Saraboo

I don't see why you couldn't. What is your running program?

Sometimes I do cardio first, sometimes I do weights first. It just depends on my mood, and how much time I have. I work out pretty regularly, I have since I originally got my Lap Band in 2009 Sent from my iPhone using VST

How is everyone doing with their squats? Sent from my iPhone using VST

You absolutely can join in! I'm on day 5. I started at 10 squats one day one, and I am going up by 10 every day. You can alter it to whatever your skill level is. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm doing just body weight right now. I want to work up to weighted ones, or kettle bell squats Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm going up by 10 squats per day, so by the time the 30 days is done, I will be at 230. But, in order for me to not burn myself out on them, I am splitting them up. How I split them up depends on if I'm running late in the morning or not, lol. If I'm running late, I'll do them at various intervals throughout the day. Like today, I'm doing some every time I go to use the restroom.

The original challenge starts with 50 squats. I'm personally starting at 10 and you go up in number everyday. So mine goes 10,20,30 a rest day, 40,50,60, a rest day and so on. When I get home tonight, I'll try to repost the full thing. Sent from my iPhone using VST

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/07/08/why-you-need-squats-in-your-workout-and-how-to-do-them-right/ That's a pretty good blog, and there's good information on squats in taht link. there's also a video on how to do a proper squat

Excuse the butt in the picture, lol. That's the basis though for the challenge Sent from my iPhone using VST

I'm starting at 10 for the first day, so two sets of 5, and going up 5 per set each day. I don't think that there is any problem splitting them into 3 sets. Once I start hitting higher numbers i will probably start splitting them into more sets. Sent from my iPhone using VST

I think kettle bell squats definitely count. Just adapt it to your abilities number wise. I'm even splitting up the ones I'm doing, half in the morning, half at night Sent from my iPhone using VST

Woo! Just found out that my paperwork will be submitted to insurance this week, and then I should know 1-2 weeks after that if I'm approved or not. I don't see any reason why I wouldn't be approved. I'm going for a revision after a lap band slip, and I did excellent with the band. With the band I lost 110 lbs, and since it's been disconnected I have regained it all back plus some. The surgeon thinks taht I'm an excellent candidate,.

I don't see the past few years as a waste. More of, I will appreciate it even more. All the little things like crossing my legs, bending over to tie my shoes, being able to go on hikes with out slowing everyone down. And oh yea, not throwing up/ sliming/ getting stuck everyday! Even though My band is disconnected, my stomach will act up as if I still have a slipped band. My surgeon said it is probably scar tissue :/ Sent from my iPhone using VST

I have to say, I miss being "skinny". I was down to a 14/16 in pants and a 12/14 in dresses and skirts. I had so much more energy. At least now I know what I'm aiming for. And I can't wait to get back in to mud runs. My port gets in the way right now. I've gotten some gnarly bruises from it.

Feeling the need to vent a little bit. Currently in the process of going through all the pre-op steps to be revised from the Lap-Band to the Sleeve. I'm hoping that everything will be sent over to insurance this week- not really thinking there's going to be any issues on that front. In an effort to hopefully get a head start on everything, and maybe get a sooner surgery date, I started the pre-op diet on my own, since my surgeon's requirements are 4-6 weeks, 2 shakes a day, with one meal of 4-6 oz lean protein and a leafy vegetable. I haven't been as strict on it as I could be, due to the fact that I decided to do this on my own, and I will have a small bite here or there. Overall, my willpower is pretty strong. However, there are times when my will power fades, and, like this afternoon, I couldn't say no to the see's candy. I ate 3 pieces, and I am fine with that. I track everything I eat with myfitnesspal, whether I cheat or not. My frustration comes from my best friend. She is one f my biggest supporters through this, pushes me to do things I wouldn't do on my own, will hold back for me if I can't do something, and helps hold me accountable for my actions. But, she's never struggled with her weight. She has no problem turning food down, and can get full off 1/4 of a sandwich sometimes. She doesn't understand how hard it can be to say no sometimes. She's on myfitnesspal too, and i have it set so that friends can see what I eat, in another effort to hold myself accountable for what I'm eating. She doesn't get why I can't just say no sometimes. Her comment today was, just because you took it, doesn't mean you have to eat it. Nobody forced you to put that in your mouth. That's true. I know it's true. But sometimes it seems impossible to say no, especially when people at work keep it in your face all day. There is literally something new every single day. Ugh, ok, I just needed to vent some to people who understand what it's like.

The thing is, right now, she doesn't really have a vice. She works out, works on her house that she bought over the summer, and right now has a pretty boring diet. The only thing she really spends money on is flying back east to visit her boyfriend who is out there for a year for work, and she saves up to do that. She goes out to dinner every wed with some old friends, but that's not something she has to do. If she doesn't feel like going, she doesn't go. I think the only other thing she spends money on is Protein Powder and stuff for the gym.

That's part of the reason I do it. I know if I don't, I have the tendancy to just kind of give up. I'm def in the catergory of yo-yo dieter. I have done the extreme juice diets, weight watchers- 3 times!- I've counted calories, counted Protein, I exercise, I stay active for the most part, but It's not something that I can do on my own. One of my biggest problems is that I am constantly hungry. I can eat, and 20 mins later my body will be telling me to feed it. It doesn't help that I went to culinary school, and I love to experiment with new recipes. And food is always on my mind. It's tough. And I am very thankful that there are people that understand what I'm going through. Don't get me wrong, besides my mom, she is my biggest supporter. And I am very thankful that she's by my side to make sure when I want to give up, she's always there to push me.

Hi everyone. I've been lurking through the threads for awhile now, but this is my first post here. I am currently going through the process of trying to get my Lap Band revised to the sleeve. I did awesome with the band- I was down 110 pounds until my band slipped and I had to have it unfilled, and then ended up having it surgically disconnected. So, technically I still have it, but it has been just chilling there since June of 2011. Since then, not only have I gained back what I lost, but I gained back an extra 25 on top to bring me to my highest weight ever. I have lost a few pounds in my own by counting calories and working out, but I can only track for so long before I start getting lazy with it. As of right now, I have done all of the pre op stuff my surgeon asked for- endoscopy, upper gi, chest X-ray, EKG, and clearance from my PCP. now, all I'm waiting for are the results from the chest X-ray to be sent to the surgeon, and to get a copy of my previous surgery report. When they gave me my pre op check list they also gave me a packet about the pre op diet that is 2 shakes a day and one small meal of Protein and leafy vegetables for 4-6 weeks. Unfortunately, they didn't tell me if I was supposed to start it yet, so I'm being proactive and starting it on my own tomorrow. I will be following up with the surgeons office later this week, and hopefully I will know more soon. So ready to get this band out!

Ok, for those of you who can eat Pasta this is a yummy way to get your mac and cheese fix...The recipes makes four servings of a side dish. Though my family got like 8 servings out of it, lol. It's also good with chicken added in for a little extra Protein. macaroni and Cheese with A Crusty Crunch Makes 4 servings Nonstick cooking spray 4 ounces whole wheat elbow macaroni 1/2 cup Onion-Garlic Puree (see note) 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard Pinch of cayenne pepper 1 cup shredded 50 percent reduced-fat cheddar 1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt Salt to taste 1/4 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with cooking spray; set it aside. 2. Bring a large pot of salted Water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions, 7-9 minutes; drain. 3. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the Onion-Garlic Puree, mustard and cayenne to a simmer, stirring often. Whisk in the cheddar until it has melted. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the yogurt. 4. In a medium bowl, toss the cooked macaroni with the cheese sauce to coat thoroughly. Season with salt to taste. Pour the macaroni into the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle the panko over the top. Top with the Parmigiano-Reggiano. 5. Bake until the cheese has melted and the macaroni is hot throughout, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately. Note: Onion Garlic Puree: Roughly chop 1 large Vidalia onion and 9 garlic cloves. Place the onion, garlic and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, venting slightly, and microwave on high for 10 minutes. Pour the mixture into a blender and blend until it is completely smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours. From "Now Eat This! 150 of America's Favorite Comfort Foods All Under 350 Calories" (Ballantine books, $22). Tested by Susan M. Selasky for the Free Press Test Kitchen. 227 calories (26 percent from fat ), 7 grams fat (2 grams sat. fat ), 29 grams carbohydrates, 16 grams protein, 487 mg sodium, 20 mg cholesterol, 3 grams Fiber .

Thankfully my Dr is pretty awesome, and hasn't been charging me. For the surgery I have to pay for teh anesthiologist, and equipment, but not for anything else. I'm not really in much pain, just sore. And yes, he was able to just unhook the band so taht after I get insurance again and my stomach heals, he'll be able to just re-connect it together.

Back in September that is what my Dr did. Just be careful what you eat because it is so easy to gain the weight back. Remember to take it easy. I ended up having my band slip again recetly-my fault, not the Dr's or the band. I kept it too tight. I had to have surgery yesterday and my band is now unhooked so I'll be living band free for awhile. Just take it easy and rememebr to eat by the same rules, and you should be good. And yes, if the slip is small nough, it can fix itself.

Just letting you all know, I had surgery yesterday. My Dr went in and unhooked my band, so I will be living bandless until my stomach heals up and I get insurance again. It's going to be a rough couple months. As for the ex, I have my restraining order, and he's still in jail. It was the first time he ever did anything like that, and I got out of there as soon as I could. I am following through with it, and the only time I ever plan on seeing him again is in court. On another not, when I weighed in before surgery yesterday, i was holding steady at 193 which means by the Dr's scale I didn't gain any while I had no fill in my band, yay!

So, here's anoyher update. Yesterday, my Dr went in and completely unhooked my band. It's still htere but until I get insurance again, and my stomach is all healed up i'll be living as if I don't have one. I'm scared that I'm going to gain back a ton of weight. I'm not in too much pain, which is a good thing, but I am definitely sore.

Jaon, I have a slip. Well, we're 90% sure of it, but it has been such a hassel to get my upper gi done. I have no restriction and most of the time I can't keep anything down. I went to the er for an emergency upper gi, and they refused it. That dr is being reported to the medical board, and because of otehr thangs that have happened, my DR is just going to go ahead with teh surgery. He's been my dr from teh beginning, and I have had a slight slip in the past. I think it's a slip. I just have to take each day as it comes. As for the now ex boyfriend, yes he is definitely an ex now. I have court in the morning for my temporary restraining order, and he's being charged with 3 felonies.