Hi all! I met this gal in Michigan last night at my support meeting. She is 18 months out from her surgery & has lost 142 pounds!!! Isn't that awesome. She looked great. I asked her what some of her pointer would be. She said the following:

* Wrap your head around the idea that the weight just won't fall off from the very begining! You must work hard at it through exercise & diet, even w/the band!

This just clicked for me after 7 mnths (see LBT Bootcamp)

* She started exercising after the first week of surgery & Has never stopped. She only does 3 miles on a tread mill x3 a week. She also walks quickly up & down the stairscases with her daughter between every commercail if they watch TV at night. She says they usually watch 2 to 3 programs & end up getting in some great cardio.

I think I'll start this today.

* She doesn't eat more that a 1/2 cup of food at a time & doesn't eat till she feels full. She just eats whats on her plate & say I am not allowed more till a few more hours pass by. She claims she doesn't get hungry.

This would be hard for me BUT I am willing to try.

* She does juice alot w/vegs & fruits & Never eats solids in the morning. This is because she is too tight in the early hours to do so.

I actually have my sisters juicer arriving anyday- they stopped using it. Lucky me!

* She said most importantly she has journeled herself. I don't think she does it now & it wasn't that she journeled FOOD, it was her daily routine & EMOTIONS. She said this is what her break through was & encouraged me too do the same.

I hate journeling BUT I AM GOING TO DO THIS, just think if it works!!

We also did circut training at our support group last night & it was so much fun! Dr.Pleatman has a meeting once a month & there is always something new to learn. I love it. In March they are having their annual retreat for all of his patiences from all over. Its 3 days usually & I hear tons of fun. I can't wait!

I also mentioned that since she is 18 mnths out she should have an endoscope done to be safe.

I told her about all the unfortunate band loses we've had these past mnths.

She agreed & will let me know of the results.

For those of you wondering I believe her fill is just under 2cc. She'll let me know for sure this monday.

I felt she was very inspiring & it made me feel like we all can do this too!!

Ya gotta admit she's the poster child for the band... almost exactly 2 pounds a week. I wish everyone's trip could be that smooth!

But it does give me hope that we CAN do it!

And the best thing: When I hear all of you saying that you have control over when you stop, that you can stop before the food is gone (including every edible scrap in the fridge), I get a lot of hope.

I would love to lose 2 pounds a week until I'm at goal, but to be honest, I'd be happy just not gaining anymore!

I did like her tips & am trying to add some of them into my lifestyle now. Hopefully they'll help my banding be a success too!