Boo

It is definitely a victory to be given a medium-sized shirt! I don't EVER want to look at anything with an 'X' on it again. Sometimes I have to try a 'L' because of the chest, but I just LOVE knowing I am medium/normal! The unfill is definitely a challenge. Growling stomach pains were something I forgot about. I'm working with it. We'll see. I've been patient for so many months of plateau that I should be able to be patient with myself through this transition. I agree with Dawn and Betty! The calories in=calories out idea has not served me well. There is a much more sophisticated thermostat inside of us that regulates our bodies and prevents us from dying of starvation. We just can't imagine how many other people can eat the way they do and then stay thin. Ours is a daily fight for our lives.

Betty, I am so sorry. It is good you want to be there for the grandkids! We are ALL at a vulnerable age! Life is full of surprises. But you and Alan make the most of each day. You love each other and your kids. Your lives are full of wonder. And you are taking every 'step' possible to ensure good health. When are you going to Sacramento? I will be there Thursday and Friday of this week. As far as the idea of being "thin enough" goes, in April I saw a plastic surgeon to cunsult about getting rid of the flap on my belly. He told me I most likely would not lose any more weight. Well, that made me mad. So I lost ten pounds. I know that I have been stuck here, but I don't think I am finished. I am not hating on myself, though. Life is much more comfortable being normal. The things that are bothering me are my stomach, and my leg. I got an unfill on Wednesday and am VERY discouraged. (I was not able to tolerate any medications and had an inflamed esophagus from sinus trouble.) I forgot what it feels like to be hungry and craving all day long. Even though I have not succumbed to any binge or full-size plate of food, my weight has shot up three pounds. This happens every time I have been unfilled. That nervousness of gaining is back. When I thought I had done all of this work and conquered my demons, again, I am reminded that it is the BAND that has afforded me the freedoms which I enjoy. Though I want to run back to the center and get a fill, I really want to try to regulate my eating and learn to be stronger and more disciplined. Can I do it, or am I completely dependent on the band? I don't know, but am going to try it. So right now, my stomach is just too demanding! But at least I can try to take allergy meds and maybe some Zoloft for a while. Now for the leg...there is a severe tightness and knotting from my hip to my knee. I've been running with it from the beginning, but it has gotten worse. Supposedly it is caused by a herniated disc in my back. I just don't know and need to see another doctor. But the ankle is good to go! Yesterday I went on a 3-hour hike up to the top of the mountain/hill behind my home. (Mountain compared to the Ozarks, hill compared to the Rockies) There was a breathtakingly beautiful view at the top! I have found the additional activity I have been looking for! I won't give up running, but just need something else to get excited about. Sorry I have not checked in as regularly. Things are crazy here until November! Let's kick some butt in October!!! Dawn, that is a great time on your 5K! (No more throwing up, though.) Wow! Julie, I'm excited about NY!

Okay Dawn, you are going to bicker with me over 3 little pounds???? We are the SAME now! Cool, huh? I want those 15-20 more off, also. I'm not gonna do it by nursing my sore leg/ankle. I haven't made much progress this month. In fact, my speed and endurance has worsened. Maybe I will need to start over with a new training mindset. After my ankle was hurt, I just jumped in, expecting to will myself to 6 miles at the regular pace. But it was not smart or realistic to do that. I need more patience and trust that my body will build up again, just like it has in the past.Guess what? I got an unfill today. Now we'll see if I have learned anything or if I am still completely dependent on my band to remind me to eat well. (scared!)

Julie, you just continue to burst through boundaries, setting truly amazing new records. Can you believe that you were born to do this? You had a marathon runner inside of you your entire life and never knew it. You are such an inspiration! Dawn, it is excellent hearing about your runs. I'm right at the same weight as you, and every day I hear how wonderful I look and how I should not lose more. (I don't believe them, though....I know there are a good twenty more pounds to drop!) Thanks for checking in even when you are swamped!

Oh yeah, Julie, good luck on your case! It is awfully nice to see you check in to talk to us, even with a gigantic, stressful, time-consuming case on your schedule!

Two days ago it took such effort to run. I calculated I was running two minutes slower per mile. The joy was just NOT there, and I was only doing it out of obligation. Thoughts filled my head of quitting, and I considered changing my exercise plan. (I'm still thinking of switching it up a bit.) Then. last night I strangely hit a new high. While I was running, a phrase came into my mind. It is actually something referred to at church and it was "Lengthen your stride." (Put more effort into your service) Well, I realized that was a running reference and I began to stretch out my stride. After concentrating on that, I timed my third mile at 8:53 (a new record.) So, we'll see if tomorrow's run will bring me a faster pace and a more joyous experience. Other than that, I think I'm ready for the iPod and some company. I guess I've thought out everything I can and now I'm sick of myself!! Haha! So Dawn, I can totally relate to a bad day here and there. Betty, the run/walk sounds fun! I'll be in New York that week.

Julie, I just don't get it. How can you run for over three hours straight? And not get injured or worn out? It is just mind-boggling that running 18 miles could be uneventful. When is your PS? How long do you need to heal before you will be allowed to run again? Thanks for sharing your details, Dawn. My son woke me up at 3:00 and I couldn't get back to sleep. (It didn't help that I went to bed at 1:00!! So I'm pretty exhausted, but I'll try to get in 8 k in your honor. Yeah, Betty, I hear you! It looks like we are in this battle for LIFE. Thankfully the band has given us enough ammo to make significant progress. It seems more difficult to be consistent when the rewards are not showing on the scale. My fitness goals must be independent of the scale. We must remind ourselves of ALL the reasons we do this!!

BTW, Tracy!!! You look GREAT!

A wide belt worn well is definitely a sign you are "passing for thin!" I wore a fitted red jersey wrap dress with heels last night. I giggled inside when I noticed men's heads turning, then I just walked a bit taller and pretended not to notice. I can't wear the dress if my weight is up two pounds, though, because I feel too fat. This plateau is definitely stubborn, but on the bright side, I'm not gaining!

Hey Betty! Thanks for checking in. When things are not going so perfectly it is a crucial time to check in and let the rest of the group know. We have been great supporters of each other "through thick and thin." I do know that different fill techs can achieve different results. The last time I was in to get a fill, the nurse showed me how someone could make a mistake and lose Fluid as they withdraw the needle. It really is such a miniscule amount of liquid, yet can render the most extreme results in our hunger and appetite. My ankles are getting better. It is strange that I injured the right one, and two days later the LEFT one began to hurt!! Now there is just one more thing to add: GO BETTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU CAN DO IT, YOU HOT GRAMMY!!!!! GO:clap2::clap2: :clap2::clap2: :clap2:FIGHT:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:WIN:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

Hey Betty! Thanks for checking in. When things are not going so perfectly it is a crucial time to check in and let the rest of the group know. We have been great supporters of each other "through thick and thin." I do know that different fill techs can achieve different results. The last time I was in to get a fill, the nurse showed me how someone could make a mistake and lose Fluid as they withdraw the needle. It really is such a miniscule amount of liquid, yet can render the most extreme results in our hunger and appetite. My ankles are getting better. It is strange that I injured the right one, and two days later the LEFT one began to hurt!! Now there is just one more thing to add: GO BETTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU CAN DO IT, YOU HOT GRAMMY!!!!! GO:clap2::clap2: :clap2::clap2: :clap2:FIGHT:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:WIN:clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2::clap2:

I had a great run last night. Instead of my usual course and routine of checking the time after each mile, I ran wherever I felt to. I wasn't worried about speed or distance, just the experience. It felt great to run the hills again. When I got home, I knew I had run 70 minutes, but didn't check distance. I don't want to be so concerned with my time that I forget to just freely run. That is how this all started, just finding the freedom to actually run. Of course, I'll be back to pushing my speed and distance tomorrow night, but it is nice to change things up. It is very fun to read about everyone else's plans. Betty, did you get the fill? How are you doing?

JULIE!!! Your time is UNREAL! Just over ten minutes/mile for 13 miles??? That is crazy/fantastic! Are you sore? I'm wiggling/stretching my ankles in anticipation of a quick recovery from my accident. Reading about you and Dawn has me itching to run! Too skinny ladies??? Now that thought has not even crossed my mind. Congrats, everyone! Every day we make an effort toward a goal is a success!

Uh...too late...I already ran. I just walked every two miles. JULIE! SIXTEEN POUNDS TO GO???? You are 'teens away?!?! I can't imagine what that will be like. Seems like yesterday we were celebrating your 100, 150, and 200 pound losses and now you will be at goal very soon. Lead the way, girl!! (You get to run with the torch to usher us all in) Eva, how is it going?? Betty, I just hope you don't end up too tight again. Aren't these bands tempermental? Since I figured out that my medications were irritating the stomach/pouch, and giving too much restriction, I just quit taking them. Uh, kind of a bad idea, but I could not tolerate the pain any longer. So now I am off ALL medications! There isn't any more burning or pain! (The down side is that I'm hungry more frequently)

Oh, I just read your post, Betty! Happy Anniversary to you and Alan! Enjoy your breakfast :hungry: at the cute diner with the pioneer wagon on Thursday. Give each other a :kiss2::hug:, hug and a dozen :eek::rose::mad::rose:'s from me, okay? (I miss you) Hey Dawn, I'm impressed that you are out there running, feeling sick. Now I have no excuse! (I'm a whiner)

Drat! I had a little clumsy accident over the weekend :faint: At first I thought I broke my ankle, but it is only a slight sprain. Whew! Just when I was so charged up for this new month, too! Hopefully, I can run soon!!

CUTE!!!!! and HOT PINK!!!! Julie, is that you?? You look beautiful WOW! Thanks for the updated photo!

My, Dawn, you are just amazing! JUlie, you dropped another pound!!! YEAH!:whoo: Eficka, thanks for the laughs:p I do feel like I'm wilting right now, and can't wait for the pleasant fall evenings for my best running conditions! So now I gotta check the running clothes. They sound great. I'm thinking I need to work much more with weights and upper body. My rear is fitting into size 8, even without a new drop in weight. Take care, all!

I know this sounds crazy, but I ran at 11:30 P.M. tonight!! It was SO HOT today and was still 82 degrees when I ran. My running feels labored at this point, but, my first two miles were 9:10 each, then the third at 9:45. (I'm splitting my workouts now because of my leg) So we are all about paced the same. Tomorrow I might try something really crazy and run in the afternoon in 105! Have you ever done that, DAWN?? haha! And YES, I think SKITTLES are icky!! They are sticky and feel like I am swallowing sugary gum. Thank heavens! I don't need another vice!

Haha! All that talk of Skittles and I tried one the other day. I wanted to like it, but just didn't. Strangely, I'm sick of chocolate, too. So,this is my complaint about weighing only once a week. If you happen to weigh on a really bad/off day, it could ruin you for a whole week! I feel like I have to be accountable if I weigh every morning. But your trainer makes a good point that I'm ignoring. Weight does fluctuate. Why does mine stay pretty much the same (+/- 1 pound)?? My doctor has been weaning me off of thyroid medication over the past 9 months. This last drop has me really exhausted. That is really the biggest reason for the plateau, I fear. My quickest mile was 9:00, so I'll be working to get back to that. My quickest mile EVER was 5:55 (in college). Good night everyone! Get some good sleep and we'll start over tomorrow. Now Julie, you are entitled to a bad mood now and then. Isn't it that time anyway? Your weight will drop again in a few days. And getting through a half-marathon AND a thigh lift are tremendous accomplishments. Some of us may need to adjust our goals to focus less on weight (me).

Oh Betty, I almost called you yesterday because I was worried. I completely understand your frustration. Everytime that I am on the cusp of dropping below 159, the evil scale will register a 2 pound gain the next morning. Even patience is not serving me well! Yesterday I only drank two cups of milk and I GAINED!!?? How is that possible? The good news is that with the leg pain, I still got out and ran. It has not been enjoyable the last few nights, but I did it. See how this group has helped me? I want to lay down, feel sorry for myself and eat ice cream. But the commitment to you ladies drives me onward! My times have dropped to 9:45/mile. Experience has shown me that with persistent work, stamina, strength and speed will improve quickly. With that, I am back in training mode!!! Hey Eficka, your trip sounds wonderful! I'm glad you are back!

Dawn, congrats on the quick time. Under 10:00 for a mile!!!

I totally get what you are saying about yoga. So many friends swear by it and have fantastic bodies from doing it, but everytime I have tried it, the instructors seem a bit snobbish to me. It has been a total turn-off for me. "Spirituality" comes to me when I am either alone, or when I am immersed in loving others. Yoga does not serve the purpose of bringing spirituality into my life, nor would I want it to. Maybe that is why I have not succeeded at it. I just want to stretch! Exercise should be FUN in my mind! Hey, ladies, what time do you have to get up to workout in the mornings? I leave my house before 7:00 a.m. for work and am wondering if I need to start doing the Rocky Balboa thing in the morning like y'all are doing. I didn't run yesterday and am not sure I can get out today. The laser work on my legs is very painful. Even if I stand too long my legs throb. Silly me for being so vain!

Hey Julie, when will you post a new picture?

Jenna, you probably don't remember, but you helped me tremendously prior to my banding. We even spoke on the phone a few times. Your reassurance convinced me to go to Ortiz, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. So I know, personally, that you have a great desire to help and inspire others. Your boobies are GORGEOUS!!! I agree with your doctor, let them heal and live with them for a year. You probably will be more comfortable then. My breasts have always been large and round, and I have received way too much attention because of them since age 12. Like Jacqui, after nursing they do sag. The strangest thing though, is that when I look in the mirror I think they look symmetrical, but when I catch myself naked in a double mirror am surprised how differently they are shaped. It is totally normal to be asymmetrical! It is the same thing with our faces, noses, mouths. It is more natural and interesting that way! BTW, I am extremely conservative, and I think the pictures are very helpful!