Ceradad

Never thought of that as an idea. I'll have try that one out. Sounds very good and healthy.

Here's what I did for my mushie stage: Took some Oscar Mayer chicken strips or whatever they are called. Used to be Louis Rich. Diced them up into small pieces. Put them in the blender with some chicken broth and blended into pureed mush. Then, added fat free refried Beans, a little bit of fat free sour cream and a little bit of salsa. Tasted just like the inner part of an enchilada. Never thought eating mushies would taste like a gourmet meal. But, after 10 day pre-op and 2 wk post op liquid diet, almost anything does.

Just to clarify, I'm not just talking about the weight issue. Don't get me wrong, that is included, but not all I'm talking about. I'm talking everywhere in life. My marriage-I've done so many stupid things (not cheating or abuse, I have never done either. Never even thought of raising my hand to DW or DD) that a lesser woman would have left me. My jobs-I've gotten to points where I only had to make one more move and I could be considered successful at that job. Whether it be promotion or something else. I've always seemed to do that one stupid thing to ruin all momentum in the right direction. Weight loss-I've always been able to get to the gym for about 6 mos straight for lifting. Hardly ever for cardio. Always too busy. Then, something happens in my life. Something hurts, softball has started, summer is here, I'm just too busy/tired to go to the gym this week. Suddenly, 4 or 5 mos have passed and I've lost all that I gained while at the gym. Then, I don't want to go back and start over. So many other areas that when I look back, I see I made the subconscious decision that led to my downfall in that area. Having had this revelation, I realize what I need to be looking out for. I'm not here for me. I'm not doing this lapband for me. I'm doing it all for my family. I want to be around for my daughter when she graduates hs, college. I want to walk her down the aisle (first I want to be able to put the fear of God in any boy who even dares to come over to take her on a date:angry_smile:). So, I will be "watching" myself and trying to recognize this affliction w/i myself in the future.

Been off work since last Thursday, woohoo, gotta love 3 day weekends. For some reason, my laptop at home takes to long to load this website. So, I won't be posting from there too much. As a result, I have 3 days to log in here. Friday: 30 minutes lower body workout. 100 minutes of cardio on elliptical-1750 calories burned Saturday: 105 minutes cardio including 3 mile run.-1750 calories burned Sunday: 110 minutes cardio including 3.25 mile run-1820 calories burned. Also, today: 50 minutes cardio on elliptical-850 calories

Yep, 90 lbs and no fill yet. I actually have restriction until about 4 pm or so. After that, it just isn't there too much. I would tend to agree with you Shortgal that I am relying heavily on will power of late. That is why I hope to get even a little fill next week. The other secret I have is I go to the gym every morning to do cardio. And, again, 4 nights a week to lift. I burn alot of calories there. I've kind of plateau'ed this month, but it's still coming off. I've always told others that if I could just come up with the willpower to get to the gym, there would be no stopping me. I've now started to prove it. I look at my scars and remind myself that this is what I have them for. As my reminder to get in shape. Now, I just need to adust the tool that has been put inside me to help out.

Possible, but I have not had a fill yet, so it would be my first. I have my monthly checkup next Thur. and plan on asking for a fill even though I am still averaging about 1 lb/wk this month. It's just that I do not necessarily feel hungry when I eat sometimes. I don't know. I'll most likely get my first fill next week and then I can re examine what is going on afterwards.

Congrats 3in1!!!!:smile: Keep us updated as you get closer.

Good job Daddy on keeping at it on the road! Here's my totals for today: Upper body circuit for 30 minutes Elliptical: 100 minutes-7.75 miles and 1600 calories burned.

Been a couple of days since I've posted here. To update this, I did my upper body workout-7 rep cycle starter on Monday. Tuesday, I did the lower body cycle starter. Here were the workouts: Monday Rev. grip lat pl/dns: 120 x 7 Incline Bench: 135 x 7 Cbl X overs: 55 x 7 DB curls: 30 x 7 Skull crushers: 80 x 7 Hmmr strngth military prss: 55 x 7 Back ext. on Rom chair: 55 x 7 DB shrugs: 90 x 7 Tues: Hack squat: 200 x 7 Standing calf rs: 160 x 7 Leg curls: 160 x 7 Leg ext: 180 x 7 Abductor: 150 x 7 Adductor: 150 x 7 Repeat each of these cycles twice for a total of 3 cycles. Today (2/20/08) is a non lifting day. Did 65 minutes on the treadmill this morning. Including running @ 5.5 mph for a little under 25 minutes and 2.25 miles. Burned 1000 calories. Also, I've started finishing off my cardio with pushups on a 1/2 balance ball (whatever those are called-flat on one side with plastic and the other is like a balance ball). Doing 25 this week. Hope to increase next week, and each week, by 5 each day.

Been a couple of days since I've posted here. To update this, I did my upper body workout-7 rep cycle starter on Monday. Tuesday, I did the lower body cycle starter. Here were the workouts: Monday Rev. grip lat pl/dns: 120 x 7 Incline Bench: 135 x 7 Cbl X overs: 55 x 7 DB curls: 30 x 7 Skull crushers: 80 x 7 Hmmr strngth military prss: 55 x 7 Back ext. on Rom chair: 55 x 7 DB shrugs: 90 x 7 Tues: Hack squat: 200 x 7 Standing calf rs: 160 x 7 Leg curls: 160 x 7 Leg ext: 180 x 7 Abductor: 150 x 7 Adductor: 150 x 7 Repeat each of these cycles twice for a total of 3 cycles. Today (2/20/08) is a non lifting day. Did 65 minutes on the treadmill this morning. Including running @ 5.5 mph for a little under 25 minutes and 2.25 miles. Burned 1000 calories. Also, I've started finishing off my cardio with pushups on a 1/2 balance ball (whatever those are called-flat on one side with plastic and the other is like a balance ball). Doing 25 this week. Hope to increase next week, and each week, by 5 each day.

Welcome Hitman! Glad to have you on here and congrats on your decision. It has been a HUGE blessing for me. I am able to do so much more in the last 6 mos. than I had in the previous 3 yrs. Good luck on the 3rd and keep us updated on your progress.

I always think self reflection can be the best form of therapy. I know this problem exists. Now I can ask myself if I am really hungry or am I just eating because that is what I used to do?

In any part of your life, do you find yourself close to achieving a goal and then do something, consciously or subconsciously, to make it so you fail at it? I honestly believe I do this. So many times, I've had a good job or school was going just right and feeling good about the situation. Then, I start to mind wander or just take my job for granted and do something stupid. Now, after almost 6 mos of doing things right post op, I feel as if I am falling into old habits eatingwise. I know I am not hungry at night, but feel the need to eat something. It's like my old habits I thought were dead and buried have pulled a "Jason" on me and have arisen to terrorize me again. I know I'm not alone, just wondering who else suffers from self sabotage.

Guess I missed that part. The important is that your son and your family are safe. I agree that it is a waste of youth, but remember: "Don't do the crime if you can't do the time". One of my favorite sayings. Hopefully, your family and you can get past this w/o too much turmoil in your lives from here on out. Good luck.

How about if I come down for another game in the fall, and you have an extra bike, I join you guys for a ride on the Saturday before? I think I could slow you guys down enough to make it enjoyable for me.

No problems with ticks Stef. Buddy I went down there with was on the Cowboys practice squad in '92 and '93. If he can't get them through the team, he knows alot of people to get them from for really good prices. Really good seats. And, I thought everyone in Texas was a football nut. Isn't it a law or something?

Yes, I was tired for almost 2 wks post-op. I was told it is due to the surgery and the anesthesia and your body recuperating. Don't worry, it will get better. Congrats on the weight loss.

Karey, great news on the verdict! Surprised nothing about the shot taken at your son though. Stef, great workout. I think after seeing that, you put me to shame. Good idea about taking a little slow getting back to the workouts for your tricep. You don't want to reinjure it and make it worse than originally. Btw, I asked this in a PM, but are you a Cowboys fan? Just wondering. I'm a HUGE (literally and figuratively:lol:) Cowboys fan and hate living up here in Norseland. I went down this past October for my first game in TX Stadium. LOVED IT!!!!! Going back for 2008 season or maybe to Green Bay when the 'Boys play over there. Haven't decided yet. Anyway, today was a "non lifting" day. Did 65 minutes on the treadmill. Running 2.25 miles in a little under 25 minutes @ 5.5 mph. The rest was done @ 4 mph and inclines of 2 and 3%. Burned 1000 calories. Last night did my first lower body of this cycle so 6 exercises, 7 reps each and 3 circuits. Switched up the exercises and felt good getting through it. Just amusing that the beginning of the cycle goes sooooo much quicker than the workouts at the end. I know, less total reps, just feels like I spend no time in there at the beginning of the cycle. But, I make up for it at the end.

I am going to rat myself out here. A couple years ago, one of our officers decided to have the lapband surgery. He is a little shorter than me and our builds were a little bit different. But the weight difference was not as much as most thought it to be. When he told us he was getting the surgery, I openly stated to all that would listen that he was taking "the easy way out".:thumbup: Then, after listening to him, doing my own research and talking to my dr, I realized that you had to treat it like a tool to HELP you lose weight. It was no guarantee. I started to seriously consider it for myself as I had pretty much lost all control of my weight and was approaching 400 much to quick. I was banded on 8/28/07. I have lost right about 90 lbs. (haven't weighed myself in a wk as I am at a plateau) and actually doing better than he is. However, when people ask me why I am doing better than he is, I simply tell them I don't know. It is not my place to figure why some lose better than others. The only thing I will say (here, nowhere else) is he doesn't concentrate on exercise. He only does the diets. But, that is what he figures for him. As long as he is happy with how he is doing, so am I. Basically, if someone is trying to downplay what needs to be done, educate them. I am a converted "know-it-all" when it comes to WLS.

Kind of forgot about this challenge. However, if I go with the average of 30 miles per week, and that is a very conservative estimate, I would be in the range of about 210 miles down. I've have skipped 4 days since the beginning of the year. So, I will average it to 4 miles a day and log in at a conservative 195 miles completed. I'll be updating it every week from now on. Thanks for reminding me. Great jobs everyone. Keep up the good work.:thumbup:

No way could I put you to shame Stef. From what I've been reading here, you have no shame when it comes to lifting.:thumbup: As for "non lifting days", if I didn't have those, my arms and legs would fall off.:cool2: Cardio is going good though. I attribute that to my weight loss totals. Now, for another nsv. I had to make my 3rd adjustment to my duty belt since coming back to work 1 month after surgery. In the past, that has meant lengthening the belt. Now, it means making it smaller. I keep having to readjust all my pouches, holsters, etc. on my belt to make it fit right. Also, I got new uni's about 1 1/2 mos ago to go smaller. At the time, they had a little "give" to them. Now, the shirts are way out from my stomach and my pants are getting some "pleats" from being a little too big. Even though I've been on a plateau for a couple of weeks now, I know I am still losing size.

About 1 1/2 mos prior to even getting a surgery date, the childrens pastor at church did a special message at Sunday service concerning getting in shape. Each of the assoc pastors were given a Sunday to discuss something dealing with getting mind, spirit and body right. She told the congregation how she had lost approx 120 lbs over 2 yrs. I listened to her message and felt lower and lower the entire time. I was thinking, how can this person accomplish what I cannot do? How was she able to overcome the difficulties and mental blocks I was unable to conquer? I was depressed about that message for many weeks following. When I got my surgery date I told my pastor and one of the assoc and asked for them to pray as the date got closer. They asked if they could share it with the staff at church. I told them that was fine. The next day, the childrens pastor called and spoke with my wife for about 1/2 hr. After getting off the phone, DW told me the childrens pastor told her she had had the lapband 2 yrs previous. She has chosen to keep it secret from everyone except family. I can't tell you how much better I felt upon learning that. I now knew that I was not a loser for not being able to overcome everything. I work in law enforcement and let me tell you, they are some of the rudest, crudest people you will ever meet. They see a flaw in a coworker and they will push the buttons to get you going. Now imagine being a "fat guy" in the midst of the macho studs, most of whom are ex military. I decided to tell everyone of them. No reason to hide the fact that I had it. Especially as I intended on doing everything possible to lose as quickly as possible. I also tell anyone who asks. Why should I keep a secret from those that could benefit from it. Also, as Kat stated, why would I want to make someone else feel as I did that Sunday in church? Just doesn't feel right. To those that keep it secret, I honor your opion and issues. I will not, nor will I ever, put you down for your choice. I cannot tell you what is right for you anymore than I would want you to tell me about my choices. The most important thing is we have made a choice to be healthy. Both for us and our families. I just ask of you to not let others that are going through what we had to go through, deal with those feelings of being worthless because we accomplished something that can't.

I do the same thing. DW hasn't caught me doing it, but it's amazing. I also feel alot more muscle under there than ever before. And I played football throughout hs and jr college. Congrats on the nsv, loridee!:thumbup: Feels great doesn't it

As Jachut stated, it is up to each individual with the guidance of your dr. I, personally, eat about 1 1/2 cups of food each meal. After my first PA and I discussed this and the amount of exercise I do each week, it was decided that was just about right for me. After she gave birth to twins, the second PA was a little put off by the amount I was eating. The 2nd time I saw her, she looked at my exercise log and realized I am doing more exercise than almost all of her other patients. She then agreed that I was ok. I still don't eat anywhere near what I used to and do ALOT more exercise. So, it evens out. As long as I don't let off on the exercise, I should be ok. That being said, I'm going to ask for my first fill next Thursday when I go in for my monthly checkup.

Ok, went in last night for upper body workout. New 3 wk cycle, so it was only for 7 reps each exercise. Went quick. This morning was 30 minutes of interval training and 35 of a nice steady pace on the elliptical. Burned off 1035 more calories and 4.97 miles. Daddy, great job on the running. I'm going to be working on my running on my non lifting days. I just don't see how you are going outside to run. If it is anything like over here in the Twin Cities, it has to be freezing cold. Stef, good to hear about the tricep. I know what is feels like to have a muscle hurting and you get that "jonesing" to get in the gym and workout. Jess, sorry about the fill. Just a couple more weeks and you should be good. Now, for my weekly check in. Still sitting at 289, or so I think. I'm trying not to weigh myself until my monthly check in next Thur. Hopefully, I will get off the plateau by then. So: w-289 cardio-525 strength-170