bluehill

Yes indeed, it feels good to be UNDER 100 lbs to lose! And Onderland is a major goal for me too. I came up with a whole list for myself of markers or mini-goals. Including the BMI transitions from morbidly obese ==> severely obese (240, almost there!) ==> just plain old obese (210) ==> overweight (180) ==> normal weight range (150). Another mini-goal is 100 lbs lost -- only 10 to go, and then I can "join" the 100-pounds lost club here at LapBand. Which puts me in mind of the "100-lb. Party" a friend threw for me years ago when I successfully did the original liquid-protein diet, back in the 1970s. Of course that 100 lbs eventually found its way back, with the obligatory additional 50! In fact my primary motivation in getting the lapband was to have a lifetime tool for MAINTAINING my weight once I get to goal. Seating, yes yes yes!!! In fact I plan to become an honest woman the next time I fly on Northwest by returning the seatbelt extender that I pinched from them a few years ago. My excuse, I could not face being humiliated again by having to request one from the flight attendant. So I took it with me, and have packed it ever since in my carry-on luggage. I also love the fact that I no longer have to worry about whether I will fit into a restaurant booth. I'm getting a slightly late start on December exercise, but I'll be back to it bright and early -- well maybe not early -- Monday morning.

Just stay away from the lutefisk! Yep, I used to make that too, but stopped when it became evident that I was the only person eating it! Roberta, I'm glad you're feeling better. In fact you must be feeling a WHOLE LOT BETTER in order to tolerate 44 min. on a Bow flex treadclimber! Jeez, I really don't think I have the stamina for that. But I am getting stronger, and my flexibility has been dramatically transformed by yoga classes, so I'm not complaining.

I would have liked to initiate the new challenge by exercising on the first day of December, like Betty, but alas, it was lefse-making day, which pretty much takes up the whole day. And since we can't celebrate a proper Norwegian Christmas without lefse, that was my exercise for today! I'm not counting it, but it sure was a rigorous workout, rolling out 10 doz. tortilla-size rounds and cooking them on the griddle. Susan, I also reached the goal last weekend of having less than 100 lbs to lose! Kat, your post about Seasonal Affective Disorder really made sense to me and gave me a different way of looking at my constant craving for carbs. Julie, your scale moved down again, one pound less than me!

In my eagerness to be back with the group, I forgot to post my final November tally: April Bandits November Challenge: Twenty days of exercise completed (35 individual sessions of 35 min. or more). Weight loss for the month: 7 lbs.

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/170/132 - 38 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/128/110 - 52 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/181/134 - 53 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/244/180 - 114 total 4-10: DeltaDawn - 358/221/180 - 137 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/206/140 - 42 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/196/145 - 21.5 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/209/180 -75 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 Total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/188/130 - 32 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/214/150 - 59 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/98/69 - 27 kgs/59.4 lbs. total 4-24: CEPARANO- 255/270.5/210/170 - 60.5 LBS TOTAL 4-24: Kat - 289/281/219/165 - 70 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/225/160 - 37 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/194/145 - 70 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/239.8/140 - 43.2 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/243/145 - 90 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/158/135 - 67 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/205/150 - 35 total

I want to thank each and every one of you. Your messages to me, both public and private, have held me in a healing circle of love and support. I am forever in your debt. It has been a rough period for me, but I am definitely emerging from the terrible fog of depression and withdrawal. December feels like the perfect time to let go of old patterns, habits and resentments. Winter Solstice marks the time when the sun stands still, standstill, a space for our personal essence to cleanse, distill, re-energize, and refocus into a new vision of itself. And then a cycle of new life begins once more. It is a time to celebrate the triumph of life and love in the midst of the dark days of winter.

Dear Friends: I have completed the November challenge. This feels miraculous to me because I have been struggling with a major bout of depression for over a month now. I sincerely wanted to maintain a presence here because your feedback has been such an inspiration in keeping me focused on the band trip. I did post once, a couple of weeks ago, but then retreated into invisibility when there was no response. It's been hard, and I'm sorry if this sounds too down. But in fact I have been feeling much better the past few days, am hoping for recovery, and of course am thrilled with the fact that I have managed to stay on track with diet and exercise. April Bandits November Challenge: Seventeen days of exercise completed (30 individual sessions of 35 min. or more)

Marvelous news, Gayle! Each new member of the 100+ club is a hero and an inspiration. Well done, and keep up the good work!

DeltaDawn: I've added your listing, and I have to say that the coincidence of two April 10 bandsters with the same start weight (358) is pretty amazing. Was that also your banding weight? Have you really lost 137 lbs in 7.5 months? Fantastic! 4-3: JenRN - 263/257/223/150 - 40 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/170/132 - 38 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/128/110 - 52 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/181/134 - 53 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/244/180 - 114 total 4-10: DeltaDawn - 358/221/180 - 137 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/206/140 - 42 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/196/145 - 21.5 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/192/140 - 50 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: KAYBEE-284/209/180 -75 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-20: TrustUfirst - 210/205/177/135 - 32 Total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/188/130 - 32 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/228/156 - 60 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/214/150 - 59 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/98/69 - 27 kgs/59.4 lbs. total 4-24: CEPARANO- 255/270.5/210/170 - 60.5 LBS TOTAL 4-24: Kat - 289/281/219/165 - 70 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/225/160 - 37 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/194/145 - 70 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/240.8/140 - 42.2 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/253/145 - 80 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/158/135 - 67 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/205/150 - 35 total

What a terrible experience you had, Eve! Glad you & the band are both O.K. Yours is the first story I've heard involving a trip to the hospital and a gastroscopy.

You add yourself by copying the MOST RECENT LIST and inserting your info in the appropriate place and format.

Wow, Teresita, I'm so happy for you that the scale finally moved down big-time. Congratulations, and keep up the good work!

One-half cup each of All-Bran Extra Fiber, 1% milk, nonfat yogurt, fruit (banana or berries).

Boo, thanks for asking. I'm sorry that my posting has dropped off, because I really rely on the feedback and support that is here. Otherwise, I would feel very alone in this journey. Thing is, it's so hard for me to ask for anything when I'm feeling discombobulated and lacking the emotional energy to stay engaged. But I have been following all of your check-ins and am totally in awe of the miraculous changes that are taking place. 5K races indeed! Simply sensational progress, and deeply inspirational. April Bandits November Challenge: Eight 35-min. sessions completed (and enough Water to sink a ....)

Oh dear, I DO apologize! Just goes to show, never assume anything. How terrific, though, that you're in New Zealand! Makes our group very international, what with Eficka in the Czech Republic and you Down Under. Eficka: Is it Eve or Eva?

Great that you're in Oz, amourette! That way, we can depend on you to lead us in exercise!

Susan, you may have "slacked off" this month, but you still met the Challenge! Hooray for you! Last day of the month, so I'm posting my totals for the October Challenge, which I have met and exceeded. I'm very proud of myself! I feel so much stronger, lighter, more balanced, more energetic. I may feel grumpy on the way to the fitness center, but I'm always happy on the way home. Endorphins will do that. heh October Challenge Totals: 22 days, 41 sessions 1) 10/2: 1-hr movement class, 35-min lap swim 2) 10/3: 1-hr yoga class, 35-min lap swim 3) 10/4: 1-hr movement class, 35-min lap swim 4) 10/5: 1-hr yoga class, 35-min lap swim 5) 10/6: 35-min lap swim 6) 10/9: 1-hr movement class, 35-min lap swim 7) 10/10: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 8) 10/11: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 9) 10/12: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 10) 10/13: 40-min lap swim 11) 10/16: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 12) 10/17: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 13) 10/18: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 14) 10/19: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim, 1-hr firewood stacking 15) 10/20: 50-min lap swim 16) 10/23: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 17) 10/24: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 18) 10/25: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 19) 10/26: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 20) 10/27: 50-min lap swim 21) 10/30: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 22) 10/31: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim

I thought I was lucky going to Martha's Vineyard this weekend, but you win the jackpot! I wanna go on a cruise too! Plus a cruise boat is totally set up for exercise, right? Swimming, fitness rooms, dancing, walking walking walking, shuffleboard... The major challenge will be putting down your fork. Do you have a food strategy in mind?

Yay, Roberta! It's that kind of attitude that has got you PAST THE HALFWAY POINT!

Well said, Betty! I agree, there's a special connection among us. The energy here is so positive, and there's a tremendous feeling of group support and trust. And look how we have inspired one another to get active! This is indeed a group that gets results! Yay, us! Amourette, great to see you here! Not only are you wearing sneakers, you're already getting in practice time for the November Challenge. I like your attitude -- you're definitely gonna win the challenge. We're ALL winners here! Eva, I'm so sorry to hear that you're not back to full health yet, and in fact have been further challenged with a heavy workload. Sending good thoughts your way and hoping that your load will soon be lighter. Just remember that you already ARE lighter -- more than 50 lbs lighter! Use the image of your body getting ever lighter to help you through heavy times. And be good to yourself, get lots of sleep, choose food wisely, drink lots of water. Julie, that's so exciting about your running. Use the beautiful image that you created to inspire yourself: Running like a gazelle. And kudos on meeting the October Challenge! Your weekend in the country sounds lovely. Were you anywhere near my stomping ground, the Berkshires? October Challenge 1) 10/2: 1-hr movement class, 35-min lap swim 2) 10/3: 1-hr yoga class, 35-min lap swim 3) 10/4: 1-hr movement class, 35-min lap swim 4) 10/5: 1-hr yoga class, 35-min lap swim 5) 10/6: 35-min lap swim 6) 10/9: 1-hr movement class, 35-min lap swim 7) 10/10: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 8) 10/11: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 9) 10/12: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 10) 10/13: 40-min lap swim 11) 10/16: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 12) 10/17: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 13) 10/18: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 14) 10/19: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim, 1-hr firewood stacking 15) 10/20: 50-min lap swim 16) 10/23: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 17) 10/24: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 18) 10/25: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 19) 10/26: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 20) 10/27: 50-min lap swim 21) 10/30: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim

I haven't posted for more than a week, but I've been doing really well and have already exceeded the challenge for October. My ultimate goal, I think, is to make exercise as much a part of my daily routine as brushing my teeth. I want to WANT to exercise every day, not find excuses to avoid it. No way am I there yet, but I'm pleased to report that I haven't been tempted to skip a day -- except for the weekends, when I take a break. I guess I'll know that I've "arrived" when I no longer want a weekend break! heh I'm very fortunate that my current life situation makes my lap-band trip a whole lot easier because a) I live alone (except when my daughter is home from college), so I don't have to cook or keep food around for others, a tremendous help in avoiding temptation; I am retired, so I have the freedom to attend yoga and fitness classes whenever I want and swim laps every day and not be stressed by time restraints; c) I have enjoyed (touch wood!) a several-months-long period of relative tranquility -- no illnesses, no crises to speak of, pretty much stress-free. Because my own life has been so easy of late, I am even more inspired by the energy and dedication that all of you show in staying focused while dealing with the multitude of crises, problems and distractions that inevitably occur in our lives and have the potential to throw us off-course. Also, I am tremendously grateful for the support, goodwill and camaraderie generated by this small group. It really does help! Roberta, I'm hoping that your heating problems have been resolved. You have my complete sympathy and understanding because I have a house full of Sears appliances, so I know how demoralizing it can be to get one of those babies fixed! Another thought: Even if you don't make the October challenge, you're still a winner because of all the exercise sessions you DID complete! (And that number is not too shabby!) How is your husband doing? Boo, you've been doing so well, and your running is awesome. The scale WILL move, believe me. Kat, kudos on completing the October Challenge! Also, you're invited to my next Hawaii-themed party to give a hula-hoop demonstration. Jeez, I was never able to master that skill! Another K@t!!! Welcome! You'll like it here. And good luck with the port-revision surgery on the Nov. 8th. Do you mind telling us what happened? Betty, kudos on completing and exceeding the October Challenge! My thoughts and prayers for your son's surgery on Tuesday. Susan, hope your work life has slackened off a bit. We want you in good shape for the November Challenge! Julie, your comments about feeling cold struck a chord... Every time I have dieted to normal weight, I have felt cold cold cold! And now that New England winter is almost here, I'm fearing the ongoing loss of flesh to keep me warm. Yeah, I can put on a sweater. What I'm talking about, though, is the imagery in my head: Flesh is soft, cozy, warm, protecting; bones are hard, unyielding, uncomfortable, and remind me of death. (Sorry, I must sound like a nut.) Eficka, hope you are recovered from the flu. How goes the Challenge? November Challenge:I'm fine with keeping the number of sessions at 17, although my personal goal is higher. But 36 minutes each? This may sound silly, but the number is too digital, too fitness-machine-specific for me. If we want to increase the time, I suggest increments of five minutes. If that's too much, leave it at 35 min. Water? Yes yes yes! October Challenge 1) 10/2: 1-hr movement class, 35-min lap swim 2) 10/3: 1-hr yoga class, 35-min lap swim 3) 10/4: 1-hr movement class, 35-min lap swim 4) 10/5: 1-hr yoga class, 35-min lap swim 5) 10/6: 35-min lap swim 6) 10/9: 1-hr movement class, 35-min lap swim 7) 10/10: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 8) 10/11: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 9) 10/12: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 10) 10/13: 40-min lap swim 11) 10/16: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 12) 10/17: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 13) 10/18: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 14) 10/19: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim, 1-hr firewood stacking* 15) 10/20: 50-min lap swim 16) 10/23: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 17) 10/24: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 18) 10/25: 1-hr movement class, 40-min lap swim 19) 10/26: 1-hr yoga class, 40-min lap swim 20) 10/27: 50-min lap swim *I know, I know, not really a new exercise, but my plans for a Nordic Walking session were canceled, so stacking firewood is gonna count. Now I know why I pay teenagers to do this!

4-3: JenRN - 263/257/238/150 - 25 total 4-3: jenn28 - 282/265/229/165 - 53 total 4-3: Picardy3 - 298/300/257.5/150 - 42.5 total 4-3: tipper - 300/290/259/165 - 41 total 4-4: Sugar1 - 311/289/231/150 - 80 total 4-4: Dak – 255/251/205/150 – 50 total 4-4: Angels - 264/255/235/? - 29 total 4-4: Harpseal Al - 327/295/220 - 34 total 4-5: Boo - 208/203/173/132 - 35 total 4-5: siestaqh - 180+/177/136/110 - 44 total 4-6: Disneynut - 290/287/260/125 - 27 total 4-7: Guysis - 234/185/134 - 49 total 4-10: JulieNYC - 358/258/180 - 100 total 4-11: Vickie1177 - 320/297/267/137 - 53 total 4-11: tellymelly - 240/235/184/135 - 55 total 4-11: Fel0816 - 307/284/265/to get under 200 - 42 total 4-11: dsrjrr - 231/230/210/130 - 21 total 4:11: truckinmama - 262/234/160 - 28 total 4-13: Nursekathy2u - 358/356/335/175 - 23 total 4-13: NJgirl - 248/230/206/140 - 42 total 4-13: Miper70 - 217.5/196/145 - 21.5 total 4-17: Amourette - 22.5 total 4-17: Jeepergurrl - 242/207/140 - 35 total 4-17: MelAnne - 245/207/150 - 38 total 4-18: Danaclark2 - 270/260.5/245/150 - 25 total 4-18: LapBandit - 392/369/347/336/324/308/298/278 - 114 total 4-20: Omamoon - 220/211.5/188/130 - 32 total 4-20: KimInMD - 288/288/236/156 - 52 total 4-21: Yoda - 273/257/218/150 - 55 total 4-21: kristielynn - 310/302/237/150 - 73total 4-22: alisonb - 286/270/176 - 16 total 4-24: Eficka - 125/117/104/69 - 21 kgs/46.2 lbs. total 4-24: Ceparano - 255/270.5/220/170 - 50.5 total 4-24: Kat - 289/281/224/165 - 65 total 4-24: hlj25950 - 262/257/225/160 - 37 total 4-25: momof2boys - 270/266/237/145 - 33 total 4-26: Bostongurl - 264/244/197/145 - 67 total 4-27: tinaj - 226/221/210/150 - 15 total 4-27: lookingout - 185/178/165/101 - 20 total 4-27: flowergoddesstn - 214/204/190/130 - 24 total 4-27: Dimples0323 - 284/284/241/145 - 43 total 4-28: Susan4794 - 283/267/243.5/140 - 39.5 total 4-28: bluehill - 333/253/145 - 80 total 4-28: Irish Girl - 225/214/170/135 - 55 total 4-28: MomofSixKids - 240/238/205/150 - 35 total

You just won't STOP. Unsubscribe

I agree. Please STOP the off-topic dispute about parenting on this thread. It's easy enough to start a new thread if you want to carry on this asinine, point-by-point debate.

This doesn't sound right to me. Could someone please explain how this could be? The purging can occur with self-induced PBing, right? But what about the binging part? The band PREVENTS binging by restricting the amount that can be consumed, no?