Hello Everyone!

This is actually my first post on LapBandTalk even though I have been a member since October! I have been reading tons of forums and soaking up all the advice and pointers. I think that it is amazing how open and supportive everybody on here is to eachother!

So here goes my first post!...

I was banded this past December and I have been progressing pretty well so far (50lbs down, started at 247, now at 197-199)...I have hit a plateau (same weight for about 2 months) and I know the only way to get out of it is to kick up my activity and curb my cravings..I am on my feet all day at work (I work in retail) climbing latters and lifting things, so when I get home from work I am usually pretty beat. Does anybody have any pointers on how to keep motivated or how to boost your energy level to still hit the gym after a long day at work? Also does anybody have any healthy snack suggestions? I usually snack on greek yogurt and cottage cheese when i get the urge to snack but recently I think I have been getting sick of the two and I have been chowing down on some sweets recently.. I know this is also another thing that is not helping this plateau! I'd appreciate some advice ! Thanks!! : )

Hello Everyone!

This is actually my first post on LapBandTalk even though I have been a member since October! I have been reading tons of forums and soaking up all the advice and pointers. I think that it is amazing how open and supportive everybody on here is to eachother!

So here goes my first post!...

I was banded this past December and I have been progressing pretty well so far (50lbs down, started at 247, now at 197-199)...I have hit a plateau (same weight for about 2 months) and I know the only way to get out of it is to kick up my activity and curb my cravings..I am on my feet all day at work (I work in retail) climbing latters and lifting things, so when I get home from work I am usually pretty beat. Does anybody have any pointers on how to keep motivated or how to boost your energy level to still hit the gym after a long day at work? Also does anybody have any healthy snack suggestions? I usually snack on greek yogurt and cottage cheese when i get the urge to snack but recently I think I have been getting sick of the two and I have been chowing down on some sweets recently.. I know this is also another thing that is not helping this plateau! I'd appreciate some advice ! Thanks!! : )

Maybe you could try exercising on your off days or take a walk on your lunch break. If you like sweets then I suggest Protein bars for your Snacks. Special K chocolate Peanut Butter and Atkins Advantage caramel fudge brownie bar are my favorites. You can pick them up at Wal-Mart.

I keep protein bars or Muscle Milk around, in case I feel like I need a boost.

I've been teaching gymnastics in a primary scghool on Fridays, which involves unloading a trailer and setting up all the equipment (huge floor mats, parallel bars, balance beam, high low bars etc), usually all by myself as the other girl I've been working with never manages to show up until about five to nine! Then we run five grades from preps to grade twos, a forty minute session each, during which I have to demonstrate the skills (so I'm doing forward rolls, handstands and cartwheels for five or ten minutes of every session) and keeping the kids in control, then its time to take down the equipment and repack the trailer! I get home so exhausted after that day, particularly since I'm an old and crusty 43 year old who's recently had a big surgery and chemo. Whilst I often do give myself permission to not run on a Friday, if I want to (like if I know I wont get a chance Saturday), I dont even go right inside the house when I get home. I park in the carport and run straight out my driveway (since I'm usually dressed for running anyhow)! That'd be my advice, just go on the way home from work or dont get settled, head right back out the door after you're changed.