Hello Junbies ......

I haven't seen a June Band Crew thread yet so thought I would start it .

I'll be banded on June 9th in Texas. I'm getting very excited about it. I know that the band is just a "tool" to aid in my weight loss journey and it will take a lot of hard work on my part to make it successful. I've been overweight my whole life with the earliest memories being around age 4. Although no one else in my family is overweight, I am extremely fortunate to have full family support in my decision. I know that there are many people who's family doesn't offer the support they need. I would love to meet other pre-bandsters being banded in June to walk with me to the banded side of life and offer each other support.

I wish you all the best.

Melissa Lea :hippie:

Pre-bandster 240 lbs

June 9, 2006

Spivak

self-pay

I am still confused about this band. I thought we were supposed to be able to eat 1/3 of what we used to eat. Granted, I used to eat as much as could feed a small country at one sitting, but I think "4 bites" is too little. I am worried when I hear that someone can't eat a full meal until 7pm and feels that is the "sweet spot". I am not trying to criticize anyone I quoted, just using examples. I know everyone is different, but I expected a little more NORMALCY with the band than I am getting. For example, I didn't count my calories for the challenge because sometimes I only got in 600 due to tightness. I personally don't feel that is normal or healthy. I don't want to drink my meals, take 5 bites and be full or wait until dark to eat. Are these unrealistic expectations? I wanted to be able to eat less, get full and live my life and it's a lot harder than that.

I don't think you are being unrealistic. I too read some of what's posted and am amazed. I feel and act as before, only I eat a little less and make better food choices. I chew and chew and don't drink at meals. I can still eat a fair amount and think I don't quite have enough restriction.

I can eat in the morning, eat at noon, and eat at night. I haven't had any of things I've seen posted except the two times I was over filled. I'm hoping what I am experience is normal. I hope I can get to a level of restriction that just makes me eat less. PERIOD. No PBing, no waiting until afternoon to eat.

I hear you. If you are experiencing some of this maybe you are too tight. I know that isn't what most want to hear. I don't think 600 calories is enough a day either.

Thanks Barbara.

I think I am too tight. Some days and sometimes I can eat "normally", but not consistently enough. I guess I keep looking at everyone else's fill level and weight loss and think that should work for me, but we are all different.

socalgal3, That is exactly what I am going through and I don't think it's normal at all. I even have trouble with liquids sometimes feeling stuck in my chest. Most days I maybe take in 300 calories-max. I would be winning this challenge if I could drink my water but I am lucky if I can finish one of those 24 oz sport bottles in a day.:faint: I am, however, exercising 5-6 days a week and I have more energy than I had before being banded.:clap2: I no longer have back and neck pain. I am getting my liquid vitamins in and my hair and nails are as healthy as they have ever been.:mad:

Pinky, Here are my stats even though because of my lack of water I probably don't qualify....

Days at 1200 calories or less: 7

Days drinking 64 ounces or more of water: 0

Days of 30 minutes of exercise: 6 days of 45 min each

Pinky, Here are my stats even though because of my lack of water I probably don't qualify....

Days at 1200 calories or less: 7

Days drinking 64 ounces or more of water: 0

Days of 30 minutes of exercise: 6 days of 45 min each

Laura:

It all qualifies. Posting helps you see where you can make improvements if possible. Sounds impossible this week for you Laura. Why don't you try for something reasonable--say 20 ounces (onehalf ltr bottle or less). If lack of exercise disqualified me--I'd be out. Can't believe I've been too ill with URI to exercise. Unfortunately, exercise is my only hope to keep depression at bay. I better get to it tonight. (Our house is totalled with wood floor in main house area being installed this week--looks like an explosion went off and there is little room to move to my DVD--should be interesting.

:update:

Week One for October Challenge: 1200 Cal/day (or less), 64 ounces H20, 30 minutes of exercise

Barbara 465: 7 7 4 (18)

HouseCatGirl: 7 0 6 (13)

Socalgal3 7 4 5 (11)

Pinkylee 6 7 3 (16)

Cathygr8 6 5 2 (13)(lost 2 pounds!!)

Gen Ant Us 7 7 0 (14) Not too shabby for a gal with sprained ankle and broken wrist

Regina 7 3 0 (10)

There are several others I'm waiting for posts.

Week one saw each of us with struggles - fills, ills, etc.

Next week should be better

Please let me know if I need to update stats for week one.

The competitor in me wants 7 days for calories, but I feel guilty since it wasn't within recommended values. I will do better this week.

Socalgal--my bad. It's 1200 calories or less. I changed your stat.

We had been discussing that some must take in 1200 calories in order to keep losing, but I don't think we should set a limit on how low you can go. Some lose better at less than 1200. Those who have just had a fill shouldn't "have" to work at increasing food intake. Learning new limits has enough challenges.

here are my stats for week one, sorry I haven't posted lately, With my injuries I am still down and out. hopefully I will be cleared for exercise this week.

Starting 10/01/06

Days at 1200 cal or less- 7

Days of 64oz. of h2o or more- 7

Days of 30 min of exercise- 0

Genn--

Forgot about your fall last weekend. How are the wrist and ankle healing?

Thanks for updates

My ankle is still big and swollen, and the cast on my arm won't come off for a few weeks now. I don't have a whole lot of pain but it is no walk in the park, considering I have a 1 year old and a 2 year old to take care of. ( I am a stay at home mom). But since I sit around alot (because of my injuries), it is easy to drink all of my water and 1200 cals. When I get around more I am sure I won't be able to drink all my water since sometimes I just plain forget to drink. I hope everyone is doing well with the challenge. and thanks for caring pinkylee!

well I'll post mine for week one but there not pretty, since I fit into the Fills & Ills category

cal 1200 - 7days

H2O 64oz- 3

excercise- 0

on Sunday was down 1lbs

The weeks starts over on Sunday or Monday? I am doing much better this week. Already down 2lbs , (even though it showed up and now has gone into hiding, I know it will be back soon)

OK sounds like we are turning a corner here. We are getting along better and some are losing. Let's keep it up. I think my doctor recommends 800/calories a day. I think that is a little low for some. If we are losing and feeling good, then that whatever calorie level gets us there is OK. I do worry about those under 600. Not sure that is enough.

Last night DH and I went for a walk in the rain. It was more than a drizzle, but less than a downpour. It was actually fun as I had to keep the tempo up so I could get out of that damn rain! It was also a good time for us to "talk" and just enjoy being with each other. We did it as soon as I got home from work and before dinner.

Talking about dinner we decided to have breakfast. He made the eggs and bacon and I made pumpkin waffles. We haven't had waffles since I was banded. I did eat 1/2 of a waffle, very slowly. I had no trouble getting it down. Now that is as close to bread as I'm come. I do think I could probably eat anything, but fear still keeps me honest.

I've updated my signature to show my 3 lb loss. Its good to see the scale moving downward. I still think I can eat too much and might go in for a slight fill in the next couple weeks. We'll see.

Hope everyone gets on the mend soon. We need to start feeling good and in good shape as we move into the holiday season.

Regina:

Thanks for posts. I've updated. The week starts on Sunday a.m. Please don't change your ticker until you see the Update post.

Congrats on continuing to lose. Hope things are still going well for you.