So my sister in law has been planning a vacay for next summer to Riviera Maya Mexico for a week at the beach and my hubby said he wants us to go.... I just had surgery on the 16th and I'm starting to loose but I want to get this weight off FAST! I want to feel comfortable in my skin if I'm going to have to walk around half naked in front of a BAGILLION people (well maybe not a BAGILLION but in might as well be)

My question is what are some things that have helped you tone up and slim down??? Any certain exercise? TIPS? Tricks of the trade?

I alternated cardio and strength training every other day so certain muscles could rest and repair while I worked other ones out.

Not to be a downer, but the weight didn't come on fast and it won't come off fast either. It's simply not the way the band is meant to work. The average weight loss is 1-2 pounds per week.

Setting realistic goals keeps you from needlessly disappointing yourself.

Best wishes.

I gained all my weight in my first pregnancy, lost 40 of it and have been stuck at the same weight for YEARS! I know I wont be at my goal weight by then but I know with hard work and help from the band I can be where I feel comfortable enough to take the trip. Thanks for your opinion but I was asking for tips on how to get it done. Not how you think it's not possible.

Clara, seeing as that is next year...you have a whole year to lose. Keep your eye on the prize! Book the trip and even if your half way to goal by next summer I bet you will be a stunner on the beach and feeling awesome about it!

Just tell those bigillion people..no pictures please! Speak to your publicist, cause I'm sure you will be looking marvelous!

I gained all my weight in my first pregnancy, lost 40 of it and have been stuck at the same weight for YEARS! I know I wont be at my goal weight by then but I know with hard work and help from the band I can be where I feel comfortable enough to take the trip. Thanks for your opinion but I was asking for tips on how to get it done. Not how you think it's not possible.

I think Missy was trying to say not to expect the band to be a magic wand. You will have to do the work, you know that.

The best thing to do is probably to hire a personal trainer. They can assess your current fitness level take your goals into account and help you to get where you want to be. They are good to help keep you accountable to your work outs as well.

I know I had one in the past that was a slave driver but he got the job done even if I whined the whole way and gave up. I didn't have this awesome tool then, or great supportive people that you find on here to motivate me.

Now I know it's all hard work, fortitude and perseverance in the face of adversity. My own worst enemy can be myself.

Good luck! I haven't found any short cuts so far, but keep me up to date if you do

I love when people want advice and then are rude to someone who explains to them that it might be too much to expect ... 1-2 lbs is the normal loss with the band.. some do better if they are heavier they will lose it faster.. but from what I have seen and read most lose 1-2 lbs a week.. that is what I have experienced...I agree that I don't think Missy was being mean to you or rude..

Have to agree with Missy and Missy should know she has lost over 200 lbs! She should know and no way was Missy being rude. I didn't take it that way either.

Best of luck to you and FYI I went to Riviera Maya 6 months ago and had an awesome time and lost weight too! Have fun!

Be easy on yourself, it takes time. You will have lost a significant amount in a year, so don't stress out about it.

I'm new, so I don't really know as much as Missy and the rest of the ladies that have commented so far, but I would say just exercise and eat right, you should be ok. I have been banded for 13 days now and have lost 26 lbs so far. Of course, Im sure that the pre op liquid diet and the post op liquid diet has had a lot to do with that and so my weight loss is slowing down now, but I intend to hit the gym as soon as my doctor clears me because my goal is 100 lbs in 1 year, which I was told was TOTALLY do-able as long as I stick to my diet and exercise plan that my nutritionist and exercise specialist gives me. I have been exercising for years tho, it was my eating that was out of control and so now that I can portion my meals and not feel like Im dying of starvation, I think that I can accelerate this weight loss. I was losing 1-2 pounds a week BEFORE the band, then I would fall off the weight loss band wagon...and so I figure, If I get the band and am able to eat less but exercise more, I can lose more...anyways, thats just my thinking.

I wish you luck tho. Everybody's body is different and so I think in the end, just hard core diet and exercise, you will be able to get down to a comfortable weight by the time you go on Vacation.

Ladies I believe anything is possible with hard work and exercise it's been 9+ months and I'm down 98 pounds and have 10 pounds until I'm at goal just keep your eyes on the prize no matter what good luck

no one said its impossible....

hell anything is possible

if you set yourself up to lose x amount and you dont, you maybe disappointed

missy was merely trying to say it and i agree with her

no tips, no tricks, no magic potions needed

exercise

eat good foods

and following your dr orders will help you succeed for the trip next year

you can do it

My opinion if you average 2 lbs a week you can lose about 100 lbs or a little more in a year (not adding in plateaus and set backs) but I think it's possible :-) good luck!

I wouldn't focus on 'accelerating' your weightloss. That's just setting yourself up for unnecessary frustration. You have a year to lose, so just focus on keeping yourself healthy, following the band rules, and you'll succeed! For toning, do some strength training (I REALLY wish I would have started this early on). I also recommend the couch to 5K program if you think running is something you'd like to try. I honestly never thought I'd lose as much as I have this soon, but I'm doing it by keeping everything realistic. No timelines, no due dates. I have the rest of my life to reach my goal weight!

Thank you for the advice! I guess I should have worded differently. I was hoping some of you that have been at this for some time could share some exercises/routines you use that have aided in you success. I don't want to sit back and just rely on my band! I know the band alone is not the answer and I WANT to make a goal for being in shape so I can lay around the beach and pool and not feel self-conscious.

I wouldn't focus on 'accelerating' your weightloss. That's just setting yourself up for unnecessary frustration. You have a year to lose, so just focus on keeping yourself healthy, following the band rules, and you'll succeed! For toning, do some strength training (I REALLY wish I would have started this early on). I also recommend the couch to 5K program if you think running is something you'd like to try. I honestly never thought I'd lose as much as I have this soon, but I'm doing it by keeping everything realistic. No timelines, no due dates. I have the rest of my life to reach my goal weight!

THANK YOU for the tips! I've been running since March when I did my first 5k! My husband weight lifts and says he will help me to get started sooooo YAY!