BlueMoon~T

Sorry, had to giggle!! Especially when I saw I had been mentioned in a post TWICE by you. You're just too cute!

You're very welcome, dear! Have a great day!!

OMGosh @@BlueMoon~T!!! It worked, it worked!!! I told you it was a dumb question. I thought it turned blue once you were done typing (like FB) but its not until after you reply....ahaha! Thanks, I'm blonde:-)

I've just used the @@enjoythetime and it works every time!

Ran again today on treadmill pushing myself harder than last time my heart rate monitor crapped out on me think I m doing something wrong. Order an underarmour wonderwoman shirt for my mud run end of June cause in wondering who this new woman is lol but I love it

I believe that the concept of learning to eat so called "trigger foods" more responsibly is a positive goal for those who feel that they genuinely want to revise their relationship with food, and understand that their maladaptive eating habits and beliefs about the role of eating and food in their lives were core issues to the development and maintenance of obesity.
There are many people who are unable or unwilling to make the effort to create the necessary change to overcome their entrenched behaviors and/or beliefs. They will offer little or no resistance to the cravings resulting from carbs.
In my own experience, while I do not believe that I am genuinely addictided to carbs, I have noticed the irrefutable pattern of the connection of eating unhealthy carbs leading to craving more unhealthy carbs. I find it much easier for me to simply avoid the unhealthy carbs than coping with resultant cravings. Other "trigger foods" for me, such as Peanut Butter, are not a problem for me to manage.

I am frequently asked about whether certain foods should be completely avoided or if it is essential to learn to eat all foods responsibly. Individuals who believe they are “addicted” to certain foods (like sweets) or certain ingredients of food (like sugar) commonly ask this question, and it’s a great question. The most common method of dealing with addiction to substances such as nicotine, alcohol and cocaine is complete avoidance of the substance, referred to as abstinence. Abstinence from these types of substances, while difficult to achieve, is far easier than the alternative of trying to moderate one’s intake of the substance. In the case of nicotine, heroin, cocaine and “hard drugs,” nobody challenges this approach because there is no benefit in continuing to use them. These substances are just plain bad for you so abstinence is completely rational. Alcohol has often been shown to be healthy when consumed in moderation, but for people who have battled with alcohol abuse and dependence it’s just not worth it and once again, abstinence is the preferred approach. In the case of specific foods or certain food ingredients, the story can become much more complicated.
There is an ongoing battle as to whether or not certain foods or food ingredients are “addicting.” Is sugar an addictive substance in the same way as nicotine, cocaine and alcohol? Can someone actually be “addicted” to sweets or carbohydrates? The jury is still out, but a definitive answer may not be necessary. What’s important is for you to consider how you plan to change your behavior given that the environment seems to be making little effort to eliminate the availability of these foods.
Almost everyone has one or more foods that they are prone to eat compulsively, whether they consider themselves to be “addicted” to them or not. Often these foods include sweets that are high in sugar (like cake, Cookies, or ice cream); however, many people struggle to control their intake of a variety of foods like deli meat, pizza, Peanut Butter, nuts or even beef Jerky. For many people, sugar isn’t the big problem.
What is interesting to consider is that most people have trouble controlling their intake of foods that they believe they shouldn’t be eating. Over and over I hear stories of people who binge on exactly the foods that they were told they couldn’t have as a child. These are often called “forbidden foods.” Whether it is peanut butter, ice cream, potato chips, cookies, pizza, or cheese doodles, it may be their “forbidden-ness” that makes us eat them compulsively and not their content of sugar or other ingredients that’s the problem. The literature on binge eating lends some support to this hypothesis as a very high percentage of binge eaters describe a history of restrictive dieting and/or deprivation. Indeed, a overwhelming number of patients I have seen over the years who describe themselves as binge eaters describe histories of either chronic over-restrictive dieting or having grown up in homes where their parents or others denied their access to certain foods. Some patients jokingly referred to one or both their parents as the “food police.” Once they were free from such restrictions (either by moving out to live on their own or by going “off” the diet) their consumption of these foods seemingly became uncontrollable. It seems that avoidance or total abstinence from such foods might actually be causing the binge eating. There is an all-or-nothing quality to this behavior. One possible explanation for this pattern is that the individual has never actually had the opportunity to eat these foods in moderation but rather to be forced to avoid them or eat them like there was no tomorrow. They were never allowed to eat them, so when they were finally available, they overindulged. So again I ask: “Is this type of compulsive eating or bingeing due to an “addiction” or to over-restriction, and what should you do about it in either case?” Should you continue to avoid certain foods or food ingredients or try to learn alter your behavior?
The answer really depends on your personal philosophy and how much distress the whole matter is causing you. Do you want to learn to eat certain foods more responsibly or would you rather continue to try to avoid them? Does it cause you great distress to think of a life without your favorite foods? Does it cause you great distress to make constant efforts to avoid certain people, places and events because your “trigger foods” will be available? If you decide that you would like to learn to eat certain foods more responsibly, you need to accept that this will take some work. To be successful, you need to become a bit of a scientist and experiment with different approaches.
Perhaps you are experiencing anxiety about the proposition of trying to learn to eat your “trigger foods” responsibly because you have never had the ability to do. This is completely understandable. Also, consider that if the foods you find to be triggers are inherently unhealthy (like “junk food),” maybe abstinence isn’t such a bad idea. After all, like heroin and cocaine, it’s hard to make the argument that chocolate covered cheesecake is good for you. You could try to learn to eat chocolate covered cheesecake responsibly, but life will continue even if you permanently take it off the menu. However, many people believe that they shouldn’t have to live the rest of their lives without chocolate, peanut butter, cashews and other foods or perhaps they just don’t want to. They are aware that most people do not need to resort to such levels of restriction. If you think in this way, then you need to learn how to eat these foods responsibly. You have to practice a new way of eating to get better at it and strengthen your ability to do so just like you would any other skill.
One approach to strengthen new eating skills is to eat certain foods in a limited number of circumstances and in a different manner. For example, if you believe that cashews are a “trigger food” and you have no history of eating cashews responsibly, it would be silly to continue to buy the one-pound jar of cashews from the bulk food store. You know how that story is going to end. Similarly, it may not be wise to bring a gallon-sized container of ice cream into your home if ice cream is a “trigger food.” However, it may be possible for you to learn to eat a responsible amount of cashews or a single serving of ice cream if you buy a small container of either when you’re at a convenience store. This is a good way to learn with a much smaller chance of bingeing. You don’t have to completely avoid cashews or ice cream for the rest of your life. Just don’t buy them in large quantities and bring them home for the time being. Many people adopt this approach. They’re not averse to eating these foods and don’t avoid them completely; they just don’t bring large quantities of them into their home. Many a patient has told me a similar story about pizza. When they want pizza, they go to the pizza parlor and buy a slice or two. They just don’t have a whole pizza delivered to their home. These are examples of altering behavior rather than avoiding certain foods altogether. This is how you learn to eat responsibly…you practice.
Another approach gaining a great deal of attention is called “mindful eating.” There is a growing literature on the merits and effectiveness of mindful eating in the treatment of binge eating as well as for those who simply want to learn better eating habits even if they don’t have concerns about their weight or eating behavior. Mindful eating is an approach where one learns to be more present-focused while eating, and can be especially helpful when eating “trigger foods.” A primary objective of mindful eating is to learn to develop an ability to control one’s eating behavior. Mindful eating involves slowing down and focusing on the thoughts, feelings and sensations you are experiencing while eating to be in better control of your behavior. Mindful eating is the antithesis of avoidance. Much has been written about mindful eating, so do some research if you’re interested in learning a powerful method to alter your eating behavior so that you may be able to develop the ability to enjoy eating certain foods without experiencing distress and anxiety or leaving them off the menu completely.

I made it to a boxing class yesterday morning. I've rounded up my group to go again Thursday. It's an awesome hour of therapy. Every punch releases a little bit of stress.

So it's been a little over a year since I've had my surgery, I've lost 76lbs! Now here is the crazy wonderful part that i wanted to share that has inspired me to keep it up. On mother's Day my children all made me a card as they always do, however, my 9 year old made a list of all the things she loves about me or words that represented qualities i had. The word that made me feel confused at first and then happy was ATHLETIC in my 33 years of life i have never been referred to as athletic (fat, chubby,curvy, thick) maybe but never athletic. I realized that my whole family has seen my journey and the changes i have made better then myself. To have her see me as a mommy that is athletic and out doing physical fun activities with them has been the best reward better then dropping a pants size.

@@BandedCandace You are having a very rough time of it lady and for that I am sorry. I would like to personally take your ex use him as a punching bag or a crash dummy or some equally painful and demeaning thing which is just about what he needs and deserves from reading your post!!
What gym do you go to? If it's a chain consider switching to another one and getting away from him, or changing your times and going super early or super late and not letting anyone know when your there. If you check in at four square, twitter or Facebook don't do it. Then take up kick boxing and picture the jerks face with every kick! I hate him for you already!
You have lost nearly 100 pounds in a short amount of time, and I know you want to lose more and you will you will you can do this and you will do it! I have confidence in you and so do many here. I can see the change in your photo and you are not too fat for a band! I really dislike it when people make those statements. WLS is just a tool, and no matter the one you choose each one has it's ups and downs and each one has to be worked at! Trust me I know! I am banded too I have my own set of issues...and I have to work at it and work hard for every ounce I lose, and I have never been happier!
I feel healthy, and I am grateful for that every single day. Don't let some miserable person rob you of your happiness. This guy even though I have said all these things about him because he has made me angry today reading your post, probably has more problems in his little pinky then we do in our whole FAT bodies!!! We should feel sorry and have pity on a sad person like that cause we are BIGGER people! HAHAHA and for that reason we will...and we will forget about him totally! Put him out of our minds, and not give him one ounce of power over us to make us feel badly to make us angry or to make us feel less then the amazing wonderful women that we are! We take back our power and we leave that person and those other people with nothing to make us feel anything about them.
Now how' that???? Do you feel better....???? Jazzed up??? ready for some kick boxing?? I'm ready!

Did my yoga today, as well as Sat. & Sun. I've also been using my exercise ball with my resistance bands in the afternoon, it takes me about 30 mins.to get through the resistance exercises and with the yoga is about 45 mins. My stamina has improved greatly and boy they both make me work up a sweat.
Also, I'm headed out the door to go hike a five mile trail near my house. The weather is beautiful and I just want to be outside in it!

Omg you're SO right. I get the most crap from the overweight people in my life and it's always the skinny, healthy ones who have been so supportive of me.
Weird how that works.

It's been a while since I posted last, but I have continued to work out 5 to 6 days a week. I'm up to 9 miles in 49 minutes on my friend the elliptical!!! I'll try to post more often.

Great job everyone!
Todays 5 mile run felt really good! I think the break last week ( three days ) was what my body and mind needed. Ran strictly by HR today, targeting 85-87% of my max HR.
I think I will target a 9:09/mile for my Memorial day biathlon....followed by the bike ride.
I'd like to get another Half Marathon in UNDER 2:00 this year, so I need to get the 5 mile time around 8:55.
Todays run http://connect.garmin.com/activity/502855355

Did my yoga today, as well as Sat. & Sun. I've also been using my exercise ball with my resistance bands in the afternoon, it takes me about 30 mins.to get through the resistance exercises and with the yoga is about 45 mins. My stamina has improved greatly and boy they both make me work up a sweat.
Also, I'm headed out the door to go hike a five mile trail near my house. The weather is beautiful and I just want to be outside in it!

Week 8 day 1 C25K today then 30 minutes circuit training after. Only 2 more days left to complete C25K!!!!!!!

Did my yoga this morning and was feeling good enough to go for a walk. It's only 45* this am in MO, but helped me walk faster! I can barely keep up with my chihuahua, Taco!
TGIF my friends!

B-52,
I always enjoy your posts because you always have a positive "can do" attitude!
I have no doubt you'll do great...just wanted to say, "Enjoy your trip!".

Easier compared to what? Everything is relative... Ignorance of the dedication it takes to be compliant WLS "losers". There are plenty of people on this forum that haven't been successful with their surgeries. I'm not judging, but you have to change your lifestyle. No matter what surgery you have and if you don't it won't work. So, easy... no way!
Oddly enough, my two best friends are gym rats and runners and have been my biggest supporters. The negativity has come from friends and family who are over-weight. Now, I'm just letting my progress speak for itself.
If ppl don't like it, tell them to kiss your shrinking ass!

Easier compared to what? Everything is relative... Ignorance of the dedication it takes to be compliant WLS "losers". There are plenty of people on this forum that haven't been successful with their surgeries. I'm not judging, but you have to change your lifestyle. No matter what surgery you have and if you don't it won't work. So, easy... no way!
Oddly enough, my two best friends are gym rats and runners and have been my biggest supporters. The negativity has come from friends and family who are over-weight. Now, I'm just letting my progress speak for itself.
If ppl don't like it, tell them to kiss your shrinking ass!

B-52,
I always enjoy your posts because you always have a positive "can do" attitude!
I have no doubt you'll do great...just wanted to say, "Enjoy your trip!".

Madam ...
While your post was very entertaining, you did make mention of one significant reason why people may not use the SEARCH feature -- it's terrible.
Most times I use it, and I'm very technical, I end up abandoning my effort and just not bothering.
The juice ain't worth the squeeze...

B-52,
I always enjoy your posts because you always have a positive "can do" attitude!
I have no doubt you'll do great...just wanted to say, "Enjoy your trip!".

It's good you're on here admitting your mistakes. My surgeon also gave me the "talk" about my liver and if I didn't stick to the diet and my liver hadn't shrunk up enough he wouldn't go fwd with the surgery.
I agree with a few other responses. The pre-op prepares you for what is to come the days after surgery and as you get fills. It's really important that you want this for yourself and are committed to your healthy recovery and your weight loss. You got this! I know you want it b/c you're on here sharing!
Best of luck to you!!

Did my yoga this morning and was feeling good enough to go for a walk. It's only 45* this am in MO, but helped me walk faster! I can barely keep up with my chihuahua, Taco!
TGIF my friends!