ValJean

Congratulations! You are an inspiration!!

Thanks everyone for your supportive comments--it's so great to have so many people cheering for you! In response to several questions: 1. Habits: For the first 6 months, I wrote down every single thing I ate, religiously. I also wore a GoWear Fit (like a body bugg) to track my caloric output. I will admit that I got a bit obsessive, and eventually decided that I wanted to take a break from that--so for the past couple months, I've stopped both, just to see if I had trained my brain to do these things on my own. And I have been staying on track--but if my weight stalls or starts to go up, you can bet I'll go right back to those tools, because I know they were integral in my success from the start. I still weigh in once a week--same day same time-- and my bf takes my pictures at that time as well (in underwear, front, back, and side). While the scale isn't the "end all, be all" in my mind, the pictures don't lie! On those "down days" when I am not feeling that great about myself (those days when I still feel like the "old" me, and I have those days, trust me), the best remedy is to pull up my very first picture and look at it next to my most recent picture. It reminds me how far I've come, where I am at, and what I am capable of. I HIGHLY recommend it! 2. Food: again, in the beginning I was VERY strict with myself, and followed my doctor's menu plan to a "t." I tracked all my food and had a set calorie restriction (800-1100 calories per day). This was so important both as I worked towards proper restriction with fills, and as I learned a new way to eat and relate to food. Once I had good restriction, and had found that my thinking toward food had begun to change, I started to open up to the idea of introducing "regular" foods back into my diet. I stopped drinking Protein shakes, too, and focused on getting my nutrition from "real" food. My bf and I got a farm share for the summer, which meant fresh veggies delivered every other week, so we cooked at home a lot and ate out rarely. But when we did eat out (or order in) we were sharing Entrees rather than ordering two full meals. He eats 2/3 and I eat 1/3--and am totally satisfied. I truly believe that w/o proper restriction, I would not be having the success I've found with the LAP-BAND®. Before LAP-BAND® I could eat and eat and eat...and then eat some more. It was as though I was never full, never satisfied--until I got to the point of completely overstuffed and in pain. Once I had good restriction, it was joyful to find satisfaction and fullness after eating only 1-2 cups of food. It was such a weird and happy sensation--I felt like celebrating every time I had food left on my plate! I guess it was just because I had never felt that before. Now, I don't feel like celebrating--it just feels normal. I eat when I'm hungry, and I'm no longer hungry all the time. For me, that means I eat the foods I want to eat, and am not afraid to enjoy them. My enjoyment no longer rests on being able to eat every last little crumb. I cannot stress enough--this is truly how the band has changed my life, in a way that no other diet/program/insane gimmick I've tried in the past has worked. 3. Exercise: I have to say, I really love working out. I always thought I hated it, but that was because, from a very young age, I was afraid to participate--because I was always heavy. In my adult years I've ebbed and flowed. I'd get on a workout/diet kick, then would crash out on the diet and the working out would follow. I can't really explain why, because when I was in a workout routine, I always felt so amazing, and vowed I'd always remember that feeling and stay with it. But I didn't. Crazy how the mind works, I guess. That's my best insight... This time around, for whatever reason, my mind is different. I truly think it's the change in my relationship with food--and the feeling that the change is REAL and here to stay--that has kept me motivated to exercise. That, and the fact that I have seen real results. I started out just riding my bike to work (8 miles one way), then joined a fitness group in the summer that did outdoor "bootcamp style" workouts--I'd do 1-2 a week. In the bootcamp, one thing I had to do was run a mile. I didn't think I'd be able to do it, but I did. Which made me want to run 2 miles, which made me want to try a 5k. After the first 5k, I decided to do more! And after four 5ks, I decided to try a 15k. And I was able to do it. Every small victory has spurred me on. Plus, I just FEEL so good. I've also taken up bikram (hot) yoga, which I practice a couple times a week. It is like a complete cleansing for my body and mind--not to mention a killer workout. I leave there feeling so amazing in my own skin. I don't need to look in a mirror to see that I'm thinner--I feel different inside and know that my body is healthier. That keeps me going. I also have to say--and I'm of course only speaking for myself here--but the most important thing to come of this journey, and the key to making it a true life change, has been learning to not obsess! I used to be a compulsive overeater and binge eater. That was my outlet for a lifelong obsession with hating and judging my body. Once I got the band, I still had that obsession--for the first couple months I became fixated on every calorie I put in my mouth and every calorie I sweated out. Maybe I needed to do that in order to change, but that's not where I want to be forever. So recently I've really been trying to understand moderation, in all its forms. Rest, relaxation, and fun are essential! I don't want to think of exercise as punishment, and I don't want to be afraid of food. These are adjustments that might take a lifetime to make, but I am really trying to work on them every day--and take each day as it comes. So funny, just last night I was watching the show "Intervention" and heard this little saying "Inch by inch, it's a cinch. Yard by yard, it's pretty hard." I am taking this inch by inch (literally and figuratively!), and enjoying each day and each small victory. However you measure your success: by pounds lost, by inches lost, by clothing size, by something that doesn't have a number attached to it at all--just by how you feel about yourself--I think it's so important to see each step on the journey as a goal, and each small goal as a triumph. The thought of losing 140 pounds was terrifying for me--it felt so far away. But losing 2-3 pounds...I thought, that's easy enough, right? And every 2 pound victory gave me confidence to lose the next 2. Now I'm 100 pounds down. And I'm so excited for the future--102 down, here I come! Val

Thanks so much for your post Jen, and congratulations on your wonderful success!

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations on your success! Happy Bandiversary! Val

Thanks--and good luck with your surgery!!

Hi Eileen--sorry for not replying sooner, I just now saw your post. Not sure how I missed it earlier. First off, congratulations on your success so far! You're doing great! I am definitely at my sweet spot. I had 4 fills, then was too tight, had to get completely unfilled, and have now built back up and am right where I need to be. Having proper restriction has really been the key. In regards to the binge eating--this is something I have struggled with all of my life. I know everyone is different, and what works for some might not work for others, but I found a lot of relief, support, and guidance by attending Overeaters Anonymous meetings. I started going before I was banded, and it helped me tremendously. Something to consider. Feel free to send me a private message anytime if you want to chat. And keep up the great work!! Val

Congratulations!!

To chime in on bacon...there are some really excellent choices for turkey bacon available. Way less fat, low in calories, good protein--and while the texture is a bit different than regular bacon, it is still very good and I have an easier time eating/digesting it.

YES! I'll yawn, and sometimes get a runny nose or hiccups. But the yawning happens pretty much every time I eat. Guess it's good to have a clear signal that I'm full...but kind of embarrassing to break out into yawning when I'm eating with someone. I have to assure them I'm not bored with what they're saying!

Hi sfchick, Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone--I went through a period of depression, almost exactly like this, a month out of surgery. Not everyone experiences it of course, but I think it is pretty natural. There could be lots of reasons--for me, I think it was almost like a "hangover" period. There was so much excitement and build up and anticipation leading up to the surgery, then right after I felt so motivated and wanted to do it all, right out of the gate. But once the newness of the band started to wear off, I went into a sort of mourning for my "old self" and my "old life." It was weird and unsettling. BUT--it didn't last, thankfully. I think the main thing I had to do for myself was take things one day at a time. I decided that I needed to start every day fresh, and wake up with the attitude that I was going to do the best things for my body TODAY. Not worry about tomorrow or next week or next year--or yesterday! Just today. That was all that mattered. I have to say too that I relied heavily on the support of my amazing boyfriend, who has been right there with me every step of the way, encouraging and believing in me when I maybe didn't believe in myself as much as I should have. Do you have a support system at home? Someone to talk to about how you're feeling? I think just being able to say it out loud helps so much! Also, is there someone you can walk with, workout with? Please feel free to send me a private message anytime if you need someone to talk to. You can get through this--we are all here to help! Best, Val

I'm almost 9 months out, down 93 lbs (about 50 more to go), and I definitely have struggled with feeling "bigger" than I am--or rather, not fully accepting or believing how much "smaller" I've become! My ultra-supportive, wonderful boyfriend has nicknamed me "Tinier Val" which helps to remind me I finally managed to gain the courage to throw out all my size 20+ clothes, but when I go shopping I still grab XL-XXL or 18/20s and am amazed when they are hanging (or falling) off. Again, I have a ways to go to goal...I'm interested to see how/when/if my perceptions change once I'm there! Val

Congrats on your success, and THANK YOU for all your posts and pictures along the way--your journey has been such an inspiration and motivation to my own journey and I am grateful to you for sharing your experiences and insights with us all! Val

You're going to do great Tina! Just making a donation now. It's such an amazing organization--I just did the Chicago Komen 5k last weekend and it was so inspiring! I'll be walking with you in spirit! Val

I flew two weeks ago, ate about an hour before my flight, and felt fine until we started our initial descent. From then until we landed, I had terrible pain/pressure all around my midsection, like I was stuck, but it also felt like someone was squeezing my ribcage in a vice! I was panting and squirming because the pain was so intense, and my boyfriend was freaking out a bit! I was afraid I would have to crawl off the plane and lay down in the airport once we landed, but as soon as we touched down--poof!--it stopped and I felt fine. It was so weird. Not sure if it was the change in barometric pressure due to altitude or what, but when we came home a week later I made sure not to eat any Breakfast before the return flight which was early morning. I had no problems on that flight. Haven't had a chance to discuss it with my doctor but just wanted to share my experience. Val

That's so awesome Tina! I will definitely visit your page and make a donation on Thurs (pay day). Will you send me a note to remind me? Hope all else is well with you! Val

So glad I saw this thread! I've been hovering at 205-210 for 2 months and it has been driving me crazy! A month ago I had to have a complete unfill (was too tight and my doc's policy is to unfill all the way and build back up to the sweet spot), then a small fill two weeks ago--heading in today for another fill. Glad I haven't gained but geez, I've been exercising like crazy and really digging deep into my willpower with eating since I have little restriction, and still that scale won't budge. This may not be the reason, of course, but it definitely gives me some peace of mind. Thanks ladies! Val

After trying countless sports bras I've learned that, as someone with a lot to handle up top, the best work out bra for me is one that has separate cups, rather than the "uni-boob" style sports bra. I bought a Freya Active Underwire about three months ago and I LOVE IT. Honestly, it is amazing--I am actually able to go running now and not even worry about bounce at all. Now, I got mine during a bra sale at Nordstrom, so I got a good deal--otherwise I think it's kind of pricey ($60-$80 range, I think). But it WORKS. Worth the investment in the long run for sure! Freya Active Underwired Sports Bra from FreyaActive Val

I love it! It can be dry because it's so lean, as Cathy said, so keep that in mind. It's a great alternative to beef in chili.

I totally love the biking--it's a great combination of working out and transportation, since I travel back and forth to work (luckily my building has a fitness center with showers so I can get ready there!). Plus I find that it just clears my head in the morning and is a great start to my day, and a great stress reliever at the end of the day. I sometimes forget to think of it as a workout actually. And I absolutely love yoga--recently I've joined a bikram yoga studio; that is the 90 minute yoga class in a very hot room (100+ degrees). It is crazy but AMAZING! The first couple of classes I thought I'd die, but now I am completely addicted. I sweat like a maniac. And I did some research online and every site I looked at estimated that, for someone at my weight (210), I am burning near 1200 calories in a class! I'm still hesitant to count that number against my daily calorie balance, for fear that the estimate is way too high--but I will say reading that motivated me to go back after those first couple classes when I thought there was no way I'd survive it!

I ride on city streets, so with traffic lights it takes me about 40 minutes.

I ride my bike back and forth to work at least 3 days a week (8 miles each way), do bikram (hot!) yoga 3 days a week, and take a boot camp class or run 2-3 days a week. I'm one of those all or nothing people--glad to be on the "all" setting these days!

Just ran my first 5k and didn't come in last place! The race organizers posted pictures and it's amazing--I actually look like a "real" runner :w00t: It even took me a second to pick myself out in the crowd, and that has never been the case with a photo before!