Kymbethin

I must admit, I am very proud of myself for having such a successful last week. I went to the gym EVERYDAY, I did not miss a beat, after about day three of consistency, I found myself in automatic mode, it was just like getting up and brushing my teeth. I found myself accomplishing a little more each time. I even graduated to jogging on the treadmill, riding the spin bike, riding my mountain bike, and walking up the stairmaster, I even did a little weight training yesterday (which was probably a no-no). I was motivated to get that scale moving in the right direction. When I started the week off, I was between 221 and 222, my goal was to get in the teens. When I got on the scale yesterday I was 216.5. So what that proved is that everyone's theory about the band is a fact, it is only a tool! I've always had to work extra-extra hard to see results, I'm just excited that I have the help of band to keep my eating at bay. I'm sure I probably over-extended myself on the workouts because, I'm not feeling so hot today, but I am excited to be getting my first fill manana! My eating has been decent since I've been on real food, but what I have found is that I don't really eat my first meal until late late afternoon, and by then I'm really hungry. I do drink the protein shots immediately following my workouts and they seem to keep me relatively satisfied until the eve. I hope everyone has a fabulous day, thanks for reading! Happy Travels, Kym

You have done amazing on your first month's weight loss! I get my first fill tomorrow too, and I am still trying to decide if I will go with the numbing medication. Congrats on the scale working in your favor!!

Congrats Miss Mary, you're going to be fabulous!

So I'm on mushies...and I have this problem with testing my limitations. With that said, I've moved myself beyond mushies and have found myself grazing on things like very small pieces of beef and baked tortillas. Also, with my mushies, well let's just say they haven't been the best choices. I've tolerated things like guacamole, potato salad, baked beans, macaroni and cheese and I even tasted (only tasted) some of my son's graduation cake last night. Although I've only had very small portions, I get full easily, but what I do find is that I'm hungry within a couple of hours and I find myself grazing again, what's up with that? My doc said that he put about 3 or 4 cc's at the time of surgery, but apparently I need more. I do feel like I've gained a little weight, but I've been too afraid to get on the scale. I can't wait to feel that satiety that the band is supposed to be famous for. My saving grace is probably the fact that I turn my treadmill walks into full workouts (doing a lot of variations). I must admit that I do feel a little discouragement, because I expected my first month to be really successful with the loss. I do think I'll be more successful when I'm not limited on what I can do physically. Anyway, I hadn't posted in a while, because I didn't want to be discouraging to others, but this past week has been somewhat of a struggle. But what I do know for sure is that better days are ahead! Kymmie

Congrats Ciara! You seem to be really progressing! Good job with the exercise, you've found the key to get you motivated, that's the hardest part for most... I'm scheduled for my first fill next week, I can't wait to see how it makes me feel, keep us posted on your progress!

Italy, I've had my band since May 18th and I've lost roughly 10lbs...my weight loss has seem to slow down considerably the last past week. I'm shooting for better results this week.

Thanks for the encouragement ladies, it helps to know that I'm not going through these feelings alone and there is still a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Thanks for the encouragement RoseyPosey!

Congrats, very inspiring!

That's what I actually had was Progresso's, now I don't feel too bad!

I concur Miss Mary! I started my mushies a couple of days early and I find that I've been craving the creamier soups like, clam chowder, cream of potato, broccoli and cheese, I've even made some really creamy, soft guacamole. I think I've just wanted something hearty, something that truly felt like I ate something. And since most of my swelling has gone down, I find myself becoming hungrier between my meals! Like you, the scale really isn't moving for me either, and I actually go to the gym and burn lots of calories...I guess discouragement is starting to set in a little. My first fill is scheduled for the 14th...

That's great Gtney! You give me some inspiration...I forget sometimes that you have to take into consideration of trying to find the balance with the fills. I've lost quite a bit, but I honestly feel like I should be losing more, I can't wait to get my first fill! 48lbs is great for 8 months, that's a 7 year old that you're not carrying around anymore =)

Thanks SkinnyInside! Yeah I was actually able to keep everything down with no nausea or vomitting. The Skinny Girl Margarita is great, and it's pretty strong too, only 33 calories in a half a cup! Drinking liquids of any kind does not really fill me up, it just feels like it felt pre-band. It doesn't really curb my hunger or anything. Good luck on your impending success, I know you'll do great too! Once you're sick in tired of being sick in tired, it catapults you to a new mission for yourself, you'll be unstoppable! Keep us posted =) PS: The Big D is Dallas (everything's bigger in Texas)

So I am now 12 days into my journey and I've been extremely proud of myself on the workout portion. I've now graduated to walking on the treadmill doing speed walking intervals, with inclines that includes backwards walking intervals at a pace between 3-3.7mph for one hour (sometimes even twice per day)!! BUT like I said that part is ALWAYS easy for me, food is my issue. Not snacks...I've never been the type to eat all day or raid the fridge in the midnight hour, but I love good meals! I like going out to eat at nice restaurants (and there are hundreds to choose from in the Big D); and my partner prepares fabulous cuisines! I've been doing pretty good at my liquid diet, and in two days I'll be allowed to graduate to mushies...but today it came a little early. After I worked out at the gym, I drank my lil 42g protein shot and I came home and didn't eat, because I was satisfied from the protein shot for a couple of hours. So we prepared Memorial Day Dinner that consisted of grilled hotdogs, ribeye steaks, chicken, potato salad, and baked beans. I actually ate about a 1/2 cup of baked beans combined with the potato salad and chewed it to a liquid state. Should I feel bad? Because I don't, it was the only thing I had eaten all day and it probably totaled less than 200 calories. It was delicious! It felt so good to actually chew, and I was satisfied with my baby portion. OH yeah I also had a glass of my Skinny Girl Margarita! Don't feel bad about that either! I didn't have to deprive myself, I was satisfied with very little, and I didn't have any problems with digesting it. This made for a great day! I'm losing, my clothes fit differently already, and I feel great...except for the occasional port pain that I feel! Hope everyone had a fabulous Holiday, I did

It sounds like you're doing great BandedKitten! And you're right about the how food looks much better than it tastes sometimes. I just keep telling myself, "you've tasted this stuff a million times before, it's nothing new!" I agree, the hunger pangs are starting to kick in overdrive. I can't wait to go for my first fill on the 12th...11 days to go! I hope I can at least drop another 10lbs or so by then! Try walking with a little intensity, and the scale will probably start moving for you again. I notice that everyday I workout, I lose at least 1lb. Happy Travels Chic!

Jenn, I feel your pain, but what Miss Mary said is 100%. Since you're obsessed with the scale (like I am :-) you should get a tanita scale that measures your fat, water, and bone density; this way you can see where the weight gain is (and weight loss for that matter). It will give you a peace of mind, because our bodies will hold on to water, especially when there is a drastic change. Even exercise can make you retain sometimes. Drink plenty of water to flush out the water and you'll be fine (physically and mentally But I do feel ya on the appetite, I have been sooooooo hungry and NOT for a damn protein drink either, I want to CHEW!