We have liftoff....

[CookieJ]

Even though I was banded over four years ago, today is my new 'start date'. I lost 50 lbs with the band and gained quite a bit of it back, and I'm sick of it. This board gave me the advice to go back to liquids for 3 weeks and jump start my weight loss and motivation and today is my day! I have no idea what my weight is, I don't want to know. Numbers will only freak me out at this point.

My VitaMix blender will help me make smoothies for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast was strawberry, mango, apple, carrot and spinach. Lunch will be a variation of fruit but still contain a carrot and a handful of spinach. I HATE veggies, but the VitaMix has enabled me to finally put them into my diet by masking them as fruit-flavored! Dinner will be a pureed soup. I have low-sodium canned soups that I love with plenty of fiber, and I puree in my VitaMix. My hubby is totally on board and is looking forward to making his 'famous' chili and steaming the stinky cabbage and essentially eating all of the stuff that I can't stand for the next month. I will probably weigh myself in early February and hopefully that number won't scare me as much as this current one would.

Allison is right there with me as far as I know! She chimed in on my first 'help me get back on track' thread and we've decided to do this together. It's going to be hard to not chew anything for the next month, but I'm determined to do this. I need to feel and see the weight loss.

On the upside, I won $1800 at a casino two weeks ago, so my two big purchases were a Bosu Ball for my Exercise room complete with 4 workout DVD's (www.hsn.com) and a 32" flat screen TV to watch them on! This new tool is nestled between my Life Fitness Elliptical Trainer and my Schwinn AirDyne exercise bike. As soon as I get home from work I plan on changing into my workout clothes, and doing 10 minutes on the elliptical and 10 minutes on the Bosu. I frankly have not worked out in years, so I don't want to overdo it. 10 minutes on each for a few days and I'll work my way up. Baby steps!!

Anyway, just wanted to put it out there that I'm restarting my Bandster Lifestyle four years after being banded. Might be a little late to the party but at least I'm showing up. Wish me luck!

Cookie

[PAMMIE]

Might be a little late to the party but at least I'm showing up. Wish me luck!

Cookie

PARTIES NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE BEST OF LUCK TO YOU AND KEEP US POSTED

[tootsie_lou]

Yay! Yay! Yay for you! Congratulations on your decision(s)--and on your casino winnings!! We're all rootin' for you!!!

[Aliveat55]

It appears the band is just a tool. It can be defeated if a lot of effort is spent doing that. I too had to go back to a full liquid diet because I started to gain. It will just get you back on track again. Good luck!

[magkai1]

Hey Cookie,

Good for you!!

I wonder if you can share with us how you got off track? I figured that having a band made it impossible to eat TOO TOO much. Did you get fills? I'm very nosy, I know. I'm trying to learn from your experience!

Thanks,

Margaret

[RevyD]

Way to go Cookie. I am very proud of you that you have made the decision to get back on tract. Keep us posted girl. We have faith in you!!!

Debbie

[CookieJ]

I wonder if you can share with us how you got off track? I figured that having a band made it impossible to eat TOO TOO much. Did you get fills? I'm very nosy, I know. I'm trying to learn from your experience.

It's kind of embarrassing to explain, but on the other hand who would understand better than this group!

I thought that when I got my band that my problems with weight were finally behind me. I read as much as I could about it and knew it was only a tool, but I also thought that it would be such a strong tool that I couldn't possibly work against it. Yeah, that ain't exactly true.

I am a boredom eater and an emotional eater. If I am bored or emotional I will find a way to eat. If I eat six bites and I'm full but there is still food in front of me that I want tto eat, a few swallows of water or iced tea will generally make room for more. If everyone else is eating donuts or birthday cake at the potluck and I can't because fresh bread won't go down, I will generally find the desk with the Hershey Kisses in a bowl. Chocolate sails right through the band like it's greased.

I lost 50 lbs in less than 6 months. Since I'm just under 5'2" that's quite a bit of weight. I went from size 14 jeans to size 6. I looked and felt amazing. I remember I had a tradeshow/party for my job about six months after my surgery in Las Vegas. I have always been very, very introverted due to my size. At that huge party in this monster hotel ballroom someone put on Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean", and about six of my female coworkers pulled me up into a Dancing Chain going through the crowd trying to get the rest of the group to start dancing to get the party started. I remember I actually almost started to cry. I had never, ever had the confidence to wear the outfit I was wearing, dancing my a$$ off and smiling so hard my face hurt. I remember saying to myself "Never forget this moment or the way you feel right now". The problem is, I forgot it. I got comfortable. I was getting compliments from coworkers, friends and family left and right. I thought I looked and felt so good that that extra portion wouldn't hurt me, or that I didn't need to exercise as much. Frankly, I got cocky.

After I gained back to size 10 jeans it was like I forgot I even had the band. Drinking wwith meals and excessive snacking had me in it's grip once again. I forgot how to exercise, totally spaced when it came to waiting an hour after meals to drink, and ate ice cream and chocolate so easily that I never missed the fresh bread or the donuts that I could no longer eat.

A few months ago, I was watching The Biggest Loser with tears in my eyes because my favorite guy Danny was actually doing it; changing his life. I realized that I was watching The Biggest Loser with a huge bag of Hot Tamales candies in front of me that I'd bought in the bulk section of my local Winco. Eat a few, wash 'em down with water...cheer for Danny and wish I had someone like Bob or Jillian in my life, then eat a few more and wash them down. The realization of what I'd done to myself once again broke me out into a cold sweat. I resolved to take my band seriously again, and remind myself once again exactly how valuable this tool is. The good news is that NOW I know exactly what it can and can't do for me. It is not a Magic Band like I thought it would be. I will always love food, I will probably always want to turn to food when I'm stressed or bored, but I want to find a way to do it correctly. I know I've stretched out my pouch, but at this point that's OK with me. I know I can still make this work.

Sorry for the ramble, but sometimes it helps to actually put it down. I honestly hope that if someone else is in the same situation, know that you have a second chance.

Cookie

[jhawkchick75]

NEVER too late to get back on track!!! I think we all can slip so easily and it happens in small little steps that you don't notice. I have slowly let myself slip on some things and I am challenging myself to get back on track before it gets too far. Been doing to many slider foods so gonna try to get back to basics.

Glad to have you back!!

[Lindsay]

what are you long term plans on keeping of the weight that you'll lose during this 'liquid diet' of yours?

I only see a very short term 'solution', to a much larger issue that you've made mention of.

What do you plan on doing to maintain any weight loss you may encounter in a short period of time due to excessive caloric restriction?

Drinking liquids isn't going to teach you to eat well.

I'm just a bit confused. And slightly concerned?

While I think it's fantastic that you've regained momentum you've lost over the years (hand holding moment), I think a more concrete and long term plan would be be something you could benefit from at this point.

Gaining, losing, gaining, losing is a horrible pattern, and can really screw up your metabolism.

Here's an article you might benefit from reading: http://metaboliceffect.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/eat-less-lose-less-why-low-calorie-diets-dont-work/

Decreasing food means a slowing metabolism. We all know this phenomenon well and recognize it as a natural state in any free-living mammal. It is called hibernation and us humans still have this ancient wisdom programmed into our metabolism. When the calorie model is followed to the extreme, the body instinctively slows everything down. Decreasing food intake actually works against fat burning because it proves the body’s point. After all, increased energy output in the face of a food shortage is not smart. Imagine driving a car whose fuel gauge reads empty and then revving the engine repeatedly. This strategy would greatly increase your chances of running out of gas. The body views low food supply the same way.

source: http://metaboliceffect.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/eat-less-lose-less-why-low-calorie-diets-dont-work/

[tootsie_lou]

It's kind of embarrassing to explain, but on the other hand who would understand better than this group!

I thought that when I got my band that my problems with weight were finally behind me. I read as much as I could about it and knew it was only a tool, but I also thought that it would be such a strong tool that I couldn't possibly work against it. Yeah, that ain't exactly true.

I am a boredom eater and an emotional eater. If I am bored or emotional I will find a way to eat. If I eat six bites and I'm full but there is still food in front of me that I want tto eat, a few swallows of water or iced tea will generally make room for more. If everyone else is eating donuts or birthday cake at the potluck and I can't because fresh bread won't go down, I will generally find the desk with the Hershey Kisses in a bowl. Chocolate sails right through the band like it's greased.

I lost 50 lbs in less than 6 months. Since I'm just under 5'2" that's quite a bit of weight. I went from size 14 jeans to size 6. I looked and felt amazing. I remember I had a tradeshow/party for my job about six months after my surgery in Las Vegas. I have always been very, very introverted due to my size. At that huge party in this monster hotel ballroom someone put on Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean", and about six of my female coworkers pulled me up into a Dancing Chain going through the crowd trying to get the rest of the group to start dancing to get the party started. I remember I actually almost started to cry. I had never, ever had the confidence to wear the outfit I was wearing, dancing my a$$ off and smiling so hard my face hurt. I remember saying to myself "Never forget this moment or the way you feel right now". The problem is, I forgot it. I got comfortable. I was getting compliments from coworkers, friends and family left and right. I thought I looked and felt so good that that extra portion wouldn't hurt me, or that I didn't need to exercise as much. Frankly, I got cocky.

After I gained back to size 10 jeans it was like I forgot I even had the band. Drinking wwith meals and excessive snacking had me in it's grip once again. I forgot how to exercise, totally spaced when it came to waiting an hour after meals to drink, and ate ice cream and chocolate so easily that I never missed the fresh bread or the donuts that I could no longer eat.

A few months ago, I was watching The Biggest Loser with tears in my eyes because my favorite guy Danny was actually doing it; changing his life. I realized that I was watching The Biggest Loser with a huge bag of Hot Tamales candies in front of me that I'd bought in the bulk section of my local Winco. Eat a few, wash 'em down with water...cheer for Danny and wish I had someone like Bob or Jillian in my life, then eat a few more and wash them down. The realization of what I'd done to myself once again broke me out into a cold sweat. I resolved to take my band seriously again, and remind myself once again exactly how valuable this tool is. The good news is that NOW I know exactly what it can and can't do for me. It is not a Magic Band like I thought it would be. I will always love food, I will probably always want to turn to food when I'm stressed or bored, but I want to find a way to do it correctly. I know I've stretched out my pouch, but at this point that's OK with me. I know I can still make this work.

Sorry for the ramble, but sometimes it helps to actually put it down. I honestly hope that if someone else is in the same situation, know that you have a second chance.

Cookie

Wow, Cookie!

That is so honest. And yes, you are right to go ahead and write it all down. It is therapeutic for you, and you never know who may be reading it and totally get inspired because they see some of your truth in their own situation.

If you have read at all on here or other forums about the "5-day pouch test", the first couple of days is liquids only, and then the adding of other good foods that you can tolerate. I found that the times after I've done it, somehow it feels like some of what I thought was "lost" restriction came back. Also, it helps get the carb monster off your back a little bit so that the cravings for sweets and other junk is not so strong. All the best to you--you can do this!!

[CookieJ]

what are you long term plans on keeping of the weight that you'll lose during this 'liquid diet' of yours?

I only see a very short term 'solution', to a much larger issue that you've made mention of.

What do you plan on doing to maintain any weight loss you may encounter in a short period of time due to excessive caloric restriction?

Drinking liquids isn't going to teach you to eat well.

You're correct in that there is a much larger issue, and at age 47 I'm still trying to learn and figure out exactly what that issue is. I know it's emotional, I know at least some of it has to do with some domestic violence/abuse that I suffered in my life. I also know that I eat and smoke my anger or frustration rather than show anger or frustration. I also think that recognizing what this could be is half the battle. I'm thinking seriously of finding a therapist to finally help me work through some of this.

In the meantime, I want my SELF back. This liquid diet is only my starting gate. I'm a visual person, I need to SEE results and FEEL results to get motivated. A 3 week liquid restart will do several things for me. It will help detox my body of all the crappola that I've put into it recently, it will help me see exactly how much restriction I have and hopefully get some of it back, and it will teach me the bandster lifestyle once again. It will also help me drop probably 10-15 lbs quickly which will show in my clothes, and help me stay motivated.

Yesterday I ate more fruits, veggies, fiber and legumes in one day than I had for the previous week combined. I clocked out from work and went downstairs to my new Exercise Room(I work from home!) turned on the TV and DVD player and USED that room for the first time by doing 15 minutes on that Bosu ball...that's all I could do, heart was racing and legs felt like jelly, but it was the first time I'd worked up a sweat in a long time, and I felt great about myself last night for the first time in a long time.

So this liquid diet isn't a solution, it's a tool just like my band. I know how to lose weight and I know how to keep it off. Knowing has never been the issue, motivation and determination have been. In February I'll look better, feel better, and I'll finally hop on the scale and see what more I need to do. Then I'll be able to bring solids back into my life and do it the Bandster Way. I want the spark back, and this is a really good way for me to do it. It's not for everyone but for me it's the best way!

Cookie

[asmartblonde]

Yes Cookie I am still here with you! And again it is soooo great to be in it with someone who has had difficulty with the band due to emotional eating etc BUT is still motivated and willing to finally let the tool work.

To some of you...let me remind you that I have been banded for a year now and lost ONLY 10 lbs with the band...the other 30 was on the pre-op diet! I have been very resentful because I knew it was a tool BUT if it worked for all the other fat people that "nothing else ever worked for" WHY DIDNT IT WORK FOR ME? I am NOT a yo yo dieter...I have gotten bigger and bigger and never lost more than 13 lbs on any program (except fen-phen God bless it!!!!). Soooo for me this last week I have been doing liquid in am and then protein mostly...and let me tell you....I had diarhea yesterday from SUGAR WITHDRAWAL!!! I ate some to get my system to stop and guess what it worked.

Cookie I know that liquids at least for 2 weeks is great for you. I did not GAIN any weight this year....and I ate a lot of ice cream!!!! So if we can get on track and off of sugar by starting with liquids great!!!! I did no exercise last year either....so just think of the weight we can lose by just cutting the sugar "addiction" and moving a bit.

Again, I am right there with you girl! I love the support here and want to send out all the congrats and support to other bandsters However I really do appreciate finding a bit of community where the band has failed to meet our fairytale expectations and to go on anyway and kick this year into gear. It was not the magical solution for me...I have proved that but I dont want to give up.

Allison

[CookieJ]

Allison, stay strong...yesterday I went downstairs and fired up my stereo and did 15 minutes on the elliptical. Thought it was going to kill me the first five minutes but pushed through and did 15. Heart was going like a sledgehammer when I finished, but I was proud. In fact. watching the premiere of The Biggest Loser last night I was feeling better about myself than any other time I'd watched that show.

I can already tell a bit of difference in the lack of 'bloat' that I feel, and that is wonderful for me. Only two full days and the motivation is already starting to come back. I'm enjoying my smoothies and my pureed soups and if I want a sugar fix a jawbreaker goes into my mouth!!

Again, I know this is not a permanan solution, it's a motivational tool. But also, the BAND is only a tool, so this is my way of relearning what this tool can do for me. No where to go but up!

Cookie

[Kristi]

Cookie & Allison,

You can do it.

By the way...I love the biggest loser. I taped last nights show and have yet to watch it. I like to ride my exercise bike while watching it.

Hugs,

Kristi