JulieNYC

Immerse yourself in information about the band (from this site and elsewhere) and, if it feels right, make your decision as soon as possible. Don't do as I did, which was research it for 3 years and gain 50+ lbs in the interim. The band can be a way out. If you accept that you have a medical problem and that, statistically speaking, you cannot lose this weight on your own (as stats show that less than 5% of people with 50+ lbs can lose it and keep it off for ONE YEAR, much less someone who has several times that to lose and wants to keep it off for life), you will accept that the band is the best tool for you to use and live a long, healthy life. I was where you are 2 years ago. I weighed over 350 and had refused to get on a scale once the home scales (that only weigh to 330 or so) wouldn't register, so I didn't know how much I weighed either. Going to my PCP and facing that a scale couldn't weigh me was the hardest part of my band journey. But looking back, I'm so very glad I did this. I believe it's a life-long solution to my weight problems and I am 100% confident I will never weigh above 200 pounds again, much less 300 or 400. Let me know if I can help you.

Yeah, they're not usually so high. Usually about 1200 or so. Right now, my race training schedule has me running 30-35 miles per week, so that adds up to better deficit than normal, plus I was trying extra hard to reach my 3 lb mini-goal. Scale moved in the wrong direction today though (157.0 to 157.8), so, as I figured it's probably a couple of weeks off. Grrr.

Eficka, Are you tall? You seem SO THIN that I'm surprised you're still fighting to get under 90. You must be tall. No matter what, you're HOT! New haircuts are the best, aren't they. The Skittles Monster is still on my back. I woke up this morning thinking that if I ate Mentos instead of Skittles, I would technically have still won. Then I re-read the handbook and realized that Mentos and Skittles are the same damned thing and that was the Skittles Monster's little mean head trick. So, so far, so good. I'm eating a big healthy Breakfast to try and make sure real hunger doesn't make the challenge harder. I got in 4 miles this morning, so at least there's that. I'm having a massage tonight. My marathon book says to get them every week from now to the marathon, if possible, so I'm going to give it a try. I think I've only had one before in my life and it was when I was heavy, so I didn't enjoy it, simply because it focused on my body. Hopefully tonight will be better.

Today I had a deficit of 1600. I ate a little more than yesterday and feel much better. Tomorrow morning, I've got a 4 mile run. Hoping to keep up at least 1500 in deficits until Saturday. Sunday's my birthday, so I can't promise what that day will hold (I'll probably go out for dinner and won't be able to accurately gauge). Given the challenge, I'll do my best though, if (as will probably be the case unless the scale gives me a birthday gift) I haven't made the goal by then....

A "serving" of Skittles to me is one 250 calorie package. Lord, no, I don't buy the halloween packs -- though each bag is smaller, there are a zillion of them. No way! A costco mega-bag might save me some money though. Just kidding. There's still an hour to go, but I might have beaten the monster for today. We'll see if the craving is still there tomorrow. In the meantime, got in a good workout with my trainer and am running with a friend in the morning. Take care, Julie

I know, WasA, I get it, I really do. It plain sucks when people who are supposed to love us so clearly don't support us. We support you though. You ROCK and your accomplishments are amazing. It just goes to show how much more of a quality person you are than she is. She's not worth the energy, as hard as that is. Hang in there.

WASa, I know it's hard -- maybe impossible -- but my advice to you is to "put it on the shelf." What that means is that V sucks and she doesn't have your best interests at heart (after all, assuming the band WERE the easy way out of a horrible disease like obesity, wouldn't those who love us WANT an easy way out for us?), but there's nothing you can do about it, so you have to just recognize it for what it is, and let it be. Reacting to it (even with something as fun as having your pic made just to piss her off) is just giving it more power than it deserves. What you could do, is think about asking K to not tell you stories about V. You just don't need that negative energy. Focus on yourself and your health and your weight maintenance. V doesn't deserve your time, even if she is talking about you behind your back. Grrr, though. I get the frustration!

OK. I am fighting the Skittles Monster today. Here's the thing. I've never actually BEATEN the Skittles Monster when he's faced me with a challenge. I've lost to him by the skin of my teeth on some occasions (say 2 servings), and I've been completely blown away by him on others (we all remember the 9 bag incident in the airport last month), but I've never actually WON. So, today is going to be my day. I'M GOING TO WIN. Here's my plan of attack. First, I'm very busy at work, so I'm going to get absorbed in that for several hours. Second, I've got a Starbucks ice coffee in my hand and sugar free Ice Breaker Sours ("0" cals) on my desk. Third, I've got tuna noodle salad on hand for lunch, or whenever "true" hunger hits. Fourth, I emailed my trainer and asked her to email me all day today to check in and see how the battle was going. Fifth, I'm going to leave LBT up on my desktop all day. I might post obsessively about my battle with the Skittles Monster, but I'M GOING TO WIN THIS TIME.

I think it was both -- I was dehydrated and undernourished. I still feel like I haven't caught up. I won't make that mistake again -- I'm going to drink all day and eat well-balanced meals before I meet with my trainer tonight. Well, my Dad and I finally came to a decision about my remaining PS. I'm going to have an arm lift and lateral thigh lift over Thanksgiving week, then medial (inner) thighs over Christmas. Then nothing else for a year to see how my "new" body adjusts. I might not need anything thereafter, though I suspect I might need breast implants. Dad says I might be surprised as he sees WL patients breasts increase naturally once their weight stabilizes, particularly after a TT (because there are no fat cells in the stomach to plump up if you gain a few lbs). Onward and upward (or downward, please, ScaleGods).

I busted a move yesterday with my 7 mile run and hit a 2100 cal deficit. Unusually high for me, but it paid off with a pound lost. WOOHOO! Two more to go until my first BB goal. Kareyquilts, I'm SO EXCITED that you're almost at your 175 goal!!! That ROCKS! Keep me posted as to when you drop under the line. Yes, I think 165 is an excellent next goal. For me, I like these 3 lb goals. They make the fact that the scale moves slowly not matter so much as the goal is always attainable. The subway is out in NYC this morning and traffic is INSANE (you can't get a cab or a bus either). I'm so glad I'm in good enough shape that walking to work (3 miles) is just not a big deal. A year ago, I probably wouldn't have come in. How times have changed....

Well, all the books say you're bound to have one really bad run during your marathon training and boy were they right -- tonight was it. I DRAGGED through my 7 miles, which is unfortunate, because I was so looking forward to it. I know what I did wrong -- I hadn't eaten enough today and I didn't eat much yesterday, so I didn't have any nutrition in my system to fuel me. I wound up with stomach cramps and couldn't get in any water because of the nausia, so I had to walk more than a mile in the middle to recover. Oh well. Live and learn.

My date was smokin' Christy! Thanks for asking! We had such a good time and I do confess the end of the night kiss was HOT! We went out again later in the week, just for a quick drink. Then, I haven't heard from him again. I'm trying to play the cool girl and not care -- there is plenty of time for men down the road. For the moment, I need to focus on getting to goal and letting them chase me rather than me chasing them! You'll be there in no time, and you're going to look GREAT in that bathing suit! Take care, J

It's a deal. I'm going to hit a 1500 calorie deficit every day until I lose the 3 lbs too. Go team BodyBugg!!

I was thinking weight. I promise to wear my BB every second and track all of my food perfectly until I lose 3 lbs (which could take a while -- I lose in chunks and I lost my chunk last week). What is your mini-challenge, losingjusme? Betty, are you in?

I wasn't told the sugar limitation either, so you'll want to check the nutrition label, but if you have a Trader Joe's, their roasted red pepper soup is DIVINE. If memory serves, it's only 90 cals/serving. The butternut squash was pretty good too, though the red pepper was superior. I put a scoop of whipped cottage cheese in it, and the added Protein really helped with the hunger. That's how I made it through that phase! Good luck.

OK, I took a few days off from my Bugg because I was traveling and couldn't accurtely log my food. Now I'm back and ready to Bugg again. I'm going to be really accurate with it until I drop 3 lbs -- that will put me in the TEENS from goal! Woohoo! Come on, 155!!! Anybody else looking for a Bugg mini-challenge?

You can do it Eficka -- GO EFICKA!!! 89 kilos, here you come!!! There will be dancing bananas for you at the finish line! Woohoo!!! I've got to get in 7 miles tonight, so I'm here at work early. My shoulders are really sore today and I'm not sure why. I think I "need" a massage. Wink.

Well, I didn't get in a second workout, but I did walk home from work (3 miles) in the sweltering heat, so that counts for something. I also got out the pliers and adjusted my jump rope to the right length. It's not really adjustable, but I took it apart and made it adjustable! I've been thinking about getting a rope with weighted handles. Has anyone used one before? Betty, I have no doubt you and I would relate well at your house -- let's do it! Spa weekend at Betty's!

Eficka, you can do it! This is your month. Do you do well with weight goals? If so, set a weight goal -- maybe 6 or 7 lbs for the month. Think how close that will get you to goal! Ladies, I was daydreaming about an April 2006 bandster trip (maybe a 4 day weekend) to Paris for when the last one of us hits goal. Pipe dream or possibility? Probably pipe dream, given how many of you are on the west coast. I got in my 4 miles this morning and I'm jonesing for more. It's hard for me to "just" run 4 miles anymore. I really am a distance runner. I feel like crap for the first 3 miles nearly every time, then I start to feel super. So, when I do a 4 miler, I don't get a high enough "super" to "crap" ratio! Alas, they say in marathon training that the worst thing to do is exceed the miles on your training chart (risk of injury), so I won't, but urg. I might do a second workout tonight. I've been wanting to try the rowing machine at my gym. I need back muscles! So, I think it's time to face the fact that I need a port replacement. My port sticks out so much that I keep hitting it and it's very sore. It keeps me from doing the situps I'd like to be working into my routine, and it's actually bothering me when I sleep (I'm a stomach sleeper).

I think almost every one of us feels that way. I struggle with that every single day. I went shopping this weekend because my work skirt were too big. I was in Old Navy and Ann Taylor Loft and in both I pulled a 14 and 12 petite, the 12 "just in case" as I've never consistently worn anything smaller than a 14P. I walked out of both stores with 8P skirts and I'm still convinced it's a mistake, despite trying on 4 or 5 styles in each store. I truly see a size 14 person in the mirror every time I look. I don't necessarily not like what I see in the mirror, but I see someone larger than I must be. I think this might have to be the topic of conversation with my therapist this week. It's starting to get annoying.

Quote: Originally Posted by Boo Julie, I JUST realized that you have lost 200 pounds...I'm sitting here crying. I'm so proud of you. Thanks, Boo. I cried all day Friday. Then I flew to NC for my Goddaughter's 4th birthday party, so I was distracted all weekend, and today I weeded through my closet again, as I changed sizes last week. It's time to shop again, because I have so few things in a SIZE EIGHT or sometimes a SMALL. Small -- what does that even mean? It can't be a clothing size that real people wear. And, if I wear an 8 or a small (sometimes a medium, of course) at 150-something, what in world am I going to wear 30 lbs and a thigh lift from now?!? I know they SAY some people wear an XS -- that can't POSSIBLY be my future. Anyway, back to exercise. I wasn't supposed to run today because you're not supposed to run the day after a long run. So, I did a cardio circuit. I jumped rope 200 times in a row, then did something strength training (pushups, situps, etc.), then 200 jump rope, etc. for 45 minutes. Boy was I sweaty! It was a good workout though. I would definitely do it again. Tomorrow morning, a 4 mile run. Can't wait! I got some new workout clothes at Target this weekend. I desparately needed them. Betty, I want to hear more about your bugg! I'm taking a break from mine tomorrow, but only because my outfit is so cute that I don't want to disrupt it. Have a good week.

I'm in as well, Boo! I'm also "going for the gold" of 23 sesions this month, as I begin the next phase of my marathon training. My crush is trying to convince me to join his boxing gym as well, as he promises it's the best workout ever. We'll see about that. I don't know if I can fit it in while training, but maybe once November 4th is behind me. So, today I ran 10 miles. I'm off to update my August exercise ticker! Take care, Julie

Quote: <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by mommiranda I just was banded and I am really not looking forward to the travel issues; I'm on the road alot, and maybe I'll have to just pack protein shakes and check bags. Anyone find ways to manage eating on the road? </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> I buy two items "a la carte" from NutriSystem and I eat them when I travel. The veggie sloppy joe and the cheese potatoes (with protein powder). Neither needs refrigeration and the potatoes can be made with just hot water (the sloppy joe needs to be nuked). They often keep me on track when traveling, along with protein bars. As long as I don't let myself get too hungry (when I make stupid food decisions), it's all good.

OK, you've identified the main problem, which is a good first step -- i.e. your problem is that you're drinking when you eat. Have you tried making that your only rule, meaning that you make a deal with yourself that you will NEVER eat and drink at the same time -- you can do ANYTHING else, eat ANYTHING you want, but you CANNOT drink at the same time? If you do that for a couple of weeks, it might trigger the sense of fullness that helped you to lose the 140, at which point you can shift your focus to making better food choices. But, for the moment, only worry about NOT drinking with food. I really think that's key for you. Hang in there,

I want to comment on this in terms of my experience with the band. When (and only when!) my band is properly adjusted, though the above is definitely TRUE, 49 days out of 50, I don't WANT to supplement my meals with things like chocolate or ice cream, just because they go down. Before the band, it would have been a constant struggle all day long to not eat whatever it was I was craving. With a well adjusted band, I simply don't think about food when I'm not physically hungry. In that sense, the band is, at least in part, more than a tool and is more of a miracle. Yes, I use it as a tool. I count calories most days and I exercise a reasonable amount. But I tried to do those things every day before I got the band and I failed every day. There's something about a well adjusted band that makes dieting POSSIBLE. Yes, there are days when chocolate and ice cream (or, for me, Skittles) haunt me. I still have a binge about once a month. But I don't have a binge every day like I did pre-band and when I do binge, it's 1000 extra cals, not 10,000. There's something physically different for me now.