Hi everyone! I'm having surgery on January 10th and created a group in the groups section "January 2012 bandsters". Would love to get some discussions, support going.

Oh and good luck with the job!!

Nicole- I know ultimately you're right, it's going to be something I just have to give up even if I'm not "ready"- someone on another forum I post on suggested that I also need to kind of settle into it a little- meaning, there's a reason we got fat, some physical, some emotional, and losing a lot of weight in a relatively short amount of time can bring up some of those emotional reasons- even subliminally. I am going to not worry about it within a certain pound range- meaning, I'm going to take a break and as long as I keep up with my exercising (which I am) and don't gain over 205 (that's a 3 lb swing) I am just going to have some status quo until I feel like moving on or until January 1, whichever comes first. I just feel like I need to do this for myself, not giving up ground I've gained, but not stressing myself out, but not giving myself unlimited "time off" either. I have good restriction, I have great exercise habits in place, I've lost over 80 lbs, so I'm good with hanging here for a moment.

Nicki

Ok Nicki it is time for the cold hard truth. For weeks you have been posting about your ice cream addiction and state you know you have to give it up' date=' but you're not ready...well you will never be ready but you have to do it. It is like ripping a bandaid off. You seem to keep picking at it, but never take it off. It is time! Just throw the ice cream down the sink and wash it away. Tell your family not to buy you any no matter how much you beg. But for it to work you need a replacement food. Make one of those shakes you used to make or a sugar free pudding or Kettle Popcorn. If you don't replace it you will just want it more.

Good Luck!! We are all here for you!!!![/quote']

Hi all! Checking in with some NSVs! We went on vacation to Myrtle Beach 2 weeks ago and I didn't gain anything! I was conscious of what I ate but I didn't limit myself (red velvet donuts are delicious!) but I still didn't gain. In my pre-band life we'd be talking a minimum gain of 5 pounds! I also wore a 2 piece bathing suit! Probably to the horror if the rest of the resort, but who cares! I'm okay with my stomach, my thighs and arms are my trouble zones and they would have been a problem in a one piece!

This weekend I'm doing my first 5k! I won't be running, but I'm still amazed I signed up! I'm surprising my best friend in NC who was just diagnosed and treated for breast cancer; I'll be walking on her team.

Also - my parents were up this past weekend for a quick visit. I saw them in June and had lost 35 pounds, but I'm up to 73 now. My mom said if she had passed me in the mall she wouldn't have even recognized me! Is that good or bad??? Ha!

I think I'll be okay for the holidays. I really feel my restriction and try to avoid at all costs the pain I get from overeating. Does anybody else get "ice cream headaches" when they eat too fast? I get pain at the band but also a horrible forehead headache if I cram it in! I'm okay with a bite or 2 of DH's dessert. We'll see how it goes though.

Hi Amica- some awesome NSV's!! And a 5 k, that's awesome! Maybe I should sign up for one, that will be some motivation.

Nicole- I know you're looking out for my best interest. You know the old joke, how many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb? One, but the light bulb really has to WANT to change. Right now I want a pause. Not a stop, but an evaluation period. I'm not happy with where I am now, but happy with the progress I've made. I appreciate your comments and know them to be true at the core and I will deal with it, I promise. Just have to get back in the right direction.

Where is everyone else? Post! I'm struggling, let me hear everyone else's struggles/victories!!!

Nicki

I didn't meant to be too harsh. I did not realize you are in the place you are in. So I love the idea of a semi- break. If you remember I did that for all of September. I ate whatever I wanted but kept up with the exercise. Trust me i ate more than share of cookies and ice cream that month!! I was in survival mode and it sounds like you are there too. I thought it was just the ice cream but it sounds like so much more is going on. Let us know. Enjoy your break but you might want to give yourself like a deadline of when you're going to stop and think and make the decision whether to continue to survive or to move on back into The groove of things. I think we all need a break and just to feel normal for a little while it's important to keep us feeling comfortable with ourselves.

I know you didn't mean to be too harsh- I know you're looking out for me . Yep, a semi-break is exactly what I need I think. Keeping up with the exercise and not going totally crazy with food. I know I'm not done with losing weight by a long shot!

Nicki

Hi you guys!! My wifi at home went down and then after it went up again I haven't been able to get the site stay up, much less log on. Then when it was up, I couldn't remember my password because I usually leave the app open, but finally I am here and I've got to tell you I was seriously feeling "cut-off!" and getting emotional about it! Everyone's comments and experiences are more important to me than I even knew, so thank you now, all of you, for posting.

Congrats to all of you are doing so well ... And yes, the updated photos are great, everyone looks so good. I'm thinking I will post my own on Jan 18 bandiversary. I've got this thing, since I haven't told anyone except my husband about the surgery that I have to be incognito, but I think by the year that I won't care. Hope so anyway! Like really, what am I hiding from?

Interesting comments between JustDoIt and Nicole... I remember the same conversation except reversed a couple of months ago and Nicole seems to be doing well. The great thing about the band is that you don't seem to gain it all back at once when you loosen up on yourself somewhat. That said, I am still hanging at that 172 mark, even fluctuating to 176 last week. Like you, JDI, I toy with the ice cream now and then and I will tell you, all that sugar makes me very hungry the next day. As soon as I cut back to sugar-free, it's manageable again. I guess I've been taking my "break" too.

You have been so inspirational to all of us, JDI, I wish I could say something as equally inspirational to you. For now, I'll just say that we're all here and we're in it for the long haul. You're doing great and we'll see this thing through!

I am going for a small fill next Wed and really looking forward to it. Have a wonderful week everyone!

Well my update is I finally made it past 190, I was 189.7 for a whole day, now I am back up to 194, but it felt good to know I can do it. I do have a great NSV One of my goals was to be able to wear knee high boots that did not come from LB or Avenue. So I bought these great boots that felt a little loose I wore them for a full day and was shocked how loose they were, Well I looked at the box when I got home and they were "wide calf" so totally deflated I took them back and asked to try on a normal pair and the fit!!! I love NSVs!!

I guess my update was lost this morning.

Ladybandido- I too do so much better when I'm off the sugar. It's easier said than done, for sure. I just do need to get back to strictly eating. I appreciate your kind words, and you all are so inspirational to me- I know I can post my struggles and get support and care, that's why I'm here!

Nicole- yay for the NSV! I saw a lady at the Y wearing gorgeous brown boots up to her knees and I thought, "I could wear those too!" Such a good feeling.

I have some reading to do about my diet. I have all these books that I never read about diet, whatever, because I knew I wasn't committed enough to actually make a change in my diet. Now that I've had some success I think I can get my butt back in gear and get going again and some of this advice will make an impact.

Sugar really is bad for you, ya know?

Nicki

Yay, Nicole!!! That is so cooll

:-D Nicki!

Just wondering, do any of us live on the East Coast near storm Sandy? I'm in California, so no probs here.

Oh my...Meredith is in NJ!

I think.

Amer. congrats on the vacation success!! And the 2 piece!! I still have not gotten stuck so I have not experienced the headache thing. As for the holidays I plan to take very very small portions the 1st round so there is room for seconds. You have to have seconds at thanksgiving! It's tradition! I am worried about the pies. There are always more than one to try so maybe ill go with a sliver of each.

Well happy Halloween everyone! So far all I've had is 2 pieces of candy but the might is young!!

Yes, Meredith is near the Jersey Shore- hope she is all right!!! She may not have power even. Thoughts and prayers to you Meredith!!