My whole reason for getting banded was to see a huge chunk of my excess weight come off ... and stay off. This is my third holiday season since being banded, and the first since I've not been actively attempting to actually lose weight.

And a miracle happened. I didn't gain weight!! The holidays were every bit as enjoyable as ever; I indulged and partook and engaged in whatever came my way, but in the moderate way the band has taught me. The very idea that the holidays are no longer a time of constant self-denial is just incredible.

My idea of long-term success is to get through the end of each year without adding poundage, and now it looks as though that may really be possible.

I LOVE MY BAND.

P.S.: I just might set an actual goal for myself for 2006, just for fun. I think it'd be neat to see the south side of 200 sometime before my 45th birthday in November. Think I can do it? YES!!

Congrats! What a wonderful goal!

sounds like the plan is working everyone keep up the awesome job,,,,,pssssst can anyone tell me how to put the ticker on my messages for my losses..geegee

Alex, I was just wondering...how much is ish? And yes, I KNOW you can do it. And congratulations on achieving a goal that I believe everyone on this forum is looking for.

"Ish" means give-or-take three or four pounds. I weigh myself daily and am consistently between 213 and 219 depending on all sorts of things. I don't consider that swing anything but normal fluctuation and certainly nothing to get upset about. I am aiming to stay within the range, because that's the way nature works.

Alex, you rock! You just rock.

Alex!! You kick BUTT!!

Keep up the great work - and get excited about that goal. Goals are good!

:]