TracieR

My shoe size is down from an 11 to a 9.5 in less than a year! Have fun shoe shopping!!

The band has physically limited the amount I can eat. I received restriction right away and rarely feel hungry. I do not diet. I do not eat Pasta, bread or rice by choice (nor do I miss it). I just try to make good healthy food choices and choose things that are high in Protein. I also do not deprive myself. If I want something I have a little bit of it. This has worked very well for me and the weight is coming off. I also work out 4-5 days a week - most weeks. It makes me feel better and definitely helps with my weight loss. When I skip days I notice I make bad food choices. My work outs set the tone for my day. I am addicted now. It helps a ton mentally and physically. Everyone reacts so differently to the band though. For me it is about the restriction. I physically cannot eat a lot, so the weight comes off. I get my self moving and some more comes off. As simple and as hard as that... Good Luck to you on your journey!

I, unfortunately, can eat way too much popcorn if I let myself!

My goal was to be healthy. A healthy Mom for my son. I want to be able to run around with him and be able to give him a sibling. I have been overweight my whole life so I finally decided an extreme measure was needed. I put 110% of myself into this. Everytime I want to slip back into old habits I think, you put your life at risk for this opportunity, don't screw it up. The exercise for me has been key. It keeps my energy up and keeps me motivated. It has made me into a morning person, up at 5am four mornings a week. The changes that I see in my body in just 11 months are unbelievable. It is such an exciting time for me! I can't wait to see what other new and exciting things are coming as more of this weight comes off. The one thing I keep in mind all the time is - There is no finish line! This is my life now and I am loving it!

Good Luck to you! I hope all went well today. I had my surgery on 3/8 and have had no luck so far. I actually called today to see my obgyn to setup an appt to see what our next steps will be. I'm hoping my hormones will level out soon and it will just happen. I can dream can't I?

Hi Everyone! I am looking for new ideas to get my Protein in during the day. I am always struggling to get enough. What are your "go to" sources of protein? Any favorite recipes to share? Thanks so much!!

I buy the sugar free torani syrups, I have vanilla and caramel. I add a tbl syrup and some fruit or granola. Love it!

You are doing great! I know what you mean about the jiggling and clapping sounds everything makes when you jump around. I keep telling myself if that is all that is left from that miserable life that I was living so be it!! On the other hand I take all steps to make it less noticeable. I bought compression workout pants (from old navy) in one size down from normal. I wear a regular sports bra and then one of those workout shirts with the bra built in and a t-shirt over the whole thing. HaHa! It definitely keeps everything in and I feel more comfortable. Whatever works!

I know most protein cannot be heated up above 130 degrees otherwise it gets clumpy and hard. I have tried dozens of protein powders before I found one that I like. You can try to see if you can get samples/single serving before you buy the big thing of it. I really like the unjury.com protein the best, but thats just me.

Congratulations! Doesn't it feel great? I am the same way with telling everyone about my band for the same reason. I say whatever works, right? You are doing an awesome job! Keep it up!

It takes a awhile to get back to "normal". Give yourself time to heal. Get lots of rest and fluids. Take it one day at a time. I had to switch protein shakes a few times to find one I could handle. Try different kinds, sometimes you can buy sample packets. They really help to get your protien in and keep you feeling full longer. Good Luck to you!

YAY! Congratulations to you! You are awesome!

I get that way if I am dehydrated....I'm terrible about drinking enough water.

YAY! You look great! So exciting! I can't wait to have one and get rid of this hanging monster I have!!!

Love that saying!! Great job! My family gatherings are always focused on food also and my biggest worry was feeling deprived. I've learned that it feels way better making good choices and getting the weight off. I don't feel deprived at all!

Mine is pretty high, kind of between my breasts. Never effected me wearing a bra. For the gas - The walking and gas x never worked for me. I used pain killers and a heating pad. That was the only things that helped some. Good Luck!!

So anyway...I'm down 120lbs since March. I have jiggly bits and pieces all over the place so I wear SPANX pretty much everyday for work and when I go out. The ones that are like underwear to your bra. My question is that when I wear them lately I've been getting my left shoulder pain. I normally only get that when I eat too much or too quickly. I think I am now getting it because the SPANX is pushing on my band that hits my phrenic nerve causing my shoulder pain. I know its sounds totally crazy but anyone else experience this? My grandma always used to say, "You have to suffer to be beautiful." I wonder if this is what she meant! LOL! Thanks!

Congrats! That is so exciting! I can't wait to get to onederland...that is my next goal. Only 50lbs to go!!

I am able to take all my pills, as long as it is not in the morning because I am pretty tight. My doctor said no ibuprofen so I take Tylenol Cold when I need to. I believe they make it in a liquid also. For allergies my PCP gave me a nasal spray to use when they bother me. Hope that helps! Feel better!

Good for you! I am back on track to after the holidays and vacation! It felt so good this morning to be in the gym. Have a great week!

I so need to do this! I'm back on track as of today and hope to Name, real or screen~ TracieR Goal weight for February 29th~ 241 Weight on February 1st~ 253 Age~ 36 Dietary goal for February~ more Protein and no sugar! Exercise goal for February~ 4 days per week at the gym Personal goal for February~ go to bed earlier Date banded~ 03/08/2011 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 120 Do you have any Valentines day plans (How do you plan to handle Valentines dinner)~ we decided to buy a new tv for Valentine's day instead of doing food and candy!

I am a broken record. I do well. I screw up. I start over. Is that ok? Is this life? I know I have lost a lot of weight over the last 10 months but I also know it could be more. I used vacation as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted, granted very small portions but still. I didn't get enough protein and other than walking a million miles a day in Disney did not work out at all. As a matter of fact I have not been to the gym since before Christmas. Why? I was so addicted before. I promised myself the week off after Christmas as a gift of sorts for all my hard work. That was stupid. I still want to lose another 80lbs. I have been stuck at 120lbs gone for a while. I didn't deserve a break. I need to keep going. I went to the gym this morning. I felt so good afterward. I wish I could bottle that feeling up and use it as a reminder when my alarm clock goes off at 5am. It really does a world of good physically and mentally. I don't feel guilty during the day that I haven't worked out. I tend to eat better that day. I do my hair and my makeup and put energy into the clothes I pick out instead of throwing on the comfy yoga pants I love. I'm so frustrated. I know what to do but I seem to sabotage myself all the time. Today is a new day. Starting over again.... There is no finish line!!

I just started it. I got the zumba for the xbox kinect for christmas! i don't have much rythym but I'm moving and sweating. SO much fun!!

The hair loss is usually the effects of not enough protein or just your body adjusting to the quick weight loss. Mine was thinning for a while. I believe it breaks not falls out. I take biotin 5000 and keep my protein up. It seems to be helping. Good Luck!!!

yay! have fun! I hope your date goes great and most importantly that you enjoy yourself!