niecyrenee

Thanks! I appreciate it! I don't really know what I want to do at this point. I thought about starting m/e again but am not really that excited about it. :cry LC might be the way to go for a while. I need to give it some thought. Ugh! I am ready to see the scale moving down again.

Tann--I have been kinda going through a stall right now. I have taken a break from m/e and am now trying to decide what I want to do. What are you currently doing? Whatever it is, it works great for you. I know at one time you talked about drinking water in the mornings, then lunch and a lot of times a protein shake for supper. Am I remembering correctly? I am looking for new ideas cause I gotta get back on track.

What a fantastic idea!!! 17 pounds is definitely doable! I am on board! As soon as TOM leaves (and I get my fill tomorrow), I should be back on track. What do you think of a column for our current weight? I added it but feel free to delete it. After previewing my post, I noticed it deleted the spaces in the heading so I added periods to keep it all in line. July 4th Challenge Week 1 Name............Starting.......Current.....Goal....To Go Amy.............................................................17 Denise............. 298.............298........281.......17 Karey............................................................ Tann............... 236.............236........219.......17 Turner..........................................................17

Happy Tuesday to everyone! Work has been crazy and then my long weekend was jam packed with housework as well as fun things so I haven't been online for a while. Everyone is doing great! I love to come online and see those numbers dropping! Keep it up! I am currently enjoying twoterville very much and never plan to see 300 on a scale again!! I go to the doc on Friday and I hope to get a small fill. I have lost enough since my last fill that I am finding I can eat more than I want to so I decided instead of doing it all on my own, I will ask for a fill. I am very excited to get on the scale for him. Seems so odd, doesn't it? I have never been excited to get on the scale before but I can't wait to show him that not only have I went from the 400's to the 300's since November but I have now joined the 200's! I hope the rest of the month continues to go great for everyone! Since Memorial Day is gone, should we set a new goal? I know some have July 4th goals; should we all set one?

Oh, I have to share something so funny with you all! Just a little background info first. I work at USDA and in our building is three different agencies. We all have our own offices. I was in one of the other offices this morning chatting for a few minutes when one of the girls commented about how good I was looking. :omg: Blow me over! I am looking better but I wouldn't go so far as to say looking good but.... Anyway she commented on how my jeans are so big and she can't see how they are staying on me. I told her they barely were but I was being cheap and hadn't broke down and bought anymore yet since I just bought new, smaller jeans the day after Christmas. She was telling me that her and a couple girlfriends were going to have a yard sale soon and her friends would be selling some clothes. Then she looks at me and says, "Well, I don't think they will work for you, you're too small." Talk about shocker!!! ME, too small! :suspicious: I have never heard that before! :eek I thought about hugging her and dancing around the room! :dance: Dh tells me that I don't look what I weigh, thank goodness! Maybe he's just being nice. That aside, I have been getting several comments at work lately. It's enough to make a girl blush! In the past when someone makes a comment about how good I am looking I usually tell them to get their eyes checked :rofl: but maybe there is some truth to it. It's so hard to look positively when for so long, I haven't been happy with me.

Tann--Congrats! You know it's funny because I am just doing lc and giving my body a break from m/e and I too am doing well. I dropped one pound yesterday as well. Dh thinks I should take next week off as well. I may just do that. I haven't decided yet. It is nice to have more food options!

MourningFuneral--It's good to hear from you! I'm glad everything is going well. Congrats on the weightloss; that's fantastic! A little girl that will bring such joy to your life. I am so happy for you! Keep us posted on how everything is going. I can't wait to see pictures someday!

That's kinda what I've been thinking. I may need a break. I want so badly to make 290-295 by my next doctor's appt. of June 1st but who knows if I will reach that. I am seriously thinking about taking the rest of the week off. I think my body must need a break. Usually the first day or sometimes two after going off m/e puts on a pound or two but then when I get going on lc, it starts to come off again. Thanks for letting me know about your experience Tann because I was really wondering what in the heck I did wrong to have a gain.

Tann--you are doing amazing!:clap2: I am in awe! Congrats girl; keep it up! As for me, I have been a little down lately. I started back on m/e Sunday and it hasn't been good. Sunday and Monday I actually gained weight on m/e! :omg: Don't ask me how. I ate just like I'm supposed to; like I always do. It doesn't make sense to me. I did lose 1 lb. yesterday but I still have a few to lose to get back to my low. If I don't lose today I think I may take a break until next week and do lc. I'm confussed right now. Oh well, I have GOT to quit stressing about it. Why is it that I get depressed and not focus on how far I've have come and instead look at how far I have to go? UGH! :faint:

I can't edit so I'm adding this here: The pic is kinda blurry and I'm barely in twoterville but gosh darn it, I made it so I'm gonna shout it from the rooftops!!!!!

Everyone I would like to share a fantastic picture:photo: with you: I took this picture this morning. :dance: TWOTERVILLE!!!! :whoo: I can't hardly believe it!

Lee Ann--:hug: You have went through so much but you have proved yourself to be a strong women capable of handling whatever life throws your way. You are an inspiration! My story: I have been overweight my entire life. I can't ever remember being thin and the pictures confirm this. I was always teased as a child about being overweight and it hurt but I didn't ever know what to do about it. I was always an active kid/teenager. I played sports and often for fun, my friends and I would play volleyball, softball, etc. A lot of things that happened in my childhood had me feeling unworthy and therefore, I turned to food. My parents divorced when I was two and my dad never had time for us. He was rarely around and I saw my mom struggle to keep us going but she always did. She always sacrificed for my sister and I and I often felt quilty because she went without. I began worrying at a young age about money and such. My mom remarried when I was six but that isn't a happy story either. My then step-dad turned out to be one sick individual and thankfully when my mom found out, she divorced him quick. He sexually abused my sister for years and did it to me once when I was 13 and I told the world. I wanted him punished but the justice system isn't all it's cracked up to be. He admitted it but got a slap on the hands; nothing but probabtion. This began my lengthy bout with depression. The older I got, the deeper my depression got. I married my high school sweetheart when I was 19 and he was and is fantastic to me but I was never happy because I couldn't get passed my childhood. During my depression times, I ate and ate and ate. Anything to stop the pain. It never stopped the pain but it did pack on the pounds. Finally about 3 or 4 years ago, with a lot of help, my depression ended. I felt this huge weight lifted off my shoulders and I couldn't have done it without my wonderful hubby. Unfortunately, at this point, I had packed on a lot of weight and couldn't seem to get it off. I was so shocked when I went to the seminar that my doctor held because until that night, I had no idea I weighed as much as I did. It was an eye-opener. :cry To make a very long story somewhat short, I decided to get the band and got dh on board and it's the best decision I've ever made...well, short of marrying dh of course! I had to deal with what was going on inside of me before I could get serious about losing weight. I would never be able to do this if I was still battling depression. Best of luck to you and I'm sure whatever your journey brings you, you will be strong and come out a better person!

I hate the edit tool not working. I just realized I typed lose when I meant to put loss. :faint: What a pain.

Thank you everyone for the congrats! :hug: It feels so good to be able to say, I lost 100 lbs! And then I got the scale this morning and I weighed 302. :scales: 3 lbs. till twoterville!! YIPPEE!! :thumb: If I don't make it today, which may very well happen because losing 3 lbs. in one day is fairly normal for me on m/e, then I will stay on m/e tomorrow and I am certain I will make it! :biggrin1: I am always leary of saying I'm certain about something because that's when it doesn't happen but I do feel good about this one. This means if I reach 299 this week, I will have reached my Memorial Day goal a little over 2 weeks early! :rockon: What a rush! Tann--I know exactly what you mean about posting those before pics. Even though that's not where we are anymore, it's still hard to look at and let everyone see. Your DH is so right about encouraging others, and you are very good at it! :love: I hope you see a lose in the morning. Maybe it has stalled for a few days and you will get on tomorrow and you'll have a 4 lb. lose or something! That would be fantastic! A girl can always dream, right? Turner--Almost 50 lbs!!! :gluck: I'm sure you'll fill will help a lot and get those pounds coming off. Isn't TOM horrid! UGH! I will confess right along with you. While it was TOM for me, I ate ice cream...two days in a row! :faint: It's like I couldn't stop myself. It was so good but that really helped me in a way. It's funny because sometimes I get to where I just need something and if I eat a little (not exactly two days in a row but ya know) it helps me move on and not crave it. If I put it off and deny myself, I will eventually cave, BIG TIME. A little ice cream won't hurt us, it's the doing it everyday for a long period of time that does. Cdgmom--I hope vacation is going well! Dh and I's is the first week of July and it seems so long away. I can't wait! Just to get outta town to me sounds heavenly! Avilla--:huggie: How are things going girl? Any updates? We'll continue to pray for you. :pray: Teresita--Where are you hiding? :peep: I know work has been busy but I just wanted to say we miss you! How's everything going?

I am finally back at work and taking a few minutes to see how everyone is doing. The last several days have been really hard and still it doesn't seem real. :think Thanks everyone for your kind words. You know, I realized so many things during Jeff's funeral. For one thing, he had to have an oversized casket and at that they still have a hard time getting him in. When you looked up at him during the service, his stomach stuck out and I felt so quilty because I was sitting there thinking, "I am so glad I won't have to have an oversized casket". Losing Jeff really made things hit home. I am SO VERY PROUD of all of us for taking this step to improve ourselves. Tann--:love:I checked out your pics and all I can say is OH MY GOODNESS GIRL! :omg: You look absolutely amazing!! :wow2: You are doing so well! I am going to get real humble on you now....I finally made my 100 lbs!!!!! I haven't been doing m/e and with TOM being here, it slowed my weightloss down but I am pleased to finally be there!!!:humble:I feel confident that I will reach twoterville if not this week, next! I am so excited I can hardly stand it!! :clap2:

I have finally made it! I am now officially part of the 100 lbs. lost club!! WOOHOO!!!

Morning all. I wanted to do a quick check in and see how everyone is doing. Work has been busy so I haven't been on much lately. Guess I could get online at home but with so many other things to occupy my time, I don't do it. Well I am at a stand still right now. TOM has been visiting and because of that I've not been doing m/e. I always need something a little more during that time. More nutrients I guess. Anyway, TOM always puts a fast halt to my weightloss so I feel certain that after it leaves, my weightloss will resume. I wanted to share something with you all. I knew that you all would understand where I am coming from. Last night while I was cooking supper I received a call saying that they had just found a friend of dh and I's (Jeff) dead. I am struggling so much with this. Not only did I lose a friend (who was only 35!) but a fellow obese person. Knowing that my journey started at 405 lbs., I know that Jeff had to weigh in the upper 400's if not the low 500's. I have been so concerned for Jeff but he wasn't open to listening. He thought since he'd always been ok, that would continue, obese or not. Jeff's death is very hard on me. It has helped me remember why I had lapband surgery. Losing the weight and looking good is great but nothing can beat being healthy. I am so thankful for the journey that the Lord has given me the opportunity to take. I am afraid that if I hadn't changed my life, in no time at all I would be just where Jeff is today. I know that I grumble when I don't lose fast enough or if I hit a stand still but thank God I am losing. Losing Jeff has made me more determined to get this weight off so that I can live a LONG, happy life with my family and friends.

Turner--We have missed you too!:girl_hug: I'm glad you found a doctor who will do fills for you! As far as getting meat down, I don't have any problems BUT I am not at great restriction anymore either.:ermm I do have restriction obviously, but it's not where most people maintain. My weight loss has been good (due a lot to willpower) so the doc and I decided to hold off on a fill. I can eat anything. :kiss I have no problems getting anything down, I just choose not to for the most part. I like having the ability to eat anything, if I so choose, so I have opted to not get a tighter band. For me, knowing I have the capability to handle any food and still not doing it does a lot for my moral. I feel great about myself because for once in my life, I have control! I have always said that if my weightloss started to suffer, I would get another fill. :girl_hug: Since my weightloss hasn't been as good as it was,:pout:I plan to get a fill when I go back to the doctor June 1st. From the time when my restriction was "great", I can say that just follow the bandster rules. Some things won't work for you, so avoid them. Take small bites and chew, chew, chew. I also find that waiting a little between each bite helps a lot. I don't know what size of fills are normal for you to receive but maybe you don't need as large of a fill at once. My doc was giving me 1 cc fills but the last time I receive a 1 cc fill, I got too tight. He took out .5 cc and then later after I had lost some more weight, he added it back in. Smaller fills may be better for you then the larger ones. Something to consider...:girl_hug:

I have finally got around to posting pics. They are in the Before and After thread. I'd love to see others "in progress" pictures!

Thanks! Isn't it funny how losing weight not only makes us look thinner but also younger! Nice benefit I'd say!

Thank you! I can't believe the difference. I don't normally notice it about me but I can't deny the pics!

Morning all! Unfortunately, I didn't hit my 100 this weekend.:hurt That last pound just wants to hold on. :mmph: With m/e this week though, I plan to get it off for good (as well as a few more). Karey--How are you doing now? I hate to hear what you are going through. I hope everything turns out good. And...congrats on the four pounds!!! Cdgmom--:wave: It's good to hear from you! Let us know how m/e goes. Avilla--Your ticker is looking better and better!! Tann--Your post reminded me of the commitment I made to bootcamp. I said by Memorial Day I would be below 300 and I will! I have a few more to go to get there but I will work as hard as I can to achieve my goal and hopefully surpass it! :thumb: Thanks for the reminder!! I posted my before during pics on the Before and After page. :photo: Go check 'em out!! It doesn't dawn on me until I see those pics side by side.

I have avoided posting pics as I still hate the camera but decided at about 100 lbs. lost, it was time. So here goes... Front - Before and Today: Side - Before and Today: July 2007 Bandsters.doc

Hmm...it may take another fill to get you proper restriction. And sometimes people say they don't notice a big change for several days after a fill. I don't know why. I think I may still come to meetings in Columbia some. Probably over the summer. We will probably see each other there. The m/e diet is going fine. I did it for a few days this week but I am not going to do it again until probably Tuesday. I need time off it. It works good but gets old. I had thought I would stay on it until I got my 100 lbs. but I am at 99 lost so I decided to take a break.

Good morning! I wanted to make a quick post before I leave to go spend the day with my mom. Yesterday's menu: B - Hard boiled egg L - Grilled Chicken Breast (There's a horrible pattern going when it comes to my menu. No wonder I get bored. :nervous ) D - Taco By last night I was so tired of just meat that when dh said he would like tacos for supper, I caved. I must of not done too bad because this morning I was down 1 lb! Only one to go! :clap2: I hope everyone's Friday is wonderful!