Welcome to the "Slow Loser" thread on LBT.

A few orders of business to begin.

First, we need to elect a leader. Someone who will voice our opinion clearly and with wisdom and humor. Our Leader will support us in our efforts and remind us of our NSV's and to not be discouraged.

I nominate - Vinesqueen. I can think of no on here on the board more eloquent and positive in her day to day outlook. (she has no idea about this, by the way - this is my own little invention - but I still think she should be our leader)

Second - we need to define "slow loser". I would propose that a slow loser is someone who is losing (or lost) less than 1 pound per week (average) during the first year of banding.

Third - Our Mission. Our Mission will be to stick together as a group. There is always strength in numbers. As we see newly banded people losing more in a month or six weeks than we have lost in 6 months to a year, we will join together and remind each other of how well we're doing. We'll chant the LBTSL ( that LapBand Talk Slow Loser) mantra of "It's not a race, it's not a race" over and over again.

Will you join me? Will you, a slow loser, a turtle in the weight loss race, make your voice heard amongst all these rabbits? Mostly will you let me know that I am not alone out here in bandland?

Looking forward to hearing from all of you.

Only a fellow turtle can relate to this one -

I've been banded for 13 months now, and I'm a closet bandster (thank goodness!).

Anyway, for the first time, someone has noticed that I have lost weight - and two people this week, my hairstylist and my neighbor, said I 'looked good' and 'are you doing something different?'.

They weren't quite sure what it was - just that I looked better. It's taking a while, but I guess I'm getting there!

That's so great! I know I will love it when someone says that to me!!! I am a closet bandster too, which is good for me as well so people wouldn't be all in my business and wondering why I haven't lost more weight.

"I'm taking my own route." -Stuart

ha!

OMG!!! i feel at home here now!! It is such a good feeling to know I'm not alone with this slow process... please count me in too!! (surgery 03 June, down 26 pounds as of 26 Oct, date of first fill) Fingers crossed this will change the current ranking of -26.

I will do as vinesqueen has advised and start looking for some NSVs of my very own.

You guys soooo rock!!

Cheers

I will gladly join...I feel like a turtle on crutches. Embarrassingly, I have lost only 36 pounds in 2 years. I relied on the band to do the work and didn't want to think about dieting...I'm a failure, but am willing to jump back on the "band" wagon and give it a try as "Slow Users" unite!

Madonna

Banded 11/2002

BMI 41 then, 38 now

Hey Madona, I don't think you are a failure, your BMI is still down, and you haven't regained any of the 36 pounds you lost, right? Sure sounds like a success to me!

Oh, Vines, you are a great leader. I'm ready to pull myself up and get going. I need encouragement. Also, all helpful hints on eating, not eating, etc would be appreciated since I didn't get much aftercare counseling. Should I keep a food diary? Should I count calories? I got the band cause I didn't want to have to do all of this...help me figure out where to restart.

Yup, I recommend keeping a food diary. At this point don't worry about counting calories, just write down waht you eat. Most importantly, DO NO JUDGE YOURSELF at this point. If you have a couple of cookies, write down that you had the cookies or what ever it is.

Once you've kept the journal for a couple of weeks, then start counting not only calories, but food groups.

Then do the same with excersize. Are you parking your car further away or are you constantly looking for the closest space? You know all the tricks for adding walking possibilities.

Make an appointment with your local aftercare person, it is very possible that you need a fill.

Good luck and welcome. Most importantly, be kind to yourself!

Dear Vines (AKA Turtle Spokes-Model),

Great recommendations! I have a personnal trainer...I only have been exercising 2 days a week...he works my !?>+*&^ off for an hour. Gonna start walking on my off days and follow your advice. Can't wait for metamorphosis from a turtle to a rabbit.

Madonna

Okay, I decided that I would try the ticker thing again. Instead of using the ticker to track my goal, I decided to track until I reach my next goal, 40 pounds since surgery. And yes I know that 13 pounds could very well take me more than 4 months to reach, but that's my next major goal. I would like to be 225 by New Years.

I think it is important to track to these mini goals, all the more so for The Turtle Tribe. If I only look at where I want to be ultimately, it only serves to add to my frustration. I think by setting smaller goals, it makes the whole things easier to visualze.

Good idea Crystal! I'm going to do a ticker for my mini goal too. I have 15 more lbs to lose to get to my halfway point. At this rate I have NO idea, how long it will take me to get there, but we'll see I guess, huh?

Here is my mini-goal ticker, I hope to accomplish this say, before New Year's even though that may be way too fast for a turtle like myself. But, it is something to look forward to, n'est pas? Love you Turtles, and you too, Grand Master Turtle Vines!!!

Amen!!! I've been banded since Dec. 04 and went from 243 to 208. Can we say 'slug'? Part of it may be due to my port has flipped so I can not get a fill as current and my gall bladder needs to come out. Ah well, all things will be fixed in time.

Shannon

banded 12/13/04

243/208/hopefully 150

I would like to share Carrie's mini turtle goal!! I would like to be 100(and something) no more 200+

GOOD ONE CARRIE!!!

Thanks, bay-bay! I don't know how long it will take, but let me tell you, when I weigh 199 I will jump for joy!!!

AMEN TO THAT SISTA!!!!!!!!!!!

:banana :banana :banana