Rsilversea

Core--think belly region. Don't expect a flat tummy but stronger muscles there will help you stand straighter and lift objects more easily. I usually do crunches on a stability ball or use the ab machine at the gym. The trainer will help you find exercises to strengthen your core (and help you with all this alien terminology).

The gym I joined had a complimentary session with the personal trainer. She gave me several weight training machines (and free weights) to work on. Plus she measured my fat, my body age and a lot of other things (that was one fancy scale--I hope I never see it again, lol!) I work out on the elliptical trainer for cardio and I've discovered spinning. I do that three times a week and weight training two. I also have a stability ball, jump rope and small free weights at home for when I can't make it to the gym or don't feel like it. I joined SparkPeople.com and they have exercises on the website that I sometimes do. But most times I'm at the gym (I paid for it, the kid goes to the child care and I get a child-free 30 to 60 minutes--always an incentive). Check to see if your gym has a complimentary session. At the very least, they might be able to show you how to correctly use some of the equipment.

I had Tricare and I had to stay overnight. It was the best thing that could have happened. I had wonderful care and would recommend it.

I wouldn't be too concerned. If it was stuck, you'd know it by now. Just don't do it again (yeah, I know. I have a toddler too and am used to biting off a piece of his food without thinking.) Let it rest about 20 minutes and then get back on track.

What's a "bathing suit"? lol

Isopure vanilla or chocolate. They are pretty nasty if you drink them plain (I have to at least add Splenda). I use one half scoop to 8 oz milk then start adding stuff. I also like Inspire protein powders from Bariatric Eating. I love their Dutch Chocolate Cake and Apple Pie. I don't have to add anything but I do have to make sure I mix it up right (I sometimes get lumps). I bought the sample packs to try and find which ones I liked the best.

Depends what I'm hungry for that day. I use chocolate powder, peanut butter and banana. I've used fresh and frozen berries or peaches with either chocolate or vanilla and sometimes I toss in SF pudding or flavoring. It really comes down to how adventurous I'm feeling.

Reminds me of a comment my dad made to my mom once while she was making carrot pudding for Christmas. "Why don't you just slap that suet on your hips. That's where it's going to go anyways." I didn't hang around to see the end result....

Dogs are a great form of exercise, except mine who is almost 16 years old and prefers to sleep most of the day. When I do take him out, he just lumbers along at a slow pace which frustrates me. He lets me work on the computer all day but will get me up too early in the morning. Congratulations on your new dog (and have fun with them both)!

Hubby and I share meals or I get a take out box and divide my meal in half. Then I don't have to worry about my lunch the next day.

I started yoga about a month ago. I've found I'm not as flexible as I thought I was and I have little balance but the yoga is helping me. I enjoy riding my bike and have found yoga to help with my core strength (a plus when riding).

The problem with reading support boards is that the people posting (for the most part--definitely not all) are having problems and need to vent or ask advice. That's why it's a support board. For every person posting something negative, there are many more who are happy. Because they are happy, they have no need to post here (unless they are super excited about something happening to them). Don't go by what is posted here. Go to a support group. My surgeon requires every potential patient to attend at least one. My current surgeon (I moved several months after surgery) highly encourages everyone to attend support groups. Take a look at the pictures. You will see many success stories but rest assured, this is no easy task. You still have to eat right and exercise. If you have eating issues, you will have to take care of that yourself and learn how to eat right. Seeing a therapist and a nutritionist is good idea. Please don't go by what you read here. This represents only a small amount of lap band patients.

Two words--bike shorts. They save my behind (other areas). Also, check with your bike shop. They may have seat covers or some other suggestion.

Ok, gonna try this for a change. I'm only aiming for six pounds (but hoping for more). Biking season is upon me! Hope I filled out the log right.

I hate walking. It bothers my joints and my feet begin to hurt. I can go farther and I have a lot more fun biking. I don't like riding on the road but I don't mind taking my bike to any of the local trails. Plus with the bike, it's easier for me to take my son. I don't have to push him in a stroller. Besides, at 3 (almost 4) he's too big for a stroller, in my opinion. Towing him adds more weight but I think of it as a better work out. I don't mind not having the tunes. I wouldn't walk with an iPod anyway. To me, it's like riding your bike with one. You can't hear cars etc. The only time I would walk with an iPod is if I was on a trail. My son enjoys riding in his bike trailer and I enjoy pedaling. My feet and joints don't hurt as much as they do when I walk.

Have you contacted your insurance company? Tricare has changed their policy since I had it done a year ago. Have your surgeon put in for it but contact your Tricare rep. Don't get discouraged. I was 100 lbs overweight with no comorbidities and was covered. Again, their policy has changed and I think it goes by BMI now but your rep will know.

Usually I ignore crap like this since it's not worth my time but I have to agree with the OP. You may not have meant to sound like it but it came across as "snotty". And so did your reply. I'm sure you know people who have not won appeals but there was a better way of putting it than "You won't win." As I stated, I did and so have many others on this site. "Stick around a few years and learn something." That there are snotty posters out there? I'm sure if the OP has read this board then she knows that there nasty people out there. Nume, keep your chin up and don't fret. As I said, you haven't been denied yet. If it happens, your doc and your rep will be able to help you out.

I won my appeal with Tricare. I had to have my Tricare rep duke it out with the case worker though because I was also 100 pounds overweight with no comorbidities. Apparently they were interpreting their own rules wrong. Tricare has since changed it's rules. Don't worry about a denial yet. If it does happen, find out why they are denying it and have your local Tricare rep and doctor help you with an appeal.

Yep, love my bread and muffins. I'm trying to quit cold turkey, especially my snacking. So far that's my problem. I don't need to eat but I want to so I snack. I try to make them healthy snacks but it's still more than I need to eat. My breads have been cut down to an occasional whole wheat tortilla or Arnold's sandwich thin but I have to eat them carefully. I was sick a couple of weeks ago and could only handle toast with butter but I've managed to stop that too. It's not easy but I figure if I bang my head into the brick wall a few more times it'll get through.

Get bicycle shorts. I have a skort so no one has to see my jelly belly but your butt will thank you. Make sure to take plenty of water and talk to the instructor. They can help out with setting up your machine and give helpful hints.

I like the spinning classes. They totally exhaust me and leave me in a soggy puddle. Plus I enjoy riding my bike so it helps there on days I can't get out. I'd like to try yoga but the class is at the same time as spinning and it looks like I"d fall asleep since the yoga room is dark. On alternate days, I do strength training exercises that the physical trainer set up for me. They aren't exactly my favorite but I realize that it's part of my overall health so I do it. Plus it gives me an hour of not worrying about my son who is enjoying HIS time at the gym's child care center.

I didn't go through all the pages so this has probably been mentioned at least once: 1. When your spouse takes you out for dinner and calls you a cheap date since you share his/her meal 2. You still have left overs from the shared meal

Welcome back and congratulations for getting back on track. That's one of the hardest things to do.

I had one of those days yesterday. I was so hungry when I got out of the gym that I gorged on lunch. I had no room calories left for supper but I ate anyways. Then I snacked. I really need to take a healthy snack with me to the gym so I don't do that again. And as for fiber, I like to eat baked beans. It has protein and fiber.

If I absolutely positively "need" chocolate, I go for a protein shake or Carnation Instant Breakfast Sugar free. I don't keep other kinds in the house and I'm too lazy to go out for a candy bar. I went through two boxes of Luna Protein Bars in two days. Lesson learned. Don't keep them in the house (or car). Sometimes when I go out to the grocery store, I buy a candy bar and split it with my 3 year old but I try not to do it often. I want him to realize it's a treat.