beversman

Just got back from the Gym again... Yoga last night. Tonight I did an hour of a "Stability Ball" class... did about 60 pushups and a ton of ab work. There were these skinny bitches in there... you know the kind that have always been skinny, always will BE skinny. I kept up with them, and think I may have even taken some of it a bit better than they did. Amazing how "skinny" doesnt always equal "in shape"... ya know? I also did 10 minutes of the elliptical on level 10 to warm up. 30 crunches on the Ab machine before class... 20 sets working my arms and chest... 30 sets working my lower back... 20 sets working the backs of my inner thighs.. I am back at Yoga tomorrow. I may even hop on my elliptical here at home tonight. I am on a mission. I am going to see my best friend (he lives in Indianapolis... over 2 hours away) We have a very close relationship, and I hope that he really notices the change. He just sees me a certain way, and alot of the time he has a hard time being able to see the difference when I make a change. So, I am on a mission to lose at least 10 more lbs before March 9th. Have a good night girls. BK -- congrats on being able to join the competition at the Gym. You totally deserve it. I am glad you took the time to explain the surgery to that lady. So many people dont have a clue. When my best friend Eric found out I had the surgery... he said, "so, you had a Tummy Tuck?" HA! um, no... not exactly. Go kick some butt! Claud -- have fun tomorrow honey! let us know all the juicy details.

My husband WAS that guy. Up until the day he left he told me that I was the most beautiful woman in the world. Then one day he left without explanation. I, of course, blame the weight, but maybe im wrong. I wont ever know the reason.

Hey claud (hugs) its ok girl. I know what you mean about being down. It just happens. Just remember (and I need to remember this too)... one day at a time. You are doing an awesome job. it is a good thing that people are noticing how well you are doing. I just (today) had the first person from my work actually say something about the weight i am losing. It was kind of nice and made me feel good. I thought that no one could tell. BUT Someone actually noticed!! So, dont take her compliment badly. It WAS a compliment. i wish i looked like Id lost a 100 lbs. I feel like I am just as wide as ever. :-) I think our brains are going through a more drastic change than our bodies. Becuase we dont see the change taking place in our "thought process" we tend to over look it. Sometimes it just catches up with us. I've been in a bad mood for over a week... so just know that we are all here and we understand :-)

bkwalling -- girl! you are just perfect size for yoga. I've been doing it since I was 267lbs and am still doing it down at 217! The beauty is that you only have to do what you need to "feel" it. You dont have to fully extend or push yourself all the way in any of the poses until YOU are ready. You just go at your own pace. It is sooooo nice. i think you would love it. Bandiva -- what did i get a WOW for? ive been a lazy bum lately... ha but thanks for it none the less. VAbandster -- its emotional crap. i just would rather be in bed, but i am determined this week to go to the gym whether I want to or not. So, no i dont feel more motivated, but i DO feel better since I got up and moved. Nikki -- I eat close to a cup of food when i eat. I am just not supposed to eat any more than that. If I eat any less, I just dont feel nourished. I was told by my doctors that eating a 1.4 of a cup was almost on the unhealthy side. It would be very hard to get the nutrients and live a "normal" lifestyle. BUT anything from 1/2 cup to <1 cup should be ok. Over a cup means you need to get a fill.

Thanks STEPH!!! I kept looking at that picture of you and how well you've done, and I knew it was time for me to quite slacking off. I got my butt up on that elliptical again :-) Just got done with 30 minutes... Boy, I tell you what.... after the first 5 minutes, I could already tell the difference that taking a "few days off" makes... BIG difference! I was sooo tired, but after I pushed through to about 15 minutes things started to feel ok again. I am glad I had you here to motivate me tonight! Keep up the good work girl!

Steph you look wonderful honey!! I am so glad to see the pictures. You can really tell how much you've lost. You look great. I've been so unmotivated lately. I havent even exercised once in the last three days... I am going to Yoga tomorrow though...so, i guess i could be doing worse. I am trying to get my inspiration up to go get on that elliptical. I dont know what my deal is... Nat -- have fun tonight :mad: 'nuf said Sassy -- trust me we all know what you mean. I've been alot lost lately. It is easy to get that way. We are all right here if you need us. I would love to grill out. (im jealous) booboo -- girl, i hear you about the clothes. The people that make them are idiots. Men can go buy a pair of 36x32 jeans without trying them on and BAM they fit when they get home. If a woman trys that... YEAH RIGHT. I cant buy from catalogs, and I always have to try things on. I hate going in designer stores their sizes always run small... BUT you look fantastic in your pics. Im cranky too -- ive been cranky... I need to get my butt out of this funk that it has worked itself into.

I didn't think counting calories worked for me either, until i started doing it with the band. I've lost almost 50lbs in the past two months.... I also exercise everyday. So, no i havent lost muscle mass and everything is becoming toned. It will just become a normal part of your day. It isn't like you will have to obsess about doing. Instead of thinking about what to eat for lunch you will simply be thinking about what machines you want to hit at the gym.

I got .2CC more in my band. That makes for 1.8CC all together I'm still on liquids till tonight... then mushies, tomorrow... back to solids. I lost 8lbs since I was there two weeks ago :-) They are all very excited about it. I am almost to 50lbs lost, and that is my next mini-goal. I am currently at 221. I want to be below 220 by next week. Went to the Gym last night and worked out for a hour after my fill. Gotta get rid of this nastiness. Thank you guys for the understanding. These have been my first holidays without my husband and it has not been easy. I am filling out the divorce papers tonight. I finally decided to do it. So, this has just been a really tough week. I just live vicariously through all of you and get to enjoy reading all of the things going on in your lives. I am glad you are here to keep me company.

Hey guys, glad you all had good day yesterday. For me, it was long... and I had way too much time to just sit and think. I'm ok when I don't slow down long enough to think, but it was horrible timing for an ice storm to trap me inside my house. It wasn't a good day. :think But then neither is today... I am about to go in for my 3rd fill. I hope the roads aren't too bad. Will let you know how it goes.

Sorry, i wasnt on today.... i have been reading your posts, but I am dealing with about 3 inches of solid ice outsie. My power was out for two hours and somehow they got it back on about 10 min ago. This whole part of Indiana is without power. So, I am lucky. We are under a Lever 3 snow emergency... which means that ONLY emergency vehicles can be on the roads... if you try to go to work, they can arrest you for being out in your car, and insurance wont cover accidents... It is some serious shit. I am just glad my power is back. I thought I was gonna freeze to death before morning. [sigh of relief] I am getting ready to go get on that elliptical now. I wasnt going to but Nat made me feel guilty for thinking about skipping. NAT!! you better get yourself right up on yours too!! We are suffering through it together tonight! ha. (sorry about your rough day girl) hope the little one starts perking up soon. I'd be worried to death about him all day and wouldnt want to deal with any crap at work either. BK -- hope you keep feeling better. it is funny he asked that. I love how kids minds work. They always make the best comments. Steph -- what's up Cabbage Boob? (hehe) Did the strange remedy work? Kristen -- You go girl! keep working it out. You must be in better shape than I am if you made it 20 minutes on your first go. I thought that 10 minutes would kill me for at least the first week. It still gets me when I do 20 minutes... then I am ok after that for the next 10 - 15min Kaydot -- so glad to hear about your success... you are sooo busy I bet it helps to keep your mind off of everything. sometimes i think I obssess about this too much. Good luck with the clinicals. I would be bummed that I couldnt spend the time with my kids when they were off too. :-) You keep on truckin' girl. I can't keep up with you :-) I got tired just reading all you've been up to. Chubbygirl -- dont worry hon. it is better that you get healed up first. :-) You are still doing awesome on your weight loss. So, definitely dont be discouraged. Ive also been worried about our SweetHot too.

Matrix Hot Chocolate!! Best tasting by far! TIP!! Always mix protein powder in COLD water first... other wise you are going to have nasty chalky lumps... even if you have protein soups (powders) use cold water first. mix in completely. Then, let it set for about 2 minutes, then stir again. Then, add your hot water. ***Don't nuke the shake once the protein is in it. or its gonna get nasty.

Yes, BK to the doctors ASAP! Get a slight unfill. You may only need .1CC removed to help BUT do it ASAP. Kristen is right about slipping. Everytime you “heave” to throw up you are putting stress on the band and if you do this for an extended period of time your band will slip or could eventually erode into your stomach! Not good. Now this has only been going on for a week or so with you… so don’t freak out. You just can NOT continue to let it happen. It is not healthy for you. You are also not getting enough calories (in my opinion) You should be getting closer to 800/day. Your body probably feels like it is starving. You have to make sure you are getting enough protein to prevent muscle and hair loss, and with only that small amount of calories I bet you aren’t getting the 60-80grams/day that you should be. Drink only fluids (broth, shakes, water) until you get the unfill. Your esophagus is swollen due to the irritation from PB’ing(vomiting). You must allow it to heal for a few days because right now that will complicate the issue and make it even harder to get solid or mushies to go down. You band was too tight and now you will be swollen on top of that. A Double whammy. Take it very easy. Warm fluids would be best. Talk to that Doc!! ASAP Love ya sweetie and take care of that esophagus…

Well, congrats Sassy on your fill today and good luck J I only eat breakfast the day of a fill. So, no eating for 4 hours before sounds just about right. It give that pouch time to empty out. As far as fill amounts… we are all over the board here. First it will depend on the size of your band. Most have a 4CC, but some have 10CC (VGband). Still the first fill is usually a small one. BUT Ive seen some doctors who are much more aggressive and start with a bigger fill amount. I got 1.5CC on my first and only .1CC on my second. For a total of 1.6CC. I think Maurdan who posts on here from time to time had 2.5CC on her first. So, it truly varies greatly from person to person. Your doctors will probably assign the amount on their own. I don’t think any of us had input on how much we wanted. They just make sure you can drink water and that it all goes all the way down before you leave the doctors office. Then most doctors tell you a day of liquids, then day of mushies, then regular food.

Just got off the elliptical 500 more calories gone! Lifted weights. Did my crunches. I laid around my house all day today. I was so unmotivated to move. I hate when I get in these moods. :cry First of all thanks everyone for the encouragment with the pics. You dont know how much I had to talk myself into putting them on here. I would really love to see all of your progress too. Be brave ladies, be brave :-) Nat - It sounds like you two are really getting along well. You seem to be talking more and more. It is good to have someone like that around. Friends or something more... it is so good to have someone to talk to. Steph - amazing house :-) the floors looks so nice. The house my ex-husband and I were in the process of buying had all hardwood floors. I was really looking forward to refinishing them. They were beautiful. Im jealous. You and your hubby did a great job. He is a keeper. Kristen - congrats on the elliptical you exercising Mama!! Just remember... starting off can be a little rough. I thought I was gonna die on that thing for the first few weeks. Then, all of the sudden it will just click. You will love it! (the hole in the wall sucks... isnt that how it happens? trying to do something good... and nothing goes smoothly...) Jill - isnt it funny how that stupid scale works... you think it should be doing down and it just sits there... then, all the sudden for no reason down it goes. I think they like to mess with our heads. of course I am addicted to my scale and weigh myself like 4 times a day... ha I am developing a love/hate relationship with my scale.

Well, as promised... I got my pics again this weekend. Here they are. I will be brave and be the first one to post my pics of my gut :-) Hope you are all having a good weekend. (ps. no makeup, no bra... and im not sucking in.... so this is alllll natural... HA)

Holy YOGA batman!!! [cue dramatic music] "OMG... so sore." [gasps for breath] "thought.. body... was getting in shape....." "was soooo...... wrong......." [loud thump as body hits the floor] HA! oh my goodness ladies... If you want to kick your own ass, go join a "cross training" yoga class... I am so sore. I worked muscles that apparently had not been touched by that elliptical and the weights. I feel the burn!!! My ASS is on fire.... hello glutes!! Nice to meet ya! It hurt to press down the gas pedal to drive home... so yeah, gonna feel this tomorrow. BUT it was AWESOME!! I had so much fun. I cant wait for my next class. They have two a week (that I can attend). One on Tuesdays and Thursdays. my arms burn, my abs burn, my back burns, my legs burn... even my toes got a work out... hell, I think my eyebrows are burnin'!! I loved it!

Claud -- Hey, hey... sexy lady!! congrats on the smaller sizes!! Feels good doesn't it? You're doing an awesome job. and no need to thank me... I get all my support from all of you, and know how much i means to just know that we are not all alone. I am going to Yoga tonight ladies. I finally got my Gym membership this past weekend... of course the only blizzard of the year hit the next day... ha. So, I am headed out tonight to get things started. I LOVE yoga! Soooo relaxing. Then, i will probably hit the machines for a bit as well.

Every young girl should be vaccinated. period. The disease is too prevelant and yet there is no education about it. Everyone finds out what it is and how common it is AFTER they are diagnosed, and they go looking for answers on their own.

I saw on your profile that you weren't banded... please dont take this the wrong way!! I am not being rude. (just curious)But I couldnt help but wonder how you found your way to a LapBand support group. Did you used to have the band before or something?

best way to work the gas out is walk. the gas you have is not like the gas you get from eating the wrong kind of food. They inflated your stomach for surgery... the gas is in your peritneal cavity. (the cavity that surrounds your organs) You cant pass the gas through your intestinal track (unless small amounts are absorbed into it) as the gas is not in your digestive system. The gas is around it. So, you have to work it out through absorption and release. Which means if you walk, walk, walk, walk.... it will make the process go a 100% faster Good luck. and keep drinking your Water and move as much as possible.

six glasses of wine.... OMG Where was the preacher man!?!? Did you go work that wine off last night??? just kidding

You ALL better get some update pictures posted too!! Here or Yahoo!! Kay you've lost 40 lbs yourself my dear!! VABandster you've almost lost 30!! Chubbygirl -- almost 40!! BKwalling - almost 30!! Ms. Steph -- 21 pounds gone forever!!! Nat -- almost 40!! and this hot mama's got a new do. Nikki -- 25 lbs gone!! Claud -- over 40 lbs gone!! jillrn -- almost 20 lbs gone!! And these are just the people that have given a fairly recent update. I am sure some of you have lost even more and just arent believing that scale yet!!! You are all doing an awesome job my dears!! You all better start showing it off soon! We've lost over a total of 300 lbs together ladies that is AWESOME! No sad faces... (even though I know we all get them) because in all honesty, we are all doing a wonderful job.

BK -- my doc does a standard 1.5CC fill on the first time (as long as you are not experiencing restriction just from having the band placed) I had my second fill on the 1st... and I just had .1 CC added to it. My doc likes to slowly creep up to the sweetspot... instead of getting the patient too tight too quick. THAT can lead to even bigger problems. --------------------------------------------------------- My last fill has been confusing... sometime I feel like I am not restricted. Before I could feel the food going down slower and I could feel a slightly uncomfortable pressure after eating 1/2 cup that told me "YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH" Now, (this morning) I ate about 3 ounces of chicken. I seemed to feel the "stop" point. Last night.... I think I wanted to eat a WHOLE chicken. I didnt!! BUT I wanted to. I think it is the old head hunger trying to creep back in.... So, last night I started exercising until I got myself soooo exhausted that I didnt want to eat... and then I fell asleep! HA! Take THAT you stupid hungry brain!:fencing: OH! and, by the way, I am taking some more comparison pics this weekend... I took my last pics on January 10th. So, I am waiting a month to take my next ones. I am scared to look at them. I'm so afraid that there wont be a difference... BUT I will share them with you guys so you can give me an "objective" view. I may even post them here instead of yahoo... nothing more motivating than knowing all of you will be scrutinizing my pictures once a month. scary!!

BK -- 9.75 should be the LENGTH -- yours probably holds the 4CC in VOLUME (that is how mine is... but yours could possibly hold a different amount I would ask the doc) BUT 4CC is the standard band. (and used the most) ---------------------- Hey Ms. Steph! Yeah, I am not too far away... I am just on the west side of Cincinnati, OH. I live in Indiana, but Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio all kind of come together there on the Ohio River. THAT is where I live on the Ohio River. So, technically... I am just down stream! hehe VAbandster - you probably got some of the same storm that we did. All the schools are off here too... of course we got about 8 inches of snow. It was fun driving to work this morning. (which is where I am now... procrastinating) Ahhhhh, better get my hind-parts back to work. Talk to you lovely ladies later!

I'm home everyone... we have about 8 inches of snow out there! It was an interesting drive. Hello boo boo kitty!