Bandista

Pandora is a great exercise partner. And it is wonderful you and your husband are on the same page. Healthy future ahead! Way to go choosing yourself......

Congratulations on your success and also figuring out that this is a long game....thanks for the words of wisdom!

I feel so lucky to have my band -- that it was available to me. Sometimes I feel like bands are being phased out, that sleeves and other surgeries have less followup care and more profit. I feel like I may have gotten my band just in time. Well, except for the wishing I had done it a long time ago. But I didn't know about WLS and I needed to have my BMI up enough for insurance to pay. That was all so complicated and I'm grateful it's all behind me. The one day at a time with the band is very manageable now. Here's to a new day of healthy eating.....

I had two wine events this week and it definitely stalls my weight loss -- plus I think I make poorer decisions about food. No wine this week for me either, and no whining! Have a great day -- and good luck tomorrow with your fill.

Congratulations! The new driver's license is a great present to yourself. Thanks for a very inspiring blog.

Hi AJ, I hope that appointment goes well today and you get some answers. The not knowing what's going on is so stressful, and then of course not being able to exercise or use the hot tub makes everything worse. I'm so glad you're back on the forum. We are here for you no matter how you're feeling. Sending best wishes your way!

Hi there -- I hated the waiting, too, but now it seems like it went by in a flash. Time can be so weird! I started the process in June and had to attend a mandatory info session to get the ball rolling -- only they didn't have another one until August 6th. So that was a big delay and then all the appointments -- program coord, nutritionist and psych eval, then finally I got to meet the surgeon and was given a surgery date, November 5th. All in all a five-month process. One thing I'm really glad about is that I used the time to step up my exercise routine so once banded I had that to fall into right away -- and the band really changed my attitude and ability to work out. Long walks, etc. So that's good. And I got a therapist, too, and started journalling a lot -- just to get at those eating patterns and food issues to be sure I was as ready as possible. You sound very ready and I wish you the very best -- it will all happen and you'll be on the other side before you know it!

Great list! Getting a band was all about #15 -- time to put myself first and get healthy. Best wishes to you. My father has dementia and it certainly does change the perspective -- being in the now and celebrating one another, loving ourselves and others -- all so important. Thanks for a lovely blog today!

So happy for you! What a way to begin 2014.......

Hi Kime-lou, I love the title of your post -- so powerful to be in reality vs. the land of fog or pretend. You are doing beautifully -- THAT is the reality. Thanks for a great post. Sugar is such a tough one. I am pre-band and currently outlawing some foods in order to get weight off before the surgery. Once banded I hope to not have that on/off or dieter's mentality but to be able to have a bit of something once in a blue moon. Ice cream, however, appears to be a no-no in my world. Just too easy to say yes, yes!

Nice! And they are lucky to have YOU.

A built-in two day a week walking plan! Good for you......glad you can be out enjoying this gorgeous fall weather in New England. Great time to set up a pattern for winter, when we will need our boots.

Way to go -- so happy for your success. Kevin looks like a very special person and I'm so sorry for your loss. Best wishes to you and I'm glad you have a great support system in place. Have a good week and take good care of yourself.

Way to go fitting into those jeans! That must feel so satisfying. I grew up on Warner Bros. and especially love the music. Maybe cartoons would be good for the treadmill.....hmmmm. Have fun!

Hi there. Here's to Not Worrying -- just knowing that it is all happening. It's all happening. You are in the long game, the one that matters over time -- not the day to day or even month to month but what about one year ago and one year from now. What do those look like?

Mindfulness: it's where it's at! Great blog -- thanks so much!

Here's to courageous women standing up for themselves and LIVING. Best wishes to you -- choose yourself first!

Me, too -- well said above on all counts. Congratulations on your weight loss and all the changes in your life -- this new business venture is coming together at the perfect time. Best wishes with that and with everything unfolding in your life right now -- you are rocking it!

Sounds like you're doing very well -- so happy for you. On the other side now! We have a new driver, our teen aged son. Loved reading the yogurt escapades -- bet you were glad to get horizontal again! Now a new week...it's Monday morning and you have a band. Can you believe it?

Hi there, hope you had a good night and that you're doing well with your recovery!

Hi there, great idea! Years ago I asked an anesthesiologist to "hold the room" when I had my gall bladder surgery. He had no idea what I was talking about and I'm sure he thought I was out of my mind. This was in groovy Vermont, too, but kind of a while back. I can see his face now. When I started this band journey at the beginning of the summer I decided to look for a therapist so I'd have an objective person to go through the process with me. When I got the list of providers from our insurance company, I couldn't believe it when there was a hypnotherapist listed. I studied hypnotherapy about twenty years ago when we lived in California and I respond well to those relaxation techniques. Also Mindful Meditation, etc. My eating issues are so connected to anxiety -- stress eating, soothing myself, etc. I really want to sort out whatever I can ahead of time so I am really ready to go once I am banded. I know there will be head hunger, but when it comes I will be ready! I will definitely ask the anesthesiologist to plant some healing information in my brain -- and I'll do it myself as well. I think I'll write it up on a piece of paper to make it easy. I think of the band as a gift I'm giving to my body, the help it needs to get healthy. I have needed to make friends with my body again and what better thing to do than offer up a gift like this?

Very best wishes! A whole new chapter begins.......

You are ready! Best wishes for this new era -- exciting times ahead!

Hi there, hope your appointment went well and that you're feeling better today and recovering. Best wishes!

I am still pre-band and love reading posts like these. Sounds like you are really doing beautifully and you're right on track. Your body is undergoing a tremendous adjustment -- not just recovery from the surgery but settling into this new mode of lower calorie intake. And it's so great that you can implement will power knowing that it is temporary. That's been the thing, really, an inability to sustain will power over appetite for long enough to lose the weight then maintain the loss. I could always make it a while on a new regime but without the band just couldn't keep it going. One failed attempt after another. So looking forward to this new tool to dim that appetite and allow me to lose weight and home in on my body's signals for hunger. The knowing how to stop. Best wishes to you and thanks for blogging!