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OK Julie Ann - count me in for 8 pounds. I'm a slow loser but I'm getting a fill this Thursday. I don't think I've lost a pound since I was there 6 weeks ago. But my last fill wa March 12 so I'm due! I still, sometimes, get stuck at the beginning of a meal - but once I PB it goes away and I can eat. I know PB'ing isn't good and I'm afraid I will stretch my band. Does anyone else do this? Anyway, if I make my goal, I'll be in the 180's by October 31st (189 - but what the heck! LOL). I love all the Smashing Pumpkins.

Another 1/2 pound (since 8/14:cursing:). and I had a horrible weekend so I don't think I'm going to make the last 1.4 pounds - it'll be a stretch because I'm going out of town Wednesday and won't be back until Labor Day. We'll see. Turkey Day - here I come!!!

You're in what's known as "band hell." It's going to take you awhile to get the hang of the tool that you've been given. That being said, I am a slow loser (42 pounds in 10 months). There were times when I was extremely frustrated. However (and it's a big however) I love my band and am so greatful for it. In the beginning, when they told me I'd lose 1-2 pounds a week, I focused on the 2 and even wrote it in my PDA so I'd know how much I would weigh at every month bandiversary. But the weight came off even slower than that! As you can see by my weight loss, it's more like 1 pound a week. Not only that, there were some weeks (and I mean WEEKS) when I didn't lose a thing!!! I despaired, I whined, I cried. But, when I look back, it was easy. And I continue to lose at my snails pace. Do what your doctor tells you. Follow the bandster rules and you'll do great - Just like me:redface:

I didn't see a bunch of pictures but saw your before & after on your bandster profile. All I can say is Wow! I'm half way there and these pictures inspire me.

I know!! This is so true. I'm a different person since I've lost weight - I've regained that self confidence that had soooo slipped away. I was at a function a couple weeks ago where we had to ride in some bus. The bus was over-croweded and there weren't enough seat for everyone -- so people were sitting on laps and crowding in to that last long row that's on the back of some buses. I whispered to my husband that it was the first time in years that I felt like I wasn't taking up more than "my" share of space. I was able to squeeze next to my honey and let someone else fit into the back seat. In the past I would have gotten one of those once-over looks, like "oh no, I'm not going there and be smothered by that fat person!" I feel "normal" and it's such a great feeling. Being able to shop in the regular department store departments too has been a huge boost to my self esteem. And my 14 jeans that I just bought are loosening - I'll be in a 12 soon and that hasn't happened since the 1980's!!!!! Go pumpkins:thumbup:

I'm in - I'm hoping to lose 11 pds by then. Just to be in the 180's will be awesome!!!!!! I still have a 1.5 to go on the Labor Day Challenge, but I'm still hopeful.

I like some of these ideas. I think getting a picture taken is a good one. I notice that I look much better in photos. I used to dread pictures and would make my daughter-in-law delete all the pictures. I have some in my electronic picture frame that's in my office and I can't believe how huge I am! The shopping also appeals. I just went through my closet last week and have given away 4 large bags of clothes. I bought size 14 jeans and they actually seem a little loose some days. The day I buy a size 12 -- you'll hear the shouts from California. My body is changing so much because I've been going to boot camp now for 2.5 months. I'm not focusing on the weight as much - because my whole body is slimming down and I'm building muscle. Maybe I'll get a tummy tuck for my bandiversary (more like my 2nd bandiversary). I can dream, can't I?

Go Julie Ann!!! I can't believe we're headed to our bandiversary. I'm losing soooooo slowly (but then I always did). I'm seeing Dr. D Sept 10 - I think I need a fill this time. It's been since March! I still PB once in a while, but I notice that I can eat more (than I should). I'm inching towards my goal. I'd love to be in the 180's by October 24. I'm getting lots of NSV's tho - people I haven't seen complement me all the time. I was just at a family reunion and my cousin asked me if I'd gotten taller!!! I actually shrunk 3/4 of an inch because I'm getting older. Dang! that just means more weight to lose!:thumbup:

Another 1/2 pound -- woo hoo!!! only 1.9 to go to goal.:thumbup:

I'm thinking I need another fill too. Haven't had a fill since March - but I've been losing slowly. I love my band. Just got back from vacation and lost 1/2 pound. That NEVER happened before. For exercise, all I did was play golf, walk on the beach and play tennis (that was the biggy -And I beat my husband!!!!!) Did I say, I love my band? Starting boot camp again next week. Yeah Lovely - you rock! Congrats on being so close to goal. Oh, and I had a NSV last week. I bought a new dress for a party (pre-band I was a size 20). First of all, when I went to try on dresses, I stood in the dressing room AFRAID to try on "regular" size clothing.:w00t: I haven't been shopping in so many years, chosing to buy from catalogs where I'm annoymous. Anyway, the sales lady brought in size 16's and I thought they would never work! But it did - they all fit easily!!:sneaky: Then, because they didn't have the dress I wanted in my size, it was ordered from another store. In the meantime, the sales person had a size 14 shipped to me (I don't know why because I needed the 16). Anway the 14 arrived and it fits! I'm constantly amazed!

OK Julie Ann - you've been my inspiration and the little slips you're describing are insignificant compared to your success! Also, you're cointinuing to work out. You know, I just got back from a little mini vacation and I lost 1/2 pound -- that never happened before! And I drank a little, and had some deserts too. My husband calls that "life." And, girl, you have to live it! You can't be perfect all the time - at least I can't. Don't worry. Take a baby step towards "better behavior." For instance cut out all the sweets, or cut out the popcorn and say only 1 bite of "x". And get that fill. You'll fee better in no time!!!!

Ok - 1/2 pound down. I'll take it! Especially since I just got back from a mini vacation. 2.5 pounds to goal and a new boot camp starts next week? Can I make it? Inquiring minds want to know!

Well, I have no loss to report. Just hanging around that 199. That's been my MO though. I lose 4-6 pounds and then sit there for a time. I'm hoping to move along before the finale -- I only have a little over 3# to go so I'm hoping to lose that in the time left. Good luck everyone!

There aren't too many things I can't eat:frown: as long as I chew well and SLOW DOWN. That's the hardest thing for me. I notice that I don't get stuck as often in the a.m., but almost every lunch (and most dinners) after the first few bites I have to put my fork down and wait. And sometimes go to the bathroom & PB:eek:. Never good. But once I do that, it seems that the rest of my meal goes down easily. My poor husband asks all the time, with a worried look on his face, "are you alright?" I try very hard to slow down in the beginning of a meal, but it's a hurdle. When we went away last week, our hostess made grilled jumbo shrimp. They were really good. But, wow! I felt funny excusing myself from the table just after the meal began and so I sat there for about 10+ minutes waiting for this stuck shrimp to go down. My hostess asked me if I was alright. I had to excuse myself finally. I'd taken 4 shrimp -- and when I got back I slipped one to my husband's plate. But I was able to eat the remaining 2. I was afraid that my hostess would think I didn't like what she had prepared. It's funny how some of the things I think will really get stuck don't (steak for instance - as long as it's tender and medium rare) and my tuna salad does (at lunch). Glad to see everyone progressing. Just bought a size 16 dress on line - I have 2 parties to go to -- one in August & one over Labor Day. Hope it fits!!!

I never thought I would get here! I can't believe it. It's been 9 months, but I will never see that 2 in front of my weight on a scale EVER again. I'm humbled and so grateful for my band - and for all of you who have been so supportive. I look forward to going the rest of the way - I'm over half-way there. To all of you "newbies" I know it can be frustrating sometimes - especially when you see others losing at a much faster rate. I'm here to say that it doesn't matter!! The journey may be a little longer but these milestones along the way are oh-so-sweet.

Thanks kaninag - I'm leaving in about 1 hour to go to my band doctor - don't think I need a fill, but I'm definitely bringing the picture!!!

Another pound and onederland all in one day. Yipeeeeeee!

Jewelry always sounds good to me - lol. For now, though I think I'm just going to carry that picture of my toes on the scale around in my pocket and savor the moment!

Oh Happy Day! I've made it to onederland. I have tears in my eyes and if I could figure out how to do it, I would load the picture that proves it into this post - but you'll have to go to my profile to view it. You guys have all been my support. While me loss has been slower, I've never lost hope (ok, well almost never - lol). I'm going the distance! It's been about 15 years since I saw Onederland - now I never have to see that 2 in front again for the rest of my life! I love my band! :eek: And maybe I got the picture in here anyway. Oh Joy! Oh Rapture! I love my band!!!!!

So good to hear everyone is doing well. I'm losing slower than some, but I'm losing:tt2:. I was at this same weight 1 1/2 weeks ago but life got in the way (also called vacation) and I had deserts most nights and had a martini evey night:drool:. So I gained 1.2 pounds. But after getting back to boot camp, it all went away after the first day. Now that's a first for me. In the past I would have gained 5-7 pounds and just kept going!!! So onederland here I come. It should be any day now. When it hit's I'm taking a picture! Molly Jo get to that gym - I know it sounds ghastly! But when I started boot camp that's what kicked my losing into gear. I promise you that if you exercise those last ac ouple pounds will be off in no time -- certainly in time for your bandiversary.

OK, I've said before. I am so close to onderland - why can't I get there!!!!!!!!:tongue_smilie: That being said I lost another 1.5. I love my band and (dare I say it) boot camp.:frown:

Woo Hoo!!! I lost another 3 pds since I posted last (well, 2.9 but who'd counting!!!) Only 4.2 to goal. I'm hoping to make that as I missed my July 4th goal.

Still not in onederland but I was down .7 pounds this a.m. (haven't changed myticker yet). I read, on another thread, that there was some study that was done about weight plateau's. Evidently, it shows that if you were at a certain weight for a lengthy period of time as you were gaining weight, when you lose weight you "plateau" at that weight for awhile because your body 'remembers' it. And there's some correlation between how long you stay and that plateau and how long you were at that weight. Don't know if it's true or not. But I went through a phase last month when I was really eating "clean" and exercising like a maniac and I didn't lose anything for, like 3 weeks. I was losing my mind too. Hang in there Julieann