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!

I forgot to update my ticker, but I did complete my exercise goals for this month. I am thrilled at the progress I have made in both endurance and speed!

Julie - You are a doll! Thanks for the BB offer - I think I've decided to get one - now that I'm hyped I want it now! The TT and BL are out for me - I've decided to be a naturally hanging grammy! I've come to terms with it (I think).............all my family are against my doing it - and I have to admit that at my age it's probably not the greatest idea! My brother who is only 62 (the one that I tried to talk into having the band) just had a stroke - he's morbidly obese, has diabetes, has had heart bypass surgery, has pulmonary problems................gettting worse and worse....................I think I'll take my 67 year old buff for a grammy body and be happy with it a'natural! That said, for health reasons I think I can use another few pounds downward............so, BB here I come..........I think I need a new push and hope this will be another tool to help me along! I'll give it one last try.............if that doesn't do it for me............I'll try and be happy with maintaining my 165-170-175 ish bod.

Oh Boo, you made me laugh out loud! I think I kind of DO have a boyfriend (in that 6th grade way!). Too funny.

Betty, OK, if you've moved on from PS, I'll move on from it for you too. That's great that you're happy the way things are and let's do everything we can to help you lose 10-15 more lbs, since that's what you want. I bet your BB helps! Let me know when it comes and I'll walk you through setting it up, if you get stuck.

I ran 8 miles tonight. I'm simply in LOVE with distance running. I feel so strong and fit -- like I could run forever. It's ME time and I get all my thoughts processed during that time. I just love it. I hope I can do it forever.

I met the exercise challenge this month too. Go team!

I am bummed out that my ortho doctor told me I had to quit jogging. I feel like I will never get to goal without it. He took x rays of my back and said it's worse. I don't want to mess my back up anymore than it already is. He told

me I am going to have to be happy with walking fast, or the elliptical machine.

I really don't belong in this thread. I am not all that close to goal, but I enjoy reading about how well all of you are doing.

Julie, I am so happy for you that your date went well. Even though I am 54, I would so love to have a date!

I am bummed out that my ortho doctor told me I had to quit jogging. I feel like I will never get to goal without it. He took x rays of my back and said it's worse. I don't want to mess my back up anymore than it already is. He told

me I am going to have to be happy with walking fast, or the elliptical machine.

I really don't belong in this thread. I am not all that close to goal, but I enjoy reading about how well all of you are doing.

Julie, I am so happy for you that your date went well. Even though I am 54, I would so love to have a date!

This is Julie's thread and I hope she corrects me if I am wrong, but I don't think you have to be near goal to post here.

I understand your frustration with being unable to jog, but wouldn't double the time in power-walking burn the same calories? I know you don't want to hear that... double cardio time. But wouldn't that be an option?

Thanks again Julie - you've always been such great support! It's ok to have what 16 year olds have - what fun! I'm living it all again thru my grandkids and you! I just hope my grandkids (they are 15 - two of them) progress a little slower than my wishes for you - you go for it - all at once - go Julie!

Denise - you are welcome on this thread - no matter how far from goal........and whatever exercise you can do - that is great.......I'm not a runner - but get in something almost every day......what a difference this past year has made in my life - from couch potatoe to buff 67 year old grammy! I'm a fellow Oregonian - live in Lake Oswego - off exit 290 on Hwy 5!

Boo - looking forward to Sunday, the 5th - give me a call with details (or PM me)!!!

Thanks again Julie - you've always been such great support! It's ok to have what 16 year olds have - what fun! I'm living it all again thru my grandkids and you! I just hope my grandkids (they are 15 - two of them) progress a little slower than my wishes for you - you go for it - all at once - go Julie!

Denise - you are welcome on this thread - no matter how far from goal........and whatever exercise you can do - that is great.......I'm not a runner - but get in something almost every day......what a difference this past year has made in my life - from couch potatoe to buff 67 year old grammy! I'm a fellow Oregonian - live in Lake Oswego - off exit 290 on Hwy 5!

Boo - looking forward to Sunday, the 5th - give me a call with details (or PM me)!!!

Guysis...

You are such a huge inspiration! I really wonder if you have any idea what an inspiration you are to the rest of us. You are just a gem!

I've been thinking lately, looking at my body. YOu know, there are stubbourn pockets of fat that are never going to go away. I feel so blessed not to need a tummy tuck, but I am seriously thinking about some major lipo. I have a pocket on my upper abdomen that drives me nuts, the muffin top and my outer thighs are very sad.

My lovely DH said to me that we could perhaps finance it, he sees it as a shame not to get it done for another few years because I'm about to turn 40 and he wants me to be young enough to enjoy it.

I'm going to go and have a consultation or two anyway and see what's possible. Personally I'd hesitate to finance it, we have 3 kids, one of whom is coming into adolescence, beginning his secondary education (private school fees to pay), we need a larger home, we really need to start investing more in the future. To my way of thinking it can wait 2 years till I finish my teaching degree and get back to work. But I'd like to see what's possible!

Denise - you are welcome on this thread - no matter how far from goal........and whatever exercise you can do - that is great.......I'm not a runner - but get in something almost every day......what a difference this past year has made in my life - from couch potatoe to buff 67 year old grammy! I'm a fellow Oregonian - live in Lake Oswego - off exit 290 on Hwy 5!

I noticed you were a fellow Oregonian! I thought of you this weekend when

I went to Portland.

I know that I have used the elliptical machine a lot over the past 3 years, and I can really work up a good sweat. I just think it's boring and I feel

like I am accomplishing something great when I jog. The stair stepper is pretty good too, without as much impact as jogging. I really don't understand why jogging hurts the back. I always heard it was bad on the

knees.

I know that when I've finished a very long run, my sacral area (very lower back) is absolutely numb to the touch. Yet I've never had so much as a twinge of knee pain. My ankle's completely pharked though.

Truly, with running, I think its something you just have a love for, a passion for and you do it because of that. Its really not good for your body at all in a lot of ways. I fully expect to suffer pains in my old age caused by running. I run despite a bad ankle and back, and I seek advice for neither becuase I'm afraid of being told not to run. I know I would defy such orders without second thought. Its not a rational thing.

Denise, you are 100% welcome on this thread -- don't give it a second thought. This is a thread for anyone who wants to discuss issues that relate to being at goal, almost at goal or staying at goal once we get to that point. It's not a requirement at all that you be at that stage, just that you have an interest in the topic. Your interest in exercise as a necessary component of permanent weightloss is topical and I know I speak for all when I say we're glad you're on this thread (which, though I technically started, was a culmination of the thoughts of many of us and doesn't belong solely to any one person).

Jachut, I know the financial pressures are stressful, but if you can swing the PS now, you'll be so glad you did. I don't have kids and I know when you have them, it's nearly impossible not to put them first, but you've done so much for your body. If you would feel better with a finishing touch, I so want that for you.

Betty, //I just hope my grandkids (they are 15 - two of them) progress a little slower than my wishes for you - you go for it - all at once - go Julie!// I think I'm naive. What exactly do you want me to go for all at once?? Remember, you're my bandster Mom!! Haha.

As for me, the scale skipped a number this morning! WOOHOO! Love it when that happens. Come on, 150s....

Julie - I am a very "modern" - Mom, Grandma - my grandkids call me when they want to go to Victoria Secret to buy "slutty underwear" (their Moms are "backward" in their opinions and won't do it for them).......just took my little 15 year oldest grandaughter over there to get a push up -(with gel no less - )..............they know I'll spend the money on them and love it! Before my boys got married ((they were in their mid 20's - (not doing this quite yet for my little 15 year olds): - my Mom and I went shopping for sexy nightgowns for their live-in fiance's................see it's inhereted))...................I grew up in the dark-ages..............when you are mature and ready and responsible (is that you???) go for it! I hope I don't get banned from this thread!!!

Bubble - you are so sweet - you keep up the great work outs!

Denise - when you are in town again - give me a call - PM me and I'll send you my phone #. I'd love to meet! I'll take you to a NIA class at my gym if you come in on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat or Sun morning!!!!! You'll want to move closer so you can join my gym!

I am bummed out that my ortho doctor told me I had to quit jogging. I feel like I will never get to goal without it. He took x rays of my back and said it's worse. I don't want to mess my back up anymore than it already is. He told

me I am going to have to be happy with walking fast, or the elliptical machine.

I really don't belong in this thread. I am not all that close to goal, but I enjoy reading about how well all of you are doing.

Julie, I am so happy for you that your date went well. Even though I am 54, I would so love to have a date!

Denise, check this out:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f15/back-pain-discussion-38929/#post530083

Hi all,

Well, I was hoping I'd have great news to report, like some of you; however, even though I have been exercising like crazy and logging my food, I am still not losing any more weight.

I'm trying to stay positive but it is tough. My PT told me to WAY up my protein. She wants me to get 120 grams of protein A DAY. THat is double what I was even shooting for and not making it before. So, I've bought some protein powder. I also found some BBQ Pork at Costco that has 150 calories in 3 oz with 21 grams of protein.

So, it is back to the drawing board for me. I'm gonna give this a try for a while, and see what happens. I still need to stay around 1400 calories a day, but get 120 grams of protein, I don't think it is going ot be very easy; however, today so far I'm at almost 600 calories with 57 grams of protein, so I guess maybe it is possible.

Wish me luck, if this doesn't turn out to be the problem, I don't know wha the next step will be, probably I'll have to head to the doctor for a check up.