MONEL

I missed it tonight who was voted off?

I live about 45 minutes from my Dr. so sometimes it was hard to get to support. You will find more and more people in your area that has had the surgery maybe y'all could car pool. There were enough of us that have had the surgery in my area that our Dr. helped us get a support group started in our town. It has been great! We meet once a month at the local gym. We let anyone come that wants to lose weight or live healthier. We have about 15 - 20 show up every month. I facilitate the meetings and we have a lot of fun.

HOORAY for you!!!! I am so ready to hit onederland. I have not been there since my oldest son was 2, he is now 18. You do the math. Less than 10 pounds to go and I will join you. Keep up the good work. SEE YOU IN ONEDERLAND!

My workouts started very slowly. Thankfully, our gym is open 24 hours. My 18 year old son and I would go at 10, 11, 12 o'clock at night when no one is there. My son has been so great. After I had lost the first 80 pounds I started personal training every day on my lunch hour. Now I am down 164 pounds and I still go every day at lunch but I am also not ashamed to go back to the gym at 5 pm to workout for a second time with my husband. There are a lot of those 24 hour gyms popping up everywhere.

I have kept one set of original clothes. A pair of size 32w jeans and a oversize 28w sweater. Everything else has been given away. Every other month I take a picture in the original clothes. I can now put both legs in 1 leg of those jeans. I now wear size 16 jeans and 14-16 shirts. I love not shopping for clothes that don't have a "w" in the size.

I work out on my lunch hour. Thankfully the gym is only 3 blocks from my office. I go back sometimes after work for a little cardio. I also hike with the family some on weekends. Try to incorporate family with exercise. Play wii or other games that the family can enjoy together. Whatever you have to do just move your butt everyday. Exercise makes all the difference in the world.

I know there is no lap-band ferry BUT in a small town not far from where I live there is a place where lap-band angels live. In a little town is Arkansas (less than 1000 people) a community gathered around one of its largest residents and raised enough money for him to have WLS. He had the surgery in May and has lost over 150 pounds. What a success for the town as well as the man.

I do not have a blog but I have one heck of a scrapbook. I have monthly pictures, lots of journaling and lap-band information. Everyone loves reading my book.

My bandiversary was yesterday. Me and 10 of my girlfriends went to Hot Springs to celebrate. We had a blast! We went to the horse races, hiked, had a massage, ate at a great restaurant, went back to the beautiful Arlington Hotel and watched people dancing, went to bed about 2:30 this morning, had church in my suite (very cathartic), and shopped. It was an amazing way to celebrate losing 163 lbs in one year! I love my ya-ya sisterhood. I would not have wanted to spend the day any other way. We have decided to make it an annual event, not so much to celebrate my lap BAND but our banding together. Thank you to this forum for the strength and for making me realize how lucky I am to have the support systems I have. Year 2 goals are to lose the other 37 pounds, organize a 5k for the local free christian health clinic, to inspire others to live healthier, and just become stronger and healthier every day. GOOD LUCK to everyone and Congratulations to all the successful banders out there.

I know it may sound crazy but take a few days off from exercise and then start back with something completely different. Change your routine often. I rarely do the same exercise 2 weeks in a row. That is what has worked for me and I have been very successful.

I had my hysterectomy Feb 2004 and my band Feb 2008. I have lost 160 lbs with the band. I had a total hysterectomy and have not taken any hormones. I am 39 years old and I have had great success. Good luck. Exercise, exercise, exercise!

You are in my prayers. I can not imagine the pain you must be in. I am so sorry. I pray that you have a fantastic church family and that you will allow them to get you through this difficult time. I hope this will remind the rest of us to count our blessings one by one. Big Hug.

Hal GOOD LUCK! It is a major decision but for me it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. If it makes you pre-banders feel better I have really not missed anything! I just don't have the cravings at all. Again good luck. You will do GREAT.

I started my journey at 375 on Feb. 9th, 2008 (date I started liquid diet). On Feb. 7th, 2009 I was down to 215. It has been incredible.

I had surgery on 2/21/08 and on 07/31/08 hit the 100 pound milestone. I have lost 160 pounds as of this morning. I weigh everyday. I know that weighing that often is not recommended but that is what I do.