LJCBF

So very very Life Changing : ) thanks again

Take what you need leave the rest - look at profiles of those giving advice - inspect what you expect - the bottom line is lbs lost and the life altering freedom that brings. I try to remember that every one is diff and several ways to sustained weight loss exist BUT I can only advise the path that worked for me and others that have followed me. Regarding thick skin ... The personal discipline required for "thick skin" is the same one required to keep clearly divisive comments to ourselves rather than volunteer them under the guise of "honesty" and being "helpful". I try to do my best to follow my first rule of communication "it's not what I say that counts, it's what you hear". Hopefully this post effectively follows that axiom. Lee 269 lbs lost Diabetes - Lung Disease - High Blood Pressure, REVERSED

Floridays, it's really awesome that you are giving us the play by play on the surgery ... I "need" it having dropped 269 so far but still dropping. Really worried about doing it so helps to get a trusted person posting ; ) Thanks Lee

Will power is a tricky thing I've discovered over time... Essentially it's thought of as a a "not" thing, as in not going to eat this or buy that or say this or do x activity or behavior. Therefore is "passive" in the sense it requires no proactive action... Which means you feel no progress or gain only LOSS. I have found turning will power into an active - proactive process allows me to feel a little more on control and a sense of accomplishment not just loss. As this pertains to food and weight loss that means that I focus on replacing food with activities and challenges and group focused items. Also I exercise which makes me feel like I'm "doing something" and gaining something not just losing. Lee

Look at fitbit one it's 99 and no monthly cost lje body bug also body media fit link model 119 but like body bug has monthly fee - however works with Withings product like scale n blood pressure monitor. Lee ps Polar Heart rate monitor FT 7 is about $75 and most critical for weight loss - maximize exercise and safety

WHAT'S HARD is weighing over 450 lbs living connected to an oxygen machine barely able to walk 10 feet without "resting" being given a 3-5 years to live when barely 30 ... Every day waking up and living the life of an addict unable to stop binge eating going to bed hating yourself and trying to convince the world you don't care. NO THE BAND IS EZ THE BAND IS FREEDOM THE BAND IS A USEFUL TOOL Lee 269 lbs lost diabetes - lung disease - high Blood pressure and high cholesterol REVERSED - now living the free life : )

I've been drinking nothing but Atkins Dark choc since my surgery - protein you need almost 0 Sugar carbs and ready to drink - just make sure it's COLD! Lee

I applaud your courage on taking this step (getting the band) be diligent from the start!

Xmas day workout Calorie burn

Congrats on the 50lbs! Thats a SUPER big milestone. Regarding your Xmas quandary - I guess I am alone on this... but I can not eat a little of this or that and minimize bad food choices by saying I am not going to deny myself etc... It causes me excessive mental anxiety and physiologically has negative consequences on my energy/sleep and CRAVINGS. The sooner I was able to seperate happiness and fullfilment from FOOD the happier and healthier I became/become. Everyone is different with a different story and different consequences suffered prior to surgery - so it's not a "one size fits all" situation... as you can see on LBT, success abounds with differing approaches. Consider it is ok to just follow your food plan as you would on any other day - we are in a life or death struggle : ) I applaud that you are thinking and planning before the event and looking to the advice of others with the band and success. Hope in your future is Power in Your Present! Lee

Very inspiring we are all in this together. I LOVE your use of the word FREEDOM ... When I was 450+ pounds I felt (and was) imprisoned in my Body in able to do much of anything - connected to oxygen ... I would think ... Geez even people with a Life sentence in solitary get out of their cell to walk around/exercise an hour or so a Week... Yet I CAN NEVER escape the prison of my broken body for even a minute Life is different now !! Freedom is awesome : ) Lee

Kwamke - That's great! What's working for you ? Lee

Surgery April 2009 Inches LOST on waist 37 Pounds Lost 263 so far The band is a useful TOOL but not a magic pill

Great! I am on my way this morning ... A huge help is a HR monitor - not only tracks cal burn but helps with intensity of exercise and safety of knowing how far to push yourself. Good luck ! Lee