LJCBF

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

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

Well deserved......

Cool story!

That is a great article. Just curious did you have wls? I didnt see any mentioned in the article. Either way tis an amazing accomplishment!!

That is so awesome!!! You should be very proud!!!

Well said! Congrats.

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

How ODD that my story (450+ lbs) is in a magazine titled "Muscle and Body" LOL http://www.muscleandbodymag.com/your-body-your-life/in-sickness-and-in-health/
Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present!
Lee

How ODD that my story (450+ lbs) is in a magazine titled "Muscle and Body" LOL http://www.muscleandbodymag.com/your-body-your-life/in-sickness-and-in-health/
Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present!
Lee

How ODD that my story (450+ lbs) is in a magazine titled "Muscle and Body" LOL http://www.muscleandbodymag.com/your-body-your-life/in-sickness-and-in-health/
Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present!
Lee

Thanks everybody. The key to my success is to lift weights and do cardio a lot. Also stay away from carbs lol. I have many supportive people in my life which helps a lot,

what if the surgery works and you lose weight and get well?

I am sad - I get it - I want you to have Hope to Know that the even the smallest action begun TODAY can and will make the difference for you.
Lee

All the foods you are "cheating" on slider foods so you'll be able to eat a lot of them without bad side effects.
You already know the answer- STOP. Get it all out of your house. Throw them in the trash. If it's not accessible then you can't eat it.
Head hunger and food addiction are powerful as well as dangerous when left unchecked. It's going to suck but you're going to have to white knuckle through it awhile while you detox your system of all the crap you've been eating. After a a couple days of not having them the cravings will slowly start to diminish to a tolerable level. It won't be fun but it's necessary if you want to get back on track.
Also keep in mind your pouch never actually gets "full" and if it does you're likely eating too much. food passes through the band in less than a minute, it doesn't pile up in it unless you're eating way too fast and too big of bites. This is why it's so important to stick to band sized portions, take small bites, and pause between bites.
You know what you need to do- so do it.
Best wishes.

Keeping the junk foods out of the house, and out of reach, helps here. If the temptation isn't there it is easier to fight the urges.

Hi Paula,
WOW that's really scary ... I have lost 100 lbs twice in the past (before surgery) and gained it all back PLUS a bunch and it REALLY SUCKS ! I assume you have considered getting a fill? Although that doesn't really stop you if you are committed to eating around the band.
I would consider shaking up your schedule as much as possible - even visiting someone if you can that can help keep you clean 3 or 4 days.
You probably know you are playing with fire here right?
The FIRST thing I would do is bump up exercise a lot ... Join group fitness class the earlier in the morning - the tougher the class the better. Sign up for a race 5k, 10k or longer distance - maybe a triathlon and start training.
Good luck - really hope you get it back on the track - only you can do it : )
Lee

Hi Paula,
WOW that's really scary ... I have lost 100 lbs twice in the past (before surgery) and gained it all back PLUS a bunch and it REALLY SUCKS ! I assume you have considered getting a fill? Although that doesn't really stop you if you are committed to eating around the band.
I would consider shaking up your schedule as much as possible - even visiting someone if you can that can help keep you clean 3 or 4 days.
You probably know you are playing with fire here right?
The FIRST thing I would do is bump up exercise a lot ... Join group fitness class the earlier in the morning - the tougher the class the better. Sign up for a race 5k, 10k or longer distance - maybe a triathlon and start training.
Good luck - really hope you get it back on the track - only you can do it : )
Lee

Since I'm constantly scouring this site for before and after photos to keep me motivated, I figured I'd post a few of my own. As of today, I am down 75 lbs since banded 10/11/12 which I think is fantastic. I have to admit, though, some days I feel and see the difference and other days I see the old me in the mirror.

well I decided to go with salmon, it was delish, couldn't eat it all, brought it home will add a little Water in the skillet with a little pat of butter and steam it to warm it up. Also substituted veggies cause I didn't want to get stuck on them for a potatoe, again couldn't eat it all, brought it home and drank water and had a wonderful time with my brother who is battling cancer and he felt good today and his wife and her dad joined us and my mom. It was such a blessing to have all of us there as a family together. I did have one bite of their bread with honey butter and thought I'd better stop while I was ahead before I got stuck...lol. oh but that tee tiny bite was good. My mom got appetizer coconut shrimp and sweet potatoe and salad and I had a couple of bites of salad which tasted good to me. It was a good splurge meal. I'm not a mother but I wish all of you a Happy Mother's Day tomorrow. CG you crack me up girl.

Hey Jrock,
Congrats on your decision to embrace exercise!! I wast 450+ pounds and on oxygen and started my walking program with 30 seconds and now I compete in Triathlons. The key is start today... And increase a little each day. Also I used to live in Vegas and understand the heat you are dealing with there.
I suggest:
1- Immediately get a Leslie Sansone walking DVD / pop it in and follow - keep track of the time ( how long you do it) start with what you can do without it being an huge huge effort - write down the time it took - maybe 3 min maybe 5, it doesn't matter just document it. Then do it EVERY day adding 30 seconds each time.
2- Two additional days a week go to the mall or a target or Walmart and walk briskly and with purpose - distance and time of walk depends on your specific rate needs etc...
3- The DVD walk should be done as soon as you get out of bed - Pre coffee Pre shower - right away.
Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present!
Lee
280lbs Lost - All diseases reversed - ACE certified Personal Trainer & Health Coach

Skin sagging is a problem I enjoy compared to the ones I had at over 450 lbs. Focus on food Plan, sleep and Exercise becoming healthy and fit because these are all things you can affect!
Lee

Good morning Donna,
Struggles and less (sometimes way less lol) than ideal choices will occur and our response and ability to continue forward doing our best, accepting that as good enough, is an action shared by the "successful" in the weight loss world.
The 3 pillars to weight loss and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle are: food PLAN - sleep - EXERCISE
I will leave the food plan to you and your nutritionist, just know that MANY studies show that things like sugar/simple carb can effect key hormones that drive hunger and spike cravings assisting in keeping our brains in food crazy mode.
sleep - you are already probably aware that sleep and lack of will up the increase of cortisol which in turns causes the body to "hold onto" and "store" more fat, as well as increase hunger. My experience w/people that aren't getting "enough" sleep (8 hrs - most would agree 6/7 will work) is they say have tried but ... Fill in the blank. What I have found is that usually people try to increase their sleep by going to bed earlier. This fails because they just look at the ceiling and don't sleep and that's even worse ! THE KEY is NOT going to bed earlier it IS getting up earlier. If a person gets up out of bed and gets moving at 5am (earlier if needed) EVERY day (yes weekends too) without fail for two weeks THEN they will go to bed earlier and sleep. This works with 8 out of 10 people I work with on average.
EXERCISE - Several studies show that exercise dramatically effects mood and our choices and we now know that it's actually changing the brain - adding brain cells - "bumping up" the Prefrontal cortex (PFC) the area of the brain "in charge" of moderation and impulses. So, even if you discount the calorie burning, muscle building, increased flexibility/balance and increased BONE DENSITY benefits of exercise and just focus on how it increases our brains ability to help us "do the things we want to do" like NOT jumping up and grabbing a handful of almonds (in my case) or Cereal bar (in your case) when "no one is looking" - it's still clear exercise is the pathway to freedom.
Conveniently we can accomplish two of the three key pillars at once... LUCKY US ; ) exercise early in the morning will assist sleep and get the crucial exercise and "brain" work to start the day. As far as what exercise and how much how often... Blend of strength training versus cardio etc... That's a discussion for another time. I will say that it should be 6 days a week - 7 days in the early stages and regardless of how broken our bodies are safe effective exercise can be accomplished.
Good luck - I hope you take the path to free your mind & body : )
Hope in Your Future is Power in Your Present!
Lee
280lbs Lost - All Diseases Reversed