jhawkchick75

Hi all...well it's been a loong time coming but I finally broke through and hit another goal of mine today. I'm officially in the 130's and have lost over 70 lbs. Only 3 to go for what I set as my final weight, but i'm not sure. I'm going to work a lot more on toning now so it might up me a bit but i'm OK with that. For those that hit a plateau do not stress! I was within the same 5 pounds for about 8 months but just kept at it. Our bodies are just funky creatures like that. The only thing that really makes me laugh is that I am still considered overweight by BMI, but I am not a fan of BMI and at work they are going to measure my body fat percentage for me instead. But i'm close to "normal" according to them only 1 point to go. Whatever! Back in the day when I hit a weight loss goal I would celebrate with food (huh?!) but tonight I packed a bag and am gonna go on a run after work - will feel sooo much better. Well, OK might have a glass of wine after that too!

Haven't tried it but I do know a lot of folks that do something very similar. Might have to check that out and see if it works.

Best of luck it will all go smoothly i'm sure!!!!!

I still eat meat but not a ton. Mostly lunchmeat. I get a lot of mine via beans. Cottage cheese is fine I don't do as much of it anymore b/c i've gone to a low dairy diet. At a good restriction I was told you should be able to eat the equivalent of a small hamburger like from McD's size and a small fry. I struggle with ground beef so I don't have it much but love seafood as well as beans.

Ha thanks ladies!!! I appreciate it!!!

You are really kicking butt great job!!!! Keep up the great work!!!!

Thanks so much!!!

Knew you could do it! Once you get through those 21 days you feel like you can take on the world!!! Great job!!!

I think this is the hardest one because it isn't something that the band can make go away. For me the biggest thing is just recognizing that I was a huge emotional eater - both when really happy or really sad. Just realizing that is what I do has helped me recognize it and I just go do something else to keep me busy. Go for a walk, drive around, whatever it takes. I was also one that ate when I wasn't hungry which was just as hard, but again just keeping myself busy and knowing my habits helps a lot.

Hi there! I can totally relate looking back I wasn't huge but I was a ballet dancer and was always told I had so much talent but just needed to lose weight. I am curvy so compared to those tall skinny twigs I danced with I did look big. Always compensated with a "big personality" as well. Was always the jokester. And, I love that show! As crazy as it seems I watched it the other night as I ran on the treadmill! Back in the day I would eat McDonalds while watching The Biggest Loser - how times have changed!

I had an issue with going and now it's worse. I do some miralax in apple juice every so often in the morning and also do some fiber choice chews each day to help things along. Still not good, but better than it was.

You look wonderful I am so jealous (in a good way of course!)! I can't wait to see you once your swelling has gone down!!

Congrats on your decision you will not regret it! My best advice for you is to take lots of time and read as far back as you can in these forums. That is what I did and I even got a notebook and took tons of notes. By the time I got to my band date (had to wait a few months until I could take some time off work) I felt educated and really ready to go! Totally agree with everyone on that the band is merely a tool and you can cheat it so you have to really work at it. But once you get some weight off you have so much more energy and it is so much easier to work out. I've also done every diet out there and am so happy to finally find something that works for me. Good luck!!

It isn't Jazzercise, but if you like that type of activity you should check out Zumba. http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=zumba+dvd&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=22950976&ref=pd_sl_9eb4y1j8pw_e&msclkid=d88c44d113a917478294e9378dc2c333&mscbg=0 I love it it's a blast and you burn a TON of calories!

Congrats that is awesome that you are getting into running! I started about 10 months ago and I try to do at least 1 race a month. Actually doing one tomorrow. I have some shorts I found that I did pay a little more for at Dick's Sporting Goods, but they are a little longer (about halfway to my knee) and that really helps with my "chub rub" as I like to call it. My arms are a lot smaller but I have a lot of loose skin so I have to make sure I have on a shirt with sleeves or it's bad news bears. On the hydration I do ok b/c the longest i've run is 6 miles, but I am training for a 10k and team marathon in the fall so I love these tips I really need to make sure i'm ready. Love the pedialite idea!

I felt the same way getting that protein in helped me a lot. I really never felt back to normal until I was able to start on solids. Keep at it you will get there!!

I can definitely see both sides. I'm like many that did every diet every everything out there and now finally have something that works for me. I paid enough for it so it better work! However, on the flip side i'm sure as hell gonna do everything in my power to help it along. I have significantly changed my eating habits, exercise as much as I can considering I have two jobs, and have worked to follow all the rules with drinking, etc... Am I perfect holy crap no! I am a firm believer that food addiction is a disease just like alcohol, drugs, etc but the worst part with food is you can't not eat like you do with the others. It's a daily battle but my goal is to do my best every day and if I slip up so be it I move on. I'm the type that if I tell myself I can never have something again I want it 10 times as bad, so if I want a piece of candy or some cheese I have it, just really try to limit it. So in a nutshell i'm gonna play Switzerland in this one and stay neutral as I see both sides, but that it my two cents.

B: Eggs and sausage L: Carrots with salsa and low fat bean dip and tuna (gotta love leftovers!) S: Two snack sized kit kats - ugh! D: Healthy Choice meatloaf meal S: Few bites out of a lunchable - eating dinner at 4 not working. Calories so far: 1,100

Glad to see you back!!! It has slowed down in here over time, but it has kind of been nice. Back in the day I remember it being busy, but there were also a few "not so positive" people in here i'm sure you remember that caused unneccesary drama. So i'm glad to see it like it is now. Still some veterans and some very cool newbies as well. Hope to see you around!!

That is always my favorite line...just eat less and you will lose weight!! If it were only that easy!! I spoke with the folks at OCC and they gave me a list of doctors in my area that would see me. I am fortunate one of the best doctors here in the area would and so I go to him since I can't afford to go back. OCC was very nice and had no issues giving me a list of doctors that would see me. Best of luck and for sure know you are not alone! It's been almost 2 years for me and i still come on this site often to keep myself accountable. Good luck!!

Always love the post op posts!! I remember mine was quite groggy too!! Glad it all went well and I hope you get some relief - I can feel mine, but luckily it isn't too painful unless i'm cleaning the tub or something like that.

B: Eggs and sausage L: Carrots dipped in salsa and bean dip, tuna and yogurt D: Chicken nachos and wayyy too much wine!