mandyfsc

I started working from home and no longer had to wear regular nice work clothes. i wore pajamas around the house so I never noticed the amount of weight I was gaining. All of a sudden, I went to sit down in my pajama pants and they split in the back. Thank goodness I was alone, how embarrassing! I had been researching the Band for a while but pushed me over the edge. I just had my 1st fill yesterday and feel great!

Have you ever heard of calorie cycling? I just read about it and it makes a lot of sense. It talks about changing up the calories that you eat daily while eating the same amount weekly. That way your body doesn't get used to that same amount and stop losing. Check out this link:

Calorie Calculator - Daily Caloric Needs

It looks like it's just a way to figure out how many calories to eat, but look down a little further and click on 7 day calorie zigzag and it will give you a break down.

I'm going to start this Monday and I'll let you know how successful I am. :cursing:

Mandy

Just hang in there. That is exactly where I was a few weeks ago. It seemed like I would be down a couple of lbs and then back up again. Onederland was my goal for the Valentine's Day Challenge and I didn't make it. Slowly though a pound at a time I got there and you will too.

Thank you so much for saying that. I knew it, but it's still nice to hear. Thanks for the encouragement. I'm eating right and exercising so there is no where for the weight to go but fall off! I'm just very impatient. I need to remind myself, "I didn't get fat overnight, I won't get skinny overnight either!"

And I'll let you know when I can join you in ONEderland! Yay!

Hey guys! Are you using a web site to track your calories?? I use Free Calorie Counter, Diet & Exercise Journal | MyFitnessPal.com. It has been a life saver!! I stopped losing for a while and realized it's because I was only consuming 800-1000 calories. So my body was in starvation mode. As soon as I upped it to 1200 I started dropping weight again. Make sure you track it. It is essential!! Also, is you exercise (which we ALL need to do) then make sure you allot for that too. I try to burn anywhere from 200-400 calories working out per day. So If I burned 300 calories, then I need to eat 1500 that day.

Try it out, it's awesome! :eek:

Hi there! I am getting near ONEderland myself! But it's been a battle and I'm not quite there yet. I got down to 207 and then jumped to 209. :eek: And then I had the flu on Wednesday and Thursday which dropped me down to my current 205. I never thought I'd say thank goodness for the flu! haha! I was hoping to be in ONEderland by the end of the month but it looks like it will take a bit longer. That's OK, I'm working hard and still very encouraged.

Good luck and congrats to you!

Hello,,,

I am 7 and 1/2 weeks post op. I initially lost 16 pounds in the first 4 weeks. Then I went for a fill and I started really going to the gym atleast 3-5 times a week and all the weight lost stopped dramatically. What does everyone do to get through these plateaus, my calories are under 1200-always and I get my 64 oz of Water and my 60 grams of Protein everyday. Any suggestions would be really appreciated

I'm pretty much in the same boat here. Was banded 01/15. I dropped about 10 pounds post-op right away but have struggled since. And I know it is tough to hear the "muscle weighs more than fat." Because just like you, I am working out and want the weight to come off even faster! So I understand. BUT it is true. You also need to make sure that you are eating enough. I stay at 1200 as my goal also. HOWEVER, If I burned 200 calories working out then I will eat 1400 that day. I use Free Calorie Counter, Diet & Exercise Journal | MyFitnessPal.com. It will log your food and you exercise. I noticed that when I was not allotting more calories for myself when I hit the gym that my weight loss stopped. Once I began eating more to make up for that, the weight came off again. You need to make sure you aren't putting yourself in starvation mode.

Also, have you had a fill yet?? I haven't, but am planning my first one for the beginning of April. I know it's a ways away but I'm self-pay so I need to save up for it!

Just an update........ it was definitely a 48 hour bug. I feel much much better today. And actually ended up dropping a few pounds from this terrible flu! Maybe it wasn't the worst thing in the world! Haha!

I feel like that movie, "The Devil Wears Prada" where the girl says, "I'm one stomach flu away from my goal weight." Although I'm about 20 stomach flu's away! Haha!

I think we all do it! I'm obsessed with my scale. I don't care how far it goes down, just as long as it goes in that direction! I not only weigh myself daily but I weigh myself every time I go in the restroom!

I've decided I need to put my scale in my car so that the obsession will stop. Most days I am encouraged. But on the days it goes up, I can focus on nothing else!

Hi guys, I need your help. I was banded on 01/15. I have been doing great so far. Even with no fills yet, I've had great self control and lost 13lbs post op so far. Here's the problem...

Heads up!! I know this is TMI but I don't know who to ask, so I apologize.

All of a sudden, last night I had terrible stomach cramps which lead to diarrhea. I hadn't had any stomach issues since originally banded. Today when I woke up I had some serious nausea. But never threw up. I've had stomach cramps and the runs all day long. So bad that I couldn't even work today. I still never vomited but my stomach cramps and nausea are unbearable. The pains are very similar to the pains I had when first banded. I know that was the recovery period so I'm not sure what is causing it now.

Since this problem has lasted about 24 hours now, I'm starting to worry there is something wrong. What are the signs or slippage or erosion? I've never felt this way before so it makes me think it is related to the band.

Any thoughts?

I have not yet, but I saw NUtri System at costco for like $258.00 for 30 days worth of meals... I have considered trying that just to learn Portion Control and to boost my weight loss...

If I get the 6-month position to go to NYC for my company, I may just do it since I won't have to cook for or feed anyone else... Thats a great bargain for a month of food for one person.... But kinda spendy if you still have to buy food for a family....

Do not do Nutrisystem. I was on it for 2 months. I hated it after the first few weeks but forgot to cancel so I got stuck with a 2nd month! The food is not good at all. The only thing I really liked was the chocolate bites- go figure! All the dinners tasted exactly the same. Save your money! I wish I had!

This is such a great topic because so many of us eat out of bordum. I changed my whole thinking process.... instead of eating in front of the TV, I started doing things that will make me prettier if I am watching TV. Like a manicure or pedicure or facial or dying my hair. I also do a lot of weight training if I have a show I simply MUST watch! :redface: Other than that- same thing- house has never been cleaner! Haha! I love the idea that we are improving our lives all around! :redface:

I know this is totally TMI, but I'm in some serious pain here. I'm 9 days post op....and it's been 10 days since my last bm. I was advised that Constipation is normal, and to be expected, but this is getting out of control. I started a few mushies yesterday and today with no trouble, so it's definitely time for some action! Unlike while I was on the pre-op diet, I do at least feel the need to go now. But it's just not happening. I'm nauseated and am getting chills. I've tried apple juice, orange juice, applesauce, and even 2 doses of Milk of Magnesia, which was only used as a last resort this afternoon b/c I was told to avoid laxatives.

NOTHING is working and I am to the point where I am hurting so badly, that I can't stand or sit. Does anyone have any suggestions? Going to the store isn't an option right now (3 kiddos), but the hubs gets off work at midnight, so he can make a dash if necessary. I'm ready to try anything! :redface:

I feel your pain! Another Bandster on a different board gave me this advise. Go to Target- hopefully you have one near you. In the Vitamin isle you will find VitaFusion Fiber gummies. They are incredible! They have regular and also weight management. Obviously I chose the weight management ones. Much better than Benefiber and they taste yummy too! I was having the same problem. I ate 2 and the next day........ well lets just say things moved smoooothly. It was wonderful. Try them out!

First, let me just say I am sorry for your frustration and that I completely understand. I'm 5 weeks post op and and don't have a fill in sight- I'm self pay so I have to save up for it. But that said, I am running on straight up will power! And it has been a struggle, but I'm doing it. And you can too!

What worries me is that you said you are eating what you did and how much you did before. Ask anyone- the band is not a magical cure. It is a helper. We still have the same obese brain we did before! We can't do anything about that. You really just need to learn to change your thinking. Try tracking all of your food. I use myfitnesspal.com. It's wonderful. I eat 1200 calories per day and also track my exercise there too. I have no restriction right now so I really need to watch what goes in my body. We all do! And this way, I'm training my mind to eat the right foods so that when I do have proper restriction I will stay on track even more. I lost 10 pounds pre-op and 12 so far post-op. This past week was a struggle and I stopped losing but I refuse to give up or gain. Remember, it's completely up to you! You/I/We are our own worst enemy...

Work on the mental side of it until you can have the physical part on your side. That way you can be even more successful. If you don't tackle the mental part then you will always find a way to "cheat" the band- so I've heard....

Good luck, and keep us all updated! :thumbup:

HA! I LOVE it! That totally just made my day! Now we are even. We both have huge creepy pictures up for all the world (lapband world) to see! Wonderful! :thumbup:

I've always thought I was pretty computer savvy but I'm feeling pretty dumb because I wanted to add my collage in my signature like you did, but can't seem to do it. Hmmm....

I think you should have to put your face on yours too to make it even!

BTW... that's not my progress, it's beginning, middle and goal. I WISH I was there already! Ha!

OH MY GOSH! You just posted my creepy picture!!!!!!!! I can't stop laughing!! Hahahaha!!

BTW, our own faces on the fake model DOES sound creepy!

OK, I DID IT!! I can't figure out how to post the picture but it is totally worth it to go to my profile and look at my albums to see it. How creepy is it with a real face?!?!?! Hahaha!

Hey Sawyer, How did you make the collage??

And by the way, I figured out how to put my face on the model. It's pretty creepy though...If you tell me how to post it, you can see for yourself! haha!

I had seen these from time to time and would LOVE the extra motivation. Unlike some people on here, I have been overweight my whole life- recently obese- but was never considered thin. So I'd LOVE to see a visual of what I'd look like when I hit goal weight. Even if it's not free, could anyone make a recommendation? I've invested this much, why not a few more bucks, right?? I just want to make sure it's a good one. Any suggestions would be awesome. Thanks!

I'm doing this as well. I'm should be on Week 3 but I'm repeating Week 2 as I just don't have the stamina to move up yet. I like it so far and I'd love to be a runner! I'm also hoping this will jumpstart some weight loss (still in preband land - hoping to be banded in July). I'm hoping to RUN a 5K and then do the 3 Day Walk for the Cure in November. Here's to us JOGGERS! :thumbup:

I hear ya!! I started week 3 today. And BOY was it rough. So far I've been doing such short bursts of running that a full 3 minutes was real tough. I felt like a total wuss, but I know that it will get easier as I build more stamina. And I love getting it out of the way in the morning, I feel great all day long.

Congrats to all the others on this journey, it's a wonderful challenge for us all!

and what one are you doing?

Cool Running :: The Couch-to-5K Running Plan

Scroll down and the plan is there.... it's 8 weeks with 3 variations to choose. I'm starting week 3 tomorrow, so tomorrow I'll be doing this:

5 min warm up walk, then 2 repetitions of:

Jog 90 seconds, Walk 90 seconds

Jog 3 minutes, Walk 3 minutes

Then cool down walk for 5 minutes

I don't really go by the length of time they tell me, If I can do more, i do more. It should be 20 minutes but I haven't done less than 30 yet. I'm really trying to push myself.

It's definitely been getting easier, but I still hate running. My goal has been to fun a 5K with my friends (and not just hold up signs for them at the end of the race like I usually do- soooo embarrassing) It may take me longer than everyone, but I will DO IT!!

I discovered this today and am super excited about it.

A pouch of Bumblebee tuna WITH

A triangle wedge of the Laughing Cow cheese!

Mash it together in a bowl and it's a nice change from the boring old low fat mayo.

YUMMY and 115 calories and 19 grams of Protein.

Try it and let me know what you think! :thumbup:

I was just banded 01/15 and just started on solids. Since I haven't had any fills yet, I have very little restriction. but since my stomach seemed to shrink a lot from the 3 week liquid diet I was on, I am able to keep to a low calorie diet through sheer self control! But I still log everything into Free Calorie Counter, Diet & Exercise Journal | MyFitnessPal.com. Here's my diet for the past week:

Breakfast:

Whole Wheat English muffin with low fat Peanut Butter and sliced banana on top- THIS IS SOOO YUMMY! (300 cal)

Lunch:

Homemade Turkey Chili- I made a ton in the crockpot and portioned it out and froze it- (300 cal)

Dinner:

Turkey Burger with avacado and green salad with spray dressing- (485 cal)

My Snacks are yogurts, cottage cheese, string cheese, or raw veggies. I try to stay around 1200 calories daily.

Couch to 5k Conservative Run Program

this is what i am doing!

Yes, that is definitely different, And still a wonderful program!

Good luck! :thumbup: