tonya66

Wt 168.8 Weight going down again. I'm doing my cleanse, and it is working! I am eating a little, I had a good salad last night and added a boiled egg to it so I could get more protein. yum. Exercise - NOTTA, I suck! I didn't even try to get up today. However, I did bring my sneakers to work and I am planning on going down to the gyn and get on the bike for 15 to 20 minuites. I've got to start somewhere. ****UPDATE***** I went down to the gym at work, I did 15 min on the recumbant bike, I even worked up a little sweat. I also did 3 sets of 15 on the leg press. My weights were 30, 40, 50lbs 3 sets of 15 on the hamstring seated leg curl - 20lbs each I will go down again at 3:00 and do the bike again, and maybe add some situps or some type of ab exercise! I know 15 min on the bike is not much, but I'm trying to just start somewhere, fake it until I make it!

Band type 4cc band 10cm Surgery date 1/18/07 Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's) Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more! Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter. Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince 11/23/07 - Unfill - Got unfill and because of the swelling and all the PBing, doc took my fill down to 3.0cc's. NO RESTRICTION AGAIN Fill #8 - Scheduled for 1/18/07 - and man do I need it! So hungry and no restriction. Fighting hard to eat right and make good choices.

Thanks, I will....

Tami - What a great NSV!

Oh I totally agree! What works for someone else, might not work for you, etc. Some love to run, I hate to run, some love swimming, I hate swimming. Some of us are at 1.5ccs and have total restriction, I'm at 3.0ccs and feel NOTHING. Its a struggle for all of us, and we all have to decide what works best for us, whats best for our health, and what we can live with long term. Everyone has their own opinions, but in the end, its up to each of us to decide what we need to do. Your right, its a learning process for each of. I'm still learning everyday about my band. I finally learned, what someone else feels, and what I feel is not the same. I have to ultimately decide when I have restriction based on what I feel, and not what someone else feels. Something new I learned.

I was out searchig info on Quickslim30, and I saw your pictures on the Quickslim30.com website. Anyhow, I just started my 2nd bottle, so I'm good. But I think I do want to order some patches in a few weeks, I'll probably be ready to order another bottle of Quickslim too.

I guess the proof is in the pudding....my cholesteral WENT DOWN, NOT UP. So I do not believe this statement from the "Anti Low Carb" medical profession. Its insane to me WHY the doctors keep pushing people to just diet & exercise, eat low fat, etc etc etc. When Americans are fatter than ever. What we are doing as Americans, ITS NOT WORKING! I do totally believe in all carbs are not created equal. Eating good carbs vs. bad carbs. I eat my veggies and I eat my fruit, I just chose berries over pinapple. Anyhow, as I mentioned, the debate is a long argument their are pros & cons. I lived it, and I know how I felt. Yes, I did feel tired in the beginning, just like I did with any diet. But that was short lived, my energy came bouncing back like a fire cracker. Everyone has to decide what works for them, whats best for them, etc. I've chose the lapband to help me control my amount of eating. I always lost a lot of weight with Atkins, but I finally realized after 5 years of Atkins and switching over to the Lap Band, that calories do count. Its not all about carbs/protein, etc. We have to consume less calories. Now that I've learned this, and this is for life. I am eating, I don't feel deprived, and I'm successful. Some chose to follow WW program, others chose Atkins, my doc recommends South Beach. I just try and watch what I'm eating and track my calories. There are many studies that go against the docs you quoted, so who do you believe? I just know what I experienced.

Band type 4cc band 10cm Surgery date 1/18/07 Fill #1 - 3/6/07 - 2.2cc's Fill #2 - 4/17/07 - 3.0cc's Fill #3 - 7/6/07 - 3.5 cc's (I think it was only 2.5cc's because when I went back for fill #4, he could only w/draw 1.8 cc's) Fill #4 - 7/20/07 - filled me back to 3.0 ccs - He should have filled me more! Fill #5 - 8/17/07 - 3.4cc's Fill #6 - 10/08/07 - filled me to 3.8cc's - the restriction I've ever had,but still could eat big bites of food, so I figured I needed to be tighter. Fill #7 - 11/21/07 filled to 4.0 cc's. By the evening could not hold anything down, not even my saliva. PBing all night - horrilble experieince 11/23/07 - Unfill - Got unfill and because of the swelling and all the PBing, doc took my fill down to 3.0cc's. NO RESTRICTION AGAIN Fill #8 - Scheduled for 1/18/07 - and man do I need it! So hungry and no restriction. Fighting hard to eat right and make good choices.

Gummiebear - thats good, you also are teaching your kids the benefit of exercise!

Staying motivated to lose weight and exercise is tough. In fact, the hardest part, according to my latest unscientific testing (i.e., asking friends, clients and family), is usually getting started. "I'm just not motivated," my clients say. We make plans to exercise but, when it comes time to do it, we find a hundred other things we suddenly must do (exercise while my sock drawer is in such chaos? Ridiculous!). So, why does exercise seem great until we actually have to do it? Perhaps you think it's lack of motivation that makes it so hard to get started. If that's true, maybe we need to figure out just what motivation is. Is it a feeling? An action? Or a little bit of both? What is Motivation? Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines motivation as "that which gives purpose and direction to behavior." By that definition, we're looking for something to drive us to exercise, something to get us moving. So where does that 'something' come from? For some people, like athletes, it may come from the desire to compete and to win. For others, it may come from a desire to be healthy or live longer for their kids. For most, losing weight is often the goal. But is that enough to motivate us? Judging from our obesity problems, that would be a no. The problem with motivation is that many of us believe it's something that will come to us if we wait long enough...that someday we'll wake up and finally want to exercise. Rather than believe in that fantasy, maybe we'd all be better off by realizing that motivation is something we create, not something we wait for. Is it Possible to Get Excited About Exercise? When do you get excited about exercise? For me, it's usually right after I've made the decision to do it at some future time. Just deciding to exercise makes me feel good...almost like I've already done something. The problem happens when it comes time to follow through and my motivation has suddenly disappeared. If that sounds like you, maybe it's time to focus your attention on what's important. Deciding to exercise is important, but it's what you do to follow through that really matters. Redefining Motivation I believe motivation comes from different places -- it's not based on how we feel or even something we have to wait around for. It's something we create for ourselves. Use the following elements to create your own motivation, and you'll find that exercising will be easier. Goals You already know that the first step in motivating yourself is having something to work for. It doesn't matter whether that's a weight loss goal or a goal to run a marathon -- anything that gives you reason to exercise will work. And don't think you have to set only one goal. You can set as many goals as you like, whenever you like. Set daily goals (I'll walk for 20 minutes today), weekly goals (I'll get a minimum of 3 workouts in), or even hourly goals (I'll get up every 45 minutes and walk around the building). Always having something to work for, big or small, is just one way to keep yourself going. Preparation Once you've decided to exercise, make it as easy as possible to follow through. That means having what you need and getting it all ready for your workouts -- pack your gym bag, prepare meals or Snacks, and plan out what you'll do that day. I've skipped plenty of morning workouts because finding my running shoes turned out the be the equivalent of finding the lost city of Atlantis. I now park them right next to the bed, unlaced, so all I have to do is step into them and I'm ready to go. Find ways you can be ready for your workout well before it happens. Discipline Part of doing what we do each day has to do with routine and habits. If you can make exercise a habit, you're that much closer to making it easier to do. It helps to have a regular day and time you workout so that, once that time comes, you know it's time to get busy. You can also create a ritual around your workout to help you get ready. For example, if you're a morning exerciser, take a few minutes to stretch before you get started. Or, if it's cold, throw your clothes in the dryer before putting them on. Find ways to make your workout just another part of your life, like brushing your teeth. Flexibility Part of being able to stick to your routine is allowing some leeway. You may plan on jogging 5 miles, but there will come a day when you're too tired or you don't have the time. Most of us end up skipping our workouts rather than coming up with something else to do. Have a goal in mind, but be willing to change it if you find you're tired that day or you have to work late. Always have a backup plan -- if you find you have to work late, see if you can fit in a quick walk at lunch, or use your breaks for some stair walking. Everything counts! Commitment Being healthy isn't a decision you make once -- it's one you make every day. Recommitting to your goals is necessary to keep yourself on track. See if you can spend a few minutes each morning thinking or writing about what you want to accomplish that day and how you'll do it. Remind yourself of your goals and take some time to appreciate how far you've come in reaching them. Write down your goals and stick them on your desk or wall so you can see them. Do whatever you can to remind yourself of your commitment to exercise. Having Fun All those words I've just used (preparation, discipline, commitment) sound like the opposite of fun, don't they? If you're like me, you sometimes get tired of being so mature all the time -- of all the obligations and responsibilities you have. Exercise often sounds like just another duty. We forget that moving our bodies can actually be fun. Making time for unstructured, free-flowing movement can help you lighten up a little. I highly recommend taking a stroll, jumping in a big pile of leaves or challenging your loved on to a wrestling match. Reward Yourself I find that motivation happens almost instantly whenever I reward myself. It might be something small, like a leisurely trip to the bookstore, or something big, like a massage. Check out Spa Wish to purchase your own massage gift certificate -- but don't allow yourself to use it until you finish all of your workouts! In thinking about it, I've found that what motivates me changes from day to day -- what got me moving today may not do a darned thing tomorrow. If that's true for you, that means digging deep to find that thing -- that thought, feeling, goal, reward -- that gets you moving. Make motivation easier by eliminating your excuses before they happen. But, most of all, realize that this motivation thing gets easier with practice. When you exercise consistently, you gradually fill your motivational stores as you understand what makes you tick and what gets you moving. The more you practice, the better you'll get. You'll realize your actions are what generates that feeling you've been searching for -- motivation.

PS - I will cry too when I get to an 8! I did shed a tear when I got into the 180's because I had tried for years and never could get out of the 190's. The Band gives us lots of emotional ups & downs!

I agree with Jack - I bought 6 pairs of capris in a size 14 this summer for my cruise. By the time the cruise came around, they were all too big! I've started shopping EBAY, and thrift stores to hold me over on clothes until I reach my goal weight. Every pound I lose now makes a big difference in my clothes. I recently bought a cute top and pair of pants in a size 10 off ebay for 99 cents each. Shipping was 5.50 so I spent a total of $7.48 for an entire outfit, and the shirt still had the tags on it! I'm addicted to Ebay now. I can't wait to move down to my ultimate goal of a size 8!

Here is what I do, I stay away from carbs - higher carbs. Just eat lean meat - I don't do much fat, but others do. If you just watch your carbs, you will be doing a ketosis diet. Atkins recomments no more than 20 carbs for 2 weeks for the induction period, then you increase it. I find this a little hard to follow, although I have. I stick to about 40 to 50 carbs per day when I'm exercising, this gives me a little added energy. But most of the diets recommend 30 carbs or less a day. Just eat meat & veggies and you will be doing low carb. Stay away from potatoes, bread, pastas, sugar for sure, and pretty much anything white. lol.

I'm a big cruiser. I went on a cruise in August, I was worried about it too. I found I could eat anything, just not as much. I ate Lobster, but this time instead of 2 or 3 lobsters, I was only able to eat one. Also, I did have dessert, but again, instead of 2 or 3, I only had 1, or 1/2 one, split it with my DH. I had no problem with motion sickness. I would take a few cans of pinapple juice with you - just in case you get something stuck, this will help you. I took some with me, but didn't have to use it. I know the ship usually has pinapple juice, but I wanted to make sure I had some in my room, just in case. I've got my next cruise already booked and I leave June 29, 2008.

Sherilynn - just letting you know I'm thinking of you..... Maria - I know, I have to get over my laziness! I know what I need to do, I just need to do it! What is metformin? I think my mom takes it for diabetes, but can't remember exactly.

My favorite things: My Kippy belt - I can wear it now that I've lost weight, I love it and it has so much bling bling to it. My Cruel girl jeans - low rise hipster, I can wear them now that I have the Lap Band I love the Elliptical machine, it has helped me lose weight, burns calories, and just makes me feel good when I'm on it. My favorite quick meal on the run - Edamame Beans - soy beans, just 1/2 cup contains 10 G Protein. Great snack and filling. My favorite website - Of course LBT.com. I love journaling too, I keep my journal right here on the website. My favorite body feature, my colar bones, its just been so long since I've seen them, now I can't quit feeling them. I love the fact that I have them, also my wrist are so tiny, people comment on how tiny they are all the time. I've NEVER in my life had anything on my entire body be called "tiny". I love the fact that I weigh less than my husband, this is a big favorite of mine. I've never weighed less then him. I love the fact he can pick me up now and carry me. I feel like a real woman! These are just a few of my favorites since the LapBand. I have many others.

What are ketones? Ketones are a normal and efficient source of fuel and energy for the human body. They are produced by the liver from fatty acids, which result from the breakdown of body fat in response to the absence of glucose/sugar. In a ketogenic diet, such as Atkins ... or diets used for treating epilepsy in children, the tiny amounts of glucose required for some select functions can be met by consuming a minimum amount of carbs - or can be manufactured in the liver from Protein. When your body is producing ketones, and using them for fuel, this is called "ketosis". How will ketosis help me to lose weight? Most reducing diets restrict calorie intake, so you lose weight but some of that is fat and some of it is lean muscle tissue as well. Less muscle means slowed metabolism, which makes losing weight more difficult and gaining it back all too easy. Ketosis will help you to lose FAT. Being in ketosis means that your body's primary source of energy is fat (in the form of ketones). When you consume adequate protein as well, there's no need for the body to break down its muscle tissue. Ketosis also tends to accelerate fat loss --- once the liver converts fat to ketones, it can't be converted back to fat, and so is excreted. But, isn't ketosis dangerous? Being in ketosis by following a low carbohydrate diet is NOT dangerous. The human body was designed to use ketones very efficiently as fuel in the absence of glucose. However, the word ketosis is often confused with a similar word, ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous condition for diabetics, and the main element is ACID not ketones. The blood pH becomes dangerously acidic because of an extremely high blood SUGAR level (the diabetic has no insulin, or doesn't respond to insulin .... so blood sugar rises ... ketones are produced by the body to provide the fuel necessary for life, since the cells can't use the sugar). It's the high blood sugar, and the acid condition that is so dangerous. Ketones just happen to be a part of the picture, and are a RESULT of the condition, not the CAUSE. Diabetics can safely follow a ketogenic diet to lose fat weight ... but they must be closely monitored by their health care provider, and blood sugars need to be kept low, and stable. How do the ketone test strips work, and where can I get them? Ketone urine-testing strips, also called Ketostix or just ketone sticks ... are small plastic strips that have a little absorptive pad on the end. This contains a special chemical that will change colour in the presence of ketones in the urine. The strips may change varying shades of pink to purple, or may not change colour at all. The container will have a scale on the label, with blocks of colour for you to compare the strip after a certain time lapse, usually 15 seconds. Most folks simply hold a strip in the flow of urine. Other folks argue that the force of the flow can "wash" some of the chemical away, and advise that a sample of urine be obtained in a cup or other container, then the strip dipped into it. The chemical reagent is very sensitive to moisture, including what's in the air. It's important to keep the lid of the container tightly closed at all times, except for when you're getting a strip to take a reading. Make sure your fingers are dry before you go digging in! They also have an expiry date, so make note of this when you purchase the strips ... that's for the UNopened package. Once opened, they have a shelf-life of about 6 months -- you may wish to write the date you opened on the label for future reference. Ketone test strips can be purchased at any pharmacy, and are usually kept with the diabetic supplies. In some stores they're kept behind the counter, so if you don't see them on the shelf, just ask the pharmacist; you don't need a prescription to buy them. I'm following Induction strictly; why won't my strips turn purple? Ketones will spill into the urine ONLY when there is more in the blood than is being used as fuel by the body at that particular moment. You may have exercised or worked a few hours previously, so your muscles would have used up the ketones as fuel, thus there will be no excess. You may have had a lot of liquids to drink, so the urine is more diluted. Perhaps the strips are not fresh, or the lid was not on tight and some moisture from the atmosphere got in. Some low carbers NEVER show above trace or negative even ... yet they burn fat and lose weight just fine. If you're losing weight, and your clothes are getting looser, you're feeling well and not hungry all the time .. then you are successfully in ketosis. Don't get hung up on the strips; they're just a guide, nothing more. Will I lose weight faster if the strips show dark purple all the time? No. Testing in the darkest purple range all the time is usually a sign of dehydration -- the urine is too concentrated. You need to drink more Water to dilute it, and keep the kidneys flushed. The liver will make ketones from body fat, the fat you EAT, and from alcohol --- the ketone strips have no way of distinguishing the source of the ketones. So, if you test every day after dinner, and dinner usually contains a lot of fat, then you may very well test for large amounts of ketones all the time. However this does not indicate that any BODY fat was burned. The strips only indicate what's happening in the urine. Ketosis happens in the blood and body tissues. If you're showing even a small amount, then you are in ketosis, and fat-burning is taking place. Don't get hung up on the ketone sticks. Does caffeine affect ketosis? This is questionable. There ARE a few studies that suggest caffeine may cause blood sugar to rise, with consequent effect on insulin ... The studies involve consuming 50 gm glucose orally, followed by a dose of caffeine. This is quite different from a low carber, who is consuming only 20 gm carbs, in the form of high-fiber vegetables, spread throughout the day. Many low carbers continue to enjoy caffeine-containing beverages with no serious impact on their weight-loss efforts. However, there are some sensitive individuals ... and persons who are extremely insulin resistant may need to restrict or even eliminate all caffeine. If you have been losing successfully then find your weight loss stalled for a month or two, and you are following your program to the letter, you might consider stopping all caffeine for a while, to see if that will get things started again. Will drinking alcohol affect ketosis? No and yes. The liver can make ketones out of alcohol, so technically, when you drink you'll continue to produce ketones and so will remain in ketosis. The problem is ... alcohol converts more easily to ketones than fatty acids, so your liver will use the alchol first, in preference to fat. Thus, when you drink, basically your FAT burning is put on hold until all the alcohol is out of your system. This rapid breakdown of alcohol into ketones and acetaldehyde (the intoxicating by-product) ... tends to put low carbers at risk for quicker intoxication ... especially if no other food is consumed to slow absorption.

There are so many arguments about the ketosis diet/low carb/high Protein etc. Many of the docs say its bad for you, then there are arguments that it is not. I know my cholesteral went down 60 points doing low carb. Thats a fact. I was on a medically supervised diet with the hospital about 9 years ago and they wanted me in ketosis. My blood pressure went down, my diabets was under control, my cholesteral went down. All I know is the diets that American is eating, its not working. We are the fattest country in the world. It is estimated that by the year 2015, 75% of Americans will be obese. Young kids are now facing type 2 diabetes, this is such a young age to start with weight related health problems. When I eat a low amount of carbs, and lean meats, I feel better, I lose weight, more energy etc. I do believe not all Carbs are created equal. I love fruits, so I chose the lower carb/higher Fiber, like berries, strawberries, blue berries, black berries, etc. Even a small apple has lower carbs. The flour, sugar, sweets/pastas are killing us. Sometimes you can be in ketosis and the strips do not show it. I know the doc told me that after about 6 weeks, the ketones will not show up in the strips. Its been so long ago, I forget the reason why, but anyhow, he said that you are still ketosis and the fat is still being used as energy. I try and do a carb cycling program, I try and always keep my body guessing. It seems to work for me.

Wt - 169.8 Menu - Master Cleanse Diet Not much to report except I'm really mad at myself for not getting up this morning to exercise. I know getting back to the gym is so hard, it took me a long time to get there before, but once I really commited to it, I was hooked, addicted to it. Now I'm starting all over again. I set the alarm for 5 am, I went to bed early. I woke up at 5 am, I was awake, but did I get up. NOOOO. I just laid there and finally fell back asleep. So, I'm going to keep working at it and hopefully something will click inside me and I will get my butt out of bed! I was planning on going last night, but I knew if I did, I would be up late and then it would be hard to get up this morning. So I decided I would not work out last night and just get up this AM. Neither plan worked!

Wt - 169.8 Menu - Master Cleanse Diet Not much to report except I'm really mad at myself for not getting up this morning to exercise. I know getting back to the gym is so hard, it took me a long time to get there before, but once I really commited to it, I was hooked, addicted to it. Now I'm starting all over again. I set the alarm for 5 am, I went to bed early. I woke up at 5 am, I was awake, but did I get up. NOOOO. I just laid there and finally fell back asleep. So, I'm going to keep working at it and hopefully something will click inside me and I will get my butt out of bed! I was planning on going last night, but I knew if I did, I would be up late and then it would be hard to get up this morning. So I decided I would not work out last night and just get up this AM. Neither plan worked!

<p> I wanted RNY too, I thought It would just be much easier. but my DH was so against it, the only thing he would agree to was the band. My cousin had RNY in November of 2006, I had the band a few months after her. We used the same doctor. Well, I've lost more weight than she has and she is very disappointed with the RNY. She has not lost 1 pound in 6 months. She did eat what she wanted and lost weight in the beginning, however, that has now stopped and she is really depressed and struggling now. She told me the other night that she wished she would have gotten the band now. This just showed me that any WLS is hard and it takes real effort, no matter which one you chose.

You can buy Ketone Strips at the drug store. I bought mine at Walgreens back at the pharmacy dept. I believe they are just called Ketone strips. Then when you go to the bathroom you basically pee on them and they change colors, dark red is ketosis. The bottle has the colors on them and you can where you are at.

Zengirl, I have had problems with restriction too. I've had 7 fills. I was at 3.8 cc's and got another fill to 4.0 cc's. Well, that was way too tight and ended up in the hospital for sever dehydration. So they had to drop my fill level down to 3.0 because of all the swelling. Anyhow, my point is.5 is still quite a bit left to play with. It is amazing how .2 can do so much, I went from barely restriction at 3.8 to ABSOLUTE restriction at 4.0. I couldn't even swallow my own saliva. I know its frustrating, but you will get there. Best wishes.

I just scheduled my next fill, and guess what - they cannot get me in until JANUARY! That is the very soonest they can get me in, January 18th. GRRRRR. I'm looking at almost 2 months!

It took me about 3 weeks to feel the propper restrictions. The band is a finicky little thing. I was tight, then lose it, then tight again. Sometimes if you PB you could irritate it, making it tighter. If you continue, a slight unfill might do the trick.