Laurieloo

Krissyjean - It's hard to tell what's happening - - I'm not sure what you're eating. Many people try to eat those things that "go down easy" like mashed potatoes, but those are often the kinds of things that make you gain weight. Are you able to eat dense Proteins at all? That will make a huge difference. I know we're supposed to be out of the "diet mode" but maybe it would be helpful to count your calories for a few days and see what a "normal" day is for you. I know that if I start eating the "easy" things, then I'll hit 1000-1200 calories, and I don't lose weight at all there - the scale won't move unless I'm around 700 calories/day. I think there is a forum here somewhere for "Slow Losers" so you might be able to find some good advice in that forum. I'm heading there myself. :-) Learn what you can from everyone, try to see what works for you, and hang in there!! You WILL lose! :cool2:

Hello! I got my Realize band in February and my loss has been slow but steady. As of this morning I've lost 49 pounds and 34 to go! I'm 8 months out, so figure I'll hit my goal (or more) by the time my 1 year anniversary comes around. I used to worry about the end of a diet, you know, those "last 10 pounds" but not so this time. Because I'm feeling so much better, I'm adding exercise to the mix starting this month, and feel pretty confident that the final pounds will melt away. Like many of you, I wish I had done it ages ago. I have a very aggressive doctor and currently have 8 mls in my band.

Hi! I just cleaned a few things out of my closet that I can't wear and was going to eBay them...but first I want to see if any of my LDS bandster friends can use them! We're all at different sizes on our little "band journey" and never stay at one size for very long! I have some nice tops from Lane Bryant/Dress Barn that I consider very "lightly" worn (some only worn a few times.) A few of them are a little low (v-neck) so I always wear a cammie underneath. I also have a few nice church dresses with appropriate necklines/sleeves. Most are around size 20W. If anyone here is in that range, let me know and I'll be happy to send them to you. :-) :thumbup:

Hi, there, Brother Miztrniceguy! :-) I'm glad you are happy with your band. I'm just thrilled with mine. So far, it's been relatively easy and not too life changing, as far as what I can eat goes. But, I had another fill yesterday, and know that I will have to have really good habits this month, like eating slowly and chewing carefully. Like you, I've told the whole world about my band. I wanted the accountability factor. If I tell people that I'm going to lose, then I want to make sure they can see it! I'm glad that you are happy and doing well.

Hi! I'll do the formal introduction, too. :-) I'm Laurie and live in Mesa, Arizona. I saw the thread about wards/branches, and I live in the extreme opposite of a branch. My ward in Mesa is less than 1/2 square mile. I do love my ward, although it's true that we aren't nearly as busy as I'd like to be, calling-wise. Oh well. More time to count my calories, right? :-) My weight has been a yo-yo for years and I finally just got tired of it all. My back hurt, my hips hurt....ugh. I finally purposely gained a little weight so that I could qualify for surgery. I'm so happy with my decision. Weight loss has been a little slower than I like, but that's okay -- it's consistently moving in the right direction - finally! I have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. Life is great and I'm a happy camper. :-) It's nice to meet you all.

Well, this is one of the fastest growing churches in the world, so I think we deserve our very own subheading! :-) One's religion, sexual preference, maritial status, etc. really doesn't change the way the band works, but it certainly promotes responses to "other" issues that are in-line with our own beliefs. I don't write a lot, but when I do, it's nice to know you all are here.

Does anyone know how we can move this thread under the main heading of Religious Bandsters? More people would find us that way.

Welcome to both of you! I'm Susan and live in Mesa. You'll love your band, Lotzasunshine. It'll make Fast Sunday a breeze. :-)

Thanks for the responses! I'm turning into a Crystal Light Fruit Punch addict and carry the little pouches in my purse. :-) I used to drink Diet Coke 24x7, so getting off of the caffeine, and then the "bubbles" was a huge victory for me. I'm sure I'll get burned out on my fruit punch at some point ("red juice" as my grandson says!) but for now, it's enjoyable and I'm not quite to the point of having a deep appreciation for plain water yet. (I live in Phoenix, so when it hits 118 degrees this summer, I'll probably change my mind real fast!)

Does it really matter if we drink plain water or if flavoriing, such as Crystal Light, is added? Any thoughts?

You'll get it! My BCBS Federal was approved within a few days. If it's taking longer, maybe it's the office staff and your Dr.'s office hasn't forwarded it yet. The office I go to is really busy with so many band patients, so that's usually where the bottleneck is. :-)

I must be a mutant, too, because I'm experiencing the same thing. Sometimes I feel like I eat too much, and other times I have pain and have to stop after a few bites.

Hi, there! I didn't feel anything after the first fill. As a matter of fact, if it weren't for the scars and feeling the port, I had no way to know I even had a band. Yesterday, I had a second fill and feel like I will be on my way. I took the advice of most people on this board who said it took a few fills to get it right....and they were right. :-)

Since I found this fun little thread, I'd love to share what is motivating me this month. :-) I'm part of a choir in Mesa that has performed Joseph the Prophet, Jesus the Christ, and Saints and Pioneers. This is the most beautiful music in the world! "Joseph the Prophet" is being performed at the end of this month in the tabernacle on Temple Square, and those of us who sing in Mesa were invited to come perform. So, I'm heading up there in two weeks and get to see what it's like to sit in the Tabernacle Choir's seat and have that unique view of the tabernacle. What a joy! Being in that setting, I'll probably just cry instead of sing. :-) My motivation is that we all wear black, and I need to be down about 10 more pounds to wear the dress I want. I think I'll be there!

Yes - this was a great thread to start! Thank you! Previously, I looked under the "Religious Bandsters" heading but didn't see any LDS threads. Maybe there are others out there looking in that area, too. So sorry about your knee. I will keep you in my prayers, but must admit that it will bring a smile to my face when I ask for a special blessing for Miztrniceguy. :-) I understand about the problems that holidays bring. I didn't do so well during the Easter holiday. See, the marching band (I have two kids in band) sold those yummy See's eggs as a fundraiser. I just HAD to support the band! I also bough extras to take to those I visit teach, etc., but they never made it out of the house. Ooops! :-) I've really been dealing with hunger and just yesterday afternoon, I said my second fill. She pumped it WAY up there, so I'm sure that huger will be a thing of the past - at least for a while. Thank goodness! I want this to work! Take care, everyone.