chocolate_snaps

TWO WORDS: Water! Carmex (blue tub)! I suffer from dry everything and for my lips these 2 work miracles. My regime is after brushing my teeth and washing my face before bed I apply the carmex. In the morning you will have a chap-less pout. During the day I reapply, reapply, reapply. I put it on with my lipgloss. Its a life saver. Water is the absolute minimum requirement. But no amount of water alone alleviates my chapping, it only helps. Hey Carmex addicts!

Im starting today too. I am giving myself a jump start. I've done the 5DPT before and I know that I will lose weight but what I really want is to regain restriction. Im on the march toward Onederland and restriction is going to help speed that walk to a run. Good Luck everyone!

Everyone keep those pics coming! You all look so amazing that I had to get in on the pic posting. I will take a standing picture soon! Before is from a vacay to DR. After is from July 4th Fireworks on the Hudson.

Are you exercising?

1. Were You Named After Anyone? Yes! My Mom 2. When was the Last time You Cried? Tears are for wussies 3. Do You like Your Handwriting? NO 4. What Is Your Favorite Lunch meat?Boar's Head Peppermill Turkey 5. Do You have Kids? Eww 6.If You were Another Person, Would You be Friends with You? Hell Yeah! 7. Do you use Sarcasm a lot? NO! Im a New Yorker! 8. Do You still have Your Tonsils? You bettcha 9. Would You Bungee Jump? Yep! If you go first. 10. What is Your Favorite Cereal? Whole Food's Raisin Bran 11. Do You untie Your Shoes when You take them off? No. 12. Do You think You are Strong?Of will, Yes. Physically? Nah. 13. What is Your Favorite Ice Cream? Coldstone Creamery Dark Chocolate with a side of Lactaid 14. What is the First thing You notice about People? How they are dressed 15, Red or Pink? Coral (both) 16. What is the thing You like LEAST about Yourself? My perfectionism. NOTE THAT I CORRECTED THE GRAMMAR OF THE QUESTION! 17. Who do You Miss the Most? My Aunt 18. What Color Pants and Shoes are Wearing now? No Pants! And Blue Flip Flops 19. What was the Last thing You Ate? Chewy Granola Bar 20, What are You listening to now? My Fans 21 If You were a Crayon what Color would You be? Crazy Coral 22. Favorite Smells? Coconuts, Peaches, Puppy Breath, and Autumn Mornings 23. Favorite Sports to Watch? UFC 24. Hair Color? Dark Brown 25. Do You Wear Contacts? Not with 20/20 26. Favorite Food? Mangos, grilled chicken, and Baked Macaroni n Cheese 27. Scary Movies, or Happy Endings? Scary Movies with Happy Endings 28. Last Movie You saw? The Pianist 29, Color Shirt/Blouse You are Wearing? Black 30. Summer or Winter? SUMMER!!!!!!! 31. Favorite Dessert? German Chocolate Cake 32, Favorite Place ever Traveled? Puerto Plata, DR bw of San Francisco de Macoris 33, Where would You like to Travel Next? Surf Camp in Costa Rica 34. What Book are Reading now? Steven King's THE DARK TOWER O' DISCORDIA! 35, Where were You Born? Harlem Hospital, NYC!!! 36. Big Band or Rap? BOTH dont insult me! 37. Interesting Fact about Me? Paper makes my flesh crawl. Weird but true. 38. What did You Watch on Televison Last Night? Havent watched TV in 2 Weeks. The DARK TOWER CALLS! 39. Beatles or Rolling Stones? GAG! 40. Do You have a Special Talent? Yes! Im a pretty good writer. Plus I can make the sound of water droplets with my mouth!

Oh my goodness that is the best NSV EVER!!!! Congrats!

Fat and Rich. I would just pay for my band and then a tummy tuck. Im not fat anymore but I sure wish I had started out Fat and Rich! Instead of Fat and Poor.

I have not "thrown up" since I was eleven. PBing is another story. It is not throwing up, its like spitting out gross food.

My surgeon and the staff gave me copious amounts of information. Honestly though, I did a year of my own research so I knew everything they were to tell me already. However, after being banded I had many many questions that only a bandster would understand. Experience in certain instances trumps research and statistics. That is what I love about forums like LBT.

Hey everyone! Your Ive been reading your NSV's and am so happy for everyone. Ive thought about posting my NSV's but until now I really didnt feel that they were important. I dont really like to toot my own horn, but sometimes we all deserve to pat ourselves on the back. Anywho! My latest and greatest NSV's are: My bestie and fellow bandster said that I now have "skinny girl" weight problems. My left over stomach just looks like a pudgy belly not a hugely fat monster gut. SCORE! People at my LB surgeon's office have asked me disbelievingly if I had surgery. My Dr refers to me as his "LapBand Allstar" and wants me to attend their LapBand support groups as an example of what hard work and the LB can do. He says that my weightloss is comparable to that of RNY patients. People refer to me as "the tall girl". Ive been asked how tall I am more now more than ever. I guess being skinnier makes me look all of my 73 inches. Best of all! I feel attractive! Whats funny is that I know that I am more attractive to men, but I never felt it inwardly (where it matters). BUT I DO NOW! Wow! Everyone you are doing great, keep the NSV's coming!

I second the Sparkpeople.com. Ive tried many but SP has been the best fit.

Being a lactose intolerant bandster, Spirutein is my go to protein. A little coco powder, .5 teaspoon of LF peanut butter, a dash of vanilla and blend...MMMMM. It tastes better than any other nondairy protein shake I have ever tried, and Ive tried tons. FYI: If you don't stick with the cookies and cream flavor vanilla is easily customized. BUT even though the package says not to blend, if you don't it will be gritty and you WILL see the Spirulina. Its green, hence the coco powder.

I am close to goal and I will need plastics once I am there. I have a pannis that is causing back pain and bad posture. However I dont have the funds to have it removed. I know that some insurers cover plastics following WLS, especially for tummies. I would like to know how those who've had insurance covered tummy tucks/panni removals proceeded. From the start. Most specifically, how did you prove need? Who compiled the documentation PCP, LB surgeon, Plastic surgeon, Yourself? Please I need details. Feel free to PM me.

I am close to goal and I will need plastics once I am there. I have a pannis that is causing back pain and bad posture. However I dont have the funds to have it removed. I know that some insurers cover plastics following WLS, especially for tummies. I would like to know how those who've had insurance covered tummy tucks/panni removals proceeded. From the start. Most specifically, how did you prove need? Who compiled the documentation PCP, LB surgeon, Plastic surgeon, Yourself? Please I need details. Feel free to PM me.

Its so sad to hear this. She will be missed here, for certain. Thanks for letting us know.

Time for an update. Oddly enough before my Monday weigh in. Name********Starting weight*****Current*******Goal******To go ******************:cool:**************:smile:**********:bat:******* 1RockinMom.........254............220.........145.......75 Alleycia...........255............220.........152.......68 ALuv82.............280.5..........280.5.......200......80.5 AmethystJade.......231.8..........212.........150.......62.0 Babe...............308............275.6.......199.......76.6 Bellaperdente......196............177.........150.......27 Bklyn1984..........317............238.........165.......73 Bostongurl.........190............186.........133.......53 Brandy.............198............181.........166.......15 Cappy..............240............223.5.......130.......93.5 Chocolate_Snaps....244............219.........175.......44 CubsGirl17.........147............135.........130.......5 Clarebear08........192............170.........160.......10 Donna113...........183............172.5.......126.......46.5 dublingirl.........224............209.........145.......64 Ebonie.............307............298.8.......200.......98.8 EmmaWang...........241............203.........140.......63 FalloutGirl........282............278.........165.......112 FeliciaLevy75......200............194.........140.......54 FlordiaPete........413............369.........300.......69 GratefulHeart......226............191.........135.......56 GuyMontag..........325............276.........200.......76 health4life........279............239.........150.......89 inri09.............287............254.........185.......69 janesays...........225............189.........160.......29 kaninag............210............210.........170.......40 kimaly.............194............183.........160.......23 Lindar172..........246............218.6.......150.......68.4 Linksmom...........234............234.........145.......89 LocomotiveEngineer.311............311.........220.......91 Long2BThin.........216............182.........169.......13 lotzasunshine......270............245.........180.......65 Loveislovely.......216............180.........175.......5 ltgordon...........284.8..........229.4.......185.......44.4 lucyavery..........205............205.........140.......65 Mair...............231............222.........140.......83 Mamanmidwife.......264............260.........200.......60 mdgarcia31665......220............220.........165.......55 MissNilsa..........180............180.........132.......48 nicolerose.........365............288.........258.......30 Pink...............230............152.........145........7 Rhea2d.............283............233.........185.......58 Sandra267..........220............220.........165.......55 Snow...............227............167.........141.......26 stacy73............285............214.........160.......54 Tabithan...........240............240.........200.......40 Tuger..............192............187.5.......130.......57.5 Under200...........242............199.........155.......44 vzghj3.............202............202.........150.......52 Wendy_Wo...........242............218.........142.......76 WOWOX7.............173............147.........125.......22

Genetics will determine what your buns will look like but exercise helps. Certain types of exercise can help minimize how much your butt will fall (if it falls at all). With that said, my booty has gotten so much better looking! Its fuller, sexier, and higher than ever. Its a firm fatty LOL! Loves it!

I am in! I am so stoked about this challenge. I haven't been on a short term challenge is a long time. I feel ready to go for that next 20lbs that will take me to onederland, someplace I've never been:w00t:. Being that Im kind of a veteran LBT'er, I'm not too familiar with the spreadsheet method. I hope no one minds that I lifted this header from another challenge, alphabetized, and filled it in with our data so far. If you aren't on the chart please add yourself. In order to keep the data current please copy the chart from the last poster when you update your data. Name...................Start........Current..........Goal.......To Go Capitolchick.............215................215..............200........15 Chocolate_Snaps......219................219..............199........20 JasonR....................314................289..............289........25

Kagoscuba and Jachut thats some sound advice. Some genes just suck no matter what you do. I my case, I am closer to an hour glass than an apple shape and even though for the most part I look normal, my stomach is ridiculously still fat. Seems like the only thing that will get rid of my gut is more exercise and some PS.

I had the same problem. One way to tell is to ask for a blood workup to rule out Vitamin deficiencies. If you tell your surgeon she/he may send you for it. My problem was caused by anemia due to being a woman of childbearing age and my unique diet (no red-meat and very little dairy). Ive been dealing with this for what seems like a lifetime, it is so annoying. In fact I just went for bloodwork on Wednesday because the dizzy spells have returned with a vengeance.

They are correct, cardio (any kind vigorous enough) will burn fat. However, you cannot spot reduce. Cardio burns calories and where it comes off is unique to the individual. I think it may help to do more vigorous types to cardio. Like jogging and gym cardio machines. Its all about intensity and duration. I certainly wouldn't have lost so much so fast were it not for the elliptical machine at my gym.

I love fruit and I eat it regularly.