Well, I am glad to see that everyone is waking up here on this board. It was a little wee bit quiet here!!!.

In an earlier post, I had mentioned that I was down -90 pounds in less than 8 months and someone asked me how I am doing it.

For one, I did not have a pre-op diet and I am not proud to say that I ate up until 12 midnight before my surgery. I did not lose any before banding at all. As a matter of fact at 334lbs, that was the most I ever weighed in my entire life a few days before I got banded.

In response, I want everyone to know that there has been no miracle here other than the band and good restriction. Its been through hard work and eating properly most of the time and I just wanted to say that there is no miracle pill, just diligence to stick to the program.

I eat mostly Protein and some veggies and rarely eat more than 1100 per day.

If I want something, I let myself have it, but mostly just stick to the hi protein low carb diet that is recomended for bandstersI do not feel deprived and I let myself have a cookie or some other sweet snack when I want it, which isnt too often.

I exercise 3x a week at Curves, sometimes 4

And thats about it. So there really is no special diet or secret of the universe approach I have taken here. I consistently lose about 2 pounds a week, but I know this will be slowing down eventually. If I fall off the wagon, I get back on it again the next day and consider each day a new beginning. It really has not been that difficult to do so far. So for those just starting, hang in there and stick to the program. THis is not rocket science and it is not a diet, it is a way of life .

Babs in TX

334/244/180

-90

6/23/03

I second everything you said, I have to start adding some activity soon though.

The only thing I really hate is that my hair is really thinning out.

Leo,

I can relate. I finally gave up and cut my hair short and sleek and added some highlights. I was losing gobs of hair, but I had lots to start with. Maybe its just old age? LOL

Babs in TX

334/244/180

6/23/03

-90 lbs

I am also losing my hair! It's really upsetting for me as I have fair thin hair to begin with! It is quite noticable (well, to me!) and I have really upped my protein intake since I noticed this - I have a handful of nuts most mornings and take vitamins too - has anyone else found something that may help or can anyone tell me how long this will last before my body adjusts again? My nails were also very weak and slow-growing but this has improved recently - maybe it's just a matter of waiting.....!

Thanks for your tips Babs - it is a simple way of eating I guess, but it's really helpful to be reminded of what works for others!

Hi Babs, Bright and Leo

Well, here's another voice to echo what's been said by each of you.

Babs - You are doing great - and you are doing bascially what I'm doing. I do think your philosophy of choosing the right things, but not depriving yourself is what works best. Thanks for your comments on another thread. Yes - I hope to meet you sometime too!

I was also losing a lot of hair, but that seemed to stop now. My doctor had told me that the hair loss can be a result of a deficit of Protein, but that it could take 3-4 months to show up. That's what seemed to happen in my case. I didn't start losing hair until about 3-4 months, and after a few months, it has now seemed to stop.

Leo and Bright - you are also both doing great and I enjoy your postings. Leo - your photos look great. And Bright - keep up at the gym!!!

Good luck to all of us for the continuing journey!

Mary

My surgeon recommends we take fish oil capsules. They are huge but seem to go down easily enough.

Hope it might help

Janeen

Bright,

I have lost lots of hair up until recently. It is now slowing down and new hair is growing in. Just take a Multivitamin and brush your hair a lot with a soft brush. It will stimulate new growth. I see yo have dropped more pounds. I got on the scale and dropped 2 more which makes 9 pounds in the last 3 /2 weeks! Its picking up now that I have had another fill two weeks ago. Woohoo, only one more month to the century mark!

Babs in TX

334/242/180

-92 and counting

6/23/03