TexasFire

reeburgdon - The rec center also has classes, and Zumba is one of them. I've never tried this class, but it sounds fun! I've done the beginners belly dancing class, but I was so heavy at the time that I was uncomfortable...when I stopped dancing, my belly didn't! LOL Here's the link to the Fall 2007 catalog...there is TONS available! http://www.ci.hurst.tx.us/Publications/Recreation/HH_FallHoliday07.pdf ZUMBA Zumba is a cardio-based workout with a fusion of latin and international music and dance themes that mix fast and slow rhythms to tone and sculpt your body. Instructor: Stacy Saljoughi (Certified Aerobics Instructor) Fall: 48065-A Monday & Wednesday 6:00-6:55PM 8WKS 9/10/07 $28 Holiday: 49065-A Monday & Wednesday 6:00-6:55PM 5WKS 11/5/07 $18

Hey there, Beckie!

Quote: Originally Posted by reeburgdon Ok, sad but true statement...I have never rode a bike in my life. Not even as a kid. My doctor is in Carrollton, he was referred by a co-worker and he is wonderful. The doctor in Arlington did not accept our insurance. I think that park may be where or at least close to where my son played soccer last year. Well, if you ever want to learn, I'll teach you! It's up to you. I also work out at the Recreation Center on Pipeline Road in Hurst. Non-residents can join, also and it is VERY reasonable as compared to 24 Hour Fitness or the YMCA or the like. Fee Information: Hurst Residents: Ages 6-15 $10 per year or $1 per visit* Ages 16-64 $25 per year or $1 per visit* Ages 65/up $10 per year or $1 per visit* Family $65 per year* Non-Residents: Ages 6-15 $40 per year or $5 per visit Ages 16-64 $100 per year or $5 per visit Ages 65/up $40 per year or $5 per visit *Hurst Residents must show proof of residency.

OH! I saw Carrolton, and thought that is where you lived. Do you enjoy riding bikes? I ride at River Legacy in Arlington (because it's gorgeous and has lots of shade!). Are you familiar with it? I usually go through the entrance on Green Oaks, rather than the one on 157, because that is the apex for the trails.

Quote: Originally Posted by reeburgdon Hey guys, I had my first fill on July 18th and have not had any restriction. I go for my next fill on August 21st so I'm hoping for some restriction this time. I have not lost any weight but I haven't gained any either. I wish there was someone close to me that I could work out with or something so that I wouldn't feel so alone in this. I don't get to work out much because this is my busiest time at work and I just be sooooo tired in the evening and dang it's hot here. I made sure that I put a cardio kickboxing class on my school schedule for the fall. I figured if I'm getting graded on it I'm more likely to do it. Well.....later. I wish there was someone by me to work out with, too! Sometimes my Mom goes with me, but she is a pitifull wimp...I don't even know why she goes. She mostly just sits on a machine and watches me! LOL She does go bike riding with me and hangs in real good, but it is seldom that she will make time for it. It's a shame you are so close, yet just far enough to make it inconvenient to get together often!

Glad your restriction is hanging in there. I feel your pain on not being able to afford going in to fix stuff. Hubby changed companies the week after surgery and the new insurance has an exclusion for Lap Band, so I don't know if they would pay under pre-existing or just DENY. I don't want to find out.

I had a real hard time with my second fill, too, but I was fine with fluids and soup and the like. It let up in about a week and I've kept the restriction pretty well until the last few days. My third fill is Thursday and I'm nervous I will be in that boat with you!

That's a great goal! I bet you will find you will weigh much less than 200 at a size 14 though, so GO PIPPZ! You are the champ here!

Thank you, MM! I will be sticking to the air conditioned gym during the week, and hopefully get up early Saturday and Sunday while it's cool(er) to go bike riding. At least until this heat breaks some. I'm 99.9% finished with my current project, so I'm about to take a serious break. Yes, I DO have a hectic schedule! I like flipping houses, but it is also the most exasperating thing I have done in my life, too. Contractors are a NIGHTMARE! I know how to do most of it myself, but there are just things that I flat don't WANT to do, and there are some things that I CAN'T do...like crazy electrical or plumbing problems. I like watching the shows, too...I wish I could flip a house as fast as they do! LOL But I don't do too badly...I'm averaging about one a month or so. I get very little time off unless hubby is in town. (He works offshore in the Gulf, 6 weeks on and 3 weeks off.) He doesn't allow me to work seven days a week when he's in! In fact, I try to work as little as possible then. Then I have my own house to run, a pool to tend to, two dogs and a cat who thinks she's a dog, a kid starting high school and a kid starting college. WHEW! But hey, we all have our craziness, though, don't we? Every day is a party! LOL

If you really want and think you need another fill, most docs will consider "upping" the schedule a bit if you are truly adjusted to the first...just a thought. Good luck to you and let us know how it goes!

Okay, I gotta ask: how was it to step on a golf course for the first time? Hubby has been trying to get me out there for years, without success. Now I want to, but I don't want to look completely foolish! (That might be unavoidable, though, huh? LOL)

That is a very healthy outlook! I think I need to do that with my Mom...she asks me every day what I weigh...and also acts as my food police. Really aggravates me to no end! Shoot, I've told EVERYBODY! I'm sure I've told people who could care less, too...but oh well. I'm thrilled about this. But it does have its' downside, now that people think they need to second guess my food choices, my goal weight, my excercise habits. Hubby is the only one that truly matters to me. He really is 110% supportive, always has been...I think he was just stating his preference and I need to not be so sensitive. Thank you for the tips! They will help!

VERY common! Don't worry at all, since you are only dealing with the first fill. I didn't feel any difference within three days after my first fill at three weeks from surgery. The second fill was two and a half weeks later, and I felt a significant difference for quite a while. Now my third fill is this Thursday. I'm ready for it...sort of. I think I will REALLY have to slow down my eating after this one, as I have PB-ed several times after the second one with things getting stuck. Everyone's body/band/doctor does differently, though. Keep scheduling those fills if your doc allows. My doc doesn't seem to regulate them at all, from what I can tell.

Quote: Originally Posted by musicalmomma Hi Stef Thanks for the encouragment...I needed to read something uplifting tonight as I am having a terribly emotional day! You brightened it up for me Our streets are asphalt, but I'm in Wisconsin and I live 3 miles from Lake Michigan (where the 6 mile trail is). The trail is also asphalt, but our heat index doesn't get much above 80 most of the time...with the exception of this past week being around 85-90. And we get that lake breeze Ahhhhh! We have BITTER winters, but BEAUTIFUL summers! It was a hotter day today, so I waited for sunset to ride; it's a cool 73 degrees out there I acutally prayed the other day for a mild winter...I told God "You and I BOTH know, if it's bitter outside, I'm NOT going to exercise!!" I giggled but it's probably true. I HATE exercise tapes! I'll probably be forced to join the Water jog class at the YMCA! AH, YES! I vaguely recall the weather you speak of. We were stationed in North Chicago many years ago and we lived in Kenosha during that stint. You lucky dog, when it comes to your summers! (You can KEEP your winters, though, girl! LOL) I do envy you your summers, for sure...today it was 104 with a heat index of 110...the heat steals the oxygen out of your lungs when you step outside! Terrible! It's pool time! LOL P.S. I hope today is a better day for you? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Monthly Total = 1230 Minutes 30 Minutes Bike...again, too hot to do much more....I thought I was going to PASS OUT!

OMG...I can't believe what I ate today for the first time. I've been so good since before surgery. (Today also proves that I am definitely ready for that fill this Thursday.) I just ate almost 2/3 of a 6" BMT from Subway...bread and all! I've never allowed myself to even attempt it before, and it was SO GOOD! I had no idea I could eat that, and it's a good thing my fill is already scheduled! Ugh! I can't believe it.

Your treadmill sounds awesome! That is why I said those are the best forms of excercise for me...because I enjoy the heck out of them, especially my bike. I was just sharing what I had discovered in my research and sharing an opinion, is all...that and a buck will get you a cup of coffee! The best form of excercise for anyone is the one that they LIKE, so they will do it. Walking is what you like, so it is the best for you. There is no sense being miserable excercising. Good luck to you and your fantastic treadmill!

I have a "different" question for you. Are any of you dealing with people in your lives who don't agree with your weight/health goals? I have set my goal weight to be right in the middle of the "healthy" range on BMI. My husband thinks I will be "too skinny". (He doesn't like "scrawny girls".) He's not negative at all, mind you. It just bothers me that he actually said it. Truth be told, I may find that it IS too low, but I want to stick to my goal until I find that I need to adjust it. I think theres a possibility that my ribs and hips will be sticking out if I get below 160, but it's been so long since I weighed that little, that I'm not really sure. Plus, I've had two kids since I weighed that much, so I'm sure my body has changed (under all this fat!). I am going for 145, and the "healthy" range for my height is 125 to 173. I'm 5'10" tall, but I know my frame is larger rather than smaller. However, my favorite pic is me sitting on my Mom's porch with a litter of adorable kittens WAY back in 1985, and I am wearing a bandana for a belt! I don't think I could tie a bandana around my THIGH right now! LOL It's been so long since I've been thin, that the comments have me second-guessing my goal weight. Anyone having similar issues? And how did you decide on your goal weight?

Well, I scheduled the fill for Thursday at 9:15...it was the earliest I could get in. GRRR The girl on the phone had never heard the term omnipac, but she likely wouldn't know of it. I'll have to ask Amy, the NP. Now I'm a little nervous. Things still get stuck sometimes...several times a week. And I'm going for more. I hope I'm making the right decision to do this now. ONLY ONE WAY TO FIND OUT, HUH?

Thank you, insub...I'm just like everyone else here. I've just always hated seeing people down in the dumps. It just hurts my heart. On another note, I Googled "omnipac" to see if I could find out what it was. This is too funny. The very first return says: OmniPAC, Inc., Distributors of O-Rings, PolySeals, Gaskets, Teflon ...The Sealing Specialists O-Rings and Gaskets? Hmmm....maybe? LOL I'm about to call the docs office and schedule another fill and ask about this thing/stuff.

When I went to the introductory seminar on the band, I took my grandfather with me because he is a doctor. SO many questions were answered there because he knew all the good ones to ask, so I am very fortunate to still have my spry, healthy 90-year-old grandfather with me today. :clap2: One of the things that I learned was that the band will compare to GBP, as far as results go, if you excercise regularly (one banded girl stated five days a week ). There were banded patients there to attest to this, they gave statistics, showed comparitive charts, etcetera. I vowed to excercise my butt off! (Literally!) :faint: I've been well-versed on the band and GBP for a long time now, as my sis had GBP years ago, and I was helping her research the various options. I saw her go from 5'5" and 260-something down to about 150 in about seven months, if I recall correctly. But I couldn't stand having that scar, and she went through such an ordeal with the surgery itself and the healing process. Then there is the problem with malabsorption and you can literally starve to death if you don't do your protien drinks, take the supplements, and always eat your protein first. :hungry: GBP is pretty much weight loss on auto-pilot. The band requires real work. You all are brave for taking this option...it's not easy. Once we all get to fills 3, 4 and maybe 5 for some...I think the tone will change on this board. And at that point, I'm sure most, if not all, bandsters will be so glad they chose this road. I am of the opinion that it is unfortunate that some doctors are so incredibly conservative with the fills, but they went to medical school...not me. I know everyone here will come out of this dark tunnel with big smiles on their faces. :whoo:

You're right...it is hard to make out. The telltale sign is the direction of the stoma. This pic was taken immediatly after my second fill. I had incredible restriction for quite a while, but it has slacked off. I'm calling in the morning to get a third fill scheduled ASAP. The stoma in the pic was a little smaller than a pencil. As you lose weight (fat), you also lose fat around the stomach, so it creates slack in the band...which is why we go back for more fills as the weight comes off. (Dr. Stef is in the house! Just kidding...I just ask a ton of questions when I go for these fills and watch it all happen on the screen.) I know you are really down right now...have you had a fill? Have you seen the pics to know how big your stoma is? I do very well with the "about the size of a pencil" analogy...maybe you could ask your doc how big your stoma is compared to a pencil and then you would have something to go on? Either way, if you can, get a fill scheduled if you feel you need it. Especially in the beginning, if you feel you need one, you probably do! I hope you get to feeling better...you're too sweet to lurk in the shadows here...we miss you!

I hear ya, Heather! I wrote on the pic so you can see what is what. (I really DON'T have the handwriting of a serial killer...it was hard to write on that slick photo paper! LOL) http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j153/stefanie42467/BandFill002.jpg

Originally Posted by lo2us HOw/when did you find out that your band is slanted, Stefanie? During my first fill. All fills are done with flouro at my docs, and I always get pics of my fills. The technician is the one that noticed it, and sure enough it is! You can see the left side of the band is far below the right in this pic: . . .

That fill procedure sounds phenomenal! I always worry about being a band failure because my band is crooked/slanted. Not the typical "install". I'm not sure how that affects me other than they said to be sure to drink water before I go to bed to make sure my pouch is emptied, and to sleep on my left side. (To keep it from stretching.) So I have been overcautious about what I eat and how late. That's hard not eating late...it is ingrained in me!

Monthly Total = 1200 Minutes 120 minutes biking