Kime-lou

Thanks all- I am my own worst enemy. I had hoped I would have lost more by this point. I have been at the same zone for 3 months, I feel like I may be stuck. OH, well- the stress of my work life at the moment isn't helping much. My NUT said that I need to try to maintain for now until the stress level dies down and then try to start losing again. I guess I need to take that advice.

Yep, Missy a big black bear. I am sure he was just passing through, but I'd rather give him a wide birth. We are use to seeing raccoons and other creatures, but a bear is to much. Just hit the elliptical for 30 min and got 1.5 miles. Not to bad since it's been months since I've been on it. Sang my way through the 30 min. Now sobbing wet from sweat, but feel like I could tackle the world. Glad I did it. Now just to hit the other days. Thanks for the support.

It's been a son of a biscuit few weeks. At work we have converted to a new software system and I am trying to learn it all the while, trying to make sure we are ready to start school in a month with 2500 kids and two campuses. This ain't easy!! I go home from work with a head ache and high BP each day. The only thing I want is a nap. For about two months now I have weighed between 187-189, daily weigh in. My NUT told me not to worry about it right now, that stress is keeping me from losing and right now my goal should be to maintain during this stressful time and then once things calm down I can start working toward losing again. My hubs tells me to go home and work out each day. He has been hitting the elliptical and weights hard the last few weeks and has dropped 2 lbs - proud of my boy! I know I to need to get back to exercise, without it further weight loss will not happen. I have never been a lover of working out, I rather work at something- yard work, cleaning ect. When I lived on the farm there was always work to be done- garden to pick, yard to mow and clean, feilds to work, cows to deal with, ect. Now as I live in the city my little .27 of an acre isn't keeping me as busy as the 100 acre farm I was raised on. I know must find some way to enjoy and maintain an exercise regiment. We have an elliptical and a total gym in our home and a greenway behind our house. I have no excuse, yet I always seem to find one. This week I am trying to go back to the basics. No eating out, eating clean and healthy. Also, I want to hit the elliptical at least 3 times this week. While I am proud of myself that during this 13 month journey I have managed not to gain, that isn't good enough. I still have about 45 lbs that I want gone. I will get there, just don't know when.

Missy, I agree I must find something I enjoy. While I do like to walk, I fear walking the trail behind the house along- there was a bear spotted on it a couple weeks ago. I don't do bears!!! Also, I have asthma, while it is better since losing 60lbs, it isn't gone. The extreme heat days and the extreme cold days = attacks for me. I guess I better form a loving relationship with the elliptical. I to love to mow my lawn - push mow it. I love working in my garden, but at this point it doesn't need me with the monsoon's we have had here in NC.

When ever and what ever journey you take your are often inspired to take it by someone or something. I was inspired to have WLS due to several friends having it and having great results. Once banded I have been inspired by people right here on this site- Carolina Girl has done amazing, Missy Wowzer what a awesome job, AJ beautiful!! There are many others, but these are those that I look to and always want to read what they have to say, because I relate to them and are inspired by them and their words. Yeah some times my toes get steped on, but that means they are getting to me and will help me. In the 1 year time period I have had my band I went from 244 to 187. Yeah, people have lost twice that much in the same time period, but I didn't. I am a little jealous, would love to have done better, but I am me and am where I am and I am working on it. My journey brings to mind a song that the little kids at my church use to sing and it inspires me: "I am a promise, I am a possibility, I am a great big bundle of potentiality" - That line make me smile, because I know I have the possiblity and the potential to do whatever I set my mind to. It inspires me to work hard to get the things I want, like getting to goal. We all have to get our inspiration to work hard and continue the journey on the rough days from somewhere and something- there are people all around me that give me this. My hubs, the three amazing ladies above who inspire me with their post even if they don't know it, my mom who is always telling me how proud she is, my friends who are proud, and my body that feels better and doesn't get winded when I run up my stair case in my house. While I was lucky I never reached the point of having diffulity walking, I was getting there. My knees were begining to have pain. My ankles, both of which have been broken multiple times were crying out for me to lose weight. I am glad I finally was inspired to do this last year and I am thankful for all the place and people that inspire me to contiue this journey each and every day. Look around you today find your inspirations and smile- hold on to them so on a dark day you can whip 'em out and keep movin'.

Once in a while I miss it. What I mainly miss is like you said being able to eat on the go. I have to take time to eat, which I guess is a good thing, but it's just hard when you are busy. Plus, trying anything new at a resturant is always a gamble, so that kinda sucks.

Don't worry about it, really. I lost really fast to begin with and several co-workers said I was losing way to fast, but it slowed as time when on. Now I have been stuck in the same 5 pound zone for about 3 months.

I was told yes, baked fish was ok for mushy. But that was my NUT.

Mine didn't drop at all. I went from a 42C to a 36C, so far. Lost 60 lbs.

My asthma to has mostly gone away. I still have to use my inhaler before I go running, but at least I can run now.

Greek yogurt is great for after healing. In phase 2, post op, you will need to avoid thick and creamy yogurts. Look for the light yogurts. They are thinner than greek and will go down easier. Once you are on regular food, you can transition to the thicker- thick and creamy and greek.

My doctor said that a band could wear out, but it doesn't have to. He said just like any foreign object placed in your body may wear out, just like a knee or hip replacement, a band may have to be replaced; but it doesn't mean it will give out. He said it was something that I shouldn't worry about, it may last my life time and it might not - but the better I take care of it the longer it will last me.

Here are some of my breakfast, because like you I don't eat at home and I don't have a lot of time: Dannon Light and Fit Greek Yogurt with 2x Protein (only 80 calories) with a few blueberries and a sprinkle of granola Special K Protein Cereal with 1% milk Weight Watchers High Protein shake (20 g of protein) High Fiber Oatmeal with blueberries or banana or apple chopped up in it All of these are fairly low cal, so if I get hungry mid morning I will have an apple with Peanut Butter or grapes with cheese, or a peach What I try to do is eat a lot of protein, fiber and fruit and veggies each day. I try to eat clean- nonprocessed- it has helped me not only feel better, but my body is more regulated.