tonya66

I just sent you a PM. 10lbs is not that far away, do you have comorbities? If so, how many? Sometimes that will play a factor in approving vs weight alone.

Congrats on your weight loss - I just posted a thread on self sabotage, its under the General Discussion. It is written by Tom Venuto, it might be good info for you to read. It deals with self sabogae and self image and steps we can take to prevent them. Again, congrats on your weight loss, you really have done well, so don't beat yourself up too bad.

I haven't been writing in my journal as often as I should - so I"m also making a goal to start updating it more often. Exercise - 20 min of HIIT on Elliptical bike - 211 calories, 1.63 miles Water aerobics at the gym from 6pm to 7 pm - not sure how many calories - but I'm sure I'm buring some Bfast - coffee w/sf cream M2 - sf chocolate pudding with a couple of heaping teaspoons of choco protein powder m3 - Logans steak house, ate 1/3 of a 6 oz sirloin steak, had about 1/3 of the salad and a few bites of the sweet potatoe - passed on the bread! M4 - 1/2 apple - no skin m5 - chicken and a small salad

I haven't been writing in my journal as often as I should - so I"m also making a goal to start updating it more often. Exercise - 20 min of HIIT on Elliptical bike - 211 calories, 1.63 miles Water aerobics at the gym from 6pm to 7 pm - not sure how many calories - but I'm sure I'm buring some Bfast - coffee w/sf cream M2 - sf chocolate pudding with a couple of heaping teaspoons of choco protein powder m3 - Logans steak house, ate 1/3 of a 6 oz sirloin steak, had about 1/3 of the salad and a few bites of the sweet potatoe - passed on the bread! M4 - 1/2 apple - no skin m5 - chicken and a small salad

Well, starting my 10th week of the BFL challenge. It seems the last few weeks I have not been doing very well, I've lost that drive, that MOJO. So last night I had another talk with myself, and looked at myself naked in the mirror (its a mind game I play with myself at times - lol). I asked, is the way I want to look? Of course the answer is NO, so I got my butt to the gym and was there for 2 hours! So, I'm back in the game now. The next 3 weeks I will be working my ass off - I'm going to give it 110%! I am only 33 lbs from goal! I can't believe it, NOW is not the time to slack!

Thank you so much for your support - it really means the world to me!

The actual name is ThermoDynamx which is a thermogenic (fat burner). It makes me sweat a lot more, I do notice that. Here is a link for a few bottles on Ebay. eBay - thermodynamx items on eBay.com=

I buy mine off of Ebay - I found them cheaper. You can also buy them directly from EAS. Or, most of the local health food stores/viatamin shops have them. I bought 3 bottles for around $50 from Ebay, otherwise, I believe they are around $30 per bottle.

Well, I'm hoping the book I just order - Success habits of people who had WLS. I ordered it from Amazon.com. I agree with JMCAMBRA - I want to know, how they were successful, what they ate, the exercise, the supplements (if any) that were taken, their fill level, what pointers they have etc. This book I ordered is supposed to have that, so I'll let you guys know once I receive it. It was shipped today, so hopefully I'll get it in a few days. I do admire Ali - I think she has come far losing 200+ pounds.

Congratulations on 2 years, and thank you so much for your wonderful words of wisdome - a wise person learns from others mistakes, so I plan on learning from yours. Thank you for sharring! You will be a success, in my books, you already are!

Fabfatgrl - I was able to click your links and review. The thing I read into the story is CHOOSE YOUR DOCTOR CAREFULLY. This poor woman's surgery was malpractice it sounds like. That is awful! Surgery is a risk, no matter what type of surgery. People have died getting their wisdom teeth out, so everyone must do their research on their doctors very carefully and make an informed decision about WLS. It is life altering, I agree with the first article, but I don't agree with a lot of her statments. I personally have seen major changes in my health, and many are off meds soon, my insurance does approve WLS because it does see the affects and the health benefits of losing weight. Everyone should do thorough research on the surgery before doing it. It is a tool and not a cure, so you have to be willing to go the distance - before you do the surgery, ask yourself if your willing to go the distance, if your not, don't do it, you will be disappointed with the results. If you are and you see it as your last resort, Go for it! It was the best decision I could have made! I knew there were risk and still are (band erosion, slippage etc.) but I see this as my last resort.

Rhonda39 - how tall are you? I am 5'5" and I told my doctor Friday at my follow up appt my goal was 145, he said his goal for me was 155. So your doctor should have a goal for you too. I'm still pushing for 145 - I have 33 pounds to go to reach it!

I do take a fat burner - I take Thermogenics by EAS. It is Ephedra free, I take it 5 days a week 1 hour before I exercise. Not sure if it works, but I'm down 70 lbs. I have no problems taking the large capsules.

Maria - I love my IPOD. I have some fun songs downloaded on it and when the beat picks up on the IPOD, I try and step it up on the treadmill. You deserve this present! Good Job on walking - it down sound like a marathon walk - 90 minutes, WOW. Shawn - I'm going to go search for that aritcle. I love reading post by bandsters who have been banded for 1 year or more. I love to read their experience. We can all learn from their mistakes, that is the beauty. I tell me kids - a stupid person does not learn from their mistakes, a smart person learns from their mistakes, but a WISE person learns from others mistakes. Its Monday, I feel great, I feel skinnier but the scales say I'm up 1 pound, go figure? I really don't care, I just feel good!

Well, starting my 10th week of the BFL challenge. It seems the last few weeks I have not been doing very well, I've lost that drive, that MOJO. So last night I had another talk with myself, and looked at myself naked in the mirror (its a mind game I play with myself at times - lol). I asked, is the way I want to look? Of course the answer is NO, so I got my butt to the gym and was there for 2 hours! So, I'm back in the game now. The next 3 weeks I will be working my ass off - I'm going to give it 110%! I am only 33 lbs from goal! I can't believe it, NOW is not the time to slack!

Kindredspirit - Congratulations on 50 lbs! That is GREAT! I am happy I with Dr. G, I don't think his staff is very personable, and I felt like a number, until Dr. G did the surgery, they seem to have warmed up now. The one thing I am pleased with is the fills, he doesn't do the fills, they have them done at the hospital by the Radiology dept. They do them under flouro and make sure you have the best restriction. I don't have to beg for a fill - if I feel I need one they schedule me. A lot of dr.s don't give you one unless you quit losing weight - Dr. G works with his patients. So I think because of that, it has enabled me to lose as much weight as I have and still be healthy and strong! DrRx - Tulsa - I have heard wonderful things about Dr. Fisher and how wonderful his staff is. One of the ladies at our last support meeting used him, however, the one thing I don't like about him is he is extremely conservative on his fills. He starts out with only .5 cc's of a fill and this lady is only down 20 lbs because she still has such a small amount of fill and no restriction yet. So thats the only thing is he is very conservative. I guess he is cautious, which is good, but it can be discouraging for awhile and not losing weight while your trying to get the popper restriction. But, I have heard he is very nice and personable and his nurse Anita - I've heard nothing but glowing reports about her. One recommendation - before you have your surgery, make sure you get your fill doctor ligned up - You might be able to just call Southcrest hospital and ask them about it, I know their radiology dept was doing mine. I will be switching to Baily Medical Center in July because Dr. G is using his partner (Dr. Kirk) who is working out of Baily now (In Owasso) and Dr. Kirk will be doing all the fills going forward - Dr. Kirk is the bomb, I love him!

Okay - I might post them, but only after I finish the 12th week - I'm on my 9th - so we'll see how it goes. Yes, it sure is quiet around the January Bandsterland lately - where are my Band twins? Where are my band buddies? I went to my doctor today for a 6 mo check up (It was actually 5 mos, but he calls it a 6 mos check up) He wrote my name down for his 2008 calendar and wants to see me in September, they want to do a photo shoot of me in October to go in the calendar. I am still reluctant to do it, one reason, I know someone will see it and my secret will be out - so I'm still debating, am I ready to come clean? Or am I still going to keep it a secret - this is going to be something I will have to take some time to think about. I've got until September to decide.

Loser- Hey, just checking in on you, did you start the exercising on Friday? Juno - Congrats on starting a family, that is great! I get a deep sigh too or hiccups when I'm full. When I start hiccups, I immediately put my fork down. I know I better not take another bite! Gigi - Yay!!!! Congratulatins on hitting the 1/2 mark, I know you are thrilled!!!!! rms - the band is not supposed to make you throw up, sometimes just the slightest unfill will make a world of difference. So don't think its a bad thing getting an unfill, sometimes the unfill will ease up on your stomach and then you can get another fill. So don't go too long throwing up, take care of yourself. I've been sitting at 178 and bouncing to 180 or even 181. I haven't lost weight since June 12th, but I'm okay with it. I usually go a few weeks and not lose, then all of a sudden I drop 3 to 5 lbs. I'm getting closer to goal, only 33 lbs, so I know the weight loss will slow down (and has). I'm continue to exercise daily, I'm on my 9th week of the BFL challenge. I'm proud of myself for FINALLY going to finish this challenge! I'm not seeing the changes in my pictures as much as I had hoped, but my DH tells me he can see major changes. I'm hoping when I take my 12 week pics, there will be more changes and maybe I will get brave to share then with you. They are me in a binkini, it is very scary. lol. But I'm glad I took them in the bikini because I can see some of my cellulite disappear, I can see my stomach roll that was rolled over my bottoms, now it doesn't - you couldn't even see my belly button in my before pic, and now at 8 weeks, you can see it and my belly is no longer rolling over my bottoms. I haven't been able to check in as much lately, life is so busy, I haven't even been updating my journal as much. I am really going to try next week to make some time to update my journal. Well, I have a busy weekend so not sure if I will be able to check in, so everyone have a great weekend.

Hey there - we would love for you to come! We meet at the Barnes & Noble on 71st Street (By Woodland Hills Mall), our next meeting is July 2nd. Do you belong to Oklahomabandsters@yahoo.com? If not, you might join that group as well! When did you get banded?

Loser28 - I don't think we have any slipped bands, however, I do recall someone having a flipped port. Getting into the exercise routine is hard work, it takes a lot of baby steps, but once you've started it, you cannot stop! Start by walking, just 5 to 10 mins a day, make a promise to yourself you will do it, and do it. Then every week, raise your walks by 5 min, you'll be surprised how quickly you become addicted.

Today makes my official 5 months since having surgery. I'm down 70 lbs (I will take my measurements tonight and post them) It's also the end of 8 weeks of the BFL challenge and starting the 9th week (only 4 more weeks to finsih the challenge). I'm at a stand still right now. I didn't lose this week - but didn't eat right either. My results below Beginning Weight = 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 4 mo post op - 184.2 5 mo post op - 178.0 Total pounds lost to date 70:whoo:

Today makes my official 5 months since having surgery. I'm down 70 lbs (I will take my measurements tonight and post them) It's also the end of 8 weeks of the BFL challenge and starting the 9th week (only 4 more weeks to finsih the challenge). I'm at a stand still right now. I didn't lose this week - but didn't eat right either. My results below Beginning Weight = 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 4 mo post op - 184.2 5 mo post op - 178.0 Total pounds lost to date 70:whoo:

Dee & Enterprise - I'm glad to hear you guys feel like you have restriction. I am now back to NO restriction, it seems around the TOM time, I have restriction, for around 2 weeks, then after that, nothing! I am at 3.0 cc's, and I FINALLY have an appointment on July 2nd at 8:30 am for fill! However, the more I think about it, the more I think I will call and have them change the time. I'm always so restricted in the am. I feel like I could eat a horse right now, I'm wide open. Just checking in on everyone, I've been really busy and I strained my back somehow (I think I pulled something while working out). I've been taking some pain pills to ease the pain, but trying to just not take anything today - I can feel it throb on my lower left side of my back. It hurts to lay, sit or stand. I think tonight I will go get in the hot tub at my gym and just relax. Talk to everyone later.

This week has just sucked! I've not gotten my arse out of bed, I've been exercising super late at night, then not getting in bed until 12 or 1 am! I don't feel like I'm putting all my effort into my exercise this week. I am off work Thursday and Friday, so this should get me back on track - I will get up and go exercise! I will be taking my 8 week picture, my measurements, and my 5 month Band anniversary pics on Sunday. I'm anxious to see my results. I am not seeing as big as results as some people I know who have done the BFL challenge, I think because I'm not eating right. I'm eating healthy and good low fat clean food, however, I haven't been eating the 5 times a day as the BFL recommends. After I complete this challenge, I will start another BFL challenge and my next challenge I might just focus on eating, and gaining muscle, this challange I'm focussing on losing FAT and watching the scales go down and making exercise a part of my life. I know I won't be where I want to be in 4 weeks (the end of the challenge) - and probably won't be there in another 12 weeks. But I do think in the next year, I will be where I want to be and that is so exciting to me. I have never been this close to goal and know that I will make it this time.

HAPPY HAPPY BDAY! I hope you have a WONDERFUL day, that is neat you & your son share this day together! I do the same as you, I go for a few weeks and barely lose an ounce, then all of a sudden, overnight, I'll drop 5 lbs. Have a wonderful time at the lake! I will be out of pocket most of the weekend too, I'm helping my family out with a camp they run 1x a year, so I'm taking off work to help them out. Its a busy busy weekend - bye everyone! Sue - Your still in my thoughts & prayers, I hope the grandchildren are doing okay and dealing with everything. I know its hard, I've witnessed it (my mother), so hang in there, time is the only thing that will help ease the greif for you & your husband, so be kind to yourself and try and think about the wonderful times and the wonderful memories you have of your daughter.