JulieNYC

Roberta, I'm so sorry you're not feeling well. Asthma is such a serious disease. I'm sure your DH is taking great care of you, but you take care too, ok? Boo and Susan, I don't think we're being too easy on ourselves and I definitely think we should continue the challenge into October. I think we should slightly increase either the time requirement (maybe 35 minutes) or the number (maybe 17) but not much more than that. I think that this works for me because the bar is pretty low -- just get my tush off the sofa and to the gym for 30 min. It's hard for me to argue with that. If it got to be too high of a goal (an hour, for example, or 20 sessions), I probably wouldn't even try. I see this as setting myself up for lifelong habits. I might work out 20 times in one single month, but it's not something I'll probably do for life. I'm completely open to what the group wants to do though. We're all doing great! Take care,

Yea Molly! WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!! Dancing Guitar-Paying Bananas for you for coming across the border!!! Now, don't weigh for a week in case you have some fluctuation. :Banane08::Banane08::Banane10::Banane08: Yea, girlfriend! I'm soooo happy for you! (Come on over, Libra, we're waiting for you!)

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/238/150 - 25 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/271/150 - 29 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/225/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/178/130 - 30 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/136/110 - 44 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/190.5/134 - 43.5 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/270/150 - 88 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 - 242/207/140 - 35 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308/298 - 94 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/188/130 - 32 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/253/156 - 35 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/225/150 - 48 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/248/150 - 62 total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/105/69 - 20 kgs/44 lbs. total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/230/170 - 40 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/228.5/165 - 60.5 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/225/160 - 37 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/244/145 - 26 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/204/145 - 60 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 - 283/267/247.8/140 - 35.2 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/268/140 - 65 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 224/214/175/135 - 49 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/210/150 - 30 total

I write down my restriction level/hunger level every day on the calendar. I find that every 5th or 6th day I'm a little looser, then, as you've all noted, around TOM everything tightens up. That I can deal with, but the week before TOM I'm very loose and I find it scary. I figured if I could come to understand the cycle, I would have more tools in my arsenal to fend off the fear when I'm loose.

Come on, Molly -- stay away from the chocolate and drink TONS of water!! You're SOOOOOOO close! I can't WAIT for your Twoterville post!! You too, Libra! Come on across the border! We've got a margarita-flavored Propel with your name on it!!

Larry, For me, the life saver was SF popsicles. I like the Flavor-Ice Light brand because they're only 2.5 calories per ice pop, so it's truly guilt free. You can usually get them at Rite-Aid from what I hear, though I buy them online in bulk. Ha! Good luck on your surgery. You're going to do great. Samantha, You're in the right place. Read the archives until you feel like you you know everything there is to know about the band, then if you have any specific questions come back and post. You'll get the most responses if you start a new topic (at least if it's one that isn't covered in the archives), though if it's a question specifically related to "super-sized" bandsters, you can always ask it here and we'll all answer. Good luck on the beginning of your journey. I took 3 years researching the band and wish I'd only taken a few months and not wasted that time. The band is the best thing I've ever done for myself. Take care all,

Susan, I use the Department of Health calculator, which you can find at: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/ (I can't get the link insert button to work tonight -- sorry) Today I went to the office for a while to get my mind of something that's got me stressed out. I wore tennis shoes so I could power walk the 3 miles home. So that makes 10 sessions this month for me....

Manny, The Magic Bullet is a type of blender that is very practical. I love mine and am even thinking of buying a second one to have at work. Check them out on ebay for pics, etc.

I have lost 85 lbs since April -- thanks for noticing! I know this rate won't last forever, but I'm riding it till the wheels fall off.

Bluehill, I don't have a real goal yet -- I live in the world of mini-goals since I had so much to lose. I'm only 5'2, so 266 is certainly a "mini" goal. My current thoughts on final goal might be in the mid 160s, which is when my BMI leaves the "obese" category. I've been talking to my Dad about it (he's a PS) -- he thinks at that point I can have a TT and be done with it and live life in the 150s. We'll see. All that's to say that I don't have a true final goal yet.

I'd say I was "aware" of my port on a couple of the exercises, but it did not, by any means, hurt. Today my abs are sore, but my port doesn't feel affected by it at all. I think your Ab Lounger will be GREAT, Susan. So, I did make it to the gym after all today. WOOHOO. Honestly, I needed the stress relief due to some craziness at work. It's so weird to me that exercise is a stress reliever for me now, instead of food. I don't even feel like my regular dinner after I exercise. Pretty neat.

I think it might be different for each person. While you're searching the archives, there have been a couple of recent threads on "Starvation Mode" that you might find interesting as well. I don't believe I have a starvation mode because I lose best at about 500-600 cals/day (though I allow myself as much as 1100 if I want it and I can only get in enough protein and fiber in 500 cals if I make literally PERFECT choices, so I usually eat a little more). I can only speak for my body, of course, and I acknowledge others might be different. Experiment, if you can. See what range YOU lose best at. It's kind of fun to do, actually.

OK, MidTown it is! I love it! Thanks, guys. So, now that I'm officially under 275 (the "crossroads" between entering Twoterville and reaching MidTown, wink), I'm starting to really think ahead. I guess somewhere along the way I've started to trust the band. That's so weird. I actually believe I'll make it to MidTown and to Onederland. It's put a whole new spin on my life. I've got a job interview tomorrow that I wouldn't have gone on 3 months ago (mostly because I really do love my current job, but now I just want to keep a few irons in the fire as well and know what's out there). The boldest move I've made is taking steps toward a relationship with someone I've been interested in for a long time, but have always kept it totally platonic because I felt the time wasn't right. Well, the time may be right soon enough and I've started planting the seeds. I guess that's it for tonight. Hope all is well with you guys.

Teresita, When I get to feeling like that, I just go to sleep. It's the only thing, to me, that's as good as food. Drugs probably would be, but I'm not doing all this work to trade one problem for another. You don't have to rely on other people, but you do have to face what's stressing you and find an alternate source of relief. For me, sleep or, if that's not possible, zoning out to really loud music will usually be an adequate substitute. Good luck and keep us posted.

We need a term, akin to "Reaching Twoterville" but for getting under 250. Any ideas? Twoterville and Onederland are just too darned far apart not to celebrate the midpoint.

And abs class is essentially 30 minutes of different kinds of situps. I was a little worried about my port (ridiculous, I know), but the 30 minutes went by quickly and I'm not too sore today.

Jewels, My opinion is that the best way to boost weight loss in this journey is to keep very regular appointments with your doctor to ensure you get a fill as soon as possible when you need one. That will keep the "food monster" off your back and keep you making rational choices, long term, about food and exercise. The people I see struggle the most are the ones that don't have frequent access to their doctor, whether due to the doc's policy, costs, or distance. Good luck on your journey and we're rooting for you!

OK, tonight I walked in and in the elevator (a contradiction to take the elevator in a gym, but it's on the top floor of a highrise!) and an instructor that was getting off at the same floor as me said "are you coming to my abs class?" I said, "sure, why not" -- so I did an ab class in addition to my 35 min on the elliptical. It's good to mix things up. So, I'm up to EIGHT, ladies! I might miss tomorrow though -- crazy work day.

GOOOOOOOOOOO Bluehill! That's the right attitude! OK, if you can do it, I can do it. I'd decided to skip the gym tonight, but now I'm going to go. Thanks for the motivation.

Well, I met my mini goal this morning, which was to leave the 50s (BMI). It's kind of weird to me that if I were banded today, I wouldn't technically be a member of this group. I still have a long way to go, but this was a big one for me. Century Club, here I come! Thanks to all for your past and continued support. Life in the 40s is looking good.

I bought a Chanel purse (I've always wanted one) when I got to Twoterville. I'll need a big reward when I join the Century Club in a few lbs but I haven't decided what it is. My goal present will be a really nice watch -- maybe a classic Cartier. Whatever looks great on my teeninsey goal wrist!

I think it counts as 2 sessions (since the movement class was all one thing), but Roberta is the queen of this challenge and if you think it was worth 3, I will support your decision! As for me, I made it to the gym last night (again, solely due to this thread) and got in 31 (I'm not giving up my last minute!) good, hard minutes on the elliptical. I was rewarded with a pound lost this morning that took me to my mini goal -- woohoo!

I've had pretty major hairloss by my standards -- I'd estimate I've lost about 30%. I can't complain about it TOO MUCH because I had a lot to begin with and people I've told swear they can't tell. I really hope it stops soon or I'm going to pull a Telly and cut it all off. I cannot deal with flat hair -- I'd rather it be short and spunky!

I vote we modify the rules for Bluehill, if needed, since Bluehill is starting late. I think you should still have to get in 15 sessions, but that if you do two SEPARATE 30 minute sessions in any one given day, they should count individually. If my WLS challenge colleagues agree to the modification, you will have plenty of flexibility to meet the challenge, even if you can't work out every single day of the week. Of course, you still have 19 days, so you could technically make it on the original guidelines, but if you need the fallback, that's ok too, in my book!

1 morningstar soy-chicken patty and some steamed cauli/broccoli mix from the deli, along with 2 SF ice pops.