PrtyAntOvrYt

Patty is expected to be here within the hour! I'm just waiting to get her call! I'm so excited! I have found the Band has brought some good things to my life. A new healthy way of eating, a love for working out AND a wonderful supportive group of like-minded people. Who would have ever thought, a tiny band wrapped around my upper tummy would have enriched my life as it has! Thank you Dr. Kirshenbaum!!! As of today, I've lost 151lbs! My goal is to lose 200 by my 18 month Bandiversary. That's 49 more lbs in 53 days. I probably won't make it, but I'm hoping to get close! I love my Band!:thumbup:

But we are so lucky compared to many other Banders. I have friends who were put on the most restrictive pre-op diets. One doctor insists his patients drink coffee, tea, sugar free popsicles and broth and that's all for 14 days! Not one other thing can be eaten! I thought that was the most bizarre pre-op I ever heard of. Then I see on Obesity Help, there are many other docs who require the same bizarre diet! Once you start eating, if you're diligent to eat your protein first, you won't need a protein supplement. I hate protein supplements. I finally found one that I really like. It's the Premier Protein drinks from Costco. 30 grams of protein 5 grams of carbs. They taste good too! If I need to take meds I'll crush them and drink them down with a protein drink, otherwise, I eat my protein first. It's more satiating and my scale moves much better.

I know what you mean Marie! It's hard for me to realize sometimes that I need to be wearing a much smaller size. I go directly to the larger sized items in the store, try them on and they are huge. My mind is having a hard time catching up with my body! It's odd, isn't it?

Our Freedom From Fat Challenge - F3!!! Bella - 6lbs Deb - 10lbs Dee - 15lbs-1.0:rolleyes2: Jmegirl - 10lbs Julie - 8lbs-0.9:rolleyes2: KayleighsMom - 10lbs Lapdancer - 15lbs Laptastic - 20lbs-2.0:rolleyes2: Lotza - 9lbs-2.0:rolleyes2: Mem620 - 8lbs Snow - 5lbs I only lost a pound, but it's TOM time!

I was anxious too! I think we all were. It's normal. Don't be ashamed. Everything will go well. Post anytime you're up to it!

Well sorry Patty, I can't help you with a holistic doc. I know I good one in Albuquerque, but that's a 6 hour drive south! Wanna go for a ride, Little Lady?

Great!!! WE can start a list of the Red Robin Group: Laptastic Dee Deb Patty

Actually Red Robin is on the 10th of June. Deb will be here from out of town also and we planned it on the 10th so that she can meet with us. I'm sorry if there was some confusion. I looked back over the posts and the 10th was the original date. Who all will be there?

Hey Banditos! Here are the names and goals for everyone who's posted! Our Freedom From Fat Challenge - F3!!! Bella - 6lbs Deb - 10lbs Dee - 15lbs Jmegirl - 10lbs Julie - 8lbs KayleighsMom - 10lbs Lapdancer - 15lbs Laptastic - 20lbs Lotza - 9lbs Mem620 - ??? Snow - 5lbs Thanks everyone! I couldn't find the goal Mem620.

Thanks for the address! I'm going to check it out! I used to live down that way, actually by the airport, but I'd go shopping at that Cost Co.

Wow! That's a great NSV! I have the worst batwing arms in the entire universe, so it will be NEVER before I wear a tank top! I'm hoping to have plastic surgery done... sometime! I know the scars from the arm lift are pretty ugly, but anything will be better than what I have now! I could easily wear a 18 blouse if my arms were not so bad. I wear an 18 pants, but a 2x shirt. The extra skin can be so discouraging!

Hey! I want to hit a goal by my birthday on July 27th. What is your goal for the 4th?

I got ya on the list Laptastic! Have fun in Chicago IF that's what you're there for!

Okay Challengers! Let me know exactly how much you want to lose by July 4th. It's 5 weeks! I'll compile the list tonight. I worked last night and I am a sleepy squirrel! Nitie nite! dee~

Great!!! The list is growing for our challenge: Deb Bella Prty Lotza KayleighsMommy Snow Julie.ann Laptastic On Saturday, weigh yourselves and then just post me the amount of weight you want to lose. Who knows you might lose some by Saturday. Then our first official weigh in will be Saturday June 6th. That will give us 5 weigh ins! Yippy!!!:smile:

I started at a BMI of over 60. I have about 300lbs to lose. I lost the first 100 in about 6 or 7 months and the second 50 in about 7 months. It has slowed down drastically, but I have learned that you have to really kick up your exercise and be diligent to watch everything you eat. When I eat right, no white/bad carbs, protein first and fruits/veggies/whole grains, I lose. If I don't, I stall. I eat about 1200 calories a day with 60-80 grams of protein and I work out 6 to 7 days a week. I've also had to add different things to my workouts. I used to only do the cycle and swimming laps, now I've added weight lifting and water aerobics. You can do it! I'm more than half way to my goal and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Great! We have You, Deb and Me! I'm always up for a challenge!

Hey Banditos! Is everyone busy out of doors - enjoying the late spring days? I wanted to know if anyone else is interested in doing another challenge? A 4th of July one, perhaps? Starting this Saturday! I hope the silence here means everyone is well and healthy and happy!

I'm sorry you're having problems! I don't recall Dr. K telling us to eat any specific percentages or grams of fat or carbs. I may be mistaken, but that's what I remember. I'll tell you what I do. If I'm strict with this eating plan, I lose. If I stray, then I remain the same, but I've never gained yet. 60-80 grams of Protein. 30% of total calories of fat. (less than 30% - is extremely difficult and I would feel like I was dieting again) Carbs - I do not eat bad carbs. Whole grains only, brown rice and whole grain Pasta. No white sugar or flour. (remember this is my ideal and what works, I'm not always this good) I eat lean Proteins and veggies. I log my food into www.fitday.com and keep my calories at 1200. I do NOT count calories for my fruit or veggies. I know my body needs those things and I take them as freebies. I didn't get the band to be on a diet for the rest of my life. I got the band to learn how to eat in a healthy way! A way in which I can live the rest of my life - I hope this helps. I am sorry you're struggling. BTW, my portions are measured to 1 cup of solid food and 1.5 cups of salad, i.e. baby spinach or spring mix. I know when I do eat any bad carbs, I just don't lose. I don't venture over to the white flour/rice/pasta, but I do have sweet treats occasionally. Working out is also another component that makes a difference in my weight loss. Even if you can do something for 8 mins. a day, it's a good start. Remember to eat your protein first! Protein is your priority.

I'm good with a shorter challenge. 5 weeks from this Saturday will be the 4th of July. Let's weigh in on Sats. By this Sat have your goals ready and we will have our first weigh in on the 6th of June.

Okay! Mark me down for -3.0! I didn't make my goal, but I lost over 17lbs! I think that's a-ok! I always make my goals much higher than is healthy! BUT that's just me! Thanks Bella for monitoring our losses! Anyone interested in doing a long one for Labor Day? Or maybe July 4th?

You're hilarious!!! Just think! If it wasn't TOM time, you would have lost! I think a no gain/no loss really isn't that bad! AFTER all the years on the gain side, I'll take that every once in a while!

True! Very True!!!

Interesting! I have found that the scale at the gym - which is large and digital. Big ole fancy scale - weighs me 2 lbs less than the one at home and Dr. K's weighs me 3 lbs less than my one at home too. I usually weigh before leaving for Dr. K's office, fully dressed as I will weigh in his office and I always weigh 3 lbs less when I get there. I'd buy a new scale just to have some accuracy. I'm okay if mine weighs me slightly more. I'd rather think I weigh more than I do,then less. I am just assuming that I weigh 2-3 lbs less than what my scale says.

I think it's June 10th. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. I'm actually working the 9th of June and can't make it - but I think it's the 10th.