Hi everyone! This is a support thread for bandsters who are approaching or maintaining their goal weight, whatever that may be. This thread will likely include monthly challenges for exercise and/or diet goals, which members can choose to join or not join at their leisure.

I read a book once called Passing For Thin, which was written by a woman who lost 150+ pounds through OA, yet never felt thin on the inside. That is one of the things thread is intended to discuss, as well as the other unique challenges and successes of a bandster who is now Passing For Thin. These issues could be related to food in the maintenance phase, upcoming exercise goals, self-esteem issues, relating to the opposite sex -- anything you confront in your new body.

Maybe in the course of discussing our issues, we will become thin on the inside as well as the outside.

Let the discussion begin!

Bubble you need to do a reality check. You've lost 83 lbs with only 19 to go to goal. You ARE NOT still the fat chick and obviously you are not completely hopeless either. You've lost all this weight and are exercising like crazy. You've done a great job and should be celebrating your accomplishments. If you want to join a gym you should. Everything that MarieCarmen said is so true. Other people may give a split seconds thought to what we look like and then they are back focused on their on stuff. Anyway, I'm confident that there will be someone bigger than you at the gym. Most importantly, try to remember that it is a waste of your time and energy to worry what someone else that you don't even know thinks of you.

I think I solved part of my problem, I bought a Bowflex today. I don't know anything about it, don't know how to put it together, don't know what to do with it when it is put together, but I have a Bowflex! HA!

I'm not impulsive, I just make decisions quickly.

Did my NIA class this morning........then came home and worked in the yard a long time...............too long, I'm a hurtin Grammy.

Going up to Olympia for my refill tomorrow...........then on Tues have my sis from San Diego and another friend from San Francisco coming in to join myself and my Mah Jongg group - we're going to Sunriver (near Bend, OR) for a couple of days to play Mah Jongg - a bunch of us "bought" this 2 night - cabin that sleeps 8 - thingy at an auction (for a charity group)............so 8 of us girlies are off on Wed morning. Be back on Friday................you all have a great week.

I am still not in a position where I feel the least bit comfortable going to a gym in front of other people with weights.

Bubble, this is exactly how I have felt for years going to the hairdresser! Sitting in front of that mirror, being forced to look at the finished product and pretend to be happy has been humiliating to me. I found someone who would open privately after hours. It cost a pretty penny, but to me it was worth it. Just recently I went to the salon and felt comfortable for the first time in years.

I know this is silly of me, but the idea is similar. Maybe you need a personal trainer for a short time until you are comfortable and confident in what you are doing. You can work together privately.

Betty, you are funny! I WISH I looked like Kate Winslet. Maybe there is a similarity, but that is all! Hahaha!

(For those wondering, I'm a closet bandster, thus the "ghost" signature)

Good time on the 10K, Julie! WTG!!

Lisa, a huge welcome from me!

Good exercise day!!!!!

I went shopping yesterday and am trying my 6th pair of running shoes, I think these might do the trick unlike the others that are made to create blisters.

I consumed 570 calories and burned 661 calories!!

Pat, joining in the exercise challenge will be one of the greatest decisions you could make post-band. The accountability is a huge motivator if you are the responsible/don't-let-anyone-down type. Your conscience will MAKE you fo it, even after a 12-hour shift and sore legs.

GO for it!!!

I need help. I came to this thread because all of you are losing winners and I am not. I asked if I should give up the elliptiKILL machine and just concentrate on running. I thought it was in this thread that I asked that.

I am so sick of not losing. I usually do the intervals, but today I tried it the way it was explained here.

Bubble, don't you get hungry??? Those protein drinks make my stomach growl. Doesn't your stomach growl on 570 calories?

Somebody help me! I have only lost 40 lbs in almost 7 months and haven't lost any in almost 2 months. This plateau has got to stop and get me on the losing bandwagon!!

Bubble, don't you get hungry??? Those protein drinks make my stomach growl. Doesn't your stomach growl on 570 calories?

Nope, I am not hungry in the least after drinking a shake.

What are you adding to it? Milk? Fruit? Anything?

Just because your stomach is growling does not mean you are hungry, it could mean that you swallowed air and the air is making noises.

I'm NO expert on exercise, I'll let the others answer those questions.

Denise, I've used the "EliptiKILL" machine for years. The usual workout was 60 minutes on level 10, PRIOR to being banded. For some reason, it never helped me to lose. The running has changed my body in a much more positive way than the elliptical.

But I am not the best example in weight-loss, though. I've been on a plateau for a while and am fighting just to drop each pound. The plan is to drop another 25, or ??? We'll see!

Good luck!

hello girls:-) you are doing so great!!!! congratulations! but Im not lately I have those food cravings and Im afraid Im getting back to the point where I cant controll them or it takes so much effort...

I havent been eating well lately except for yesterday and Im trying hard today, but how come that for like 5 months or so it was no problem for me and now its just a huge issue???

My goal is to be under 90kgs at the end of August but right now its seems impossible,cause of my eating. I still excercise quite a lot though.

Normally Im eating something like 1000-1300cals a day (on less my brain just shuts down) but on my "bad days" its more like 2500cals. Which is ok for person who doesnt want to lose weight but I want and need to lose but lately Im just not able to controll my cravings and binging....

hello girls:-) you are doing so great!!!! congratulations! but Im not lately I have those food cravings and Im afraid Im getting back to the point where I cant controll them or it takes so much effort...

I havent been eating well lately except for yesterday and Im trying hard today, but how come that for like 5 months or so it was no problem for me and now its just a huge issue???

My goal is to be under 90kgs at the end of August but right now its seems impossible,cause of my eating. I still excercise quite a lot though.

Normally Im eating something like 1000-1300cals a day (on less my brain just shuts down) but on my "bad days" its more like 2500cals. Which is ok for person who doesnt want to lose weight but I want and need to lose but lately Im just not able to controll my cravings and binging....

What are you eating? Could you need a fill? Is it quantity that you are eating or more along the lines of liquid Chocolate?

Thanks for the welcome Boo! I can really relate to so many things here.

Bubble...I have a Bowflex...pre-band gift from my Dad to get me motivated to work out. It really is more gentle than the machines in the gym and less likely to cause injury. Did yours come with a video? I like to write down the weights I am comfortable using so I can measure where I am coming along in my progress. I think the hardest thing about using it is putting it together. Enjoy!

I need help. I came to this thread because all of you are losing winners and I am not. I asked if I should give up the elliptiKILL machine and just concentrate on running. I thought it was in this thread that I asked that.

I am so sick of not losing. I usually do the intervals, but today I tried it the way it was explained here.

Bubble, don't you get hungry??? Those protein drinks make my stomach growl. Doesn't your stomach growl on 570 calories?

Somebody help me! I have only lost 40 lbs in almost 7 months and haven't lost any in almost 2 months. This plateau has got to stop and get me on the losing bandwagon!!

Denise,

Would you give us some details on your band history, so we can help you motivate? When were you banded? How tall are you and what is your current weight? What is your fill level in what size band? All those things would help us tailor our conversation/advice for you.

40 lbs in 7 months is a very reasonable result. Most bandsters lose 50-100 in the first year, so you're actually in the top end of that range. If your weight is low enough, definitely run over doing the elliptical, at least 2-3 days/week. It'll really help with the weight loss, and, overall, changing the shape of your body for the better. WOOHOO! I love running (or, at least, what it does for my bod)! Consider starting with the "couch to 5K" program on coolrunning.com if you need a program.

Join the exercise challenge and set an August 1st weight goal for youself, even if it's just a couple of lbs.

Speaking of, I'm going to get below 165 by August 1st. I can do it! My family has finally left NYC, so I'm back to healthy, sub-1000 cal eating. Today might be hard, but I can do it. Woohoo!

Catch yall later, Julie

Eficka, maybe you need more protein. Maybe you are anemic, or sleep-deprived. Those things make me crave the worst foods because they take no effort.

Is anything bothering you that you need to talk out?

I was banded on 12-29. I lost 22 lbs the first 4 weeks while

on the post op liquid diet. It took 5 months to lose 18 more lbs.

My dr. told me I wouldn't lose

as fast as others who needed to lose more weight. I was

215 the day of surgery. I am 5'2" tall. I have had 3 fills 1.5 2.0 and I

am at 2.5 right now. I haven't lost anything since the middle

of May, right after my third fill. My doctor didn't want to give me

another fill because the way he judges it is if I am full on 2/3 of

a cup of food for 4 hours, then I don' t need one. I am.

I had a resting metabolic test which showed I have an extremely slow

metabolism. He said he has never seen the test come out with such

a slow metabolism. I am really afraid I am not going to be able to lose

any more weight.

I will give up the elliptiKILL for awhile and concentrate

on learning to run faster. I usually do the elliptiKILL at level 10-12.

Yesterday, I was running short spurts at 5.0 and longer at 4.5.

I could never run outside. I am like Bubble when she says she can't go

to the gym. I would feel ridiculous running outside, but I love running on

the treadmill. I need to read that couch potato article again to figure out

how long to run at each speed.

Any advice is welcome. I think I answered all the questions. I eat protein

and veggies and about 3 cherries or 1/4 c blueberries. (I have blueberry bushes) Last week I drank 4 protein drinks per day instead of solids and didn't lose anything anyway. It's like my body really likes 173-175.

and does not want to go down any more than that. I sure am not happy.

At 5'2" I need to lose quite a bit more.

HELP!!

OK Denise, it sounds like it's definitely your metabolism and not your eating. 2/3 a cup for 4 hours sounds darn near perfect, as do your food choices. So, let's revv up your exercise! I think you should mix it up -- give your body the unexpected. And, maybe design a weight training program -- something like Jachut's. If you put on a few lbs of muscle, that could really help to stir the old metabolism. I'm sure you know this, but gaining muscle is our best friend. Muscle burns calories even when we're sitting around doing nothing.

Maybe start with a walk/sprint session on the treadmill. Walk for 5 minutes, then sprint as fast as you can for 90 seconds. Repeat for 30-45 minutes, depending on your treadmill level. Speed sessions are known for breaking plateaus, so hit that!