momof5

I agree that we can have an all out April Banders outing! Maybe that needs to be our goal for when we get to our goals and have one major celebration. What a party that would be!!! Las Vegas here we come:) Bea - glad to hear things are going better. You have definitely got alot on your plate! Don't worry about blowing up at your hubby every now and then. They don't get what it's like around the house with them gone and you dealing with it all...I keep threatening my hubby that I'm gonna take off one weekend to let him see what it's all about:) Let me know how the nightie shopping goes. I need something too and haven't shopped for one in so long, wouldn't even know where to look! Living in small town USA, there aren't many options. It's either Walmart or drive an hour. Maybe I'll have a look there. Good luck with the party too. Know it'll be fun!

Don't get me started on likes and dislikes...I have to say I like my legs. They've always been good, even in bad times. The twins, well, them along with the flab I think will have to be repositioned once goal is met, but hubby said he'd gladly pay for it if I keep up my end and keep going. So I can look forward to that. I do have to say my butt is losing its dimples and I have lost my chins:) It will be a work in progress. I think of it like I'm molding a lump of clay and it will turn out right if I work it the right way. It so helps to know that others are dealing with the same!!!

Turler - Thanks for the vote of necessity! My hubby has realized it too and is actually taking me off for the weekend of Labor Day, kid free!!! I can't wait! L2L - Will be keeping fingers crossed for you. I have FINALLY seen the scales change this week. I really changed up my workout plan. Went from simple walking and yoga to M&F - aerobic/strength training, T&Th - 1 hour cardio (treadmill & bike) and W - circuit training/cardio. The scales have actually dropped! Keep up your good work and don't get discouraged. Like you said, inches matter! Maybe with this additional fill, you'll get some weight results. Bea - Have things brightened up for you? Gotta ask....with the weight loss I now have the dreaded hanging tummy flab:( Have any of you guys found a good way to deal with this and tighten it up?

Thanks Bea for the water idea...I am going to give it a try. I have actually been drinking hot tea and coffee more. Those seem to go down easier. Atleast I'm getting some liquids. My eating is WAY down. Yesterday I had half a smartones quesadilla, 3 pringles and about 5 bites of dinner. But I read that every day is different and some days you'll be able to eat more than others. Anyone else going through this? I think its more of a brain issue. I've been so used to eating more that being full after so little is almost scary. My brain is telling me that I can't possibly be full with so little food. But the scales have moved again...down 2 more pounds so I guess it's working!

Bea-there must be something in the water!!! Over the last two weeks, I've had 4 out of 5 sick kids, lawn mower broke, ice maker in fridge broke, husband out of town, and found out the insulation in the unfinished basement is what's making kids so sick so they can't play down there until it's completed!!! We all need to take a mommy break and run for the hills! Good luck with everything. Hope it all calms down. By the way - tried to eat breakfast this morning. It was a joke...got down 1 bite of bacon and three bites of egg:( Back to liquids in the morning! Have any of you had issues drinking water? I can't drink it but in very small sips. I LOVE water but now I'm worried that I'll have to try drinking other stuff as to not get dehydrated and don't want the additional calories! Any suggestions?

Thanks Bea...I will give that a try this week!!! My husband loves big breakfasts so he'll be happy to have me eating one with him instead of drinking a protein shake!

Don't worry about your scale obsession...I have to weigh everyday:( just to make sure I don't gain anymore....we'll get through it though!

That's what I thought. Makes perfect sense. I have a trainer friend who said go for 80-90 grams protein and stay around 1000 calories a day and things should be fine. That is what I have been going for. I hope that now that I am back to excercising regularly, I'll see the weight come off. But she also reminded me that fat may be coming off but muscle will be going on. So, go by how your clothes are fitting rather than making yourself crazy on the scale...a leaner, toned body with good muscle tone will weigh more but look better.

Leslie - I notice you said that you were worried you were maybe exercising too much and not eating enough...I've seen others say this as well. What is the thought behind this? I'm just wondering if that may be my issue as well.

NeNe-I found my sweet spot after 4 fills and it was like night and day...I would usually come home from fills and eat with no problem. Not after this one. For the first couple of days, I had to take things really slow. Even drinking gave me problems. I never threw up but did PB until I started really paying attention to eating and drinking. Now I no longer eat 1 & 1/2 cups of food but eat only about 1/2 per meal. I do still get hungry and know that I haven't eaten enough protein and up that when the feeling hits. Water still gives me issues. I have to drink either warm tea or coffee or thicker drinks, like juice (which I don't do often). But hang in there. I was going crazy till I found it, but it is a relief when you do and believe me, you'l know!

I was the same way. I started walking every morning but then the weather got too hot and so did I and out went the excercise. But I missed it. I found that if I got up and did it before I showered, it was easier and started my day with a feeling of accomplishment. That helped me stay focused the rest of the day. To get started, find something you like and just do it. My Dr. told me that if you can do it for 5 days in a row it will start a habit. IT DID! I get a great tv channel, FITtv. It has all kinds of workouts that I do and they change daily so I can change with them or record the ones I like best. Also, I love me mini-tramp. I put it in front of the tv and bounce while watching shows. Just get moving! You can do it!

Way to go Nurse - keep up the good work!!! Looks like we're in the 6lb club for August...we can do it!!!!

Thanks for the encouragment! I've gone three days in a row and do plan to go again tomorrow. I actually worked out for an hour all three days which used to be so daunting but I actually enjoyed it. With the kids gone it was my time! Now I just want to see the scale move...my goal for the month of August is to get under 200. Only 6lbs to go!!!

Well, I'm off to the gym today. It is my first time back in the gym in almost 3 years! I am so nervous but hopefully this will cause a kick start to my losing again. Glad to see everyone doing so good!

Hopefully others will write too! Tell me a little more about the couch to 5K...how have you started that?

I know what you mean about order. We all need it! Life with the band has been great. I've yo-yoed alot too but since this last fill, things have been so different! I can really only eat 1/2-3/4 cup of food at meals and it has to be slow and steady. Is there anything you can't eat? I've had to say goodbye to pasta, bread and pizza...anything that won't break down easily gets stuck. I've also got to get back into my workout routines now. I had been walking 30 minutes every morning and evening but the heat zapped that. And trying to find time to do a video in the house has been almost impossible. I'm actually thinking of joining a gym to get me out of the house and give me something to do.

Hey Leslie! I've been out of the loop getting kids ready for school!!! Luckily it starts MONDAY and not a day too soon!!! I do love my kids but having 5 at each other all summer and it being so hot the last couple weeks where they can't even go outside is not fun. Plus they are ready to go see all their friends too. How are things with you? I see you are steadily losing...keep up the good work!

This is my first post here...I had been so ashamed prior because of how much I was able to and did eat but now I think I've found my sweet spot and it has made such a difference...here goes: B - 1 bottle Caribou Iced Coffee plus Espresso L -1/2c black bean soup and 1/2oz shredded cheddar D- 1oz baked ham, slice sweet potatoe, 2tbls broccoli cass, 2tbls watergate salad, S - 1/2 slice sour cream pound cake w/ tbls strawberries, 1/2 slice chocolate chip cake (we had a dinner party)

Brandy - I KNOW THE FEELING NOW! I went in yesterday for that 4th fill and told my Dr what had been going on. He checked for leaks and then did the fill. We checked and rechecked. He actually filled it too much where nothing was going through, even after a minute or two. So he took a tiny bit out and there it was! The tiny trickle... got home last night and had dinner. That is when I knew we had found it. I wasn't hungry but tried to eat something. Could only have a few bites and that was it! Then for my normal evening snack of pudding and nuts, five cashews and two bites of pudding was all I could handle. Now this morning, I know I need to eat somthing but just don't feel like it. I hope this lasts!

Kidder - I agree with everyone else who told you your Dr is insane! My doctor is the complete opposite. He listens and trusts me to know my body and that is the type Dr. you need!

Leslie - thanks for the words of encouragment! I know that I've done good but it is such a downer to not have lost anything in 3 weeks when we all keep trying so hard! I know I've got to pull myself together and stop having a pity party. But tomorrow is a new day and that can make all the difference. I will report back on how things progress after my fill....

Brandy-way to go on your success! And congrats on the engagment. I know you are excited and I'll be pulling for you to hit your goal! How did you know that you hit your sweet spot? Was were your feelings prior to it and now?

Hello fellow April bandsters! I hope you all are doing well! I have to know...how are you guys doing? Me? I go for my 4th fill tomorrow and I NEED IT! My 3rd fill three weeks ago was a joke. My Dr. was so sure that it was going to be too tight that he would only do 1cc to take it to 5 in a 10 band but it did nothing. I have been able to eat way too much and crave even more!!! Have any of you experienced this? If so, how'd you handle it? I want to keep losing and being able to eat so much does not make it easy. Has anyone lost more than 40lbs since their surgery? If so, please tell me your secret! Has anyone found their sweet spot yet? I'm dying to hear any uplifting stories right now to keep me motivated!!! So send them my way!

Does anyone have any suggestions for combating afternoon hunger? I've had three fills, up to 5ccs in a 10cc band. Don't think I'm at that sweet spot yet, but the doctor wouldn't fill it anymore this past time because I refluxed a little with the barium. I have no problem in the morning. Usually eat a protein bar. Then for lunch concentrate on more protein - about a cup, but then from about 1pm to 4pm I can't seem to get full...it is aweful! Then at dinner, I eat a little and go the rest of the night with no issues. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Glad to hear everyone had a good 4th! We just got back from vacation. It was our first week long one in 10 years!!! We took the kids (all 5 of them) to Epcot, The Magic Kingdom & Sea World with lots of pool time thrown in. I was worried that I would gain while gone but actually lost a pound:) But inches flew off!!! Actually lost 5 inches during the trip. Had my first major PB episode while gone from eating a piece of chicken too fast. I think I scared my family to death! I go for my 3rd fill today and am praying for major restriction. I know I will have to watch eating too fast, but I am still able to eat too much and too easily. I just can't wait to hit that under 200lbs mark!!! My husband has promised me a 1/2 day at the spa when I do and I promised myself to buy a new tennis racket and get back into playing!!! Hope everyone has a great day!