JulieNYC

OK, 15 sessions down and that's it for now. I'm headed out for my trip and I'll just have to get in 2 more sessions next week when I get back. Shouldn't be too hard, I suppose. Happy Thanksgiving to all and I'll check in with you when I return! Take care,

Molly, I really think you need a fill. I have the VG and have been at 10.0 since my 9th week banded. Don't worry about the number -- worry about how you're feeling. I've seen you struggle to get to Twoterville and I think some of that struggle would leave for you if you got a little fill. The goal is to be at a place where you just don't think about food that much and the struggle isn't so fierce. When restriction is right, it's much easier to follow the "protein and produce" rule. Now, I'm firmly in the camp of "too tight is worse than too loose" but I'd shoot for Goldilocks if I were you -- look for the fill that is "just right."

I say I finally found a team of doctors who understand and treat obesity.

1. Watching something "trash-tastic" on tv, like anything on the CW network (but skipping the commercials). 2. I know it's cliché, but 35 minutes of high cardio with super loud music. 3. A small Tasti-d-Lite "icecream" (60 cals). 4. Cooking something elaborate, breaking it into portions and eating only one portion. Somehow being around food (i.e. cooking) satisfies the need to eat large quantities for me. 5. Lastly, SHOPPING. If I'm seriously bargaining with myself (like in a chocolate frenzy), I'll buy something I wouldn't otherwise allow myself. This is clear substitution and I don't go there more than once a month or so, but it's by far the most effective tool for me.

Attagirl! Here are some dancing bananas to bolster the spirit of the "attagirl." :) I hear you, Kat. food is a big part of the holidays and I don't plan to forego any part of it. It's not Christmas without my grandmother's fruitcake Cookies. She's no longer with us, but I made them with her every year. Last year my Mom made them for me and I cried. My Mom cooks solely by saying "waiter, please bring me the..." so the fact that she remembered to make them (and successfully executed them) makes me well up just sitting here! Anyway, I don't think any of us think differently than you. The holidays aren't about counting every calorie. They're about friends and family, food and warmth. With the band, that will mean that we will forego the 10+ lb weight gain that usually accompanies the season. All that said, in December I will commit to (1) exercising as much or more as I do in any other month, (2) drinking my Water every day and (3) not going to holiday parties/events hungry. If I eat a well balanced bandster meal ahead of time, how much damage can I do, you know? Food and weight has dominated too many holiday seasons for me. In past years, I've been worried about going home -- worried about what my family will say or think about my weight gain. Worried about keeping them entertained at every minute with witty conversation to distract them from my physical challenges. The holidays will be much nicer this year. Much more about what they're supposed to be about. Boo, my hair quit falling out about 6 weeks ago. I can't tell that it's coming back in yet, but it's definitely back to falling out at only a normal pace. It was scary there for a while, but I promise it does stop!

Susan, Every month I lose all the weight I'm going to lose in less than one week. I lose in two chunks, both of which last 3-4 days. Then for about 10 days I don't lose a THING. Then I lose for 3-4 days in a row, then NOTHING for about 2 weeks. Keep doing EXACTLY what you're doing and next week your weigh in might reward you big time. Hang in there. You can do it!

You go Roberta! Woohoo! Here's a car with a fireball crossing in front of it to mark the event. :flame: Way to go Betty for getting in your exercise early in preparation for your Thanksgiving trip. I'm trying to do the same thing....I ran last night and today I did 50 min on the elliptical plus about 250 sit-ups. I'm going to have several days off while I'm in France, so I'm trying to get as close to the goal as possible before then. Jet lag kills me on the way home, so it might be December before I recover. Take care all and Happy Turkey Day.

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/238/150 - 25 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 - 208/203/170/132 - 38 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/128/110 - 52 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/185/134 - 49 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/244/180 - 114 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 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-284/209/180 -75 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/188/130 - 32 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/236/156 - 52 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/216/150 - 57 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/104/69 - 21 kgs/46.2 lbs. total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/215/170 - 55.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/219/165 - 70 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/225/160 - 37 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/194/145 - 70 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 - 283/267/241.4/140 - 41.6 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/253/145 - 80 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/158/135 - 67 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/205/150 - 35 total

Candy, that's so exciting! I predict you're WAY UNDER your goal by the holidays. Woohoo!

Betty, it's not my surgical practice that doesn't "allow" night snacking, it's my own personal rule. Sorry I wasn't clear! I'm looking forward to seeing the skeletal you (and me) in May/June. Wink, Julie

Betty, I'm only "allowed" to eat Flavor-ice Light pops after dinner. They're only 2.5 calories a piece, so I can eat as many as I want (usually 2 but sometimes as many as 4). if you like ice pops, you might give them a try. They're the only brand I've found that didn't have 15 cals (not that 15 is so many, but 2 is truly "free"). Maybe no night snacking shouldl be our December extra challenge.... Very exciting about your trip to France. I'm headed to Paris on Wednesday, actually. I'd love to meet you, as well, this spring when you're in NYC/NJ for the reunion. Let's touch base a few weeks before you come and figure something out.

It has stopped my binging completely (knock on wood). I can't even binge on icecream (extreme cold makes my stoma tighten) or chips (they gum up on me after about 3 chips). It hasn't COMPLETElY stopped my emotional eating in smaller quantities, but that's greatly reduced as well. Get banded. You'll be amazed.

Christmas Goals A1ikou...............240...............XX Aza....................299...............XX BPM..................230...............37 candy444...........299.................11 Elisabeth.............275.................16 Ericsmom...........250................12 Indianlight...........280.................10 Josette................340.................25 JulieNYC............235...................9 Koala.................275..................24 Ladydi................270 .................33 LapBandit...........250..................13 Libra...................270.................9 Mariguita.............290.................XX NatesMommy.....275.................XX Waterlily1072.....275..................23

Ugh, actually, I can miss two, Boo. I'm trying to buy an apartment in a building that has a very strick co-op board and it's sucking ALL of my free time to pull the papers together. I missed yesterday and I'll likely miss today too. Grrr.

Roberta! You LOST weight on a cruise! Only you could do that -- way to go! I'm sorry your asthma is still acting up but am so happy you've been kicking "tail" on the exercise challenge. 14 already -- way to go! Happy birthday Betty! Did you do something fun to Celebrate? Heather, walking to your car -- I'll take it! Way to go for getting that heart rate up. Woohoo!

Boo, I'm so excited for you!!! I want to run a 5K!! That's FABULOUS and a fabulous time as well. I grinned ear to ear when you said you realized you had to run two more minutes to meet our challenge. Ha! Seriously though, I'm impressed. Way to go. I can't wait to join you. Kat, your bike ride sounds AMAZING as well! I love, love, love stories like that. It just reminds me of how I wouldn't do active things 6 months ago and how great it is to do them now and not worry that we can't keep up. Woohoo, too for the guy commenting on your tush! Too fun! Susan and Kat, here's a link to the couch potato to running article that was on another thread. http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Kat, your pants are DEFINITELY going to fit by the party. Please take a picture for us so we can see how beautiful you look in them. I can't wait for you to get to Onederland. This morning, I was finally 249 -- I'd been holding at 250 for about 10 days. Now I really feel like I'm on the road to Onederland as well, albeit 30+ lbs behind you on the road. Susan, you'll be running with us in no time! On the exercise forum, there's a link to a "3 months from couch potato to 5K runner" program that I'm doing. It's a walk to run thing. You start out just running 60 seconds and build up to running 30 minutes straight. It's working well for me. I'll keep you posted if I can complete it and feel comfy running the 3 miles straight in a couple of months. If so, maybe you can try it too. I need the duct tape too. I tried wearing 2 bras (I'd read that that worked), but then I couldn't breathe comfortably. I think a mastopexy is in my future along with my tummy tuck. Heather, I hear you on being tired. Since this is a challenge thread, could I challenge you to just go for a walk for 35 minutes ONCE this weekend? You don't even have to put on exercise clothes, just go out and be in the fresh air for 35 minutes when you otherwise wouldn't have. I hope you feel better and tell your hubby Bah Humbug for me. Wink. Betty, how did your friends like your NIA class? How is Craig feeling today? As for me, today was the day I changed from level 1 to level 2 on my walk to run program. It wasn't so bad. I did my walk/run for 40 minutes then did 30 minutes of abs in prep for my tummy tuck in the spring. Have a good weekend!

Christmas Goals A1ikou...............240...............XX Aza....................299...............XX BPM..................230...............37 candy444...........299.................23 Elisabeth.............275.................16 Ericsmom...........250................12 Indianlight...........280.................10 Josette................340.................25 JulieNYC............235...................11 Koala.................275..................24 Ladydi................270 .................33 LapBandit...........250..................13 Libra...................270.................9 Mariguita.............290.................XX NatesMommy.....275.................XX Waterlily1072.....275..................23

I'm vegetarian but I hear people say a small Wendy's chili or a small order of beans from Taco Bell....

You look FABULOUS!! Way to go Wheetsin!

I have the VG and I didn't feel a thing until I got to 10 cc's. This doesn't concern me or my surgeon -- he says he'll fill until I don't need a fill any more, whether that's 11 cc's or 15 cc's. I LOVE my VG. I think it's a better band in the long run (my personal opinion only, of course). I seem to be able to eat more textures than many of those with the smaller band and the "pillow design" of the VG gives me comfort that I may be at less risk for both slippage and erosion. I think the hold up in your weight loss is your fill doctor. Force him to be aggressive! I went it for my first fill and they took me to 6.0. A week later, when I felt no restriction, I went back and they took me to 7.6. A week after that, I still felt almost nothing, so I went back and they had me drink Water while they were filling me until the water wouldn't go down, then they backed some out. That's how I got to 10.0. I've been at 10.0 since June 3rd and have lost about 90 lbs on this fill with none of the problems I read about (knock on wood), so I'm a fan. Get a fill if you can. You won't believe the difference once you have real restriction. I know how frustrating it is until you get there, but you will get there!

Congratulations! That's a great NSV. I'm with you -- pantyhose make me feel very feminine and like I look better in clothes. I should get a pair out and try them on....

3 mile run/walk on the treadmill tonight. I'm doing the "2 months from couch potato to runner" program that was posted elsewhere on LBT, but I'm stretching it out to 3 months so I can lose a little more before I put the stress of the end of the program on my knees. Anyway, that's workout number 7 for me. I've been good with the Water too this week. Woohoo! Nevertheless, the scale's not budging for whatever reason....

OK, Boo, let's RACE. My crazy, insane goal is 180 by April 1st (that's still like 69 lbs away which is a LOT to lose in that time, but I'm trying). The reason for that is that I'm taking the month of April off before starting a new job in May and if I'm 180, I can have PS that month and have a long time to heal. Per my Dad, I have to be within 20 lbs of "goal" to have PS, so 180 is it (I'd like to wind up around 160). You have 40 lbs to goal. I'm certain you can do that by April, what do you think? Then we can sign up for 10K somewhere together. I'll come to you, if you like! Run to the finish Boo, run to the finish!!

I got up early again this morning and did the elliptical for 40 minutes. Then I got to work and the office decided to order Mexican for lunch. Man, that's so tough for me. I decided to get a small cheese quesidilla so that I felt like I was participating but would still eat my healthy stuffed pepper that I cooked at home last night, only with a little quesidilla on the side. Now I'm so miserable I think I'll never eat again. Blech! I'm too full and feel gross from all the grease. GROSS. Blech. I need to remember to come back and read this post and remember how I'm feeling right now the next time I THINK I want some crap food.