Fit4Me

Oh... and exercise is VERY important.

I only lost 50lbs in my first year, so you are doing very good so far. Its not until I really learned what to eat and why I should eat these foods that I started to drop the weight and keep it off without feeling like I was on a diet. It took me another year to really make a life change and learn the difference between good fats and bad fats, good calories and bad calories, good carbs and bad carbs and just focus on eating more clean. Its not easy, but very rewarding once you understand the importance of eating clean. The weight will come off a little more and be able to maintain it without being on a diet. Keep up the hard work!

Pretty much anything over 30g is a waste. Especially as women, our bodies only absorb a certain amount which is why most lean Protein Shakes with low calorie are under 27g protein. Its recommend not to consume more than 25-30g per meal because its a waste anything more than that.

I have not been told I could not have solid foods in the morning but my stomach wont allow it anymore. I usually have to drink warm tea or coffee, then about an hour later, I can eat solid foods.

Sorry, I mean below my lower rib...lol

Just wondered if anyone else ever thought about removing it. My boyfriend and my moms ask me when am I removing it since I dont need it anymore? I always say I'm keeping my band until I have complications, if ever. I think it would feel weird to no have my band. Although I have not had a fill in 4 yrs, when I eat to fast or not chew my food properly, I still get the symptoms of stuck. So I burp like crazy. The good thing is that I have learned throughout the years how to prevent it and control it, so I actually have not thrown up in probably over a year. I just burp until the air passes. Thats when my BF asks to just have it removed. I am in no way ashamed of my band. Without it, I would not have been so dedicated to help others change their lives. Thanks for the responses. Just curious!

Last night I spoke with my old roommate who had Lap Band surgery 3 months after I did. I saw her pictures on FB and reached out to let her know she has done a remarkable job and looks amazing. She let me know she removed the lap band a year ago after reaching her goal of 130lbs. She said she had no compications, she just wanted to live a clean healthy life without the band. I sometimes think about removing my band since my life is so different too. I eat all organic (as much as possible), vegetarian, and now help consult others in losing weight and working out. I am not ashamed of my lap band and on my website, I let everyone know my TRUE story and how I loss the weight but how I also now maintain the weight off without depending on the band. Anyone here that reach goal ever think about removing the band?

My port is on the top right side of my stomach under my ribs and I can feel it when I start running. Especially, in the beginning when I first started running. After 4 miles, I used to get a sharp pain around my port. I'm guess thats normal since its on our ab muscles. Now, when I do get the pain, its after I have pushed myself and run more than 8 miles. Another time it bothers me is when doing a serious ab workout. Its usually sore for a while after but goes away.

You're welcome. I just want to see other do well with their weight loss. Good Luck

Hello... my name is Jessica and I have been where you are. I've been banded 4 yrs now, and with the help of a nutirtionist, I have learned ways to maintain my weight and lose the weight. I'm a Health and Wellness Consultant and Independent Distributor for It Works. First, I want to say that for a 6'2, 33yr old man, you must have more calories. Calories are not always bad for you. You are young enough where you should be burning around 600-800 calories during a workout. If you are only eating around 1000 calories, your body has nothing to burn. A lot of WLS patients (including myself in the beginning) focus on counting calories because that what our Dr tells us. Well, thats not true. Yes, you should not be eating 2500 calories a day but for your weight and height, you should not consume less than 1500-1600 calories a day. Healthy calories is what you want. You need to shock your body to get it out of the same old routine. When our body gets used to eating the same thing, exercising at the same pace, and feeling the same; you get the same results. You can use supplements like your Vitamins, fat burners, and metabolism booster to help shock your body. Of course, make sure they are 100% natural. My products are 100% plant-based if interested. http://www.showstopperwraps.myitworks.com/shop/category/#57 Here is how you can shock your body. These are different foods you can eat for your meals. Morning take a whole food complex Multivitamins, Minerals, & Omega3, Thermofit (metabolism booster) and Greens (8 servings of fruit & veggies) go for a run before Breakfast (cardio) eat a high Protein breakfast (veggie omlete, Protein shake, or oatmeal) whole grain english muffin ham or Canadian ham yogurt & granola egg quesadilla Snack almonds (great for burning belly fat) berries, apples, banana protein shake yogurt smoothie lunch Take another Thermofit (metabolism booster) salad with protein (chicken, fish, steak) make it very colorful Turkey and provolone sandwich on whole grain grilled chicken breast sandwich on whole grain veggie Soup tuna salad dinner Take a Fat Fighter during heavy meals weight lift before dinner sweet potatoe (smart balance & cinnamon) fish, chicken, pork loin (grilled broiled, baked) veggies whole wheat Pasta Brown Rice roasted potatoes Take a Fat Fighter during heavy meals snack Popcorn Yogurt cottage cheese w/ fruit sugar free pudding/Jell-o **** Drink lots of water!!!!

Try some of the recipes on this website. Its pretty good. Also mix up Protein shakes in the morning too. I make all types of flavors from spiced pumpkin, to cherry chocolate. Its awesome and almost a treat.

Yes... I use It Works Fat Fighter. I love them!!! They are not meant to be taken every day. Only with fatty meals and it helps burn the fat and carbs in my meals.

Dont worry about the carbs... breakfast time is the best time of the day to have carbs. Especially, if you are working out. Make sure you are eating healthy carbs and good proteins to get your day going. veggie omlete protein pancakes yogurt with granola eggs w/ turkey bacon bananas (fruit) with oatmeal cherrios w/ almond milk (low fat & cal)

Our bodies just get used to the same ole routine. Although it sounds like you are eating right, and exercising; your body is just not shocked anymore. You need to shock your body by changing your diet and workout. You need to find more filling foods so you wont feel hungry. Where is most of your Protein coming from? You might not be getting protein from the right foods, which still cause the feeling of hunger. That leads us to make poor food choices.

I really hope some people tried this test on their vitamins. We must make sure our vitamins is working for us.

My surgeon gave it to me on my first fill visit.

Does anyone use their medical card given by your surgeon at restaurants (buffets)? I haven't been to a buffet in years and just happen to find it in my wallet today. Last time I used it, they gave me a hard time but still gave me the discount any way.

I posted a comment on another members topic on Vitamins and have been receiving a lot of emails on what vitamins I use, and how to test your vitamins. Most people do not realize the type of Vitamin we take is very important. NOT ALL VITAMINS ARE CREATED EQUAL! Our stomach acids are suppose to dissolve the vitamins and our body needs to absorb it. Thats how our bodies receive its nutrients. If your vitamins are not working for you, then you are just swallowing a pill for no reason!!!! It doesnt matter how much they cost, it only matter if our body is absorbing the nutrition of the vitamin. This is important because for many reasons like skin, hair, bones, teeth, nail, endurance, sleep, weight loss, etc... Here is a video on how to test your vitamins. PLEASE DO THIS ASAP! Doesnt matter if your vitamins are only $10, if its not working for you then its a waste of $10. By the way, I use It Works vitamins which are, 100% NATURAL, WHOLE food COMPLEX & 100% ABSORBANT. Since I haven't had a fill in 2 years because I watch what I eat and now am a vegetarian, I can swallow the pills whole. (Do not recommend swallowing whole for other banders, crushing in the blender with your Protein shake is better) Good luck! Hope this helps! Please let me know how the test worked for you.

Yes, this happened to me. Although shampoos and treatments are good for your hair, it doesnt help with the way your hair grows or prevent hair loss. Most people (including myself) that suffer from hair loss do not realize that it comes from our nutrition. Now that I learned more about Vitamins and I am taking the right kind, my hair is thick and healthy again!!! Most people purchase ANY vitamins on the shelves and do not know that in order for a Vitamin to work, it needs to be 100% absorbant. MOST vitamins are not absorbant and basically, you are just swallowing a pill or crushing a pill. This goes for crewables too. Test you Multivitamin at home by putting one pill in vinegar and Water and see how long it takes to dissolve. If it is not completely dissolved in less than 30 mins, then your vitamins is not working for you. The vinegar acts like your stomach acids. The purpose of a multivitamins is supposed to dissolve with our stomach acids in less than 30 mins, and our body absorbs it. If is doesnt, contact me and I will guide you in the right directions. Everyone on this blog should try this test.

What equipments to you have in the garage? Treadmill and bike? Your body needs to be shocked every once in a while. Or our body gets used to the same routine getting the same results. I suggest your pruchase some light 5lb weights, floor mat, and a resistance band (light). Increase your speed on the treadmill and add incline (to the best of your ability for as long as you can). Interval training is great too because it increases your heart rate while burning fat. Then, do some light weight lifting for toning, muscle mass, and more calorie buring. Make a schedule for yourself with daily activities. Increase your weights and activities once your feel its getting easy/boring. You want to maintain a good heart rate and feel the burn. Example: Mon- Cardio & upper body Tues- Cardio & lower body Wed- Cardio & abs Thurs- rest Fri- total body (workout video??) Sat- free day (swimming, walking, yoga, etc..) Sun- rest

Before I can even eat anything, I need to drink coffee or tea. This kind of jump starts my stomach to be able to eat foods after. Microwaved eggs might be too dry and fluffy in the mornings. When I eat eggs, the have to be scrambled and with cheese. Try adding some butter spread (smart balance) and cheese in your cup of eggs to make it more moist. If not, oatmeal, yogurt,protein shakes, Protein pancakes, smoothies, bananas with a nutty spread on toast. Hope this helps.

Walking is best to prevent blood clots, so keep walking.

I drink and sometimes more than others. I only got sick one time, but thank God it was easy and it was more due to motion sickness in the car. When you do decide to take that drink, just listen to your body. You will definitely get more tipsy sooner than you did before. I watch for the signs now. Also, I dont drink as fast as used to, so now my drinks last longer, I'm a cheaper date, and I enjoy being tipsy not drunk.

Sometimes eating more than usual is not a bad thing. You just have to make better food choices. Since you have a very busy schedule, I suggest packing your lunches and snacks so when you eat, you have more healthier meals. Dont let the old habits of quick meals like MCD's take over.