bubbles09

I do the Walk at Home series w/Leslie Sansone. Time goes by quick and I really get a good workout.

I email it to myself in Facebook! Works for me.

Since being banded I've been faithful about sticking to portion sizes, healthy food choices, water intake, etc. But for the past week, every night I've dreamt that I'm shoving food into my mouth like I'll never eat again! Last night I dreamt I was at an outdoor party, and there were hundreds of cakes. Everywhere I looked there were the most beautiful cakes, every flavor and shape and size that you can imagine. One cake was underneath a milk chocolate fountain! It was like I was at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. I sampled every cake and then some. I'm surprised I didn't take a dip in the fountain! I'm wondering - what is my subconscious tapping into? I don't feel deprived, in fact I've eaten bites of my mom's homemade chocolate cake (my favorite) since I've been banded. Has anyone else experienced self-sabotaging dreams like this?

I struggle w/the same thing. Not so much because I dislike myself, but because the whole compliment thing is so new to me, I'm unsure how to react internally. My current motto is "fake it until you make it." I thank whoever compliments me, without explaining how I got here or disagreeing w/them because I'm embarrassed, and in doing so I'm starting to truly believe that yes, I am looking healthy and happy these days. Some people think it's because of the weight loss, but I know I really do look better because inside, I feel more beautiful. So fake it - simply say thank you to compliments - and eventually, you'll start to believe that you are looking better, healthier, and then, when you fully buy into that, you've made it, regardless of what the scale says.

1- I can now cross my legs 2- I can now confidently look at my reflection in a full-length mirror (and not cringe at what's looking back) 3- I can now comfortably sit in a movie theater seat (and not feel disgusted after b/c I ate a bucket of buttered popcorn) 4- I can now feel like I'm much more than "a pretty face" 5- I can now put things on MY LAP! I have a lap! 6- I can now adjust my seat closer to the steering wheel in my car, and the seatbelt doesn't need to be extended 7- I can now be in public w/out fearing some little kid pointing out the fat girl 8- I can now see my chin - singular - CHIN! ONE CHIN! 9- I can now feel my posture improving, instead of sinking into myself I push my bust out and rock it! 10- Finally, I can now be truly grateful for my body, a body that's served me well, a body that deserves my love and attention Congrats to all of us for these victories! :grouphug:

Even moving your body 10 minutes a day, 3 times a day, adds up. Exercising doesn't mean that you have to devote an hour at a time. Use the stairs, take a walk after lunch, park far away when you go to the grocery store. That way you can work it into your day, as opposed to making it a separate act of 'going to the gym.' I'm the same way, and I've been doing little things here and there, and it's worked as far as inches and weight loss. Plus, it feels so good! Try not to beat yourself up. You are worthy of moving, of being active and alive!

Congrats and Happy B-day!!! I'm looking forward to dating. I've always dreaded it. But I feel more confident and beautiful w/each day. And I know 2009 *will be* my year for everlasting love. Hear that, Universe?! Cheers to confidence and love! T.

Hey! I'm Tristin, 35 y/o from Salt Lake City. 5'4, 216 lbs, never been married, no kids. Want marriage, adore kids. Work for public radio and teach college. I was banded 11/21/08. I *know* this year will be mine. For love. And prosperity (in all the right places!) Strength in single-ness, and hope and faith in love. Cheers to all of us! oxo

Funny, I was just dating a Puerto Rican man and just found out that I wasn't his only girlfriend! Heart is broken b/c I really thought he was special. But right there with you, moving onward and downward (on the scale!) Cheers to strength. T.

No numbing agent - I think getting blood drawn hurts much worse. I could hardly feel it. My first fill, however, was sort of traumatic. I had just broken up w/my boyfriend and I was so nervous about the procedure, not sure what to expect. The surgeon couldn't find my port and I started to panic, and then the tears started to flow. Lots of tears. The nurse and surgeon stopped what they were doing, looked so worried, asked if they hurt me, and I told them they didn't hurt me, but someone else did...! After that the surgeon found the port as the nurse consoled me. It turned out to be a bonding experience, and none of the pain was related to the procedure. I guess when you need to cry, you need to cry!

Heels, a tank top, an actual swimming suit as opposed to shorts and a t-shirt, and a sexy bra and underwear set. And the biggest smile ever, reflecting my newfound confidence! :wink_smile:

I hear you, sister! I'd love to wear sleeveless shirts with confidence. I don't know if free weights will help, focusing on that area...but it won't hurt trying.

I have the same thing - it kind of feels like that pain you get when you're working out/exercising really hard, and maybe you're not getting enough oxygen? Today I tried to 'breathe through it' like I would if I had gotten it w/exercising, and it seemed to go away. I drank a lot of water too, thinking it might be dehydration. I'll ask my surgeon when I see him in a few weeks.

I have the same thing, I thought it was my port. But no, when I got my first fill I think my surgeon said it's a 'healing ridge' - which I forgot to ask him to elaborate on. I just looked it up on an online medical dictionary: a healing ridge is an indurated ridge that normally forms deep to the skin along the length of a healing wound. I researched a few other sites, it seems that this 'ridge' is formed when surgery is done, there's a scar and essentially your body is at work to heal it. Everything I've read says the ridge should 'melt' or diminish with time. Mine isn't so much egg-shaped, though, but more like a thick worm. It aches sometimes. But from what I've read, the ridge is a good thing, as it's evidence that the body is working to heal itself. Hope this helps!

I was scared about the surgery part too. I knew I was going to break down in tears or have an anxiety attack when they put the gas mask on me. But it was totally opposite! Whatever they give you before the anesthesia makes you giddy, so as I fell asleep, I was laughing and felt completely at ease. Then I woke up in what seemed like two minutes, pain-free. Just groggy. The hardest part were the few days after, dealing with the leftover anesthesia in my body. All you can do to alleviate the pain is to walk, which helps build up your strength. If that's her only hesitation, and she's aware and prepared for what lies ahead post-surgery (and the rest of her life), I'd say a few hours in the surgery room trumps a lifetime of battling your own body. I've gone from a size 28 to 20 in 5 weeks. My life is changing before my eyes. I finally have hope that I can be in control of my own health!

In the midst of counting calories and Protein grams and wondering what that weird pain in your port area is, I think it's important to take at least a moment each day to Celebrate who we are. We're all on a journey of self-discovery, of honoring ourselves with the blessed gift of wellness. This self-awareness takes guts (pun intended!). Each day we choose to love who we are. Some days are easier than others. But we're all mere mortals, giving it our best. I'd like to make a toast (nothing carbonated!) to each of you, for sharing your experiences on this website, for being you. I've learned so much through each of you, thank you so much. Here's to a New Year full of life, light and love. Tristin

It's all about confidence. Love your 'new' body, and rock it! If you feel beautiful, you'll look beautiful, and that will outshine everything else.

I'm right there with you, prone to cyclical bouts of depression (especially on holidays). This one has been especially tough. I'm taking things moment by moment, trying to redirect my thoughts when they turn bleak. You've made huge strides in such a short time, try to celebrate your success and think about how much can change in the next six months and beyond. You won't be stuck in this dark place forever, life is a road full of ruts and twists and turns, but the road always continues. Sometimes you can sit back and enjoy the view, in control and at peace. Be kind to yourself, reach out to friends, find a book of affirmations and surround yourself with things, people, places you love. Light a candle in your honor. You deserve it!