wnt2lose

I make a protein coffee for breakfast every morning and it satisfies my caffieine and coffee craving. I mix my protein powder either chocolate or vanilla with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk and fill my travel mug with coffee and off I go! Just like Starbuck's! Hasn't seemed to bother me yet, and I've been banded almost two years.

I didn't actually climb Mount Everest, but I hiked Rocky Mountain National Park much better two years after the lapband than before. In 2007, we were there for the first time. I was at my highest weight ever and thought I was going to die. I made up my mind during that trip to change my life. It's been a mountain climb ever since but I went back to that same place 2 years later 100lbs lighter and in much better health. My family and I have just gotten back from a week at Estes Park, Co. Loved it!! We hiked all over the park and to hidden lakes and waterfalls and I was in the lead for most of our hikes. Didn't have a problem. Next time we go out I would like to summit some of the smaller mountains, and eventually try Longs Peak, but for now I am pround of what I accomplished. The only thing different I noticed was I wasn't as hungry and I had to force myself to eat.

Hi all! I am currently on day 2 of the 5dpt. So far so good. I have really stalled within the last few months with weight loss, but I have increased my exercise so much that I am actually losing inches. I just felt that if I kicked started myself then I can get these last 20 lbs. off and get losing again. Slimmap, I've been thinking that all along, thanks for great pointers. I can make it through today I know I can. I am now drinking my green iced tea and thinking about the next shake or Soup I will have later. It actually hasn't been as difficult as I thought. I am hoping by the end of the week I will see the results on the scale as well with my band and how I eat.

June 2007 we took a family trip to Rocky Mountain National Park with my husband's brother and sister and their families. I was at my all time heaviest (290) and had to buy new shorts to wear because nothing fit. Size 24's :rolleyes2: I have always tried to be active and competitive so I wasn't going to sit on the sidelines. They were all going to go horseback riding, I even asked if I could go.. I didn't want to break the poor horse's back, my brother-in-law said they match you to a horse, so I was pretty upset when everyone else got the pretty brown horses, and I got the big ol stock horse! Then we drove Trail Ridge Road and got to the top of the mountain. THere are steps that take you farther up. I stated to climb and I nearly about died, but I made it to the top of the mountain. What a moment. I was crying for two reasons 1) it was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen and 2) I felt so miserable I knew then that I had to do something. When I got home I started looking into the LB surgery again and Nov. 5, 2007 I had it done! All I remeber was waking up in the recovery room to a picture of a mountain on the ceiling! That was my sign that this was all meant to be. I am now 99 lbs lighter than I was at the top of the mountain and we are planning to go back to Colorado this summer so I can do everything over and more. I plan to actually hike this time! My big goal is to lose at least 20 more pounds by then. Wish me luck. The scale hasn 't budged for three months!

Cindy, Sades, and Foofy, Thanks for all your replies! Yes I do feel great. I now feel normal when I am out and about, not the fattest person in the place. Although, I still have the "fat girl" head that tells me it's not good enough. That I am still fat. Hopefully one day I will be happy with myself. It's getting better though. As far as saggy skin, if you saw my stomach and inner thighs you would see my elephant skin! This gal that does our small group sessions talked about her elephant skin before I had surgery and I didn't understand what she meant, I do now. We all need to be proud of the work we have done! I've seen your pics Sades and Cindy and you both look great also!

Hi all. Sorry I haven't been around lately. This semester has been crazy. I teach in a high school plus I was taking two graduate classes for my Master's degree, so I haven't had much time to post. Although, I've tried to come in and read every so often. I have been hovering at the same weight for three months! It is getting frustrating. I'll probably get a fill after Christmas to help me get a boost. Can you believe it's been a year! Here are my current stats: Surgery Date: Nov. 5, 2007 Highest weight/BMI: 290/45.4 Current weight/BMI: 190.8/29.9 Total weight lost: 99.8 My life has changed in many ways, but I will try to list my top three: 1. I am exercising more, and I actually enjoy it! 2. We had a family picture taken and I actually like it! My oldest daughter is 15 and I think our last professional picture was when she was 8. 3. I actually am starting to feel normal, and I can wear a size 12/14! I was wearing 24's before surgery. I will now try to attach a picture. I just took them tonight. I was really good at taking monthly pics, but haven't taken any since August so it was time.: :closedeyes:Here I am before surgery:

Those mountains are very special to me! I was on top of the mountain when I decided I needed a change. If you go north to Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park you can go up Trail Ridge Road to the top of the mountain. It was the summer of 2007, I had just about died walking up the steps to the top from the welcome center and it was then that I knew I needed a change. It was so beautiful and I felt like I was literally on top of the world, but I couldn't enjoy it because I was huffing and puffing so bad. Here I am a little over a year past, and I am 100lbs less than when I was on that mountain. I owe my new life to that vacation to the mountains and I can't wait to go back and enjoy it in my new body! Next time I want to run up those steps! Good luck with your upcoming band date!

Name............Start........Current........Goal.......To Go CindyG...........195...........191...........185........6 Momto1plus1......193.6.........189.2.........185........4.2 Foofy............226...........226...........216........10 Sades............185...........185...........175........10 Hollyberries.....245...........245...........235........10 Shortgal.........174...........172.4.........168.........4.5 Wnt2Lose.........195...........190.8...........180........10.8 Stephanie........182.5.........182.5.........167........15.5 Linda............183...........181.5.........170........11.5 Shalee04.........180...........178...........174........04 Bandpal..........185...........182.82........175........7.82 Sorry I haven't been around lately. Been busy with teaching and taking two graduate classes. I stepped on the scale today and was pleasantly surprised to see 190.8. I actually stepped on it 3 times because I thought I was seeing things. I was at 195 for so long then it would go down then up, then jump down 3 lbs.! I hadn't weighed myself for a week because I was getting so frustrated, but I've had so many people comment that I have lost more weight, etc. etc, so I thought I'd check it. I'm so glad I did! BTW now I can fit into size 12 jeans! I think I was in 6th grade the last time I wore 12's! Keep working hard everyone!

I do the same thing! I get to enjoy the great food and our bill is usually way less.

That didn't sound right. Sorry. What I meant was that when I lose 5 more pounds, I will be 100 pounds less than my highest weight. I was 290 last summer and am right now at 195 give or take a pound. I want to get to 175 or 172 by Nov. 5, but that might be pushing it!

Name............Start........Current........Goal.......To Go CindyG...........195...........195...........185........10 Momto1plus1......193...........193...........185.........8 Foofy............226...........226...........216........10 Sades............185...........185...........175........10 Hollyberries.....245...........245...........235........10 Shortgal.........174...........174...........168.........6 Wnt2lose...............195..................195.................180.............15 OK, I need this to get me going again. I may be a little ambitious in my goal, but I would really like to see me at 100lbs less than my weight at the time of my surgery. Right now I am 5 lounds away from my highest weight ever.

I can finally buy off of clearance racks in the regular department! I was so excited the other day when I was at a store and I saw these really cute long shorts on the clearance rack. The size I ended up with were 13/14's and I don't even have a muffin top! I could've tried a smaller size but they didn't have any. Last summer I had to buy shorts before we went on vacation because nothing fit and they were 24's. Also last night I was at a party where a lot of teachers I work with were there. I haven't seen them since the end of May and they kept asking if I was a new teacher! They couldn't believe how much I've changed. It made me feel really good because I have been in a rut lately and feel like I am not making progress, but when people I haven't seen in a while notice it makes me keep going!

:cool: Bet it feels great! I am hoping to be there by the end of the weekend. Today I was 201.2 so very close!

I wouldn't worry about it. I too, have been very lucky with my band. I had surgery in Nov. and I didn't get my first fill until Feb. I feel I have had great success. I also was able to eat pretty much anything within reason. I also have been exercising like crazy so that has really helped me. Just recently I was finding it hard to keep eating like I was. I was able to eat pizza, bread, Pasta, anything, but I was starting to see the scale go the wrong way or not move at all, so I finally have gotten my second fill on Monday. I am now losing again in fact this morning I saw a great number, but I don't want to post it until I am certain. Since my fill I've had to do the liquids, mushies, regular food progression again and it has helped me remember my rules and how to eat like a bandster, but so far so good. I have not had ANY PB's since I've been banded. I was really nervous about getting my fill because I didn't want to wreck a good thing but I was ready to lose again and hopefully very soon I'll be under 200! a few times since my surgery I would get a really tight feeling in my chest (golf ball) but no sliming or PB so I also feel lucky. keep up the great work!

Hello! I am also from Iowa. Where do you live? I am in Northwest Iowa. I also have Wellmark. They have been pretty easy to work with. I had a BMI more than 40 so I easily qualified, but I do remember that if you have a BMI less than 40 with comordities they'll cover it. It's best to call and find out though. Good luck with everything!

Hi all! I love my new life of training for a triathlon and 5ks. I want to run/walk an 8k end of July then on Sept. 6 sign up for a sprint tri. It asks on the entry form for my time for the swim. I am not a really strong swimmer and want to really improve. My question, should I overestimate, underestimate, or time myself on Monday and give that time? I am done questioning myself, I WILL enter, I am just petrified I'll be the last one. But I will always remember that riddle: Q: "What do they call the last person who finishes a triathlon?" A " A triathlete!

For anyone just starting or continuing the c25k all I have to say is to keep moving and it will work! I can't remember when I actually started, maybe end of March or April. I remember back to that first week and thinking I was going to die just running for 60 seconds. I prefer running outside much better to the treadmil. Some days I just ran when I felt comfortable and walked when I had to without following the exact time or distance. I just kept plugging away and now it is almost July and I can run 3.2 miles in averaging 32-35 minutes! Not only that, but I was searching for some 5k races and came across a sprint triathlon on Sept. 6th. That looked like a fun challenge for me, so in June I signed up to start lap swimming and I also began riding my bike on a regular basis. So now I am either running, biking or swimming, sometimes two in one day! I have always been active, but it's to the point I can't go a day without exercising or I will go crazy. Just the other day my dd was riding her bike while I was running and I asked her if she can remember when I had to walk most of the route, and she reminded me of last summer when I wasn't even moving! Having lap band surgery for me has truly saved my life, as well as changed me into an exercise nut! This couch to 5K really does work. I'm living proof of it. BTW I'm not even under 200lbs. yet. (I'm hoping to get there soon!) So don't let that stop you!

Name..........Start........Current.........Goal........ To Go CindyG.........210...........205...........198...........7 TxArcher.......308...........302...........285...........17 Foofy..........235...........233...........225.......... 8 Skinny_Jill....173...........168...........163...........5 Hollyberries...257...........254...........247...........7 Stephanie......173...........173...........159...........14 gabeekeeper....246...........234...........236...........0 Sades..........197...........194...........185...........9 shortgal.......175...........175...........165...........10 Momto1plus1....210...........205.4.........198...........7.4 Shalee04.......187...........182...........177...........5 osangriared....248...........248...........228...........20 lindata........181.5.........178..........176.5..........3.5 kuchiegrl1.....262.5.........253.5.........252...........1.5 kandiceb.......175...........175...........165...........10 Hajohnson1.....234...........229.2.........219...........10.2 Hopping to it..295...........295...........280...........15 Eulete P.......219...........219...........209...........10 wnr2lose.......211.8.........205.7.........200...........5.7 I haven't been here for a long time. I get to actually post a loss! Yesturday when I weighed, I saw 205.7! I think all the exercising I've been doing lately is really helping. I was so motivated I got on my bike and ended up riding 20 miles! It was such a nice morning. I rode to a lake and back. I hope to keep working hard and hopefully lose the next 5-6 lbs so I can be closer to my goal.

Doesn't it feel good? I remember when I first stated couch 2 5k. I thought I would die when I first started running. Now I can go out and actually run 3 miles! whosydaddy: I would love to do a triathlon I've been riding my bike and have actually gone 20 miles one day! I also forced myself into the pool. My swimming is pretty weak but I am improving. There is a sprint triatholon in a town nearby in Sept. I would really like to get up the courage to enter. Congrats on completing your tri! My advice is to just keep working at it. Take baby steps and soon you'll be addicted to exercise and want to do it more and more. I can tell if I take a day off.

dragonfly I am so sorry to hear your news. I had the biopsy. It was quite the experience. Yes, I had it done in the breast care center. It came back fine. I do have lots of microcalcifications so I have to go back and have another mamo in 6 months, but she told me not to worry. Thanks everyone for all your support and encouragement. I forgot I had posted this until I saw it today.

I felt like it couldn've been a post written by me. I have also been very hungry lately. I know I am self sabotaging myself. I should also get a fill. I don't even know why I am eating so much especailly when I've worked so hard. I have even been exercising like crazy. (running, biking, swimming, I would love to do a mini-triathlon) The last two days I was able to talk myself out of exercising and feel like I've eaten the whole kitchen! I plan to get right back on the wagon tomorrow. Even thought of putting myself on a liquid diet again to jumpstart myself. Good luck. I know how hard it is. Unfortunately I should change my ticker, but I don't want to. I will get back down to that weight soon!

I love to run now! This morning I ran for 25 minutes straight. Then walked for 2 minutes then ran to complete my 3.1 mile route in 35 minutes! I remember when it was a struggle to run for 90 seconds! It is amazing how easy this couch to 5k is! I took a couple days off from running, so I was worried that I wouldn't make it for 25 minutes, but I did it!

No need to rush for a fill unless you really need one. I was banded on Nov. 5th. I didn't get my first and only fill until the middle of Feburary ( I could've waited longer but I felt like I HAD to) I am happy with my weight loss and yes, I do wish I could lose as fast as I did at first, but I can eat anything, but just much smaller portions. Isn't that what the band is supposed to do? I do feel some restriction and other than getting the tight golf ball feeling, I have never PB'd yet. Now that I am exercising like crazy I like that I can pick and choose what I put into my body to fuel it properly. Don't stress yourself over fills. I have come to learn that you don't have to go by a certain schedule. Listen to your body and your band and get a fill when you feel like you aren't losing consistenly or tend to eat more and start gaining weight. My Dr. has never pressured me into getting fills, he tells me when I feel ready is when I should call. I won't see him until July 2 so I'll have to see how I am feeling if I should get a fill or not.

Thanks for helping to inspire me to train for a triathelon as well! I finally made it all the way through the couch to 5k program and can now run 5K without walking! Last night I rode 10 miles on my bike. Like I said, now I just need to get swimming! I also have a mountain bike, although it is pretty light. Kat W thanks for the link to beginner Triathlete! I've been hooked since! Good luck to everyone. Whosyadaddy, when is your tri? Keep us posted on your progress!

What wonderful tips and advice from everyone! I am even more motivated to get started. I even dusted off my bike tonight and rode my 5k route. Baby steps right? Now to get started on the swimming. Soon our neighborhood pool will be open and they have lap swimming during the noon hour so I will need to start doing that. I can do this!