Okay, at my job there doing this biggest loser challenge, and i was wondering if it was considered cheating to join because I am banded?

I don't think it's "cheating". I think it is just your personal method of weightloss.

Not cheating, it is not like we just get to lay there and watch the weight fall off. Would be nice huh?

Cheri

I vote not cheating, and I agree with 123crod...because personally I'm busting my a** everyday working out and eating next to nothin with this band and I feel like I'm on a slim slow diet!! It would be nice to just lay round and watch it fall off!!

Not cheating, especially at the stage you are at right now, no full restriction. You are working just as hard to lose the weight as anyone else.... so no, NOT cheating! :thumbup:

I dont think its cheating. Im joining a "get fit" challenge at my gym and my personal trainer even suggested I join it, and he knows im banded... soo if he doesnt think its cheating im going for it! lol

okay thanks a bunch everyone! I feel so much better no one at work knows that I been banded, but one person which happens to be my best friend and we work together and she made me feel like i was a cheater for joining.....

I did the same thing at my work - we did a biggest loser thing from the middle of February to the end of March and I was banded at the beginning of January. The difference is that everyone knew I was banded, and I'm very vocal about issues that come up - no restriction, weight gains, etc. (I now have great restriction, but that's beside the point.) SO, everyone knew I had it and no one questioned my integrity - they knew I was still workin' my butt off and choosing to eat the right foods. The band wasn't "doing it for me," as much as ignorant people would like to think :thumbup:

Sorry, but I think it is unethical to join without telling the person incharge. If you would'nt have joined pre-band (I know I would'nt because I would'nt want the judgement of everyone on how much I did or did not loose); then you should not join now. I see it as being an advantage that the others do not have. Would it be fair if you had 25 hours in your day and thus had time for an extra hour of exercise that they do not? FYI I work in HR. If you company is sponsoring this it would be a very messy employee relations nightware if you won and someone found out about your non disclosed WLS. Especially if there is money involved. There would clearly be people who took umbrage to the deception. Is it worth the potential of hurting your career over winning a biggest loser competition?

Sorry, but I think it is unethical to join without telling the person incharge. If you would'nt have joined pre-band (I know I would'nt because I would'nt want the judgement of everyone on how much I did or did not loose); then you should not join now. I see it as being an advantage that the others do not have. Would it be fair if you had 25 hours in your day and thus had time for an extra hour of exercise that they do not? FYI I work in HR. If you company is sponsoring this it would be a very messy employee relations nightware if you won and someone found out about your non disclosed WLS. Especially if there is money involved. There would clearly be people who took umbrage to the deception. Is it worth the potential of hurting your career over winning a biggest loser competition?

I think this is a bit overboard. Does a person that doesnt work and have all day to go and work out have an advantage to someone that works 60 hours a week and barely has time to work out? YES. Not everyone has the same variables in something like this. I think she is fine and should join!

My work voted that I could NOT participate. :-(

It depends on many variables. As the PP stated if money is involved and this is a very organized event perhaps it is best to let someone (at least one person) in charge know you've had WLS. It may not make a difference. But to join and not disclose to the event planner that you are banded might cause a problem. On the other hand, if this is a simple competition with no "prize" per say then I wouldn't worry about it. Yes, we have to work hard at losing the weight just like everyone else but you do have a tool to help you along the way. What ever you decide best wishes and good luck....

I consider the band an advantage. If it didn't help us, would we have gotten it? To enter without disclosing it would not be fair in my humble opinion.

Personally, I wouldn't join a competition like this since being banded. I was in a similar situation. The Jazzercise center where I work out was having a biggest loser competition. There wasn't any big prize or anything, but I just didn't feel right joining it. A bunch of the ladies asked me why I didn't join it (cause they've noticed me losing weight) and I told them because I had WLS recently. I'm the type that tells everyone and anyone. And, two of the ladies did say 'oh yeah, you better not join, that wouldn't be fair'.

I can totally see where they're coming from. Losing weight is hell! It took me 2.5 years to lose 50 pounds on WW. I'm still a relatively 'slow loser' even w/the band, but it sure is a heck of a lot easier w/the band. Yes, I've gotta work out, watch those liquid calories, and make good food choices, but I'm not HUNGRY all the time. To me, having the band is a huge advantage.

The other thing is I had to ask myself if it would really be even personally useful or motivating to join a contest at this point in my journey. I feel like I'm already being monitored very closely by my surgeon's staff and my PCP. I get my hurrahs when I go in and see them, the scale goes down again, and my tests/bloodwork show that my bp, blood sugar, etc. is improving. Plus, everyone I know is so supportive. Do I really need to compete against other people to feel good about myself or motivate myself. Nah, no need!

Well joining without disclosing would be dishonest. But the people voting to not allow a banded person to participate are assuredly misinformed about the band process as well. Losing FAT with the band is still very hard work. It doesn't just magically disappear. You don't have too look far on these forums to find scores of people stranded mid-journey who are not proceeding closer to goal - it is very hard work indeed. What about people taking weight loss prescriptions or OTC weight loss drugs? Are they disqualified?

Brad

I'm sorry but I think it would be wrong to join without them knowing you have the band. You could join but say you dont want the prize if you win. It isnt the easy option but it still is a pretty good boost with a much less chance of failure than a normal dieter. If the role was reversed I am sure you would be ticked off if someone did that.

Jo