tonya66

I just had to pop in and say how proud you should be of yourself! Reaching goal in LESS THAN A YEAR, is remarkable! Thanks for sharring your "secrets" with us. I'm hoping in a year I can reach my goal too. I've been exercising like a mad woman (6 days a week) and staying on top of my fills, so your advice is great! Congratulations and go reward yourself with something!

I can't answer you question, but I do know that the band is finicky. I have great restriction some days, then bamb, nothing at all. I actually made an appointment for another fill, and after I made my appointment, I now have restriction. Go figure? Anyhow, I'm not sure how they detect pouch dialation, but I will be anxious to see what answers you get.

The beauty of the band is it is there waiting on you to work with it. Now that your ready to get back on track, maybe a small fill would be beneficial, or maybe the boost of exercise is just what you need. I'm impressed that you are getting back on track with a 20 lb weight gain, instead of it being 50. Your doing good and have the right mind set. I have read that everyone should have a set point of how much they allow themselves to gain, the expert say 5lbs, once you get up 5 lbs, start back tweaking your diet etc. So 20 lb is not that bad, and it won't take you that long to loose it with exercise. I've made exercise a part of my life now and am on my 4th week of the Body For Life challenge,(working out 6 days a week) I honestly am seeing some muscles come out in my stomach area. And - I am getting collar bones. So, I am a firm believer in Exercise!

M1 - 4 bites of refried beans and some flavored Iced coffee from the coffee shop (fattening I'm sure - but only drank about 1/2) M2 - grilled fish, 3 oz, 1 stalk of brocolli & a bite or two of cabbage m3 - It went downhill from here - binged, and can't even remember all the crap I ate..... M4 Exercise #1 - 20 min Elliptiacal (HIIT) - 176 calories burned NOtes - scales are ugly these days, 188.4 this morning - i'm sure its water weight due to TOM. Hopefully when he leaves, scales will go back down. Went to my doctor today, and I am scheduled for fill #3 on May 25th. I can't wait. I'm nervous too. I doing good with this fill and no problems PBing or anything, I just feel I need to be a little tighter, and I'm worried about PBing. So, we'll see. I go on a Friday the 25th for my fill, I hope I do okay over the weekend, so we'll see how it goes. In the meantime, I will continue eating healthy and exercising. I'm almost 1/3 of the way thru my challenge!

M1 - 4 bites of refried beans and some flavored Iced coffee from the coffee shop (fattening I'm sure - but only drank about 1/2) M2 - grilled fish, 3 oz, 1 stalk of brocolli & a bite or two of cabbage m3 - It went downhill from here - binged, and can't even remember all the crap I ate..... M4 Exercise #1 - 20 min Elliptiacal (HIIT) - 176 calories burned NOtes - scales are ugly these days, 188.4 this morning - i'm sure its water weight due to TOM. Hopefully when he leaves, scales will go back down. Went to my doctor today, and I am scheduled for fill #3 on May 25th. I can't wait. I'm nervous too. I doing good with this fill and no problems PBing or anything, I just feel I need to be a little tighter, and I'm worried about PBing. So, we'll see. I go on a Friday the 25th for my fill, I hope I do okay over the weekend, so we'll see how it goes. In the meantime, I will continue eating healthy and exercising. I'm almost 1/3 of the way thru my challenge!

Okay - I decided it was time for fill #3 - Enterprise - I'm glad to see that you are doing good at 3.5cc's (Do you have a 4.cc band?) I was eating a steak on Sunday evening and without even thinking, I swallowed a big bite, I barely chewed it, and as soon as I swallowed it I said ah oh, I just knew I would have a PB eppisode, but no problems, the steak went thru like it was water. I realized then, time for a fill. I called my doctor today - I have to go see him tomorrow, and then they fax the paperwork over to the hospital and then the hospital will call me for a fill. Its a hassle, but I need my fill! I am losing, but mainly because I'm exercisng my butt off 6 days a week, and trying to DIET. But, I want my fill for extra security. I want to make sure I can't overeat. So, hopefully I will have another fill next week. I just worry how much they can fill me? I'm already at 3.0 cc's. I hope I don't have something weird going on.

Exercise - 5AM - Yay me - did LBWO Exercise #2 - 10 am - did 18 min on treadmill (1.03 mile, 3.4 mph, 4% incline, 148 calories) - it was a short break, so I'm using it wisely and walking. M1 - protein shake with Betagen added in M2 - spinach salad M3 - 3 oz cottage cheese - granola mixed in M4 - 1 cup of speghettie, a small piece of apple pie (bad me) with some about 1/4 cup of sugar free frozen yogurt M5 Notes - TOM came to visit on Saturday - damn it!, Feeling bloated and yuk. But, I DID NOT miss an exercise session this weekend, and for the most part ate pretty good and clean. I am calling my doctor today and trying for another fill, just doesn't fill like I'm tight enough, I can eat regular bites of food, and pretty much swallow it whole - I don't even have to bother eating the bandster way. So, I think its time for a fill. Scale was up this morning - thanks to TOM = 187.2 - grrrrr.

Exercise - 5AM - Yay me - did LBWO Exercise #2 - 10 am - did 18 min on treadmill (1.03 mile, 3.4 mph, 4% incline, 148 calories) - it was a short break, so I'm using it wisely and walking. M1 - protein shake with Betagen added in M2 - spinach salad M3 - 3 oz cottage cheese - granola mixed in M4 - 1 cup of speghettie, a small piece of apple pie (bad me) with some about 1/4 cup of sugar free frozen yogurt M5 Notes - TOM came to visit on Saturday - damn it!, Feeling bloated and yuk. But, I DID NOT miss an exercise session this weekend, and for the most part ate pretty good and clean. I am calling my doctor today and trying for another fill, just doesn't fill like I'm tight enough, I can eat regular bites of food, and pretty much swallow it whole - I don't even have to bother eating the bandster way. So, I think its time for a fill. Scale was up this morning - thanks to TOM = 187.2 - grrrrr.

M1 - Cottabe cheese mixed with lc yogurt (couldn't finish it all) M2 - 6 oz of apple juice mixed with Daily 5 M3 - grilled fish, broccolli & cabbage (about a bite or two of each - except ate most of my fish - need the protein to build my muscles) M4 - grilled chicken, grilled veggies M5 Exercise - UBWO - Worked out at my gym at work today, couldn't get out of bed, this weather is not letting me get up in the AM, but I will work on it next week! My biceps and shoulders were worked to total fatigue - they are burning now! Exercise #2 - NOTES - Wt this morning 184.4 - OMG, I am getting so close to being out of the 180's! I must get my butt back in gear next week and get out of bed at 5 am. Although I haven't missed one exercise session, I have been doing it at all different times in the evening, afternoon, etc. It just works better for me when I do it in the am. So next week, that is my focus. Next week I begin week 4 of my BFL challenge, after completing next week, I will be 1/3 of the way finished - yay. I can't wait to take my measurements on the 19th - it will be my 4 mo anniversary and, it will be 4 weeks doing the exercise challenge. I am anxious to see what progress I have made and compare my pictures - even though I hated taking a picture of me in my bikini (I had to go buy one cause I didn't own one) - I think it will be neat seeing the difference after exercising for 4 weeks straight. Sorry, just can't share those pics with you guys, lol. Maybe after I finish the 12 weeks and I see a difference and I don't look so scary, I will share the pics. To all my journal buddies out there, thanks so much for all your compliments and your cheering me on. I am inspired by each of you and watching your progress motivates me even more. Together we can achieve this!

I try and eat 4 or 5 meals a day - to keep my matabolism going. I know all the lap band rules say 3 meals, but the 4 or 5 mini meals is working for me, so why change? I usually have my largest one at lunch but they are pretty much evenly spaced out with the portion sizes. I'm telling you, the thing that has boost my weight loss is weight training, I've started lifting weights 3 weeks ago, along with cardio 5 x's per week, and my loss this month is more than the last two months. So, I can see a big difference.

I have a very close relationship with my inlaws, but I still did not tell them about my surgery, nor am I going to tell them. I like some of the suggestions, the best thing to say is, "I'm not focussing on the scales, I am just eating right and exercising and becoming healthy". Thats all they need to know. ] I hope you enjoy your visit with them. Maybe it will be a pleasant one after all, and your worrying for nothing. You have to tell us how it went after they leave!

Thank you girlfriend, you are gorgeous lady and do forget it! You are doing wonderful!

M1 - apple juice with daily 5 M2 - 1/2 cup of shredded hash brown potatoes - I was having a craving for them so gave in. M3 - grilled chicken breast salad - dressing on the side M4 - Grilled talapia fish - YUM M5 Exercise #1 - 30 min on Elliptical machine (20 min of it was HIIT) - 2.20 distance, 280 calories (burn baby burn!) Weight - 186.4 this morning - come on 170's, let me go there! PAALEEZE. I can't believe this is really working. I look at the scale and am shocked I see the 180's. Then I look in the mirror and shock I'm still fat. I'm trying to work on my body image. I see a huge fat person instead of the weight I've lost. I know I have an issue with it, and it is something I am working on.

Exercise #1 - 25 min on treadmill (would have done 30 min or more, but the darn thing came unplugged and then couldn't get it to work again - so left) Exercise #2 - LBWO M1 - SF yogurt mixed with lf cottage cheese m2 - coffee & cream m 3 - 3 whole wheat crackers & 3 oz of pink salmon m 4 - grilled talapia and broccoli sald (the last of it - getting sick of it now - lol) Notes - I've started tanning and I tried on a shirt I bought last year on clearance for $4.00, it was way too tight on me, but I tried it on, it fit! I'm wearing it today and I feel so good in it! I guess I feel so good becaue I remember how tight it was on me, and now it slips on with ease.

Thanks for the sweet compliments, you guys are wonderful!

Lisa - I fear the fact that I am 3cc's in a 4 cc band. But my doc says it actually holds 5cc's. Also .2 cc's make a big difference, so maybe at 3.0 cc's there might not be much restriciton, but raise it up to 3.2 cc's and you might have the world of difference. Right now, I'm having pretty good restriction, and last week I wasn't, so I'm going to stay where I am. I weighed this morning and down another 2 lbs - 184.4. I am almost in the 170's - I can't believe it. I was in the 190's for so long, and flying by in the 180's, its just too good to be true. I'm in shock everytime I get on the scales! I weighed 175 when I got pregnant for the 2nd time, so if I can get down to my pre-pregnancy weight, I will be thrilled - after all, its only been 14 years, lol. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

M1 - Cottabe cheese mixed with lc yogurt (couldn't finish it all) M2 - 6 oz of apple juice mixed with Daily 5 M3 - grilled fish, broccolli & cabbage (about a bite or two of each - except ate most of my fish - need the protein to build my muscles) M4 - grilled chicken, grilled veggies M5 Exercise - UBWO - Worked out at my gym at work today, couldn't get out of bed, this weather is not letting me get up in the AM, but I will work on it next week! My biceps and shoulders were worked to total fatigue - they are burning now! Exercise #2 - NOTES - Wt this morning 184.4 - OMG, I am getting so close to being out of the 180's! I must get my butt back in gear next week and get out of bed at 5 am. Although I haven't missed one exercise session, I have been doing it at all different times in the evening, afternoon, etc. It just works better for me when I do it in the am. So next week, that is my focus. Next week I begin week 4 of my BFL challenge, after completing next week, I will be 1/3 of the way finished - yay. I can't wait to take my measurements on the 19th - it will be my 4 mo anniversary and, it will be 4 weeks doing the exercise challenge. I am anxious to see what progress I have made and compare my pictures - even though I hated taking a picture of me in my bikini (I had to go buy one cause I didn't own one) - I think it will be neat seeing the difference after exercising for 4 weeks straight. Sorry, just can't share those pics with you guys, lol. Maybe after I finish the 12 weeks and I see a difference and I don't look so scary, I will share the pics. To all my journal buddies out there, thanks so much for all your compliments and your cheering me on. I am inspired by each of you and watching your progress motivates me even more. Together we can achieve this!

I'm down 62 lbs, and have a little sagging here and there. I am in the same boat, not sure if its skin or fat? Either way, I'm living with it and praying it will shrink. Time will tell I guess.

You go girl, you can do it. I really believe exercise is the key. Pump it up and get moving, and you'll start seeing some results....

Hello - I would love to have a get together of us Okies sometime. Where is Dr. Joya, what part of Mexico?

Mark - I hate to tell you, but Yep, your gonna have to pull out the big guns called "exercise". lol. I have been doing cardio and the weight was falling off, then all of a sudden STOPPED. I stalled for 3 weeks, I started weight lifting some, and doing my cardio and I finally hit a low of 186. I actually saw 185 this morning, but the 2nd time I got on the scales (Yes, I weigh more than once - I'm obsessed), it said 186. I truly believe exercise is the key, unfortunately, you gotta move to lose. I wish there was a magic pill, but so fat, haven't found it.

M1 - apple juice with daily 5 M2 - 1/2 cup of shredded hash brown potatoes - I was having a craving for them so gave in. M3 - grilled chicken breast salad - dressing on the side M4 - Grilled talapia fish - YUM M5 Exercise #1 - 30 min on Elliptical machine (20 min of it was HIIT) - 2.20 distance, 280 calories (burn baby burn!) Weight - 186.4 this morning - come on 170's, let me go there! PAALEEZE. I can't believe this is really working. I look at the scale and am shocked I see the 180's. Then I look in the mirror and shock I'm still fat. I'm trying to work on my body image. I see a huge fat person instead of the weight I've lost. I know I have an issue with it, and it is something I am working on.

Sheila you did great! Oh, and what a beautiful smile you have - I vote for you! You'll make a GREAT traffic reporter!

I honestly think is what I see in my head as perfect, and what I see in the mirror don't match up. I have visioned myself getting smaller, and what I'll look like - and what I see in the mirror, honey, its not my vision. lol. I'm thinking "Victoria Secret Model", not what I see. So I'm having a hard time adjusting to the fact, I won't have the perfect body. However, I will be leaner, thinner, and healthier, so I'm trying to focus on those thoughts. I just want it all - no cellulite, no hanging skin (I want a 6 pack abs), no stretch marks, scars etc. But, I don't think that is going to happen so I'm trying to come to realization of that. Its tough to think how hard I'm working out, and how hard I'm trying - and I still won't be perfect. lol. I'm learning to deal with it.

Lisa - I was doing the same thing! Except, all of a sudden yesterday, I got really tight restriction again. I could only eat 1/2 piece of fish last night and 1 broccoli spear, and I have a 1/2 cup of hashbrowns this morning (major craving for them - TOM is getting near) and I can't eat them, too tight. So I am thinking the band has a mind of its own. I can still eat bread, I don't, but I have taken a bit or two with no problems. I'm going to ride this fill out and see what happens. I've heard of pople saying that it settled in at a month, so I'm going ride it out and see what happens. Sometimes, just .2 cc's can make a huge difference, so next month, if I think I am not tight enough, I go back in for a small fill.