Boo

It is nice to read a post and get inspired! Ugh! :biggrin: My allergies have been so out of control that the drainage was clogging up my band and irritating my stomach. A complete unfill has been the only option. How quickly has my gratitude and celebration crumbled as I have fought to keep the weight from piling back on (15 pounds!!) the last month or so. The big hope now is that I can be filled again. 1.0 cc was all I could handle the past year. That level does not give great restriction, but was manageable. Now I am just hoping for anything to keep my stomach from grumbling. The band has been a great tool and reminder of when to stop. The maintenance benefits alone are worth it. I just have to find some medication that will work! Thanks, y'all!

Hi Susan! Hi everybody!! Well, I have been on a doctor-ordered rest from running, which has driven me crazy...except for the fact that much of my pain has subsided. The problem is that I have not figured out how to eat appropriately during a less active phase. It is nuts! So I ran two miles. Light exercise just does not satisfy my aggressive needs. It does nothing to curb my appetite or lift my mood. I need to sweat and push myself past the point of comfort, to reach new levels. I need some competition. Nearly two years ago I celebrated a miracle at the completion of a two mile run. Now I feel like a failure for being cautious. Exercise cannot be an all or nothing activity, but it feels like it should be to get the benefits. How is everybody doing??

Hello New Friends and April '06 Bandsters! Here we are, once again, setting our exercise goals for the month! We have truly built a successful support group here. Many of us have fully integrated exercise into our daily life. Can we now live without our monthly challenge and without each other's support?? NO!! SO, I'm starting it back up again. We can take turns each month hosting, or run this thread however we choose. (As much as we LOVE JulieNYC's "Passing for Thin" thread and can't get enough of it, some of us were missing the challenge of our exercise thread.) In keeping with our prior goals, PLEASE log the number of workouts per month (approximately 20). Each session should be at least 45 minutes in length, but at this point could be of your own choosing. We want to inspire each other, while also finding the motivation to be self-driven. So, set your own goals!! BUT YOU MUST REPORT THEM HERE!! Let's add some extra elements into our workouts that we have tried in the past such as, try a NEW activity at least once a month, and make sure to spend additional time to STRETCH before and after each workout. So, Ladies, ready, set, GO!!!!! GO for the GOLD! (This thread is open to anyone who would like to join in)

Where did we all go? So sorry that I have dropped out of sight. I'm busy with a show, but am going to try an reconnect here more. Keep it up! You all inspire me.

Hey, losingjusme, GREAT RUN!! Your distance is increasing pretty quickly. Julie, remember when I predicted about 18 months ago that you would get to my goal before I would? Well? Haha! I was right! Betty, I hope you had a nice time with your family Dawn...wow, I hope the TT works out. I am very envious, but a coward. Susan, I love hearing from you! It brings back good memories of the beginnings of our banded group. Since I have slowed down, I feel like I'm starting over. Next week I begin rehearsals for a show. I'll be dancing (more like singing with choreography)!! Great motivation to lose weight, considering one of the costumes is YELLOW...yikes!

Wow, Trae, that is something I have never attempted...the gym at 4:30 in the morning!?!

Wow, Julie!! That is tremendous! You are actually at my goal, too. How cool to meet your goal on your bandiversary. I'm just so proud of all of us!!!!!!

Hi Everybody!! First of all, Dawn, that is just super-amazing! Keeping to a rigorous training schedule with little kids and a demanding job is more than I can comprehend. Go for it!! The BIG news is that Julie an I met up for yummy Thai food in NYC! (Thanks, Betty) I can still taste the curry dish (in a good, imaginative way...not in a reflux way.) AND I can still see Julie's gorgeous face, smile and tiny tight body. Julie, you are just a dream girl! You have everything going for you and deserve all of the good that has and will come your way. It was so fun to finally meet and laugh. I did not run/walk the half in NY, which means another trip must be planned. I did run in the park two days, which were breathtakingly beautiful!! And I did fit in many miles of pounding the pavement. Oh, I miss New York already. Two years ago I spent a fortune on a single hand-beaded scarf/work of art in Saks. I could not fit a thing and figured that at least I could always look good in a scarf. This time I bought too many cheap little tops at H & M, just because they fit. I also bought two pairs of gorgeous heels that would have been disastrous prior to the banding. So I am SO happy to have celebrated my 2-year bandiversary. I can't wait to see where I will be in another year! Thank you, my friends, for all of the continued encouragement. We don't need to have a weight loss to report to find value here. This is a safe place to vent, and a place where we can encourage each other to keep moving and setting goals!

Ooh it is so fun to meet our new friends on this thread and to hear about your successes and struggles! Betty, what weight were you last summer when I saw you? I thought you looked "just right." It really matters how we feel...joints, energy levels, appetite and all. It is just the best feeling to not have cravings, to not be in pain and to not feel down in the dumps! XO

Okay, I'm here! I ran 3.5 miles two days ago. It was not too bad. My doctor had me freaked out that terrible irreversible things would happen if I continued to run. I'm pretty reasonable, but if it feels GOOD to do something (like run) then it is worth the risk to me. I believe my back is stronger (and all of the other supporting muscles, tissues and bones) idf I do run. Now as far as grooming for a marathon, I just don't think it will be in my near future. The far future is undetermined. As for April, I am in! I will have to find a way to exercise while traveling, but I'm sure something will work out. For Mother's Day I would like to regain the muscle tone that I have lost due to ordered rest. And I would like to get back into the (mid)150's permanently. My weight shot up to 164 this week.:tongue_smilie: Ladies, it is wonderful that we collectively motivate each other and set our goals high. Individually, we are all different, and should feel great success with reaching our goals!! In other words, for our new friends...we are only competing with ourselves! Julie, please talk to me about NY. Can we run or something? I don't want to miss seeing you. I'm coming Saturday and will be at my daughter's, then a friends until the 8th. Woohoo! Love to you all!

BTW, I am in complete awe of anyone having the courage to go through a TT!

Absolutely, losingjusme!!! We had a larger group and many have strayed. This thread was originally in the main forum which was easier to find. It is actually nice to be tucked away in a more "private" corner of LBT. We have gotten to know each other pretty well. Julie, Guysis, Dawn, and I seem to be the main regulars. You can't find a more motivating AND understanding group. It is pretty amazing to look at what we have accomplished with our weight-loss and exercise goals! Personally, reporting to my friends here has motivated me to get to the gym or hit the streets when the real urge has been to lay on the couch and eat ice cream . We would love the company. I'm totally loving running, but am currently on restriction while I complete some physical therapy. It is driving me crazy!!:embaressed_smile:

Join us, K@t!!! Hey Julie, does "Amourette" ring a bell? Yeah, I can imagine there are all kinds of "stuff" you are dealing with! Just dump it on us and let it go. We are your biggest fans, cheering section, and want the best for you. You are an amazing woman and deserve to live a charmed life. Betty, it looks like I will be in Seattle in July/August. I may be coming twice over the summer. I really thought I would be there this week, but there are too many work-related opportunities right now. Guess what? In two weeks I am going to see "Mary Poppins" on Broadway! I am SO excited. Betty, you know me well enough to understand how I would like to BE/play Mary Poppins:smile:. I only wish it were young Julie Andrews in the title role. Is anyone satisfied, yet??? I feel confident in public and around friends now, but I still dread the scale every morning. And it seems that I hardly eat anything. It might be time to track calories. It is just the thing I have never wanted to do!!! Take care, dear friends!! Thanks for the concerns. My flu is much better, back is slowly responding, and life is good again!!!

Hi ladies! It is so good to hear from April 06 band buddies! I have stalled out at 160 lbs. There are easily 20 more to go, but it is good to stabilize and NOT gain it all back for once!! I took up running and have had a BLAST!! A prior back injury has kept me from upping the distance too much more. Ten miles was my highest achievement. Now I must drop back a bit to see if I can take some pressure off my back. I'll run 2-3 miles now, but am just ITCHING to take off!! The exercise really helps. Maybe when I can step it up there will be movement on the scale again. We are all nearing our two-year "bandiversaries." Just think where we would be now if we had not had the courage to make a change! Great thread!!

Okay, ladies...are we all back in good health?? What are our goals for this month???? I am adding more stretching and weight training to my schedule. And I am starting a running group with a group of colleagues. I'll try to be more specific, but am following (partially) doctor's orders.

Life is FINALLY starting to look good to me again! I've never been knocked flat for weeks with the flu before. I started to forget that life is grand. Oh, I feel so spoiled to have enjoyed good health through most of my life. Well, I ran three miles last night in the worst time imaginable! (33:00) I am still weak, but know from experience how quickly the body shapes up. The doctor has "ordered" me to not run more than 2-3 miles at one time until I go through therapy for my back. Now, that does not mean that I am a compliant patient!! Running only 3 miles last night felt like a sissy workout. The elliptical machine is allowed so I will probably devise some sort of combo deal. I hope y'all are doing better too!!

Can you believe it? We all got the flu? This has been so bad that I have just laid in bed and cried. After two weeks, it seemed like I would never recover. I am starting to feel a bit better and did go to work today. It felt very strange, though. In addition to a heavy chest cough, there is constant vertigo that has not yet left. The doctor told me there wasn't anything I could take, just to wait it out with plenty of fluids. Now we are all on the mend! We WILL be out workin' it very soon! Here's to our health!!!

Betty, I'm so sorry and can relate. I've got the flu, too! I have never had a flu shot before, but after this will probably get one every year. Yuck, I am miserable!

Wow, Julie! That is great! It is amazing how we have forgotten about the ferocious hunger that comes without a good fill level. I had black bean soup today, too. Yum! But the chocolate monster got to me and I had about 4 Hershey Kisses (or was it 5??) So when are you writing a book?? My weight is staying the SAME, and for once, I am grateful. I have not been running but maybe three times this month. There are three herniated discs in my back and that is what is causing me tremendous pain in my hip and down my leg. I haven't slept well in at least 6 months. My determination to keep running has forced me to push through the pain, but I've finally had enough! Now I am trying a little rest to see what can be done. I see another ortho guy for a 2nd opinion on Thursday. Cross your fingers for me!! I do not feel it is injuring me to run. I love it. When I run there is less pain (endorphins?) But the really long runs (7 + miles for me) make it harder to manage. I'm not down for good, just experimenting with a little rest and then will try again after Thursday, depending on what the dr. says. My dear friends, keep it up!!! You ALL inspire me!! I need it right now.

Ah, we must all be having some sort of winter gloominess. I came home today, feeling down, and just started cooking multiple dishes of Pasta for my family. I don't even like pasta very much, I just miss being home and homemaking. We all need to nurture and be nurtured, don't we? Julie, this will pass. We all go through down times. Only you know your signs for needing help. I know that when I start to think that no one loves me, that I have no friends, that I should just get a divorce, or should run away, it is time for Zoloft. When there is free time on my hands (which rarely happens) I tend to be unsure and question my life. You have not been able to run, you are STILL recovering from multiple surgeries. Just because they were PS and have given an aesthetically beautiful outcome, your body is healing as if you were in a ferocious accident. Give yourself a break! As far as missing someone or something, can you dig deeply in your heart and identify who or what that is? If you do know what is missing and can change anything, then consider it. If not, and if it is just a general sadness, then you are in need of endorphins! Your running will take care of it! Heart hugs from me to you! I will see you in about 7 weeks! Betty, I'm with Alan! Your house is all on one level, and has been built exactly to your taste and need. Where would you want to go? (Other than California?) You have created such a lovely life for yourself. The sounds and views are heavenly. Keep on doing your thang! We are so much better off than we would be without our bands. XOXO

Ah!! I am so relieved you are getting better!!

Thanks for the tips. I just hope the heavy leg feeling goes away. I am assuming it is a circulation issue? It is really important that I feel success at the level I am now. Just exercising regularly is what I need to focus on. Work and life is crazy. This is where I have usually broken down in my past, letting the demands take over my life. Short of never sleeping, I haven't found a way to say, "No." I'm eating better, though! So sorry about the seromas, Julie...unreal... You are STILL the bravest woman I want to know.

Wow, Julie, it is such a relief to hear you are feeling more like yourself now. It is a huge accomplishment to survive all the surgeries and then bounce back with a free six mile run! I think that it is a good idea to have some routes that are set for distance. I get a bit nervous when I check the Garmin and my time isn't what I would like, or I get too excited when I see a mile in the eight minute range. It messes with my mind when right now I am trying to increase distance. It is still not so fun and comfortable to run more than six or seven miles. I ran ten last night and my legs just felt so heavy by mile seven. It must be my circulation or ??? Does that get better? I'm sticking with it, hoping as I get stronger that I'll enjoy the longer run. But for now, it is just an accomplishment to increase distance. I'm staying at a beach resort, so running on a level path has been dreamy!! My routines always include some serious incline. With a level run, my time was SO much better!! Enjoy the weekend!! Boo

Dawn, I completely agree. I bought the 305 two months ago. The only negative, for me, is that the distances logged are SO accurate! haha! If only it would lie to me like my scale does, and give me a higher number (of miles ran.) I can't live without it now, because I have the freedom of running any route I choose. It is helpful to forget it is on my wrist and get comfortable in my run. costco had them on sale for about $200 a month ago. They still might online. Good luck!!

Julie, I'm sending you some healing thoughts! Mend, my friend!!!