tammyj

Guns, I just noticed your signature and your surgery was the day before mine. Did you Dr. give you a time limit before starting stomach exercises?

As long as I do them on the exercise ball I feel fine. Maybe you can try the mini crunches like Juli mentioned...laying back and rolling back and forth on the ball (i think that's what she said...I've never tried it, but it sound like a good way to get those stomach muscles ready for crunches). Also, you may have to wait awhile to start crunches. I'm not sure when you had surgery, but it takes some people longer that others to completely heal especially in the port area.

Mary, that does seem strange that you had restriction before the fill and not now! Give it a few more days, you may be surprised. Hang in there! Wecome Back Guns!!! I do remember the name. I am an 80's child so I love Guns and Roses too! I can see how their music can get you pumped! :boxing:Sounds like you have a game plan and it is really paying off! Congratulations!!! Our challenges may not be much of a challenge for you! :biggrin1: Stick around and keep posting! Juli, You are on a roll! I need to keep up! I use the exercise ball for crunches and stretching. I avoid floor exercises, but I may eventually have to get down there to tone up my legs unless I find a better way to do them. Any ideas? Mrs. Husker, reading about your mother/daughter day made me feel a little mushy inside. I have 2 beautiful boys, but there's something extra special about a mother/daughter bond. My mother and I are best friends. For the past 4 years we have been going on a trip for Mother's Day. It's become sort of a tradition. This year it's Vegas! I get a little sad that I won't have anyone to share that with when I get older. It might not be so bad if I had a sister, but I don't have one of those either. My best friend and I have been friends for almost 20 years and we are very close so not all is lost! You are truly blessed! :love: late, I had something similar sticking out of my port scar. It was very little and it didn't bother me. It's gone now so I assumed it was a part of the suture that eventually dissolved. It sounds like yours is more noticeable. Let us know what your Dr says. I hope its nothing. No carbonation for me...I'm gassy enough! :biggrin1: Kyethra, I am glad you are doing better. You'll be back in the gym in no time! Hazelbunny, feel better soon and WOOOHOOOOO on the 6lb loss!!! :clap2: Sophie, Congrats on getting started on the workouts. It feels soooo good doesn't it!!! Sue, cleaning the bike with a baby wipe...they are so cute at that age! Thanks everyone for joining in on the challenge. If anyone has their own personal challenge they want to do like protein intake, 20min. exercise for beginners, or 1 hour workouts for the pros. Whatever it is, please add it to your signature. We'd love to follow your progress! Have a Great Weekend Marchies!!!

I'd be tickled too! AWESOME!!!

I found a really good BBQ sauce at the grocery store. It's KC Masterpiece Low Calorie Classic Blend only 10 cal for 2 Tbsp and no sugar and I can't tell a difference in the taste. It is sooooo good! Treat yourself to the brisket...it'll be OK. You probably won't eat near as much as you would have BEFORE being banded. Hey, at least its protein! :biggrin1:

I love Walk Away the Pounds...she talks a little too much, but it's a great workout especially if it's raining out!

We can only fit so many characters into our signature so these will work better. MaRcHiEs MaY ChaLLeNgE Exercise: 30 min. sessions 0 of 20 sessions completed Exercise: 40 min. sessions 0 of 20 sessions completed Exercise: 100 crunches/day 0 of 20 days completed Water: 64oz or more/day 0 of 20 days completed

It's almost May you guys! I thought of a few challenges we could do to give everyone some choices. If you would like to participate, cut and paste the title and whatever challenge you chose into your signature. I am chosing 30 min. exercise and 100 crunches. Make sure you check with your Dr. about the crunches. I've heard some say no crunches anywhere from 1 month to 3 months so check to be sure. Here they are... MaRcHiEs MaY ChaLLeNgE Exercise: 30 min. sessions 0 of 20 sessions completed Exercise: 40 min. sessions :welldone: 0 of 20 sessions completed Exercise: 100 crunches/day :waytogo: 0 of 20 days completed Water: 64oz or more/day:welldone2: 0 of 20 days completed

What's the zapped thing for chocolate? Have a good night!!! That's so weird! :biggrin1:

I know exactly how you feel! I had my first fill last Monday. I do feel some restriction, but not enough. Still able to eat quite a bit. I go back Monday 4/30 for my second fill so I'm hoping this will be the one. It may take a couple fills to reach your "sweet spot", so hang in there! Don't give up!

Josie, I am so glad you found out what the problem was and it can be easily resolved. Whew!!! I was getting a little worried about you! Sue, I think we're in the same boat. Not gaining is a GOOD thing! :thumb: LoriPA, WAY TO GO!!!

You know, I didn't take my measurements at all. I guess I should have done that before surgery. I took pictures, but not measurements. It's not too late since I have a long ways to go! :bored

I took phentermine for years to curb my appetite and was able to lose alot of weight each time. The only problem is once you stop taking them your appetite comes back and so does the weight. I have been pretty hungry lately and relying on will power right now (which is not great). I have some restriction but not enough. Luckily, I go back for fills every 2 weeks if needed, but for those who have to wait awhile between fills or even for the first fill it just might do the trick. I just read another thread and someone's Dr. actually prescribed phentermine to help him through "bandster hell". If your Dr. is pretty flexible he just might say YES! It's worth a try! I hear switching up your calorie intake from day to day or even going back to liquids for a couple days may jump start your weight loss again.

WAY TO GO SHEILA!!!!

TRACY, TRACY, TRACY...You have traveled a long road and I can't believe your day has finally come. It feels like I've been waiting with you! I am so happy for you! Good Luck tomorrow and I'll see you on the other side! :clap2:

Thank you everyone for all your encouragement. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!! :peace: I am feeling alot better now and those cravings seem to be gone! Weigh-in at the hospital last night and my weight is still the same. 252lbs! :paranoid I was losing consistently before my fill and now that I've had a fill...NOTHING! I am telling myself that is just water weight because it's that time of the month...at least I hope so! Aprilmarie, I just want to give you a big hug! :hug: You are such a sweet person and you deserve this! Things WILL get better and you WILL start losing. Stay Positive!

I am feeling so out of control. I had my first fill a week ago and I am doing worse now than before I had the fill. I have OK restriction and the band is working, but I am making horrible food choices. What is wrong with me!?!? I was following all the rules before, Protein first, then fruits and vegetables, etc. The past couple days I've thrown those rules out the window. My period is due in a couple days and I am not the PMSing type of woman...never have been! Or maybe I am and always used food to soothe and comfort me. I have eaten chocolate, cheetos, doritoes! Thank GOD my band IS there because I could only eat a little! I am very irritable! I've been snapping at eveybody and that is just not me! :think End of Vent Thanks for listening!

Good Morning Everyone! Medge, I did Water aerobics a few years ago when I was pregnant and I loved it! It is one of the easiest types of exercises you can do...at least I though so. Very easy on your joints and fun! I am thinking about doing it again this summer! Let us know how you liked it! Afrykan, I wouldn't worry about how you look. Try going to a gym and being surrounded by teeny tiny women and muscle bound men, cause I do it everyday. I walk in there like I'm the Queen of the world, like I've got diamonds between my legs, with my head held high! I do my workout and leave. I am there for ME and who cares about them! At least with water aerobics, once you drop your towel and jump in the water no one will even see your body. Give it a try! You can do it girl! MargAK and Janine, Hang in there! I've been in a bit of a slump as well! WE CAN DO THIS! BandStar, you are such a sweetheart and I love ya! Sue, thanks for the compliment! I feel pretty good and I do notice a difference in my clothes. I've lost 27 lbs last time I weighed-in. I weigh again tonight at the hospital so we'll see! Juli, I found Papaya Enzyme at GNC too. Have a Great Day Everyone!!!

I only use Tylenol myself. I'm not sure about Aleve, you may want to call your Dr. to be sure. There has to be something else you can take besides Tylenol.

We don't need to and I've seen other threads who don't, but I just go with what everyone seems to prefer. I think a fresh/shorter thread is easier for newcomers to jump right in and feel comfortable. A 200 page thread is alot different that than a 27 page thread if you are new or if you haven't been here in awhile.

Hey Sue...it's good to hear you're feeling pretty good! May 9th is not very far away. Hang in there! Yes, where is Pam? She hasn't posted in awhile. Maybe we will talk her up!

BandSTAR...you know you're my favorite dude here right! We've missed you around here, but I'm glad you came to us for support because that's what we are here for. I know it's frustrating right now, but you DID NOT make a mistake. Most of us have a hard time with eating prior to getting filled so you are not alone. Your Dr. should have been prepared for you instead of wasting your time. Have you been scheduled for a fill at the hospital yet? Hang in there...it will get better!

WOW...a 1 hour hike!!! YOU GO GIRL!!! That is AWESOME! Send some of that energy my way...lol! Since we all will be at least one month out when May gets here, I think an exercise challenge is in order. I will post details by the end of the week.

I'm liking March into May as well. So far, 1 vote for Marchies in May and 1 vote for March into May.

Oh Sugarbear, I can really feel your frustration. I really hope your second fill will give you some restriction. This is only temporary and your losing days will come! Hang in there!