Formerly LoseIt!

First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS on your success! What a reward for all the hard work you have put in. You are right in that the Band is not a miracle cure, but for those of us who have fought this battle our whole lives...something that makes the fight doable sometimes feels like a miracle. Keep up the amazing work and I look forward to hearing more of your journey!

With all of your preperation and research, you are going to do GREAT! You are absolutely right in that YOU have to make the change and YOU have to do the work yourself. But it is truly amazing how DOABLE it is when you have some help. YOU still have to make the choice to eat the right things, but when you aren't starving, those choices are easier to make. Best of luck to you and I cannot wait to hear your journey as you go along!! My surgery was 1/27/10...almost exactly a year before yours. I hope you are as happy this time next year as I am now.

Yesterday was another busy day from start to finish and I was unable to check in. I have to start making that a priority each day to get myself back in the correct frame of mind. After work, my friend and I went out for pizza and then went to the musical Young Frankenstein. It was A LOT of fun! When I got home at 11pm, like a crazy person, I finished my book (The Mockingjay, the 3rd book of the Hunger Games). What an amazing trilogy! If you like to read, I highly recommend them. Today I go for my refill which means a couple of things. First, I can't eat today. After not censoring my food choices for several weeks, this is going to be my first challenge. My tummy is already protesting. After my coffee, I will have my smoothie. It is my first one in a LONG time so I'm looking forward to it. I have some chicken broth for lunch and pudding and applesauce for snacks. I just have to get to 2pm so I can head to the doc. Post fill, I shouldn't be so hungry! Today's refill also means that it is time to refocus. I spoke about that the other day, but it has really been on my mind. Throughout my life, the holidays have been a time for gluttony and the new year a time for self punishment. This year is quite different. Although I allowed myself leeway during the holidays, I didn't feel gluttonous. And now that it is time to get back on track, I feel invigorated, not guilty or aprehensive. I have decided that when I reach my next big goal of ONEDERLAND, I am going to reward myself with a running watch. I have made a goal of running a 10K next Spring. That gives me one year to better my 5K and get to the point where I can double it. I'm not a natural runner, so I'm not sure if I will even be able to run a reasonable 10K. But if I don't make the goal and give it a shot, I will never know. I have found that I do fine on a flat course, but hills are killers for me. Yesterday in my lunch workout, I walked at 3mph on the treadmill varying the incline between 5 and 15. It was amazing how easy a 5 incline was after spending a few minutes above 10! So, short term goals: 1. Onederland (85 pounds lost) by 01/31/11. 2. Six workouts a week for 8 weeks. 3. Cut 30 seconds off my next 5K on 2/26/11. Mid-term goals: 1. 100 pounds lost by 04/07/11 which happens to be the next Nascar race here. Kind of arbitrary, I know. 2. Run 2 additional 5K's by 05/31/11. Long-term goals: 1. 120-160 pounds loss overall. I've never been that small, so I don't know what the realistic goal is yet and will have to wait to officially set it. But I would like to reach my goal by Summer 2012 when I plan to reward myself with a trip to the London Olympics. 2. Run 10K in Spring 2012. My friend just stopped by as I was typing this and I told that I feel like I did this time last year EXCEPT I'm so much happier because I'm starting from such a better place. I apologized to her because I told her she is going to get the obsessive me all over again. She is thrilled because she is fascinated by my journey. I guess I am too! Happy Thursday All!

Not glad you are having trouble on the site, but it is comforting to know that I'm not completely insane! I missed you all so much and can't wait to get back into a groove.

You are so amazing and continue to inspire me! I have missed your posts while I have been absent from the site.

Water is excellent for you! I was a Diet Cokeaholic prior to my surgery. I have found that I don't even like it anymore. I always prefer water or tea. Good luck to you!

You are doing GREAT! What a wonderful program from your doctor!!

Way to go on the walk! I can't imagine how it must hurt suffering from Fibromyalgia. My hats off to you!

Good luck!!

Congratulations! It is an agonizing choice, but once it is made and you are on you're way, you will see how "doable" it is. It makes obesity fightable! I have also been overweight/obese most of my life. I'm finally feeling normal! It had to take a Lap Band to do it, but I do not mind for a second. I'm very happy! Good luck to you!

Compliments are so great because they just make you want to work harder! Congratulations on your success & hard work!

Nice to meet you Rachel! It does stink when any one thing defines us, but I completely understand what you mean because I was in the same position. It is excellent that you are doing something about it and this time next year, you will be amazed at what you have accomplished!

I had a tonsilectomy in December and had fluid taken out of my Band. I saw how easy it is to revert back to bad behaviors even if that isn't what you really want to do. If I wouldn't have had the lessons of the last year, it would have been worse. It is a life long process, but getting started is the hardest. Best of luck to you!!

That workout class sounds fun! I get bored a lot when I'm working out so the constant shift with the short intervals sounds awesome!

Hi everyone!! I have taken a month long hiatus so hopefully I can get back into the swing of things. I took such a long break that I couldn't even get into my own blog! I tried changing my password and everything else...and zilch. So, here I am with a new profile. I guess it is somewhat appropriate with the new year. :-) I think I left off early December with my last 5K. It was such a great feeling to finish my 3rd race. On December 9th, I had a tonsilectomy. Holy cow! That put me out of commission for two full weeks. It will be 4 weeks on Thursday and I'm still not fully recovered. Although I can go about my daily activities, my throat is dry and it is hard to sleep for long periods of time. All in all though, it is over now and I will be glad to have it behind me. Right before the surgery, I had 2 cc's of fluid removed from my band to avoid any issues during recovery. Considering I didn't eat for two weeks, it didn't cause me too much damage. I will say that In the last week and a half, I have enjoyed some things that I haven't been able to eat in a year. I don't regret it at all!! However, it is time to get back on track and I will have a refill on Thursday. I have four weeks until my one year Bandiversary and I would love to hit Onederland! My first step in getting back on the wagon was to get moving. I started back to Jazzercise last night and it felt great! Today I plan to work out at lunch. Six workouts a week for the next 4 weeks! Actually for the next 8 weeks! I will catch up more with you all later. I can't wait to sit down tonight and catch up on all your blogs. I sure did miss you all. Beth