Pinkylee

I think I'm happy about this new tightness. I wasn't hungry today. Pilates, stretchy bands and big bouncy balls aren't my idea of a lot of laughs, but they beat a fill any day of the week. Anyone play the "what if" game? What if I lose X number of pounds per week until Bandiversary, or how about Y? I lose a few pounds and think I'm King Kong or something. It's probably about as productive as figuring out what you'll spend your millions on if you win the Lotto.

I lost 2 pounds at WW this Tuesday and the meeting was actually fun. Love that coffee-drinkin' leader. I may form a "Nick's harem". No one can hold a candle to the way Jack turns a phrase, but this guy is "out there" when it comes to "salesmanship". PT has me doing major Pilates type ab work to strengthen my core. I'm wondering if ab work can cause a bit of tightening. Anyone know? There is a definite "disturbance in the force" today. Lurkers, I can only speak for myself, but ya'll come back and bring your "voices".

Socalgal - Whew! You Made It! Poodles - Life isn't fair and that goes in weight loss too. I appreciate your honesty. It's contageous and vital to the life of this forum and we are proud to have you as a friend. Your loss has been slower than some, but definitely not the slowest on this forum. Keep working it and your turn will come.

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=6 width="100%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=tcat>Preview </TD></TR><TR><TD class=alt1>AAAMEN Aimee. I'm with you. I'd rather indulge once in a while and lose slower or (dare I say it) accept wherever my current diet will take me. I know if I diet too hard I'll gain it back. Poodles, I sympathize. Losing 50 pounds is a real privilege. Speaking for myself I am grateful, but risking going backwards after experiencing life 50 or more pounds lighter is a frightening prospect. When I say I'm struggling, I really mean it. I guess it's time to admit that I had to join Weight Watcher's. WW had always been in my long range plan as a way to stay at maintenance. I never thought I'd find myself out of control with a sugar bowl. I felt almost like a heroin addict. I am a card carrying member as of February 13. Why I couldn't do the program on my own I'll never know, but I knew I had to find more accountability. It's been interesting to combine the lapband lifestyle with WW. Thankfully my lecturer puts on a show worth way more than the weekly fee. He had his thermos in one hand and his coffee mug in the other the entire presentation. This move was more defensive than offensive in the game of losing. I almost gag at the thought of tedious weigh-ins, endless recipe discussions week after week. I had hoped this rabbit would come out of the hat a whole lot closer to goal. Right now I'm looking for reasonable answers (besides another fill that never has netted anything but weight loss through pb's) I have to say it is really easy to stay under the point allotment with the help of my band. I can accept slow or no weight loss, but I can't go back to where I've been. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Barbara465 For me it's the colder weather. If a small amount of ice cream is what keeps your snacking at less than a roar, go for it. I'm a cookie monster. One today, two tomorrow and so forth. Substituting a bottle of water isn't so fun when it's cold out. Watching that day 6 on your fills is probably a good idea. Anyone else out there looking like biscuit dough. My abs look fatter than they did in November. My naval is the frown of a downturned smiley face.

It's official! I have lost one more pound. I had hoped to see my usual 3 pound clump after a plateau, but I'll take any new number. We meet out of town friends every two months for a dinner party and Saturday was sure fun! I got several compliments on my progress. I'm hanging on to this band for as long as I can. Originally I wasn't so sure, but my Pt reminded me that many people have lots of implanted devices that last their entire lifetime. Emotional eating slips up on you so fast. I have a new quick soup recipe. One can of chicken broth, one can of fat free refried beans and one can of rotel tomatoes (diced tomatoes with chilis). I added a few spices. You can add some other veggies if you like to make it a true Mexican soup (summer squash, peppers, celery) Good luck to you Socalgal. You've done so well I know you'll make transition to solids safely. Lisa - Way to go attacking those 3 pounds and the unfill. Barbara465 - I'm also hoping for new breakthroughs, but please, no more surgery. Surely there will be a vaccine or pill?

You can "eat all the -------- (lettuce, cucumbers, etc.) you want" and still lose weight. Cows "graze" all day.

Aimee, Way to go! It always feels so good to hit another "decade". Regina, I think cutting back on smoking is a great accomplishment. Here's to the perfect sweet spot from that fill. Lisa, As a former Michigander I can totally relate to cold weather increasing your sweet tooth. Fruit cups and roll ups are a good substitute for both you and your son. My personal favorite was sugar free hot chocolate by swiss miss. They have some with extra Calcium added. Hey, I think I may go get some! We are freezing here in South Texas which is way off our norm of the mid 60s for February. I was happy to see 188.0 again this a.m., but a teeny disappointed I didn't see something better. I usually lose in "clumps". I guess I'll know by the weekend if I'm still on this plateau. Several have mentioned extra baggy skin that makes us feel "fatter" even though we haven't gained. This morning I swear I saw cellulite on my upper abs. (Barbara4 and 12 it's gotten worse!) Are all the fat cells in my bottom moving to my abs? I'm doing lots of ab work during physical therapy. My fat cells must like all the action because it would appear they came to watch. WAAAAH! I've lost 56.5

Lisa - So happy to hear your good news! After being stuck for over a month between 188.5 and 193 I SAW A NEW NUMBER!!!. Ok, so it's only down .5 to 188, but it is a new number and I'm relieved. My analog scale had a much better showing (182), so maybe I've finally made it off this plateau. I've been stuck since the first week of January. If I really did get unstuck, I'm going to have to give a lot of credit to drinking more water. Happy Valentine's Day Everyone.

Melissa, We'll miss you. I'll be praying for your Dad and family the next few days. Keep us posted. Sandra

I'm not making my Valentine's Day goal either. I'd like to be 179 by Easter, but I'd settle for any new lower number at this point! Ever have a day where you feel like you're forgetting something? At least it hasn't driven me to the sugar bowl. I bought Valentine's Day candy for a group we have over on Wednesday night. I'm vowing today to have 100 calories of whatever when the party is over.

I'm fine after the fall. Thanks for asking. I wasn't paying for the jacket, but it still wasn't fair. I think I've shared DD has gained a lot recently and is now on the edge of womens sizes. I cut her some slack and I shouldn't have. I hung in there with the physical therapy and I'm glad I did. I'm now in a learning phase for my abs and got a stretchy band to help strengthen them. I don't like the exercises, but maybe I can make a modified routine (3 minutes/day tops) of their stretches and ab work. Regarding those fills. No fill can make me tighter than my own stress level. Be careful out there! Socalgal - congrats on the ride. I love biking - on the flats. For some reason the scenery is easier to observe on a bike. There is a great book out called the "Woman Doctor's Diet for Women". I believe a new version is still available. I used her plan in the late 70's and it was more or less a South Beach plan. Cottage cheese was on her no no list because she had observed over the years that cottage cheese did not promote weight loss. There are other plans that don't allow dairy and their reasoning is similar (LA Weight Loss is one). Just a thought.... No one is "out of control", but we sure aren't burning the lower numbers up either. I say we accept that this is a norm for this time in our band life and ride it out. I love this band. At this stage in any diet in my past, I would have put back on some serious weight.

Hi Junebies: Kinda wondering how everyone's weekend is going. I can definitely relate to the "secure YOUR oxygen mask first" statement Cathy. As women, we are programmed to be nurturers. Friday I let DD talk me into doing an errand for her. Bottom line is, I was checking a size of a jean jacket on the wall of Kohl's and there were no sales people to help. You guessed it. I climbed on a chair and as I was stepping down I fell. Nothing major. Jarred up a bit, but it's high time I learned the word "no". BTW, she "didn't have time" to pick up the jean jacket I bought for her b4 boarding the plane to Vegas. I'm going to try substituting a fresh bottle of water and a tic tac or raisin for those "need a fix quick" moments. :faint: If only it were as easy doing it as it is typing it. I've been looking around at weight loss helps and found a bracelet that lets you move a charm around the beads for every 50 calories you consume, or every point (WW), etc. I'm rebelling at logging in stuff, so I'm going to have to resort to some other technique. DH reminded me as long as I'm not gaining, I'm ok. I did try on my anniversary suit and it seemed slightly roomier. Maybe LOL. Have a relaxing Sunday!

Barbara465 You know I'm in for Celine, spa and suite. THANKS! Also, I've had time to reread the link to the WLS article and it has me a little scared. We had some friends over last night I hadn't seen in months. One is a bypass patient. She had regained quite a bit of the weight she had lost. She ate a few cookies and some chips. Another friend is on and off weight watchers or south beach and she ate a few pieces of fruit and veggies. (she looked great) I sympathize with my bypass friend. Her choices had more to do with how easy food would settle on her stomach. I'm guilty of the same thing. I'll also be standing in her shoes some day if I don't learn how to say no to foods "easy" to eat. Brother, if I'll stoop to eating sugar out of a bowl I really do have a problem. Has anyone seen any substantive information on what successful maintenance really looks like?

Melissa - Sooo excited for you. Must be good news month for new jobs. DS got a new one today with a much need raise that will enable him to move out on his own. Yikes!!!! This will make the 3rd time my nest has emptied. Kimsretro - Good to hear from you Thanks for the link Barbara. I need to be reminded over and over and over and over. Today was a good day for me. Let's hope the company we have doesn't give me license to cheat!

Poodles Yeah I do. When I low carbed it years ago I developed chronic URI. Up those vitamins! Sublingual vitamin B (Walmart $7 - pricey everywhere else) and vitamin C (non chewables - locarb) are pretty tasteless so you can crush and drink. Get well and then worry about portions. I think you and I are the only ones adding the avitars for our progress on the challenge. I'd like to change mine to just the blue smiley for water and then if I earn it, a "no cheater" sign like you have for each week I stuck to my plan. No sign this week, but things are looking up. New week starts tomorrow.

Randi - You and I may be on a closer page than it looks. 244 was a high for me, but actually I had gained 20 pounds in the 8 months before surgery. That means those 20 pounds came off easy (I lost 17 the first month). If you take away the 20, I'm at a 36 pound loss. I made a generalized statement about being afraid to post that was probably inappropriate. I post all the time. Too much in fact. I appreciate everyone's patience. I vent a lot because when I stay away from the forum, I get in trouble weight wise. One more thing while we're on slow weight loss or plateau's. Dr. Spiegel says unlike Gastric Bypass patients, we have four years to get to goal before our bodies finally settle in to a maintenance level. The average bandster will consume 1200 - 1800 calories in order to maintain their weight. The 1200 - 1800 calorie remark came from another surgeon's blog, but it does make sense.

Randi - Thanks for the post. I understand how it feels to make yourself vulnerable to public posting. I hope everyone will continue to let us know how you're doing. Some of us are pray - ers, some send positive thoughts, but you'll get something if you'll let us know what's happening. I went to my favorite place yesterday. It's called Teavana and they have wonderful herbal teas. My favorite is a mix of mate vana and rooibos chai. You can order their teas on line. The rooibos gives a little boost like caffeine, but it's caffeine free. Superbowl netted a gain on the scales and it was still there this a.m. I didn't think I overdid it, but every snack was salty. (no sweets, thank goodness). It's salads for me this week! The sugar habit seems to have lost it's hold. Thanks for letting me vent. Physical therapist is now going beyond stretches and working my abs. It's not fun and I've yet to get any kind of massage. Rats!!! I've been afraid to do any abs since surgery and I guess it was time.

Poodles :happybday2: :confused: I hope you had a wonderful day and enjoyed every crumb of that birthday cake! I'm up for Vegas either date. Thanks Barbara (I'm the guilty bird that would like to see Celine - but more than anything I'd like to meet more Junebies!) Go Bears!

Told DS about my sugar habit and she didn't seem to think it was the big deal that I do. She also hasn't made the huge commitment we have by being banded. There is no doubt we metabolize differently after being banded, so healthy eating is vital to success. Devana, I'm going to try some of those Werthers. My Mom never leaves home without hers! Socalgal when are you back to mushies? Mushies are almost fun. You can do it! Superbowl snacks? I'm going to stick to the shrimp and lean meats and try to eat even slower than I normally do. A piece of shrimp or meat on a toothpick makes a good substitute for that chip. A few tablespoons of dip and we're all set. I also like to peal cherry tomatoes before I eat them and the tips of brocolli and caulflower seem safe enough.

Lisa I couldn't agree with you more! I started with the sugar (big time) during Christmas holidays and the habit grows worse. I count calories and my sugar habit is cutting in to the amount of calories I have left for a healthy snack. Sugar will limit or stop weight loss. My surgeon is quite clear on that as well. It's time to give it up. I know you understand depression. I have it too, but meds (after two years of trying everything) didn't work. St John's wart worked well for many years, but I developed irritable bowl syndrom and had to quit. Exercise took it's place. A minor injury and limited exercise in November and you guessed it - sugar became my new "fix". I can now exercise and I have no excuse. I have been in a quandry about whether to share this. I wouldn't want anyone else to try this - but my "candy" is actually sugar. Sugar in my tea and sugar shells made from licking a spoon and putting it in the sugar bowl. The sugar shells have about l/2 teaspoon of sugar (10 calories), so a few of those a day I didn't think hurt. I figured they weren't as bad as m&m's. I'm up to about 300 calories in sugar these past few days and I'm feeling yucky. Those of us who have been morbidly obese, know the psychological triggers that helped to get us there. Barbara4 has mentioned emotional eating. For most of us, those issues are ongoing. The only real cure to emotional eating is to replace it with a healthy habit. Exercise is one, but it's not carrying me through the day. Bottom line is we need emotional health too. It's time to "get a life". Thanks Lisa for reminding me that I'm not allowed to build it around food. Replacing this habit with sugarfree stuff will set me up for future failure. Sweets for me need to be in the form of fruits and limited artificial sweetners for my tea. Sugarfree ice cream and candy leave me with an aftertaste and wanting the real thing.

I've gotten a terrible sweet tooth. Mainly because hard candy doesn't interefer with drinking my water or tea or eating the next meal. It's at about 300 calories per day and I really do need to stop! This little habit has gotten out of control. :faint: I feel like an addict. I need to add a no candy clause to my eating plan.

I met my goals too. I logged my food into fitday.com. It wasn't pretty, but I didn't expect it to be. My snack of a jelly sandwhich had more calories than my lunch did. I can already see some changes I could make. Lisa - more fruit is right! The water thing was easier now that I don't buy bottled water (too heavy to haul a case). I have a big 20 oz. glass. 3 of those - no problem. For you ice cream lovers. I'd say you'd better have a pretty good backup plan for those days when you don't allow yourself the ultimate treat! A special fruit (mango?), a 70 calorie glass of wine, a 50 calorie cookie with a cup of tea, Poodles sugar free soy shake, - be ready! Now who's got a plan to keep a lid on the chips? Don't say pretzels - calorie count on those buggars isn't so great either and the salt is gotta be bad. I think I'll try putting a few boxes of tic tacs where I normally store the chips. I'd ban them from the house if I didn't think there would be major mutiny. Hey - that might not be so bad. Went to the Rocket's game last night with fam and DD's boyfriend. They threw t-shirts in the stands. We were up in the rafters and a guy came out on the catwalk and pitched down shirts in our section. I stood and waved to get his attention. He actually threw one my way! Last year I would have struggled to make it to my seat (incredibly steep) and sat with my shoulders hunched. No way would I draw attention to myself for some dumb t-shirt. I was nimble enough to reach, bend and snag the prize before the guy behind me made his lunge. I surprised myself and my family! What a hoot this new life is!

Barbara4 has touched on an important topic. Emotional eating. It's only natural that at this stage in our band-venture we would find ourselves back to some old habits. Barbara4, why don't you start a new thread under one of the forums on the main board and let us know where we can go to discuss this? I'd love to hear some wisdom from those who've been there and have weathered the storms.

Socalgal - All the best on your healing process. Lady - Glad to hear from you. I will continue to remember your need for a car and relief from anxiety Lisa - Glad you are back. Being a really good Mother of one is much better than being a halfway Mother for 2. You've made a hard but wise decision Barbara12 - I'd much rather see you eat a few chips than gurgle water. That fill will kick in soon enough. Regarding the challenge: To each his own, but I appreciated Poodles sharing her personal plan. My personal challenge will be to: - Exercise 6 days a week. 30 minutes of my walking DVD in the morning and 15 minutes of dog walking or eliptical machine at night - 64 ounces of water (will be a challenge because of my tea habit) - Logging my food on fitday.com. I'm searching for a lifestyle plan. Anyone else out there have a plan they'd like to share. Remember it's your plan and you can change it at any time.