Leepers

I would love to be involved in starting and leading a local chapter. In addition to being a very focused and successful WLS'er, I am also an RN. I have worked in cardiac units for five years. I see the effects of weight every day. So, I feel that I have extra knowledge to pass on to others. Plus, I'm very outgoing and have a knack for making others feel comfortable. I'm very organized also. My schedule is flexible. I'm normally off on Mondays and Wednesdays, but I can change that add needed. I'm also available most weekends. If someone else in my area is interested, I don't mind co-hosting either. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Unfortunately, we never got this group going.

I have a Forerunner 405, which I love. Whatever watch you get, make sure it comes with and that you get the heart rate monitor. It really helps you to keep pushing yourself or know when you're overdoing it.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/244749/avocado-basil-cucumber-bites/

Have you ever seen those bags of sweet mini peppers near the bell peppers in the grocery? They're delicious and crunchy. I eat them all the time with chicken or tuna salad or dip.

When I reached maintenance, my honeymoon was definitely over. For me, losing weight was easy. I had a plan, and I stuck to it. As I started to allow foods and portions back in, I realized that I would never be able to eat mindlessly for the rest of my life. For the rest of my life, I will have to think about everything I put in my mouth. I exercise a lot. I'm running half marathons and doing mini triathlons. But you can't out exercise a bad diet. I am still trying to find balance. It is difficult. But every time I get dressed and look in the mirror, I realize that it's worth it. I never want to go back. Every time I reach a new exercise goal, that is my reward. I try to accept that to live the life I want to live, I will have to evaluate my relationship with food on a daily basis.

Hi everyone! It's been quite a long time since I've posted in this forum. I see some old familiar faces still posting and commenting. Just to catch up, I was banded December of 2013. Highest weight 295. I reached my goal of 165 in February of 2015. I've been mostly maintaining since then. I've gained about 5 pounds recently and it's something I need to work on. Lifetime success is not letting it get out of control, right? Since my band, I discovered a love of fitness and running. I ran a half marathon last April on the day before my 42nd birthday. This August,I completed a Sprint Triathlon! Just want to say, I love my band and I am loving having my life back. I hope everyone is doing well. To all the newbies, find a plan and STICK WITH IT! The band is only a tool, you must make some changes.

@@esskay77 I used an app on my phone called Simple C25K. I liked it because it had a tone/beep that you can hear over your music that tells you when to change from walking to running and so on.

Love, love, love this! As someone who has also taken up running and exercise since my band, I love to hear other people's success stories. I have plans to run the Kentucky Derby MiniMarathon in April, the day before my 42nd birthday. I remember how depressed I was about my weight and health on my 40th birthday. That year, I decided to make a change. Best thing I ever did. And yes, we must always keep pushing, at least a little every time. Best wishes to your success in 2015!

I ran seven miles without stopping last week! Planning on running a half marathon in April, the day before my 42nd birthday.

I'm posting tonight because I'll be working a long day tomorrow. Tomorrow is my one year surgiversary. It has been a stellar year. I've worked my ass off for every pound along with the help of my band. Getting banded was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I certainly had doubts. Today, I went shopping and for the first time in over 15 years, I fit into a size 12. I love my banded life. I'm about 4 pounds away from goal and now I'm learning about maintenance. It's a scary venture because I'm always afraid that I will become complacent and fall back into my old fat girl habits. I truly believe that regular exercise is the way I will keep off the weight. To all the newbies, find a plan that works for you and stick to it! It's worth it. YOU are worth it! Don't give up. Try, try, try, every day. Eat what you want every now and then. You have to live and have fun. You CAN do it!

Continue to make it through those days and they'll become a thing of the past.

I'm ashamed to admit that, after a year, I seem to test my band a lot. I don't have a lot of fluid in mine and I never know what kind of mood she's in. It always seems I take that first bite too fast or too big, then I'm like Oh! Guess I shouldn't have done that. I apparently have a thick skull. Lol.

As a nurse, I work with jerk doctors every day. Unfortunately some of the biggest jerks are the best docs and some of the really nice ones, I wouldn't let them touch me with a ten foot pole. It sounds to me like you're doing a great job working your band and losing weight. DEFINITELY treat yourself along the way. I did, and I've almost made goal in one year. I had the occasional treat, drank alcohol, even sipped on 3 or 4 sodas along the way. You'll be fine. If he's a good doc, let it go. If it continues, then I may look for another.

Yes! It gets easier. You'll have good days and bad days though. That is the nature of running. This summer I was half assing C25K on the treadmill at the gym. Then, in September, a friend asked me to do a 5k in October. So I got serious. I started running outdoors, which I found was much easier than the treadmill. On the treadmill you have to keep up with whatever pace you set. Outside, your body makes natural adjustments for your stride and energy. I ran that 5k and I kept with it. A couple of days ago, I ran SEVEN miles. I couldn't believe it. It felt wonderful. I am an addict. A few things really help me. I have learned to eat something at least 30 minutes before a run. Either a protein bar or a banana. It really helps with energy. Hydration is also very important. Before, during, and after. They make lots of accessories to help with this. Belts or hand straps to hold your water bottle. Most importantly, have a plan. I do my best when the day or night before I decide where I'm gong to run and how long or how far. I don't always make it but I give it my best. Your body always wants to stop. It wants to save it's energy so running becomes a lot of mind over matter. Get in the zone. Don't forget safety. Run in a well populated area. If you're going to be at a park where you may find yourself alone at times, take a pepper spray somewhere on your person. Try it for a while. Pick a 5K this spring to enter so you have a goal to focus on. And last, running isn't for everyone. If you continue to hate it, or it's too hard on your body, definitely do something else

Awesome article.

I always hate the question, "Do you feel better?" It kinda irritates me because it assumes that just because I was fat, that I felt like sh** all the time. I'm a nurse and I worked my ass off then and still do.

@@bobbyswife I was thinking about doing a recreation of the picture and putting them side by side. Lol. I still have the same hair too. Lol.

If you feel that private, I suggest not telling anyone. However, when you lose weight, it will be inevitable that people will comment. For some reason, it is just ingrained in our society. I work in a hospital and people I don't really know but who see me in the halls will stop and comment about my weight loss. Men, doctors and fellows, will ask me how much weight I've lost. Sometimes it's embarrassing to admit I was 130 pounds overweight. But, I forgive everyone. It's just human curiosity. Don't let this scare you or sway you. But definitely be prepared. It is a constant subject if you don't let it be known you don't prefer to talk about it. It also might depend on how fast or slow you lose. Slow is not as noticeable.

I'm close to goal, so I've been having a great time shopping and getting to dress in things I like. But. ..I still have a dress that I wore in my high school senior pictures 23 years ago. I tease my husband that when I can fit into it again, I'm going to make him take me out so I can wear it. Lol. It's a Jessica McClintock and totally out of style. Anyone remember those? I can almost fit it again. Just a few more pounds!

Yesterday, I knew I would eat more than usual so I got up ran a couple of miles on the treadmill to stimulate my metabolism and work off a few extra calories. Did I eat too much? For a bandster, probably yes, but I'm not worried because I will work it off in the gym. That's my motivation.

I've only had one fill. It was about 6 weeks after surgery. I've never really depended on the band to stop me from eating a certain amount of food. It does slow me down. I have to chew and be careful or I get stuck a lot. I then have time to decide I've had enough and stop eating. Over time, my body and brain have adjusted to living on less. Every doc or nurse will be different. Mine didn't want to fill because I was losing so well. Others base it upon how much you're eating.

Mushies phase is hard. I ate a lot of cottage cheese, but since you can't tolerate it, you may have to get creative. I found that there were some things I ate on the mushies phase that weren't exactly the most healthy but since the phase was very short and I was eating so little, it wasn't too bad. Like mashed potatoes. My doc said I could eat Spaghetti O's. I ate refried beans too. Lots of people take regular food and blend it up, but for some reason, that grosses me out. Applesauce is good. Trying doing a search on this site for the word mushies.

I exercised four days a week and averaged 1200 calories a day for the first 8 months. These last few months I eat about 1500 to 2000 a day. I lost like crazy for those first 8. Now I still lose but very slowly. I'm almost at goal though.

Yep. I spent many a day at work embarrassed by my profuse sweatiness. Now, I freeze to death. All the time. Some say your body will eventually adjust. I'd like it to be soon, or I won't survive the winter. Lol