OH Juli

Awe shucks. I started pretty high. Not that I'm not proud...I was happy as could be to see the 100+ in less than a year, but now I need to focus on the what's left to lose. Actually there's been a shift in my thinking from counting pounds lost to really working on what's left to accomplish. The band is a fantastic tool!

I have Running for Women too. I'll have to check out more books.

ZZ, Bitch, get your ass in gear! Get moving. Don't make me come get you. How are you going to Goddess your way into spring if you sit on your ass on winter. Hup, hup...get a move on. Hugs and Kisses.

Bump, bump it up.

Good luck. I thought there'd be better turn out for the January Vegas thing and there just isn't. I know you have a different vision and that's fantastic...but if I had to speculate on why responses are low it is because people get caught up in daily living after having the band a few months and just aren't inclined to do a big in depth event. I know GBers are very into creating networks and socializing. Are banded people just more independent?

Good luck with the Boobwork too! I was wondering about the girls and what you were going to do. Like I have any real business wondering about your boobies, but you know, curiosity is what it is. Thanks for your candor.

Mrs H- You will do it!!!!!!! Great Job with the weight loss!

I'm going to cycle a century (100 miles) before May. I'm running my first 5K in February. In August I have a MuddyBuddy event with a Babygirl 2007 Muddy Buddy Ride & Run in Chicago. After that I have no idea what I will do/train for. But that's enough for now.

BG, You're amazing. Of course I've been trying to keep up with you...I've agreed to the Muddy Buddy and everything, but there's no tri atha nothing in my future. I will however, be your cheerleader!!!! I like the idea of running long...and tomorrow is my outside day, so it's always easier to run longer outside...it's not nearly as boring. I'm trying to get one outside run per week right now. There will be more as we get closer to February 17th.

Dorr, Thanks for posting your picture. You'll do really well with the procedure.

So, wait, you're saying just run longer on the days I run? I think I can do that. I mean right now the goal is to lengthen the time I'm running. The cardio-calestenic (sp?!) days I burn fewer calories so was thinking I need to add more to those days. But perhaps I should just get my ass on the elyptical trainer for a piece of time on those days? I love that you are well read...it saves me from having to read. Keep giving me advice. I appreciate it.

Well right now I run 3 days and do the cardio/calestenic thing 3 days. When I run, I'm on the treadmill for 30 minutes, I run for 3 6 minutes chunks and walk otherwise. I'm working toward running the whole 30 minutes. I just want to burn more calories... I want my bike, sniff....boo hoo....(pouting and foot stomping)

Good Monday morning my people. I think I'm going to shoot for running 5 days instead of 3. I need to burn more calories.

MYOB, is about all I can say. Worry about yourself and other people will come to you if they need your opinions.

Not pregnant, but congratulations!!!!

I love all the exercise mojo! I'm thinking about joining the gym I used to belong to so I can catch a class or two a week. My schedule is such that I can't do something regular... Anyway, Spinning is supposed to be fantasic for carido and for keeping your biking legs in the cold weather.

I love all the exercise mojo! I'm thinking about joining the gym I used

I get coworkers giving me props all the time...but yesterday was the best one yet. I work at the state Deaf school. A high school boy who was hit by some real personal tragedy this year (brother committed suicide) has been walking around with his head bowed and really not communicating much. Well, yesterday he stopped me when no one was looking to say, "Noticed you've lost a lot weight, you look really great." I said, "Wow, thanks. I've been working hard." He said, "Great job" and "keep it up!” I got a huge smile from him too. You know most kids are pretty self absorbed. I’ve had one chubby girl ask me what I was doing. I’ve had one sweetheart girl give me a huge hug and wow. I’ve had two gay boys, essentially say, “look at you!” But this boy has more reason than most not to be bothered with adults like me...so it just took me by surprise. His encouragement was so meaningful too. I’m really awestruck at how much people around me are cheering me on. And really there are some great kids out there, don't you think?

doin' the bump

I've lost over 100 pounds in 11 months. That's a hair over 2 pounds a week...I've had long plateaus. I've dropped quickly at times too. But that's a decent rate if you ask me. Think about how committed you are to living healthier. If you believe you can eat well and exercise then the band will help you. If you don't think you can control what you eat nor want to exercise than go with GB, because regardless of how you eat or inert you are with that you will lose weight. With the lapband, you need to do your part. Are you up for it?

My surgeon pushed for GB, he said that he can better control the out come of his patient's success if they do that GB and not Lapband. The man has an ego. But on the other hand, he calls me his rock star and said I'm the perfect personality type for the lapband, after the fact. He still contends that 90% of people who need WLS will do better with GB than lapband.

B Sounds like you're a man in love with your new toy! Good for you...I'm so jealous. BG My new personal hero. You ran 6 miles?! I'm soooooooooo impressed. That's quite a feat! You've got to tell us how many calories the BB said you burned! Xo

Get thee to a gym and put some weights in your hands. Anything with your core, over head, pec flyes, push ups, pull ups, rows, lats will all work your back as well as the other pieces of your body. Cardio is great for weight loss but strength training will change the shape of your body under your fat and when your fat melts off or when your skin gets surgecally removed, you'll have that super star shape. If you are already working out, get someone who knows what they're talking about to up your routine.

One square of dark chocolate in is about 55 calories. I'm talking about hershey's or gheridelli in the little bag.. (forgive the spelling error, but I don't want to look it up.) I know that's vague, but I had a period where I was eating a square every night. Just one and it was delightful. It kept me from eating other junk during the day too, knowing I had some good chocolate at home.

Just to underscore BG's point. When we met in August, my GF saw her and said, "why'd she get the band, she's small." or something to that... I said, "well she got banded in February, and that's the point. Stacy's lost weight. " The next thing I know I tell Stacy and she's all over Alison...lol. Really, as I recall Stacy, you grinned! And said you've not been called small... But girl you're speaking the truth. When you contrast our past with our now or even our futures, people are so used to us taking up a certain kind of space. Seeing us in a different light, and sometime seeing ourselves differently, is really hard. Things to think on.