September Bandsters

[mariecarmen 1]

I'm relieved to hear other September bandsters reaching plateaus lately. My TOM plays havoc on my weight and takes me by surprise each month with a temporary gain. Right now I'm UP 4 lbs and it better be Water.

I find I'm craving salt lately. Anyone else?

[MimIN 19]

Here is this week's numbers! Those that haven't reported I will update as they come in...

TamifromAL – 213/-5/-2/0/-5/-2/-1/-2

BJean – 181/0/0/-1/-1/0/0/-1

Gonnabethin – 190/0/0/-1/-2/-1.5/0/0

MimIN – 199/-2/-2/0/-4/-2/-5/0

Sandranoelle – 275/-4/+2/0/-6/-3/+4/-3

Kareyquilts – 203/-4/-2/-3/0/0/-2/-1

TrueBlueSue - 174.5/0/0/0/-1.5/-1/-2

LindaN – 218/-1/-3/-1/0/-3/0/-3

Lauriegee – 215/-2/-6/0/+2/-3

Mom of Many – 209/-1/0/0

Mariecarmen – 198/-8/0/-2/-1/-2/0/+4

Lisalee – 203/+2/-4/-2/-1/-3/-1/+1

Harlito – 371/-1.5/-3

April – 241/-5/0/0

Finallyonmyway – 200/-9

Katt – 282/-2

Melissa0915

[tommygirl 0]

Can some of you September Bandsters give me some support? I have been bad, I guess I need encouragement because I am sabotaging myself, I listen to the head hunger and I eat until I am sick. I am afraid if I don't get it together I will slip my band. My support group/Dr's Office moved so I am hoping I can get some advice here. I was doing good, banded Sept. 27 and had lost about 22 pounds, working out. But since the new year I have just totally dropped the ball and have regained some of the weight, please help I feel that I am my own worst enemy.

Kristin

[MimIN 19]

Welcome tommygirl! We have the same band-date! You've come to the right place, this group is a great mix of awesome people, I couldn't have made it without the support I've found here.

Tami: If we could find a way to eat chocolate AND lose weight we'd be billionaires! hmmm... that sounds like a great idea:) How exciting to have to change your goal because you are far more fit and trim! I'm jealous you have a pod at your gym! I had a bodpod analysis when I lived in FL and I would love to see what the results are now.

Bjean: Congrats! I actually enjoy shopping now! I did it a lot before and now but I would dread the fitting rooms and now I am excited to jump in and see what I can fit into.

I finally posted before and now pictures in the before and after pix forum if anyone is interested. I did not take pictures along the way and had a skewed view of what I look like so in effort to change that view I *finally* had some pictures taken.

[lisalee 0]

MimIn....you look great! What a beautiful waistline and proportions! You've definately got that hot "coke bottle" figure.

Tami....I came across yours by accident...impressive. The exercise is truly showing...you are my hero!

[lisalee 0]

Tommygirl...I hear your frustration. It's a daily struggle for me and I'm sure all of us.

Some reminders. This is YOUR time and your life. It is not a dress rehearsal. This is it!

Sit down and write down what you know you are supposed to be doing. Then write down what you need to change. There's something about getting it on a piece of paper that helps me. Set some mini goals...and stick to it. Heck, share it with us and give us daily updates if you need to.

I've slowed down in my progress too despite improving my exercise ability. I decided it was time to start tracking my nutritional choices and intake to see what I'm really taking in. I like www.mypyramid.com although I hear "fitday" is good too.

Be honest with yourself. You may not change all of the bad habits you've slid back into right away but work on one change at a time. Shaping up your behavior overnight may seem too overwhelming.

We've been doing this for barely 6 months now. You can't expect yourself to change a lifetime of bad habits and thinking in that amount of time. It is a gradual process. The band will always be there (hopefully.)

Another thought is to simply start recognizing when you are eating and mentally, or outloud ask yourself "do I really need this?" Just by doing so you are making yourself aware of what you are doing, and may choose to stop before it goes in your mouth. I am guilty of grazing without realizing completely what I am doing.

I work with addicts and have been told that some have been around alcohol and suddenly realized that they have a drink in their hand and were not aware of picking it up. I also have seen a friend light up a cigarette in an indoor sports arena. When I asked her what the heck she was doing, she suddenly freaked out and spit the cigarette out. She really was doing it without thinking.

Frankly, I think this is an addiction and am dealing with it in my own life as such. I find that the Twelve Steps of AA/NA/OA whatever really apply to myself.

I hope you find some help in these suggestions. Keep us up to date and don't despair. Even if you screw up once, you can pick up right where you left and immediately resolve to do better. Don't wait until the next day!

[tommygirl 0]

Lisa,

Thank You so much, I really needed to hear that. I guess I have always been a bit of a loner but I can't do this alone. Thanks again, I was really starting to get depressed.

[BJean 16]

tommygirl: I've been having big problems too. Up and down and up and more up. I am finally beginning to lose again because I just got a fill last week. The hunger thing was really getting me down. Just like before the band. And I was getting scared.

It has helped me a whole lot to see that most of us September bandsters, with a couple of impressive exceptions, are having similar problems. I hope you'll continue to come here and talk about what you're going through and I am sure you will find someone with encouragement and someone else who feels just about the same way that you do.

Lisalee has written such a good post. So much good advice! I appreciate everyone here so very much!

Hope you can figure out what thing or two that you need to do to get back in the losing category. Like Lisa said, this is a journey, nothing like how we dieted before the band. My doc says it will take 2 years, at a minimum. When we realize that, we are thankful for every ounce we lose and we can stop worrying quite as much about not losing 3 or 4 lbs. a week.

Best of luck to you!

[LindaN 0]

I was away at a course this week and picked up a couple pounds, but the

good news is that I went shopping while there and the clothes at Lane Bryant are almost too big! I am in size 14W, which I haven't seen in years. Who can tell me the difference between 14W and regular 14?:rockon:

[BJean 16]

I can't tell you the exact difference between a misses 14 and a woman's 14, but there definitely is some. The plus sizes are cut differently dontcha think? And I think part of that is that the legs are slimmer and the shape is just different in a misses 14.

I am very happy tonight. I am in a size 14 petite tonight and I'm not even PBing from them being too tight. :nervous

[lisalee 0]

Tommygirl...don't be a stranger! Keep us posted and keep your chin up.

[kareyquilts 1]

MimIn: Checked out your before and in progress pics. You're looking good girl! Thanks for sharing. I've been organizing my photos and it really is helpful to see old photos of yourself. It puts things in perspective. I need to get an in progress photo so I can post.

Well I go in to the doc tomorrow,but I don't think I'll get a fill until I'm established with a new doctor. What a pain in the butt!

[gonnabethin 10]

steady zero- going for a fill.

[SherryA 0]

Hi Everyone...

My name is Sherry (obviously :-), and I was banded Sept 11th, 2006. I was an active participant in the beginning of this thread, but life got realll busy and I just didnt have time to read the boards and keep up...

I realize (now) that this was a huge source of inspiration and the tips and tricks I learned on here were invaluable, so I would love to rejoin the conversations and postings...

My highest weight before banding was 250, and I am now down to 192.8 (as of this morning). I have had 4 fills since my surgery with each fill being .6 cc each...I feel like with this 4th fill I "finally" am able to feel some proper restriction and it is doing alot of the work itself, although I need to make the proper food choices..

I have read back a few pages and recognize some names (Hi BJean, dont know if you will remember me!)

So, anyway, Hi Everyone!

Sherry

[BJean 16]

SherryA: Yes I remember you! We were banded the same day. You've lost more weight than I have. You are probably taller than I am too. I've hit a plateau (after New Years especially) and haven't lost much at all since then. I have a new fill and it is helping some with slowing me down and not being able to eat so much at a meal. But I've had a chocolate problem lately and I've heard others say they have too. Must be something in chocolate that addictive, ya think? :paranoid

I'm glad you're back! I hope you aren't having any problems now that you have a fill that gives you some restriction. I have a feeling that I'm still not at my "sweet spot" but I know that it may take a week or two after a fill for it to really start restricting well. Doc keeps saying, be patient. :faint: