Rsilversea

I found a picture of a dress I love from Victoria's Secret. I'm printing it and keeping it on my closet.

I'll be honest. I hated Muscle Milk. Took one sip and spit it out. But everyone has their own taste so I say give it a try.

Here's a kick from a chick. I had the same problem right after the holidays--didn't really watch what I ate, didn't weigh my food, exercised somewhat. In other words, I fell back into old habits. What made me get back to basics was remembering why I did this, why did I get the lap band. For me, I remembered all my relatives with obesity related health problems and the one cousin who died at Christmas the year before I had surgery. I've come so far and so have you. Let's keep it going!

I ride a bike. Now that it's cold outside and I'm not that crazy, I set up a trainer inside for my bike. I also do some strength training. I would like to give yoga a try and maybe some Wii games (like Just Dance--my 3 year old likes to "dance").

I make my husband take any baked goods to work. After Christmas, I took the leftover gingerbread, scones and cookies and threw them out. Didn't care how much was left.

This evening I did something I haven't been able to do for 3 years--I was able to put on my wedding rings! Not on my pinkie where they had been but on the ring finger! I took them off about 6 months into my pregnancy and hadn't got them back on until now. Makes me feel great. Now my husband can't tease me about not being married.

I'm having a hard time getting back on track but I'm taking it one step at a time. First step--cut out the chocolate milk. That means keeping the water in the fridge and not in the garage. Once I have that step worked out it's on to #2. Two is to make sure I log everything I eat in a journal whether I want to or not. It's what keeps me from eating too much since I'm a grazer. One website I go to frequently has a 12 Healthy Habits blog. They are working to change habits one month at a time such as January's is to eat 3 servings of fruits and vegetables. Next month's goal is to exercise more. That's how I'm doing it. One month at a time. Plus I'm going to go back over the paperwork with the diet plans the doctor's office gave me. I'm not going to let this get me down. Whenever I get depressed, I eat more, work out less and gain weight. That in turn gets me more depressed and it turns into a vicious cycle wherein I give up. I've lost 40 pounds since last March so I know I can do this. Just take it one bad habit at a time. If one month seems too long, take it one week at a time.

I lost one pound over Thanksgiving and gained 3 over Christmas. Now I'm getting back to basics again.

Name, real or screen~Paula Age~44 Weight on January 3rd~203 Goal Weight for January 31st~198 Exercise Goal for January~35 min on bike 6 days a week (have a trainer in house), strength training 3 days a week Dietary Goal for January~eat more protein and keep track of it Personal Goal for January~start training for the NYC 3 borough bike a thon (or whatever it's called), lay off the kid's chocolate milk Date Banded~June 2010 (forgot day) Total Weight Loss Since Banding- 40 pounds

I did great over Thanksgiving. I even lost a pound. But Christmas week took me for a spin. I went back to old habits (not completely) and paid for it. Now it's time to get back to business.

1. Get back to writing down everything I eat (whether I want to or not). That's what keeps me on track. 2. Get back to measuring my food. It keeps me honest. 3. Keep track of how much Protein I eat. I bet it's a lot less than I think. 4. Drink more Water. 5. Keep exercising. 6. Try to lose one pound per week. Key word--TRY. Or maybe, as Yoda said, "There is no try, only do." I think I might pull out my diet paperwork that I got before surgery and go over that. It might help to inspire me.

I wouldn't mention it for one reason--someone mentioned in their newsletter that I get that "I lost xx amount of weight and I wanted to prove you can do it without having surgery." Good for her. Must be nice. We aren't all like you.

Do you have a bicycle? My husband bought us a trainer and we take turns hooking our bikes up to it. Gives us a nice work out and come spring, we'll be ready to ride. Plus the trainer isn't that heavy. I was able to carry the box it came in upstairs.

I'm afraid to get on the scale. I know I've made bad choices but I plan to hop back on the train to today. The best advice I have is to not get discouraged. If I get discouraged, I will keep making bad choices (eating wrong foods, stop working out, etc). Then I start to really gain and I become depressed. Once that happens it's a downward spiral. We all tend to make bad choices during the holidays (even those who don't have weight and/or food issues). The thing is to know what you did, accept it and move on. And if you have bad food in the house (in mine, it's candy bars), ditch it now. I threw out the scones and gingerbread on Christmas day and no one had touched the gingerbread. If it's not there, it won't tempt you.

It does take a long time. I've been banded since June and have come a long way but not near as far as I would like. I still feel like I look like the Good Year blimp. I recently went shopping for new pants since I only own jeans and am going some place nice. I went for the 18's and found one pair I liked in 16 only. The 18's are an accomplishment for me. When I started this journey I wore 22 and sometimes 24. Amazingly, the 16 fit with just a little snugness. Pictures can lie. You can look fat depending on what you are wearing or how you are positioned. You have to use other means to gauge your success. I finally got one of my wedding rings back on after 3 years. Keep working. It's hard work but so worth it.

I've been looking too. Even tried search and still came up empty.

I'm thankful for another chance at a longer, healthier life.

My mother in law did that to me. We went out to eat a tea shop. When they dropped off the check, two pieces of mints were there. My mother in law grabbed mine and said I don't need that. I told my husband when he got home and we both had a good laugh.

Let me know how it goes. I didn't know about the price cause I didn't look it up but it sounds like something I might want to try. Christmas IS coming... hear me Santa?

I haven't been able to get back to them. My husband is retiring in January and we are working out our financial situation. I should be able to do it but I will be taking my 3 year old with me. That ought to be entertaining.

Wow! That is horrible. I'm shocked and don't know what to say.

If you're going to get a bike, get a decent one. And get it at a reputable bike shop. They will be able to help you choose a bike for your needs and help you care for it. Get it at Wal-mart and you are left on your own. My husband and I own Specialized bikes. They are very good. The first bike I owned (and rode after surgery) was a comfort bike. Heavy but it got me on the road. Now I ride a road bike. It's lighter and faster (or it would be if I wasn't towing a kid). It's good for paved trails. Find a bike shop and talk to the salesperson. They can help you find the bike for you.

Good luck with your decision. May you be successful and enjoy your new life.

Good luck and happy journey!

Kinda reminds me of all the posts where people were complaining that they had just had surgery xx days ago and hadn't lost any weight. I'd tell my hubby and we'd laugh. Right after I got out of surgery, the first thing my hubby said to me was "You just had surgery a few minutes ago. How come you haven't lost any weight?"