Sula

Cindi, You have done such wonderful things for yourself this past year. 20 inches off your waist..holy moly...that is terrific. And look at your weight loss...truly remarkable. Don't you think that part of "our" problem is that we were so other focused that we lost ourselves in the process. I equate that to...I need to do this, this, this, and then if I have time, I'll exercise, or whatever. I never made me the priority (well, not "never" but not consistently.) I think it a triumph that we can focus more on ourselves, and still keep a balanced life with others and other obligations to some degree.

I was a self-pay and went to Monterray Mexico with Dr. Chapa. I do have a fill doc here in town that I have gone to since.

Sounds like you are too tight...I have read other people with this symptom and that is what the end result was...they went in for a slight unfill.

So, what is the name of the insurance and how do people get it?

How did you know you had slippage and how did it happen?

This may post twice...my fingers got twitchy!! How is everyone doing? Freezing cold here in Montana and all I want to do is sit under a blanket!! I am eating soup, tho, which has few calories, but also not too many protein grams.

How is everyone doing? It is freezing cold here in Montana and all I want to do is curl up under a blanket!! I am, however, eating soup, which has few calories, but also few grams of protein!!

I'm down a total of 56 pounds. I've lost over 10 inches on my waist, and about 8 on my hips. Not too bad, I'm thinking, for a year. What a great time.

Well friends, A year ago, I was sitting in a motel room in Mexico..Monterray, wondering if I was going to get my surgery the next day, (due to a communication snafu with my "liason"). I remember being calm and determined. I was mentally ready and didn't want to be disappointed by having to reschedule. Fortunately on the 16th of January 2007, I began this wonderful journey. I have been given a gift and I have hope of a different type of future. I feel better about myself and just feel physcially good. I will weigh in tomorrow but it will be a bit skewed due to TOM but....I'm over 50 pounds down. I've no doubt that I will continue to lose (novel idea there, huh?) I will take my measurements and see what that is after a year. I had hoped to be at goal by this time but I guess it was not to be. I'm absolutely NOT disappointed in what I have lost to date. I do get envious, but we all have our own paths and mine is what it is. I think why I handle that so well is knowing that my eating and exercise routines are now lifestyle and over time, this will all work out and I'll be where I want to be. I am left with the feeling that 2008 will be even more exciting that 2007 was...and that is truly saying something. Thank you all for being there and being supportive with kind words, sharing your journeys, trials and tribulations, and occasionally some butt kicking. Shawn

Still plugging away. Did lower body/legs this morning. I will probably do a bit more during a break at work today. Seems like I wasn't to intense this morning so I better do another set or two of everything.

Angyl, so what have you been drinking to sustain your nutrition? Protein drinks? I guess that is exactly what I'm afraid of, getting a fill and only being able to do liquids. For me, I need to learn to eat properly...in portion sizes and types of food. I"m scheduled for a fill next week but am thinking about cancelling it again. I feel restriction...but then I have been questioning myself about...is it enough? Should it be just a bit tighter? I have more of that painful feeling in my chest when I swallow something...I'm watching bite size and chewing a bunch. No drinking when I eating. How do you know when the restriction is enough?

Hey all, Just checking in this Monday morning. I hit the cardio today and it does seem to be getting easier. I probably need to push a bit more tho. My heart rate didn't seem to get that high.

I have UBH also and they refused the fills. My policy doesn't cover obesity surgery. I went to Mexico for my surgery. I thought they might cover the fills, tho. Wrong! Jens, any idea of why yours covers the fills? Maybe I will do a bit more arguing with them if I have some information.

I did it. Made 6 workouts this week. Saturday was upper body so I sort of cheated. Rather than hit the basement and use my bands, I helped a friend tear apart a kitchen...cabinets, panelings, soffets, etc. Lots of upper body work. I needed to change a light bulb when I back home and just couldn't do it!! Holding my arms above my head was not working!! So, I feel pretty good about it all. My legs are still hurting from the lower body workout on Wednesday. But all it all...this has been a very good week and I can see how I will be able to keep after it. How have you guys down with your own personal exercise challeges? Five miles on a bike,,,,yeah!! But owe!! I used to tease that a person should put the jell pad seat covers in the freezer the night before the ride. Then put it on when you go. It will numb the pain and keep the swelling down!! :smile:

I got stuck last night at dinner so felt pretty uncomfortable last night until early morning. Liquids again. I'm glad I didn't get another fill last tuesday but I'm confused. Why am I, so restricted now, when my last fill was in august? I am wondering if it is because I've stopped drinking completely--alcohol that is. I have eaten this same dinner on a couple of occasions in the past month and have not had trouble. I'm not stressed and am feeling pretty on top of it with motivation, mood, exercize, WL etc. Any thoughts? I 'm not complaining at all....I'd be happy if I could go without a fill for some time longer and am willing to cancel my fill again (scheduled in two weeks.) I just thought that because I could eat so much easily before January, I was in need of one. I wanted to do all I could to jumpstart my program again. I've already lost 3 pounds this week... So, I'm also thinking that maybe because I didn't work so hard on losing weight since November that maybe my body relaxed as well and is now ready to give it up!! Oh, I hope, I hope!

Didn't get up early this morning so I will work out on lower body strength training after work and grocery shopping. I'm committed.

Sunshine, you are getting stronger! When you did the BFL challenge last time, did you stick to the 20 cardio? Or did you keep adding time to the cardio. I did the 20 twice, first time was harder, then today it was okay. Tomorrow is legs...I'll hardly be able to walk after doing lunges..those kill me. And I don't have any excuse!

Day three for me and all is well. I'm sore in my upper body from that workout yesterday and pushups of course...and crunches.. But that is always kind of a "hurts so good" thing. My eating has remained appropriate and no problems. I'm glad I put off the fill as I do feel restriction now. Good day to you all.

I opted to not get a fill tomorrow and cancelled my appointment. I got stuck pretty bad yesterday and felt that familiar heaviness in my check until just a hour or so ago....Liquids to me today for sure. I rescheduled for two weeks. And I'm okay with it.

You guys have matching smiles!

Tonya, I'm with you. I got up at 5:50 and hit the ellipital...geez..20 minutes was tough. I also did some stretching and crunches. I have a mini-goal of 100 crunches a day. I had this fantasy that 20 minutes would be a cake-walk...not. I'll take measurements before my shower and then tonight the dreaded picture. I haven't even mentioned it to my DH...he will think I've lost my mind. For some reason I was thinking I needed to take the picture in my undies...but duh..I can wear clothes... Hope to hear from all you challenge joiners!! How'd ya do?

Whew...I watched Dancing with the Stars cardio workout...that looks soo fun.....might be where I start tomorrow. I did a little bit of practicing with the bands today as well...not to mention picking rocks. Good for arms and back and butt!!

Hi all, Cindi, great news about your son. And I do understand the family quotient about talking about weight. I have a very overweight brother and my parents are always talking to me about what they can do. I caution then (we had a go round when they were trying to encourage me years ago) that from family, those caring messages usually would send me to the food...same with big brother. I had hoped he would be motivated by my journey, but other than one quick comment way back in January or Feb of last year, there has been no other interest. Good news...I am down 5 pounds...I've been journaling my food intake, altho I don't always calculate calories...I do think I am not taking in enough Protein..so I am trying to figure out how to do that mo-betta. Tomorrow, the exercise (legitimate kind) begins...not just the cleaning of the house and corrals. I did make a committment to use the stairs at work rather than the elevator (3rd floor office) except when I have something heavy or bulky to carry. Every little bit helps, huh? WE are going to be so FINE in 2008!!

Tonya, I can't find the links to the BFL sites that had the journal and all that. Can you repose...OR???? Do a sticky? Maybe at the front of the January 07 site..if that makes sense. Thanks...I'm trying to share that with a client who had bypass surgery about three months ago.

Cindi, my deepest prayers are with your son and your family for a full recovery. What a tragedy. Angyl, holy cow...you look wonderful and I agree, younger, happier, etc. What a terrific job you have done. You should be so proud of yourself and of your hard work. Way to Go.