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I started exercising 5 years ago in an attempt to lose weight. I exercised like a mad woman, weight training, tons of cardio and could not lose any weight. That was when I decided to get the band. I found out that I could get off my anti depressants for the first time in over 20 years because when I left the gym, I felt so good. The dr. wanted me to go back on them when I was going through all the stress with my dad these past few months because they are also supposed to help with anxiety but I knew one of the side effects from those things is weight gain. I went back to the gym today for the first time since surgery and I am really glad I did. I miss working out when I don't go. I feel grumpy. I was afraid when I was in Arizona that I was going to lose all the muscles I have built up in my thighs. That was a great NSV when a guy at the gym a few months before my sleeve surgery asked me how I got my legs so toned.

1. WEIGHT-I'm down 41.4 lbs since the beginning of the pre-op diet. I stalled for a while after going to solids even though I was keeping my calories to around 1200-1300 a day. I knew this was because I was in starvation mode from over a month of 600 calorie days. I tried not to get discouraged, exercise, make good choices to rev up my metabolism and the scale is starting to move again. 2. FILLS- I've had 1 unfill and 1 fill. I was hasving troble just tolerating mushies so they did an unfill. Took out about 3.2ccs leaving about 0.5ccs in. I was very hungry after that and so I went back in for a fill and they put 2.5ccs back. last week. I'm now at 3.0ccs in a 10cc band. 3. RESTRICTION-Well I'm still giving it some time since they said it could take 1-2 weeks for a fill to kick in and it's only been a week. I have some restriction but not enough. I'm still doing OK though. Going back on liquids after the fill got my head back into it. 4. RULES-I try not to think of things in terms of "rules" because that feels too much like a diet. I knw there are things I'm supposed to do and I'm better at some of them then others. I'm getting better at not drinking until an hour after my meal. I make allowences for this rule if I'm going to the gym in the morning right after breakfastso I don't get dehydrated. I still give in and have a little sip if I need one but I'm getting better. I have trouble with the protien first thing since I hate eating one thing on my plate completely before moving on to something else. I enjoy mixing my foods. Like when i have a chicken salad I don't want to eat all the chicken out first. I like the mix of flavors. Other than that I think I'm doing OK. 5. ANYTHING ELSE-I'm usually a big exerciser--I go to the gym at least 3 times a week and run on the treadmill and work out with a trainer 2 times a week. Sadly I hurt my back last weekend though so I have to take some time off. I had the first person who didn't know about my surgery comment on my weight loss last week. Yay for NSVs.

Another NSV-I am going on two beach trips soon-Va Beach this weekend and Myrtle Beach, SC the end of July. I have always avoided beaches/pools etc. in the past but I did have two swim suits that I have used with coverups. (If you even want to call them swim suits b/c one had a big old flare skirt thing and the other had some built in big shorts but for all purposes, they were swim suits; size 30/32). So for these two upcoming trips, I wanted a swim suit but the two old ones are waaay too big (yeah!!). Despite all the weight I have lost, I am rather self conscious about my legs & my knees look kinda flabby too. But to me, the look is no where near what I must have looked like at 368 pounds. I had not planned on getting anything but decided to go looking. Don't know if was temporary insanity or what but I ended up getting a two piece:lol:. The top is a black/white halter and the bottom is black with a short sleek built in skirt that fastens on the side. Both pieces size 18. I tried it on and my 11 year old fashionista neice gave me a:thumbup: so I guess I will be sunning it up this weekend and later on. I took a pic and sent it to my boyfriend. He gave me a thumbs up too. So I guess I am not that crazy after all. Hope I don't chicken out but I will be taking a coverup just in case.

It's been a few weeks since I posted, so it's time to get back on the stick, so to speak... I'm enjoying my banded life...I still feel as if I have an optimal level of fill, since when I do eat, I can't eat very much before feeling full. If I eat too fast (old habit - hard to break) or take too big of a bite, I get a little stuck and have to wait for things to clear. I've been avoiding 'sliders' like ice cream and chocolate, but have an occasional slip. Where not so long ago, that would have meant a 'I'm feeling sorry for myself' binge, now it's just a slip, and I get back on track. Weight loss is slow, but still moving. I'm guilty of wanting it yesterday sometimes ...for instance, this past weekend I tried on a new swimsuit that I bought in anticipation of a family trip to Florida in July. I bought the suit at the size I wanted to be, not necessarily the size I was at the time. Not too far off, but still... It's a really cute suit - kind of old-fashioned in a way, because it has a 'skirted' look to it like ones I've seen in old catalogs. Fits really close to the body, not a flared skirt, more like a mini-mini-mini pencil...scuba gear is what it reminds me of, without the length in the legs. It's white, and fully lined, with a halter neckline. I tried it on the day it arrived, and while I wasn't ecstatic about how it looked, I wasn't horrified either - first time THAT's happened in a very long time! LOL I knew I had some work to do, but had a month to do it in...now it's about 2 1/2 weeks before the vacation, and I'm not quite where I wanted to be, so I'm second-guessing myself and my decision to buy the suit. Normally (my pre-banded life) this would cause me to give up and just eat the first sweet / salty / crunchy / fattening thing that crossed my mouth. Instead, last night I got on the rowing machine and did 25 minutes...I haven't rowed in a while, so it was tough, but I figure MORE exercise is the best way to get the scale moving again. I've lost nearly 50 pounds as of this writing, and I think my "easy losing" time is over. Now, I think I'm getting to the more "entrenched" fat, and it's going to take real WORK to get it off. My tummy is so soft now...where it used to be firmer with all the fat cells packed in there! It's not a pretty sight, but I look at it as a marker of my progress. My DH said he could tell from my legs that the muscle is fighting for dominance over the fat I'm trying to lose...LOL...makes me think of a scene from a kids' cartoon where germs moves through the body and are attacked by antibodies - except I'm attacking the fat cells with exercise and eating right! :thumbup: I'm going to focus on burning as much fat and building as much muscle as I can from this point forward - I know that will get me where I want to be, and the only way to get there is through hard work. I have a goal to be down another 10 - 15 pounds before my trip, and I'm going to make it! Increasing the intensity of my exercise will help, plus watching even more closely my portion size and protein content. My walking is going well - I love to walk, and with summer approaching, I do more outside walking than ever. We're on summer hours at work, which means I have a shorter lunch hour, and therefore less walking time. I think that's why my weight loss has stalled somewhat. I didn't realize what a difference that 10 - 15 minutes would make (a 25 - 35 min walk versus 15 - 20), but it obviously makes a difference. I thought I was walking 'harder' to compensate, but I guess there's no substitute for time and distance... For all those working with their band, congratulations - keep up the good work! :wub: If you and your band seem to be at cross purposes, I encourage you to go back to the beginning - re-discover what made you certain that the band was for you, talk to your doctor or your nutritionist, and get back on track - you CAN do this, and the band can be one of your tools! :mad2: If you're not yet banded, I encourage you to do the research, get the answers you need, and make an educated decision. I did, and it was the best decision I've ever made for ME! NSV (Non-scale victory) - I was kidding around with my DH this past weekend, and he grabbed me in his arms, fell backward onto the bed, and proceeded to tickle me. I laughed and laughed - he loves to tickle me and most often, I love to be tickled. After a short while, he stopped and got this contemplative look on his face. After I stopped giggling, I asked him what was up - he said simply "You didn't cough". I had forgotten that when I was heavier, I could not be tickled for long periods of time without losing my breath and starting to cough. Sometimes the coughing would bring tears to my eyes, and my DH would apologize for tickling me. It was an uncomfortable feeling - knowing he wasn't trying to hurt me, yet knowing something was wrong - why would I be coughing from being tickled? His statement brought it home to me - whatever my weight was doing to my breathing capacity, whatever it was doing to my body to cause the coughing, it's now gone! I can be tickled like the rest of the normal-weight women out there and not worry about losing my breath or having a coughing fit. :w00t: Perhaps a little thing, but one more piece of evidence that I'm claiming my ability to live a normal life with the help of my lapband. :wub:

Dee, please mark me down for -2, thanks! Lotza, I have the same thing!!! I find taking one tums at night just before bed helps a lot, I also bought a wedge shaped pillow to elevate my head a bit. I think what I am learning is that I was a stress eater before the band, and now when I am stressed I feel the acid. It does not bother me nearly as much when I am relaxed about life. I have been doing more liquids, protein drinks, soups, and that makes it easier also. hang in there! Thanks for posting the photos - you all look fantastic!!! Wanted to share a NSV. I bought several, okay FIVE, new swimsuits, and have been canoeing every week in Cherry Creek reservoir. Somthing I NEVER would have done before. I feel like quite the macho Colorado chick with a canoe on top of my car!

WASa count me in -- I too think it would be fun ... both NSV and scale victories too

Carol... CONGRATULATIONS!!! I knew you could run farther! 34 min is great! Sorry about your friend, but again, great NSV to use running as the way to deal with an issue! MacMadam... you are so dedicated. Plus a full Olympic length Tri... that's a great goal! Suzanne... I have the same problem. I can run without any knee problems, but riding a bike or climbing stairs kills me. I have arthritis in both knees, but my right is the worst. I literallly have to climb stairs with the left leading each step. Going down in bad too... I lead with the right then. When I'm running outside and I hit stairs, my momentum sometimes makes the stairs do-able, but not always. I haven't been on a bike in years, so don't know how I'd do. But an exercise bike is out of the question, so I assume that a bike is too. My guess is the strain on my ligaments and joints in the circular motion is too much with the arthritic damage done to my knees. Ok, day 4 of my strength/cardio schedule, and all is well. I almost blew off the lower body workout last night, but pushed myself to do it. Glad I did. On Tuesday I went out for a run... the plan was to go for just a short run, but I got into it so much that I did almost 6k. It felt great! I also broke my race record time for the 5k portion. When I got home, I had such a runner's high going all night! Oh Yeah!!!

Good Morning Gang Went to the gym last night arms - then went to a Saladmaster Dinner Party (cookware sales presentation) Well this stupid lady Jan didn't show us til late and then complained when dinner wasnt ready.. She was werid acted drunk but I don't think she was.. Ok here's another NSV - I didn't know the pple hosting the party - I was invited by my trainer (this cookware no water no fat but hell it cost a million dollors) well the party started at 6:30 Idrise forgot that he had a client at til 7 - so he was going to be late - and he made me promise not to flake on him - well - off I go to pple I don't know house (the girl hosting is one of his clients but I haven't met her before) - That's pretty big - (Linda this isn't most likely something I would have done 112 lbs ago) But I just figure these pple can't hurt me - So maybe I am a little out going - or really I don't have my fat holding me back any longer - but I did put my foot in my mouht - the girl hosting is a little chubby (40 lbs overweight I guess - but she does look like she's big boned) don't remember exactly what I said - but her dh said that the reason she couldn't follow a strict diet is cuz they are out alot - drinking and socializing and it was hard to follow in those circumstances - I had same that we were food addicts and ate for tons of diff reasons - well I have become a food nazi which is ok here - but now w/pple you don't know - it was all excuses - but again I know how hard it is to say no when everyone else is saying yes - and there is a platter of potatoe skins in front of you and you had a couple of drinks. They made ck breast suppost to be super tender and cooked without oil - well hell my chick cooked on the BBQ was more tender - veggie not done enough for me - I like well done veggies - and this eggplant lasagan was ok - But again this stuff is outragously priced Starter set $2695 and electric skillet $895 ya right - I didn't think it was any better than my $89 set of pots and pans - but supposeityly you don't have all the bad stuff from the pans leaking into your food Well didn't get home til after 9:30 !!! This morning 35 min Wii - and tonite - grocery shopping - vacumming and tomorrow - 9:48 picking up my DD and getting to meet her for the 1st time.. Challenge - I am very close to the 5 - 4.5 lets see what it says tomorrow a.m. - but regarless if I make the 5 lbs or not - I have gotten a better handle on my food.. Phyl - I bet Earl changes his mind when he knows you are going to be gone 3 weeks without him - have you guys ever been apart that long (besides when he was in the service) Can't wait to hear about what doc's you fine - !!! Well gang I got to get my desk cleaned up before I leave tonite - so I will cbl Hugs

I've posted my NSV's on the "twenties page" but I had one this morning so I'll share. I'm currently wearing a pair of pants that have not fit this comfortably since I bought them last summer. I actually wore them to interview for my job with the top button open and my blouse untucked to cover it. They slid on no prob, buttoned and zippered like I wore them last week. They are a size 12. BUT Thats what I hate.... Every clothing company sizes differently.... these are NY & Co, But I'm still a 14 in Old navy jeans. But hell, I'm wearing a size 12 dress pants!!!! WOOOOOO HOOOOO!!! :ihih::eek::eek:

73 lbs is a lot of weight. Don't get down on yourself. I can only tell i've lost weight in my face and upper stomach. Otherwise I look in the mirror and see the same fat butt and thighs. Yet I know i've lost weight in those areas. Do you take any measurements? If not, have someone measure you once a month. That can be a small NSV for you. That way you may not see it but it will show up in your measurements the inches you've lost. Good luck!

Yesterday, I went to my yearly Diabetes check-up. I also needed to check my blood pressure because I had stopped taking my blood pressure medicine a month ago. My Blood pressure was (with no medication) 102/75!! And the doctor had to change my status to "NON-DIABETIC"! She said it is a rare treat to change a patient's status for the postive. My diabetes was the main reason I got the band. What a great day!

Ok GF the 1st thing you do is go buy a stupid scale - then you weight 1st thing in the morning after you have peed & pooped (i know tmi) and weight totally naked !!!! If you aren't weighing in the same clothes then there is no way to tell.. Just keep on keeping on - what the carbs and drink your water - how's your restriction doing - it's not going to come off over night - some weeks I only lost 1/2 a pound - but all those 1/2 adds up each week and each month... I think it's the full moon !!!! Kari - Wii Fit & EA are my new transfer addiction - spent 6 hours yesterday playing the diff exercise games - alot better than sitting 6 hrs in front of the computer on my butt.... Yes I went today and ck'd my crops - see I have lost ALOT - well it's just a stupid computer game - so no biggie - I am loving my Wii - and have been too busy at work to play there since Karri is coming to visit on Friday - So no can't say I have quit forever - just not my main priority right now.. Since you aren't going to the gym you should invest in one ... It can become your new transfer addiction too... And it's alot more healthier for you... You will reap real benefits not imaginary ones :0) Have you gotten your passport yet !!! OK girls - run to my house !!! We can swim - plant flower- play Wii and all eat healthy together - it's not really about losing 5 lbs in 2 weeks - that's a big big amount in 2 weeks - it's about staying on track or getting back on track if you have fallen off.. That's all - who care if you only lose 1 lbs - its a loss and that's what truly matters... Phyl - sorry that Earl's being a butthead - wish I had some advice there - but alas I'm single for that very reason don't want to put up with the 3 days of bad - even for the 4 days of good - I can do that all by myself Weigh in isn't till Friday anyway - and I don't think I will make the 5 either and I hiked on Saturday - played 6 hrs of wii yesterday and 1 hr today and have been eating well.. So don't sweat the 5 lbs - just keep on track - we all know that some weeks the scales aren't our freinds no matter how hard we work.. Hugs - Tomorrow will be a better day !!!! Ok 23 months out and I get to report a NSV !!! Today was legs w/trainer - he had us do walking lunges - Well guess what - I can touch my back knee on the floor !!!! it's taken 15 months of working out - but I can do it - I can do it !!! Well it's 9 I haven't eaten - my spinach is draining and so I am off to eat... Keep up the good work girls - you are worth it - the scales might not show it today - but in the long run they will... Hugs & Sweet Dreams

Great advice Apples and so true !!!! A little hunger isn't goint to kill us - eating the food we use to sure was - And I totally get you on walking 50 ft and dying - That's why I did this - I has no quality of life - now I am a 54 yrs zip linning - hiking 1000 ft elevation- repelling - weight training grandma... Feeling damn good about all that I have accomplished !!! Who wears a size 4 and even has a couple of 2's in her closet Welcome Deb - We are here for you 100% - My support group is only 1/2 hr away and I don't go... I love LBT it's open 24/7 !!! Do you have gas X strips for the gas are you walking ... You are normal I woke up after surgery thinking WTF have I done... But darling - this is the beginning of a whole new phase in your life - one where you are going to get healthy - the quality of your life is going to improve 10 fold - losing the weight is such freedom - ya it's scary to lose something that we have hit behind for so long telling ourselves we were ok with who we were.. But that's denial - Go back to page one of this thread and read forward - You will learn a little about each of us here and others who don't post any longer - but you will find out that you are not alone - You have us !!! Hey Kath Congrat on your clothes showing the signs of your weight loss - it just gets better.. Well gang I started this at 6:30 when I got home from the gym - Oh I got a NSV to report - Walking lunges - My back knee now touches the ground !!!! My balance has improved so so very much - I am so much stronger !!!! Well back to I started this at 6:30 - phone call - then had to go to the store my fur babies had no dinner - well got them fed - cooking my dinner and about to go hit the couch or maybe 1/2 hr of my Wii - my new transfer addiction - it has replaced farming on FB :lol: Heck it's better for me anyway - moving is better than sitting on your butt... Good nite - talk to you all in the morning -

this is a great thread! theres more in the twenties group under NSVs (non-scale victories)

Yes I guess I am very lucky. The surgeon is just up the road and he has an open door policy - free fills for 6mths. Just have to make appointment. I am feeling OKAY and am at fill number four I think? but I keep drinking with meals and also drinking wine and then not caring about what I eat. WOE. DEFINITELY A NSV!!! Agree WannaB - I can see a trend here everyone is screeching to a halt - the liquid and the band have given us all a good boost to start with but now its time to work! booo! Hey SDeale, I notice that you weigh in but have only ever given one weight which was 2 weeks ago - if you want to post your current weight when you weigh in on a friday (and tell me your start weight) I can pop you on the biggest loser spreadsheet. No worries if you don't want to - and by all means post whatever you want - just letting you know what you need to do if you do. xx

wow kathy - thanks for the advice. im seriously considering what you suggested. as a matter of fact, i did go past the 28 mins tonite. i wanted to make it to 4 whole laps around the blocks in my neighborhood that i usually use as my course. thats just a hair under 2 miles. by next weekend i should be ready. tuesday im supposed to go running with a girl i know and she does about 30 mins. so i'll go with her then. the only other hold up is that my old computer died - the one with all my music and playlists... if i can figure out how to copy the stuff on my mp3 player to the other puter then i can do what you suggested. if not then by saturday for sure. now, for your NSV, Kathy...WOO HOO! now u can be the measure for your family to say - "I want to be as small as Kathy!" very proud of you! thats an excellent accomplishment. you are close to correct about me being cautious. but im not so much cautious, but methodical. I figure if someone has gone to the trouble to study the science behind the C25k program then its based on good info. But i really trust you and ive seen that info b4. so thats y im considering your challenge. will let you know when i am ready to be there. but tonite was the first time i felt like i didnt feel every step and ready to stop after the first lap. lyn and ktork good to hear from both of u. everyone else... have a great week! TC, Carol

Kathy~ What a great NSV! You had to of felt great about that. Went for a bike ride today, planning on running tomorrow, need to put in a good 3 miles, I have been running about 2 pretty regularly this past month - need to push a little harder and get busy! One more week of school - yeah! My daughter graduated on Saturday, the rest of the kids have until Thursday this week. At least it will be fairly quiet without the seniors! LOL! Can't wait to have a few extra weeks to kick up the exercise!

Now for my really cool NSV... I went to a family reunion yesterday. I saw my aunts and uncles that I haven't seen in 1-1/2 years and my sister & brother who I haven't seen since Christmas.... so a few pounds ago for sure! The women in my family have always struggled with our weight, and I've always been the worst offender. Most have been moderately overweight, where I was so obese it dwarfed them. The last time I saw them I was a size 22-24, now I'm a 14!!!! Well, they hardly recognized me... and I was the smallest, and get this... the HEALTHIEST!!! Anyone can be small, but it takes real dedication and hard work to be fit and healthy... it felt so amazing! Here I was surrounded by family that has always seen me as their "large" guge monitor, you know... the one they silently think... "as long as I'm smaller than Kathy, I'm ok"... that person we always compare to. Well, now I've changed the rules! Ha... I love it! Nice thing was, they were all genuinly happy for me! Envious, but happy for me.

Ordered a T-shirt from One of my fav bands, Usually when you order a "large" it's like a 14 year old girl large. I figured o.k it's gonna be small I'll be lucky to get my left arm in it, but it's something to look forward to. It comes yesterday, I take it out of the box, examine it and then attempt to put it on..... IT FIT. and it fits perfectly, I am not bulging out all over the place and the image on the front doesn't look like it's gasping for air. it fit comfortably. That is a real NSV.

NSVs I'm looking forward too: Not needing a belt extension on a plane Not having to search for the weight capacity of chairs and exercise equipment being able to wear cute bras! (like the little balconettes) Going to amusement parks and being able to RIDE the rides!! Not feeling like I can't go to the cool clubs because even though I'd kill everyone with my style, it wouldn't count since I weigh more then 3 of them put together. as posted on one of the first pages: seeing my va-jay-jay! and NOT through the mirror :thumbup: Not feeling like Shrek (like an ogre walking through town and everyone is staring at you) and I am so EFFING tired of hearing: YOU HAVE SUCH A PRETTY FACE. I'm sure theres more, Can't wait to check things off that list :thumbup:

Hi all, Down a couple of pounds this week finally! I have 9 pounds to meet my 7/4/09 goal. It is going to be hard but I will probably get a fill on the 16th so that will help! NSV - I saw a bunch of family yesterday that I haven't seen in a while and they all noticed! YEAH! Also, I ran 4 miles in under an hour this morning and it is getting easier. The Rocket City Marathon is in sight!

Another Post gone!!!!!:tongue2::cursing::thumbup: It wasn't much just telling Candice that my balance truly isn't bad - it's my cordanation that is - when I am suppose to lean right I lean left and about karri tt - she explained it better than me.. Kari I did the running this morning and like I said - I broke into a little sweat.. But again I am a big head sweater - my trainer said that's good cuz you are burning calories - might not be true I don't beleive everything he says - but I like to think it does Sorry Karla - I just couldn't take it anymore !!! Everyone is always talking about their Wii - for 2 yrs now they have been - and I figured that I could use it mostly on my off days from the gym... I have a hard time following the step - I look at the other pple feet cuz watching the steps can confuse me cuz i tend to look ahead.. Congrats Karri - I was wearing my size 2 too today (remember Candice the ones I got when we were in Vegas at the Bass Store) I have only 2 - size 2's - I am a solid 4 and happy with that - but do feel super good when I have my 2's on :0) Ok here's a first - I AM GOING HIKING IN THE MORNING !!! This is my 1st hike ever - we have something called the bump and grind where alot of pple go to hike.. Well my gf from work and I were suppose to go shopping (she wanted my fashion advice) but she called to cancel cuz she's going to san diego next weekend- and she invited me to go hiking with her - so i thought WHAT THE HELL - I'll try it - and then when my DD is here next week we could go on Saturday morning - she can run it while i walk it :0)... This will be interesting - I gotta be at gf house at 6:50 a.m - So If I'm not on the computer by 1 - be concerned (jk) but really this will be a NSV of sorts - I guess I gotta live thru it 1st :0) Karri my GD Kaitlin is a DD too - she got a suit at Marshalls - its sorta cute - just a little old for her - that's the problem with having big boobs they don't make suits to fit some one who's small - normally DD cups in the plus size only - But don't worry I love to shop and suit will be on sale cuz I know summer is just starting but heck next month they will start bring out the winter stuff... Ok I gotta my closet cleaned - now I need to mop my bathroom - trying to get some cleaning done before DD gets here.. Plus I want to get on my Wii and try out the rest of the games on the fit - and then try the EA... Plus I am hungry... Food today Bf- SB protein bar 140 cal Lunch: Chick & Salad 350 (more avocado today) Snack: protein bar 140 cal & pringles 70 cal Got 500 left !!!

NSV... my hubby has been away this week..... I have NOT eaten JUNK.... did you hear me???? NO JUNK!!!! I've journaled my food, gotten off my fat ass and exercised.... I am liking the bike for transportation. Now the real test will be on Sunday, when I visit my Mom.... usually there are Goodies Galore that are hard to resist...plus I do this emotional eating behaviour too.... ARGH~~~ I will make a plan for sunday!~~~( I promis Janet)

Happy Friday, everyone!! I stayed the same this wk., no loss but no gain! I'll be happy with that. I've been a little discouraged this wk. also but I just keep in mind of where I was 6 months ago, where I would be 6 monthe from now, if I had not had the LB and how far I have come since LB. The NSV's are really nice and they do encourage me when I'm feeling down. And ,you guys are all doing awesome, keep up the good work!! What is that saying, every journey starts with the first step!! And we have all taken the first step, SO KEEP ON STEPPEN!!!!