Pinkylee

I have lots of family to face next weekend. Many know I've been stuck and I'd feel a whole lot better (and they would too) if I'm unstuck. Sixty--is that going to feel as good as fifty did? Congrats. Bet you're glad you are banded and getting healthier. Best part--what we lose won't come back. By the way----I can't seem to post my pics. They are in a folder on my hard drive--can you help?

OK--I'm trying to begin the October challenge early and for some reason, I ate two Protein meal bars instead of one yesterday plus a small dinner about 2 hours later. Felt like old times... "the day before I diet". :faint: This is so much of a mental game! Today is the first day of my pre-October challenge and I'm gonna make it!

Barbara--I don't know much about insurance, but I do know there is help sometimes with your US Senator or Congressman. If they don't respond, try your state government officials. Cobra is nationally regulated.

Let's begin now as a "soft" start up. Keep track daily of - Water intake in ounces - calories consumed and an estimate of Protein grams - minutes of exercise on your personal journal (LBT journal is no longer available--use fitday.com or whatever is easiest for you) Post WEEKLY every Sunday in your signature line your totals for the week (Sunday - Saturday). Barbara has volunteered to give us a "ticker" or example of how to post. This week we will keep track in our journals from Wed - Sat and on Sunday 9/23 (an incomplete week--but let's get started!) I will post your progress from what you have in your signature line. We will have one complete week (9/24 - 9/30) to post b4 the "official" tallies begin. The actual challenge will begin Sunday October 1. Official tallies will begin October 8. Questions??? Public is best--so we can all learn and "tweak" together, but I welcome any PM's if things aren't clear to you There are some "habits" that I need to reinforce--that aren't in this challenge. - chew each bite 30 times - be "kind" to my band by eliminating foods that don't digest easily (tomato skins, sweet potatoes that have stringy flesh, seeds or nuts, small bites of bread, that 3rd cup of coffee) - always carry a hi protein snack bar in my purse, car, etc. If you want--please add an NSV to your weekly totals, i.e., "Chewed each bite 30 times this week, Found an exercise partner, etc.

Ooops! Barbara--you must have been posting same time as I was. You make the ticker and we will follow. I volunteer to do the tallying at the end of each week, but may need help when I'm out of town--zap me when I'm late

Why don't we use our personal journal at the top of the page (LBT Journals)--or any other food journal you are currently using to keep personal track daily. Once a week we can submit our "totals" for the week: Example: Water: 480 ounces Calories: 9200 Exercise: 150 minutes Weight: -2 pounds (we hope) October 1 is a Sunday--official posts will begin on October 8. We can begin a "soft" posting today until 10/1. If you want to join the challenge--please post an I'm IN message and I'll get a list of participants going. We'll all :cheer2: those needing encouragement those who forget to post:youcandothis: those who do well beginning on October 8. Please let us know if you can't post (out of town) if possible. Any other suggestions--or if someone wants to "own" this--please let us know.

CHALLENGE INPUT I'm borrowing from another bandster who has been very successful: 5 - 6 small meals (3 being protein heavy--with a total of 60 grams protein eaten per day) 80 ounces of water One hour of exercise daily -------------------------------Something to strive for, but not realistic for many of us. 6 small meals a day would be good for all of us. Maybe 40 grams protein?(Mushies and tofu included) -Counting calories and stopping at 1200. I'm eating a slimfast or southbeach high protein snack bar between meals when out (traded in my raisins), and when at home, lo fat cheese and s/f applesauce cup. Water--I set 5 full water bottles on the counter and it is a better motivator than counting empties. Exercise--150 minutes a weekI count housecleaning day (mopping and vacuuming) as exercise day and always take Sundays off unless I walk with a friend. PLEASE SUBMIT INPUT ON A NEW "OVERALL" CHALLENGE FOR THE JUNEBIES. WE ALL SEEM TO NEED SOME HELP GETTING MOVING AGAIN.

Hell ooooo-- Any Junebie out there doing stellar? We all seem to be stuck on a number or a fill or both! Let's decide on a new challenge that will help all of us Some more experienced and successful bandsters post great results by eating 5 - 6 small meals a day, 80 ounces of water and one hour of exercise. Personally--I am eating way too fast and often too much. The fast part is keeping me from getting another fill. I get stuck all the time now and PB at least once a day. I WANT TO DO BETTER--but I get busy and "forget" about the band. Traveling seems to be my downfall--I get so relaxed, I can eat quickly without getting stuck, and thus the old habit comes back. WE NEED TO COME UP WITH A REASONABLE CHALLENGE FOR JUNEBIES. INPUT NEEDED. :think

I'm no expert--but, are you drinking any warm liquids? I drank my liquids from a small custard cup first week in order to minimize amount of air I was getting in as I was swallowing liquids. Does your PCP allow Protein drinks yet--lo-carb slim fast has 20 grams of protein--not a bad taste. Sometimes powered protein doesn't dissolve well and can cause problems. Others swear by Isopure. Also--try standing after your "meal". Raise your arms over your head and GENTLY stretch up. Walk around as much as possible. I made quite a path around beds and couches for the first week after surgery. Couldn't get comfortable and couldn't sleep either. Be kind to your band and your body. You are in a healing phase and the weight will go if you heal properly and then "go by the rules" of the band. Our moderators have some great "info" threads that you should read and reread. Keep surfing the posts as much as possible--but never go against your own doc's guidelines. Each surgeon has a different system for healing. Combining everyone's plan could spell disaster. If in doubt, call your doc's office and ask for advice. All the best. Congratulations on being banded.

Gladdy Thanks for the protein tip. I've been using lo carb slim fast--but it wears on you. Where are you getting Isopure? I am a huge fan of Leslie Sansone. I fold clothes, unload dishwasher, wipe down counters, make phone calls--you name it during the first 15 minutes of her DVD's (and some of the cool downs). I used to watch the clock--boring--but I finally decided exercise part of my daily routine--period, and 40 minutes is over soon.

Laura: I always get in trouble when I eat too fast--that goes for thick liquids too. Are you taking it slow? It's hard to do when you are Hungry--but you might try a small spoon. Re--exercise--I've been pushing thru--going slower. Found out on another thread that lack of oxygen in blood (I'm often anemic) can cause some toxin build up in muscles when they are strained. Iron supplements, water and deep breathing may help with the leg cramps.

Kari-- You're correct--need to check this out with PCP. Not a smoker, but have chronic slight anemia when tested. Thanks

Leila-- I will be praying for your needs Leila. Anyone who is genuinely seeking Divine intervention is welcome here. Much love to you and your family.

Recent stress tests show a strong, clear heart, but I do have an irregular heart beat (an abnormal normal)--blood pressure is finally normal since banding. I also have higher levels of carbon dioxide in blood-- The feeling is more fatigue than anything. Now that I think of it--may have more to do with a toxin build up from increased carbon dioxide levels. Probably need to do deep breathing b4 and after exercise. Thanks so much for response. I would have never connected the minor heart issues with this--but it makes sense.

Drat--these family weddings and showers. Out of town again!

I've always had to slowly increase my exercise level and now I've gone and overdone it again. Added just 5 minutes on the eliptical (we paid good money for) to my walking DVD yesterday and I feel like a wet dishrag this morning. Not overly sore--but overly spent. Not to mention one heck of a leg cramp last night. Anyone else have this problem? I've been this way since my mid 30's.

It's a good thing we have digital scales now. I could shift my weight to the left on my old scale and "lose" 3 pounds. I weigh each a.m. in panties only. If I can manage an early "movement"--it's always a good day.

I'm so glad my children experienced much of the "good life" being born on the edge of computer age. I had it even better than they did--25 cent allowance covered movies, dime store candy, cheap perfume for Mom and hankies for Dad on bdays, Trixie Beldon books--whatever the week called for. There was always a few pennies left over for the offering envelope on Sunday. Playing outside until the heat of the day drove us to the backyard kiddie pool or the cool concrete front porch where we read for hours. I never remember feeling depressed or deprived. Things weren't perfect at our house, but we had a lot of laughs and Mom loved us to "a fault". Hummmm--maybe DH and I should take a closer look at retiring early! The best part of life today? I could name lot--but very few things have to do with computers and money!

Exercise seems to be the determining factor for me. I use a DVD--Lelie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds--she has many different ones. You can start at any level, walk inside and need very little space to complete the workout. I've tried many regimines and I've managed to stick with this one because it's so convenient and nearly free. (I don't buy her extra weights, etc--I use canned vegetables--about l pound each) On busy days I multi-task while I exercise--not quite as good, but it gets the job done.

Barbara--You are now inspiring me to drink more water and less crystal lite. Good luck on next fill. I sometimes worry about how much I can eat--I'm sure I'll be considering a fill by Oct if not sooner. Is it possible to get to the place where you aren't hungry all the time (and not PBing over being too tight?) I found a great high protein snack at Walmart--actually a friend in Michigan who owns a Contours (ladies exercise) clued me in on-- Nature's Path Organic Optimum Power Cereal (Flax Soy Blueberry is a fav). Great with milk--but you can get stuck if you eat too fast. I eat it at night like popcorn. 8 GRAMS PROTEIN (190 calories--but all good cals) Another good one are the South beach Protein Snacks and meal bars--maybe I'm behind in learning about these. A little like a candy bar, but lots of protein and they actually stop the hunger for a while. Protein must be IT. I actually blended my protein the week I had so much trouble getting stuck. Seemed to help heal.

Housecatgirl--You are right! Not having to worry about TOM is better than you think it will be! Leila get ready to feel way better after healing is over. Melissa--Thanks. I actually did lose the 3 pounds this morning. Travel is nice--but I think I'll keep the suitcase stowed as much as possible until the first year is passed--and then??? Chicago! (isn't that the Junebies anniversary city?) Stephanie--Congrats on weight loss Mystyblu--I have the same problem. I've gone to having a small snack between meals and I try to avoid cold water right before meals (I was chugging as I sat down--now I try to wait a few minutes after drinking b4 eating) My DH is really good about reminding me to chew the first few bites--he hates eating alone! Barbara465--I don't feel much restriction unless I eat fast. Thought about scheduling a fill, but decided to wait and see if I can lose anything by next Wednesday. I wish fills cured head and heart hunger!

Back to the old grindstone. "Digging out" after trip to Michigan. Had a great time and got a lot accomplished business wise. I love the band. It's so easy to get back into eating healthy and small. I even exercised today! We won't mention what I weighed this am. I'm ignoring the club weigh ins until next week. Hopefully the 3 pounds that showed up this morning are mostly fluid from sitting all day in airports or planes and are gone soon. Good to read the posts. Leila--all the best to you with the upcoming surgery.

:update: H20 Challenge BARBARA 465 is the clear winner with 35 days of blue smileys. She drank at least 64 ounces of liquids with 32 being pure H20. Honorable mention goes to Leila with 21 and CindyCam with 20 Barbara 12 with 12 Poodles with 8 H Kimber with 2 THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED. IF I DIDN'T GET YOUR POSTS OR GOT THEM DOWN INCORRECTLY--PLEASE PM ME WITH UPDATES. I'll be emailing a $5 Amazon.com gift certificate to Barbara 465 I'm a definite water drinker now. Actually prefer it to my Jack Nicholaus' (tea with lemonaide crystal light) sometimes! Hope those who participated increased their fluid intake and saw some results. Thanks for participating.

I'm in Michigan looking after rental and visiting with friends. Looks like a loss this week would be a miracle. Happy to say, I'm not tight this trip. Enjoying, but being careful. Please keep H20's on for another day. Can't find my reading glasses. I have a slight vision problem--thus the larger print sometimes! Hope the Junbies are having as much fun this weekend as I am.

I'll have to post H20 finals hopefully on Friday. Thursday is my busiest day--and DH had lots for me to accomplish before I fly out tomorrow (7:20 am) on business. Shld have access--so please keep your blue smiley's on till you see the update message. Thanks and have a great weekend everyone. Christa--Congratulations and best wishes on a wonderful new life. Carol--I PM'd you, but Barbara pretty much said it all regarding fills. Hope it helps.