It's crazy to think that it has been a year already. My starting weight was 235lbs and my current weight is 175lbs. If you had asked me last year if 60lbs was a good loss in a year I probably would have said no. However, I am honestly thrilled with the progress I have made and couldn't ask for more at this point. 60lbs gone is a great feeling and one I am going to celebrate.

60 pounds is a great loss, keep up the good work.

Bravo!!! Congratulations.

WOWWEE!! You look great my friend! So happy for you!

Congrats! Your starting weight is close to mine (I just had sx 2 days ago) and I would love to be 175!! Can you talk alittle bit about your journey this past year (ups and downs) and what your eating /exercise routine is like today?

I would be lying if I said it was easy. I am an extremely picky eater...extremely! Very plain "kid food" as my boyfriend calls it I was also a fast eater because I hate cold food so that's something I have really struggled with. I think the hardest part for me was convincing my brain that I didn't need the same amount of food, not that I "needed" it before I am by no means the poster child for good lap band eating so I can't give a lot of advice there as far as what to eat. I know the rules, I just don't like a big variety of food. I changed my eating a little and try to be more healthy conscious, Protein first that sort of thing, but honestly I pretty much eat the same, just way less! I was fortunate, that has worked for me. I can't say I recommend it though because I don't know that it would work for everyone. I have felt guilty at times reading people's stories about changing their eating and still not being able to loose. However, tips I can give, as far as portions control and eating slower are:

*Use a smaller plate and smaller utensils.

*Put your utensils down between bits.

*Don't eat in front of the TV. I think as band patients we need to be very mindful of how much we are putting into our mouth and how quick.

*Eat to be satisfied, not full.

As for exercise, I think this was my saving grace. This was the one thing I felt I could control (since I don't like a wide verity of food). I was extremely fortunate that my company at the time had an on-site fitness center. My boss, aside from our current job, also happened to be a personal trainer and offered to train me for free. After I got into ONEderland I decided to give the C25K program a try and actually completed it. This, aside from the weight loss has probably been one of my proudest accomplishment because I hate running. Hate it with a passion!! So I think that's why it was that much sweeter when I completed it. I highly recommend weigh training along with cardio. I know a lot of times, women especially, tend to lean more toward cardio, but weight training is very important!! Not only are you stronger, but the more muscle you have the more calories you burn! Plus there is the added bonus of the muscle filling in where the fat was to help with that loose skin. It was very important for for me to make working out a habit, a part of life. My hope was that should I ever have complications with my band and have to have it removed, I would be able to maintain my weight better if exercise was just a natural part of my life.

I will say the last 3 months have been the hardest for me. I lost my job of 13yrs due to cut backs and with that I lost my gym access. I've struggled with depression, anger, sadness...all of my eating triggers, but somehow I have managed to maintain my weight. Even though I may not feel it a lot lately... I am truly blessed

Edited February 8, 201412 yr by Redesigned_Curves