FeliciaLevy75

I was banded May 15 and I am down 77lbs so far! ---- Penny, do you track what you eat? Do you calculate your calories every day? The first place to start is there. I love www.thedailyplate.com - I use it through LiveStrong.com. Great, great tool. Your body needs/uses approximately 10 calories per pound that you weigh. If you weigh 200, your body uses about 2000 calories per day. If you eat less than that, you will lose weight. Eating 500 less calories per day = 1lb/week weight loss. You can also go ahead and eat all 2000 calories... as long as you are burning your 500 or calories per day through exercise. Or, you could balance the two; eat 250 calories less and burn 250 extra calories per day. If you are tracking your food, go back and be sure that you are tracking everything. You would be surprised how quickly the "little" things, the "tastes" add up. If you are not yet tracking, be brutally honest when you do track it. You won't be able to find your hurdle if you don't put it all in there. OK, now on to restriction, food, etc. If you are PBing and sliming, you are eating too much, too fast, and/or eating foods that don't process well (that is, they do not fit through your new band). PBing and sliming are not rights of passage nor should they be considered part of a learning curve - they may not be all that uncommon, but they are NOT normal. You don't want them to happen, it's unhealthy and indicates that something is not being done right. Since you don't have a fill, you can't get an unfill to help alleviate it, so you have to take control. Take it slow. Weigh out your food - my doctor recommends 4oz BY WEIGHT per meal, and only 3 meals per day. Every doctor is different, so go back to yours and ask what they recommend. Definitely stick to lean proteins (fish, chicken, lean beef) and get plenty of vegetables. Watch out for sauces, oils, butter, and other things used to cook your meals - especially at restaurants. Don't be afraid to ask for substitutions. Also watch out for liquid calories. Lemonades, juices, etc. are LOADED with calories (unless, of course, you know for a fact they are low-cal, etc.). It's easy to suck down hundreds of calories in one meal drinking juice or juice-based drinks, alcohol, etc. You can have these things, but then you have to balance your calories somewhere else. You can make this work. Look at what you are eating and when, write it all down, and do a little math. You will find success. Good luck!

Another 5lbs gone for good! =) Already 25% through to my challenge goal! Name_________Start Weight___CurrentWeight______Goal________To Go *****<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f" filled="f" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600">:w00t:</v:shapetype>***********:cool2:*************:tt2:*******************:cursing:* agreatknead........204............198...........180...........18 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......287............251...........200...........51 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............215...........191...........24 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71...........223.4..........223.4.........189...........34.4 Claudine...........250............250...........225...........25 Bunkey1965.........194............180...........170...........10 CubsGirl17.........172............170...........150...........20 Cutiew/booty.......251............243...........220...........23 cQQlgirl...........195............195...........175...........20 crzytchr...........276............275...........246...........29 Dionna113..........199............196.5.........160...........36.5 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............227...........190...........37 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............149...........130...........19 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 Jeni 85............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............209...........185...........24 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............240...........200...........40 Liquidbluegal......225............220.4.........199...........21.4 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 lotzasunshine......292............288...........250...........38 Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Mamanmidwife.......295............295...........260...........35 MELISSA AGUIRRE....266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............252...........208...........44 rainer.............236............233...........199...........34 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............196...........165...........31 srknepler..........285............285...........255...........30 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............171...........160...........11 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............236...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 youcandoit!........196............196...........162...........34

I had so much fun! Judy and will post in the next couple of days in order to give people plenty of time to plan for October. Can't wait!

Inspired by another LBTer, I have started a team for the Walk from Obesity! WALK WITH ME! Join my team and walk with me in September. Let's raise money while we raise our heart-rates! https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=278138&supId=225559749

*bump* The walk is this weekend! It's not too late to join or support the cause! https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=278138&supId=225559749 Hope to see you there!

Will do!! Can't wait to see everyone!

I will be there and will have one or two guests. One is a lady with whom I work - she is being banded on October 9 - and the other is our shared assistant of sorts who will be walking with me that morning. I'm excited!

Hot Damn! Another 2 lbs abandoned forever! 20% of target loss has been achieved! =) Name_________Start Weight___CurrentWeight______Goal________To Go *****<?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" filled="f" stroked="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe">:thumbup:</v:shapetype>***********:biggrin:*************:crying:**********:thumbdown:*********:thumbup:* agreatknead........237............201...........180...........21 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......287............251...........200...........51 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............217...........191...........26 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71...........223.4..........220.4.........189...........31.4 Claudine...........250............250...........225...........25 Bunkey1965.........194............187...........170...........17 Cutiew/booty.......251............249...........220...........29 cQQlgirl...........195............195...........175...........20 crzytchr...........276............275...........246...........29 Dionna113..........199............198...........160...........38 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............230...........190...........40 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............150...........130...........20 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 Jeni.85............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............210...........185...........25 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 Lalaredd...........235............208...........173...........35 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............251...........200...........51 Liquidbluegal......225............220.4.........199...........21.4 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 lotzasunshine......292............290...........250...........40 Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Mamanmidwife.......295............295...........260...........35 MELISSA ...........266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............285...........270...........15 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............252...........208...........44 rainer.............236............233...........199...........34 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............199...........165...........34 srknepler..........285............285...........255...........30 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............171...........160...........11 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............238.2.........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 youcandoit!........196............196...........162...........34

Happy to report that I am another two pounds down! Have a great week, everyone!! Name_________Start Weight___CurrentWeight______Goal________To Go *****<v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">:cool2:</v:shapetype>************************:tt2:**********:cursing:********** agreatknead........237............205...........180...........25 areellady..........189............189...........159...........30 BIGB...............342............342...........300...........42 BellaPerdente......287............251...........200...........51 Boos02.............258............226...........200...........26 Brandy.............221............219...........191...........28 BrownBear..........240............235...........200...........35 Cadets71...........223.4..........223.4.........189...........34.4 Claudine...........250............250.......... 225...........25 Bunkey1965.........194............189...........170...........19 Cutiew/booty.......251............251...........220...........31 cQQlgirl...........195............195...........175...........20 crzytchr...........276............276...........246...........30 Dionna113..........199............198...........160...........38 Ekat...............527............172...........152...........19 feefee57...........262............212...........180...........32 FeliciaLevy75......240............232...........190...........42 GillieBean.........304............296...........264...........32 HeatherO...........150............150...........130...........20 Hollie ............l54............154...........125...........29 Jeni 85............182............182...........160...........22 Jillbeme...........235............212...........185...........27 Josie74............260............255...........215...........40 klmsilva...........216............212...........190...........26 legster............183............183...........160...........23 linksmom...........251............251...........200...........51 Liquidbluegal......225............225...........199...........26 Liz_hager..........161............158...........130...........28 lotzasunshine......292............290...........250...........40<v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" style="width: 21.75pt; height: 15pt;" alt="" type="#_x0000_t75"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Chm253198%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20image004.gif" o:href="http://www.lapbandtalk.com/images/smilies/modern/thumbup1.gif"></v:imagedata></v:shape> Luu2008............230............199.5.........153...........46.5 Mamanmidwife.......295............295...........260...........35 MELISSA AGUIRRE....266............233...........160...........73 Melody2006.........223............223...........173...........50 MiniPearl#2........???............???...........???...........?? Minxz..............299............287...........270...........17 neefam.............238............189...........158...........31 odizzzydori........242............242...........199...........43 paige65............252............252...........208...........44 rainer.............236............233...........199...........34 reif78.............294............195...........140...........40 RichardCranium.....338............276...........200...........76 soontobehottie.....201............199...........165...........34 srknepler..........285............285...........255...........30 squale.............353............353...........325...........28 Sunshine2..........177............172...........160...........12 stevegoad..........370............341...........267...........74 Terilynn112........240............236...........199...........41 Truediva...........299............285...........235...........50 thininside28.......255............255...........215...........40 youcandoit!........196............196...........162...........34 __________________ edit: PS - LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the clean, clear formatting. Thanks!!!!

What a couple of weeks it has been. My house was broken into, I have/had three presentations at school, and work has been a whirlwind.... and yet I was able to stay on track. Quite the accomplishment if I do say so myself. And, in all seriousness, I owe it to my weight loss journey and the tools I use to manage it. Stress, chaos, and crowded calendars can make it easy to get off track. You tell yourself, "just this once; a small bite; I'll make up for it next time; I don't have time; convenient beats healthy right now...." Soon enough, bad habits are back and you don't realize just how bad until you study your food diary (you *are* keeping a food diary, yes?). The truth is, my food diary is what saved me these past two weeks. It's a constant in my life, a steady, reliable part of what I do every day. Even when everything else seemed too unbearable - and there were quite a few hours of that feeling recently - my LBT and LIVESTRONG accounts and my Daily Plate were a source of comfort. Unaffected by my personal drama, these electronic resources - and the friends I have made using them - were still there, ready, willing, and able to perform as intended and expected. They (animate and inanimate resources alike) kept me focused, reminded me of the things that I can control and helped to promote in me strength through use of that control. Everyone has bad days during which they feel like they just can't do what is expected of them. This may be true when speaking of the expectations of others, but when it is your health, your weight loss journey, and your overall well-being... you can do it like no one else can do it. You have to, because no one else can do it for you. Focus on that, and you can get through anything.

What a couple of weeks it has been. My house was broken into, I have/had three presentations at school, and work has been a whirlwind.... and yet I was able to stay on track. Quite the accomplishment if I do say so myself. And, in all seriousness, I owe it to my weight loss journey and the tools I use to manage it. Stress, chaos, and crowded calendars can make it easy to get off track. You tell yourself, "just this once; a small bite; I'll make up for it next time; I don't have time; convenient beats healthy right now...." Soon enough, bad habits are back and you don't realize just how bad until you study your food diary (you *are* keeping a food diary, yes?). The truth is, my food diary is what saved me these past two weeks. It's a constant in my life, a steady, reliable part of what I do every day. Even when everything else seemed too unbearable - and there were quite a few hours of that feeling recently - my LBT and LIVESTRONG accounts and my Daily Plate were a source of comfort. Unaffected by my personal drama, these electronic resources - and the friends I have made using them - were still there, ready, willing, and able to perform as intended and expected. They (animate and inanimate resources alike) kept me focused, reminded me of the things that I can control and helped to promote in me strength through use of that control. Everyone has bad days during which they feel like they just can't do what is expected of them. This may be true when speaking of the expectations of others, but when it is your health, your weight loss journey, and your overall well-being... you can do it like no one else can do it. You have to, because no one else can do it for you. Focus on that, and you can get through anything.

Never too late; welcome!

Thanks, guys. I had to post something; I am so angry. I am half-hoping someone tries again. The minute they do, I will own them.

Screw you. Who the hell do you think you are, and what f--king right do you have to enter my home uninvited? What in the world did I ever do to you? Nothing. I know this because we are one of four houses you have burglarized in two weeks. Random. No connection other than geography. F--k you. You didn't know me from Eve when you decided to kick in my door (leaving fabulous foot and finger prints for the CSI, thanks for that) and relieve me and my roommate of our flat screen, our XBox360, our jewelry and cash, laptops.... You know me now, though, and that is why I want to sink a crow bar into your head. You may not remember what you did or what you saw, but I do. I saw what you did to my bed, my drawers, my closet, my photos, my shelves. I still feel you in my house, in my bedroom and bathroom. I can hear you rummaging through my personal belongings in the hurried pursuit of something you can pawn for a quick buck. F--k you. It may be just "stuff" to you and yours, but to me it is memories, personal space, homework.... things I cannot easily replace or rebuild. Gifts from my father who died almost two years ago; research and hard work for my business, my employer, my education; unique and personal to me, including material things, time and effort; you felt entitled, so you took it. F--k you. It's my home, my safety, my security. You took it all, with no regard for anyone or anything save the $20 you can get for something to feed your habit. F--k you. I feel shattered, uncomfortable, vulnerable, insecure, watched. F--k you. F--k you. F--k you.

Screw you. Who the hell do you think you are, and what f--king right do you have to enter my home uninvited? What in the world did I ever do to you? Nothing. I know this because we are one of four houses you have burglarized in two weeks. Random. No connection other than geography. F--k you. You didn't know me from Eve when you decided to kick in my door (leaving fabulous foot and finger prints for the CSI, thanks for that) and relieve me and my roommate of our flat screen, our XBox360, our jewelry and cash, laptops.... You know me now, though, and that is why I want to sink a crow bar into your head. You may not remember what you did or what you saw, but I do. I saw what you did to my bed, my drawers, my closet, my photos, my shelves. I still feel you in my house, in my bedroom and bathroom. I can hear you rummaging through my personal belongings in the hurried pursuit of something you can pawn for a quick buck. F--k you. It may be just "stuff" to you and yours, but to me it is memories, personal space, homework.... things I cannot easily replace or rebuild. Gifts from my father who died almost two years ago; research and hard work for my business, my employer, my education; unique and personal to me, including material things, time and effort; you felt entitled, so you took it. F--k you. It's my home, my safety, my security. You took it all, with no regard for anyone or anything save the $20 you can get for something to feed your habit. F--k you. I feel shattered, uncomfortable, vulnerable, insecure, watched. F--k you. F--k you. F--k you.

STRESS!!! My house was burglarized (burgled?) Tuesday and even since my update Monday or Tuesday, I am down three pounds. Good or bad, it's gone. Everyone is fine, neither me or my rommmate were home, but still.... UGH!! Updating the list and fixing the alphabetizing... Name...............Starting................ Current.......Goal..............To Go agreatknead............237......................205...........180...................25 areellady................189.......................189...........159…...............30 BIGB.....................342.......................342...........300 …...............42 BellaPerdente........287.......................251...........200....................51 Boos02..................258.......................226...........200…. ...............26 Brandy...................221.......................220...........191.. .................30 BrownBear............240.......................240...........200..... ...............40 Claudine................250.......................250...........225. ...................25 Bunkey1965..........194.......................189...........170....... .............19 Cutiew/booty..........251.......................251............220...................31 Dionna113.............199.......................199...........160... ….............39 FeliciaLevy75 .......240.......................234...........190.................. .44 GillieBean.............304.......................304............264. ..................40 Hollie ....................l54.......................154............125..... . ............29 Jeni 85...................182.......................182............160.... .. ............22 Josie74...................260.......................260.............215. ...............45 klmsilva...................216......................216.............190. ...............26 legster....................183......................183..............160 ...............23 linksmom.................251......................251..............200 ... ............51 Liquidbluegal............225......................225..............199 ... ............26 Liz_hager..................161.....................158..............130... ............28 lotzasunshine............292.....................292..............250. . .............42 Luu2008...................230.....................203..............153 ... ............50 Mamanmidwife..........295.....................295..............260.... .... .......35 MELISSA AGUIRRE..266....................233..............160................73 Melody2006..............223.....................223..............173.. ... ..........50 odizzzydori...............242.....................242..............199 ... ............43 paige65.....................252.....................252..............208.. .............44 rainer........................236.......................233........... ..199. .............34 reif78........................294......................195...............40.................40 soontobehottie...........201....................201..............165. . ............36 srknepler...................285....................285..............255.. ............30 squale.......................353....................353............. 325...............28 Sunshine2................177.....................176..............160 ...............16 stevegoad..................370....................341.............. 267...............74 Terilynn112................240....................240..............199 ................41 Truediva.....................299....................285............... 235..............50 thininside28...............255....................255...............215.............. 40 youcandoit!...............196....................196................162..............34

Update time! Great way to start the challenge! Name...............Starting................ Current.......Goal..............To Go agreatknead...........237......................205...........180.......... .........25 areellady...............189.......................189............159.. ................30 BIGB......................342.......................342............300 .................42 BellaPerdente.........287.......................251............200.... .............51 Boos02..................258.......................226............200.. ...............26 BrownBear.............240.......................240............200...................40 Claudine................250.......................250.............225..................25 Bunkey1965...........194.......................190.............170.... .............20 Dionna113.............199.......................199.............160... ..............39 FeliciaLevy75 ........240.......................237.............190..................47 GillieBean..............304.......................304.............264. ...............40 Hollie ....................154.......................154.............125...... ..........29 Jeni 85...................182.......................182.............160..... ............22 Josie74...................260.......................260.............215. ...............45 klmsilva...................216......................216.............190. ...............26 legster....................183......................183..............160 ...............23 linksmom.................251......................251..............200... ............51 Liquidbluegal............225......................225..............199... ............26 Liz_hager..................161.....................161..............130... ............31 lotzasunshine............292.....................292..............250.. .............42 Luu2008...................230.....................203..............153... ............50 Mamanmidwife..........295.....................295..............260........ .......35 MELISSA AGUIRRE..266....................233..............160................73 Melody2006..............223.....................223..............173..... ..........50 odizzzydori...............242.....................242..............199... ............43 paige65.....................252.....................252..............208.. .............44 rainer........................236.......................236.............199. .............37 srknepler...................285.....................285..............255.. ............30 squale.......................353......................353.............325...............28 Sunshine2.................177.....................177..............160...............17 stevegoad..................370....................341.............. 267...............74 Terilynn112................240....................240..............199................41 Truediva.....................299....................285...............235..............50

I'll be home for a while now... I am taking 2 classes at a time from now until December 15 - GRADUATION. It will be worth it to be a homebody for a while. :tt2: Tiffany, welcome. We would love to have you join us. Yvonne, how's the food diary looking? That's always the first place I look. It's easy to not realize how much or how little we eat - both are bad for the waistline. Too much can cause you to not lose or worse, gain. Too little can make you lose slooooow or not at all.

Thanks!! We made the trip but changed it to DC instead of NY. I have been there, San Francisco, and now I am in Phoenix... all in the last 2 weeks/3 weekends. BUSY! But tons of fun. So excited to meet everyone!

This is AWESOME!! So glad we can all do this together!

Hhehe <3 to you, Bunk! I felt like I was sooooo slow going the past three weeks. Then I started eating MORE... and now I am moving again! Great way to end the challenge!

GRATS EVERYONE!! Last weekend I flew to SF to see my baby (ahem, he's 28! LOL) brother and his wife. I was there for her baby shower. I came out of the BART station headed towards him and he looked right past me. I had to say, "Yo, Giacomo...." He just gaped!! That was great! Tonight is Phoenix and friends I haven't seen in almost 2 months!

So excited! Another 2 pounds gone! Name.............StartingWeight....Current.....Goal.........To Go Bunkey1965........220.................193............189...........4 CQQlgirl..............200.................198............190...........8 Cadets71............239.................221.6..........219..........2.6 Dreamsize8.........216.................216............190...........26 FeliciaLevy75......286.................238............240........... -2 GOAL!! 8/25/08 Gayle21..............190.......... ......190............175...........15 Jeni 85................189.................182............169...........13 Laura bough........215.................205............190...........15 Liz_hager............172.................161............150...........11 MMarg.................220.................214............199...........21 Newhope4me......163.6...............159.6..........150..........9.6 NukeChik.............227.................227............197...........30 Scrappy_friend....222.................207.............200..........7 TexGirl................202.................198............180...........18 Thininside28........271.5..............256.............245...........11 Wannabthin.........199................199.............179...........20

I've also started a new challenge for Q4 2008. Hope to see you there. Here's the link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/4th-quarter-weight-loss-challenge-74034/#post973270

I am sooooo there. I have missed the past two, and I am not letting that happen again. This is INKED in (debating on the tattoo, ha ha ha). I can't wait!