I think I'm a success now! 1 year mark.

[Mark Evans 8]

Hi All,

I didn't really come back to this forum after I got rolling with my band. I want to report that I have lost a total of 148 lbs and in 20 days I will hit the one year mark.

Things have been great. I haven't had a fill in months because I no longer have insurance and I am underemployed. However I am still doing great.

Do you guys have questions for me? I'm not really even sure what to say about my experience other than I did exactly what I was told by the nutritionist. The only thing I wasn't able to do was I did start smoking again however everything else I have complied with. I'll tackle the smoking next!

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

Congratulations on your success!

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Congratulations!

[laurigee 545]

Wow!! Awesome job!!

Let us know when you kick that smoking habit!!! Lol. If you lost 148 pounds in a year you can definately stop smoking! You put in to much work to not be completely healthy!!!

Congratulations on your weight loss and good luck with kicking that habit!!

[2muchfun 8,928]

Starting weight, current weight, pics?

[♥LovetheNewMe♥ 1,216]

Glad you have done well. Good luck on the stop smoking, I know you can do that if you can beat this.

[Sunshyne068 97]

congrats!!!!!

[ready4changein2011 70]

Big congrats

[leannel90 206]

I have the same amount of weight to lose...did you find anything harder than you thought it would be?

[leannel90 206]

I have the same amount of weight to lose...did you find anything harder than you thought it would be?

[Mark Evans 8]

Starting weight, current weight, pics?

My starting weight was 365. My current weight is 115.

I am still really self conscious about pictures.

I'm not sure how to insert a picture...

[Mark Evans 8]

I have the same amount of weight to lose...did you find anything harder than you thought it would be?

I actually recently got a BodyMedia Fit Link like they use on the biggest looser. I learned using that I normally burn 3500-4500 calories a day. I think my weight loss had stopped because I was still only consuming 1000-1500 calories a day. When I increased my caloric intake to 2500 a day my weight loss increased back to the 3-5 lbs every week rate. It is hard to get that kind of caloric intake in with the band. I now look for healthy high calorie foods. I am eating nuts, avocado, and other calorie dense foods through out the day.

I did exactly what I was supposed to do on the diet. I at slowly over 30 minutes. I ate 6 times a day. I chewed 30 times. I did not drink for 30 minutes before and after meals. I avoided carbs as much as possible and eat Protein, then veggies and then carbs.

I worked with the tool I was given and not against it. I didn't figure out ways to cheat.

[2012 359]

Wow, great job!

And on the smoking, have you checked out vaping? I quit smoking over a year ago now I'm titrating down the vaping to get off of vaping, but the transition was easy (dare I say that ), I don't stink, my chest stopped hurting, and I feel great.

[leannel90 206]

Smoking is going to be a tough one for me too...I really want to try those vapor cigarettes...they sound great! Thanks also for all the info...I gather from several people that the plateaus require an increase in calories...that's very interesting. Its great that you're making healthy high calorie choices too. This might be asking too much...but how are you finding loose skin...especially in your tummy area?

[leannel90 206]

Smoking is going to be a tough one for me too...I really want to try those vapor cigarettes...they sound great! Thanks also for all the info...I gather from several people that the plateaus require an increase in calories...that's very interesting. Its great that you're making healthy high calorie choices too. This might be asking too much...but how are you finding loose skin...especially in your tummy area? Is it shrinking back or do you feel you'll need surgery anywhere?