Pinkylee

Carol and Socalgal and anyone else I'm sorry if I offended you. You are correct--we need a safe place to vent. My own DD (who is 30) is wanting a band. My response to her is less than enthusiastic. My DS and BIL are also getting an earful of the difficulties of the band while they contemplate. In the meantime, they see me slowly getting thinner and more active. If I had it all to do over I would have tried to stay anonymous.

Barbara12 LOL on your post! A refreshing slant on the Lapband. Maybe most of this gets played out in a headgame.

Regina--I don't know why you don't drink water on weekends, but maybe you should send us some of that tea your drinking. Those NSV's are amazing. If you can bottle your formula for success, I'd like some.

Happy Monday everyone! Got back late last night. Had a crazy time with sisters and family at my cousin's wedding! Ooops. Yesterday was officially still vacation--so October Challenge begins today for me. Carol--My PB's aren't as bad or constant as yours--but I go from PB to wide open. I never seem to PB when I chew stuff to smitherines--which is also slow eating. Sigh. I am guilty of mindless eating. Some days I would like another fill--others an unfill. Congrats on saying good by to 260. I'm hoping to stick with the "eat no more than 6 ounces of food at one meal" rule of my doc's during October challenge. It seems that most Junesters are not particularly fast losers. (was there some weird moon cycle thing going on in June of 2006?) One thing for sure--if we keep faithful to the big three--water, exercise and lo cals, we will lose. And some day--we will get to the sweet spot of fills. Perhaps the difficulties we have today will make us stronger for maintenance after we get to goal. One more word for those pesky numbers on the scale. When you see a lower number--claim it. It will probably run and hide for a while--but it will come back. Unless you're eating milkshakes and candy bars, the lost number is floating in excess fluid in your body and it's coming back. Forgive me if I sound like I don't like venting--we all need to vent, but when you vent, expect us to cajole you back into working with the band. I hope you'll do the same for me.

Wonderkidsmom Divorce is never easy no matter what the situation is. As a Mom and wife, we put our family first. Verbal abuse can be as painful as physical abuse Especially when done in a threatening way. No one should ever be treated in the way you have described. The band requires us to put in some hard work on self-improvement. That's empowering. Severing inappropriate relationships is one step in the process of "growing up". I'm replacing fear of what others think of me with fear of what I think of myself. We are becoming new people. Our new healthier bodies enable us to dream big dreams and know we can attain those dreams. All the best to you as you rebuild your new life.

Leila Some people seem to drop weight easier than others, but I couldn't agree with you more. The band is just a piece of plastic. I'm the muscle behind it. Frustration will not fix the problem--don't allow it to surface. Join the October challenge--bend the rules to fit your own situation if you need to. What keeps you from counting calories? (4 fingers poiinting back at me) What keeps you from drinking 64 ounces of water daily? What keeps you from exercising? Perhaps the most important element of all. Only eight minutes of heart pounding aerobics will diminish or eliminate depression. 6 meals a day was something suggested by Funny Duddies and Telly. Both are fighting fat like the enemy it is and winning. The theory is that it's easier to eat smaller meals more often. The frequency revs up your metabolism. I tried it and have seen the scale move again (finally) Sharing our troubles is what this forum is all about, but we're getting discouraged with an inantimate object. Search the forum for answers to your particular needs. When you post a struggle, we all learn something. But we need to keep learning. It's time to figure out how to make the band the best possible tool we can. The bottom line, don't let disappointment or anything else keep you from succeeding. Someone moved our cheese. I'm running through this maze until I find more.

Stephanie--you must be a good chewer. Carol I'm with ya sistah! I simply can't eat unless I'm concentrating on chewing. I was hungrier before my last fill, but I didn't have to be so careful. Guess it's about forming new habits. I'm so proud when I can finish a meal. BF and lunch--good. Dinner a bit rushed b4 an outing--it'll have to wait. I will not PB, I will not, I will not!

Thanks for both tips Melissa--pineapple juice and coke. I agree with the chew chew chew--no PB's for me if I really take the time to chew each bite 30 times. Poodles--If I knew then what I know now (re:banding) I probably would have given WW and a personal trainer a lot more serious attention--but the deed is done and I am reminded how awful it was to binge after a weight loss pre band. I was almost zombie-like at times--mindless eating. That's one thing the band does--you gotta think about what you're eating--or else. All in all, I have to save thumbs up--but it ain't easy!

Down 2 (I think I may have forgotten to post. I've been stuck at same weight for a while) Current 207.5

Randi-- Please try our October challenge. I've had the PB's this month too. PB's seem to slow my weight loss--sounds like your prob too. Have you tried aloe vera juice--I've haven't, but some say it really helps. All the best.

Regina-- Why aren't you smiling more in the "after" pics. You look great! Congrats. Goes to show what exercise will do for weight loss! It's confession time again. I PB EVERY TIME I eat fast now. If I take it really slow--and sit down at the table while eating--I'm fine. It could be due to the coffee habit I've picked back up on. Gone from one cup to 2 - 3. Could be this busy time of year. One more PB and I'm off to the Surgi-center. Barbara--Happy belated bday--Love the toes. You are right about the "hard" Protein. It's really cut down on the between meal tummy rumbling. Be careful on the pizza thing--can you stick to no crust--I can't. It's still bread. Crispy crust pizza is best for bandsters (never been a fan until banding) I was reading Kellyroos posting re: unbanding/slippage. Her ordeal began after she ate brocolli and she was almost 3 years banded!!! I'm looking over that no-no list again.

Poodles-- Are you going totally no carb? Walmart has some good deals on lo carb hi protein bars. I take them in my purse. Lo-carb will be my new weapon if the scale gets stuck again!

Becky Congrats on doing so well. I love NSV's. They make transitioning from big to small a lot easier. How are fills coming? I've had two and would like to avoid another until I have lost at least 10 more pounds. (I hate the transition). Not to mention--I get stuck fairly often--and yet sometimes I can eat anything. Guess stress is my tightener.

I love going to drive thrus and ordering a glass of Water if I'm out and forgot my bottled water. Most are free and the attendants are usually cordial about it. Chick-fil-a makes a really great diet lemonade--no carbonation. Most have iced tea also.

Poodles-- It goes to show that this is much more a mental game. Maybe your carb fix was a celebration--old habits die hard. Way to go on an unsolicited compliment. I think I've gotten one since I was banded from DH.

I've noticed that when I PB--the next day I seem to gain a little weight--even when calorie count was low. Anyone else experience this?

I lost hair on LB and on other quick weight loss plans. Biotin tabs seem to help, but the thing that helped in the past was Jojoba Shampoo by St. Ives I can't seem to find St. Ives shampoo anywhere. Even the most expenseive Jojoba shampoos don't seem to work like St. Ives did. Anyone know where to find St. Ives shampoo?

I'm headed to Walmart for rx.

KariK-- I don't smoke, but I did take your advice on more oxygen. I am much better Drinking more water--limiting artificial sweetners Deep breathing during and after exercise I increased intensity level yesterday--a little sore this a.m., but manageable. No "hobbling" this a.m.--just a "little" moaning.

Ok--time to confess. You thirty-somethings who are struggling are pulling at my heartstrings. I have a beautiful 30 year old daughter who struggles with her weight too. For those of you who have shared pictures--you are foxy ladies. It doesn't seem fair that no matter "what" weight is coming off slowly for many of you. You got the band so that you could "finally" lose--and it's happening in baby steps if at all. Barbara and I have preached protein, water and moving quite a bit. The bottom line to it is--it's been slow, no matter how "good" you are. Anyone have an idea on how we can "tweak" the October challenge to help the thirty-somethings?

Thanks for the nice comments on pics. Next time I'll post a side shot--you'll see all 209 pounds!

Biotin tablets in vitamin isle are inexpensive. Jojoba shampoo--found in the hair salon brands--check the label for this little known oil/extract--are the best for hair loss. My DH is living proof.

Laura-- Is there some way you can de-stress? Stress is a real band tightener--and then when we eat "the least little thing"--Wham. Good stress--eating out with friends, bad stress--it all can spell trouble. Why don't you give yourself a "break" from all of the fear of the band not working? Stick with your dietary and activity guidelines, but try not to worry about what the scale says. If you feel up to it--walk, walk, walk. It's a natural body massage. All the best

6/9/06 (Day of surgery--pretty miserable) 9/17/06 Finally--thanks Barbara

Happy Bday Barbaras--getting older really can mean better! MT on the anniversary--I feel so much better now--can't imagine what next June will bring. I'm wearing t-shirts in public!