LJCBF

My sister and I were interviewed on Huffington Post Live. She has lost 207 and I have now lost 275 lbs. Here is the link: http://huff.lv/VomVRy
Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present!
Lee

Goals... dreams... HOPE! You are right to have them and even "righter" to make them tangible like buying a few items for the future.
We are driven to surgery by PAIN... but it's HOPE that propels us down the post surgery path to VICTORY. Pain is not enough to do the daily work that leads to major life changing weight loss... 200lbs plus. So I encourage and applaud you... HOPE is the fuel you require : )
I have lost over 250 lbs and changed my life, reversing a death sentence (COPD/Diabetes/High Blood pressure/Sleep Apnea) and my sister has lost almost 200 and still on her way. Read her recent blog post on exactly this subject... she is looking back at her start and dream list etc...
http://www.300poundsdown.com/2012/12/disney-world.html
Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present,
Lee

Wow so many great ideas! Keep on mind you don't need to go to or belong to a gym to get a great workout. Although group fitness is critical to add at some point as you progress. The power of the group is valuable.
Ez workout anywhere:
5 min active warmup
Walk at intense level 20 min
10 jumping jacks
10 push ups ( back flat - go down only a little I'd that's all you can but no knees on the floor)
10 squats (keep knees behind toes)
10 lunges left leg
10 lunches right leg
10 crunches (don't strain neck)
1 minute plank
5 min slow stretch
Too much ? Cut it all in half (10 min walk - 5 reps each) STILL too much? cut it all in half again (5 min walk - 2 reps each ) STILL TOO MUCH? cut it in half again (5 min walk 1 rep each)
The Key is Start Today - then add 30 secs each day to the walk and 1 rep
Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present!
Lee

Goals... dreams... HOPE! You are right to have them and even "righter" to make them tangible like buying a few items for the future.
We are driven to surgery by PAIN... but it's HOPE that propels us down the post surgery path to VICTORY. Pain is not enough to do the daily work that leads to major life changing weight loss... 200lbs plus. So I encourage and applaud you... HOPE is the fuel you require : )
I have lost over 250 lbs and changed my life, reversing a death sentence (COPD/Diabetes/High Blood pressure/Sleep Apnea) and my sister has lost almost 200 and still on her way. Read her recent blog post on exactly this subject... she is looking back at her start and dream list etc...
http://www.300poundsdown.com/2012/12/disney-world.html
Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present,
Lee

This is going to sound stupid and oversimplified to you - at least it sounded like that to me when I was where you are on my journey but... You must find ways to"be happy" "reward" yourself "enjoy" that are Not food related OR you will not find the freedom you seek. That does NOT mean find "heathy" food substitutes and ways to "be happy" using food that's just healthier lower cal choice. It DOES mean finding new ways to "be happy" like painting, writing, hiking, racing, book groups, singing, building, dating, swimming, etc... It takes time but you can find fulfillment in other ways and its important to your hunt for freedom.
I try to live by this Mission Statement:
Mission statement on Food
Use Food only to nurture and strengthen my body so I can have more exciting and fuller experiences.
Never use food to honor or Celebrate a day/person/experience/occasion or to "feel" or to NOT "feel" an emotion such as happiness, sadness, boredom, frustration, panic, fear, stress.
Never use food to connect or build a bridge to a person or place.
It is only with a more Healthy strong body that I can have the energy, endurance, strength and vitality to maximize every experience life has to offer.
Lee

Yes I have the Lapband without which I would not have had the "success" I am enjoying. I explained this to the author but they wanted to focus on the "work" involved, around nutrition, Exercise and sleep ALSO without which I would not have had the "success". It's really not an either/or (WLS or exercise/food plan) it's a BOTH. I view my Lapband like the glasses I need to read - without my glasses I can't read because my vision is blurry (where others don't need glasses) BUT once I put the glasses on I still have to READ (do the work) the book and comprehend it.
Lee

I am truly impressed !!
Lee

And the return trip is done for a total of 3 hours, 43 miles, 2200 calories. I am sitting in my easy chair sipping a Protein Shake. I think I will rest for a while

Biked to work for the first time this morning, 21.7 miles, 90 minutes, 1130 calories, 41.8 degrees average temp.
The real NSV will be when I make it home

Jlan,
You sound like a perfect candidate for surgical intervention - I have the band but the sleeve is also a good alternative. I am 5ft 8 and was over 450 lbs with lung disease high blood pressure diabetes and given two years to live. I was hospitalized and still couldn't stop eating NOTHING worked anymore. The Lapband saved my life ... I still had to do Work but the Lapband gave me a tool to make it possible.
I have lost over 280 lbs all my diseases are reversed and I am healthier and more physically fit than anytime in my life.
Yes WLS can and will work ...IF YOU DO.
Lee

Hey LB Anna,
Mindset change is a perfect way to describe it! Two things I do that have helped a ton w/food
1- I buy the pouches of flavored tuna and I tape a plastic fork to the back of the pouch. Then I place them in my car, back packs, workout bags office desk etc... Then I ALWAYS have instant ready to eat Protein no prep required !
2- I actually map out where all the places are in the areas I travel locally where I can buy quick food - certain gas stations n 7/11's carry hard boiled eggs ready to eat - fruit - Greek low fat yogurt plus they almost all carry muscle milk (not my fav Protein shake but will do in a pinch)
Preparation lends itself to piece of mind - lowers stress equals less "crazy" in my head - less cravings
Lee