Kaydotrn

Viridescence. First of all, I want to offer you a HUGE HUG!!!! I can completely relate to a lot of what you are saying. I was one a child of a thin mom who put me on diets when I was going through puberty and barely overweight. I spent my formative years feeling fat and not good enough. But I was certainly never encouraged to do any kind of activity. Nope, just diet diet diet. All that did was make me fatter and ashamed. I decided to keep my decision to myself with the exception of my husband, sister, mom (who was surprisingly supportive as I have got older) and one friend. No one else. I could not handle the people watching me, or forming opinions about how I was losing weight. The fact is, I am eating less and exercising a lot...the rest is not their business. Don't afraid to keep it to yourself. There is so much support here on this board from people who have your best interest at heart and actually know firsthand everything you are going through. Ultimately, it is your decision to tell. I just wanted you to hear from the perspective of someone who is banded and "in the closet". Best wishes!

Amen Musicalmomma! I too don't think having surgery was the easy way out. Like many others, I had been yo-yo-ing with my weight for years. I was essentially killing any chance I had at getting to a normal weight..and believe me, I TRIED! I tried everything. Since I had surgery, the weight has not flown off. With the exception of the first 20 pounds, I have had to work really hard to get every pound off. And even with the surgery, I can still consume quite a lot of calories if I am not careful and cautious about what I eat. A prime example, I went out to dinner with a friend tonight. I ordered a Margarita..yes, a splurge. I ordered a half salad and Soup. I then ate half of each item. For dessert, which I NEVER get, I decided to order one of those little shot glass Desserts, honestly thinking I was making a smart choice...minor indulgence. OMG, I got home and worked out the calories. My meal itself was around 300 calories...the drink and dessert was about 750!!!! I am shocked. See how easy it is to over do it. My error, and I won't make it again. Just a reminder how easy it would be to not lose weight. I think this surgery has just kept me from being able to pile it back on as easily as I had in the past.

Are you kidding...TOOT away! That is awesome. You should be so effing proud. I am itching to try a spin class but my gym doesn't have them. I will see if I can find one elsewhere that I can pay as you go. You know, I too love the pain. I love that when I get up from sitting, I grunt because my butt hurts so bad from all the squats I have been doing. I love that my shoulders ache from all the weight work. It is sick, but I love it. Wow Karey! I do my squats with my little 8lb weights and my butt kills. I am in awe! I did another firm video today...Cardio Party. I actually shouted at the trainers at the end and told them I hated them. Good thing they are on tv and couldn't hear me. I kept up with the cardio but I am not terribly coordinated and some of the moves were ridiculous. I know if I do it a few times I will get it down but I wanted to kill them for their enthusiasm. It was a good sweat builder though and according to the bugg I burnt a crapload of calories in the 45 minutes. Looking forward to my run tomorrow! I decided to put my scale away until Sunday. I am getting pissed because I have a 1000 cal deficit everyday for 9 days and I am still up a pound. I am frustrated and trying to convince myself that I am gaining muscle but I really don't know. I have to just keep at it and figure it will work itself out. It has to, right? Flippin scale!!!!

I follow a program where I aim for 2500 calories burned and 1500 calories eaten to give me a daily deficit of 1000 calories and hopefully a 2lb weight loss each day. I don't know if that helps. Whatever I do, I try to keep a 1000cal deficit which I do by using my bodybugg. I try to fill up on lean Protein and complex carbs (veggies/fruits). I am struggling with being really hungry later in the day and I am thinking about tweaking my intake to try to eat more earlier. I tend to save my calories for later in the day and I am afraid that is sabotaging myself. I am also wondering if I am hungrier because of my increased workouts. Maybe try a Protein shake or bar before your workout to give you the energy so you don't feel weak.

LOL Daddy..I love it! It must feel pretty cool to get an acknowledgement from that elite group! Enjoy it. I am finishing up week 3 tomorrow. I don't think I have ever done week 4, I usually have something that throws me off track by now. I am really excited and feeling great. I am looking forward to running my first 5K which is scheduled March 30th. I may be repeating this info, if so, sorry...just really excited! Sweet-wtg on the continuing running. I bought a runners handbook yesterday online..hopefully it will ship soon. I think that will motivate me to increase my endurance and speed correctly when I am done with the C25K. I will let you know how it is when I get it. Travel-I love what you said about what you are doing now being a lot more than what you were doing last year. That is so true and a great perspective. I love it! And next year we will be looking back and saying the same thing as we are running our marathons...one can dream right?

WTG Tracey and Frangipani on onederland!!! I have been hovering at 205 since Thanksgiving! It is driving me nuts. Can someone send a rescue rope and pull my over to the other side??? Admittedly I was very sporadic in my exercise over the past 5 weeks or so until the New Year, but I am busting my butt now so I hope ti see some results soon! I NEED to get over there wil you all soon!!!! Keep my seat warm.

Woo hooo..thanks for sharing and I can say I have NEVER eaten one thing on that list. I am surprised to be honest as I used to like my fast food. I can also say I have never in my life supersized anything. Just goes to show you, a little "extra" calories every day and inactivity over the course of 10 years is enough to make you morbidly obese. It doesn't take "a lot" of overeating! I am halfway through my week 3 c25k. I am a little intimidated by week 4 but looking forward to the challenge. I have my first 5K race set for March 30th which gives me enough time to get through the c25k and then work on improving my time so I can actually get the whole 5k in....I am excited, and my sister who completed c25k a few months ago has registered with me. Thanks for the motivation and support.

I am struggling with this as well. I can eat great all day and turn into a binger at night if I am not careful. I have told myself there is NO eating after 8pm period. If I get hunger pains, then that is my body diving into the fat stores for energy (according to Bob Green anyway, and if it isn't true, I am still going to try to believe it). I have been pretty successful but it has only been about 10 days.... nothing is easy, even with the band! And I must agree, junk goes down sooo easily!

Oh girl! I am so darn happy for you!!!! That is wonderful. I know what you mean about thinking the goal number is a joke. I sort of feel that way too. Heck, I am struggling to get below 200!!! Way to go though, you really deserve it. Jill, I am with you on the no loss thing. I am thrilled to hear about your inches though and regret that I have not measured consistently. I actually measured yesterday and will see what a month does. I am working out like crazy so I better start seeing results. I don't want another fill because I think I have enough restriction. Let me know how you like yours. I also wanted to comment on the bodybugg. I agree it is a great tool and it really keeps me on track as well. My only beef is that I have had a 1000 calorie deficit every day for the past 8 or so days and I am up a pound!!!! I am frustrated but have to guess that I am building a lot of muscle since I have really been cranking it on the strength training. We'll see. This is a good topic Steph. I am kind of sorting through all this too. I have had a lot of those same comments "I gained everything you have lost"..it makes me feel weird. I am very humble to most people about my loss. I just say thanks and move on. BUt sometimes I want to share my success with people like my sister and mom who have watched me struggle for years and who know how hard I am working. This weight is not melting off! I have to work for every darn pound. I called my mom to tell her about some achievement at the gym and she replied laughing with "God, we are not going to be able to stand you for long"..WTF? I don't know what that means. Am I being that obnoxious that I am annoying? I don't think so. I was also talking about some outfit I bought and my nice heels and she said "when did you become such a diva?"...Ummm, I am just happy and feeling better about myself. Is that bad? You wouldn't mind but my mom is all of a size 4/6 naturally. I have never been that and she has always referred to my sister and i as her "big daughters"..my sister is a size 10 now but maybe has been as big as a 14 on her worst day. It is frustrating. I just have to remember that this is on her, not me and deep down I know she is happy for me...maybe just irritated that I am happy??? I don't know. I feel like I could go on for days but I really have to run...thanks for letting me vent.

I don't hold onto the treadmill, but I know there was a time when I did. I find that if I feel I need to hold on, then I am going too fast and that is why I cannot balance. What is everyone walking at? I am always curious because I don't know what I should be aiming for. My walk is usually around 3.7 to 3.9 and I slow run at 4.5 (I am trying to run a 5K). I know people run way faster but I am taking it slow. At 3.7 my HR is usually around 115 and when I run it is at 145 or so. I am really not sure what the goal should be..anyone in here know?

I love all this exercise talk. So helpful! I am ordering that weight book as we speak. Sounds like good reading and the reviews on amazon.com are good. I will let you know. I will say that FIRM workout I did yesterday must have worked because I am SORE today. I did my cardio at the gym today. Did my week3 couch to 5 K run (I am fearing week 4) and then hopped on the bike and did a hill program. It was good, but the most embarassing thing happened. I was SWEATING and realized that I stunk! I always sweat, but I think I was offensive today. I ate a lot of garlic in my dinner last night and am wondering if that is what it was. I was planning on doing another 10 minutes until some guy sat on the bike next to me (you know how close gym machines are) and I was embarassed and got up, came home and showered. I wasn't dirty, so it must have been the garlic...ewwwww. Ha. I will have to take a walk later. Has anyone done a Zumba class? I am going to one on Saturday. I am not very coordinated so this should be interesting, but I will try anything. 1hr cardio today (despite the stink:omg:)

Claud-have a great trip. I bet the family will be shocked! Steph-sounds like you need a BIG raise at work! Way to go on the size 10's. That must feel wonderful. I will live vicariously through you. As of right now, size 10 is my ultimate goal. I cannot even imagine being any smaller than that. That is wonderful that you are there. Nikki-how are things in babyland? How are you feeling? I hope well. B-man-how are the workouts going? Have you tried anything new lately? I was struggling. It is so hard during the cold months to stay motivated. I finally feel like I am back in the game. Of course this little warm up we are having in the weather is a nice boost! Okay, and I have to add that I CANNOT get over the transformation on Annie. Unreal. And in such a short amount of time. Everyone is really kicking butt. I am so happy for you all.

OOOhh Stef, That book sounds great. I am definitely going to check it out. Thanks. I am still steering clear of Skinny Bitch :::ducking away shamefully:::: I am just not ready to know. Karey-I love your new photo. You look beautiful, and not grandmotherly in the least! You keep on working it at the gym. Sounds like you are making great progress. Suzzie-what kind of nursing do you do? I just finished RN school last month. Phew!

Stef- thanks for the chart. It is nice to see the progress. It would be cool if there were away to award a star next to the person and the week when/if you achieve or surpass the weekly goal. I forget if there is a way to do that. Am I a spazz??? I am a sucker for silly recognition. Of course I didn't achieve my weekly goal but came close...and gained a freaking pound. UGH! I am still stinging about that. Maybe I am retaining water. Yea, that is what I am going with. We will all reach our goals this week... What the heck Who'sYa...you lost 10 pounds this week???? You are amazing. I got my new Firm set today. I don't know if anyone has seen the infomercial. I have to be careful with those things because I want to buy every fitness thing imaginable. But the new Firm set has weights which I was in need of a new set and some cardio-sculpt DVD's. I have always found their workouts to maximize results. They really work you out well and no time is wasted. I did the 45 minute hi-def sculpt today and felt that I really worked hard. Not to the point where I was exhausted, but I was sweating and I am already feeling sore now. I like it. I didn't burn as many calories as I do in an hour of cardio at the gym (thx bodybugg for tracking) but it was a good sculpt workout and my HR was definitely up. I will let you all know if I see any real results. Dibaby-I hope you are feeling better and you don't end up with Bronchitis. Do you have a tendency to get that? I am hoping you are feeling better!!!! :::sending healing thoughts::::

OMG Stef...thanks a lot. That salad is a yummy one and now I will be thinking about it all week. NO MORE food TALK..roflmao! Enjoy that lunch.

Hey everyone. I think this is the first weekend in my life that I went to the gym. I have usually done the 5 weekdays and taken the weekend off, and now realized that to get the rest of this weight off I need to step it up. I felt so accomplished today..I did my week3 couch to 5 k and walked to total 35 minutes then did 25 minutes on the bike at a higher intensity than I usually do. Yesterday I did 25 minutes of cardio and about 15 of strength (in my bedroom..the gym closed too early. ugh). I ate a lot though yesterday. It was the first day I didn't stick to my no eating after 7:30 pm rule! aarrrrgghh. And then I was up a pound on the scale this am. WTF! I had over 1000 calorie deficit ever day this week except yesterday and GAINED a pound!!!!! I know it will come off if I keep plugging along but it is frustrating. I have been at the same weight for weeks! Enough venting...everyone is doing so well! Longhorn-I was laughing about the spending diet. I too have that thin, patient husband that doesn't gripe as I spend billions on weightloss products. I hope my spending days are done and whatever I have now is all I need to get to goal. Jess-seriously...over 2 hours of cardio? I am awestruck! Stef-you too. 38 mile bike ride? You are a machine. I will be sending my PM right along...thanks again. Way to go to you all adopting a Vegan lifestyle. I give you a lot of credit. I keep my head in the sand because I am just not ready for that life change. Selfish on my part, but I am honest. I have to run..I am going to try to get out for a walk tonight to make up for my junkfood that I ate last night. :cry

I too switched from FitDay to Sparkpeople (then to mydailyplate.com...love that site). I only documented for myself and never really connected with others there. I still use it ocassionally when looking up calorie info, but with my bodybugg I only log on the Apex site. Man I could lose hours of the day with all the logging I do!!!!

Hey Ladies~ Happy New Year...I am officially back on the planet. I am so sorry I have been away so long. I totally got overwhelmed around the time I got back from Vegas..with school wrapping up, finals, and the the holidays I was just never online or if I were, it was to check my email. Then with more and more time passing, it was harder to come back...I felt like a creep for not checking in. Sorry everyone......I look forward to getting some time over the weekend to check up on you all and see what is new. It may take the whole weekend!!!!! Know that I have thought of you all often and miss you tons..... BTW, I am officially done with school!!!! I just have to take the boards next month and now find a job. I am so excited to start my nursing career and feel very accomplished. Thanks for all your support.

Thanks Stephanie for the welcome. I will PM you after this post. I did my day 3/week 2 couch to 5K today. That was about 30 minutes, so I jumped on the bike for 20 and the stairclimber for 10. I was good and sweaty. I had a cool realization today. I know you are not supposed to compare yourself to others, but I am human and sometimes do. While I was cooling down after my run on the treadmill, I was walking about 3.4. I checked my HR and it registered at 115.bpm. A nice cool down from the 145 or so when I was done running. I happened to see a woman in front of me also walking at 3.4 and her HR was 143. It was a light bulb moment for me when I realized that after this past 18 months or so working out, I have conditioned my heart since I know in the past walking at 3.4 or 3.5 was a real challenge. I was happy with myself. I know that I can continue to push myself and improve but for someone with high blood pressure, this was a good feeling (not to mention the woman was quite a bit smaller than myself!). I found it interesting to see the talk about corn syrup. I was craving a turkey burger today. Thinking I would make a burger, maybe a slice of cheddar on it and some carmelized onions and maybe a little BBQ sauce. So after the gym I am at the market buying ingredients and looking at the BBQ sauce. Naturally I expect it to be high sugar, but I was floored reading the ingredients. 90% of the sauces listed the corn syrup as the #1 ingredient! I found a light version that had sugar as one of the last ingredients and I bought it..I imagine it will not taste very good but I will try it. I have given up sugar in the past and I know it is evil, but I am not ready to do it again yet. Maybe I will find some motivation here.... Have a great day.

Hey Everyone, Am I too late? I have been on an LBT leave since Thanksgiving. Thankfully, I did not do too much damage to myself. No weight gain but I am back at week 2 of my couch to 5k program. grrrrr. I started back on my workout plan on 12/31 and I was stumbling on the boards looking for a challenge and came across this thread. I would love to join but understand if I am too late...let me know if you have room for another. I have been working out all week and should meet my goal of 300 min cardio and 180 min strength for the week. Have a good night all.

I want a housecleaner too...I am terrible at keeping house, though I want it clean all the time. I have my hair cut and colored every 5 weeks or so. monthly pedis (of which I am overdue) daily workouts I am done with my RN program in 4 weeks!!! that is the biggest thing I have EVER done for myself and it will greatly benefit my family too. Lunch/dinners with friends...coffee talks It is funny, I do a lot more for me than I ever did in my 20's. I have made myself a priority these past couple of years, and I like to think I am a better person for it. I never knew how to say no before, and while I still struggle and feel badly sometimes, I have learned that I am not willing to put myself last to do everything for everyone else. Myself and my family come first.

I love my nano..I have the limey green one. I sometimes have a hard time getting it to shut off...I swear it has a mind of its own sometimes, but overall it is one of my greatest electronic purchases. (along with my bodybugg...the two make a fantastic team). Happy shopping...I hope you get what you want.

Scary to hear Dez. I hope the bed rest have set things well. I had a very bad bleeding scare with my 2nd baby. It was horrendous and I remember how scary it was. I am sorry you had to go through that. I will continue my prayers. So Sherry...when are you hosting all of us??? HA...see, you never should have mentioned it... I think it would be fun.

I am with you all...199 by Thanksgiving! (and then keep it there after thanksgiving, HA!) Just a thought, and I wonder how many of you would feel the same...in the past, Halloween was usually my gateway to a solid weight gain through the holidays. NOT ANYMORE!!! Feels so good..... Keep up the great work everyone!

One more thing... Is anyone interested in having a Christmas exchange similair to what we did back on Valentine's Day? I thought that was really fun. I would be more than happy to again organize the exchange if you all would like to PM me your addresses. It may seem early but I wanted to get the idea out there. I was also interested in maybe adding you lovelies to my Christmas card list. You have become such an important part of my life and want to share some holiday spirit with you all!!!! Let me know what you all think...maybe a $10-15 exchange??? I can put the names in randomly again. We can do a secret santa type of swap? ~K