JulieNYC

Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................248.................... ...10..........................10 Lapbandit.................247..................... ..20..........................20 Libra....................... 265................... ....245........................16 Indianlight................ 279.................... ...20.........................20 JulieNYC.................. 224........................215.........................9 Elisabethsew............ 290 (-4).................. 282........................8

My doctor said it was appropriate for just after surgery (he goes straight to full liquids, no clear liquid phase). Even the spicy one. The point is to not make the stomach churn, not to avoid flavor. As with anything on this forum, if your doc's advise differs, of course go with that. Otherwise, enjoy!

It's hard to compare our different challenges. We all want to be as close to goal as possible NOW and also the one who is losing pounds the fastest NOW. Those are incongruous, of course. There are exciting things about both (I know I'm stating the obvious -- I just am kind of using the obvious as my own therapy to get over my jealousy of Boo and Betty for being in Onederland and Dawn about to be! I love you all and want the very best for you all, but I know you know the jealousy I'm talking about -- it's not the evil kind, just the "I wish I could be there too" kind.). On the one hand, it's exciting to have lost 134 lbs. I get PMs all the time from people just starting their journey asking me what I did differently and how they can replicate it. I tell them (softer than this, but essentially this), start at 5'1 1/2 inch with a BMI of 68 and you'll lose a lot fairly quickly too. On the other hand, I'd do anything to be in the 180s or the (holy grail) 160s right now! Even if it meant not losing but 0.5 lbs per month as opposed to the 6 lbs I've weirdly lost this week (thank you scale god)! Ask me again when I'm actually 180 and I'll probably sing a different tune. And that's ok. Because I know when I get there, Boo, Betty, Kat, Dawn and all you other April bandsters who are already in Onederland or knocking on the door will be there to pull me over the border. Sort of along that line, I've been wondering about something I was hoping we could discuss. I direct this to Boo and Betty, but as with everything on this thread I love everyone's view. What is it like to be 20-ish lbs from goal? Does it feel the same as the rest of the journey, just more frustrating because the scale doesn't move as fast, or do you feel "done" and that you're just tweaking? Do you buy nice clothes in your current size, or do you still say to yourself "I should look for something on sale because I know it won't fit in the long term"? Do you spend just as much daily time on weight loss planning (meal prep, gym time, time on the forums, whatever) as you did during the more rapid weight loss phase, or do you feel like you're in long-term "normal life" mode? If the latter, how different is "normal life" mode from the "gunning full force -- it's all I think about mode? As you can tell, I'm really wondering what will be different 40 lbs from now when I'm close to goal but not at goal. I know that phase could be a long one and I want to prepare for it. Thanks for your input! **PS Betty, I'm honored you've adopted me and I accept. Wink.

Funny how it's the comments that hit us on days when we're feeling GOOD about ourselves that are the worst. I can think of several worse examples, but the one that felt the worst came on a day I was feeling so good. I had JUST gone under 300 lbs, so it was sometime in July 2006. I had on a new skirt that was 2 sizes smaller than where I started when I was at 358. It was summer and I felt like I looked nice. I mean, don't get me wrong -- I was still morbidly obese (and still am, actually), but I was just feeling better generally. I was walking up Madison Avenue on a Friday and it was REALLY crowded. I was keeping up with the pace of pedestrians, which was another reason I felt really good, because before I was slower. Anyway, the crowd was starting to thin out and I got to a construction area where the path narrowed a little. This guy behind me was in a hurry (I didn't know it and couldn't see him, as he was behind me and it was a really busy street). A hole finally opened up where he could pass me and he loudly said "geeze, I'm in a hurry and you're just so BIG to try and pass." I felt so low, not because I hadn't had things like that said to me 50 times before on the streets of NYC, but because I was feeling so good that day, having just gotten into the 200s.

Betty, Maybe you've tried this, but in case you haven't, I thought I'd offer it. At certain points of the month, I'm too loose, particularly at lunch. For whatever reason, I'm a backwards bandster and I'm looser at lunch than at dinner. Anyway, since I prefer to be a little too loose than a little too tight and since my restriction varies a lot with my cycle, there are about 10 days in each month when I could eat a lot more volume at lunch that I "should." So, what I do on those days is drink ice cold Water right before I eat lunch (within about 5 minutes of eating). Cold water really tightens me up. Then I eat and I get full as if it's the normal time of the month instead of the too loose time of the month. It works pretty well, most of the time. You might give it a try if you haven't already. I had a good workout with my trainer tonight, followed by a good talk with my Dad about my PS in April. It's all very exciting, these changes. Take care, Julie

You can do it, losingjusme! Twoterville is a great place to be! They day I hit it was the happiest day of banded life so far. I think it was more important that Onederland will be (though only time will tell). I can't wait to hear all about it from you. Come on across the border! You can do it! (Fran, Twoterville is the state of being in the 200s i.e. going from 300 to 299 -- Onederland is the state of being in the 100s) Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................248.................... ...10..........................10 Lapbandit.................247..................... ..20..........................20 Libra....................... 265................... ....245..........................16 Indianlight................ 279.................... ...20..........................20 JulieNYC.................. 225..................... ...215.........................10 Elisabethsew............ 290 (-4).................. 282.........................8

I lost a little during the 2 week liquid phase post-op, then I held steady during mushies and GAINED once I went back to regular food until I got a good fill (fill #3) in week 9 post-op. 8 months later, I'm down 133 lbs. Don't worry! Get good fills as soon as you can. Bandster Hell is the worst part of the journey (because you re-question your decision) and you're almost through it. Go back and back until your fill level is right and the weight will come off.

Well, my run last night paid off again this morning with another skipped number on the scale. I'll try not to be too depressed tomorrow or Thursday when the rebound happens. For the moment, WOOHOO 225!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/169/132 - 39 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/128/110 - 52 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/180.5/134 - 53.5 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/227/180 - 131 total 4-10: DeltaDawn - 358/221/180 - 137 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/152/140 - 88 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/206/140 - 42 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/196/145 - 21.5 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/198/180 -86 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 Total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/179/130 - 41 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/212/150 - 61 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/98/69 - 27 kgs/59.4 lbs. total 4-24: Ceparano- 255/270.5/205/170 - 65.5 lbs. total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/210.5/165 - 78.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/216/160 - 46 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/191/150 - 73 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/237.0/140 - 46 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/243/145 - 90 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/158/135 - 67 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/205/150 - 35 total

I finally get to vote in my own poll! Today I noticed that I crossed my legs under the kitchen table at work without noticing it and sat that way for most of lunch until I noticed. That must mean I'm there! Woohoo! I'm between an 18 and a 20, but closer to an 18, so that's where I voted. Take care all and thanks for your input on the poll.

Hi Julie! I'm doing well on the challenge, thanks for asking us all. The scale was nice to me this morning, so I'm on my way. 12 lbs to go, though that's pretty aggressive for the rate at which I lose these days. We'll see. I'm trying my hardest! Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................248.................... ...10..........................10 Lapbandit.................247..................... ..20..........................20 Libra.......................265................... .....20..........................20 Indianlight................279.................... ...20..........................20 JulieNYC..................227..................... ...215.........................12 Elisabethsew............294....................... .282.........................12

Find something you love. If you can't get into your tapes, day after day, try taking a swim class or a yoga class, or going for a walk outside. Don't make it seem like work and it'll get better. For me, it was changing gyms. My old gym was dirty and I didn't realize it until a shiny new gym opened in my neighborhood and I realized how much the grime of the other place was really bothering me and keeping me from going. I pay a little more, but I actually look forward to going to the new place with it's fancy electronics, televisions on each piece of cardio equipment and spotless steam room that's cleaned 6 times a day. Find something you live and next thing you know, you'll be feeling great.

I wish every newbie would read your post Edieparks! It's the perfect band story. Congrats!

Yea for all of us! We're doing so well! Woohoo! Dancing bananas for us today, don't you think? :welldone::purplebananna::cool: Roberta, so glad you got to Curves today. How is your asthma doing? Are you having a better month with it so far? It's getting cold in the city too. I just turned on my heat after such a lovely, warm weekend. Betty, I know what you mean about loving your NIA class. I don't think I can say I LOVE my running routine yet, but I'm in strong like. I ran for 20 minutes with no break tonight and I felt like a champ. I almost felt like an athelete -- not quite, but almost. Maybe after my race. Speaking of my race, I mentioned it at work today and one of my colleagues decided to join me. No backing out now! Plus, she's a girl I've always wanted to be closer friends with and now we have a social outlet. So exciting.... Kat, what is the 4 foot wall? I was thinking it was a climbing wall, but now that I think about it, it must be all the inches you've lost total over 4 feet. Is that it? If so, SO EXCITING! And how cool that you get a t-shirt for it! I love it! Congratulations on going down in t-shirt sizes too. Woohoo! Bluehill, my WL pattern is that I lose about 5 lbs in just a couple of days, then two of the five settle back on. Then I don't lose anything for about 10 days, then the cycle repeats. It comes out to about 10 lbs per month, but on the days when I lose 2 or 3 lbs in one swoop are exciting. I'll try not to be too depressed when the rebound lbs hit in a day or two. Hopefully I'll drop a little more before that happens. My body still owes me a little (knock on wood). I'm so glad you're having fun with your daughter and that she's impressed with your activity. That must be fabulous. I'm so proud of us all! Dawn, I'm so jazzed that you're into running! I can't wait for you to hit Onederland. I won't even be jealous, I'm just going to jump for joy for you, then go out and run a mile in your honor. I'm loving my couch to runner program. I'd been doubling it (meaning running each run two days before moving to the next one -- you're only supposed to run it once but I wanted to slow it down since I'm still quite heavy) but now I've got to pick up the pace to be able to do 4 miles next month at my race. I know you live in a remote area, but are there any races you can participate in, maybe in the spring? Boo says races are amazing....

I am SO PROUD OF YOU, Hamu, for recognizing the problem and getting it under control when you'd only gained 17 lbs. That's an incredible testiment to the band. The last time I lost weight without the band, I lost 91 lbs and then gained 100 back in 6 months. I'm so happy for you that you were able to stop the cycle before you even really changed a size in clothes. You're going to knock 'em dead and be at goal before you know it. Honestly, I think this is kind of a NSV in itself. "Normal" people gain 10 or 15 lbs, realize it, lose it, all the time. Get it under control now and you know what to do. Way to go. I think your post is fabulous!

These pics were taken (1) 2 weeks after banding (April 2006) and (2) Christmas Day. I figured I'd take the plunge and share, since your posts have inspired me so much along the way. http://www.joyfulhandmades.com/JulieProgress.html Take care, Julie-NYC

Previously unidentified variables, maybe....

Hi ibrahem, you're doing great! Keep up the good work. Yes, it's hard, but it gets easier with time. When do you get your first fill?

I'm certain you can do it -- you just need a plan. Approach it mathematically. Set a caloric goal, an exercise goal and a monthly weight loss goal. Aim to be at your final goal 2 weeks before the wedding. I really think you can do it. I'm with Kat too -- find a support group. Maybe even look to see if there's a Yahoo group for brides looking to lose weight before the wedding. I bet there is....

Kat, that does it, you're going to have to teach me to chop wood. USEFUL exercise -- I dig it. Roberta, my scale is definitely accurate. I remember my weight from before because I was doing Optifast and being weighed at the doctor's office, as I am now with my band doc. I think the combination of (1) strength training (2) weighing more due to having carried 100 extra lbs than the last time I lost and (3) being 7 years older are probably to "blame." Whatever -- I'll take it, as long as the coat fits! I'm not doing the Snowflake run in Long Beach -- I'm doing the NYRR run in Central Park. Want to join me? Boo, do you have another race scheduled? Bluehill, what's going on with you? What are you up to this week? My scale skipped 229 AND 228 this morning and landed on 227. I LOVE IT when the scale skips numbers! Wink. Nine more lbs and I leave morbid obesity behind forever!

I lose about 5 lbs in 2-3 days, then nothing for a couple of weeks. It's frustrating, but as long as I stay losing 10-12 lbs per month overall, I guess I have no right to complain.... I know it's hard, but try not to worry about it too much as long as the downward trend continues.

So, I have to go to court tomorrow (I'm a lawyer -- I think yall know that, but just in case, thought I throw that in). In my sub-specialty, I don't go to court that often -- maybe once or twice a month. Anyway, I remembered that last time I went to court (a couple of weeks before Christmas), my suit coat was really too big (size 18) and I'd been meaning to go through the closets yet again to weed out the things that are too big and find some coats that fit a little better. I had a couple of size 14 coats in my "soon to fit" stack and was pleased that they fit so soon. Then I thought I'd better go through my LAST STACK of "too small" clothes for tops at least, because my top has really changed a lot in the last few weeks. Anyway, when I first started law school (1999), I had lost 91 lbs doing Optifast and my Dad had bought me one really nice Ralph Lauren suit (12P) for moot court and interviewing that you do during your first year of school. I love that suit. LOVE IT. It has the prettiest neckline -- almost Japanese in feel. I guess you see where I'm going with this. The suit coat fits. I'm wearing it tomorrow. I put it on as a lark. When I looked in the mirror and saw that it fit, really fit, this wave (tsunami) of emotion hit me and I sobbed like a baby for about 10 minutes. I've never cried in a weight loss journey before -- not on the way down, at least. I guess it's that this time, I truly believe that coat will always fit -- at least until it's too big, and then it will never fit again. I love my band. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't cry in court tomorrow (just kidding)! I do have a question though, if any of you know. The last time that coat fit, I weighed 175 lbs. I specifically remember gaining back to 190 and not being able to wear it anymore. How is my body that different this time? I weigh 50 lbs more than I did the last time that coat fit. I was a runner then too. The only thing I can think of is I strength train now too. Could that really be the only difference?

I don't think it's dangerous to have your port floating. In some countries, they intentionally leave the port floating. As I understand it, these docs always use fluoro to fill you, in order to hit the port while floating. What is dangerous is having a port that can't be accessed (for example, if you are suddenly too tight and need an unfill), so definitely discuss with your doctor how he/she would access the port in it's current condition. I'd be interested to hear why they think yours keeps coming undone too. I'm sure you're not the first to have it come undone twice, but geeze! Good luck!

My scale flashed on 229 today before settling on 230. I love the border of a new decade! Come on, 229! I can't wait until this time next month (or whenever) when I'm staring at the teens! I had a great workout today. My run went really well -- lots of energy and enough left to do the rowing machine for a little while when my run was over and even a little bit of weights. It was a good gym day.

Name....................Current Weight......Valentine's Goal......To Go Juliegeraci................248.................... ...10..........................10 Lapbandit.................247..................... ..20..........................20 Libra.......................265................... .....20..........................20 Indianlight................279.................... ...20..........................20 JulieNYC..................230........................215.........................15 Elisabethsew............294........................282.........................12