tonya66

Well, I am shocked that she is upset over "only" losing 35 pounds, but I know that I at times complain that I've only lost 1 or 2 pounds the last week, etc. We are all so obsessed with the number on the scales, I'm trying hard not to focus on them as much. This is a journey, a long journey we are on, we have to keep reminding ourselves we won't get there overnight. I remember starting the process, I was freaked out a bit, scared, nervous, and wondering could I really give up food? I was a bit scared to leave my comfort zone (food). But in the end, I decided I had to do it, I had to take this step. I know I've lost a lot of weight, and I can't believe that I've lost so much, I've always been the slow loser, ALWAYS. I can't explain what is happening to my body, but I think my CPAP machine is helping me lose weight - but not sure. I'm sure the weightloss will slow down now that I'm getting closer to goal - (33 lbs away). I remember being envious of bandsters that were months ahead of me, and wanting to do what they did, etc. And I sometimes felt discouraged, but the key is, we are all different, our bodies decides when it will "shed" the pounds I guess. Shawn, you have lost 40 lbs and that is GREAT! I hope I don't every discourage anyone - I know some are having a hard time and losing very slow, but slow & steady wins the race (my Gma always told me that). So, I hope I can only encourage ones out there and not sound bragging or boastful about my weightloss. All my life I have been the one that dieted next to someone and I have been the one that failed. For the first time in 40 years, I'm succeeding and it feels so good - I still can't believe that ME - I - have lost this much weight. So - if anyone out there is discouraged - please be positive and know that sometimes its a longer process for others, but that does not mean you are failing, some doctors are slower about giving fills, they give very small fills, therefore, your restriction is not that great until later. My doctor is aggressive with his fills, so I recieved some restriction very early - this could be a bad thing? Not sure. Anyhow, I hope everyone is doing okay today.

Shawn - okay - so you had some brownines, the good thing is your back on track - no problems, except fighting the sugar demons off. When I eat sweets, it makes me want more. I do better too when I'm away - especially when I'm away from work. I seem to eat more at work, probably because we go out to eat a lot, I eat less when I'm at home or running around on weekends. Congrats on 40lb loss!

Mornin' January Bandsters - where is everyone? I'm lonely!

I've had so many since being banded and I'm so proud and excited about each and everyone of them (some of them I guess are scale victories - but I'm listing them anyhow) 1. I'm able to cross my legs 2. My butt doesn't touch each side of the bathtub 3. I now weigh LESS than my husband 4. I bought my first pair of low rise - slim fit, size 13 jr. cruel girl jeans - and the best thing, they look GOOD on me! 5. I'm in a size 12 now - havn't worn a size 12 in over 15 years! 6. I have become ADDICTED to exercise - I work out 6 days a week! 7. I am being told by others that I am inspiring them 8. I am being hit on by 21 year olds - I'm 40 (soon to be 41) 9. I'm only 33 lbs from goal, and I know I will reach this goal - the feeling I have is undescribable - I believe in myself for the first time in a looooong time. 10. I feel beautiful again!

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.

Lisa - too funny. I love Oreo's - its my favorite cookie, I could (or used to) eat an entire bag of them, with a glass of milk. Whenever I was stressed, sad, or just wanted to munch, I loved to buy a bag of oreo's, some cold milk, pull of the bra and let the girls loose, and put on a big t-shirt and shorts, rent a good movie, and crawl in bed with my oreos. It always made me feel so good - until the next morning, when I had an oreo hangover. lol. I'm now learning to lean on different things durring stress and not my oreos. I read, I head to the gym and jump on the treadmill. I think the workers work the front desk must think I'm crazy - sometimes I'm there 3 different times, I find it relaxing to take a walk on the treadmill these days. They've even commented, "back again?". The inches seem to really be falling off this week, I am getting so many comments from people telling me how skinny i'm becoming. I still see a fat lady starring back at me at times, and I'm always shocked when I try something on, thinking it will still be too tight, and it turns out to be too big. But it is a good feeling. I'm not as worried anymore about whether the band will work or not, I am not even obsessed with the scales as much lately. I didn't even weigh this morning - which usually is a struggle for me not to step on the scales.

Okay - time to get focussed and get this challenge finished. I've been over at the BFL tracker website, looking all the before and after pics of the 12 week progress photos, WOW is all I can say. Its got me pumped to finish the 12 week challenge and start another one! I finish in July, and I leave for vacation August 4th, so I probably won't start the next challenge until I get back. I will just continue to exercise in between the challenges.

Okay - time to get focussed and get this challenge finished. I've been over at the BFL tracker website, looking all the before and after pics of the 12 week progress photos, WOW is all I can say. Its got me pumped to finish the 12 week challenge and start another one! I finish in July, and I leave for vacation August 4th, so I probably won't start the next challenge until I get back. I will just continue to exercise in between the challenges.

Sue - just know that we are here, whenever you need to talk, vent, or just pour out your frustrations! You have a difficult road ahead of you. I lost my brother 15 years ago, he was murdered at 21, my mom struggles with it, time has made it a bit easier, but never erases the pain. Parents are not made to burry thier children, its not suppose to happen that way. This brings me to a question - from time to time, we deal with stress, now that you have the band, how do you deal with stress January Bandsters? I've been dealing with a little stress myself lately with my 16 year old, I want to run to the oreos, or I don't eat at all - two very big extremes. How do you handle it? How do deal with it? I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

sue - you have been on my mind all day - I hope your doing okay. I didn't know your daughter - but I am so saddened by her death, 31 is so young, and my heart is breaking for her young children. I read all the nice things that so many people said about her on the website, she sounds like such a wonderful, loving mother, friend, daughter. Please let us know how you are doing. I know Pam would want you to be strong and healthy - you said she was your biggest cheerleader.

Well, today marks the beginning of my 8th week of the BFL challenge. I can't believe that I am starting my 8th week! I have never made it this far in the challenge, I always quit around the 3rd week, one time I made it close to the 6th week (but missed workouts here and there). I have made up the workouts that I missed while we went out of town, I only have 1 more cardio to make up - I am starting to see some improvements in my cellulite area on the back of my thighs - I still have plenty of it, but I can see a difference. I weighed this morning 178.2 - I am down 70 lbs now! I'm sure the weight loss will slow down. Whats weird is, it goes so slow for a few weeks, then all of a sudden, I drop 5 lbs. So, it lifts my spirits. I cannot believe it when I step on the scales and see 170's. I have to step on the scales 5 or 6 times, I leave come back to the scales and step on them again. It's just amazing how good I feel. Okay - eating has not been that great, so that could be the reason I'm losing fast the last week too. I have been a little stressed over my 16 year old son, he has gotten himself in a little trouble, he is a good kid, makes straight A's, wins all kinds of awards at school. However, he went out and got drunk with some of his friends for the first time, we found out about it so we have taken all his priveledges away from him. No cell phone, no car, no movies, no nothing. Its scary to think he was driving! It stresses me out to think "what if", he could have killed himself or someone else. I am totally against drinking and driving and it is not worth it. Plus, he is only 16! I told him no matter how drunk he is, he needs to call me, we will pick him up and discuss it the next day. He swears he just wanted to try it, and won't do it again, but my DH & I are worried because alchoholism runs in my DH family. June 6th was 27 years that my DH has been sober - his dad was sober for 25 years before he died, his grandmother died of alchoholism, so its nothing we take lightly. So, my eating has been minimal lately. I am going to focus this week on eating better, getting more protein in. Okay, off to work I go..........busy week!

Well, today marks the beginning of my 8th week of the BFL challenge. I can't believe that I am starting my 8th week! I have never made it this far in the challenge, I always quit around the 3rd week, one time I made it close to the 6th week (but missed workouts here and there). I have made up the workouts that I missed while we went out of town, I only have 1 more cardio to make up - I am starting to see some improvements in my cellulite area on the back of my thighs - I still have plenty of it, but I can see a difference. I weighed this morning 178.2 - I am down 70 lbs now! I'm sure the weight loss will slow down. Whats weird is, it goes so slow for a few weeks, then all of a sudden, I drop 5 lbs. So, it lifts my spirits. I cannot believe it when I step on the scales and see 170's. I have to step on the scales 5 or 6 times, I leave come back to the scales and step on them again. It's just amazing how good I feel. Okay - eating has not been that great, so that could be the reason I'm losing fast the last week too. I have been a little stressed over my 16 year old son, he has gotten himself in a little trouble, he is a good kid, makes straight A's, wins all kinds of awards at school. However, he went out and got drunk with some of his friends for the first time, we found out about it so we have taken all his priveledges away from him. No cell phone, no car, no movies, no nothing. Its scary to think he was driving! It stresses me out to think "what if", he could have killed himself or someone else. I am totally against drinking and driving and it is not worth it. Plus, he is only 16! I told him no matter how drunk he is, he needs to call me, we will pick him up and discuss it the next day. He swears he just wanted to try it, and won't do it again, but my DH & I are worried because alchoholism runs in my DH family. June 6th was 27 years that my DH has been sober - his dad was sober for 25 years before he died, his grandmother died of alchoholism, so its nothing we take lightly. So, my eating has been minimal lately. I am going to focus this week on eating better, getting more protein in. Okay, off to work I go..........busy week!

Thanks for your support! I'm just walking around on cloud 9 these days.

Oh Sue, I am so sorry. Your daughter was beautiful - I know your heart is breaking right now and I wish I could do something to take this pain away from you. I know you have wonderful memories of your precious daughter, please think of the happy times with her - and spend time with her children, this will help with your grief. You and your husband, your son, and her three children are in my prayers. Please let us know how we can help? Is there a memorial fund set up? Keep us posted how you are doing, I know the band gets tighter during stressful times, so please take care of yourself.

Good advice! I am losing about 5 to 9 lbs per month - but I lost so much in the very beginning, so I'm not complaining too much about losing just 5 lbs. This month so far, I've lost 6 lbs, my 5 month anniversary is next Monday, so if I lose another 2 lbs - it will put me at 8 lbs for a month. But who knows how much I will lose (TOM is here) It seems I go for a couple of weeks and only lose 1 lb or so, then overnight, I drop 3 or 4. Weird. I'm comfortable with my fill level, but a few weeks ago I wasn't - I felt I did not have enough restriction, and now, I'm tight again - this band is so finicky for sure. Well, hope everyone has a great weekend.

Shawn, I really like mine because they show every ounce I lose (or gain - lol). They were recommended to me from my doc, they are from Avon - believe it or not. They cost about $50.

Well, I told my family I had to have a hernia repair (which I did have to have it repaird - and they did that the same time they put the band in). I still haven't told anyone - very few people know.

Mel b - I started a local support group and last Monday (June 4) was our first meeting, we had 4 people show up, but I think it will grow. We are meeting the 1st Monday of every month, so our next meeting is July 2 - its held at the Barnes & Noble book store coffee shop. I know Doc G has one on the 2nd Monday of the month, but they are mainly for RNY patients. I plan on going to his next meeting which is this Monday. Congrats on your surgery. It only gets better - I am very happy with my outcome. I weighed this morning and have lost a total of 69 lbs now. I weighed 179 this morning, first time in 14 + years I have weighed in the 170's! I am very happy!

I have to share my latest NSV - well one of them is a scale victory and one is not! 1. I now weigh less than my husband! I've wanted to weigh less than him for years! He weighs 181, and I weighed 179.6! I made him get on the scale and then I stepped on to show him what I weighed. I was so happy! 2. I tried on a pair of size 12 capris, THEY FIT! I have moved past the 14's and into a 12! I haven't worn a 12 in 14 YEARS! 3. I have broken out of the 180's! Okay, enough about me. lol. I just wanted to share my victories with my January band family! Lisa - sounds like the PB experience wasn't all that bad, but wasn't all that fun either. I hate the sliming! I've slimed a few times, but no really PB experiences. Whats weird about me is I don't have to take small bites? I take regular bites and chew like I've always done pre-band and I still don't have PB's. Thats why I think I need more of a fill, but then I think, I'm eating less with no problems, so why get more of a fill? I don't know what to do - What do you guys think? I'm so wishy washy with me decision. Sometimes I notice I need more of a fill and freak out, other times I notice I can hardly eat?

gigi - you and and I are sooooo alike! I have a huge range of clothes in my closet too! And I'm exercises like a mad women these days, I don't think I have ever exercised this hard in my entire life!

I weighed this morning at 179.6 YAY! I now weight LESS than my husband (he weighs 181). I still can't believe I saw 179 on the scales - but I did! This weekend is a busy weeked, I'm attending a convention with my church, it was all day yesterday, and all day today and tomorrow, but I love seeing all my friends there. I've been eating good healthy foods, and exercising so its paying off. I just don't want it to end! I want to get to my goal within a year of 145, but if I don't I will still be happy because I've already almost lost 70 lbs! In about 6 months!

I don't agree at all.....Oh yes, I can lose weight, I'm a great dieter, I've been on them all, however, I have NEVER been able to keep it off. The purpose of the band is to give you restriction on the amount of food you can eat, to help you stay fuller longer, and to keep the hunger from returning. Some people feel that restriction right off the bat, without a fill. Me, on the other hand, did not. I needed the fill to fill the restriction, I've now had 2 fills and at 3cc's in a 5 cc band, and still need just a little more to get to the sweet spot. I am losing, by working out 6 days a week and making healthy choices, THATS ME DOING THE WORK, and the band is my tool. However, with a fill, what good would it do for me if I don't have restriction? Again, everyone is different, only we ourselves know if we truly need a fill. If you are able to eat more than 5 oz of food or 1 cup of food, chances are, you need a fill (this does not mean forcing more than 1 cup off food down, we all can do that), and if you are getting hungry before 3 or 4 hours, chances are you need a fill. Thats how I judge whether or not I need a fill. I force myself not to eat much, and eat healthy so I'm losing, however, I want my tool to help me at times that I may fall short - its my back up I guess.

Trust me, I was scared too, most people are, you making a big decision. I almost backed out, but the possibility of finally getting over the yo yo dieting out weighed my fear, so I went thru it. I was also scared of giving up my "comfort" foods, sweets. I didn't tell anyone about my surgery, because I was embarrassed that I was going thru another weight loss attempt. They had all seen me go thru the diets, liquid diets, etc and see me lose weight only to gain it back again. Now that I'm about 5 mos out, I have no more fears, I know I will make it this time and it was the best decision I could have ever made! Its not easy sometimes, especially in the beginning, some months you have great losses, and some months you have just a few pounds (if any), but the key is, I'M NOT GAINING! For the first time in my life, I am in control, and I'm not gaining weight! I love my band! I do miss food sometimes, but not as much as I love my new life, so the joys far out weight the "missing certain foods".

I agree, I like Chickie's post too! I am total agreement with her, exercise, and make the right food choices! I've found the same responses, people do not want to hear the word exercise! But all the books I read about lap band say the same thing, you must exercise! So, I exercise, and try and make the right food choices. Tracy, I like your signature too, you can really see the changes in your face, your doing great! And you will learn to like exercise, I hated it too! but the best advice I got was "fake it, until you make it".....so I did. I went to the gym and half heartedly walked on the treadmill hating every minute of it and forced myself to do 10 lousy minutes, then moved to 15 or 20, and now doing at least 30 min or 45, and lift weights now, and I turly like my exercise. I crave it! I can't live without it! So, If I can learn to like exercise, I think anyone can! LOL.

Okay, you had your surgery yesterday I believe, so how are you doing? The one thing I was wasn't expecting was the pain, everyone said it was a piece of cake, and then I woke up from surgery and felt PAIN. I also had to spend the night in the hospital and it took me a good 10 days for my port side to quit hurting. I hope you are one of the ones that can say "it was a piece of cake". Keep us updated on how your doing.......