Okay guys I thought that I would come up with a generic challenge that would cover us all. I know many have weight to lose, many are trying to maintain. We can do these in ten week increments. I know for me these challenges help to keep me on track. I have lost too much weight to turn back now. I hope you all will join me.

Name............Start.......Current...........Goal..........To Goal

Momto1......... 151......... 151.............. M............... M

Hi everyone!

It's been hard for me to post as I'm very disappointed in myself. I've gained a few since my son's Bar Mitzvah and am teetering around 200. Never thought I would see that number again. I really need to refocus and cut out the late night snacking which has always been my downfall. I'm as filled as I can handle so another fill is not the answer.

Foofy, it's good to see you! So very sorry about your mom. I actually do know what you're going through as my mom died suddenly while my dad was battling cancer. It was the most horrible time of my life and it was only a few years ago. It happened before my band and I gained 50 lbs in one year. I don't even remember what I ate to gain so much weight so fast. Hopefully the band will keep you in check as you support your dad through his illness. My heart goes out to you!

Name......Start.......Current.....Goal....To Goal

Momto1....151..........145........M.......M

TxArcher..285..........278........270.....8

Sades.....189..........189........180.....9

Skinny_Jill..157...........157.......149.....8

Foofy .......223..................223...........213.......10

Bandpal...149.6.........149.6.....140.....9.6

Dear Mom, Tex, Sades, Skinny Jill, Foofy and Cindy,

It's great to see all of you back here. I've managed to return to my goal weight (150 lbs) after going back up to 165 following a 1 cc unfill in April (got that 1 cc back in early July). It is sobering to see how quickly old habits come back. I'd like to lose a little more to give myself a window to play with, so I am in the challenge with you guys.

Mom - Thanks for the leadership and congratulations on the 120!

Tex - You say you are S-T-U-C-K: but S-T-U-C-K means: Soon To Unstick Completely [and] Kick Ass. Go get 'em!

Skinny Jill - Congratulations on the pregnancy! Thinking of you. As for reflux, tell me about it - the other day I found myself pricing spittoons on Ebay.

Sades - Maintaining is no small accomplishment, and neither is that 40 lbs. weight loss. When you think about it, maintaining is the one thing we all really haven't done. We all know how to gain and loose weight, right?

Foofy - My thoughts are with you, thank you for sharing your hard time with us. Please continue to post.

Cindy - Late night snacking is the hardest for me too. These are habits that it is never going to be possible to completely overwrite. If I can do it any less than I have done over time, I'm ahead of the game.

Love to you all, Bandpal

Edited August 5, 200916 yr by bandpal

Name......Start.......Current.....Goal....To Goal

Momto1....151..........145........M.......M

TxArcher..285..........278........270.....8

Sades.....189..........189........180.....9

Skinny_Jill..157...........157.......149.....8

Foofy .......223..................223...........213.......10

Bandpal...149.6.........148.8.....140.....8.8

Name......Start.......Current.....Goal....To Goal

Momto1....151..........145........M.......M

TxArcher..285..........278........270.....8

Sades.....189..........188........180.....8

Skinny_Jill..157...........157.......149.....8

Foofy .......223..................223...........213.......10

Bandpal...149.6.........148.8.....140.....8.8

Thanks for your words of encouragement Bandpal! I feel great about what I've achieved so far, just feel that it's been a long while between drinks! lol

I had another .25 put into my band during the week and have lost another lb. I'm having problems eating some things and I might have it taken out again at some point but for now I will keep it going until I get to this goal I've set for myself... 8 lbs more to go!

You know I'm scared to death of having any Fluid removed from my band. I'm afraid I would gain weight very quickly. I'm just hanging out with the same fill that I had in December. I'm hanging at in the 140s which is good. I was on vacation for the past 2 plus weeks so that has meant more junk foods than normal.

On the upside I'm down to a size 6 in pants which just floors me. I wore a 26/28 when I started this whole journey. When I had surgery I was in a 22/24.

Glad to see more people back here. I was beginning to feel a little lonely.

I guess the difference between you and me Wendy is that you are already at your goal so fluid out could take you away from your goal weight. It's only in the last couple of fills or so that I can say I've found my sweet spot so it's all still new to me. .25 cc isn't much but is the difference between maintaining and losing for me, so I'm happy to stay there for now.

Name......Start.......Current.....Goal....To Goal

Momto1....151..........145........M.......M

TxArcher..285..........278........270.....8

Sades.....189..........188........180.....8

Skinny_Jill..157...........157.......149.....8

Foofy .......223..................223...........213.......10

Bandpal...149.6.........148.5.....140.....8.5

Back from a week's vacation in Jerusalem - Have a good weekend, everybody!

Name........Start.......Current.....Goal....To Goal

Momto1......151..........145........M.......M

TxArcher....285..........278........270.....8

Sades.......189..........187........180.....7

Skinny_Jill.157..........157........149.....8

Foofy ......223..........223........213.....10

Bandpal.....149.6........148.5......140.....8.5

Name........Start.......Current.....Goal....To Goal

Momto1......151..........145........M.......M

TxArcher....285..........278........270.....8

Sades.......189..........187........180.....7

Skinny_Jill.157..........157........149.....8

Foofy ......223..........223........213.....10

Bandpal.....149.6........148.5......140.....8.5

Marie.......230..........230........210.....20

Hi all I back, I have only lost 8lbs since July 2008. I struggled with a lost and gain of 14lbs , I just had a fill and a small unfilled. I hope to re-dedicate myself to my band and get back on track. Here we go again.

P.S. it's good to hear how well you all are doing.

Foofy I am sorry about your mom, my prayers are with you.