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If you are struggling with weight loss- please read

I've been reading a lot of blogs where people are having a hard time with the band and losing weight. I have posted a few other times about this same topic so it may be helpful for people to read those as well.

It's been over a year for me and I have been through all of these struggles- from not losing weight, working out ALL the time, to getting filled so tight that I threw up several times a day to eating less than 800 cals...... Ive been there!

I went to an X national body builder and licensed nutritionalist and learned what I was doing wrong.

Here's the deal:

You MUST eat 5-6 times a day and get about 1500-1800 cals in a day depending on your weight and activity level. You can find out what you need by knowing your metabolic rate which you can get off the internet as a guide.

You MUST eat a lot of protien or you will lose muslce instead of fat. If you weigh 200lbs you need 200 grams of protein per day.

You MUST do moderate cardio 4 times a week for about 40 min ( dont go more or you will go into a catabolic state and burn muscle)

You MUST lift heavy weights 2 times a week just to keep the muscle you already have - takes about 20 min

You MUST eat a protein, good fat and incindental carb ( berries and veggies) with every meal

You MUST have a good "cheat day" every week - it causes our bodies to not get use to the same food day after day and requires the body to work hard ( burn calories) to digest a heavy meal.

You MUST limit sugar, starchy carbs and bad fat!!

 

I can promise you that if you do these things you will burn fat. Throw the darn scale away. The scale does not indicate how much FAT you lose.

 

I lose about half of a pound to a pound a week but Im very close to my ideal weight. My weight loss has been very slow the whole time, but thats OK!

 

I got all the fluid taken out of my band a few months ago because I could not eat what I needed to eat in order to lose fat.

 

Please email me if you have thoughts or questions.

12 Comments

Recommended Comments

CeeCee522

LAP-BAND Patients

Thank you Kelly. I print your advise and posted a copy on my fridge and board @ work. I plan on following and updating you 1 month from today.

angelicious117

Gastric Bypass Patients

THANK YOU KELLY I WILL TRY THIS AND LET YOU KNOW IF I SEE RESULTS.

beverlybbarnes

LAP-BAND Patients

Hi Kelly. I was glad to read your post because I am feeling like a failure thus far. I was banded back in August and lost about 13 pounds at first, but have now gone back up close to my starting weight. I got my first fill this past weekend and I have no restriction. I am trying not to get discouraged because I do know that the band is a tool and not a "magic device" as they say but what is the use in getting it if it's not going to help at all. HELLO, I'm fat for a reason so obviously I have a food addiction and I am really sick of hearing that 'You have to do your part" and "the band is not going to do it all". Like my 5 year old says, "but duh". I am aware of this!!! but just when exactly does the lap band kick in and do its part??? I'm kind of feeling like I should have gotten the gastric bypass as planned. Anyone who has gone through this and can give me some words of encouragement it would be so appreciated right now...

Guest

Guest

Guests

I hear what ya saying but my surgeon is telling me under 1000 calories. I eat a low carb, low calorie diet. I track everything. I work out 6 days a week. Cardio and weights. I don't know whatelse to do when I've gained 4 lbs. I have great restriction. I'm currently on a water fast for 2 days to see of that will help. No calories for 2 days.

Pats Fan in MA

LAP-BAND Patients

So glad you posted this. I've met with a couple of registered dieticians over the years and they all give the same advice. Create a calorie deficit through diet and exercise, but not so much that your body shuts down and holds on to every ounce its got. For me, successful weight loss (without the band) only happened when I was doing strength training 2-3x/week, cardio 3-4x/week (60-80%of max heart rate) and eating roughly 1600 calories per day, with a breakdown of 40% protein, 30% carbs (complex carbs mostly) and 30% fat. I lost an average of 2 pounds a week for many months, and I was concerned that my calorie intake would be too low with the band, but when I asked the surgeon he said my target should be 1400 calories a day. This reassured me that I can be successful with this, while incorporating the knowledge I already have about exercise & nutrition.

♥LovetheNewMe♥

LAP-BAND Patients

Good Post Kelly, your way will be successful for the long haul of weight loss. I am losing slowly now but have increased my calories, and monitor my carbs and fat intake. I eat between 90-100 grams of protein a day and honestly lose better when my protein is higher. I also agree with having a (treat day) I hate the word cheat ;-0 My thought is if i plan I can eat anything I want! Great weight loss good luck reaching goal.

Guest

Guest

Guests

WOW Kelly you read my mind. I have been the same weight for 3 weeks, I have lost a total of 26 since aug 1, and had surgery aug 15th. I have great restriction and will not need a fill (ever hopefully). I have gotten stuck a couple of time sonly when eating too fast. I play tennis 2 times a week, walk 5 times a week and ride my recumbent bike 2 times a week. My calories have been at 1400 everyday give or take a couple of calories. Everyone says something different so I don’t know what to do. I currently weigh 206 lbs. I am 5'10 and I would say I do moderate activities. I know my body is shrinking and I am now a size 14. I am self pay and my goal is 170 lbs. Can you think of anything I am missing - oh yes, I do Calorie count site everyday and get all A's except when I have a few drinks every couple of weeks..lol. I know "slow and steady wins the race" but I am frustrated and I thank you so much for your advice. Thank you for your post and I pray I can up my calories more, I really have NO Appetite! But, do my best to eat really healthy food. I think my weakness is chips and salsa. I do love that. Anything you can help with I would so appreciate !! thank you!!

Glenda045

LAP-BAND Patients

Thanks Kelly....really gonna try these tips!!!

kelly111

LAP-BAND Patients

I hear what ya saying but my surgeon is telling me under 1000 calories. I eat a low carb, low calorie diet. I track everything. I work out 6 days a week. Cardio and weights. I don't know whatelse to do when I've gained 4 lbs. I have great restriction. I'm currently on a water fast for 2 days to see of that will help. No calories for 2 days.

Like I said, my surgeon told me to eat under 1000 cals as well...and I had a lot of restriction. I barely lost anything. You asked what else to do...? I just listed what you should try. Have fluid removed from the band, eat clean and work out. What you are doing is causing your body to NOT lose weight by only burning your muslce - muscle is your metabolism. Think about it. What a disservice!!!

marie82

LAP-BAND Patients

hello, i had surgery on 11/2010 i started at 287 my low was 244 and i have found myself having a very hard time lossing the weight i had an upper gi its fine im filled to like 8 so its pretty tight but im not lossing i feel like the dr. think its me but i have no idea what else to do but post on here to get feed back i recently got pregnant but loss it and i did put on a good 15lb.its been 1year + out and thats all i had loss but what i hate the most is im always getting sick i have a very hard time keeping food down please anyone else having this problem please let me know what you did thats working HELPPPPP

dsousis

LAP-BAND Patients

I'm feeling real frustrated with myself,like a failure once again.I had the band done in 2006.I did great in the beginning and even up to about a year ago was still happy because I was maintaining a weight i felt reasonable for my age and activity level.I wasn't at my goal and was still 25lbs off but was happy with myself.Now everything has changed.I gained 20lbs back over the past year.Went back to the doctor and had tests done and everything is fine so they did another adjustment.I can only get one more.I have some restriction but not much.I haven't lost a pound since the adjustment.Really feeling down.People don't realize the emotional toll this is taking.My doctor told me oh well you had a good run of 6 yrs at least you got that.What?He should be trying to help me figure things out.I wish i could have this off and have the bypass.I'm lost and need guidance so badly but there isn't any.what can I do?HELP

sfog

LAP-BAND Patients

I am waiting for insurance approval, and several doctors recommended the lap band over the by pass. However last week I went to see an oconlogist and she said she never met anyone who was successful with the lapband. This leaves me concerned. Reading the blog has me more conerned. Your thoughts?

Guest
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