tonya66

Breakfast - coffee with cream Lunch - 2 bites of cottage cheese, 1 boiled egg smashed with a little mayo Dinner - 1/4 cup refried beans - very low on energy and drank a light Frapp from starbuchs (I need to get away from these, very addictive but so good) Exercise - 3:30 pm - 30 min on treadmill, 4% incline, 3.2 & 3.3 mph, 249 calories, 1.61 distance Notes - I am going to get out of the 190's, staying focussed on that. I think I have to learn to eat all over again. Up until now, I've been able to take regular bites of no problems, been able to drink big gulps of water, no problem. This has all changed! No more steak for me, at least for now.

Breakfast - coffee with cream Lunch - 2 bites of cottage cheese, 1 boiled egg smashed with a little mayo Dinner - 1/4 cup refried beans - very low on energy and drank a light Frapp from starbuchs (I need to get away from these, very addictive but so good) Exercise - 3:30 pm - 30 min on treadmill, 4% incline, 3.2 & 3.3 mph, 249 calories, 1.61 distance Notes - I am going to get out of the 190's, staying focussed on that. I think I have to learn to eat all over again. Up until now, I've been able to take regular bites of no problems, been able to drink big gulps of water, no problem. This has all changed! No more steak for me, at least for now.

Here is the link to the new Challenge thread - http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=33601

Hello, is anyone interested in doing the body for life challenge? Here is a link to the official website: http://www.bodyforlife.com/index.asp Here is a link to a friend of mine that did the program (and won $40,000), you can see her before pics, scroll down and see her after 12 pics http://www.bodyforlife-tracker.com/showphotos.cfm?id=15910 The program is exercising 6 days a week, example Week 1 Monday - Weight training - upper body exercises (you can print the areas off the official BFL website) Tuesdays - 20 min of aerobic (HIIT) Wednesday - Weight training - lower body Thursday - 20 min of aerobic HIIT Friday - weight training upper body Saturday - 20 min of aerobic (HIIT) Sunday - off Week 2 M - Weight training (but you do Lower body) Tuesday - aerobics 20 min of HITT Wednesday - upper body weight training Thursday - Do you get the picture now. Anyhow, you also eat 5 to 6 small meals a day, and being a bandster, we would probably have to modify that some. You have to take a before pic, within 3 days of beginning, and you take an after pic within 3 days of ending. I am just looking for a buddy, someone that I can be accountable to. The next round dates begin by June 24th, you can start anytime, but you just have to start by June 24th. I am wanting to start the program on April 30th (Monday). Anyone interested? The book is called Body for Life by Bill Phillips, it explains the program in more detail. You do exercise in the am, first thing in the morning (which has been hard for me). I personally saw my friend transform her body (she was not fat to begin with, but "skinny fat", she totally changed her body. I know it works, even though its hard and intense, but its only for 12 weeks.

Yay, another one joining the challenge! Okay, I think I will start a new thread entitled BFL challange 1, and begin it 4/23/07 and I'll ask for a roll call. What I was thinking is we could keep our daily food and workout plan in our own journal, and just check in on Mondays or whenever to touch base. I think I will join the challenge officially with BLF as well. I am going to take my before picture this weekend and will take my after picture and if I don't look too bad, I'll post them. lol.

I'm not able to access thru my email either, and I am not able to find the journals? Luckily, I have saved my link to my journal under my signature, however, many are asking about the journals and I can't seem to find it? There used to be a quick button to click on to it at the top of the page, but now it is gone. I know the gliches are still be worked out, so I'm just trying to inform the moderators of whats going on, not complaining, just passing on what I see. Thanks for your hard work in keeping this forum running smooth! We just love our LBT!

Sheila, I can not figure it out. But if you click on my link to my journal you can get to yours that way. I don't like the new changes, I'm having major issues with everything this morning.

Today makes 3 mos since I have had the band - here are my results: Beginning Weight - 248 (the weight I was when I first went to doc) Todays weight - 193 Total loss of 55 lbs Total inches loss so far is 26" Since my 2 mo anniversary, I've only lost an additional 5 lbs and 1 1/2", but I'm not unhappy about it. I'll take any loss I can get. Also, I had a 2 week period where I didn't exercise or didn't watch what I ate. Also, I'm excited that I have lost more than I need to lose at this point! I'm over 1/2 way to goal now - only 48 more pounds to go :clap2: . I know my 4 mo anniversary will be better results. I will be out of the 190's if its the last thing I do! I'm kicking up my exercise next week, beginning Monday, I'm starting the 12 week BFL challenge!

Today makes 3 mos since I was joined together with my Band! The super fast weight loss has stopped:phanvan , but I know I will continue to go down, and I'm happy so far. No problems (except this last fill might be too tight). Below are my stats - Beginning Weight = 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 Total lost = 55 lbs My measurements: Before /1 month out/ 2 months out/3 mos Waist - 41 1/2" / 38" / 36 /36 Hips - 51" / 46 1/2 / 45"/44" Left Thigh - 28" / 26 1/4"/ 24"/23 1/2 calves - 17" / 15 1/2"/ 15 /16 left arm - 15 1/2" / 14" / 13/13 breast - 43" / 40"/ 39/38 1/2 under breast - 37"/36 1/2" / 36"/36 TOTAL INCHES LOST= 26 inches Notes - although last month was not a huge loss in inches and weight, I feel like I have accomplished a lot. I learned that I don't have to eat to deal with my stress or other emotions. Also, for about 2 weeks out of the month, I didn't even try to lose weight, I was busy with a remodeling project, ate junk food for dinner every night, and no exercise. So, for me not to GAIN during that time is a great accomplishments. In the past if I didn't try to lose weight, I would always gain like 15 lbs. So I feel like I have reason to be happy, even with a 5 lbs loss for a month and only 2" loss for the month. I know next month there will be a big difference so I'm excited to see what will happen during my 4 month anniversary! My goals for month 4 - Start the BFL challenge Get out of the 190's take my vitamins every day stay focussed and not miss any workouts

Today makes 3 mos since I was joined together with my Band! The super fast weight loss has stopped:phanvan , but I know I will continue to go down, and I'm happy so far. No problems (except this last fill might be too tight). Below are my stats - Beginning Weight = 248 1 mo post op - 206.8 2 mo post op - 198 3 mo post op - 193 Total lost = 55 lbs My measurements: Before /1 month out/ 2 months out/3 mos Waist - 41 1/2" / 38" / 36 /36 Hips - 51" / 46 1/2 / 45"/44" Left Thigh - 28" / 26 1/4"/ 24"/23 1/2 calves - 17" / 15 1/2"/ 15 /16 left arm - 15 1/2" / 14" / 13/13 breast - 43" / 40"/ 39/38 1/2 under breast - 37"/36 1/2" / 36"/36 TOTAL INCHES LOST= 26 inches Notes - although last month was not a huge loss in inches and weight, I feel like I have accomplished a lot. I learned that I don't have to eat to deal with my stress or other emotions. Also, for about 2 weeks out of the month, I didn't even try to lose weight, I was busy with a remodeling project, ate junk food for dinner every night, and no exercise. So, for me not to GAIN during that time is a great accomplishments. In the past if I didn't try to lose weight, I would always gain like 15 lbs. So I feel like I have reason to be happy, even with a 5 lbs loss for a month and only 2" loss for the month. I know next month there will be a big difference so I'm excited to see what will happen during my 4 month anniversary! My goals for month 4 - Start the BFL challenge Get out of the 190's take my vitamins every day stay focussed and not miss any workouts

I'm having a hard time sipping water, I'm drinking some warm coffee right now.....I'm worried I may be too tight. If I don't loosen up in the next day or two, I'm going back for a slight unfill. At this point, I don't see how I could eat anything because I'm so tight. I don't want to have PB problems.

I'm having a hard time sipping water, I'm drinking some warm coffee right now.....I'm worried I may be too tight. If I don't loosen up in the next day or two, I'm going back for a slight unfill. At this point, I don't see how I could eat anything because I'm so tight. I don't want to have PB problems.

Prissever - I am the exact same way. I have 3.0 cc's in my 4cc band, and I always "thought" I had restriction, but I have NEVER had restriction like this. I'm actually worried I may be too tight. I drank water last night, sipped the tiniest sips of it, and then laid down, well about an hour later, the water woke me up choking on it. I'm having some warm coffee right now. I can barely sip anything. I did take two baby spoonful bites of refried beans and I didn't have any problems getting it down. I will see how today goes, but if by Friday I'm still having a hard time getting water down, I'll be going back in for a slight unfill.

I just got back from Fill #2. I was at 2.2cc's in a 4cc band, now I'm at 3.0 cc's - I can feel the Water going down, so I have a lot of restriction right now. Its hard to tell in the beginning, I think it takes about a week or 2 to really see where you are at restriction wise. I am to be on liquids for a few days, He said today and tomorrow, then soft foods for a day, then regular diet. I'm having a starbucks light frappochino right now - and I can only drink 1/2 of it, too full. I love it! I can't wait to get out of the 190's, I can't wait to say good-bye to the 190's FOREVER! 180's, HERE I COME!

Yes, I feel full in my chest area too. My lower stomach makes all kinds of noises, its funny.

I went to the radiology dept at the hospital for fill #2. I got the same doctor who did my last fill (I really liked him). He was shocked I was back for another fill. He is very aggressive with the fills and tries to get the right fill on the first visit to start the weight loss. He first checked the band to make sure it was in the right place, he showed me on the xray how it is suppose to look and mine looked perfect. He then decided he would take all the previous fill out to make sure I still had 2.2 cc's, and to make sure I lost none. I still had 2.2cc's which was good. He filled me up to 2.8 cc's, I drank some of that chalky stuff, it went right thru the band, he said "wow, your body has really adjusted to the band". He filled it up to 3.0 cc's, again, went thru pretty fast, so he moved it up to 3.5cc's, thats when it just set there. So he lowered it down to 3.2, again, the stuff just set there. He lowered it back down to 3.0 cc's and it started going thru the band again, a little slower. He decided he would leave it at 3.0cc's. He told me if I am having problems to call him and he might have to take some more out, that I was pretty tight. So far, no problems. He wants me on liquids for a few days, I am drinking some liquid calories right now (having a caramel light frapocino from Starbucks - YUM). I'm having a hard time drinking it, really full, can only drink about 1/2 of it. So, time will tell if this is the right fill, but I think it is.:clap2: 180's - HERE I COME. I can't wait to say Good-bye to the 190's! Wt this morning was 195.0

I went to the radiology dept at the hospital for fill #2. I got the same doctor who did my last fill (I really liked him). He was shocked I was back for another fill. He is very aggressive with the fills and tries to get the right fill on the first visit to start the weight loss. He first checked the band to make sure it was in the right place, he showed me on the xray how it is suppose to look and mine looked perfect. He then decided he would take all the previous fill out to make sure I still had 2.2 cc's, and to make sure I lost none. I still had 2.2cc's which was good. He filled me up to 2.8 cc's, I drank some of that chalky stuff, it went right thru the band, he said "wow, your body has really adjusted to the band". He filled it up to 3.0 cc's, again, went thru pretty fast, so he moved it up to 3.5cc's, thats when it just set there. So he lowered it down to 3.2, again, the stuff just set there. He lowered it back down to 3.0 cc's and it started going thru the band again, a little slower. He decided he would leave it at 3.0cc's. He told me if I am having problems to call him and he might have to take some more out, that I was pretty tight. So far, no problems. He wants me on liquids for a few days, I am drinking some liquid calories right now (having a caramel light frapocino from Starbucks - YUM). I'm having a hard time drinking it, really full, can only drink about 1/2 of it. So, time will tell if this is the right fill, but I think it is.:clap2: 180's - HERE I COME. I can't wait to say Good-bye to the 190's! Wt this morning was 195.0

The key is "moderation". I stay away from fast food, however, if once in a great while, I want to go out for lunch with my family, I'm not going to feel guilt over it, its okay. But you don't want to be eating it everyday - just use it as a specail treat day for a special occasion or something like that. And, remember, the days of eating a big mac and french fries and "biggie sizing" it are over, your band is your friend, he won't let you eat that much any longer, you'll be eating much smaller portions when you do splurge. I am loving my band!

I had horrible shoulder pains too, the key to get that gas out of your system is walking. Gas x did nothing for me, although I took it, I still had the pain,the only thing that helped was walking. You won't feel like walking, but you need to, even if its slow walking, just get up and move. I'm 3 mos out, I still get that shoulder pain if I overeat, weird, and when I get it, I have to get up and walk a little and it goes away. Teaches me not to overeat. I took off work for about 3 weeks and glad I did, I was sore and miserable until around the 10th day then it started getting a lot better. Now, I forget I even had the surgery until I look down at my scars or eat too fast, then my band reminds me he is there. It does get better, I promise and I had the same feelings of "what in the world have I done", and I believe many have had the same feelings, so its natural.

Jacqui - I loved your post! I need to quit looking for perfection! I've been trying to get that perfect body since I was in high school, I weighed about 130 lbs and was 5'5 1/2", I looked damn good but thought I was fat. Man, what I wouldn't do to have that body again. lol. I realize I have never been happy with my body, I've always wanted the rock hard abs, the perfect boobs, and even when I looked good, I was searching for a better body. So, it time to accept who we are, and feel good about the body God gave us. I am not going to worry about my boobs, the cellulite, the flab on my stomach, I want to get to a healthy weight and be happy. I have had 2 babies myself, and I won't look like the models - but I will be healthy. I haven't given up a tummy tuck, and might still have one (once I get to my goal weight), but if I don't have a huge apron, I won't do the tummy tuck, so time will tell. My doctor set a goal weight of 50%, which is where I am now. I'm with you Jacqui, hell no amd I going to have WLS and still be overweight! I lowered my goal to 145 or 150. My doctor is so happy with my progress, but I am still beating myself up over only losing 4 lbs last month, it finally hit me, I need to just be happy and work hard and eat right and the weight loss will come, I need to quit stressing over it and just accept whatever my body decides to lose and be happy. I'm a work in progress and masterpieces take time. lol.

I'm going for fill #2 in about 2 hours. I can't have anything to eat or drink and I'm dying for some water! I'm a bit nervous getting another fill, I have no problems right now with my fill, and I'm worried about being too tight, but I think I need another fill. I'm eating more than I should, and I've only lost about 4 lbs last month (but I might have lost more in inches - will find out tomorrow when I take my measurements). I know most people say they can't eat chicken/bread/steak etc. I can eat it all. I don't, but I can if I wanted to. I eat chicken on a daily basis pretty much, i stay away from bread, and I love steak. Hope everyone else is doing okay, looks like we are all moving downward, some slower than others which is okay. Slow & steady wins the race as they say. We are all impatient and want the weight off TODAY, but I really do believe that it is not healthy for your body to lose so fast, but I know its hard to go slow. Well, better get to work.......will check back later.

Krystal, Thank you so much for sharing your story. Your so very honest and I know it will help someone. The beauty of the band is it is there for you when your ready. Your not alone in the battle and thinking, many people go into the surgery to "fix" their problem and it just doesn't happen that way. My cousin had Gastric Bypass in November, I had my lap band in January, I've almost lost what she has lost. The difference is I'm working with the band, she is still waiting on her bypass to lose the weight for her. I've tried to explain it to her that she has to do some of the work, maybe I will direct her over here to your story. Keep us posted in your progress, we are all cheering for you!

Thanks for the info - I copied it and put it in my journal, good info for us to remember.

Fear of losing the weightloss battle - author unknown You won't lose the battle if you are willing to work with the band and do your part. But I can almost guarantee: You will have plateaus when you first switch to solids until your body gets used to being fed instead of starved (most likely one-two weeks but could be three like mine.) During many plateaus you will lose inches not pounds and then finally a larger loss. Your loss in the first 30-40 days is a "never to be repeated" experience so enjoy it. Then you begin the long slow journey downward. You will learn the fine art of "PBs" and what causes them for you, it is swallowing air when you eat. Eating too fast....NOT chewing well or too big of a bite. Eating the wrong food for you...and not recognizing the "no longer hungry" after 1/2 cup (satiation) versus an "I WANT TO EAT MORE CAUSE I CAN or IT TASTES GOOD" or I crave it [head hunger]. You will watch your body shrink and will walk a bit taller-literally- and figuratively...start slipping into booths in restaurants. Sit in chairs with arms, stop worrying about how strong the chairs are, not having to ask for an extender belt on airlines. Finding it easier to, and you have more energy to walk/go up stairs. Clean house and do a million other day to day activities. Slip in and out of bath tubs where the water goes all the way around you instead of damming up and it doesn't kill you to stand up from sitting on the floor. Watch the years fall off your face and drivers license picture...got to a restaurant and order an appetizer and still end up with leftovers to take home. Go through doubts and several fills/unfills until you hit the "sweet spot" fill level for you. You will have to stop several times along the way to reassess your eating habits (I could eat certain foods and get away with some cheating a bit quantity wise at 359 and still lose...that had to go at 250). I have also found that I have to keep reminding myself 1/2 cup of solids three times a day--only--and drink my water (1 hour after meals until the next meal but not with meals). Eat protein first...fruit and veggies second, and non-complex carbs last. (Keep the fats, sugars, and non-complex carbs low...still have them but keep them low). And believe it or NOT a plateau that indicates that you need a fill is: 1. No weight loss for four weeks. 2. You are following all the band rules (8 out of 10 of us want to be able to break the rules and still lose figuring if we get a fill it will miraculously start us losing without us having to do our parts). 3. You are hungry an hour after eating (really hungry not cravings) and the 1/2 cup doesn't stay in the band for 2 1/2 to 4 hours. 4. You are drinking 60+ ounces of water a day and not drinking with your meal or for at least an hour after. 5. Once you move from mushy to solids--as much as possible get your nourishment from food that is solid. If you have problems with it sticking in your stoma, try it again chewing it well. Cut it up finer or chew it with other foods to keep it from recombining in your pouch and forming a plug (i.e. potatoes). 6. Try to avoid soups and/or protein drinks if possible (if you are able to eat your protein you will be full longer--some people have tight bands in the morning and can't eat so have a protein drink). 7. Whenever you hit a plateau, keep a diary and log everything, including water, which goes in and measure your 1/2 cup of solids. (Mine grew twice from 1/2 a cup to almost a full cup without noticing). 8. Try weighing in once a week to begin with, not daily. Later move to once every two weeks or once a month. When you are losing slowly, weight fluctuates daily with hydration levels, etc. At least this way you normally will see a loss and not a fluctuation or gain. Yes the loss is smaller but they are down not up. 9. Measure yourself monthly, often you lose inches before you lose pounds. 10. Don't compare yourself to others. We all lose at different rates based on age/metabolism/food choices/activity level...but we can all

Fear of losing the weightloss battle - author unknown You won't lose the battle if you are willing to work with the band and do your part. But I can almost guarantee: You will have plateaus when you first switch to solids until your body gets used to being fed instead of starved (most likely one-two weeks but could be three like mine.) During many plateaus you will lose inches not pounds and then finally a larger loss. Your loss in the first 30-40 days is a "never to be repeated" experience so enjoy it. Then you begin the long slow journey downward. You will learn the fine art of "PBs" and what causes them for you, it is swallowing air when you eat. Eating too fast....NOT chewing well or too big of a bite. Eating the wrong food for you...and not recognizing the "no longer hungry" after 1/2 cup (satiation) versus an "I WANT TO EAT MORE CAUSE I CAN or IT TASTES GOOD" or I crave it [head hunger]. You will watch your body shrink and will walk a bit taller-literally- and figuratively...start slipping into booths in restaurants. Sit in chairs with arms, stop worrying about how strong the chairs are, not having to ask for an extender belt on airlines. Finding it easier to, and you have more energy to walk/go up stairs. Clean house and do a million other day to day activities. Slip in and out of bath tubs where the water goes all the way around you instead of damming up and it doesn't kill you to stand up from sitting on the floor. Watch the years fall off your face and drivers license picture...got to a restaurant and order an appetizer and still end up with leftovers to take home. Go through doubts and several fills/unfills until you hit the "sweet spot" fill level for you. You will have to stop several times along the way to reassess your eating habits (I could eat certain foods and get away with some cheating a bit quantity wise at 359 and still lose...that had to go at 250). I have also found that I have to keep reminding myself 1/2 cup of solids three times a day--only--and drink my water (1 hour after meals until the next meal but not with meals). Eat protein first...fruit and veggies second, and non-complex carbs last. (Keep the fats, sugars, and non-complex carbs low...still have them but keep them low). And believe it or NOT a plateau that indicates that you need a fill is: 1. No weight loss for four weeks. 2. You are following all the band rules (8 out of 10 of us want to be able to break the rules and still lose figuring if we get a fill it will miraculously start us losing without us having to do our parts). 3. You are hungry an hour after eating (really hungry not cravings) and the 1/2 cup doesn't stay in the band for 2 1/2 to 4 hours. 4. You are drinking 60+ ounces of water a day and not drinking with your meal or for at least an hour after. 5. Once you move from mushy to solids--as much as possible get your nourishment from food that is solid. If you have problems with it sticking in your stoma, try it again chewing it well. Cut it up finer or chew it with other foods to keep it from recombining in your pouch and forming a plug (i.e. potatoes). 6. Try to avoid soups and/or protein drinks if possible (if you are able to eat your protein you will be full longer--some people have tight bands in the morning and can't eat so have a protein drink). 7. Whenever you hit a plateau, keep a diary and log everything, including water, which goes in and measure your 1/2 cup of solids. (Mine grew twice from 1/2 a cup to almost a full cup without noticing). 8. Try weighing in once a week to begin with, not daily. Later move to once every two weeks or once a month. When you are losing slowly, weight fluctuates daily with hydration levels, etc. At least this way you normally will see a loss and not a fluctuation or gain. Yes the loss is smaller but they are down not up. 9. Measure yourself monthly, often you lose inches before you lose pounds. 10. Don't compare yourself to others. We all lose at different rates based on age/metabolism/food choices/activity level...but we can all