renewedhope

Thanks Karey. I have read yalls ps threads and I can't wait. I have exercised regualrly since being banded, so hopefully I am in good shape for my surgery. I am have been reluctant to do too much weight lifting, because initially I willg ain weight. I know it is muscle and the more muscle you have the more fat you burn. So.....in the long run it is very beneficial. I just have to convince my scale obsessed brain to chill and do what is best for my body. This is probably sooo silly, but when I am dressing I often stand sideways in the mirror and lift my lap. I would be really small without that flap on my lap. Will it really all go away?? Will I really have a flat tummy. I can't even imagine it. I am sooo ready to be there. I have a bodybugg too. I have not worn it in quite some time. I am not going to pull it out now, but if my weight stalls I will definately use it to stay on track!

Although i have pretty pretty honest with people about my banding, when I didn't tell someone it was out of fear that this to would be another failure on my weight loss experince. I didn't want to tell people and then gain the weight back. Now that I am down 80 pounds and feel like the REAL me has emerged I am no longer shy about telling people. In fact, I will shout is from the mountatins, because it works!!!! Nothing has worked before....... The hardest thing for me has been not seeing myslef as a fat person any longer. i wear size 12 jeans and a large shirt and sometimes I see the physically attractive person I have become and sometimes I look in the mirror and see 255 pounds. It is so weird. I don't even know how to buy clothes anymore. DH is a great help in this regard. If he says it looks good then I wear it, even if I feel funny in it. I have even begun to wear sleeveless shirts again!! Restriction does not come immediately. Be patient. About 2 months into this thing I decided that I had failed at something else. That this worked for everyone but me. Not true.... Bandster Hell is real and it will pass. This is the best decision I have ever made for myself and my family. These are the biggest suprises I have had. I will try to think of more, but I love my band and am beginning to love myself again. Just this morning, I looked in the mirror and just smiled at the beautiful woman looking back at me. She has been there all along. I'm so glad I can see her again!!

mimin, I just googled those drinks. They look great. Do you warm them in the microwave. The don't have any type of variety pack on their website. You have to order 12 of one flavor. Let us know which ones are really good. I wish I could order 1 of each to see which one I would drink. I have had to give up my Starbucks addiction, but I do love some coffee. Right now I drink coffee with sf french vanilla or hazelnut creamer. It's pretty good.

Mamato, 1/2 pound is not bad for TOM, but I know it is yuck to see those scales go in the wrong direction. You may also be retaining some fluid after your double last night. Working doubles used to always make my ankles swell and made me jsut generally puffy. Especially really hard ones. Way to go on moderate ketosis!!!!!!! You really are doing great!!

You ladies have been such an inspiration to me. I don't feel the least bit qualified to chime in, but I am working on the last 26 pounds before having PS, so here I am. What better place to get ideas than from the pros. I am eating low carb. I am using ketone sticks to allow myself a few carbs, but make sure I remain in ketosis. I just completed week 2 of the couch to 5k. this week I would like to add body sculpting 2 days a week. I want to be in really good physical shape for my ps and recovery. As for restriction. I had an unfill of 0.3cc about 3 weeks ago because of reflux at night. I can tell a huge difference. I am definately hungry. I talked to the doctor's office Friday and they said that when you are close to your "sweet spot" that small amount can make a difference. I am going Monday for a tiny fill. She said probably 0.1cc. I hve decent restriction, so even if this fill doesn't do what I think it should, I am going to allow my band to help me and i am geared up to do the rest!! Thank you ladies for being an awesome example to all of us. Yall have shown me from the start that this thing is doable!!

mamato, I'm glad you survivied your double. Some people just don't produce large amounts of ketones. What you ate looks very reasonable to me. As long as you are in ketosis, you are burning fat You are doing AWESOME, BTW... Bonnie, You know, this is a life long process. One evening of eating what you "shouldn't" won't really do much dmamge in the bi picture. Just jump back on today and get back in ketosis before the cravings take over. (Speaking from experience). You are doing GREAT. Don't let this set you back!!! Today is a new day!!

I didn't realize, but I had 3 packs of 4 each of the old shakes. I will definately be drinking those. I buy the cvs brand of ketone sticks. Beware, they are soooo addictive. I use one almost every time I pee. So not necessary. I had moderate ketones tonight before bed..

Today we went to court for our foster son. We weren't sure where to go and were a little pressed for time. We walked into the courthouse. Our hearing was on the 4th floor. we walked to the elevator and there were about 10 people waiting for the elevator. I stood there a minute and then asked DH if he knew where the stairs were. We quickly went up 4 flights of stairs to immediately walk into the courtroom. i was not out of breath in the least.

OK, scratch the coffee for snack. Just finished my run and DH insists that I have protein after exercising so I drank a caramel latte atkins shake instead (yes I have a few of the old ones left).

Oh man, I just finished day 3 of week 2. For some reason this was the hardest one yet. I was allready tired and had to make myself do it, but guess what? I did it. I can still hear the Rocky music. I am going to press on to week 3 next week, but man I am thinking it is going to kick my butt....... Everyone is doing so well. It sure is fun doing this with all of you!!

Ok, I am sooo disappointed. I LOVE STARBUCKS!!! I used to get the peppermint white mocha. YUMMY, but it has like 60 something carbs. I have been getting a skinny cinnamon dolce latte instead. It is supposed to be MUCH better. well I looked it up and it has 14 carbs. I am back down to a small amount of ketones tonight so I was searching to find out why, and I found it. So, no more Starbucks for me. :thumbup: Maybe on date night. Here's my day.... B - Skinny cinnamon dolce latte (my last) L - 6 oz steak and avacado sauce S - Atkins Endulge caramel Chew Bar (OMGosh) I don't like bars, but this thing is the bomb!!! D - about 4 oz steak, broccolli S - coffee with sf french vanilla creamer Oh how I'm going to miss my starbucks..... Also, went to court today and we are beginning the process to adopt our 8 month old foster son... He has lived with us since he was 3 weeks old. Very pleased with court today!! Still have couch to 5k to do tonight before I go to bed....

I am staying on plan because I am finally in ketosis and don't want to mess it up!!

Bloo, I use coffeemate sugar free hazelnut creamer. It has 1 carb per 1 tbsp. It is liquid and is with the milk. I don't like the powder sf creamers, but I like this. I also like the sf french vanilla. I drink hot coffee, but Starbucks was my worst addiction until I discovered that I love this!!

I am back at my ticker weight. Those 5 pounds that jumped on overnight seem to have left almost as quickly. I am so glad. That was freakin me out a little. Now I can move on to losing some new weight!! I am going to court this morning about one of our foster kids, so I won't be on until later today. Looking forward to seeing how everyone's day goes!!

Denise, One of the things I love about ketone sticks is that I can add some healthy carbs as long as I am in ketosis. For example, I have found that I can eat a few strawberries at supper without going out of ketosis. This is the main reason I do them. I can vary my diet and be sure that I am still burning fat. BTW, I am in between moderdate and large amounts of ketones this morning!!

Glad you are doing so well Skinnie!!

Bonnie , you are too funny. I tend to get a little excited from time to time. MSnika, I have really found that the ketone sticks help me stay motivated. When I am in ketosis, I really think hard before I eat something I shouldn't. I am somewhat, ok a lot, obsessed with the little sticks. I love knowing that I am burning fat!!!

Moderate ketosis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:tt1::tt1::tt1: I am back!!!! I wasn't going to check until morning, but it amazing how the cravings just go away when ketosis starts. I kinda felt like I was there, because suddenly this isn't so hard anymore!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!:w00t::w00t::wink2::w00t::tt2::w00t::w00t::w00t: Ok, I'll calm down now.

I must say..... this is about the coolest thread I have ever been a part of. Everyone is sooo supportive and cool. I also love the couch to 5k thread. Anyway, Denise I like to use Miralax if I struggle with constipation. It works, but isn't harsh. It doesn't really tast either. I forgot to get the bars. The nearest Walmart is about 15 minutes away. Just went to that town, but forgot. I will go tommorow. I am fixing to go see if I am in ketosis yet............. I'll keep you posted.

I used to work lots of doubles. I feel your pain Mamato. I don't miss that part of nursing. I think you have earned a break!! If you can call a double a break??

Thank you sooo much Mamato and Bonnie. I will definately be getting some of these little darlings today. I definately agree that if I can eat one of these instead of eating something very high in carbs then they are worth it. I will try to limit them, but love that there is a way to "cheat" without really cheating!! You guys rock!!

welcome cutie. Love your name BTW!! Certainly you can join us until surgery!!

OK, that brings up this sugar alcohol deal. Is it ok. Do they really count. Will sugar carbs make you go out of ketosis. I know we should avoid them most of the time because the taste can make you crave sweets, but is the cravings the only harm in eatnig them. That sounds really yummy!!

I normally don't like bars. Do they really taste different that most others. How many carbs per bar. Yall are peaking my curiosity!!

Thanks for the encouragement Kat. I can't wait to get a TT. DH and I have allready begun to imagine all the things I/we will be able to do without this flap on my lap!!:thumbs_down: DH and I started dating in high school. We have been together for 13 years. He has also seen me from 135 to 255. The biggest difference for us i think is how much more I love myself. The more I love me the more it frees him to love me. I actually feel sexy again, therefore I act sexy. If that makes sense. I love both the scale and non scale victories as well. I never dreamed that this me would emerge again. Man, I have missed her.:biggrin2: Last night DH said, "I never thought I would have such a hottie for a wife again." Me, a hottie.... I love it!!!