beachgirl

Sherri Jo: First of all, you have done FABULOUS!! It was bound to slow down some from the beginning weightloss. And the inches you've lost/sizes you've lost are something to Celebrate. So, don't beat yourself up!! CELEBRATE (just not with goodies)!! It sounds like you may be on a plateau here, which I believe is normal. It happened to me in Dec./Jan. then all of a sudden I lost some more. Since then, I can honestly say that I haven't eaten right. But, even though I haven't seen any weightloss, I have continued to shrink some in inches and I think it's due to my skin catching up. I don't know medially if that's what happens, it just seems as though I look smaller (I am smaller), but the weight is the same. I know that I don't have good restriction, but that doesn't seem to be the issue with you. So, I would just be sure to eat that Protein (as you stated in an earlier post) and your green vegetable, then anything else if you can eat anymore, which it doesn't sound like you can). You may need to supplement your protein with a shake if you are not getting in enough. Doesn't sound like you are feeding your body enough calories so maybe there is something to that "starving the body" deal. Remember, we don't want to lose muscle when we lose, but fat. Muscle weighs more than fat. All of us have a lot of muscle as we've carried around all that extra weight. These are just some things I'm throwing out there. I know that Barbara (Dr. Rod's assistant) has stressed so much with me NOT to go by weight but how I feel, size, measurement, etc. due to the muscle thing. She also stressed that I may not end up at the same weight that I was in the past due to this. I may be heavier in weight but get to the appropriate size. Does this make sense? Maybe you need to move that scale out to the garage and just quit getting on it. Keep track of your protein and food choices. Make sure you aren't getting in extra liquid or soft calories (as Kari talked about) and just RELAX!! The band was not a mistake. You've done well. It's so easy to try and compare ourselves with others. There are some on here that have lost extremely fast and large amounts. We are not all the same. (I'm reminding myself of this right now too). We are different ages, reached obesity in different ways, different metabolisms, etc. Remember the band is a tool and the typical weightloss promised with the band is something like 1-2 lbs. a week (that would be 4 lbs. a month- 8 lbs. a month).

If you've been on pain meds and need them, I think you should take them. I don't know how they affect your weight, but if you can't move due to pain, that certainly isn't going to help you any. You can always talk to your doctor and read up on any side effects of the medicines you're on. But, you were on these previously, I'm thinking, so that shouldn't be hindering anything. I think the "slow down" is normal and we just need to remember that the band is to help us lose the weight and keep it off. I've always thought that it would be 1-2 years for me to get it off (approximately 115 lbs.). I have a goal of being under 200 lbs. by my bandiversary date of 7-28-07. Will this happen? Time will tell. But, I must do my part, too, and be patient. Our bodies are readjusting now, too. I have a feeling that my metabolism is going to get messed up if I don't make sure I'm eating properly and getting in my protein. I refuse to look at this as a "diet". The band is a lifestyle change. Since I've been struggling, I'm seriously thinking about getting some counseling or going through some inner healing ministry through my church. With my dad passing away and some other family issues, I just may need to address these in working with my band. Since I went to Mexico, I didn't need any type of eval for behavioral stuff. Well, I've been on enough boards to see that counseling can be a big help in dealing with stress and reasons for overeating to begin with. I've seen that many have gone to counseling or are going to deal with "life". Whatever it takes for me to be healthy, I need to do.

Well, I've written a book here and guess I needed to get some of my own feelings out here, too. Sherri Jo, I hope you've gotten your medication by now and feeling better. I hope and pray that you are encouraged by what I've written. I'm just a fellow bandster that has struggled at times, too, so remember, we are here for one another and this is a journey, not just a trip...!! (Boy, didn't know I was so wise, especially after not knowing who Aunt Flo was)

That was too funny about Aunt Flo,
Okay guys I need your help. You know how I haven't lost anything in 2 months. Had anothe fill about a month ago and I'm tight, tight, tight. I have been tracking what I'm eating on fitday and I'm eating between 600 and 800 calories a day. Now, I've heard the your body thinks your starving stuff before but thought it was a crock. Do you really think that's why I'm not losing? Seems pretty far fetched for me as my thinking is less is better but I'm ready to put my band out and jump up and down on it. I mean after being out close to 20,000.00 I guess it's easy to blame my band. I really am getting so frustrated and my family is like, how much have you lost, and I'll tell them the same thing I told them 2 months ago and you can see the "oh lord, she's just wasted her money type look on their faces" look. I mean I have went from 24's to 16's and I'm thrilled to death with that because I'm 5'8" and I can carry more weight but this is ridiculous.
One other thing, I was also wondering about. Everyone probably knows in the past 5 years I have the 3rd degree burns over 33 percent of body, neck surgery, back surgery, foot surgery, and fat. I've been on Loritab's for a couple of years because I've still got 2 ruptured disks in lower back. Well, he doesn't have me on anything for arthritis but I have lots of medal in my neck and back and the past 3 days it's been raining here and I didn't refill my pain meds this month because I thought I'm going to beat this pain regardless. Well, for the past 3 days, I can't walk standing up straight, I'm in so much pain I got in the floor last night and just laid there and cried I couldn't stand the pain. I got up this morning and the pain was a 10 on a scale of 1-10. I guess I will have no choice but get my meds filled but do you guys think this too could be hindering me. I would take any advice, good or bad. I've got to start losing more pounds.
I did measure myself and have lost over 50 inches so maybe that's a little part of it too. I'm just out of answers and I knew maybe someone had some clue.
Thanks guys, sorry so long. This is just getting old for me.
Way to go Steph, you rock.

Yep,
With self pay you call and in 2 weeks usually you are having surgery. I don't regret self paying either.
Congrats on your dream coming true and yes I believe things will be much easier for you having this done and on your road to skinny. Good luck on the move too.
BTW, what does Rep Power mean. I've been on here for a year and just now noticing. LOL.