CoachCher

The NYC 2009 National Gastric-Band Conference- NYC, NY March 20-21, 2009 will focus on “Living the band Lifestyle”. This conference is designed to educate, motivate and inspire the gastric band patient to embrace every change throughout their journey. Determination, Inspiration, Motivation, and Transformation will take center stage at the 2009 NYC National Gastric band Conference hosted by Banded Together to be held in New York City, NY March 20-21, 2009. Some 150 participants from all over the United States are expected to attend. The NYC 2009 National Gastric band conference is expected to help both the pre-operative and post-operative patient prepare for the “Band Lifestyle” The focus of this campaign is to promote a healthy lifestyle so that life can be lived to the fullest. Educating people about the health benefits of the Gastric Band will increase awareness. Among other issues, the conference will address, post-op eating, post-op fitness and post-op emotional changes. The “Living the Gastric Band Lifestyle” campaign is meant to address the whole band experience. The conference is designed to educate all gastric band patients so their transformation to better health allows them to achieve more Results, Support, and Success. When: March 20-21, 2009 Friday Meet & Greet 6pm-9pm EST Saturday Conference 8am-5pm EST Where: The Marriott LaGuardia Airport 102-05 Ditmars Boulevard East Elmhurst, NY 11369 www.marriott.com/lgaap Lodging: The Marriott LaGuardia Airport 102-05 Ditmars Boulevard East Elmhurst, NY 11369 www.marriott.com/lgaap We have a special rate of $139 for guest rooms at this lovely hotel. Be sure to book early,as the room block will sell out. There is a Friday reception, so come stay with us for the weekend! Please contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing you there.

Hello Gang, It's that time again. It's time for our "Accountability Wednesday" call. Hello Gang, Accountability Wednesday: This is a "FREE" fun dynamic group. Here is your chance to connect with others who want to be accountable. Now you have the opportunity to be connected to a group of like minded people who are traveling the same road you are. Bring your curiosity and your questions and join us today at 5:00 pm CST. If your not able to make the calls, please leave your goals on the blog so your still connected to the group. Contact me today to become a part of this dynamic group.

Hey Gang, I'm so sorry it's been forever since I've posted. I've been sicker than a dog for over 6 weeks. I'm finally back to normal and feeling like a human again. With my illness I had a lot of time to think about my journey and where I want to go. I brainstormed the idea of "Accountability Wednesdays". What I would like to see from these calls is for us to commit to goals for 2 weeks. I've chosen the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month for us to check in with each and see how everyone is doing. If your interested in this "FREE" Dynamic Call, please let me know and I'll get the information to you. Our first call will be Wednesday January 17th from 1:00om to 2:00pm. Don't worry you don't have to be on the call the whole time. Just call in say what your goals are for the next 2 weeks then f/u in two weeks and let us know how you did.

[font=Comic Sans Ms]Hey Gang, I'm curious what you feel are your top struggles since you have had your surgery. If you have not had surgery that's fine you can also tell me what your top struggles are prior to surgery. The reason I'm asking this question is my "Life Coach" asked me this very question in our session the other night and it got me to wondering if we all share the same struggles or do we each have our own speical set of struggles. Here are mine... 1. Exercise-desire to do it, but not motivated to it- Solution commited to a 12 week program with the wonderful members of OH, lapbandtalk, and lapband forum which will begin next Sat. I'm totally pumped!! 2. Clothes-I still don't know how to dress my new body. I still gravitate towards the bigger clothes even though I know I can't wear them. Ideal solution hire a Stylist to dress me *LOL* 3. Dating- for me this is the biggest struggle. I dated so many duds in my former body, I'm scared I'll still make the same mistakes. Solution-buck up and put myself out there. Okay these are mine, let me know if these are similar to yours. If you have more that's fine. ~CoachCher~ http://divinetransformation.blogspot.com/[/font]

Hello Cleo, It sounds as if you are already doing the Body for Life. You are more than welcome to join us for the Challenge. As far is eating 6 meals a day, it's the same principle with BFL. You can have an apple and count that as a meal. Please send me a PM if you want to sign up for the BFL Challenge with the group. ~CoachCher~ http://divinetransformation.blogspot.com/

Hello Gang, I had an overwhelming response to my "Body for Life" Challenge. The Challenge is going to begin on Oct 28, 06. If your interested in joining the challenge please let me know so I can put you on the list. Of course As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program. ~CoachCher~ http://divinetransformation.blogspot.com/

Hey Skinny Jenny, Honey your weight loss is great. You are very new Post Op and doing a great job. As far as the workout goes it is very intense. Of course you could do a modified version of it. Basicly this is the workout. Workout 6 days a week, alternate cardio and weight resistant training. For example M-W-F would be cardio for 20 mins (so your walking works well here, and you can do more than the suggested 20 min cardio) then say on T-TH-S you would do weight training you could start out w/ 1lb, 2lb and 5 lb weights as to not push yourself too hard. Of course you should always consultant with your surgeon/PCP to make sure you have been released to start any type of program. If you get the go ahead from your surgeon/PCP then of course you are welcome to join us. Let me know if I can be of anymore help to you!! ~CoachCher~

Hello Marilyn, Ok honey calm down and take a breath. First and formost you have to remember you had surgery on your stomach not on your brain. It sounds like you might need another fill. Your band can be very fickle, and this fill might have done what it was going to do and now you need another one. The more weight you lose the more adjustments you might need. Now ask yourself this question are you eating solid foods that you really have to chew chew, chew and chew some more. If your eating foods that are processed they will go down much easier regardless of how properly adjusted you are. Try following a food journal for a week and make a note to what foods are easier to eat and which one's take more time to eat. I think you will find if the foods you are eating are more processed they are easier to eat, and the ones that are complete solids take more time and effort to eat. If this doesn't help contact your fill Dr and make that next appointment. Good Luck and let me know how it goes. ~CoachCher~

Hello Gang, I wanted to let everyone know I'm hosting a Body for Life Challenge beginning Oct 28th, 2006. Body for life has two programs one for everyone, then one specifically for women. If you want to sign up for this "FREE" 12 week course just send me a email and I'll send you all the details. Decide which program you want to do, then go out and buy the book. I want us all to be dedicated to a program during the Holiday season, I've done this program in the past and the results are totally amazing. Please sign up by Oct 23, 06 ((HUGS)) ~Cher~ http://divinetransformation.blogspot.com/

Easy Calorie Counting When it comes to losing weight, "calories in/calories out" is the name of the game. Burn more than you consume

The great secret of success is self-discipline - getting yourself to do what you really need to do - choosing to do what you feel is right and will bring the results you want into your life - long term. It is bringing order and efficiency into your life-. . . creating structure in your life and doing this enthusiastically! Success comes from taking charge of yourself and feeling proud of yourself when you do. Here's to each one of our Success!! ~CoachCher~

Weight Loss: How to Read Food Labels Just about every packaged food made in the U.S. has a food label indicating serving size and other nutritional information. The "Nutrition Facts" food labels are intended to give you information about the specific packaged food in question. Measurements of fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and minerals are calculated for a "typical portion." But, reading these labels can be confusing. Below are some explanations of its components. Serving Size. Serving sizes are based on the amount of food people typically eat, which makes them realistic and easy to compare to similar foods. This may or may not be the serving amount you normally eat. It is important that you pay attention to the serving size, including the number of servings in the package and compare it to how much you actually eat. The size of the serving on the food package influences all the nutrient amounts listed on the top part of the label. For example, if a package has 4 servings and you eat the entire package, you quadruple the calories, fat, etc. that you have eaten. Calories and Calories From Fat. The number of calories and grams of nutrients are provided for the stated serving size. This is the part of the food label where you will find the amount of fat per serving. Nutrients. This section lists the daily amount of each nutrient in the food package. These daily values are the reference numbers that are set by the government and are based on current nutrition recommendations. Some labels list daily values for both 2,000 and 2,500 calorie diets. "% Daily Value" shows how a food fits into a 2,000 calorie/day diet. For diets other than 2,000 calories, divide by 2,000 to determine the % Daily Value for nutrients. For example, if you are following a 1,500 calorie diet, your % Daily Value goal will be based on 75% for each nutrient, not 100%. For fat, saturated fat and cholesterol, choose foods with a low % Daily Value. For total carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, try to reach your goal for each nutrient. Ingredients. Each product should list the ingredients on the label. They are listed from largest to smallest amount (by weight). This means a food contains the largest amount of the first ingredient and the smallest amount of the last ingredient. Label Claim. Another aspect of food labeling is label claims. Some food labels make claims such as "low cholesterol" or "low fat." These claims can only be used if a food meets strict government definitions. Here are some of the meanings . LABEL CLAIM DEFINITION (per standard serving size) Fat-free* or sugar-free Less than 0.5 gram (g.) of fat or sugar Low fat 3 g. of fat or less Reduced fat or reduced sugar At least 25% less fat or sugar Cholesterol free Less than 2 milligrams (mg.) cholesterol and 2 g. or less of saturated fat Reduced cholesterol At least 25% less cholesterol and 2 g. or less of saturated fat Calorie free Less than 5 calories Low calorie 40 calories or less Light or lite 1/3 fewer calories or 50% less fat

Body Contouring OK After Big Weight Loss Waiting a year after weight loss surgery reduces risks By Jennifer Warner WebMD Medical News Reviewed By Michael Smith, MD Oct. 28, 2003 -- A growing number of Americans are now turning to weight loss surgery to overcome their battle with obesity, but months later many are literally left with a shell of their former selves. That excess skin and fat below the abdomen can be removed though a surgical procedure known as body contouring (or panniculectomy), but many plastic surgeons have been reluctant to perform this procedure because of a high risk of complications. But a new study shows that body contouring may be much safer than once thought, as long as patients wait nearly a year after weight loss (bariatric) surgery to allow their weight to stabilize and health to improve. "When a patient loses large amounts of weight, the skin does not retain its shape, leaving the patient with a large hanging apron of excess skin and fat below the stomach area, otherwise known as the pannus," says researcher Ernest Manders, MD, in a news release. "By focusing on patients who undergo a panniculectomy to remove the pannus, we found significantly fewer complications in patients who had the procedure one year after bariatric surgery rather than during the initial surgery," says Manders. Manders presented the results of the study Wednesday at the Plastic Surgery 2003 conference in San Diego. Waiting Reduces Risks In the study, researchers compared the results of having body contouring performed at the same time as the weight loss surgery versus waiting in 120 men and women. The study showed that there were significantly fewer complications reported among patients who waited nearly a year after undergoing weight loss surgery before having the body contouring procedure. Specifically, researchers found that people who waited to have the procedure had: Fewer wound infections Less wound reopening Shorter hospital stays In addition, none of the patients who waited experienced respiratory distress or died as a result of the procedure compared with 24% of the others who had breathing problems and 14% who died. Researchers say patients who waited had lost an average of about 100 pounds and fared better because they were healthier and their bodies were in better shape than at the time they had the weight loss surgery. Many of the patients had also gotten their diabetes under control, lowered their blood pressure, and lowered the stress on their hearts, which makes the additional surgery safer and lowers the risk of complications. The researchers do note that the group that underwent body contouring at the same time as weight loss surgery were heavier prior to surgery. This could have interfered with the results since the heavier study participants may have been unhealthier from the start. I hope you guys find this as informative as I did

Hello Dear!! Well first let me say your not alone. After reading your post I think I can see some of your triggers. Let's try to address each one individually. 1. Don't get hung up that you are filled at 3.4 and think your getting close and you have no where to go if you hit the 4.0 sometimes even adjusting .1 can make a huge difference. 2. Drinking with meals. Honey yes you can "STOP" drinking with meals. If you are taking the appropriate small bites and really chewing (I mean to liquid form) you can skip the water. You have to attempt to do this with every meal. 3. Unable to eat anything v. being wide open. This is what is called the fickle band, it feels at times it has a mind of it's own. What happens here is typically based on our stress level, time of the month and so forth the band will tighten and loosen on it's on, very normal and common. However vomiting should not be a daily occurance 4. Don't beat yourself up because you have "Fallen of the Bandwagon". That's the beauty of the band it's there and ready to due it's roll once we are ready to commit to it. Try going back to the basics. Eat three meals a day w/maybe a healthy snack in between. Chew Chew and chew somemore. Do not drink w/your meals. This defeats the purpose of the band, your washing your food through and making room for more. Stay away from soft foods, easy to go down, higher calorie and you stay full for less amount of time. Eat good solid protein and again chew chew and chew somemore. I hope these tips help!! Your not alone we all want you to succeed!!

Tips on Losing 100lbs or more 1. Seek Supervision. "The more overweight you are, the more likely you need to be monitored -- and the more you need some type of medical supervision, at least at the start," says Janet Finestein, MS, RD, a nutritionist and dietitian at the Comprehensive Weight Loss Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Because obesity contributes to other health problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance, Finestein says medical care is a must. "Sometimes uncovering these health risks and getting treatment can also help you lose weight," says Finestein. "For example, learning how to control your insulin levels may also help you control your hunger, and that can make your weight loss much easier." 2. Join a Support Group. While it may seem as if no one understands your needs, you are not alone. Experts say one of the best places to find those kindred spirits is in a support group -- like those found here on this site. If you feel self-conscious about meeting with strangers, the Internet has opened up a whole new world of peer support, with groups and chats and online gatherings of those who share similar goals and similar problems, and I do encourage patients to get involved," Huberman tells WebMD. By sharing your experiences, or just listening to others share theirs, you may also discover ways to better cope with the challenges you face, Huberman says. 3. Incorporate Movement Into Your Life. While joining a gym, or even going for an evening walk, may be out of the question at first, Goetze says that getting used to moving your body in small ways is something you can -- and should -- do. "When you are very large, moving your body is not only physically challenging, it's also emotionally challenging, because with every difficult move comes a reminder of your size," says Goetze. To counter the problem, she says, make a commitment to doing small movements every chance you get. Walk across the room to change the TV channel instead of using the remote, for example, or bend down to pick up that pencil you dropped. "Small moves do burn calories, plus they subtly change your mindset about the role of movement in your life," Goetze says. 4. Discover Weight Training. Experts say one of the most important exercises for very overweight folks is weight training. It builds muscle that can help burn more calories. The best part: Many weight-training exercises can be done sitting down, making them ideal for those with a lot to lose. "Even small actions can make a big difference." "Sitting in a chair and lifting some soup cans, putting on ankle weights and just moving your feet back and forth, lifting your arms over your head and reaching towards the ceiling, all can help build and strengthen muscles, and again, get your body moving," says Goetze. Finestein agrees: "The more weight you have to move with each movement, the less you have to do to see a reaction, so even small actions can make a big difference." 5. Focus on How Far You've Come. To stay motivated for the long haul, experts say, pay attention to how much you accomplish each day. "Forget where you want to get to," says Finestein. "Realize how far you've come. Remember when you couldn't bend over to tie your shoes, or couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without puffing?" And, she says, never forget that for every pound you lose, your health improves. "You might still be overweight, but you're definitely healthier," says Finestein. 6. Keep Your Goals Realistic. Experts say it's also vital not to set the bar too high for your weight loss goals. "You have to cut yourself a little bit of slack by taking into consideration how long you have been overweight," says Goetze. When you have lots to lose, it takes longer to reach your goals -- but it's also extra rewarding when you do get there. "It's a lot easier if you concentrate on your health, rather than each and every pound.," says Goetze. 7. Ditch the "Dieting Mindset." "The very idea that we go 'on' a diet suggests that at some point we will come 'off' the diet -- and that's where those who are morbidly obese make a wrong turn," says Huberman. To lose a significant amount of weight and keep it off, a permanent lifestyle change is needed. "When you are obese, weight control must become a lifetime commitment, and it must involve a decision to completely change the role of food in your life," Huberman says. "And you must make exercise a regular part of your daily living. "When you can accept that you're not on a diet, but that this is how you are going to live your life for the rest of your life, you will stay motivated and succeed." Happy losing everyone!! ~CoachCher~ www.divinetransformation.net