GaryB

Welcome back. The Holidays were tough for me too. I decided to postpone my 3rd fill in December so I could enjoy. I now got my fill and am at 3cc's. I also PB more frequently. I need to adjust my intake and re-learn how to eat some foods. I think I'm getting closer to my sweet spot too. Good luck and keep exercising....

Hi, Just got back from Disney World. I gained 2 lbs... over the Holidays.... Put me in for 10lbs....

New Years Challenge Results - HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL !!!!!! I am checking in two days early because I am going to Disney World with the family to Celebrate the holiday. I am 2 lbs short of my goal but I lost 8 lbs since the challenge started Nov. 15. I am very happy with my results. I did splurge over the past few weeks. I postponed my December fill until Jan 6th so I could enjoy the holiday. Next Goals are very important. I plan on losing 20 more lbs by May 1st.... Good Luck to all.... Aug. 15 Band Day 316 Nov. 15 - 276 Dec. 30 - 268 Total lost in 4.5 months 48 lbs....

Merry Christmas August All Stars. Six days until Christmas. Since we are an international group and also spread across the USA, I thought it would be fun to share some of our Holiday traditions and cultures. One suggestion is to not focus entirely on food. My traditions: I am of Italian Heritage. Born and raised 20 miles north of New York City and now live in New Jersey. For my family, we start Christmas eve very early at 10am. This is to the dismay of my lovely Irish wife of 24 years. We star early and cook many Italian traditional dishes together as a family including many fish recipes. The kitchen is always the gathering place. We have a full house at my brothers, with kids, cousins, aunts and uncles and friends all coming in at different times. It is hectic, busy and loud but full of love and laughter. I would love to hear your holiday traditions. Peace and love to you and your families. Gary B

Nov 14 - 276 Dec 1 - 272 Dec 15 - 270 total lost 6 lbs 4 to go......

Gilta, First, step back and realize your accomplishments in 4 months. You have lost 59 lbs. That is great. You should be very proud of your success. You are more than half way to reach your goals.... Remember what good habits got your here. Re-dedicate yourself. Maybe it is time to get another fill. Keep exercising. We will all go what you are experiencing.... I think your success is much faster than most of us, so reaching a plateau is probably common. Fighting to continue is the challenge. You will succeed. Gary

Lellow - Great Job. Keep it going. It is wonderful to reach new milestones.

December 1st - I am down 4lbs. 6 to go by 1/1/09. lots of holiday parties coming up too. ugh.... keep exercising !!!!!

Greg - No Plax no Jacobs, No problem !!! Go Giants.....

Dear August All Stars, Happy Thanksgiving. I am truly thankful for all of you and your support during our unique jorney together. I am sipping my morning coffee, getting ready to jump on the treadmill . I will visit my family early then the in-laws later, with some football in between. Son #1 is home from college. My focus will be on family and friends, not food.... My encouragement to you is to get out and do some exercise today ... take a walk with someone special. Do this for you.... Peace and Love to you and your families. Gary B. :grouphug:

Don't lose faith... The positive is you did lose 27.5lbs.. In agree with Brad that the band isn't a cure, it is a tool. We all need to have will power and if we eat more, eat the right things... eat more protein, count calories when you eat more . Stay away from sugar and carbs as much as possible. We all binge at times, but it is the food choices me make that can make a big difference. Exercise helps soooo much. Walking is great... Stay positive and make the band work for you.

I had my second fill last Thursday. I am now 2.5cc's in a 10 cc band. I got real stuck for dinner Friday night, I rushed it. But now I am loose again. I'm sure I can eat 6-8 oz of Protein. I know I can eat more but I am really trying to minimize any binges and if I binge I will eat the right things...

I'm in too.... I'l shoot for another 10lbs by 1/1/09. Current: 11/14/08 - 276 Goal: 1/1/09 - 266 Let's all keep working hard and exercising !!!! Gary

Greetings All Stars, I am officially down 40lbs...It is now 3 months since my band date. yahoo !!!!!! :thumbup: I went for my second weigh-in and fill yesterday. I'm really excited and proud. This success could not have achieved so quickly without my band. I already had 1.5cc and the NP put in another 1.0cc in yesterday. No pain. I feel a little tight in the band area inside me today. I took it light for lunch and did feel some restriction...that is good..... I am motivated even more to continue my success and journey. Love my band. People at work are noticing my weight loss now ... it is so nice to get compliments for co-workers... Finally, my band is still a secret to everyone at work, friends and all my family .... :thumbup: except my wife and one close friend... I wish continued success to all of us... keep positive and work hard..... Gary

I am sooo glad that I' not the only neurotic person moving the scale for better results....lol..... Gary

Yes, I can relate too... My band gets tighter during my wife's TOM... Probably the stress... or is it psychosomatic...?? sorry girls...I don't envy you. GB

Hi All Stars - Every morning for me. It helps motivate me. I wish I could only weigh in once a week ..... Funny, if I don't like the results, I try and move the scale a few inches in a different position on the floor, sometimes that works, it's all in the head....

Great job All Stars.......:thumbup: I am down 34 lbs in 2months 1 week. Start 316 current 282. Goal 200lbs First fill 9/27 1.5cc next fill 11/12 Treadmill 6 days a week plus sit ups. Keep fighting for success. Gary

Hi Gilta - unfortunately my restriction allows me to eat more, although I am only allowed 4-5 oz protien... I do very well during the day but in the evenings I can eat more at home. This is still true after my 1.5c fill last Thursday. I will need another fill Nov 12 at my next appointment. I do get full much easier. I am still eating much less than before band....but have to work at it.

My Typical Day - breakfast: chocolate whey shake 100cal. snack: yogurt 60cal. lunch: salad w/ tuna & chicken/ no dressing snack: Spec K protein bar 110cal. dinner: 10-12 oz protein/ veggie/ sm potato snack: frozen tofutti chocolate bar 60 cal.

Hi - I was banded August 15th. Had my first fill last Thursday, Sept 25. It was easy, maybe 90 seconds. I have a 10cc band. My Doc asked if I needed a fill..... I said yes, because I was very hungry at night, We decided on 1.5cc fill. My next appointment is 6 week, Nov 12th. So far, I the fill is restricting a little more than prior, but I think I need another 1cc.

Hi - I was banded August 15th. I agree with Restless. Alcohol is empty calories. I truly have enjoy my beer and wine and vodka...etc over the years. . Alcohol, in addition to the love of food, are the main reasons I am obese. The band is a tool and a reminder that we need to change our old habits. I know that I can drink a few beers, but ....I am trying to lose weight. So far, I haven't endulged... I am sure I will, but for now, I am dedicated to lose weight. The band isn't a magic wand, we need to work at it. Try to limit all calories including limiting the booze. This is from a person who has loved his libations for years.....Good Luck..

Hi - I go for my first fill today too. I have minimal restriction and look forward to my fill. Since my band on 8/15 I lost 24 lbs. I have been dieting... I have kept a very low carb, high protein and treadmill every day for a half hour. Mornings and lunch is fine but I am very hungry when I get home after work. I eat more protein than recommended. Evenings are my downfall. Unfortunately, we all need to work at this, the band isn't a magic wand.. Keep working hard...

Hi Gilta - I think we all get in and out of funks... I am at a stand still with weight loss this week but get my first fill this afternoon. I am looking forward to my fill and the next stage of the journey. Keep positive, stay around the people who support you the most , keep exercising and focus on your next goal. Remember... It's only been 2 months... We all are just starting the journey and adjusting to complete life style changes. Of course we will get into funks, you are not alone. My difficulty has been giving up the Pasta, pizza, beer & wine. I am tempted to these foods because I know I can tolerate them. I have kept disciplined because I am determined to lose this weight forever. I also appreciate your advice to give away my bigger clothes so I have more discipline to keep the weight off. Keep positive. Gary

Hi All Stars - Today is my 5 week band-iversary. I'm down 24 lbs. Each day I walk a half hour on the treadmill vigorously, and do 50 sit ups.. no weight lifting yet. I go for my first fill next Thursday. My appetite is back, mostly in the evenings, but I am working hard at reducing my portions, keeping to low carbs and to my despair continuing with no beer or wine... :thumbdown: I was banded to be healthy, to lose the weight and I'm determined to make this work.... Finally, I am feeling the benefits of my band. My pants are getting lose. !!! Yesterday, I went up into my attic to search for my clothes that were too tight and didn't fit. I have been saving these clothes for 15 years. My attic is like the clothing rack at Macy's. I have a section of pants in sizes 38's, 40's, 42's, 44's, 46,s and 48's.... so I went to the rack, tried on the next smaller size and to my surprise, I dropped my first pant size.... wow, I am excited and motivated. The band is the best decision I have made for my health and I would definitely do it again. The wife and I are having friends over this Saturday night... I will remain booze free and eat my small portions.... As a wise person said, "nothing tastes as good as slim feels" I agree, and want to continue to be successful on this journey. Funny, only my wife and one close friend knows about my band. The rest of my family and friends think I am finally seriously dieting and losing weight with will power... they are right... Gary B. :thumbup: