MSnika3

Mama- thanks for the info on the caramel nut chews. The name alone sounds scrumptious! I am on my way to the store now. I think I'm going to try an Atkins shake also. I just ran out of slim fast.

Oh how I envy those of you with good restriction. :smile2: Just kidding! Mine is coming! Congrats on the two pounds. I need to stay away from the scale. I swear I weight about 5 times a day, just to see how weight fluctuates. It's a sick habit. :redface:

Thanks Renewed! And you are so right! I've always hated the feeling of looking back weeks or months after quitting a diet, thinking...I was doing so well, if only I had stuck it out. I know that some good restriction would be helpful, but in the meantime... It's just going to take pure willpower and prayer! I have to keep in mind how good it feels to stay on plan and reap the benefits. Thanks everyone for the encouragement and advice! You all are the greatest!!! :redface:

Oh, and I gained two pounds. But I ain't claiming it!

Renewed and Bonnie -- thanks for the advice. I will be heading to the store today to buy some Atkins bars. What flavors do you prefer?

Also, tomorrow when we head back to the park (and in the future), I will put a cooler in my car with deviled eggs, cream cheese rollups, etc. and sneak them back into the park in my bag. I am also going to by a can of almonds and keep a few handy in a snack bag.

I know that with this way of eating, lots of planning is required. I blame only myself for not planning better. The day before, we went to the Water park also. That day, I didn't cheat. I bought a cheeseburger and took off the bun. I didn't do that yesterday. Because I had a couple extra mouths to feed I had planned to leave the park and make a McDonald's run. But I gave in to the whines and fed the kids there and didn't want to spend $5.00 on a hamburger patty or $10.00 on a salad. I should have. But, lesson learned. Today is a new day. Lesson learned.

I almost gave up even after posting yesterday, but I refuse to fall back into my old habits of using a cheat as an excuse to say...screw it! I know that I'm going to have to work at this with or without restriction. Today will be a good day!:redface:

Razor-- unfortunately, I don't have any restriction, so my cheat was really limited by my guilt. Which I guess is still good. Wish the guilt had kicked in after the first fry.

Lynlyn -- thanks! The support here is the main reason I posted after my cheat. I knew that if I wallowed around in my guilt for too long, I would have just thrown my hands up and had a carbfest for the next few weeks. Thanks so much for the encouragement!

Not a good day! I just spent the last 8 hrs at the Water park with my kids and company. I stayed on plan until about to hours ago. I had about 10 chili cheese fries, a corn dog nugget, and some of my son's lemonade and half of his brownie. I hadn't planned on being at the park that long and thought I'd be okay. But as my kids were eating and of course letting their food go to waste, I started snacking. I wish now that I'd forked out the 10 bucks for one of their sorry salads. At least I would have had my own food in front of me. I'm afraid to look at the carb count of what I ate.

I feel like such a loser! And I had been so proud of myself, lately.:smile:

My vote is for "the same difficulty as other weight loss attempts". I say that because I currently have no restriction, so I'm dealing with the same issues I did when I had no band. Willpower, hunger, overeating, etc. I'm currently eating a low carb diet to help with the hunger and overeating. I've been able to sustain willpower thus far...Thank God for my husband whose also Low carbing, my BFF who had WLS with me, and this site for everyone's support and encouragement.

When I have some restriction, then I'm sure I will change my mind. I won't feel so much like I'm "dieting". I know that low carb works for weight loss, but it is definitely not the way of eating that I want for the long run. It's not even the fatty foods that I miss (even though it would be nice to have a bite if I wanted to without gaining 2 lbs.) What I really miss is my yogurt, sugar-free pudding, raisin bran crunch, apples, bananas, grapes....the healthier things that I would eat if I had restriction. I will get there, hopefully on August 4 (2nd fill)!

Couck to 5K: Week 2 Day 1!

Annika---

Are the slimfast shakes a regular part of your diet? I have been drinking EAS or Atkins, but the store was out of both so I picked up some slimfast shakes. I noticed that I drink them a lot faster (they arent as thick as the others) and they tasted sweeter (which I wasn't crazy about after getting all the sugar out of my system) and it seemed that I was hungry quicker after drinking them. How do you feel after drinking them? Have you tried other brands?

Anyone else drinking low carb shakes?

Bonnie, I do drink Slim Fast low carb shakes regularly. The first time I tried them, I found them much sweeter than I expected. Now, I have them just about every morning for breakfast on the go. I bought EAS (I think that was the brand, silver drink box?). I tried one and didn't care for it at all. It tasted like chocolate Water. It was definitely quitethin compared to the Slim Fast. Maybe I didn't shake it or something. If we are talking about the same shakes, are they supposed to be thicker?

If so, I'll try EAS, again or maybe Atkins. I'm down to my last Slim Fast, anyway. I guess I'll go for a taste test.

Bonnie and Renewed --- I thought I was the only one. My ticker is also one directional! :biggrin2:

Monday:

B: Slimfast Low Carb

S: String cheese and 2 deviled eggs

L: 1 cup of 7 layer salad (lettuce, Tomato, broccoli, onion, bacon, cheese, mayo/splenda dressing) and chicken breast.

S: SF Jello

D: Cheeseburger Patty, Broccoli

I haven't gotten on the scale in two days. I'm too scared...I'm feeling a little bloated (maybe from Constipation? ). I need to get things moving.

Congratulations, everyone, on your progress! This week I planned to repeat week 1, but I looked at the times and said, "What the hell, what's another 30 seconds of jogging!" I would just like to echo renewed hope and say....

Ok. I just finished day 1 of week 2. At first I didn't think it was any harder than week 1, but by the end those 90 sec running intervals were burning more.

I agree with lynlyn, also. It feels like such an accomplishment to complete one of these workouts without dying or passing out. When I heard the final chimes, I felt like Rocky. (I tried to run up those art museum steps once...)

Anyway, I think I'll definitely be repeating this week. I looked ahead and at this point I can't even fathom jogging for 3 minutes straight. But we'll see. Last week I didn't even think I'd be able to jog for 90 seconds. But I did..SIX times!

Keep up the good work everyone!

Thanks, and good luck with your approval, april.

Down 3 more pounds this morning! Yay!

NAME ____________weight now____ goal___ lbs lost

*************** ****************:tt2:*****

aJoneen............230.........220.......3.......

Babs0101...........185.........170.......0.......

blesdbyonmzur......159.........148.......4.......

BTTRFLI1432........221.........210.......0.......

Bunkey1965.........210.........205.......2.......

Chocolate_Snaps....260.........240.......0.......

Darr5380...........170.........150.......0.......

erikadawn.................199..............175............0..........

FloridaGirl........235.........215.......0.......

HeatherO...........169.........155.......3.......

JennyPoo...........169.........159.......0.......

KarenG.............166.........158.......0.......

KathyStrick........305.........290.......0.......

Leslie2Lose........224.........209.......0.......

Lunabeane..........221.........200.......0.......

Luu2008............219.........189.......7.......

Luv2Laugh..........232.........212.......0.......

luvinke............206.........190.......0.......

mamato3............199.........184.......0.......

mcgreen............189.........175.......0.......

mdgarcia31665......225.........220.......0.......

mominlv13..........317.........300.......0.......

MSnika3............228.........204.......4.......

NANAbanded.........225.........199.......0.......

Ollie..............242.........210.......0.......

Redtulips..........194.........180.......0.......

Renewedhope........176.........155.......3.......

ronni_NC...........243.........220.......0.......

slgandera..........185.........173.......0.......

StartingOver.......220.........205.......5.......

want_so_bad........170.........155.......0.......

Sadie..............220.........199.......0.......

I feel you on the Southern food eating. Luckily, I'm the cook of the family. My mom is the baker. Since I don't have any fill restriction yet, I've started following a low carb plan to control my hunger. So...we had grilled meat (bbq sauce on the side), my family's favorite seven layer salad (with sugar substitute), baked Beans, corn on the cob, deviled eggs. I nixed the mac and cheese, potato salad, and yeast rolls (I couldn't cook those for others and not shove them down my throat!) We never really have Desserts unless it's thanksgiving or Christmas, so my mom didn't do any baking.

I only ate the meat, salad, and deviled eggs. Very satisfying. I will admit that in the store I walked past the fresh strawberry shortcakes in the bakery several times. Actually, at one point I think I may have circled the table. :-) I didn't buy one, though! Damn I wish I had good restriction. I could have had a little bit of cake!

I'm definitely in Bandster's Hell!

Hi everyone! I'm also from the South...the MS Gulf Coast. I've realized that many people are not informed about banding. They don't view it any differently than gastric bypass. When telling people that may not be educated on the subject...you definitely have to be ready to explain every little detail, with supporting evidence, etc.

I've only told certain people. Of those, my family and close friends were and are very supportive. As far as outside people... I told the five teachers on my team, and three fellow dance moms that are nurses.

Three of the five teachers were very excited and encouraging, one was kind of leary about it (older, horse riding, ranch owning, white man...he just didn't get it, but never really said anything, just always had that concerned look), the other one was totally against it (she's the hater...fat and wants everyone else to stay fat with her..I could go on and on about that one...she actually tried to talk me out of it several times..boy do I have some stories about that.)

Of the three nurses that I mentioned it two...one was very excited and I could tell she was also very informed, and knew her facts (she wants to have it, also.) The other two weren't very informed, as I could tell by the "bypass equivalent" comments. Luckily, I only told the last two months ago that I was thinking about it. They don't know that I've had the surgery.

So, I guess for me, it all boils down to the different attitudes and views people have about weight loss surgery. You may find a lot of encouragement from people you would originally have never thought to tell. You just have to kind of feel people out. Use the whole, beat around the bush tactic to strike up a conversation in a non-obvious way, before you lay it all out there!

When I had already starting scheduling my consultations, etc. I pretended to just be researching one day at school during our daily team meeting. I started with..."Hey, has anyone heard of this Lap Band stuff?" while staring at the computer screen curiously. As I pretended to be learning more about it, I was educating them and feeling them out for opinions. This went on a few times a week for a couple weeks. Then low and behold..."Y'all I think I may go to a seminar for more information", when i actually had already had my lab work done. I pretty much brought it up the same way with the 3 dance moms... "What have you heard about Lap Band Surgery?" The one that was informed became my confidant. The other two were left out after that first conversation. The initial probing conversation usually lets you know who you should tell, and how you should tell them. I know that I've gone on and on...but I hope I answered your question.

Wow, Rugman, thanks again for the ideas and suggestions. Printing once again!

Holly -- I believe the 4lbs overnight is just Water weight, or rather glycogen (I think). The first few days of cutting carbs, that's what you lose. First day or so adding them, that's what you gain. I hope my memory served me correctly. If not, well, I tried! :thumbup: Anyone?

Thanks, Rae, I will!

Triser - test runs during july sound like a great idea! Thanks!

I am happy to say that I stayed on plan yesterday! Actually I wasn't tempted one single time! I'll let you in on a little secret....I am the cook of the family. The queen of mac and cheese, potato salad, and all the other holiday faves. So, if i don't cook it, no one eats it! Thank God we didn't have a big family reunion type of thing. I would have eaten like a pot bellied pig!

Come to think of it, though...when I made a run to the grocery store, I saw a table full of layered strawberry short cakes in front of the bakery. I ate an entire cake a few months ago and it was divine. I did circle the table a few times, talking to myself or maybe I was talking to the cake. It was a pretty sad sight! Thank God there were no free samples, because it would have be ON!!

So, I can only pat myself on the back for not cooking or buying the things we didn't need to eat, because I know that if they had been prepared by someone else, I would not have stayed on plan!:tt2:

Yippee!! Got through week 1. Oh how I dreaded going out for day 3 this morning!! I just didn't think I had it in me. Made myself go, and glad about it! :tt2:

Next week I will be repeating week 1. I don't think I'm ready to advance! But that's okay, I'd rather take it slow than burnout and quit!

Walked yesterday for 45minutes. I'm actually starting to look forward it.

Today...on my way out to do day 3 of couch to 5k...not looking forward to this, AT ALL!

On my way!!! One pound down! :tt2:

NAME ____________weight now____ goal___ lbs lost

*****:cool2:********** **********:thumbup:******:tt2:*****

aJoneen............230.........220.......3.......

Babs0101...........185.........170.......0.......

blesdbyonmzur......159.........148.......4.......

BTTRFLI1432........221.........210.......0.......

Bunkey1965.........210.........205.......2.......

Chocolate_Snaps....260.........240.......0.......

Darr5380...........170.........150.......0.......

erikadawn.................199..............175............0..........

FloridaGirl........235.........215.......0.......

HeatherO...........169.........155.......3.......

KarenG.............166.........158.......0.......

KathyStrick........305.........290.......0.......

Leslie2Lose........224.........209.......0.......

Lunabeane..........221.........200.......0.......

Luu2008............219.........189.......7.......

Luv2Laugh..........232.........212.......0.......

luvinke............206.........190.......0.......

mamato3............199.........184.......0.......

mcgreen............189.........175.......0.......

mdgarcia31665......225.........220.......0.......

mominlv13..........317.........300.......0.......

MSnika3............228.........204.......1.......

NANAbanded.........225.........199.......0.......

Ollie..............242.........210.......0.......

Redtulips..........194.........180.......0.......

Renewedhope........176.........155.......3.......

ronni_NC...........243.........220.......0.......

slgandera..........185.........173.......0.......

StartingOver.......220.........205.......5.......

want_so_bad........170.........155.......0.......

Sadie..............220.........199.......0.......

__________________

MSnika3--welcome! Yep! Low carb is the way. Remember that it will be easier when you get restriction but it can take many MONTHS before you have sufficent restriction. I'm not there yet and I was banded in mid March. We can gain a LOT of weight before we get good enough restrctions so if we want to lose weight we need to diet the old fashion way. Low carb will also help us lose faster even once we do get restriction. Good luck.

Thanks so much, Rugman. With low carb and exercise, I know that the weight will come off. Restriction will be icing on the cake!!! I can't wait til I get some!

By the way, you gave Felicia some awesome food tips. I'm printing them out! Thanks! :thumbup:

I downloaded the coach to 5k and had no problems.

I wonder what the heck is going on with my downloads. Week 1 and the Graduation week were the only ones that downloaded full length. Actually, the download dialogue box indicates a full download, but the playback is only a few minutes in length for all other weeks? Very strange.

Well, I don't know what is wrong with my computer, but I downloaded them fine on my parents'. Go figure!

OK Fox FireCracker 5k report:

This is near Appleton WI:

First Annual. SUPER EVENT

Beautiful 67F to stat and about 73F by finish line.

They had pizza, Apple Pie for free afterwards. They even had a Donut stop at the halfway point lol!

Sky Divers came in for the start. Good turnout. Plenty of Patriotic Music.

My time was 29:10

I ACTUALLY overtook people on this one!

This is all possible due to the Couch to 5k program for me.

That is awesome! I'm getting my husband on board with this starting tomorrow!

Go for a walk on you free period or you lunch break. See if that will work.

Unfortunately, I'm held captive all day, at least I feel like it sometimes. I have no lunch break (yes, we still eat with our kids at my school)! And our planning period is not for personal business. Now that I think about it...that kinda sucks, doesn't it? Maybe I should contact OSHA or something...they will probably remind me of my summers and holidays off, though. :biggrin2: I could sneak and do a workout tape in the privacy of my room every now and then, though, couldn't I? Thanks!

Maybe do something that involves the whole family...just a thought, but probably not a reality:)

Ooo, the whole family, I don't know about that one! Trying to do a walk/jog (couch to 5K) with my 10, 5, and 2 year old tagging along while my husband is at work may be a little difficult. The thought makes me shiver with fear. :eek: I guess I could invest in one of those double jogging strollers. My 5 year old should still be able to fit in that. My 10 year old could definitely keep up with me on foot or bike. You may be on to something...Thanks!

gosh that is hard- one suggestion is to join a gym with extended hours (if you can) and get up before the family does. I get up at 415 so I can exercise before work- it isn't ideal but it might help.

4:15? Oh my! You are a good one! I have considered a gym membership...but that is really not in our budget right now. If I gotta get up, then I'll just have to make that sacrifice and exercise in the house. No more 10:00 news for me, though! :thumbup:

also when your daughter is in dance class- maybe you could wear your jogging shoes and go for a walk/run nearby while class is ongoing?

Hey, now that's a thought. Their studio is right by the beach....the perfect place for exercise. Why didn't I think of that! The humidity/heat is not so bad on the beach in the evenings. The wind blows, the waves crash. That's definitely do-able! You are so wise!!

I think most of us think our exercise has to be done at one time but any extra activity you do during the day adds up- (thank you bodybugg! for teaching me that)

That is very true. But, until I get to the point that exercise is not a chore for me, I won't complete the task if it's broken into chunks. I'll convince myself that I'll walk for 10 minutes later...later becomes much later, then I'll find some excuse, blah, blah, blah! Sad, I know! But it is my reality! For now, I have to make things as simple and consistent as possible.

(I live in houston and am very sympathetic to the heat/humidity- august and september are MISERABLE! even my dogs don't want long walks those months! :tt2: )

I know what you mean! We had to put my poor Shih-Tzu in the basket at the bottom of my son's stroller the other day while we were out walking! I thought he was going to have a heart attack! Poor thing! I guess his little legs were working to hard to keep up with mine. Guess I'd better leave him in the house and get me a big dawg! I don't think my little one could make it in the winter! How sad! :cool2:

Thanks you guys for your quick replies and awesome suggestions. I think that I will be able to incorporate all of them in one way or another in order to get all my exercise in. Bottom line is that I'm going to have to plan well, be consistent and dedicated. If not, I know that I will end up missing a workout here, a workout there, which will lead to the demise of my exercise altogether.