hdmdavid

I'm at 233 today. The last time I checked in (about a month ago) I think I was at 241. So eight pounds in about a month is about right. I've been trying to hit the gym with more regularity, but I'm finding the holidays and other time eaters are keeping me from it. At this point, I feel like if I can make it through December without gaining, and hopefully still losing a few, I'll be ok. David

Good luck, Bill! Personally, I'm going to be lucky to complete my first 5k in January. Not sure if I ever see myself doing a whole marathon, but I like to think it may be in here somehwere... David

Well, I got an iPhone last week, and I downloaded the C25K app. I've been following the program on my own for a while now, but only off and on. I believe the app will help keep me motivated to achieving the singular goal of being able to actually complete a 5k without stopping. I have been able to do a 5k with the combination of jogging and walking, but I really want to get to the point where I can go without stopping. Because of my previous workouts I decided to start with week five, judging that to be about where I was at. The one thing I had not taken into account is that I hadn't actually worked out the week before while I was on vacation. Day one wasn't too bad. Day two kicked my arse. I'll be doing day three on Saturday. Day three is 20 minutes of running with no rest, which I have only done once before. I'll do my best to keep it going...wish me luck! David

I don't know if it's good or bad, but I don't seem to have a problem with too much of anything. There are somethings that I avoid just because everyone says they are tough...pizza being the first thing that comes to mind. But I have toast occasionally. I eat tortillas regularly. I have rice. Lettuce. Deli meat. chicken, turkey, ham, beef. The only thing I have any issues with is sausage that is still in the casing. Doesn't matter how small or how many times I chew. Of course, my portions are tiny compared to what I ate in the past, but still more than I think some people with the band would consider appropriate. I went in for my fifth fill today. I now have 8.3 in a 14 band. I had been going about every month or so for a fill, but this past time I thought I had reached my sweet spot and was planning on skipping October and November and waiting until December for one. But right about the month mark I started finding myself getting hungrier and hungrier much sooner than I had in the past. I was snacking too much to try and help control my portion size at meals, and I realized all I was doing was adding empty calories to fill the gap. Sure, it was things like almonds, cottage cheese, or greek yogurt, but it was calories that I shouldn't have needed to consume to get to my next meal. I'm really hoping this fill puts me back on track, because next week my family and I am going to DisneyWorld, and I don't want to overeat, and I don't want to be so tight that I have to worry about it either. David

Thank you, guys. I appreciate it. I know that I'm doing great (as most of us are, thankfully!), but sometimes I let those why's and what if's take control of me. You're right, Ann...I did start earlier than you...but I DO kick myself, because I was going to do it three years ago and didn't do it. I feel like I lost those three years. I'm just hoping the weight loss gives them back to me later! :-) David

When I started my journey (11/01/08) I was at 325. Surgery Day (05/07/09) I was at 296. One day before my 6 month anniversary I am at 241. Down 84 total, 55 since the surgery. At my 6 month mark I really wanted to be at 60 pounds since the surgery, so I'm a little mad at myself, but also pretty happy with what I've done so far. I have to say though, that the closer I get to my goals, the further away I seem to be. I look at myself in the mirror, and I think I'm more disgusted with myself now than I was in the past. How and why did I let myself get so big? What an idiot. Ok...shake it off. Move on. Keep going forward...I know...I'm trying... David

You are your own "Barbie Doll." Maybe in the past you didn't feel comfortable showing off, changing hair styles, or drawing attention to yourself. You said you kept your hair long partially to hide the back fat. You don't have to do that anymore. You can decide to do whatever you want to do, and not worry about the attention. Such a great feeling! David

Sorry you have to go through this, Suzanne. I've been wondering the same thing myself, worried if I ever had to have one. Good luck! David

Down two pounds this week to 249. Finally broke 250! Yes! lol David

I like it. Thanks for the idea. David

I'm in on this. My goal is 30 miles on the treadmill. David

Wow...that sucks. I read horror stories like this one and I'm incredibly thankful that I didn't experience a similar episode. David