Kimmy in MD

Personally I use a treadmill and have for about 16 years. I have wanted to switch to the bowflex treadclimber but have not done it, but may when my treadmills goes out. Do they have a trial period, like for 30 days so you can see if you like it or not?? I would ask about it, can't hurt. If you get the bowflex, let me know how you like it!!! PS I wish my dog Rinkles (chinese Shar-pei) had a wallet and budget like Bayley!!!

Hi SheeRee, Nerves are normal! Doubt is too, but in the end you will be very happy. Just follow the rules, do as your told and the weight will come off. Best of Luck for a great 2009!!! and a new you too!! Kim

Hi Carrie, Just wondering how old you are? It might have something to do with it or maybe that stuff will be what goes in your last 29 lbs you want to lose. I am pretty close to the same weight you are and am 45 years old. My middle is definetly thicker now than when I was at this weight when I was 10-15 years younger. Your routine sounds good I would encourage you to continue with your work out schedule. Maybe add another day or 2 of just cardio only to help kick up the fat blasting. When I was younger, I worked with a personal trainer and one thing we did was "interval" training. It wouldn't be too difficult for you to incorporate something like this into your workout routine and shouldn't add too much, if any, additional time to your work out. How it works is that instead of doing cardio for 40 minutes and then switching to lifting for 30 minutes, incorporate the lifting into the cardio. For example, on a treadmill you would walk for 3-5 minutes as a warm up, then run hard for 3 minutes, then pick up a pair of dumbells and do bicep curls till exhaustion or for 2 minutes, get back on the treadmill and walk fast for 2 minutes, run for 3 minutes and then pick up pair of dumbells and do tricep kick backs for 2 minutes. You can also use a jump rope or other cardio device if you don't have treadmill. I have even used an aerobic step for this. you also don't need dumbells you can use resistance cables too. If you want more ideas just google interval training workouts and you will find a host of ideas. Best of luck!! Keep going you are doing wonderful!!

Awww come on Ramona you can make those meetings!!!

Sarah, the same stories about violence were in the headlines right before I flew out in May 2008. I made a point to ask the driver about it and he indicated it was typical but it happens further south in TJ and not in the area of the hotel/clinic. I personally did not see any violence, but I did not leave the grounds of the hotel or the clinic. Just felt safer that way.

I have only had fills without flouro and have been very satisfied. My fill doc uses something to numb me so no pain when she inserts the needle and both times has gotten my port the 1st time. She does have access to fluoro if needed but so far so good. I would only have a fill with an experienced doc regardless of whether they use flouro or not.

Amanda, I have always read that WATER and keeping your body hydrated will help with skin elasticity. Since my late 20's I have drank nothing but water, no soda, no coffee, maybe a cup of herbal tea a couple times a month, but just water 10-12 glasses a day and really believe that has contributed greatly to the elasticity in my skin. Not just in the weight loss portion but in wrinkle control on my face too. Best of luck!

This is your 4th fill? What did they tell you on the 3 previous fills? From your pics you look fantastic and are having results so I guess I would go with what works for you. I guess all fill docs are different, but I am not allowed to eat the day of my fill, prior to my fill and then I go on liquids for 1 week after the fill and I feel my fill immediately (maybe it is psychosomatic but it works for me, down 53 pounds with only 2 fills).

You won't regret it! Wish I had taken one. Also, you may want to take your measurements, especially your hips and waist. I so wish I had done that!! Congrats on facing the demons!

oops. EXERCISE even!

You may not need several fills. Just work the heck out of the band and your fills. I have only had 2 fills and have lost 53 lbs and am 15 lbs away from goal. Don't forget to EXCERSISE!! You can do it with 2!!!

Why would you not want to attend a support group 1x a month? I believe it would be great and could help you in many ways. From your questions so far and your responses to the answers it seems like you might be a great fit and would benefit greatly. Good luck!

Sounds like you need to bump up your caloric intake a bit. Try to get in at least 1,000 a day, 1,200 would be better. You might want to try using a web site like fitday.com to track your caloric intake. Try to get most of your calories from protein and not carbs. Might also want to stay off the scale everyday. It will fluctuate and it can be very frustrating. Best of luck.

Congrats Elaine! May your stay in twosville be short and sweet and may you be home in onderland soon!! YaYYYY YOU!!!

Hopefully you paid by credit card and can dispute the charge with the credit card company!

I feel your pain. I work in the investment industry and pray every day as I watch these markets. I have never seen anything like this. I just made it through our first round of lay offs but we are having another round in January. My blood pressue is through the roof!

Chicken Breast at 15 days post op? and it went down ok? Lucky you! be careful with that though and make sure you follow your doctors instructions caefully for best results. I always love to remember Dr. O's saying, instead of testing your band by what and how much you CAN eat. Test your band by seeing how little you can eat.

I am planning on having a ALL of my favorites, just a bite or 2 of each instead of heaping spoonfuls. This Thanksgiving I am THANKFUL for my band and that I will be satisfied with a bite of my favorites instead of huge portions!

Dark meat has the highest fat content too though. A suggestion -- consider "brining" your turkey. I have used beer, orange juice and this year I am using apple juice as a brine. The turkey soaks up the moisture and a bit of the flavor of the brine. It makes your turkey really moist and delicious. The acid in the apple juice will also break down fibers in the white meat. You can google turkey brine or brined turkey to get recipes. I got the beer brine from Emeril.

CONGRATS and WELCOME to the Onderland Club!!! You will reach the 190 in no time!! YAYYYYY YOU!!!

YAYYYY YOU!!!! Congrats!!! Enjoy your warm coat!

Woudn't go far enough to say I have a six-pack going on but definetly starting to see some definition in my abs. YAAAAAYYYY! I am using the "bender ball" from some infomerial, for my ab workouts. I LOVE MY BAND!!!

Jann, I have not tried the muscle milk, but the guys in my office RAVE about it. The guys/boys on my son's football team RAVe about it. I guess it tastes AWESOME!! They even have a cake batter flavor. Let me know if you order it and what you think of the taste... I am really picky about the taste of protein shakes.

Hi Cathy, Maybe try bumping up your excersise a couple days a week to an hour, I read that you don't even start burning fat until 20-25 mins into the workout. Also, to get in the 10,000 steps recommended by most doctors for weight loss that takes at least an 1.25 hours of walking 15 minute based miles, so the 30 minutes may just not be enough any more. Also, consider cutting out the carbs (rice, potatoe) and check your protein shake to make sure you don't have too many hidden carbs in that also and as already mentioned, bump up the protein and see how that goes. Good Luck! It will start clicking again soon!!

Amber, You really seem to have a good attitude about this! Don't know if I would be as good as you are being. Best of luck when you head back down to the OCC. You should consider posting the name of the doctor that botched your first fill and his location so others are sure not to visit that quack!!