dk4k

*Applause* Good for you for sticking with it, when what the insurance company wanted you to do was just give up and pay.

I lost about 20 lbs. the whole second year even though I exercised more than ever in my life. I think it came down to eating too much sugar. I would have a protein fruit smoothie for breakfast that probably had as much sugar as ice cream! I avoided bread and pasta the first year because it was hard to swallow, but found a way to eat them the second year. All the while thinking that because I'm eating less, I'm doing good. I cut those things back a few months ago and have lost 20 pounds since.

I'm doing Keto too and it is working for me! I lost weight regularly for the first year after being banded, then everything slowed waaaay down. I lost 12 pounds in the last year, and gained 5 back! I was walking more days than not and nothing was changing. It took me a long time to figure out that in that first year when I was FOLLOWING ALL THE BAND RULES, I had cut out bread and Pasta because they didn't go down well, and I also didn't eat many potatoes or sugary Snacks. I eventually started eating a little of this. trying a little of that, and was back to a diet of basically everything. My portions were getting bigger and I was taking bites like a normal person. I was doing lots of things wrong. And the weight loss stopped! Duh. I cut out added sugars on July 28, and then went full keto a few weeks later, and went from 195 to 179. I have a LOT of energy too. I would recommend reading the faq at this website to anyone who is interested http://www.reddit.com/r/keto.

I also seem to get tighter when the weather is warmer, or during my time of the month. So maybe one of those caught up with you a few weeks after your fill.

Another good thing about an apple is that it takes a really long time to eat!

16 months after my lapband surgery, I bought a size 14 dress today THAT FIT!!! It looks great, too. I also bought a size 16 in another style, and that's quite alright too. I was stuck in the 190's since last September, way too long. Two weeks ago I decided to try something I never had before, and joined Caloriecount.com. I've been tracking my calories, activity, and Water, and in the last 2 weeks I lost 5 pounds. I must be on to something.

I don't know if Cato clothing stores are everywhere in the US, but I have shopped there for a while for plus size clothes, especially pants. Yesterday I went in and found the smallest size capris in the plus section, 16W, to be a little too big, but the size 16 in the regular section was a little too tight. So I left with only one pair of shorts. Frustrating! But it beats not being able to find anything that fits me and is flattering. I guess I'll wait a few weeks and try the regular side again. I also felt some strange emotions when I had to go over to the section with the smaller sizes. I don't know...I guess I was venturing out of my comfort zone, out of what I know, and didn't like not knowing what size to pick up or what might fit? It was weird but I felt a little emotional!

It is harder than you think, but you are stronger than you think. I hope we hear soon that you came through it well!

YAAAAAAY!!!! I just hit this milestone for myself today!!! It is a big one. Congrats!

Super success! I hear ya on the Christmas cookies!

The weekend I've been preparing for is finally here---I'm doing a 50-mile walk this weekend! 25 miles tonight (finishing tomorrow morning) and 25 miles on Sunday. I'm nervous as heck today! Along the way I've had to see an orthopedic doctor for knee pain, who says that I have some degeneration in my joints. Physical therapy and knee braces have helped a little bit, but there will be a certain amount of pain I'll just have to grin and bear. The knee braces increase the impact to my hips. I'm not supposed to take nsaid pain relievers, but for this weekend I will. I'd self-medicate with margaritas if I thought I could still keep up with the group! I would not have tried this 3 years ago when my son first did it, or even a year ago. But he asked me to participate and I finally felt like I could do it, so I did. I'll count that as a huge NSV. Wish me luck!

Good luck, mary! I just realized this week that since I've already met the only fitness goal I had set for this year, I have to do something else now. While physical therapy is helping me strengthen my upper legs to stabilize my knees, I'm going to take it easy with the walking and probably start getting my core in shape. That's a HUGE challenge for me.

Thanks for the good thoughts. I MADE IT!!! The first 25 miles were difficult (mentally more than physically). I came home at 5:00 am and had to pick up my left leg to get it into bed, I couldn't really lift from my hip. When I woke up a few hours later, I think I had gotten vertigo from a plugged up ear and I proceeded to be extremely sick for the rest of the day. I was only able to eat a half a piece of toast and the juice from ramen noodles all day. I really thought there was no way I would be able to get out of bed and do it again Sunday morning. Who can walk 25 miles on that many calories and having been in that much pain? The "old" me would have said that was enough of an excuse and stayed in bed. The "new" me got up at 3:00 am, had a little Breakfast to see how I felt, and when I found I was okay, I got ready and went. I was really proud of myself for just being there! I finished the second 25 miles at about 4:00 pm on Sunday. Several blisters and sore joints to show for it, and I might add I will NEVER do it again, but I set a goal and I met it! Also I was a new low weight this morning, that put the icing on the cake. My son finished too, as did everyone else who started the day (5 people of about 60 didn't show up on Sunday). That was another factor in my decision to get up and go, knowing that young kids as well as people older than me were going to get up and finish what they started, even though they were hurting too. I was walking with a breast cancer survivor who takes medicine that makes her hips ache a lot, and she finished. She thought I encouraged her, but I had to let her know that her being there encouraged me too. I had read her blog every step of the way through her treatment, and I was inspired by her willingness to take on such a physical challenge. Yay us!!!

Heidi I'm in the same position as you, I had to be completely unfilled due to what my dr. thinks was reflux (even though it didn't feel like it to me, but whatever...). I do notice that although I don't have the restriction I once did, the band is still doing its job. I am not hungry after just a few bites. It's just that I don't bother to stop eating at that point. I have been stuck in the 190's since September, WAY before I was unfilled. I think it is 100% due to not listening to my body's cues to stop eating, and sometimes eating the wrong things. I exercise but am not taking enough responsibility for what (or how much) I eat.

It happens to me every month! At ovulation, too.

The difference is amazing. Thanks for being so brave to show us your photos. So many of us want/need to go through the same procedures, and it is really good to see the before and after.

I just finished a 10-mile hike with my son, that's warmup hike #1toward the 50-mile weekend hike. I'm sore but I'm here!

Happy New Year, all!!! I'm ready to hit the ground running (or at least walking fast)...are you? Let's start this year right by challenging ourselves to MOVE every day! I am issuing myself a personal challenge to walk 90 miles this month. I'm trying to ready myself to do a 50-mile hike with my son the first weekend of March. I don't want it to hurt as much as it sounds like it might! I hope to see a lot of people checking in on their own exercise challenges.

How did it go, Twinkles?

I so needed to read your story at this time! I've been stalled for a while, but I try to keep looking ahead and staying positive. I think it will take me a full 2 years to hit my goal, so it's nice to hear from someone who did it the same way. Thanks for sharing!

Best of luck with your class!! Kickboxing seems like a fun sport that I would like to try with my daughter. Teaching the class must be a super confidence builder!

I recently told someone I had just met (at a dr's office) that I had Lap Band surgery and she looked me over a few times before asking me why I thought I needed it. She thought I had JUST had the surgery, and didn't think I looked overweight! That was a super victory for me.

It's pretty quiet here. How's everyone doing?

Congratulations, CTMom!

Well I didn't meet the December goal, too much to do. Come on, January! I'm starting a January thread right now.