sunshinelady

Hi gone 4 evr, Thanks for welcoming me back to the site. Your name says it all for me. Saying goodbye to an old friend at the same time learning your new best friend. There is definitely some conflict with that relationship. I've adopted the AAA/NA motto, "change people, places, and things". My old behavior/thoughts are very difficult to get away from but little by little it's happening - self acceptance. I used to think being skinny was the ugliest look in the world. Now people call me skinny minnie - I don't think I liked that very much in the beginning. I thougt, due to my culture, that big was beatiful; I still do but big unfortunately "big" would have eventually killed me. So I'd rather redefine beauty as healthy as opposed to being "big" and unhealthy. I think that working on your image is just as important as working on your eating habits or exercise regiment. The purpose of wls is to become healthy - you must work on ALL components that make you - mind, body and soul. Good Luck and thanks again.

Hi Everyone, I haven't posted since December 2008 but I'm back. I have been the same weight since June of last year -205 lbs. I am going to the gym 3-5 days a week and hopefully the weight will come off. I am very happy where I am right now. Although the scale says the same number, the measuring tape is going decreasing. My doctor says that's what matters; I am inclined to believe that as well. I've decided a long time ago that I have done all this work to get my body right, I need to start working on my mind. I found that after working on my mental I could let go of the negative self image that I had of me. I thought I was always so self assured and confident but when losing weight and having people to comment on it and looking at myself in the mirror, I wasn't so confident - I couldn't see me as the person I was becoming. That blew me away because for the first time in my life it became apparent that I may have had some self image problems. But, I am doing well and feel well and will continue to do the work - mind, body and soul. I am still work in progress. I have had happy times in my life but this is truly an honest and genuine happy time for me. So, I wish and pray that everyone will continue their weight loss journeys in a way that the outcome is that of peace and acceptance of oneself in spite of. Thanks for letting me come on here after abandoning this site for a while and do my soap box message. Happy weight loss!!!

HI Everyone! I haven't been posting lately because I was becoming too addicted to this site so I forced myself to stop and get out and enjoy life. I have lost a total of 48 lbs and still going. I think that I have found my sweet spot because I was filled 2 weeks ago to this day and I was at 212 lbs and am now down to 205!!!!!! OMG!!!! Anyhow, I am enjoying the band life and still sticking to the rules. Hope everyone is enjoying their loss as I am.

DesertRose, You are not alone. I have had 2 fills and with the first one I was hungry all the time but I had to go back to basics; measuring my food, making good food choices and front/backing loading with Water. It does work, you just have to work it. I know that old habits die hard but the only way to get out of this rut is to take some ownership of your eating habits. I completely understand about the asthma but asthma doesn't prevent you from making good food choices and following the bandster fundamentals(excluding the exercise). It truly is mind over matter. Please rely on your support system and if you don't have a sound one then please stay in touch with experienced bandsters on this site, I always pull my strength from them. Please stay encouraged and Good Luck.

Firedust, Have you weighed in yet? If not, try not to lose weight because you will need to start your 20 lbs weight loss after the initial weigh in.

Firedust, I had my surgery with Dr. Dibenedetto. They will take care of you!!!! The office is wonderful and they will walk you through the necessary steps for surgery. The psych team is awesome. If you are having any emotions about dealing with this life altering change, they will also assist you with that. I 2nd the above comment about this being the best thing that I've done for myself. I was hesitant and a bit scared about taking this giant step but was reassured by gathering information and testimonies of other individuals that had done this before me. It is quite natural to be fearful of the "unknown" but it feels sooooo good (all praise to God)to be on the other side of this.

Mzreeda, Let me know how you are doing from time to time? you can always pm if need be.

Mzreeda, My meals are always small. I of course take into account how much protein/calories I take into at the end of the day. I found that if I plan my meals/calories and split up my meals throughout the day, I have a better handle of my calorie/protein intake. For example, My breakfast maybe eaten into 2 meals, my lunch into 2 meals and and my dinner into 2 meals(rarely though) -if I eat these small meals throughout the day it's very rare that I need to eat a 6th meal. Sometimes I will eat a sf or ff/low carb/no calorie dessert. My breakfast is usually between 250-300 calories/5-7grams of carb/12-20grams of protein/I eat at 7a and then take the rest to work and eat at 9/10a. Same thing for lunch. So even though i am eating more frequently, I am breaking up the same 250-300 calorie meal into two, I am not adding anymore calories/carbs on the second meal-it's still just 250-300. The trick is for me is water/crystal light just before meals and in between meals and o calorie/low calorie foods in the evening, IF i need them, which I usually don't. My calorie intake throughout the day is 800-1000. I hope this helps you even more. Again, please stay encouraged.

Mzreeda, Don't be discouraged. Not that I am the one to talk but my nutritionist gave me the advice that I need to kick start my metabolism in the morning with something. I used to be a late day eater just like yourself; this was a contributing factor as to why I am overweight. I hated breakfast and was never hungry in the morning. I basically had to force myself to eat in the morning to kick start my system. As I started to do that, i was able to control my hunger throughout the day. When I skip breakfast I seem to overeat in the evening for dinner and later on into the night. Also, I was told that every 3-4 hours I should be eating something to keep my metabolism going/"feed the furnace". I do not eat after 7pm, except for o calorie items because your metabolism slows down then. I'm not an expert or anything, I'm just talking from self experience. I hope this helps you some. Please stay encouraged.

globally yours, I am jaw dropping amazed at how much success you've had with your weight loss. Keep it up!!!! Although, my expections were different with what I wanted to have lost by now, I am still very happy at the loss that I've had this year as a whole. I am just going to keep praying for some patience and understanding with how to utilize this tool in me. I'll get the hang of it. As long as I am not gaining, i will be thankful and grateful.....so you won't hear anymore griping(well, not alot) from me. Oh, i forgot to mention the reason behind the weight gain.... I have edema and have been instructed to stop taking my water pill for 4 weeks now. I started taking them again on my own and within 4 days dropped 7 lbs.....it was all fluid stored in my limbs(fingers, legs, ankle, feet). I've never used the bathroom so much in the last 3 days. I'll let the doctor know at some point that I've made the decision to start back taking the pill and why.