Great Idea - I will do it right now !!

Hi

I am Janet and I am a recovering food addict :wink2:

I was banded 7/17/07 - My starting weight was 250 - I'm 5'4

Today (just over 10 months out) I am 154 - size 8 pants (was 18/20) Medium tops (was 22/24)

I got banded as I wanted to extend the years that I have left on this planet and to do that I knew that I needed to lose weight.

The band has been the tool I needed. For the first time in my life I have been able to achieve this goal (actually getting to my goal weight)

If you want a buddy - support - help - suggestions - Please feel free to call upon me - I will gladly share my journey with you - the journey is still on going and by helping you I will be helping me (staying motivated and accountable) and then one day you can pay it forward and help someone else.

JoAnn, CONGRATS!!! You are almost there!! All this time of waiting has gotten you so prepared there's no doubt that you are going to be an amazing success!!

RE: Calories per day, I just read 3 pages of posts from while I was gone and there was a lot of discussion as to how many calories a day to eat. My average is 700-800 and that is w/o counting my exercise. I don't want to get in the habit of exercising for more food.

I had a great weekend in Colorado springs. The marrige retreat was wonderful. We ate out a lot but I did really well. for the most part DH & I shared an entree, that keeps the bill much smaller too. I told him we can eat out twice as much now!

And a great NSV! On the way home I wanted to stop at the outlet mall as it's about 45 miles from my house so not an easy trip to just go to but we were driving right by it. I knew there was an Ann Taylor there and since my shopping trip last week and fitting into some clothes from there I wanted to explore. I got a new sweater there. Then my Daughter wanted me to check out the Gap Outlet for some 'Long and Lean' jeans in a 6 Xtra long. They didn't have them and they had a 20. So I tried them on, totally expecting them not to fit. Guess what???? THEY FIT!!! Of course they were the 'curvy' fit but I don't care. it's so freeing to know my next jeans i don't have to buy at Lane Bryant. I can actually go to the Gap! I didn't even have to struggle to button them. I didn't buy them as they had many flaws and I do have enough jeans to wear right now. But am anxious to need new ones now!

Hi, Is good to have others for support. Reading your problems and what to do different is great. Will be checking back to see how all are doing. I was just band 9/11/08.......... Mary

Janet - thanks so much for taking all this time to explain this to me.

As far as I can see, for the best possible results, the max calories has to be 1200 and that is without exercise. For better results, zigzagging will also help. I suppose the way to look at it is that the exercise is for your health, and the calories for your weight loss.

You've given me the best example of the science of losing weight that I've seen for a long time. I really understand for the first time how it works -so now to put it in practice.

The thing is, when you've been a fat chick for a long time, and you've done quite a bit about dieting, its easy to get all that knowledge mixed up and not be able to see the wood for the trees!

Re the carbs - I am not having as many as you may think, as I don't eat any starches with my evening meal, so the 2 portions I get are in the morning and lunch. I don't think I would be able to eat a sandwich in the morning, as it would probably get stuck, and also I am steering clear of bread, as that has been a really good habit to break, and the band has really helped with that.

Its also quite clear I need to calm down and take each day at a time. I will try to not weigh everyday, I may start doing it every other day, just to break the cycle. I was really miserable yesterday because it went up, and I don't think there's any need to live on a knife edge like that! I am just making it hard for myself. Having said ALL that - it was better news this morning, but won't record until my official weigh in on Tues! I know - I'm such a loser!!

You guys are all fantastic! I've had more support here on this site than anywhere else - you're the BEST!

Mx

RE: Calories per day, I just read 3 pages of posts from while I was gone and there was a lot of discussion as to how many calories a day to eat. My average is 700-800 and that is w/o counting my exercise. I don't want to get in the habit of exercising for more food.

Now, I know your secret to losing so much.....the 800cal a day. I have gotten off track. Between you and Janet sharing your calorie counts, I see my problem. I have been counting my exercise. That ends today. Your right, exercising for more food is a slippery slope because some days I can't exercise. Okay, today, a new day, a new strategy. Let's see how much I can lose a week now. I was shy 2lbs of my 10lb goal for the month, but I am not discouraged.....I have a new plan. I get hungry two weeks after a fill, and it has been two weeks. MY next fill is Oct 20th. This will be a challenge.

RE: Calories per day, I just read 3 pages of posts from while I was gone and there was a lot of discussion as to how many calories a day to eat. My average is 700-800 and that is w/o counting my exercise. I don't want to get in the habit of exercising for more food.

And a great NSV! On the way home I wanted to stop at the outlet . Then my Daughter wanted me to check out the Gap Outlet for some 'Long and Lean' jeans in a 6 Xtra long. They didn't have them and they had a 20. So I tried them on, totally expecting them not to fit. Guess what???? THEY FIT!!! . I didn't buy them as they had many flaws and I do have enough jeans to wear right now. But am anxious to need new ones now!

Lori Congralutations on the pants and not buying them too - I bought so much as I was losing thinking that I wasnt going to get smaller - but alas I did - as much as you can keep the shopping down - wait til you get to your goal weight and then go CRAZY :0)

I ate more than you durning my weight loss phase - but agree I don't exersice for food - I will exercise more if I have had a heavy eating day though..

Hi, Is good to have others for support. Reading your problems and what to do different is great. Will be checking back to see how all are doing. I was just band 9/11/08.......... Mary

Mary Welcome glad to have you - the more minds we have together helps us figure this out - we can learn from each other - we are all diff but really the same when it comes to our issues with food..

Look forward to having you in our group - Hugs Janet

Janet - thanks so much for taking all this time to explain this to me.

As far as I can see, for the best possible results, the max calories has to be 1200 and that is without exercise. For better results, zigzagging will also help. I suppose the way to look at it is that the exercise is for your health, and the calories for your weight loss.

You've given me the best example of the science of losing weight that I've seen for a long time. I really understand for the first time how it works -so now to put it in practice.

The thing is, when you've been a fat chick for a long time, and you've done quite a bit about dieting, its easy to get all that knowledge mixed up and not be able to see the wood for the trees! :teeth_smile:

Re the carbs - I am not having as many as you may think, as I don't eat any starches with my evening meal, so the 2 portions I get are in the morning and lunch. I don't think I would be able to eat a sandwich in the morning, as it would probably get stuck, and also I am steering clear of bread, as that has been a really good habit to break, and the band has really helped with that.

Its also quite clear I need to calm down and take each day at a time. I will try to not weigh everyday, I may start doing it every other day, just to break the cycle. I was really miserable yesterday because it went up, and I don't think there's any need to live on a knife edge like that! I am just making it hard for myself. Having said ALL that - it was better news this morning, but won't record until my official weigh in on Tues! I know - I'm such a loser!!:smile2:

You guys are all fantastic! I've had more support here on this site than anywhere else - you're the BEST!:biggrin:

Mx

Mia - I agree with the slipper slope - we just have to take the time and find out what works for us - I agree 1200 max with the food and zig zag and increase your exercise intensity every couple of weeks...

Tuesdays are the only days that your weight counts... I have been very fanatical on getting on everyday lately but - Thursday is the only day that really counts - so if I am down to 142 on Monday - but back up to 145 on Thrusday - Its the 145 that counts...

We are all here for each other - you guys all keep me honest too.. I thank you all for that - you help me just as much as I help you...

RE: Calories per day, I just read 3 pages of posts from while I was gone and there was a lot of discussion as to how many calories a day to eat. My average is 700-800 and that is w/o counting my exercise. I don't want to get in the habit of exercising for more food.

Now, I know your secret to losing so much.....the 800cal a day. I have gotten off track. Between you and Janet sharing your calorie counts, I see my problem. I have been counting my exercise. That ends today. Your right, exercising for more food is a slippery slope because some days I can't exercise. Okay, today, a new day, a new strategy. Let's see how much I can lose a week now. I was shy 2lbs of my 10lb goal for the month, but I am not discouraged.....I have a new plan. I get hungry two weeks after a fill, and it has been two weeks. MY next fill is Oct 20th. This will be a challenge.

Charlene Congratulations on 8 lbs this month - That's GREAT....New day - New Strategy... You can do it !!!

OK gang I need a face lift before Wed - I have been messing with my makeup for the commercial - and OMG - my face is awful:eek:... Well, I guess I am just going to have to tell them to put a soft focus lens on the camera :redface:

Hope you are all having a good Sunday - I got my nails done - took my 2 fur babies to a new groomer - Petco opened around the corner from my house - I think I am going to like this new groomer - she was very nice and a big animal lover - I was scared at 1st - cuz they have been going to PetSmart for a few yrs - but they don't always do a great job - I think this new girl will ..

Well, I am a tad peckish (for you Mia :wink_smile:) so I think I am going to go fine something to eat...

CBL:tongue:

OK gang I need a face lift before Wed - I have been messing with my makeup for the commercial - and OMG - my face is awful... Well, I guess I am just going to have to tell them to put a soft focus lens on the camera :teeth_smile:

Hope you are all having a good Sunday - I got my nails done - took my 2 fur babies to a new groomer - Petco opened around the corner from my house - I think I am going to like this new groomer - she was very nice and a big animal lover - I was scared at 1st - cuz they have been going to PetSmart for a few yrs - but they don't always do a great job - I think this new girl will ..

You look great in your pics. Don't worry. YOU look MARVELOUS! DARLING!

What kind of dogs do you have? I have a 10 month old Brussels Griffon. You know, that little brown dog in "As Good As It Gets". He is a character and had I known how hyper he was I might have gotten another poodle.

Now, I know your secret to losing so much.....the 800cal a day. I have gotten off track. Between you and Janet sharing your calorie counts, I see my problem. I have been counting my exercise. That ends today. Your right, exercising for more food is a slippery slope because some days I can't exercise. Okay, today, a new day, a new strategy. Let's see how much I can lose a week now. I was shy 2lbs of my 10lb goal for the month, but I am not discouraged.....I have a new plan. I get hungry two weeks after a fill, and it has been two weeks. MY next fill is Oct 20th. This will be a challenge.

On the calories, I do have days sometime that I do go over, generally one or two a week, but for the most part I don't look too much at them and concentrate on my Protein, eat very little carbs and try to listen to my band and the full signal. I have just noticed when inputting my food into dailyplate the normal is about 700 calories a day. Hang in there til your fill and you will do great. 10 lb in a month is awesome. I am going to end Sept with 8 lbs, unless I have a 2 lb drop between now and Tuesday.

Lori Congralutations on the pants and not buying them too - I bought so much as I was losing thinking that I wasnt going to get smaller - but alas I did - as much as you can keep the shopping down - wait til you get to your goal weight and then go CRAZY :0)

I ate more than you durning my weight loss phase - but agree I don't exersice for food - I will exercise more if I have had a heavy eating day though..

It is a huge temptation to buy stuff just because it's a smaller size and it fits. I am going to do my best not to buy anything else for a bit. I will need pants or jeans in about 10 or 15 more pounds and will save up for that. I think I can get by on baggy sweaters and tops for the winter more so than jeans. And from personal experience when I lost the weight during the Dr. Phil thing I was very cold so baggy sweaters might be good for layering until my body thermostat reregulates itself.

I am sure your face looks gorgeons. I can't wait to see the commercial, hope it will be available for online viewing.

You look great in your pics. Don't worry. YOU look MARVELOUS! DARLING!

What kind of dogs do you have? I have a 10 month old Brussels Griffon. You know, that little brown dog in "As Good As It Gets". He is a character and had I known how hyper he was I might have gotten another poodle.

Charlene - I have a little white poodle "Angel" aka Mama's Girl

black Pomeranain "Lil Bear" cuz he looks like a little black bear :wink_smile:

Angel isn't hyper really - likes to bark at stuff she is pretty content to lay around like a cat - Bear is the one who wants to play fetch all the time.

These are really my GS dogs - but you know how that goes :teeth_smile:

Here's a pic of my babies :biggrin:

On the calories, I do have days sometime that I do go over, generally one or two a week, but for the most part I don't look too much at them and concentrate on my Protein, eat very little carbs and try to listen to my band and the full signal. I have just noticed when inputting my food into dailyplate the normal is about 700 calories a day. Hang in there til your fill and you will do great. 10 lb in a month is awesome. I am going to end Sept with 8 lbs, unless I have a 2 lb drop between now and Tuesday.

It is a huge temptation to buy stuff just because it's a smaller size and it fits. I am going to do my best not to buy anything else for a bit. I will need pants or jeans in about 10 or 15 more pounds and will save up for that. I think I can get by on baggy sweaters and tops for the winter more so than jeans. And from personal experience when I lost the weight during the Dr. Phil thing I was very cold so baggy sweaters might be good for layering until my body thermostat reregulates itself.

I am sure your face looks gorgeons. I can't wait to see the commercial, hope it will be available for online viewing.

Lori - I too eat heavier a couple times a week - that goes to the whole zig zag threaoy - I think our bodies need that....

I will be ok - I an just now trying to figure out what to say - I wish they had scripted it...

There's not much I can do about the wrinkles - so just hope no close ups:laugh:

Janet, your babies are awful cute! You girls eat alot less calories than I do. I eat about 1000 calories a day. I have no restriction so I am working pretty hard at this. Anyway I had a better day today with food. I got alot of Protein in. I am full tonight. I had grilled chicken breast and fresh asparagus on the grill and a salad for supper tonight. I was able to eat all of it. I keep wanting to buy clothes also but I buy them for smaller sizes. I see something really cute that I think I won't ever see again and its not my size and I buy it and save it for later.:biggrin:.Isn't that crazy. I sure got some cute stuff that would probably not even fit Janet anymore. tee hee!

Beckyo

Janet, your babies are awful cute! You girls eat alot less calories than I do. I eat about 1000 calories a day. I have no restriction so I am working pretty hard at this. Anyway I had a better day today with food. I got alot of Protein in. I am full tonight. I had grilled chicken breast and fresh asparagus on the grill and a salad for supper tonight. I was able to eat all of it. I keep wanting to buy clothes also but I buy them for smaller sizes. I see something really cute that I think I won't ever see again and its not my size and I buy it and save it for later.:thumbup:.Isn't that crazy. I sure got some cute stuff that would probably not even fit Janet anymore. tee hee!

Beckyo

Thanks Becky - my babies are all tuckered out they were at the groomers for 5 hrs - cuz the dog before them was acting up - and it took longer to get it done - but my nephew's gf works there so she had them out with her and not in the cages - I hate for them to be kennelled - I get a babysitter for them when I can take them with me :biggrin:

It's funny when I was a 12 I thought that's was it -I couldn't imagine being a 10 I can tell you on 7/17/07 I never in my wildest dreams even thought that I would be a 6 or a 4...

My gf came over the other night to get the last of my fat clothes - she just had bypass - I was trying to give her my 8's and she said oh no - i won't get that small - I said yes you will - look at me - they are now too big for me.. I thought that way too - but I bet you next year by this time you will most likely be smaller than me .. I stuck the 8's in her bag

Janet, recently a nutritionist told me that you need 10 calories per day per pound to maintain your weight. In other words - to maintain your weight at 140, you should average about 1400 calories a day. This explains why you are still losing slowly - you are actually eating a little less than 1400 many days. The article you read offering you 2400 calories to maintain your weight would mean you would soon weigh 240 pounds. I think I know why many of us have not been able to lose weight reading labels. Most labels are set up to equate the average person's necessary calorie intake to be 2000 calories/day. That is great if you are a 6'3" man! But a woman of 5'2" will weigh 200 pounds and have a BMI of approx 42. My nutritionist friend said she had many women call her - "I just can't understand why I'm not losing weight - I only eat about 2000 calories a day." ???go figure???

Then there is this fat chic - and probably many others - who know better and still weight 240 pounds. (but not for long...)

Charlene - I have a little white poodle "Angel" aka Mama's Girl

black Pomeranain "Lil Bear" cuz he looks like a little black bear :thumbup:

Angel isn't hyper really - likes to bark at stuff she is pretty content to lay around like a cat - Bear is the one who wants to play fetch all the time.

These are really my GS dogs - but you know how that goes :biggrin:

Here's a pic of my babies

Janet - your puppies are adorable. We have two shelties - Abbie, who is a red sable and is 10 -- and Jack, who is a blue merle (with one blue eye) and is 2. Abbie is trying really hard to teach Jack to be a grown up dog, but he's a boy, of course, and we all know about boys. He is a lover, though. He loves DH because DH is always doing fun stuff outside. He loves me because my lap is available and I will always rub his tummy. Abbie watches "Abbie TV" and dreams of being Lassie (only shorter). She is so prissy - our kids call her Paris behind her back.

Love those little critters...

Janet, recently a nutritionist told me that you need 10 calories per day per pound to maintain your weight. In other words - to maintain your weight at 140, you should average about 1400 calories a day. This explains why you are still losing slowly - you are actually eating a little less than 1400 many days. The article you read offering you 2400 calories to maintain your weight would mean you would soon weigh 240 pounds. I think I know why many of us have not been able to lose weight reading labels. Most labels are set up to equate the average person's necessary calorie intake to be 2000 calories/day. That is great if you are a 6'3" man! But a woman of 5'2" will weigh 200 pounds and have a BMI of approx 42. My nutritionist friend said she had many women call her - "I just can't understand why I'm not losing weight - I only eat about 2000 calories a day." ???go figure???

Then there is this fat chic - and probably many others - who know better and still weight 240 pounds. (but not for long...)

Joann

I like that 10 calories per pound analogy - that makes sense to me :thumbup: - my trainer told me no more that 1500 - I was on some stupid site that said 1900 - I do eat between 1200 - 1400 most days - I zig zag. Yesterday I guesstimate that I had 1300..

Ya we all know better - but that's why we choose the band - it's the little tool that helps up pratice what we know but can't seem to DO on our own - the band makes it possible to DO...

Yes we all know about those boys :thumbup: but the little girls know who rules the house

Hi tonight! Ya know girls I don't get that calorie thing. Daily Plate tells me at my current weight that I need to eat around 1200 a day to loose about 3 lbs a week. Well, i do stick to less than that and I am sure not loosing 3 a week. Now I walk 2 1/2 miles a day so why isn't this equasion working for me. My weight loss is slow right now anyway but how does this not work for me? Just curious.

Beckyo:biggrin:

Hi tonight! Ya know girls I don't get that calorie thing. Daily Plate tells me at my current weight that I need to eat around 1200 a day to loose about 3 lbs a week. Well, i do stick to less than that and I am sure not loosing 3 a week. Now I walk 2 1/2 miles a day so why isn't this equasion working for me. My weight loss is slow right now anyway but how does this not work for me? Just curious.

Beckyo:biggrin:

Becky

Those things are just models they really can't give you an accurate # - they just take generals into consideration - age and weight not how we burn calories - our metabolisam - what foods we eat etc - That 1200 to lose 3 lbs is BS IMHO... But I'm not a rocket scieniest - just a fat chick.

I have a freind who was trying to gain a little weight - so she was eating sugar - nothing no weight gain - then she deleted the sugar and added flour/white crabs - was eating less calories of the carbs than the sugar - but in eating the carbs she gained the weight - Go figure - it's how her body reacts to the food it's given

So IMHO we each have to find out what works for us - but the main thing is to decrease calories and exercise -

Zig Zag your calories but no more that 1200 max a day - when you exercise (walk) don't stroll - push yourself - sweat.. Walk fast for a few minutes - slow down - then speed up again..

There is no way to know how many calorie we burn even on those treadmills that tell us how much we burn - say that my trainer who's 43 - 5'10 - 260 and ALL muscle - pluggs in those # on the treadmill (age/weight) and the man next to him is the same height and weight but all fat and out of shape - they are going to burn diff amount of calories on the same speed and incline - my trainer is going to burn less cuz he's in shape - the fat guy is going to burn more cuz he is using muscles he hasn't used.. but the stupid machine is going to say the both burned the same amount of calories

So that being said - we have to take all those #'s with a grain of salt - they are approximates only - not written in stone.

I only used daily plate or fitday to get the calories of foods that I didn't know how many calories was in what I ate (del taco burrito) - All I did was log my food in a little note book like this

BF - Weight Control oatmeal 160 c

L - One Pot Wonder 150C

D - 4 oz Fish 120 - 1/2 c Rice 120 - Veggie 50 = 270

S - Popcorn 100 - puddings 2 120 - fudgcicle 80

Total for the day 900 - Excerise 2.5 miles

That's it - my exercise was $$$ in the bank -

Just keep doing what you are doing eating healthy exerciseing and once you get proper restriction the weight is going to come off - some weeks it could be 1 lbs - next week 2 - next wee 1/2 - then 3 the next.

What the kind of food you eat - I am not an atkins advocate - but I do eat limited refinded carb