Jann

http://www.lapbandforum.com/index.php?show...387&hl=Jann This five day pouch test? Jann

Use Measurements Besides the Scale What's So Motivating About Numbers Anyway? -- By Mike Kramer, Staff Writer Pretend for a minute that gravity doesnt exist. Everything is weightless, including your aunt Sophie, yet it all manages to stay on the ground. You dont know how much you weigh because scales have never been invented. How would you define your state of health? After all, you wouldnt be able to say "I need to lose 10 pounds" or "I weigh 150 pounds, so I must be overweight." What would be your benchmark? You might still not like how you look. You might be tired of being tired all the time. You might need to trim down and take care of that blood pressure problem. You might want to avoid diabetes. In a gravity-free world, those are all still good reasons to create healthy diet and fitness habits. Who knows, you might decide "Hey, I feel alright, I look alright, and Im healthy. If I can just maintain the habits I have, I should be okay." The point is, you can decide for yourself what shape youre in. You dont need the scale to tell you. Unfortunately, many times we get down on ourselves simply because something as trivial as gravity tells us were out of shape. Some people feel and look fantastic in every respect, but if the number on the scale doesnt match expectations, theyre miserable. This doesnt make sense. Gravity should not be able to wield that kind of power. In this gravity-rich reality we live in, we have a fascination with the scale. While its good for giving you a general idea of your health, this can be the most discouraging and frustrating part of a diet. Your weight can fluctuate all the time and reasons why are never completely known. Time of day, temperature, the days activities, water level all can skew the numbers one way or the other. In reality, you could be getting discouraged over something thats not really accurate. To stay motivated, try finding other ways to measure your progress instead of stepping on the scale. Try some benchmarks that actually matter. Some may be tougher to measure than others, some are more subjective. But we think youll find that these measurements can still be a lot more meaningful and motivating. Take some of these regular measurements to stay motivated, even if the scale isnt moving: Body Measures dress size, waist, hips, neck, arms, fitting into favorite clothes Performance more endurance during exercise, doing them at a higher level, jumping higher, walking longer, running faster, playing a sport better General Feeling rate energy level, rate attitude and outlook, track how often you feel very sleepy during the day, rate your confidence level Health blood pressure, cholesterol level, blood sugar level Intangibles how you look, compliments you receive, how others respond to you

That is probably the best reason I can think of for you to go forward with LBL, Dolittle. You've worked this hard to get this far, you've earned it! Can't wait to hear how you feel after healing! Jann

Loved that! What a wonderful way to begin life together! Jann

MAJOR congratulations, BigAli! Soon you will have to change your name to LilAli! I'm so happy for you! YAY! Jann

You have to wait the six to eight weeks, Jazzy. It is the time required to allow your stomach to heal from your surgery. A fill prior would do more damage than good at this point, hun. The longer you wait the better it is for your stomach. This is the time to practice really good bandster inner strength! Jann

I have Slim in Six but truthfully I've never used it nor have I looked at it since I bought it like a year or two ago. I think I need to work up to it before I can start it at this point. What's 10 Minute Trainer like? I've seen the infomercial for it and I am compelled to order it but I'd prefer to hear from somebody who is actually using it first. I have a friend that just bought P90 and it's crazy insane! I don't think it's for me at the moment! I think I have all of the Leslie Sansone Walk Videos now and I have to say I do enjoy them. She talks WAY too much but I just tune her out. hehe. Jann

Good response from the ladies and the rule applies to anything carbonated including beers! Six months from now you will likely discover that you no longer have a taste for the things you did and if you still do it will be in moderation. Jann

I've just ordered the Jillian Michaels' library from Amazon and it got me thinking about exercise videos. What is everybody out there using, contemplating, ordering, etc.? How would you rate it? What kind of results are you getting? For me, I'll start with the beginner http://www.amazon.ca/Jillian-Michaels-Comp...0389&sr=8-8 and work my way up through the library http://www.amazon.ca/Jillian-Michaels-Comp...0389&sr=8-2 and hopefully become strong enough to do the 30 Day Shred http://www.collagevideo.com/item.aspx?item=7963 which is getting screaming reviews on other forums. Jann

I think balance is the answer. I believe it's important to post and to read posts here in this forum and in others and that shouldn't be negated. I learn something when I come in here and in other forums that I might have missed otherwise. Sharing is key. It's interesting to see how different people strategize their WL plans and programs. It's good to see different perspectives and even to disagree or agree depending. It's thought provoking. This particular forum has a kinship in that the bulk of people here have been done by the OCC. I love to see how people have come along since their banding and how it has affected different aspects of their lives. I love to see the newbies starting on their journeys. I love the before, during and afters. It's all about having a sense of community specific to the choice that we made to be banded. I know that being in the forums helps reinforce my accountability. I work at my desk all day and all night but I do get an hour first thing in the morning typically to do some exercise whether it's treadmill, Wii Fit, Biggest Loser vid, etc. I do stretching exercises at my desk when I'm working. On the rare times that I watch TV I now keep some five pound weights under the sofa and do some arm work while whatever program I've PVR'd is on. The forums serve a definite purpose in my humble opinion in this journey. They cultivate friendships, comraderie, information sharing, support, and education. Like exercise, it just requires setting aside a block of time to allow for the indulgence. Jann Now if I could just learn to smile when there's a camera pointed in my general direction! Cameras just shut me down, sheesh.

It has tons of neat features. Have a look at the website for more details, Jazz. http://www.nintendo.com/wiifit/launch/?ref...fit&spell=1 Jann

That is incredibly impressive! I love the B&W pic of you as well. Out of all of them it's my personal favourite of you. Jann

Yay for you and your decision!! Let us know how it's going, BigDaddy. Jann

Hiya Doug! Just wondering how you are doing and congrats on your decision! Jann

Uhm, hubby and I go snorkling usually twice a year. He's never been turned away. We've snorkled all of Mexico pretty much, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Belize, Florida, Jamaica - you get the picture. Hubby is 350 pounds and his weight has never been an issue. I have no idea why they would have a 250 pound rule??? It sounds like you will have a beautiful trip!! Definitely something to look forward to. Jann

Nintendo Wii is the console and Wii Fit is their interactive fitness program. I really like it a lot! Jann

I meant so that you could get to the pool and catch a break. I just don't know how you do it. I'm not sure I could cope having read your posts in the Portland thread. God bless your heart. Jann

Is there any back up provided to foster parents by the State to allow some time relief throughout the week? My hairdresser is a foster parent and she has resources to call to come over when she needs an hour break now and again. Do they do that State-side? Given your circumstance with your foster children and the stress you are under I really don't have anything constructive to offer to you but I did want you to know I think about you, admire you and know you will overcome this. Jann

I'm eating it now and it's WONDERFUL! I no longer need that slice of pumpkin pie! Jann

Yup, soon as you can have solids m'dear just go easy. For your soups try the pumpkin soup I posted. I'm eating it as I'm writing this and it's WONDERFUL! Soup is from Sparks website and the Asian Tenderloin came from a local cooking show. Who knew I'd ever learn to love cooking?! Jann

Asian Pork Tenderloin 6 Servings 1/2 Cup Tamari Sauce 1/2 Cup Hoisin Sauce 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar 2 Tbsp Fresh Ginger, Finely Chopped 2 Cloves Garlic, Chopped 1 Tbsp Peppercorns, Crushed 2 Limes, Juiced 1 Tsp Onion Powder 1 Tbsp Ketchup 2 Tbsp Orange Juice Concentrate 1/2 Cup Fresh Coriander, Chopped Salt And Pepper To Taste 3 FreshPork Tenderloins Directions: In a shallow glass baking dish combine tamari, hoisin, mustard, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, peppercorns, lime juice, onion powder, ketchup, orange juice concentrate, coriander and salt and pepper. Place the pork tenderloins in the marinade, turning to coat well. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove pork from the marinade and place in a baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then turn oven down to 375 degrees and cook for another 30 to 35 minutes, depending on size and thickness of the pork tenderloin. If you're not sure if it's done you can cut it open and have a look. If it's white, it's cooked. Some people however prefer it slightly pink. Just make sure with pork that it's properly cooked. An instant read thermometer should read 155 - 160 degrees F. Remove from oven, cover with tin foil and allow to stand for about 15 minutes, then slice. Serve warm and enjoy. Per Serving: 354 Cal (26% from Fat, 44% from Protein, 30% from Carb); 39 g Protein; 10 g Tot Fat; 3 g Sat Fat; 4 g Mono Fat; 27 g Carb; 2 g Fiber; 11 g Sugar; 71 mg Calcium; 4 mg Iron; 1834 mg Sodium; 113 mg Cholesterol

Spiced Pumpkin Soup Serves: 6 Yum! You've probably never had soup like this before, but we bet you'll be coming back for more. INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon butter 1 cup onion, chopped 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour 1/2 teaspoon curry powder 1/4 teaspoon cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 cup peeled and cubed sweet potato 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 (14 oz.) cans of low sodium chicken broth 1 (15 oz.) can of pumpkin 1 cup 1% milk 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice DIRECTIONS 1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Sauté onion for 3-4 minutes then add flour, curry, garlic, cumin and nutmeg and sauté for 1 minute. 2. Add sweet potato, salt, chicken broth and pumpkin and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered for about 20-25 minutes or until sweet potatoes are cooked through and softened. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes to cool. 3. Place half of the pumpkin mixture in a blender and process until smooth. Using a strainer, pour soup back into pan. Repeat with rest of soup. 4. Raise heat to medium then stir in milk and cook for 5 minutes or until soup is heated through. 5. Remove from heat and add lime juice. NUTRITION INFO Calories: 160.3 Fat: 4.3 g Carbohydrates: 21.6 g Protein: 10.3 g

I had to mull this one over before responding. I'm a visual person for the most part and I tend to be linear in my thinking as a process oriented kinda person. What keeps me motivated is seeing the changes physically and graphically. Hubby has taken pictures of me from the day I decided to get banded 'til now. They can't be posted because they are nude (I'm just not that brave) but once a month we go through them and compare them against each other to see what the physical changes are. They are standing front, both sides and back shots. They are taken in exactly the same place from the same distance in the same lighting every time. I wish I could figure out how to superimpose them but I haven't so we just compare them side-by-side. I just finished my Wii workout, the exercises I could do given my ankle. It's just not strong enough to go full on but when it is my Leslie Sansone collection awaits. Because I lost August and September pretty much between hospital and ankle I hadn't been on the Wii in as much time. Although I failed in my set goal because I didn't weigh in during that time I did drop in weight even given the 11 pounds I forced myself to regain after I got out of the hospital. To see that graph is motivating let me tell you! I went from a couple of BMI points from morbid obesity to obese to now overweight. Since my fill two or three weeks ago I've been fighting with the same two pounds over and over and over again. It happens. In the interim, my clothes fit better, I feel better, Wii tells me my Wii Fit age is 35 when I started at something like 78, my overall balance has improved and so has my posture. The point here is that it's not always the pounds that are the indicators of success. That's why I choose not to obsess about them. Find what works for you and go with it! I hope that helps. I can't wait to start water aerobics next! Jann

Wow Julie, that recipe sounds really good. I'm going to try that. Yum! Jann

In all my reading it seems to come back to esophegus dialation from over tightness of fill. Have you mentioned it to your fill doc? Jann