It works

[Jachut 487]

The amazing part is that I keep losing, it has been an adjustment, but even when I feel discouraged I am unable to put on any significant weight

I was thinking about this the other day. I was sayng to some friends online (non band related site but we have a weight loss board) that I'd struck a bit of a plateau and everyone was surprised, they all thought I"d have this surgery and that the weight would just automatically fall off.

But for me the really really big advantage of the band is that on bad days, during bad weeks you dont gain weight. Yep, my weight loss is slow now and yep, its 2-3 weeks to lose 5lb (and longer) but I cant just "give up" like I once would have done. I simply cant eat that way anymore.

When I dont behave like a dieter - ie. when I dont keep a rough control of calories and when I dont mostly avoid fattening foods, I dont lose weight. I've had to step up my exercise and am now running regularly as well as going to the gym. That's been absolutely vital to keep weight coming off. So you have to do all the hard work still. Its just that when you have a breather or fall off the wagon a bit or simply dont try so hard for while you dont start to regain, it doesnt turn into a huge binge. And I can see now how I wont simply start to get heavier when I reach my goal weight.

It really is amazing. I wanted to feel like *I* have done a lot of the work myself and I do. It's still within my personal control, its not the band doing it, its me and I'm very proud of that.

[Murphles 0]

it is so exciting to hear about your loss

[shackdog 1]

yep thats what I hear

[PhotoNut 7]

But for me the really really big advantage of the band is that on bad days, during bad weeks you dont gain weight.

When I dont behave like a dieter - ie. when I dont keep a rough control of calories and when I dont mostly avoid fattening foods, I dont lose weight.

Its just that when you have a breather or fall off the wagon a bit or simply dont try so hard for while you dont start to regain, it doesnt turn into a huge binge. And I can see now how I wont simply start to get heavier when I reach my goal weight.

THIS is why I got this band. I am a great starter, and an even better quitter!

[PhotoNut 7]

I'm going thru all the old threads on my subscribed list, cleaning house so to speak, and found a few that deserved a quick bump to the top of the list. This was definitely one of them! So inspiring.

[nolagirl2 0]

I'd say the #1 reason I know it works is pretty similar...

I've been having a pretty rough month. I moved, am still looking for a job, my car/ipod/sunglasses were stolen, and my computer died. In the past five weeks, I've exercised maybe twice or three times. I started eating whatever I wanted for every meal, including lots of sushi (rice), burgers, potatoes, pizza, fried foods, chips, chocolate, fast food, whatever I wanted. My restriction isn't at the level where it can stop me, and I can eat what I would call normal sized portions (i.e. equal to someone of normal weight who isn't banded - not what i ate pre-band). I also have been in party mode and drinking 5 or so nights per week (which can be anywhere from 200-500 calories per night). Not the ideal bandster, I have to say...

So my lowest weight pre-craziness was 260. Weighed this morning, I'm at 263. In a month of doing all sorts of craziness, I have gained maybe 3 lbs (now I say maybe because my weight does fluctuate a lot, and 4 days ago I was at 260 still).

So I'm ready to jump-start my weight loss again. I've committed to at least a ten-day run of no drinking alcohol or high-calorie liquids, and no eating anything that I don't cook in my own kitchen or that's processed.

But still... 1+ month of no motivation to lose weight and bad choices... And I'm still within a 3-lb. range (normally my "hey wake up!" point is 5 lbs, due to fluctuation).

Anyway, just thought i'd jump on a bandwagon.

[TommyO 5]

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">It has been some time since I originally posted this but my feelings have not changed. I have not yet broken the 100 lb barrier but I am very close, 2 pounds. This summer has been a great one filled with all the ingredients that make another perfect summer. I have not been a good bandster eating too much BBQ,d steak and chicken along with lots of ice cold beer and great wines. Still I am down another 8 lbs, not a huge number but still pretty good considering any other time I would have put on 50 pounds or more.

Yes I am still happy and yes the band works I have lost 8 pounds during a period that would have normally see me gain.

I leave today with my family for two weeks in England and Ireland, a trip that we have been looking forward to for some time. As soon as I get back it's time to get back in the saddle and focus on some significant weight loss. But for now I plan to feel good about my accomplishments as I enjoy a few pints of Guiness.

Who knows, I may even dance a jig or two

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[Murphles 0]

Thank you so much for your post. I am stuck in lack of proper fill land and I think I am still better off. I don't think I could gain unless I really started hitting the caloric liquids alot. And I know I can lose easily when I have my restriction. It was really easy the 6 weeks after surgery. Just gotta get the fill! It is totally "the tool" and I still love it.