Paulax

Wow, I just want to hug and encourage you to do what you need to do to make your life happy and healthy. Your post struck me as I too had a jealous mom. It seemed to boost her confidence when when she had something on me. Like weight. Instead of encouraging me to lose, she actually laughed at me. Now, I have 2 daughters and I want nothing but the best for them. I learned from my experience that it is all about them now. I pray they don't have a weight problem, but if they do, I will be the ultimate supporter in their efforts to get and stay healthy. Hugs my dear, this is your life and life is short. Make every decision and every moment matter.

Ha, yesterday, I was training at the gym and Kayne West's song STRONGER came on. It kind of made me giggle, but was very fitting to the activity. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jzSh_MLNcY]YouTube - Kanye West - Stronger[/ame]

I live in BC, Canaderrrrrrrrrrrrrr, so I joined the online program for the Vancouver Sun Run. Well laid out and easy to follow. I did it in 1997, and I have the shirt to prove it. I am now training with my daughter and in spite of the snow and icy conditions, it is a great program and I am excited. Absolutely, you should do a 10K program. I kinda wish I had found a 5K lol! But so far, so good. I will be joined by about 50,000 of my close friends and running partners in Vancouver on April 18.

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I agree with joining a program like Learn to Run. I am in my 3rd week of a 10K training program. The programs are developed by the best doctors in the field and are designed to get you training injury free. I also want to encourage you on the plateau. Know that, this too shall pass..... eventually...... as frustrating they can be. Keep your food clean, recommit to exercise, keep your fills current and the plateaus will pass. I hit one for 6 months. I recommitted myself to clean eating, got a small fill, hired a personal trainer and bam, the scale started moving. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

I agree with the thoughtful advice given here. Be well informed, make sure you are ready for the changes that are necessary and then I say, go for it. I wish I had this available to me at almost 18. You have the support of your parents, your insurance. I hope this will be a positive changing experience in your life. Let us know what you decide.

GOAL! As of this morning, I have hit goal. I weigh 174 pounds. At my height, that puts me at a BMI of 24.4. I am so pleased, I am so much lighter in body and in spirit. I am at peace with my weight and just look forward to life without the constant thoughts of what diet to try next. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me. Your support meant a lot to me. I lost about 105 pounds in 18 months. I exercise regularly. My fill remains at 3.2. I feel excited about the next year, I feel at peace with my self. I am looking forward to a tummy tuck in the Fall of 08 or early 09. Then I look forward to focusing my energies on everything else wonderful in my life. My dh, my 3 kids and maintaining this awesome and beautiful body..... Cheers everyone Paula AND THANK YOU TO DOCTOR LEUNG IN SURREY.......who hoooo

Heck no, I need to shop where YOU shop. My measurements are about 40, 30, 40". I love my new thighs at 22 1/2". Used to be about 28" I hear you on letting the control go, I understand. I am not ready to let any fill go yet either. I will see how the maintenance goes. Just got back from my learn to jog program. Dare I say I think I am starting kinda SORTA like jogging.....

Where is the embarrassed and fainting smilie? Wait a go Manateeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Duuuuuuuuuuuuude!

I watched it too. Oprah tried to be neutral, Dr Oz has a chapter on WLS in his book, You On A Diet. I was proud of those 'kids' for trying to explain themselves. They did a great job in my eyes. I sure wish I had this opportunity at a younger age. I'd have saved myself 30 years of pain and self-torture. I do believe we have a duty to try to get people to help themselves, but when all else fails, there IS an option. I am not dumb, I am not without discipline, I am a successful person in every other aspect of my life, except with my weight. I think there are factors in our brain chemistry that no one yet understands that make some of us fat.

I put one big TBSP of Psyllium Husk AND one TBSP of Flax seed oil in my protein shake every morning. It is natural, it is cheap and has no added sugar. I buy Psyllium husk at my local health food store. I LOVE the All-Bran Bars that they make now, but hey have a LOT of sugar in them.

Slow is better than no. I did have to remind myself many times in the last 18 months to eat clean, to exercise and to keep my eyez on the prize. It will come if you work it. Even a pound a week is 52 in a year, 104 in 2 years. It will come.....keep working it and good luck.

Unfortunately, there is too much money to be made in keeping us fat and consuming highly processed, commercial junk food. I think our 'fat' issues are all in our brain. I haven't dove into the thread titled 'Why are you fat?' because it is just too depressing for me. All I know, is that I am not dumb, I do not lack discipline or energy or stamina. I am an intelligent woman, educated and thoughtful. But I could just not lose this weight without medical intervention. I don't know if we will ever 'cure' obesity I WISH diet and exercise and discipline alone could have helped me 30 years ago. If that was all it took, I'd like to think that I'd have done it and saved myself 30 years of pain. I thought that Oprah tried to keep neutral. I think Dr Oz was pretty neutral about it. He does have a chapter in his book You, On A Diet about the band and Gastric Bypass. But I believe they do have a duty to try to get people to help themselves by changing lifestyles. But when all else fails....there is help. I was proud of those young people who tried to explain their choices. And I am so happy they found an answer so young in life.

Whoo Hooo DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDE, Never Surrender!

I too am just shy of 6 ft. Boo Boo, have you thought of getting a slight defill? I have been quite successful in adding back a few calories. I just eat more often. But I know my band isn't as tight as yours. Keep healthy my dear. BTW, LOVE your new pic on the before/after board. and BTW, BTW, How come you get to be a size 6 and I am still a size 12? NO FAIR!

GOAL! As of this morning, I have hit goal. I weigh 174 pounds. At my height, that puts me at a BMI of 24.4. I am so pleased, I am so much lighter in body and in spirit. I am at peace with my weight and just look forward to life without the constant thoughts of what diet to try next. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me. Your support meant a lot to me. I lost about 105 pounds in 18 months. I exercise regularly. My fill remains at 3.2. I feel excited about the next year, I feel at peace with my self. I am looking forward to a tummy tuck in the Fall of 08 or early 09. Then I look forward to focusing my energies on everything else wonderful in my life. My dh, my 3 kids and maintaining this awesome and beautiful body..... Cheers everyone Paula Edited to add a pic. Here I am in my size 11 jeans and a sweater size M. Goofy face, but great bod.....

Thanks everyone. I feel friggen awesome. chocolate Snaps. I am 5'11 3/4" tall. Here I am wearing my size 11 jeans from the Tall Girl Shop, and a size M Nygard sweater. I have about a 41, 30 40 figure, so by no means am I small. But I feel beautiful...

OK, I am here for support in counting down the last 20 - 25 pounds. I have been at a standstill since June. I have lost 85 pounds, I now weigh about 195. At 5'11" I need to get down below 180 to get into the healthy BMI range. so I am aiming at 172-175....So about 20 to go. Part of me doesn't believe I will ever get there. Never been there for more than about 5 minutes...lol! So I need to work on a positive attitude. I am at a fill of 3.0 in a 4.0. I could get a small fill, but should be able to do it on this fill. It varies so much from week to week. Some days I am able to eat anything and others I am tight, so that is a bit confusing. I have taken the summer off the band rules, been imbibing in too much ice cream, chips and booze. So there is my confession. I also took a break from the gym, so I am vowing to go back TOMORROW. My 13 year old updated my IPOD, so I am R.E.A.D.Y. Please join me in a count down to goal. All support and advice is appreciated.... 20

Thanks Mary, kind words. Never surrender until you hit goal. I had people discouraging me from doing the last 2 pounds, telling me I was too skinny, or done, but I wanted that number, damn it. Now that I got it. I am going to work hard on keeping it there. I am still exercising, I am still eating good clean foods. It feels so good. I wish that for all of you too.

I started lowcarbing many years ago. I think it is the next best thing next to Phen Fen. I am still on a site with women I have 'known' for 7 years. I believe in letting go of all white processed garbage carbs. Banded however, I have never cut out fruits, veggies and any whole grains that my body will take. I am on a small site. Some of us were lowcarbing, some switched to WW, we just support each other with whatever works. I am a true carb addict. The more I have it, the more I crave it. I am best to stay away from high sugar content items, honestly, I am like a drug addict around it. My only bit of advice is to NEVER GIVE UP, NEVER SURRENDER.....I have hit plateaus, one as long as 6 months. With hard work and diligence, the body will eventually give it up. And exercise, exercise, exercise. It is a necessary part of life. I don't always like it, but I know it is necessary. Now my body aches if I don't do it. This hasn't been an easy road, I have laughed, cried and whined my way here, but what a ride and what a wonderful prize at the end. I feel so at peace with my weight. Finally.

GO JAZLADY!

And how is maintenance going for you Boo Boo?

Congratulations, it feels so awesome doesn't it? So how is maintenance going for you?

GOAL! I hit goal this weekend on a fill of 3.2. I tried to increase my calories and if I am unable, then I may require a defill. But for now, we will see how maintaining on this fill goes.

I have to jump in here, as I was a very fearful, pre op patient. I even thought of jumping off the op table minutes before. I am so glad I didn't. I wanted to report to you that I just hit goal this weekend. I know in my heart that I would not have lost this 105 pounds in 18 months, or ever, had I not had the courage to go through with this surgery. I am forever grateful. Good luck in your decision, but I can attest that it has given me a beautiful outlook on life and much confidence that with this band, I will keep this weight off.