OH Juli

G n' R- I've been trying to jump in as much as I can to feel 'Part Of' these fine people too. I came to the group a bit late, but they all deserve the chance to get to know me, so I'm staying. So let me see right, you are going to 18-30 minute sessions AND 10-40 minute sessions? How will you get it all in? What do you do now? I know cruches are rough (and no one should do them or lifting type strength training until they are 6 weeks out-so says my surgeon) and I avoid them. That's why I took up the challenge! I started doing Cardio in January. I told myself I'd start strength training after surgery. I did start back at 5 weeks out, don't tell my surgeon, and I forgot how much I love it! I know there's a super buff chick under all this fat! I do 40 minutes of cardio now at least 5 days a week and 20 minutes of strength training on those days. I prefer using the cable machine to circut machines (they don't fit my chubby body that well) for my upper body. I do use the circut machines for legs. The core-abs and lower back I really need to work on, but don't as of yet. And what's your real name, Guns? Juli

Tammyj- I am going to do the 40 minutes of exercise and cruches! I've made my ticker! I make it to the gym most days. I avoid cruches...I do. Bad me. But not anymore. I will become the Crunch Queen! Medge- I'd send you some brisket but it'd be yucky by the time you got it. And it was so good....with coleslaw on a bun...I feel like Homer Simpson, "brisket..(drooling)" :hungry: Tammyj- I will have to find that bbq sauce. Okay, I'm heading to the gym now. Work off a portion of those calories.

Today I woke up hungry. It doesn't help that we are having a special lunch at work. In theory it should be okay. Smoked Brisket- I even made a bbq sauce with reduced sugar- but I'm terrified I'm going to eat TOO MUCH. Why? because it's so unusual to break out the smoker and make this kind of food. I work in a cafeteria...yeah, it's stupid hard at times. So I'm thinking perhaps I can put some up for later meals for myself so I don't feel like I'll not have it again for a long, long time and I can eat sensibly. I wish I had a fill, so the ability to eat too much was not there. Come on May 7th!!! Seems like fancy food, difficult, or rare food is my weakness now. I've gotten past the cake and Cookies phase (at least for now). I baked choc chip cookies for my daughter's tea party yesterday and didn't even want one.:omg: I was stunned! Also, Pasta and carbs don't appeal much. Thanks for letting me fret.

Renee You get it first and tell me how you like it. Di/Texas Well, at least the band isn't a device we could resale in a yardsale. That would be a hoot! And I think this one is a keeper! Juli

You should be able to ride 30 minutes away, easily. But with pain medication I doubt driving is an option. Congratulations too!

How was that first fill? Did it hurt? Did it take long? Were you standing or lying down? You know you'll start dropping weight now! You'll be feeling like a million bucks in a minute.

I've PBed twice so far, so I know the band it there! The urge is immediate as is the relief afterward. It lasted less than 5 minutes each time. I can't say that I wanted to eat again after all the slime and stuff came up. (Sorry, gross.) And I wouldn't want to be in anyone's company either while in process. I've seen someone describe it as like a cat with a hairball. That seems pretty accurate for me. Like you I'm dying for a fill!

Julie At what weight did you begin running? I do quited a bit of cardio and so want to run. I tried at 270ish and got past the first week of 30 seconds of running and walking 90 seconds, for twenty minutes. In the second week I moved to 60/60 for a total of twenty and my knee started killing me. My lungs and butt can handle it but not my frame. I so want to run, but think it's just too much weight right now. With that in mind can you tell me where were on the scale you when you started? Thanks,

You look amazing! Dumb boy, not giving you kisses.

LoriPA- Rock On! I think that's a great idea. Let us know what they say!

Don't you hate it when all reason floats out of your head? Now you know a few chips won't kill you. And you can't un-eat them. So say, "oops" or "hehe, those were tastey" and, "eating like that will not get me to where I want to be." Now, go drink some water and eat your protein first. Not is all lost. And watch out for the hormone changes. Word on the street is that fat stores estrogen and as we lose weight we get more frisky too. :girl_hug: A bit of tough love-

I agree with Hazelbunny,find something to focus on that you do like about yourself and look at that part. But how to get rid of the fat woman? This might sound goofy, but figure out why you kept her around for so long, thank her for her service and tell her she's going to leaving because you have other more positive ways to deal with what she was protecting you from.

You know it makes me think about meat tenderizer. If you look at them often they have papaya. I'll have to look at the science behind that! I bet it's the same thing. Breaks down the structure of the food so it softens and passes through. Very clever! Of course I'm going to have to get some. Thanks, Sue!

Sue- What are papaya enzymes and where does one find them. Also, I have to wait 8 weeks from my banding to my first fill. I know what you mean about not feeling banding them BAM, hello there's constriction. Today it was a cold ground beef patty for breakfast. Odd choice and a bad decision, won't happen again.

Congratulations to your son on his Bar Mitzvah! I was going to knock the fish from McD's but really as far as their sandwiches go, it's not that bad. (As far as low fat protein goes, it's not that good.) But you could do worse. Maybe talk to the decision makers at your school about how horrible fast food for lunch is for your students and redirect them to better alternatives for next year. (I'm a school food service manager, but I won't jump on a soap box.) I'm with you on wanting a fill, NOW.

Find a big old thread bare T shirt to wear over your suit. And put on that, "don't even think about giving me a hard time" face as you stride toward the pool. Really the people who are concerned with other people's size or shape don't have opnions I value anyway. :biggrin1:

How frustrating for you! You haven't made a mistake! You'll get some restriction and this episode will fade into the past. In the meantime try to get back to basics about eating the right foods and exercising. Even a little exercise is better than nothing. And give your doctor a piece of your mind when you see him. :angry That was so not cool.

Throwing food away is the hardest thing! But I can do it! I allow my daughter to throw away whatever she doesn't want to eat. Now I need to practice for myself what I preach to her.

I have to agree my ankles and feet don't hurt like they used to. But because of a serious increase in activity my knee is giving me pain. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> My question is what over the counter pain medication do people use? I loved my ibuprofen and know that's a no-no. Tylenol doesn't do much for me unless there's a little #3 and I can't do that everyday. I don't know much about Aleve, any thoughts? Is that okay not to irritate the stomach?<o:p></o:p>

Suzanne- He is full of pep! Your poor DH having to sit through it! I've watched the entire infomercial so many times I can't count. I know I'm going to cave and buy it.

I'll take any of your suggested names... I'd be interested in a challenge too. Exercise and/or water would be great! I'll keep looking for postings.

I see a difference in you pictures. Funny about your DH. If I were more proficient with photoshop I'd stick a porn star face on your picture just for giggles.

Tammyj You can lose those 10 pounds before Mother's Day! YOU WILL! I was in Chicago last weekend. It was beautiful but chilly! Wish I was there this weekend instead. OH Juli

How many times have I watched "HIP HOP ABS"? I'm going to end up ordering it soon, I know. I work out nearly every day at the a fitness center at work. I don't need Hip Hop Abs, I can't dance very well because of two left feet and I've got Tae Bo tapes galore that I never use.... But still I watch....I can't turn away.

I love that you post over and over again. You really don't know how much just reading people's postings helps me. Juli