DynamoMini

:car::Banane20::car:--------------------Red Robin INVITATION!!! There is a group of us bandsters that have been meeting monthly at Red Robin at I25 and Arapahoe Road and we'd like to invite anyone who is interested, supportive and fun to our get together on Thursday, August 9th at 7 pm. Sometimes we feel isolated and need a little bandster understanding and some time with other people that really "get" us. If you understand what I just said then this get together is for you. We talk, laugh, eat, share, show pictures, just are there for each other. Let me know if you are coming so I can save you a seat! Our group has three founding members and others that come and go. So join us! :whoo::whoo::whoo:WE'D LOVE TO MEET YOU.

Jen - I know that stuck feeling. I with ya sista. However, we can't wallow in the negative stuff. I just got through doing the "poor me" on another site. So I think I have to go back to the basic questions that brought me here. 1) Do I want to be healthy and thin? 2) Am I willing to do what it takes? 3) Am I exercising five days a week? 4) Am I eating a high protein/ low carb diet? Why not? I can do this and I know I deserve a healthy life. There is fear for the unknown sexy us, but how much of that is an excuse? I am in control of my body and what I put inside it is my choice. I love my band because it helps me get the information I need about how I am dealing with food. Best wishes, Michelle

Wow - I am so impressed with some of the weight losses recorded, and a bit green with envy. If you can do it, so can I. I do seem to have to follow an eating plan, otherwise I get "tricky" with it. It is part of the disease for me. Glad I am in therapy. Exercise seems to counter some of that for me. I am still trying to "cheat" the system tho' - how old am I? As soon as stress or boredom trigger my "need" to eat, I am off and running, thinking up everything I can put in my mouth. Help! Well, at least I am not in denial any more. I did lose 5 pounds in July, which is ok by me, but I am cutting it too close to the borderline of where I can eat and still lose. Best wishes everyone - any insight will be appreciated.

Indio - best wishes on the biopsy. Now, as for the exercise. I have been working with a trainer for two years. Thirty pounds more, I started out at one minute of cardio and now can easily do 45 minutes. The one often over looked factor that we need to purchase good shoes, and replace them every 3 months. If you don't have good shoes, you will hurt your knees, hips and ankles. Any time I try to "get by" on old shoes, I pay for it. Make sure you are on low impact machines or walking on softer surfaces. Otherwise jarring occurs every time you step. Also, five times a week is optimal for weight loss. Don't replace food obsession with a hyper-exercise one, because it isn't sustainable and will hurt you psychologically. Be gentle with you. You are precious. Hope this helps keep you exercising and moving towards a healthy lifestyle. Hugs, Michelle

Indio - best wishes. I know that whatever, they caught it early and can take care of it. The band will make you stronger and healthier. You would have thought if it is something serious they would have found it pre-op band bloodwork or in a yearly exam. My hugs are stretched out to you. BJean - how are you doing? Are you keeping the faith? I am just hearing the little engine that could in my head a lot, "I think I can" but the pounds are slowly coming off, SLOWLY! lessofme - I keep telling myself this isn't a contest. I am losing slowly too. On good days I look at it as LIFESTYLE changes that will take two years at least, so it helps remove me from the daily scale measurement. The pep talks do help, the scale dropping helps even more. My mental health seems to coincide with my weight loss. Weird! Best to you all, Michelle

Hello Violets! I have been very busy running in circles, my life. All is good here. My weight loss has slowed, but still is happening. I had my third fill and I think I'm at my sweet spot. I am getting the feedback I needed. I went to New York City and had a week in Breckenridge. I sat on the bandstand of the 4th of July parade (my sister was and MC) and had a great time. Through all of this I didn't gain, but have lost another 4 pounds. My body is changing. My trainer said the fat is looser and will come off more easily, while the muscle tone is getting stronger underneath. I do feel like a Pygmalion. Life is good. I am starting a little business, making art pieces, called Just Whimsy. If we sell a lot, we'll probably do a website and hope for online sales. Our debute is at a Wine Festival in Breckenridge in August. When I paint, I don't seem to eat as much. I am exercising about 4 - 5 hours per week. I write my food down on calorieking.com which keeps me honest. My band is a wonderful tool for my weight loss. Best wishes everyone, Michelle

Indio - I am so happy for your success. It is wonderful to be losing so quickly. For me it has gotten slower, but I know I lose at the correct rate, because I have headwork I want to go through to really release the weight I have held all these years. Glad that all is well.

Dakota - Isn't it interesting? I am at the 3 month mark since banding and I am just now confronting the desire to eat irresponsibly (poor planning and choice) and binging (getting what I want rather than need in great quantities) because of the PB'ing. It lets you know that the band is really there and I think of it as my internal hug. It will remind me when I go back to old habits - with a vengance. Take care - Another Michelle

Margi - I can somewhat relate, however, I am not "quite" as restricted. You are doing so well losing weight, that you probably don't want to rock the boat, but you might want to get just a .10 cc taken out and see if you can then eat chicken and salad. It is a lot of trial and error. I feel so grateful that I can't stuff my face now that I am finally restricted, I think I'll play along. But can you get your nutrients from real food, or only liquids, because that isn't really a "normal" eating pattern. Which is what my doc keeps saying is the goal. Best wishes on your decision. What have you authored?

Hi All - I also saw Hairspray, what a fun movie. I was so impressed with the new young star. It has an interesting plot line, fat girl gets dreamy guy. Not bad for Broadway. The music is foot tappingly good. BJean - I totally agree with you. and I don't know what those wooden nickels were either, but they must have been an item, way back then.... karey - have a blast in Vegas, it should be like a blast furnace there, but it'll have great air conditioning. ARe you seeing any shows? I want to see the "O" which is done by the Cirque de Sole folks. Feel better Indio - the best is yet to come. Be patient, because the band takes time and a few fills to really do it's job. I am finally 3 fills and 3 momths out, I feel great and restricted. Hugs and best wishes - stay cool. Michelle

IndigoGirl - you had a bad experience. I never had the bad gas pains, and I don't know what the percentage is of people who have them. I'm so sorry it was a rough recovery. You will feel much better soon. I know it doesn't seem to. Best wishes!

watchdog - I second the protein shake ideas. It is so important for hunger issues. mentally we all have to work on carb and sugar addictions. Each time I think i've got it, I slip. The eating with a band isn't a whole lot different than without, although once you are tight it will feel a little different. I think the challenge is the head thing, at least for me. I've had to decide that the food choice I make isn't wrong, but if it is a "goodie" for me I may have to confront a chain reaction within my body. Am I up for it? is the bite of cookie or ice cream really going to hurt? Not really, but if my mental framework isn't right on center it will trigger a binge. Now, my band is really tight, so a binge isn't what I want to do. THAT is the band difference for me! I am not going to totally lose the ground I have covered, like I have time and time again. So this is the long winded approach to - The band works! Work with it! Drink protein! Best wishes all, Michelle

Denise - Wow! Good for you. I have been downsizing a little, buying a few things rather tight, so I can "grow into them" it really is a different way of thinking. Best wishes!

Margi - good for you in your new size 12. It is a lot of work, but worth it! Indigo Girl - how are you doing? Hope you are recovering quickly from the surgery.

IndioGirl - Best wishes on your surgery. I am sure you will do really well. You are prepared and ready to go! Hugs.

Green - good for you, figuring out why you weren't feeling well, then taking action! Wow! I want to be a goal too! Losing weight is a challenge for me no matter what my age or state of band. Right now I am tight, which is good because I can't overeat without PBing, unless it is m&Ms or ice cream. You see the problem. But on the happy side I worked out, drank two protein shakes and had lots of water, but the old gnawing headhunger works its way into my behavior. I deserve a healthy life and all of you do too! I keep having to get back to why I did this and to believe in myself, which is a lot of work. Hugs and happy weekends,

Hi everyone - We all see a little of ourselves in these posts. I am you and you are me. Isn't there a song with that lyric - yeah Beatles! Oh those glorious 60s and 70s. I also thought I could do the band "perfectly." The fills help to jar me out of complacency, a BP will do that to anyone. But I am finding other successful things, like going up and down my stairs doesn't seem as difficult as it did. The down side is the neck is looking like a gobbler. I salute you green. I will get my nip and tuck when the weight is off (probably another year and a half) and stablized. I don't trust myself not to regain my weight, as I've done it before. Just let me get there! Be well and enjoy your weekends! Try to stay cool. Michelle

nicki - Wow! You have done an amazing job of losing weight. What is your secret? Right now I am experiencing some of the binge eating I did preband. I am getting a fill on Thursday. I think that will help me refocus. I want to be as successful as you have been. Congratulations!

Hello Everyone - Yep - I am going to the fill doc this week as a matter of fact. My week in the mountains with the family went great, but I am binge eating at night. I am not able to dump the extra calories through activity and there is some cravings I am experiencing. I think any time I get into the head hunger I need to be on the computer talking not sneaking food, which is such old behavior. It makes me sick. What is great is that we can talk about it here, and no one starts lecturing about the "should nots". Thank you for being here.

Hi Everyone! I think it is never TOO LATE to take care of yourself. We all DESERVE A HEALThY LIFE! BJean - you are always very funny. Between you and green I just keep laughing. I have already figured out that part of my journey will include a face and neck lift. I am not sure about the tummy tuck. I will have to get those pounds off first and stay at a weight for more than two minutes. I have had two fills, but no restriction. I think the last fill completely missed the mark, so I have another one this week and we'll just have to see where I am. I look around at women our age and they look older, sagging chins, wrinkled necks, I think it sucks that aging does this to women. Many men look better longer. Now on a happy note, last week before the 4th I got under 200 pounds. So, I feel like I am on my way. I went up to the mountains with my brother's family (three kids under 7) and my sister's family (2 kids under 5) and sprained my ankle, so the great exercising I've been doing is now on hold and I am icing and resting. Oh well, I'll be able to get back to it. Hugs to you all, make sure to hug yourselves, we are embarking on a major journey of change. Michelle

Thanks for the congrats Jaqui and travelbug! travelbug - I sometimes think it is better to take our focus off the numbers and just know that if you have portion control, exercise, drink lots of water and make good food choices our bodies will have to give it up. It is excrutiating waiting for the pounds to drop off, like watching a clock to make time go faster. At least that is the way if feels for me. Going to NYC, breaking my daily pattern, thinking about things other than my weight (like how to ride the subway) may have helped me break the barrier more quickly than watching everything I did and ate. Who's to know? You will get there. It has to happen, you deserve a healthy life.

You know, I think I do better with more protein than carbs too. When I am very active I tolerate carbs better, but I totally understand the study showed better weight loss with a protein heavy diet. I also think that my metabolism has changed with age. Protein, fruits and veggies - that is best for me. What I wonder is how many grams of carbs are people recommending? I want a "normalized" diet that I can follow after the weight loss phase. Has anyone read anything about that? Or better diets after 50? Best wishes to you all and happy almost holidays!

Yes, I did a no no. I got my scale down from my closet and got on it. Now I wasn't holding on to the wall or anything and it said: 199.2 I acknowledge that this isn't "official" and I can do such silly things with the scale, but this was after breakfast, working out and a 24 oz bottle of water, so I am hopeful! Today, I did not weigh again. I get so compulsive, but am holding on to the joy of seeing that scale dip under 200. I'm in Onederland!!! :whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo: The reality is I can do this, if I can do this - anyone out there can. Best wishes and happy holiday to all!

Serena - The other tricky part of it is that "knowing it" doesn't take the blaming and shaming we have put on ourselves, it is the heartfelt unconditional loving of myself that is so difficult for me to get to. Like a Starbuck's pastry isn't going to "ruin" my chances for success and mean I'll be a fat person for the rest of my life, yadda....yadda....My mind was going crazy beating myself up. After I was bruised, I attempted my "new" behavior, I entered the pastry on my daily log of food on CalorieKing.com and found it wasn't the end of the world, I didn't have to starve to get RID of it. My long winded point is that a person who unconditionally loves themself wouldn't have gone through all that mental anguish over a pastry, but just take it in stride (like the "new" Michelle did) and adjust her eating the rest of the day. Oh well. I have a long way to go, but I find I can obsess about "perfect" dieting like nobody's business which is as crazy as mindless overeating then self flaggulation. Bottom line - I am practicing being really kind and accepting of myself, trying to notice crazy behaviors and let them go. It isn't overnight. It'll probably take years, so what else do I have to do? But I do know that I deserve a healthy life - like we all do. green - so you recognize that magical thinking too? Birds of a feather.... that's why I love it here, you all "get" me ckbw - I know that coumadin is a powerful drug that affects surgeries and healing, and I think you are wise to get many opinions. Good luck! Hugs to you all.

You look marvelous! :whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo::whoo: