Banders #7

[gowalking 10,790]

Hello and good morning my friends. Welcome to Banders #7. So, I guess I'll start it off by saying how grateful I am today and every day for the new lease on life that I have. I walked to the office today from the train station. That was something I couldn't do before the surgery. I always say how light I feel and I realized it's not a state of mind, but a physical reality. We are weighed down by the excess weight and all that goes with it. When we don't rumble and jumble as we walk, our steps are lighter. I was listening to my ipod and started to dance a little as I was walking. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but who cares? When one is thin, even looking ridiculous seems OK.

I am grateful for my for my beautiful grandson who I was able to tuck into my lap last Saturday morning so we could play while Mommy and Daddy got to sleep in a bit. I'm grateful that I fit anywhere and everywhere. No more worrying if I will break a chair, or be able to navigate a booth at the restaurant, or walk down a narrow aisle without having to suck it all in just to get past someone/something.

I'm grateful for my health. I take alot of pills, but many of them are supplements and not prescription for chronic ailments. I'm grateful that I can walk again...that I can swim, bike, climb, and yes....enjoy sex. I am surprised at how flexible I can be now that I'm thin.

I'm grateful that I earn enough money that I can indulge my new found love of shopping. I really think I'm one of the best dressed ladies in the office these days...and I know I've upped the game for others. I am definitely seeing more dresses than I did a year ago.

I'm grateful to Alex for having this site available...and I'm grateful to all the folks on it who are part of my success. I know I would not have been as successful as I have been if not for all of you. I talk about things here that I don't talk to anyone else about. You all know the struggles of being fat, and immobile, and feeling like a failure regardless of what we've accomplished..and I know now how much we 'hidden' people have accomplished. It's helping me to not turn that self hatred towards others still struggling with obesity. It also reminds me that I will always struggle with obesity. Under this thin person still lurks the fat girl. She is the one who whispers in my ear all the time that I'm not worthy of the good things out there and I should just order a pizza and eat the whole thing. She and I clash daily and it's why I still go every Tuesday to the therapist who listens and helps me to navigate this new world I inhabit.

Well...I think I've posted enough for today. Feel free to comment on the above, or share your stories, or say hi, or just lurk. Enjoy your day today...enjoy the upcoming holiday, and looking forward to a wonderfully robust Banders #7 thread.

Liz

[jfc193 718]

Thank you Liz for your update and your willingness to share your support.

Some days this journey seems like a long time and sometimes it feels like yesterday.

While the journey has not been easy and no one ever said it would be my progress or lack thereof has always been in my control. Finding a way to deal with life without turning to food has been and continues to be a challenge.

I am grateful for the band and all that comes with it. I know what works for me and have no one to blame if I do not follow the path that works.

I am grateful for this board it seems when I choose not to check in I tend to gain weight. Viewing the post can be incredibly motivating and when I am struggling I know that I am not alone

.

I am grateful that I continue to make more good choices then bad choices in my life.

I am grateful for all who share their successes, their struggles and parts of their personal life.

I am also grateful to my wife and her support and the fact that we both chose to be banded on the same day on September 12, 2007. Together we have kept off over 200lbs.

Glad to be a part of this new thread.

[Paige Dukes 59]

Some things I am thankful for:

that I can now walk up a flight of stairs without feeling like I am going to die.

that my blood pressure is now under control.

that my friends and family are so supportive and understanding about this whole journey.

that my husband is as caring and loving as he is.

that I have a career that allows me to focus a good bit of my attention on my health and this continued weight loss.

that I no longer dread shopping for clothes.

that my skin is finally healthy and glowing, not dull and broken out.

that I no longer have aching joints or muscles after a night of work or a trip out.

that my life is no longer ruled by an obsession with food.

that my surgeon is as nice and involved as he is.

that I can finally truly enjoy food and not treat it like a drug.

And most of all, that I made the decision to have this surgery, because before then I was slowly dying. Now I am living, and living well. I am only about a third of the way to goal but, my god, a difference nearly 50 pounds makes.

[Debbie3sons 1,936]

I'm glad that Gowalking (Liz ) started Banders #7 & for so much more as you all know sometimes I will post & Sometimes I don't but I always have to see what's going on just to make sure & hit like if it's something I may relate to , I am so glad just to be able to move & Love that my oldest said I was skinny but I am not skinny by far like I said I will never be skinny maybe a bit smaller in size than I was 3 years ago , but at least my health is better than it was before , I can't believe how much damage I was doing to my body & health before banding , sometimes I think it's catching up to me , then I realize it's just a minor set back but I am a happy person & VERY HAPPY I GOT BANDED

[Julie norton 2,850]

I am grateful for a truly healthy life that has gone on for years.????

I'm thankful for this board of fun cyber friends that seem to know what to say when life seems hard.

I'm happy to be 60 with no weight issues( except between my ears)

And feel settled into the next chapter of my life. (Learning to live alone after a long marriage and widowhood has its challenges)

Onward I go. I'm looking forward to Hawaii soon. Dreamy place for me!

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

So glad to be part of this group. Two thirds to goal and sitting here for quite awhile, but I know it can be done by reading posts from all of you. Thanks for being here.

[Sharpie 3,306]

so Grateful to be heading for 70 (i'm almost 69) and being healthy.

Grateful that I found the courage to have my lapband surgery

Grateful for my wonderful supportive family

So Grateful that I no longer have diabetes or high blood pressure or high cholesterol

Grateful that I was able to go to Alaska and ride horses (my bucket list)

Now I am grateful that I am physically able to care for my husband who has had some serious health issues lately.

And I am so grateful for my banded friends who posts their successes and difficulties. It's been a good thing for me to be able to discuss the ins and outs of the lapband. I still have no regrets and am extremely happy with my results.

[2muchfun 8,927]

I'm thankful my wife hasn't divorced me over my ups and downs with bariatric surgery and being crazy on drugs for 6 months during my knee surgeries

[Bandista 7,466]

That one made me laugh, TMF. Husband snoring away next to me is doing very well these days but we had years of pain management around his various surgeries (car accident guy -- rebuilt spine, plastic shoulder, etc.). Of course there were scrips being written out like crazy and he never responded well to pain meds. We call them Jerk pills.

Thanks, Liz, for starting a new thread for us! I like having this safe place to check in with my lapband peeps and the connections we have here. It definitely helps me keep my head in the game. When CG first had the thread going in the 100+ to lose category I formed my goal over that -- 152 from 252 because I coukd see that this thread was where the really successful people were hanging out and I wanted to be a part of that. Now that I'm on my way down I don't know if I will lose 100 after all as that would probably be too thin for me, but I'm here anyway.

I've been bumbling along and not sure why -- perhaps I've needed to let myself level off at my current weight to adjust to being in a normal range. I still have weight to lose, however, and I am readying myself for getting off the next chunk. September has always been a great time of year for me. Maybe it's the back-to-school energy from childhood and having routine again. This was a tremendously busy summer with way too much socializing. I am looking forward to quieter times and better evening habits. Need to work on that.

Gorgeous day and a holiday Monday, yippee! I am meeting a cousin up at the lake to do a four-mile walk that is my regular exercise but we had a lot of company and I've missed that for several days. I did a lot of production cooking and running around setting up, serving, cleaning, etc., so that counts for something, but I need that dedicated walk to unwind. Grateful that there was no production eating going on for me. Plenty of tasting, etc., but my band doesn't let me get carried away and the dimmed appetite makes it easier to be smart-ish about my choices.

Enjoy your day, all!

[jamilyne 102668 1,207]

I am grateful that I have my family and this site. I have been MIA for awhile and I've gained back a little weight, but I'm back today and starting my journey all over again with the help of old friends on here. Today I went to the gym, I dusted off my Fitbit and logged back on to my fitness pal. I started shakes and drinking my Water. ♥️ you all and this site! Jami

[gowalking 10,790]

Oh man, does my family eat alot. We went for Chinese last night and while I eat faster than most other bandsters because I haven't had any fills, I still sat for a good 20 more minutes while they kept eating. My perception of how much food is enough for me vs. how much is enough for anyone else has changed big time. Even the order seemed like too much food. Fortunately, the waitress got it a bit wrong and brought a 1 1/4 lb. lobster for mom and me to share, and not the 3 lb. lobster she actually ordered. I at about half the lobster and a couple of spoonfuls of beef and eggplant (mostly eggplant) and a small handful of rice. No pork chops, no seconds or thirds,...just what was on my plate and then a fortune cookie and a couple of orange slices. for dessert.

I'm glad to see that my eyes are starting to fall in line with how much I can consume. It makes for a much less stressful dining out experience.

[Bandista 7,466]

I know what you mean, Liz -- I can get grossed out watching people eat. Sometimes, well, sometimes it's just not pretty. In the old days I didn't notice because I was too busy focusing on my own food, which is a good reminder for me that people are not really paying attention to what I'm eating/not eating/doing. I can do what I want! Today we were out to lunch and I ordered a tuna burger with no bun. I didn't realize were were getting a complimentary appetizer so by the time my entree came I had no appetite. Instead of taking a stab at it I just left it whole to bring home. Newsflash, I don't have to worry about offending the waitress, my dining companion or any one else. I can do what I want! And what I want is to stop when I'm satisfied. Yay!

[intelirish 714]

hey there... it's been quite a while since i posted here.. seem to have lost my way some where over the last few months.. had a slight gain over the summer due to a slight unfill as i was in Europe for 10wks and the doc wanted to reduce the risk of complications while i was away.. i'm down about half that gain but sill 8 up from my lowest it seems somehow i'm back to old eating habits that where i am should be good enough.. and yet it doesn't make me happy so why do i let it be good enough..

any where here's to restarting old - good habits as i certainly can't go back to where i was before i joined this site ..

hope every one had a great labor day weekend for those of you in the US..or an otherwise fantastic normal one

[Bandista 7,466]

@@intelirish nice to see you.....

[lisacaron 5,075]

Hi ya folks! I have been MIA for a bit just trying to keep my head above Water and now treading...which is actually good news

I love the posts about how much people eat. I have to tell you that, when we are out at parties or family gatherings I too am a bit disgusted at the way some people eat. I remember when I was a kid I had that one Uncle that had hand to mouth disease, you know where you just keep grabbing what ever is close to you and shoving it in your mouth...?

I used to wonder if it was just my parents that were strict on manners...or if they didn't apply to the "elders" when I would see him eat at a family gathering. Now I realize that there are many many people that eat this way. They can't possibly be hungry, but they just can't stop picking up food and putting it in their mouth.

I have one that for me is even worse...the "picker" the one that hangs around the food as it's being cooked, or prepped for serving and picks with their fingers at the food a bit here and there and back again. That drives me INSANE!!!

Ah well I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!! It might have been the "unofficial" end to Summer but I have the feeling we are going to have summer here on the East Coast well into Oct. (I am not complaining, I still remember the snow!!)