Accountability Group

[s_suther 446]

@@2babutterfly - So GOOD to hear from you! I was beginning to think I was out here on my own! I sure wish others would chime in, even off track, and let us hear from them. Off track isn't a failure until you stop trying to start over. Come on, friends!!!

I've taken every step I know to do in order to get myself back in the saddle:

1. I just completed the "Five Day Pouch Test" to give me a boost and let me relearn to listen to my band and it's signals.

2. I have asked my husband and daughter to exercise with me for at least 30 minutes an evening for at least four evenings a week. It's great for the family and good for our bodies. We completed our goal last week.

3. In addition to that, I have literally hired an accountability partner. My insurance provides a one-on-one phone counseling nurse. I've begun a monthly call with a nurse/counselor/dietician to keep me on track. She calls me monthly, on a set date and time, to see if I've kept my two goals for the month, address any dietary issues, and provide counseling for my perfectionist issues.

I hope between all of this, coupled with the fact that I'm down to jeans and yoga pants that fit, I will lose some weight and get my head back in the game. The clothes thing is NO JOKE and I'm not buying bigger, so it's a do-or-die situation here.

I care about you guys. I've also realized it takes a lot of support and accountability. Let's do that for each other. Who's with me??

[2babutterfly 483]

@@s_suther sounds like you have a plan in action!! Good job! I weighed in this morning at 199.6 eek! Before tgiving I was at 192. I do not want to see my weight start with a 2 again.

My plan today

B. Protein Bar

L. Chili NO crackers

S. A deviled egg

D. Chilled chicken and veggies

S. Greek yogurt

I plan to walk either this afternoon or evening. Might invite the hubs like you did and we can do it together

Let's go!

[s_suther 446]

Alright, we've got our plans in place. One day at a time, baby!

Let's make it happen today. We ARE worth it!

[Smokey 220 110]

Im in! I need accountability. Im not on a routine because of some recent life changes and jusy plain complacency! Im so close to my personal goal weight that i can taste it!! LoL

2016 is gonna be my year!

[s_suther 446]

Hi, Smokey!! Glad you joined us.

2babutterfly - how is it going??

I finished the five day pouch test. I'd highly recommend it to jump start when needed. (Google it if anyone is interested!) I'm keeping carbs below 50g per day, calories are hanging in the 800s, Protein in the 80-90s. I feel SO much better, physically and emotionally. Adding back 30 minutes of exercise each day has a lot to do with it too.

Hope everyone is doing well. Guess we are gonna have to do a ROLL CALL!!!

[s_suther 446]

Roll call!!! Let us hear from you peeps!!!

@@katesuccess

@@bacon

@@punkinvine

@@JustWatchMe

@@enjoythetime

Edited January 15, 2016 by s_suther

[enjoythetime 1,457]

@@s_suther You must have ESP because I've been struggling lately and told myself I needed to check in on here and then I saw your tag and I must say that it meant a lot that even though I haven't been on for a LOOONG time that you still remembered me!!!! Thank you for that!

I just made the following post to another board which pretty much sums up what's going on with me right now. I hope everyone here is doing well!!!!

Ok, so straight off I'm going to say this is a selfish post, a pep-talk out loud for ME. In doing so, I'm not looking for sprinkle and rainbow compliments I'm doing this as a way for me to get back on track, you know it becomes real when you put it out there:-)

Most of you know my story but for those that don't I've been banded for 2 years and 8 months. I started this journey weighing 289lbs. Within 16 months I had lost 159lbs., surpassing my goal by 20lbs. I went from a size 22 in pants to a size 2/3 and size 3XL shirts to size small. My life is dramatically different then it was 3 years ago in every aspect.

When my weight hit 130lbs. I told myself I needed to identify a range to stay within and when I hit the max of that range it was time to get serious and get back on track, I decided 135lbs. was that max # for me. Last year about this time I started stressing because my weight began flexing 3-5lbs., which was within the range I set for myself but once I was there I freaked out, I didn't like it. I would hit the max, go back to basics the scale would go down, then I would get excited and say well now I can have this, this and this and not go over my max, the problem was when I would go down it was 2-3 lbs., never back to that 130 mark, I hovered in the middle, over the course of 4 months I gave up, I started excepting the fact that 130 was history and 134 was my new norm and that it was ok, deal with it, be happy with it, telling myself 3 years ago you would have been thrilled to be at 134, what's your problem. I finally convinced myself and a new weight range was set and my new max # became137. I stayed within this range for 8 months, doing the same thing as before up and down, treat, basics etc. Then a month ago it was vacation time, followed the next week by Christmas and then New Years and today I'm now flexing 7-9lbs. and guess what, I'M FREAKED THE HELL OUT!!!! My worry isn't about the 9lbs, it's about losing control and this developing into something more and ending up where I started at 289lbs, miserable, letting myself and those who believe in me down. I've turned this into a pattern of excuses, passes and acceptance until I keep lowering my standards to except where I am because it's easier because if I don't accept it I have to face the fact I may never be 130 again followed by the justification of remember 3 years you were XXX well if I keep going I will be XXX and I CAN NOT LET that happen!

I'm now setting here with tears in my eyes thinking how ridiculous this all is. I know the band works and I know how to work the band. I know what I want but I'm not pushing myself to get there.

I'm done feeling sorry for myself!!!! I've worked entirely too hard to look back now. I know I have what it takes to stay focused to make the right choices to get my ass up and start exercising (which I will confess I haven't done at all during this journey), drink 80oz of Water, Protein first, veggies, then a carb if I have room, to STOP eating when I'm satisfied instead of caving into that craving when I'm not really hungry. I know I have what it takes because I have the band and the stubbornness to back it up:-)

I feel like some reading this will be like is this girl for real, she wrote an entire book over 9lbs. but it TRULY isn't about that, I know that if I work the band the band will work for me I just have to start believing in myself, believe I have it in me and that if I want those lbs. gone then I don't have to settle for less because I'm "stuck" but to keep pushing and not let food or weight or worry stop me.

Thank you all for listening!

[s_suther 446]

Glad to hear from you @enjoythetime. I'm in a VERY similar situation, but let it get to 20 pounds instead of your 9. Kudos for getting on it. I'm with you and we will do this. Are you back in the saddle now?

[enjoythetime 1,457]

@@s_suther Yes, WE can do this! Yes, so far back in the saddle considering doing another 5-day pouch test on Monday (need the weekend to get my supplies and prep ready). I did this a couple of months ago and I will say that it really did help I just fought it and got right back into the justification cycle. Not this time. I have to remember why I did all of this in the beginning and that it wasn't all for nothing. Going to nip it now instead of looking back in a year going man I wish.....

My goal and motivation is seeing my bariatric doctor in May and of course summer is coming, my favorite time of the year. I don't want to waste a second feeling self conscious or ashamed, spent too many years with my head down.

[Smokey 220 110]

Well, Im back to basics and hoping to drop to my goal weight. #thestruggleisreal

[s_suther 446]

You're darn right about spending too much time with our heads down. Let's rock this thing!!!!

That 5 day pouch test has been a Godsend for me! I did it last week and feel so much more in control and aware of my lap band. It's a nice feeling.

Let's have a strong weekend, ladies. Let me hear from you, especially by Monday, so we can share our weekend victory.

Edited January 15, 2016 by s_suther

[2babutterfly 483]

So glad to see some activity on here!! Welcome @@Smokey 220!! Good to see you back @enjoythetime. I think it's great you are getting in control again! If they only made a band for my head hunger..... I've had a pretty good week of staying in control. But the weekend is here and the hubs is working nights which means home alone in the evenings which is a struggle time for me. But I'm going to do it! I know I'll snack so I stocked up on healthy Snacks.

Glad you are all doing well!

[punkinvine 227]

Hello PEEPS!

I just started painting my bathroom the recommended color by the decorator. It is awful drab brown pooooooooooo color and I just said ENOUGH~! Going back to the closet to get my soft bucket of Navajo white and here we go!

Our world is just sort of upside down. I had a big struggle with stress/too tight band. Got into a real weak state after my Mom passed away in early Sept. I had trouble tolerating any food by mid NOV. I was down to 120 pounds and puny looking. My hair was brittle and falling out. What a mess. All Fluid removed from my band and I have been trying to get back to a green zone with very small fills. I think the stress issue was major in my situation. The problem with being a Momma's girl is when we have to give them up. Doing well now trusting God to have her in his arms in heaven. It's good and I am onward now.

Our little grand daughter is 4 and has a brain tumor returning. She leaves for Chicago for Proton Therapy this week. LIFE is just a roller coaster! So as I always try to distract myself ... LOL. I decide to get a decorator to choose paint for the bathroom. Whoaaaa... well it is just going badly and dry enough now to put a crisp linen color on and be my style. Nothing from vogue... well my name is not Vogue so it's just right for me~!

S-Tell me about the pouch thing you are talking about. Our monthly group seems to not have new literature or ideas at all. I go and we share but nothing new on their horizon.

Hugs and praying for all of you on your journey. Hope to check in daily. I need accountability as I try to get back on my success road. I have gained some wt... a little too much. Now to get it back in check . Lap band since 2009... I can do this with God's help and all of YOU!

Punkinvine

[2babutterfly 483]

Hello all! I made a yummy last night and thought I'd share

I cut up 2 chicken breasts seasoned with onion and garlic salt and cooked in the crock on low for about 3 hours. Then I added 3/4 block of cream cheese. A jar of artichoke hearts, and 1/2 bag of chopped spinach with the juice squeezed out And 1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan. Let all of that cook for another hour mix well and top with shredded mozzarella. Cook until melted. It was yummy and the hubs gave a thumbs up too.

Hope you are having a great weekend!

[enjoythetime 1,457]

@@2babutterfly thanks for sharing!!!! This sounds like a perfect match for my tastebuds!!!!