rdk211

If you are NOT comfortable telling people about your band, and they notice the port sticking out (Mine is super-noticeable in the gym) what do you tell them it is? Deb

I LOVE Zumba. I do it appx. 3 times a week. It's meant to be a party style Latin/Hip Hop class where you are doing a lot of party/club type dancing. It's so much fun! I am not much of a dancer (think Elaine on Seinfeld) but once I got over my self-conciousness, I found I really enjoyed it. It helps to have a fun, nice, encouraging instructor, not one of these skinny gorgeous girls who thinks she's all that. Well, the instructor I love actually is a skinny pretty girl who thinks she's all that, but she is also really nice and encouraging, and looking at her figure is major workout inspiration. And my dancing is actually improving, something I never thought would happen.

I love your quote - "My world is expanding as my butt is shrinking" - I think that exactly encapsulates what we were talking about. Today, I carried my boot camp trainer on my back across the room (and let me tell you, that girl has MUSCLE, she is HEAVY) The whole way across the room she was telling me that I love doing this The funniest part was that she wouldn't get off until I said "I love this!" Bizarrely, this was actually FUN, not something that I would have predicted before I started this journey. Like seriously? I can pick up this woman who is taller and more muscular than me on my back and walk across the room with her????? It's insane but I feel so accomplished right now. (also seriously SORE) RDK

OK, so I'm not the only crazy one out there! Yes, I really feel something missing when I don't go. But I guess it is a healthy addiction, and anyway, I have no desire to change it at this point. Maybe when I lose the remaining 44.4 lbs I can think about changing something. But as it is, I am losing so slow - it took me 4 years to lose 55 lbs (mostly cuz I had a kid in middle and ended up worse off than where I started) But I am finally below where I was when I got pregnant with my baby, so my journey has restarted. RDK RDK

WOW - you lost 105 lbs in a year????? That's awesome! I'm so impressed. It has taken me four years to lose 55 lbs, but I had a baby in the middle and gained most of my weight back. Still, 105 in a year, you must have had a lot of focus and committment for this. Aside from the gym, did you do anything else? RDK

Good luck at the gym. Just go and do things at your own pace. Also, don't get intimidated by challenging classes. I was miserable in my first few classes, I kind of hid out in the back and just suffered through it. Now I am really able to do it, and it's so much fun to keep up and feel your body moving the way it is supposed to! RDK

So I've been thinking about this, because my husband has been "on" me about it. I guess I got the band because I was addicted to food and over-eating. It was my "go-to" comfort, way to de-stress, and overall how I managed stress in my life. I guess I'm just the type to get addicted to things, because now that I have my eating under control, and I've started really working out a lot, it's like the gym has become my new addiction. I really suffer if I miss a day in the gym, and I really look forward to my workouts. I even sometimes work out at night now, after a hard day of work, because I find it calms me. The problem is, my husband sees this as my new addiction, and he might be right. On the other hand, it's a healthy addiction, it makes me feel great, it allows me to accomplish more with my day because I'm not so tired all the time, and it really builds my confidence. I have the time for it - it's not cutting into other things, although I used to be more of a work-aholic and now I am cutting back a bit because I got too stressed. I really feel like so what if it's an addiction? It's a healthy one, and maybe I'm just the addictive type, might as well be addicted to something healthy. He feels that just for my "mental health" I should cut back. Does anyone out there know what I'm talking about? Does anyone have any opinions on this? RDK

I don't remember how I did it anymore, my surgery was four years ago. There is a file in the archives section that describes exactly how to do it. Just search the topic and it walks you through it. I'm not very computer savvyy and I was able to do it. BTW, look at my ticker - I am FINALLY in the 150's!!!!! It definitely was the Zumba....and the Cardio Kickboxing....and the Boot Camp... and the Power Lifting....... and (sadly) the nutritionist! RDK

Congrats on the surgery. Good luck! I do Zumba three times a week now, and I love it. I used to be a bit more restrained, but now I go ALL OUT and I love it. I think that Zumba is a little bit more tough on the port, because moves like body rolls and side bends are going to stretch your port site. I would wait till my port site was COMPLETELY healed and got an OK from the surgeon. Zumba is so fun and high energy, you might overstrain yourself or strain healing tissue without realizing it. Better to make sure your surgeon has pronounced you 100% ready to excercise before doing it. Or you can try a Zumba Gold class, which is for seniors and is a bit less intense. Don't worry - you'll heal in no time and have TONS of time to Zumba, and as the weight comes off, you'll look cuter and cuter as you do it!

I love it. It took 3 years, and a lot of work with a trainer. I think I hated it at first because I felt self-concious in the gym, I was one of the fatter girls there and my form was awful. So, after working one-on-one with a trainer, I then graduated to HER group class, which I felt comfortable in because she helped me learn what we would be doing before. Then I got into Zumba because the Zumba teacher in my gym is just so funny and charming and approachable that it didn't feel intimidating. Once I was doing Zumba practically every day, my trainer challenged me to take Cardio Kickboxing, which is taught by a very intimidating woman, and the class is very fast-paced. To my shock, I was able to keep up and loved it - and I realized how strong I had become (loss of 65 lbs, able to lift serious weight, good form!) and it was just the BEST feeling. Now I take Boot Camp, which I pay extra for, and whenever my gym hangs up a flier for a new form of excercise, I'm one of the first to try it out. I have become such a workout addict. But it did take about 3 years! I can't even describe how AMAZING it feels to take Boot Camp or Kickboxing. I feel so confident and strong and exhiliriated afterwards. Anyone else LOVE the sore muscle feeling you get after a really challenging class, where you know you will feel it the next day, but it's a good kind of pain?! RDK

I've been working out from home for 3 years. I had the luxury of being able to buy some really great equipment - free weights, dumbbells, DVDs, a TRX system, and a good elliptical. I hired a trainer who helped me come up with a variety of routines for all of that equipment. BUT, lately I've been losing motivation, so I joined a gym (it helps that now my baby is older and needs the stimulation of the babysitting group there!) I LOVE being at the gym. I especially love Cardio Kickboxing and Boot Camp classes - I find the experience of being yelled at to JUMP HIGHER! RUN FASTER! is such an adrenaline booster that it keeps me motivated. I think it's a matter of mixing it up - there are times in my life that I just can't get out, but there are times that I just NEED the stimulation of the gym to keep myself going! Right now I'm in gym mode, but I'm prepared for that to change. RDK

Hi, Tova and Amy I hope we end up attracting yet more frum bandsters, it would be fun to have a larger group. Sorry I didn't write back in a while - I've been swamped with family stuff. My mom is moving from out of state to my neighborhood, and I've been SUPER busy helping her move. I can't wait to have her living here, but she has literally NEVER moved in her life, so this is a big deal. The packing has been intense, and taking a very long time. I am FRUSTRATED! Up 2 pounds in two weeks, AFTER a fill, totally due to not being at home, so no ability to excercise, plus my mom's house already has the utilities cut off, so we have to eat out for Breakfast lunch and dinner. Even being careful - even being on FULL liquids only - I am gaining. Sigh. Can't wait to be back on my normal schedule. Tova, can you eat any breads? Rdk:smile2:

Hi, Amy. Sorry it took me so long to respond. I am swamped! RDK

funny how our journeys seem to coincide. As abrenner said, the heredity of the middle aged ashkenazic female body (though I'm in my early thirties - is that REALLY middle aged? I haven't even made a bar mitzvah yet) Well, tomorrow is the day of truth - I weigh myself daily but only "count" the weight I record on Tuesdays. I've been showing a loss all week, but it wouldn't be the first time I suddenly didn't have a loss on a Tuesday. :laugh: Do you just stare in the mirror and admire yourself? :thumbup: I would! I just had my sheitel re-cut today, it's a really flattering style, particularly with my weight loss which is showing in my face, and I just didn't want to take it off because I was so thrilled to have this cute, trendy style looking good on me. I've never been vain, but this was so exciting! My mother said, imagine how much better it will look in ten more pounds! It sounds like you went from a size 20 to an 8/10 in a year and a half. WOW! Do you plan on losing more? What's your goal weight, or are you at it? How tall are you? rdk:regular_smile:

This is too good a distraction from my dissertation! I need to get back to work! But this is MUCH more interesting.

Hi, Tova, Amy and all the rest. I hope we get some more "kosher bandsters" on here soon. I have a great NSV today - amazing how simple things can make your day, no? I went to the hosiery store and asked the lady for my size - Queen Petite - so she couldn't find it, and she got the manager. The manager found it, but said to me "out of curiosity's sake, is that for you?" so I said yes. She said - Look, do what you want, but there's no way that's your size. You are a size 2 Plus (the next category down) I was so flattered. I bought both sizes, tried it on at home, and she's right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How silly that a pair of pantyhose can be so exciting. I guess at 30+lbs down, it's starting to affect my clothing sizes of all kinds!

// I totally agree! I've been looking for frum bandster support forever! Have a great Shabbos!:thumbs_up:Rdk

Amy - thanks tons. I will google this immediately after shabbos. I really could use another protein powder. Thanks for the props - I'm so excited. Now if only my dissertation was proceeding as well as my weight loss. sigh. Can't have everything. I plan on taking a long walk with DH tonight cuz it's so early.

//Also, there are places to purchase these things online where they will send you samples much of the time. That is how I knew I would be able to enjoy my protein "shakes." My sister, who had gastric bypass, has found that there aren't any protein powders she can take, but I want her to try mine. I can't drink milk or use soy products. I found a kosher certified powder that is whey protein but lactose free, and I use rice milk with it. (Chocolate - Yummy!)// Amy - can you share that kosher certified powder with us? I'd love to try it. My Myoplex is good but I am always looking to try new ones. //I did ok during the HH this year. I get my fills on Thursdays, and only passed on challah once (I don't consult a Rabbi on this, sorry). I'm pretty good at liquifying challah in my mouth, even on the second day after a fill. Growing up my Orthodox rabbi, who was very well known, always told us that if you couldn't fulfill a mitzvah or law because of a health issue, that your health came first. I take that to heart.// I find there is a lot of variability in what Rabbis will say. I guess it depends on your own personal stats. My friend and I were banded within 3 months of each other, and we each consult a rabbi, and we get very different responses. I think that my friend who has a lot more weight to lose than me, and is also pre-diabetic with PCOS is considered more of a health risk, whereas I am very healthy and fit, just FAT. so I tend to be told not to do things that she is told to do. Staying hydrated on YK is one example. //Has anyone started to think about what to do during Pesach? I know I can go a couple days without the protein, but don't yet know whether I will be able to eat enough to get sufficient protein for the full eight days. Now THAT is a concern for me. I can live without a vitamin or calcium supplement for a week, but am not yet sure about the protein. I may be anticipating a problem that doesn't exist, but it is something I'm thinking about now, well ahead of time // this is a real concern. I know a friend of mine uses Dr. Ren and she says that in NYU before Pesach a lot of ppl come in for an unfill. My strategy - and I don't know if it will work is - I am planning on cooking a lot of meat and chicken and pureeing it, to be sure I will get in enough protein. I probably will be low, but it will be OK for a week. I DO NOT PLAN ON GETTING AN UNFILL. for one, I'm private pay and that's pricey, and for two, my friend gained 10 lbs over Passover last year and I work WAY TOO HARD to lose each pound to do that. In terms of vitamins, I believe Maxi Health makes a Kosher for Passover liquid vitamin, but it tastes NASTY. I probably will use it though. I am going to ask my Rabbi about 4 cups of wine. I find that since being banded my tolerance for alcohol has dropped, and I may just stick to grape juice if he says that's OK. Check out the maxi health site - they may have stuff and call their 800 number - I find their nutritionists to be very helpful and knowledgable. According to my scale, I'm down another pound, but I don't "count" it unless it shows on a Tuesday. So I weigh 183.4 unofficially today! I'm so excited. I'm hoping I won't ruin it this Shabbos with the birthday cake my kids will "surprise" me with this Shabbos. Rdk

Tova - nice to "meet" you. You are exactly one year ahead of me - I was banded 7/1/08 75 lbs - wow! If I lost 75 lbs, I would weigh 140 - that's a weight I haven't been on since before my oldest daughter was born. Meanwhile, I'm just dreaming of seeing the 170's. Rdk

So exciting to talk to another frum bandster lady:tongue2: I definitely also had to avoid challah and honey this year (which was hard cuz I love it) My Rav paskened that I'm not fulfilling my chiyuv on shabbos if I don't wash. So I eat WW matzah which isn't my favorite food. but it does go down easy. My problem is my MD only does fill on Mondays and Fridays, and it's a real hassle for me to not be at work on Monday mornings. BUT, my Rav says no fill on Friday cuz then I can't eat challah - my MD says clear liquids for 3 days after a fill. How do you handle Shabbos mornings? I am usually pretty tight in the morning, so most days I drink a protein shake for breakfast. But shabbos morning, the first time I get a chance to eat is at the meal -and I end up getting stuck. Any ideas for me? I don't want to drink a protein shake at the meal because I haven't told anyone about the surgery except my dh. So, what's your verdict? Are you happy that you're banded? I'm only banded 3 months but I'm thrilled. rdk

Is there a forum for graduate student bandsters? I'd love to join one if there is.

Hi, Amy and everyone else I think we really need a for Orthodox Jews forum where all of us who will talk about being banded can support each other. Although, to be fair, I try to keep my "bandster identity" confidential outside of web support. In terms of fasting and the band, I find that fast days are SO much easier since being banded. I do tend to do most of my PB'ing on Yom Tov when I try to eat things like Challah. sigh. you'd think the classical conditioning would work, but not totally yet. If anyone out there is Orthodox and needs advice on things like kosher protein drinks, vitamins, managing a halachic lifestyle when banded, I've been living it for 5 months and did a TON of research pre-surgery, and would be glad to share what I've learned. rdk

Jachut- You really lost big! Do you feel that getting "into" excercise is what helped you do that? My problem is that I am a tiny woman - barely five feet, and the weight just comes off so slow, I want to speed it up. The excercise I do is my elliptical. I do interval training. I don't do weight lifting yet (I am scheduled with a trainer for December, I'm scared to lift without her, even though I own a state of the art weight stack) Right now, I lose an avg. of 3/4 lb a week. I think I am replacing the "high" I get from food with a "high" from excercise. It also helps that I made a rule - No electronic media (read, DVDs etc.) without being on the elliptical. Do you think the extra hour of excercise is just wasted time? (Like the extra vitamins you take are just colored urine....) rdk

Hi! I am currently doing 150 minutes of excercise a day. It just is the amount that feels right to me in terms of raising my energy level. BUT, I once read that after a certain point, there is a "law of diminishing returns" when it comes to excercise - meaning that more does not add anything to cardiovascular health or weight loss. Does anyone know at what level more excercise is just pointless? 150 minutes seems excessive to me (although I love it when I'm doing it) but I'm losing really slowly. (and yes, I do track calories, am following nutritionist recommendations, but am not at my "sweet spot" yet. I have a fill set up in 2 weeks.) So, here are my questions: 1) does anyone know if there's a point beyond which there's no added benefit to excercise? 2) is it dangerous to excercise for more than 2 hours a day? rdk211:huh2: 31 y/o, "almost" 5 feet tall Surgery 7/1/08 Highest 215 Day of Surgery 211 Current 184.8 Goal 115