouraged me to look at Lapbanding. I have found tremendous help and hope in the many pages of this forum. For those of you struggling with this choice remember “it is better to do the hard right thing vs. the easy wrong thing.” For many, life’s journey has brought us here and offered us new way to “change our stars.” Often we have to do things that other will never comprehend, if you know this is the right thing to do for you and those you love…persevere. Then, take the road less traveled, be true to what you know is right, love and forgive the detractors for they are sorely misguided and follow your true knight’s heart forward in the face of all adversaries.

Speaking for the men of the world...Please where those heels.