hollyberries

Wow! South Carolina...that's like a whole new world from Texas. Have you researched the hunting in South Carolina? What will you be hunting? I thought of you the other day when 2 turkeys came waltzing through my back yard. Actually, they happened to walk through on April Fool's Day and I yelled to the boys but they thought I was pulling an April Fool's Day joke on them. I had to laugh over that because we pulled a good on my husband. I live on the edge of a State forest and the turkeys are in abundance. My dog went crazy...wanting to get out and chase them down. Are you happy about the new job? What about the Cowboys? I am anxiously waiting for the draft this month. My honey and I watch it the whole weekend...just in case you didn't think I was a die hard football freak. I am very proud of you for almost being half way there. You are looking good as well. You wife is going to have stave off all the women. LOL! I am very proud of myself! I can't believe I am halfway there. I was telling the kids that I haven't been this weight since before I was pregnant with Morgan who is now 14. I am 44lbs. away from being my wedding weight which was 18 years ago. I can't remember ever being below 200lbs so my next goal is 220lbs. My first is 100lbs by May 6th. Take Care and thanks a bunch for the Kudos! Cindy

I am getting the same pain for the last few days. I also have pain in my left shoulder. This pain is right under my left breast and under my rib cage. I find that if I try to stretch out that it helps but when I sit back up it hurts. I am concerned about it because it seems to be hurting more and more. I have noticed that the pain is more prevalent in the evening. It is very uncomfortable. I am seeing my Dr. on Wednesday and am going to discuss it with him... Has anyone else learned anything from their Dr? Cindy

Shortgal! Our bands are so finnicky! Each day is so different. Today, I couldn't get enough food! Just hungry all the time. I can't wait for my fill. You know, we are really are still dieting in some respect because we haven't hit the sweet spot. You are right though, we don't eat as much as we used to. Keep your chin up, Cindy

Shalee- One good thing is that there are great doctors in Mexico should you have problems. LOL! I agree that you don't want to be to tight on vacation. Enjoy! Cindy

Did you get that fill you needed? I really am with you on the fill. I have been starving...Not sure if it as a result of working out the last few weeks or that I need a fill. I know the last fill he brought me only to what I had prior which was 1.5cc's. I am going ask for 1.75cc's if he do it. I don't like that I can eat way more than I should. Today for lunch I had 4.5 oz. of chicken, 1/2 cup of rice and garden salad. I was satisfied for 4 hours but then ate a bunch of cashews because I was hungry...then grabbed two slices of ham with cheese rolled up. For dinner, we ate at Red Robin and I had an appetizer about 3/4's and some french fries...gotta admit I am stuffed but I can't stand that I can eat so much. Here's to getting to the sweet spot dang it! Cindy

Thanks Sharon...I am 5'10". So yes, tall. I have always carried my weight well because of being tall. However, I still weighed 354lbs. which seemed like a lot when I started but who would of thought that after 5 months I would be half way there. Cindy

Thanks Lizzie....I am still walking on a cloud. Cindy

Thanks Shalee...Love my Nymph family! and of course, 90lbs. gone. Cindy

Thanks Shortgal! You are so funny to remember that I lost my pants while working in my store. I still laugh about it now! Funny thing is that I wasn't even embarassed! Who would be? Cindy

Name............Start.............Current...............Goal... ...........To Go Lizzie_07.........233...............231.....................220 .............11 Osangriared.....252...............249.5.....................232 .............17.5 Skinny_Jill.......180...............180.....................168....... .......12 Sades.............197...............197.....................185....... .......12 kandiceb..........187...............187.....................175....... ......12 shortgal............183..............182....................175...... ........7 TxArcher..........328..............328......................308....... ......20 Peaches11........217..............208.....................199......... ....10 Momto1plus1.....223..............220.6...............210.............1 0.4 zippykat...........173..............173.....................160....... ......13 Trixie...............219.5...........215.....................199...... .......16 Shalee04..........196..............196.....................185........ .....11 wnt2lose..........219..............219.....................209........ ......10 plump_princess....215.............213.....................199......... ....14 Mariegabrieleee....250............250......................239........ ......11 Foofy..............239.5............239.5...................230....... .........9.5 Hollyberries......267...............264......................254................10 I want to get off the next 10lbs. my May 6th so that I hit 100lbs. by my 6 month Bandaversary. Wouldn't that be nice. I go for a fill next week so that should help me out a lot. I haven't reached the sweet spot yet. Like Shortgal I have a bottomless pit sometimes. Really having to keep mind off of eating.

Thanks everyone for great well wishes. I appreciate my November Nymph family and what better place to share a milestone than here. Cindy

Guys, Imagine my surprise when I stepped on the scale and it read 264lbs. I have lost 90lbs in 5 months. I cannot tell you how elated I am about this accomplishment. You see I have never lost more than 60lbs. in my entire life. I have always been the big girl and now I am seeing that butterfly emerge from her cocoon and it is a wonderful feeling. I am posting some pictures for you to see the transformation. Thanks to a special friend that sent me 4 wonderful pairs of jeans. I am wearing them in last two pictures. The first two pictures are me at my highest weight of 354lbs. The 3rd picture is me 60lbs. lighter and the last two are of me today at 264lbs. and down 90lbs. Woo-hoo. I am halfway home. Oh yeah, check out the new haircut. Since I am losing my hair I decided it was time for a change up so I added layers. Loving my new hair and my new body...still got a lot to lose but halfway is something to shout about! Guys! If I can do this you can. I was the worst at losing weight but the Band has been the best present I have given myself in a long time. Cindy

I am having extensive hair loss for the last month or so. It started at 4 months post op. I am using Biotin, Nioxin & upping my protein. I can't say that I have noticed much of a difference yet but today the drain didn't have as much hair so I guess it might be. I am choosing these options on my doctor's advice and will be getting a hair cut to get about 1" to 1 1/2" off the bottom. It might to stimulate the growth a bit. I haven't had a hair cut in months so it might be time. I am bummed out about the loss but at the same time I wouldn't trade the 88lbs. back for anything. Cindy

Wasa- Gotta agree with you there. I have lost about 90lbs. since 11/07 and it has been primarily from eating about 600-1000 calories per day with at least 65-80gms of protein. I always eat my protein first, then fruits and veggies and carbs only if I need it. Typical day includes: Breakfast: Egg, cheese and veggie omelet, or Quaker Weight Control oatmeal and 1/2 an orange or banana. Snack: Don't need one because I am satisfied. Lunch: 1/2 turkey or ham sandwich with cheese and mayo, the other 1/2 of my fruit and 14 almonds/nuts. Snack: only if hungry, air popped popcorn or nuts or cheese or lean deli meat. Dinner: meat and veggies and sweet potato. Snack: only if needed; SF/FF chocolate pudding or nuts or cheese. Not often because I am usually satisfied. I drink K20 about 40 oz. and usually 40 oz. of Water. I do have I cup of coffee a day. I have not exercised up until this past week. I felt that I needed to kick my weight loss into high gear. So I joined the "Y" and am working on the treadmill for about 35 min. and lifting weights. I would like to do water aerobics but need to buy a new bathing suit because mine is way to big. I have gone from a size 34 to size 24 and feel fantastic. I am not always good about food choices and I am still dealing with head hunger/ real hunger but am getting better everyday. I do not deny myself anything, if I want it I eat it just smaller amounts and I try to keep within my calorie range. Oh Yeah, I track everything on sparkpeople.com and I weigh myself everyday to keep ahead of any weight gain (which has happened very rarely and usually gone within a few days). I have a 4cc band and am at 1.5cc's and definatly know that I need another fill because I am more hungry in between meals. My rule of thumb is if my weight is stalled and I get hungry within 4 hours of eating; it is time. I make sure that I see my doctor every 4-6 weeks regardless of whether I need a fill or not. It helps me to stay accountable. I didn't do this to not lose weight. I love how losing weight makes me feel and I am not going to sugar coat it because it isn't always easy but I love how thin feels. I hope that if anyone has read this far; it will help you if you are struggling. You can do it because trust me if I can you can. Cindy

Linda- You are making sense because I am a product of the 80's and I now about high hair! LOL! I have decided that I am going to get a haircut to give it a kick start. I am thinking that by having it cut it will stimulate some growth. Who knows! I am not a hairdresser but I don't want to be bald either. Thanks for the advice...well taken and I appreciate it. Cindy

I know that most days I get my protein in because I track on Sparkpeople. Maybe I need to increase it some more. I average 75-90gms a day. I eat a lot of eggs, cheese, chicken, rolled up ham and try to increase the protein in other ways. I was thinking about adding a Protein shake a day to increase it that way because trying to eat isn't easy. Thanks for the advice and glad to know I am not alone. I hate it because my hair is important as it is to most women. I think I just might get a hair cut to see if that will help with the growth. I have to admit that I wouldn't turn back because the weight loss is more important to my overall health. Cindy

Thanks Jill! I have really slowed down the last few weeks. This week I decided to change things up a bit and went back to the "Y". I am hoping that the exercise will help kick start things up. The last fill that I had kept me at 1.5cc's and I really should have gotten more because I am hungry. I go on the 9th for another fill and I am going to have him give me more since the 1.5 didn't cut it. I hope that I can inspire more people. I tell everyone that I had the Lapband and do not regret it. I hope that I can inspire someone to make the life changing decision that I have. Again, thanks. Cindy

These are my before pictures and one after where I have lost 60lbs. I am at 88lbs lost now and will post another picture when I get batteries for camera but for now. These are it. I am so shocked at how fat I was....what a difference 5 months makes. Cindy

Thanks Jill...how do you like Nioxin? Haven't seen much results but it is too soon to tell. Cindy

Skinny Jill- How did you resize your pictures to get them smaller? I would love to post mine but the darn things are way to big. Cindy

Hi Skinny Jill! You look fabulous! I see the difference. I know what you mean because I still don't see it either but I do see it in sizes. I am going to try to post pictures of myself but may need TXArcher's help to. Cindy

OK November Bandsters! I am needing some reassuring today. My hair is falling out at a rapid pace. I have noticed for the last month that my hair is noticeably thinning out. Now I do know that it is normal to lose some hair but at rate I am going I won't have much left. Everyday, when I take my shower I lose a drain full. I towel dry my hair and lose some more. I comb my hair and lose some more. OMG I am shedding. I read on the General board the hairloss thread but I want to know if you November Bandsters are experiencing hairloss. This is what I am doing to combat it but have not seen it work and started this over 2 weeks ago. Increase my Protein Take Biotin 2500mcg daily Shampoo/Condition with Nioxin (only sold in hair salons) What else do you recommend?

Hey, Congrats on your successful weightloss and being diligent to exercise. I have had my cycles like usual so I can't help you with that but I might agree with your OB/GYN that weightloss may have something to do with it. Also, you seem to exercise a lot so that your body may be in shock. If no one is concerned, I would wait it out. Now, I know they have checked you for Pregnancy right? LOL Best of luck! Cindy

Name............Start.............Current...............Goal.......... ...To Go Momto1plus1....223...............220.26.....................210....... ...10.6 Hollyberries......267...............267.........................257............10 I was behind the 8 ball last week and forget to get me in on the challenge. I have been remaining the same for about a week now and am trying to kick start the weight loss. I haven't done much in the way of exercise since banding so I went back to the "Y" this week and worked out. My goal is 3x a week with Cardio & Strength Training. I thought I would see the weight move but nope...this morning I decided to just have a Protein shake for Breakfast because I have been quite hungry lately. I know that I need a fill but am scheduled for 4/9 so I have to hold out 2 more weeks. I am just going to do the best I can with my wonderful but fickle band. Have a great week everyone! Cindy

You are an inspiration! Isn't it amazing what 4 months can bring in perspective. Keep up the great work. Cindy