Hello All-

I'm feeling a little down about my weight loss- I was doing well and am down 32-33 lbs. but I've plateaued for several weeks- and now, I'm eating crap!

I think my mood severly effects what I eat- since I stopped losing I've had baked chips, chocolate, Cookies, 2 HAMBURGERS!!! I hadn't been to a fast food place in months and now I've had dinner from Taco Bell (bean burrito) (nachos)

and McDonalds (small chzburger and small fries) twice.

I feel like a failure and I just started- I need help getting back on track.....

HELP ME BANDSTERS!

I know exactly how you feel. I was banded the day after you and I am only down 15 pounds (maybe). I went for 2 fills and on the second they said we can't do it cuz the port flipped. I had to wait 2 more weeks then I went in got it flipped back over and a fill of 2cc's. I eat so much less and even try to exercise a couple times a week but nothing happens. I feel like such a failure...especially when I get on here and see everyones weight tickers. I am really starting to think that this is not going to work for me.

Remember, this is for life. This is not a race. Your behavior modification will come with time. It does not happen overnight. Maybe you need more fill? Maybe you need to log your intake into www.fitday.com , maybe you need a 'head' adjustment? Maybe you need to turn up the volume on your exercise, drink more water. Are you doing all these things? I ONLY lost 55 lbs in a year, others banded at the same time as me, lost 100 or more. Does that make me a failure? Nope. But my body, my willingness to do or not to do was different from theirs. It would be nice if we could reach goal in 6 months or less, but the band is not designed that way. Do the next right thing, again and again and you will get there. Then where will you go??

Oh, I feel so for you both. I've been where you are many, many times. I'll tell you the only thing that truly, truly works for me is EXERCISE!

Yeah, I know you don't want to hear that and certainly don't want to do it, but for me--it is the only thing that works for weight loss AND this "what's wrong with me" depression.

If you want to lose at any kind of good pace a couple of times a week is not enough. I "run" on my elliptical 20-30 minutes EVERY morning and I walk the dog a MINIMUM of 40 minutes a night. I almost NEVER want to start, but often when I'm out with my dog in the moonlight, enjoying my Ipods tunes I'll walk for an hour and a half.

The last 2 weeks I only lost a pound a week, but I'll bet it's more than that THIS week when I weigh Monday.

Please, get an Ipod, get a walkman, get some sorta music and start moving--especially when you feel bummed! You've gotta have successes to build on and weightloss or not, getting your heart pumping is a success.

YOU CAN DO IT!!

(And please don't think because I'm under 200# I don't know how hard it is, because I was 312# in 2001. I lost lots of weight without the band--but NONE without exercise.)

Remember, this is for life. This is not a race.

Exactly!!!

Trust me you are not alone there are days when I do the same thing but the great thing about the band, you still eat less crap food then pre band. Tomorrow is a new day and not much damage was done. waske up tomorrow with good intentions take one meal at a time, one day at a time. You can do this. You know what to do to get out of this funk..

I may still have some head work to do before I'm ready for a band. I understand totally that you still have to work on your eating habits and develop new, good ones. You cant be healthy if you live on rubbish.

But I would call eating a cheeseburger and small fries for dinner a big victory, personally. I mean, I can wolf down a quarterpounder, large fries AND a sundae with ease at the moment. And I tell myself its allright because I dont drink soft drink. I mean, sheesh, woudlnt want any empty calories now would I?

Surely its still what you do 90% of the time that matters. And eating like a thin person is the goal right? Watch a thin person one day. They still eat McDonalds, they just dont gorge on it. Which is exactly what you did!

And everyday is a new day, its never too late to get back on track. Plateaus are disheartening banded or not, its a good time to up your exercise.

Tough Love

Just stop it right now. You know why you had surgery in the first place. You have been doing so well so do sabotage your self now. I love you and everyone here loves you. You have to love you and help yourself.

Get back to basics:

meal plan (What are you going to have for Breakfast, lunch, dinner, safe snacks)

Write down what you are eating

Count your calories

Drink your Protein drink

Drink plenty of Water

and move your body (dance, walk, jump, kick your legs)

Come on we are all in this TOGETHER!!! We all know what it feels like to be fat. (Me Super Morbid Obese, isn't that a cute name)

Yep, great advice, all!!!

I was banded april 8th, almost 5 months ago. I lost 15 pounds in 12 days and didn't lose another ounce until week 12 or so, at which time I started inching down again. then I had my first fill and this summer I have lost an additional 12 pounds.

I say this because I just know I needed the time in the beginning to wrap my brain around this whole banded thing. I spent time with my band, tested it for wear and tear (held up pretty good so far) and had a good long hard look at just why and how I eat. The band has forced me to change my bad habits, such as shoveling food, picking at food, tossing it down the hatch, overeating, overstuffing, comfort eating, etc. I never gained back any of the 15 I initially lost, and I'm grateful for that. I just know that I needed a minute.

If you don't, good for you. Quit whining and get off your franny and work off the weight. Eat well, follow the bandster rules, exercise. You know the drill.

But, if you need a minute to get a hold of it, take it. Don't regret. Your band is there for you. You WILL get sick of choosing poor foods and will start doing better.

If all you need is a kick in the butt, I think you got some good tough love here so far. Whatever it is you need, decide, and own it.

Changing is hard. Did you see what Jachut said? A small cheesburger and fries is a victory! True, it's not your best choice. But it's a new day. Choose better!!!

(((((((HUGS)))))))) for you!!!

for strarter's every one goes through it at one point in thier weight loss,try quiting the junk food!I think Big t told me to up my calories. I was around 800 moved it up to 1000/1200 the weight started to fall off.some times your body gets used to the same old work out!

Try a little more walking,and maybe eating your last meal a little earlyer! drink more Water. most of all you can beat this!!!

Take care God bless, I hope in time you will meet your weight loss goals.JOHN

Keri, I second everybody has told you. You can do this girl! Just have a breath, step back for a second and regroup. Fitday is a super tool...really makes you face what you have ate. Do shakes for two meals and then one food meal. Don't give up! We are all here for you!!

You Guys are the BEST!

I did a lot better yesterday and i'm ready to conquer that "dragon" that Jack always talks about!

Nouriche for Breakfast, Low-carb Lean cuisine for lunch, H20-a-go-go and last night was our 13 Anniversary- so I had 1/2 of a tomato, basil, mozz salad and that about filled me up- I had about 3 bites of really good pork tenderlion with mushrooms- I looked at my spouse and said- I'm full- my little band is working!

I'm journaling on fitday and damnit if I'm not going to take control of this situation-

YAHOO! I LOVE MY BAND!!

Thanks again- my little (and soon to be littler) "Band" of Angels

This may sound weird but with me I think I am still wondering if this works in the back of my mind. How many things have we tired that didn't work? How much money have we spent on gimicks? I struggle every day to not weigh and make good choices. But we don't have patience to let it work. We worry worry worry.

Keep the Protein high , it will keep the hunger down..lower carb intake.

Start your da ywith protein, no carbs you will be amazed atthe difference. Fopr me it is vital to have no carbs for breakfast, if I do..I'm doomed all day long, I pick and graze and never feel satisfied

Carbs and sugar only crave more carbs and sugar..Viscious cycle , once you start you cant stop.

Keep the Protein high , it will keep the hunger down..lower carb intake.

Start your da ywith protein, no carbs you will be amazed atthe difference.

I'll second that. I'm a coffee drinker, so my breakfast is coffee with vanilla Protein powder mixed in. I drink a couple cups so I end up using about 3 Ts of the powder which is 120 cals & 11 grams of protein. I make it to lunch w/o hunger just fine. I used to eat a bannana for breakfast and would feel starving by lunchtime.