OH Juli

TX, I can't do you justice with the animated gifs and video clips you do, but know I thought about it. QUITTING SMOKING IS FANTASTIC!!!!!! You should be so proud. It's a wonderful thing you've done for yourself!!! Biking will be easier too. But hey, if you start running we'll talk to you about that too. Rock on Chica!

BG, You run a 13 minute mile????? I'm so impressed! Really, that's amazing!!!! It will become easier, it will it will! You really are a rock star! I was eating a square of 70%+cocoa chocolate everyday back in Oct. but then I was eating more and more and more. So I had to put a stop to it. Now however it's creeping back in....with chocolate EVERYWHERE it's so are to resist. But I try. I like the idea of hot chocolate, SF. I have some I should give it a try.

You'll be what you think you'll be. So if you want to be slim, then think it, say it, write it down. You'll be slim one day.

I ran and live to tell the tale. It's actually fun and BG, I have a love for it like I do biking so it IS possible. It will happen for you. I too miss my bike. I went to the LBS today to get something snug to wear under my sweats I got a pair of long cycling pants without the ass pad. They were XL's not XXL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and they fit and they kept my legs warm on the run. Woo Hoo. I can wear them in the early spring for cycling and that's a sweet bonus. But while at the shop I asked the worker dude about trainers. Looks like it's just under $200 for a set up. I don't have that kind of cash flow...and B, I do a lot of spending to support the strategic goal of fitness/better life, so I get cha', but this chica is one broke mother and $200 is more than I can justify...so I just drool. Santa/SugarMomma would get it if I asked but I already asked for luggage and that supports another strategic goal for the year, which is traveling!!!!!!!!! ZZ, hope you're feeling better.

B You sound like you've seen the light. Good perspective. Good forward thinking. And it the nads hurt while riding, problem solve that...you know there's a solution. You da man. I'm now off to run in 34 degree weather. Wish me luck. I'm insane.

ZZ Get your head out of your ass. You had surgery to lose weight, for the love of god, why are you eating like you don't remember that? Write down what you eat! No excuses. If that's what it takes (and it does) for someone to lose weight, why are you resisting the 15 minutes-tops- a day it takes to do that?! How many calories in shit did you eat yesterday???? 2K???? Now, I'll spit your head out, because I just bit it off and I'll give you some kindness. The reality is you need to find a way to get some balance. There is room for chocolate in a banded person's life, but it's in a moderate, knowing what you are consuming way. How long ago did you try salad? Slow down and chew, chew, chew. I too have problems with lettuce and other veggies, but if I take my time I can get it in me. And please remember if you don't eat well, you won't feel well and if you don't feel well you won't exercise. and if you don't exercise you're not going to be more successful than the other 50% of banded people who are just average or below average losers. You are so much better than average. Love yourself, we love you. And please crawl up my ass with both feet when I need it. Which I'm sure I will! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX J

D Thanks for the shout out. I'm feeling pretty good about finally losing a few pounds. But as you can see I've eaten like shit so far today....I swear as soon as I feel like I'm in control something knocks me on my butt.

Ugh...how long were you running around over filled? I can actaully imagine how irritating that would be. Talk about effed up perspective. I ate only 1200 calories or fewer the last few days. It's not 11am and I've eaten nearly 900 already! Somebody stop me! Looks like I'm going to run/walk a full hour today....no little 30 minutes for me.

I saw my minus 100 pounds this weekend. I'm pretty stoked. Happy Holidays everyone.

anyone..........anyone......... hello...........

Sorry it's going so sucky for you. But it seems like you have the right perspective. Glad to be able to help.

TX, Thanks for the Dancing Grover. BG, Yeah the fill has me eating WAY less. As for the coworkers, darlin' you need to slap them around or something. They affect you so much. I'll be part of your posse if you want. Them Detroit bitches don't scare me.

Yeah, look at me, I'm a rock star! I'm so happy about losing the 100, I could scream. I was looking for one pound this morning and I had lost 2. That was quite a treat. Woo freaking hoo! Thanks D. Everyone on here is so good about noticing the details. It's very sweet.

Just another note, you'd be amazed at how little people really notice. I've acted like a kid who didn't like dinner, pushing things around my plate, buttering a role for many minutes with no intention of eating it.... That's when I'm eating with people. When I'm alone, I typically get up and do stuff while I eat. And I do try to stick to the 20 minute rule. If I've not eaten it in 20 minutes I wrap it up and eat it at my next snack/meal time.

Yo Julie, You're looking amazing. Thanks for all the inspiration.

yeah, the end of what you find on a pencil. However, as I'm eating that's a little smaller than I really go. My cube is smaller than a piece of bubble gum but bigger than a cranberry. Yeah, food will be cold....could be worse.

Could it be something else going on that you are atributing to the band? And yes, I've been super sad on days because of the how my life has changed. Food's role has changed for me and most of the time I see that as a good thing but there are days when I miss the comfort it could offer. The sadness will pass. Try to think of positive things that have changed for you. And see if there is something deeper going on that's making you sad too.

Think pencil eraser.

I saw 213 today!!!!!!!!! In January I started with my surgeon's nutritionist and the scale read 313. I've been at a stand still for a few weeks, but then I got a fill and got my eating back to about 1000 calories a day and at last lost 3 pounds to see my MINUS ONE HUNDRED today!!!! I'm so happy! I wonder if I can see 199 for the New Year...I'm going to try very hard!!! YIPPIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HP you look AWESOME!!!! Congrats on your award. Good job all around!

HP You are too kind to notice my one pound in 3 weeks. Holy cow, I wish it would move faster. I second BG's request for pictures!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll be taking my 9 mo pictures next weekend. I so want to be at 213 so I can say I've lost 100 pounds in '07!

Hi my people. I'm so stoked. I just learned that I will be off from school for SIX weeks! I start my MBA program in January, but the first session is only 3 weeks long so it starts at the end of the month, not at the beginning like I assumed. I've not been out of school more than 2 weeks at one time since I started back in January 2005!!!!!!!!!! This is going to be so sweet! Oh, and yesterday's fill went well. I've got some serious restriction, but I can eat if I'm careful. So let's hope this knocks off some weight! Happy Weekend, J

I've always been a list maker. Now I make one for cleaning little things, like organizing colsets, drawers and cabinets in the house. If I have a few minutes of bordom it's something small and productive. I work full time and am in school full time so there is nearly always something to do. Also I scrapbook. I've been straightening up my SB room so during the break from school I can attempt to get caught up! YIKES. Crafting and cleaning are two great options. As for exercise that's like sleeping and brushing my teeth. It's something I do automatically now, so I don't count it!

Dorr, Again not to hijack the thread, but your plan is a good one. I too know I can drop crazy weight without the band, but I also know I can gain it all back with interest if I don't do something different than I've done in the past. I fell that's really where having the band will be used. Mind you having it to lose is easier/better than doing it without... I'm just saying. As for the Atkin/South Beach, I'm not a fan of not eating fruits and veggies, so I'm more of a South Beacher...but I feel we all need to do what is best for us. This is such an individual journey.

SpecialK The 6 months seem daunting and I cried when I was told I needed to do it. I pouted and stomped my foot too. But if it is required of you try to find the blessing in it. You can take the time to better understand why you eat the way you do and prepare to say goodbye to food as it used to be. Or something like that...:girl_hug: I certainly resented the classes, but they ended and eventually I got the surgery and it all happened in good time. Glad to see your appointments went well. J