Numbrgirl

I agree with Jachut (as usual) - Oprah does lose some credibility because every year in seems to be the same up and down yo-yo. I am so thrilled with the lapband and know that it is a tool that I can continue to use. Oprah has become larger than life and it is amazing to me that she can promote something or say something and HUGE crowds of people agree and/or purchase the item just on her word. I think that she is definitely over-rated.

Because I hit my 3 mile run at 38.45 min today and am sooooo proud of myself!!! I see a loss on the scale this morning and my pants are starting to get too loose for comfort!!!! I am thrilled with my band results!!

It is amazing what weight loss will do.....I wasn't taking any meds prior to my surgery but I experienced such deep pain in my knees and joints. Now after 54 lbs.....I don't experience this pain anymore. As a matter of fact, I take up my bragging rights and was so proud that I hit my 3 mile run at 38.45 mins today.....my best time yet. I am aiming for 36 min - Encouragement to all.......we really can make a difference in our physical make-up if we just stick with it. "I can do all things through Christ......." YES!!

I am staying on plan because I am so encouraged by my loss to date and more than one person has started to notice.................... Hey - how come you have to lose 50+ before someone says "hey....are you losing weight??" .......................duh...............

Hello Christian Bandsters! I haven't check in for a while - been so busy. But it is wonderful to read through the posts and see that God is so good and at work in so many lives. I want to encourage all of you both pray for and participate in our upcoming election. I live in California and will be attending a small rally in support of Prop 8 - which is the restore marriage act. If you live outside of California - please keep our state (and a few others) in prayer as we go to the polls to finally put this to rest. We have voted numerous times and the judges keep overturning it. In the last days - God's people need to rise up and come together to support righteousness. Hope you all have a great weekend!!

Activia yogurt does a good job with the digestion and regularity and it tastes good too -

Staying on plan today because I know that even though the scale isn't moving (grrrrrrr) I know that unexpectedly.....it will!!

Cannot comfortably cross legs yet but looking forward to it - along with the Indian style sitting. For years I have stayed away from getting down on the ground simply because it is too difficult to get back up. But I do love that chairs are not feeling tight and uncomfortable as much anymore. It keeps me going!!

Have to smile at the "bone" comments ~ As I begin to trim down, I love when I start noticing and feeling that "long, lean" look - specifically in my arms - wrists and fingers look like a "normal" size person.

I'm all for the sliced cucumbers and sweet bell peppers!!!! 8-)

I feel so fortunate when I come across a thread that has some of my favorite lap-band role models involved in it!! The rants about having to really work at this whole endeavor (and that includes exercise) just serve to keep me motivated. I have to admit that sometimes I allow my days to get so full that I let exercise get pushed out of the whole equation but each time I walk by my treadmill or eliptical, I feel like I just want to abandon everything and jump on one of them......... I guess when your body starts to crave it, its a good thing. Whenever I go without exercise, my weight loss is so much slower. I wholeheartedly believe in "muscle memory" and find that my body responds so well to this exercise and reminds me of my younger days when I was much more fit and trim. I am working my way back there and hope that by the time my next b-day (2/22) rolls around, I will have given myself a 100+ pound loss as the ultimate gift. My doctor thinks if I keep going at the pace I am moving, it might before then!! I have no quarrel with that!! Thanks for all the encouragement, insight, and input!!

Goodies and sweets have been around offices since the beginning of time and everyone uses food as a comfort, entertainment, to socialize, etc. Just yesterday one of my sweet co-workers walked in and put a plate of cake and other assorted goodies on my desk because there was a birthday celebration going on somewhere and she didn't want me to miss out. I said "Thank You!" and then promptly went and left the plate in the production area where all the guys could lay claim to it. Only one gal in my office knows about my lap band and I have made it clear that it is only as restrictive as I want it to be and I don't want people treating me different or leaving me out - I want to make those decisions. She has held my confidence and know one else knows - but they have begun to notice that my weight is coming off. If it is sabotoge then I guess you have to deal with that in your own way.........I would just prefer to be included in the "daily party" and enjoy it with a regular cup of coffee or a yogurt in my hand. I also went to a pampered chef party last night where all the goodies were being passed around. I came in with my venti iced tea from Starbucks and sipped on that throughout the evening - politely turning down the treats. In the end I had a few cucumber slices and mini sweet pepper and nobody knew the difference.

I am staying on plan today because I am 4 lbs from the 50 lb mark and I am feeling lighter every day............yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think the whole "metabolism" things in completely UNFAIR!!! 8-)

You know when.....It takes you 30 mins to eat a 4oz cup of cottage cheese - while you husband has polished off 3 eggs, 4 bacon strips, 2 pcs of toast, orange juice and coffee!! Yeah....and he's the trim one.......How does that work exactly???!!!! 8-)

Thank You JoAnn - that was unexpected. You know these men (and women) just get up everyday and do what needs to be done - regardless of the appreciation or lack thereof......with this current political climate - the thing I find myself saying everyday is "God help us!" Such wickedness and deception but God is ALWAYS GOOD.

Tutor~ Thanks to you and your family for the many unseen and unknown sacrifices. Tell your husband I appreciate his service. These days it isn't given the honor that it is due. My husband is a SgtMajor in the Marine Corps and has been deployed 5 long periods and several short stints in our 20 year marriage. He still looks handsome in that uniform - just as he did when I was a young wife...... Trust in the Lord and He will bring you through. He doesn't give us more than we can handle. I speak from experience and a thankful heart. God Bless.

You know when........ You go out to eat with a friend who knows you have the lapband and she proceeds to ask you after every menu item "can you eat that?" while the waitress is looking at you with a puzzled look on her face.....

I think that it is hard to overcome our need for immediate gratification. Even though I have had wonderful success with the lapband sometimes I find myself thinking..."why is it soooooo slow?" But I know that slow and steady wins the race. Even when God works in my life - much like the potters wheel - God slowly works on me.....teaching me, encouraging me, disciplining me, until I get the point in that particular situation/circumstance where I can finally say "I get it now..." Our Women's Group will be having a retreat here in a few months and the theme for this year is "Traveling Lite". The main scripture I share with my ladies: Hebrews 12:1 - Let us throw off everything that so easily entangles us and run the race with perseverance that is set out before us. Such amazing words to live by both spiritually and physically. I am so tired and disappointed in not living up to my full potential that I am determined to use this tool (with God's help) to get me there!! Be encouraged Ladies!!

I am staying on plan today because I worked up to 60 mins on the treadmill yesterday and I don't want that to go to waste!!

Sunshine, My doctor cautioned me when I went for my 3rd fill on 8/5 - He said he didn't want to overfill me because to remedy it - it is almost like backing way off and starting over again. I fill just about right at this moment - I hope everything begins to go better for you!!

This board is so sweet and comforting. What a great group!!!

SanDiegoPhotog ~ I LOVE IT and ITS SO TRUE!!!!! 8-)

You know you're a bandster when.........you sit down to dinner your husband reminds you to chew, chew, chew.........

I can totally relate to this! I went on vacation to Hawaii for a 10 days and enjoyed every minute of our time there. I came back and was actually two pounds down! It was the first time I have ever gone on vacation and not gained weight. I kept telling my husband during our trip - "this is the last time I come to Hawaii fat..." We go every year and I am looking forward to next year already!!!