reverie

There is already a Christmas Challenge going on if you want to search for the thread.

I'm 19 so I definitely know what you're going through! It sucks to think about the possibility of having all this hanging skin, but in the end you're so much more healthy. It all depends on how long you've been overweight, by how much, genetics, etc. I have 40lbs+ (maybe 50 if I wanna push it) to lose and my skin is doing soso. I don't think I'll have a flat tummy ever and I can tell there will be skin there. But I can say it looks better then I thought it would, but in the end I am definitely saving for plastic surgery. I'm oddly excited to go through that phase..but that'll come in time. Only thing I suggest is staying hydrated and toning (weight-lifting) as well as cardio. It's important to build muscle and it can really help. Start with light weights and build up. I've been using 15lb weights and I'm starting my routine over with 20lb dumbbells this time. Best of luck and feel feel to message me if you have any questions :thumbup:

You won't lose the same as someone else. It's your journey; remember that. My only tips are exercise, Water, and Protein. Count your calories and see if it helps. @ OP. While you did cheat, I think it was a wise cheat. I wouldn't worry too much because it isn't worth the stress. Just pick yourself up and move on.

Your caloric needs will differ from person to person based on plenty of things. Some people can lose steadily on 600-800 calories, some on 1,000, some at 1,200+ calories. It really depends on your body. In the beginning I was eating about 600-800 calories but once I started exercising I began to eat around 1,000 a day. I'll probably need to bump that up soon. You may want to just play around with things. If you're losing at the levels you're eating at now, I wouldn't worry. If you start to stall/add in exercise, up your calories and see what it does for you.

Netrition has some. Bella Vita Low Carb Pasta sauces 4g of net carbs per serving.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=tYmPkphTP9YKZEc8WCbyoHQ&authkey=CNrR4dQH#gid=0 Bumping the spreadsheet. Hit my goal; can't wait for a Thanksgiving Challenge!

3 hours as well.

Congrats you look so happy!

You may want to check out the plastic surgery forum here. I (oddly) can't wait to have a TT though I know I have a ways to go before I have the guts to do it. Either way it's a very common surgery after weight-loss, especially with 100lbs+ lost. The stretch marks that are below your belly button will mostly be gone and the ones above will move down to a lower position. I can invite you to a helpful tummy tuck site if you'd like, just PM me.

Blunt but very true. Eating all you did so early on wasn't smart at all. Your surgeon should have told you that restriction (rarely) happens at the time of surgery. Often several fills are needed to reach that point. Until then it's up to you to eat properly..not "test" your band to see just what you can tolerate.

Plenty normal; don't worry too much over it! I still sometimes hear weird noises when doing sit-ups. Congrats on being banded!

I can't say I felt like that, but it will pass! We go through so many emotions before and after being banded. Just remember you're on the road to a healthier life. Once the scale moves down and your clothes fit looser (or not at all!) it really becomes all worth it.

My dream is to live in Colorado in the middle of nowhere! Maybe one day.

Early Morning: Quest protein bar Breakfast: Turkey sausage w/ egg beaters Lunch: Going to Ruby Tuesday's -> Santa Fe Chicken Salad Snack: Strawberries Dinner: Salad w/ chicken My last normal day of eating! Off to Vegas tomorrow for almost a week and so worried about the food aspect.

Western Maryland; Computer..stuff. Going to college for Computer/Security Technology but I do a lot of online freelance writing as well. :thumbup:

Play with your calories and play with your exercise. See what works. Betsy may be right in the fact that your body is just playing catch up. My plateau's only last a few days, but I did have one that lasted 2 weeks; the fix to both was to up my calories since I upped my exercise. Good luck!

I say celebrate most definitely! 100lbs lost is great. Congrats!!

Six. Sunday is my rest/stretch day. I do P90 and I plan to do the whole series (P90, P90M, P90X, maybe P90X+) I started doing it about 50+ days ago at 195lbs, I'm down to 172lbs, and down from a size 20 to a size 12. You can lose without exercising, but it is usually slower. But, I like the toning and how I feel after doing it, so it's definitely something I'm glad I got into.

I think the more protein, the better. My nutritionist/surgeon said to try to get 70g a day, I'm usually getting 100g+

How long ago were you banded? I doubt you did serious damage but with the food you're eating your stomach has to contract more to digest it, which could throw off the healing of your band. Maybe call your doctor and ask if solids are okay, or ask if you can do mushies and then one meal of solids? I couldn't imagine eating steak when I was eating mushies. In any case you're probably fine.

Almost down 75lbs from May! Hoping to be really near my goal around the end of January. Don't let yourself get down. We all lose at different paces and people who have more to lose will often lose quicker, but in the end we're all working towards a goal. Keep your head up and you'll get there. :smile:

Tofu, beans, soy, peanut butter, nuts, hemp seed, cottage cheese, lentils, tempeh, veggie burgers, whole grains, etc. Lean meats (chicken/fish) are healthy. I stay away from beef as much as possible; never was a fan but I eat it once in awhile.

I'm in the same boat! Only have about 15 or so left to lose and I should definitely hit that before Christmas. I'm not sure if I want to change my goal or not; I probably won't. Plus it always feels great to surpass it!

Down 3.2lbs this week despite really messing up on exercise/not eating all my meals!

All of the weight-loss surgeries rely on you to make the behavioral changes; all of them. You can't have WLS and eat cake and ice cream each day and expect to lose. You have to eventually realize that the diet you have now is obviously unhealthy and is causing you to gain weight. You'll also have to realize that maybe the lifestyle you live is contributing as well. But, in the end, like Elfie said, it depends on why you're overweight. Do you eat all day? Do you eat a lot of junk food? Do you not eat 3 meals a day and then when you do eat, you overeat? The band can help with all of this, but you have to make the choice to allow the band to help you, and that means eating right and exercising. Coping with the changes has been fine for me. I stay away from Pasta and rice, I count my carbs, and I eat sensibly and I exercise each day. It's not too hard, and for me really not too drastic. I enjoy eating how I eat now, as well as exercising. In any case, losing weight is going to take your effort as well. You have to make changes in order to see changes. Good luck in whatever you choose; I definitely love being banded, but you should talk to a psych. to really see if this is what's best for you.