Re: New member from Ohio

[Guest guest]

Hi, Kathy - welcome! WE're an older group with many people banded 5-7 tears, and

are not very active any longer. We have great info in the files, and lots of

experienced people - but, after several years, most people are off living their

new lives and not so active on online forums. We'll do all we can to support

and encourage you, though!

I'd also encourage you to join a very active Band board, that has probably 100

posts a day from people all over the world - www.ObesityHelp.com. Join, then go

to the pull-don menu at the top to chose " Lapband forum " . Be a little careful,

though - there are many anti-band people who try to sway people away from the

band. Most are people who failed the band or gave up on it. There are also

people from 1000 different docs, and widely varying " rules " - so follow the

rules from YOUR doc.

You're clearly still dedicated and going strong! Good for you!

WW is a good system in many ways, but there are adaptions needed by Bandsters.

For instance, " unlimited fruits "

with their high calories, is not a good idea. Vegetables have all the vits and

minerals that fruits do, with far fewer calories. Band eating emphasizes lots of

(low glycemic) veggies, and limited fruits as a treat only.

Don't know your present weight, but a goal of about 1500-1800 cal a day, with an

hour of exercise (meaning walking, light ellipticals, etc - NOT necessarily a

heavy workout every day at a gym!) is likely about right. Calories still will

always count, sadly.

Other things that are very important are local support groups, working on the

food issues we all have with a good therapist (this should ideally start even

before banding), daily exercise, and regular small treats so we don't feel

deprived. We need to be on a Bandster food plan for the rest of our lives, so we

need to design one that is reasonable, not depriving, and functional.

Where in Ohio are you? I was born and raised in Toledo, and lots of relatives

still there. they sent pix of the Cleveland Lighthouse when it was covered in

ice - probably still is!

Take a look at the general info in the files, and let us know if you have any

questions -

Sandy r, RN, MN

banded March 2003

at goal (plus or minus a few for 7+ yrs

>

> Hi there. I am looking for some online encouragement from experienced

bandsters - I am three years out with my Allergan band as of March 17. I had

lost 140 lbs and needed to lose about 40-50 more and I got stuck, maybe lazy or

sloppy with my eating habits is more honest. I'm trying to get back on track. I

rejoined WW and their new PointsPlus program is focused on using your Points for

protein and unlimited fruit and vegetables. I lost .4 the first week after a

tough week of challenging and eating out every meal and then lost 2.3 lbs last

week. Trying to get the 10 lbs off that I let come back over the holidays.

>

> Who else is on this board in terms of profile of how long you've been a

bandster and where you are in your journey?

>

> Kathy

>

[Guest guest]

Hi kathy,

I'm also 3 yrs out and I've lost 80 lbs. Last year I was about 10 lbs lighter

but it was for a short time, after my band was too tight, and it was

unsustainable for me. So now at 5'6 I'm 152 lbs. And very happy. I have managed

to stay within this range for over a year. I too joined ww, mainly because

that's how most people think I lost my weight, but also it keeps me focused and

motivated on tracking my food. I am finally going to be a lifetime member in ww,

over the next few weeks, so that's exciting to me.

This forum is great if u have any specific questions about your band or

nutrition or the like. I find that still comes up for me every once in a while,

even after so much time ;-).

Sticking with eating the way we know we should is one part of what we need to

do, that I know wil always be a cchallenge for me. Someone at my ww meeting once

asked another member " why do u want to eat a snickers anymore " ? I don't think

I'll ever be there-wondering why someone or me wud WANT to eat something I know

I shouldn't. So I allow myself a treat here and there, but I keep track of my

food to mae sure I get enuf protein etc.

The second important part, especially this far out, is exercise. Its hard for me

to be consistent during some months. But the key for me is finding something I

really enjoy doing. Experiment, make it a priority, and I think that helps with

those last stubborn pounds that don't come off with food alone.

Good luck!

Gail

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

New member from Ohio

Hi there. I am looking for some online encouragement from experienced bandsters

- I am three years out with my Allergan band as of March 17. I had lost 140 lbs

and needed to lose about 40-50 more and I got stuck, maybe lazy or sloppy with

my eating habits is more honest. I'm trying to get back on track. I rejoined WW

and their new PointsPlus program is focused on using your Points for protein and

unlimited fruit and vegetables. I lost .4 the first week after a tough week of

challenging and eating out every meal and then lost 2.3 lbs last week. Trying to

get the 10 lbs off that I let come back over the holidays.

Who else is on this board in terms of profile of how long you've been a bandster

and where you are in your journey?

Kathy

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm only 4 months out and am struggling to stay on track. I have lost 31 lbs.

and have 50 more to go. I try to exercise for 30 minutes  per day (

Sansome 1 or 2 miles per day) but usually manage 2 on and 1 off. I have had 1

fill and had another scheduled last week but had to cancel due to bad weather

(live in OKC) and may have to cancel again this week.  Does it get any easoer

when you get to your " sweet spot " ?  

________________________________

From: " bknymom@... " <bknymom@...>

Sent: Sat, February 5, 2011 6:59:37 PM

Subject: Re: New member from Ohio

Hi kathy,

I'm also 3 yrs out and I've lost 80 lbs. Last year I was about 10 lbs lighter

but it was for a short time, after my band was too tight, and it was

unsustainable for me. So now at 5'6 I'm 152 lbs. And very happy. I have managed

to stay within this range for over a year. I too joined ww, mainly because

that's how most people think I lost my weight, but also it keeps me focused and

motivated on tracking my food. I am finally going to be a lifetime member in ww,

over the next few weeks, so that's exciting to me.

This forum is great if u have any specific questions about your band or

nutrition or the like. I find that still comes up for me every once in a while,

even after so much time ;-).

Sticking with eating the way we know we should is one part of what we need to

do, that I know wil always be a cchallenge for me. Someone at my ww meeting once

asked another member " why do u want to eat a snickers anymore " ? I don't think

I'll ever be there-wondering why someone or me wud WANT to eat something I know

I shouldn't. So I allow myself a treat here and there, but I keep track of my

food to mae sure I get enuf protein etc.

The second important part, especially this far out, is exercise. Its hard for me

to be consistent during some months. But the key for me is finding something I

really enjoy doing. Experiment, make it a priority, and I think that helps with

those last stubborn pounds that don't come off with food alone.

Good luck!

Gail

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

New member from Ohio

Hi there. I am looking for some online encouragement from experienced bandsters

- I am three years out with my Allergan band as of March 17. I had lost 140 lbs

and needed to lose about 40-50 more and I got stuck, maybe lazy or sloppy with

my eating habits is more honest. I'm trying to get back on track. I rejoined WW

and their new PointsPlus program is focused on using your Points for protein and

unlimited fruit and vegetables. I lost .4 the first week after a tough week of

challenging and eating out every meal and then lost 2.3 lbs last week. Trying to

get the 10 lbs off that I let come back over the holidays.

Who else is on this board in terms of profile of how long you've been a bandster

and where you are in your journey?

Kathy

[Guest guest]

I joined WW when I found myself relying on the band (too tight) to lose weight.

Now I have a comfortable fill that allows me to eat what I need to eat yet

gently lets me know I've had enough. I was banded on 6/9/09 and I lost 80lbs. I

went through a period of being too tight and exercising (I commuted to work on

bike..from Bronx to Manhattan during the hot summer) a lot and I lost a lot of

the weight that way. But, as fate would have it I got hit by a car while on my

bike in late October and got a broken leg. So I was forced to sit on my recliner

for 2 months. I was not moving..so I was forced to deal with my sneaky little

eating habits...I like chocolate...I was sneaking chocolate and candy throughout

my weightloss and was exercising to counter the effects...now I had to deal with

my being forced to be inactive...I knew I couldn't hide anymore...I did a lot of

soul searching...a lot of knitting...I made myself do something else besides

obsess about what I put in my mouth..I made tons of hats and mittens instead of

sticking food in my mouth..think about food...etc.....but finally during the

last month (christmas..feeling lonely..anxious to get back to work)...I ate a

lot of chocolate and gained 15lbs...but I was gentle with myself..oh..I was

gentle..I remember how I would freak out in my earlier band days..how I would be

so hard on myself..but instead..this time..I got right back on WW and decided to

track everything I eat so that everything I eat is looking right back at me and

I can figure out where the problem is. The new WW has unlimited fruits..but for

real..are you really going to eat that many fruit? No your not. So you get to

eat an apple or two if your hungry no big deal..you have the band so it will

fill you up faster.. ..we all know the psychology of food addicts..they don't

eat too much fruits and vegetables...its cool not having to count an apple as a

point anymore..I like grapes..I never have too much because I can't....its

exciting what the new points do now..you get more...I like whole wheat bread

(toasted) so I'm able to make a tuna sandwich and eat half for lunch and the

rest later in the day before I go to the gym. It feels good to be on the band

and WW and not be hungry. I like tracking my food. I have to track my food

because if not I play this little game called " food amnesia " and I end up

gaining weight. You know food amnesia where you eat stuff that goes down that's

high in whatever makes you fat..(i say this because i don't know what makes you

fat anymore..too mcuh carbs..to much protein..too much calories) whatever..WW

has some system that counts somethign and gives you a point value...and you

simply act like you never did it..never happened. So for me..WW is going to help

me reach my goal. I have another 30lbs to lose to reach my goal weight this year

and I'm excited about it. Oh...let me tell you...I am committed to my health.

My right tibia was fractured and chipped and I have a plate and 6 screws holding

it together in October 25 and was told that I might have a limp..that I might

not be able to bend the knee..and I was already at work on Jan. 3 because I was

so afraid of gaining weight again...I sat on that recliner and I willed myself

to get better..I did not want this leg to keep me from reaching my weightloss

goal. I am back at the gym and I am walking without a limp. I joined WW so that

I can finish losing the weight and I created a lapband WW group in the online

WW. Don't give up your weight loss goals with the band. I think the band is a

great tool and using it with WW will help you tremendously. I htink you will

have to make adjustments but they will be minor. (excuse the crazy grammar and

writing..i'm just typing as fast as I can and letting it flow)

>

> Hi kathy,

>

> I'm also 3 yrs out and I've lost 80 lbs. Last year I was about 10 lbs lighter

but it was for a short time, after my band was too tight, and it was

unsustainable for me. So now at 5'6 I'm 152 lbs. And very happy. I have managed

to stay within this range for over a year. I too joined ww, mainly because

that's how most people think I lost my weight, but also it keeps me focused and

motivated on tracking my food. I am finally going to be a lifetime member in ww,

over the next few weeks, so that's exciting to me.

>

> This forum is great if u have any specific questions about your band or

nutrition or the like. I find that still comes up for me every once in a while,

even after so much time ;-).

>

> Sticking with eating the way we know we should is one part of what we need to

do, that I know wil always be a cchallenge for me. Someone at my ww meeting once

asked another member " why do u want to eat a snickers anymore " ? I don't think

I'll ever be there-wondering why someone or me wud WANT to eat something I know

I shouldn't. So I allow myself a treat here and there, but I keep track of my

food to mae sure I get enuf protein etc.

>

> The second important part, especially this far out, is exercise. Its hard for

me to be consistent during some months. But the key for me is finding something

I really enjoy doing. Experiment, make it a priority, and I think that helps

with those last stubborn pounds that don't come off with food alone.

>

> Good luck!

> Gail

> Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

>

> New member from Ohio

>

> Hi there. I am looking for some online encouragement from experienced

bandsters - I am three years out with my Allergan band as of March 17. I had

lost 140 lbs and needed to lose about 40-50 more and I got stuck, maybe lazy or

sloppy with my eating habits is more honest. I'm trying to get back on track. I

rejoined WW and their new PointsPlus program is focused on using your Points for

protein and unlimited fruit and vegetables. I lost .4 the first week after a

tough week of challenging and eating out every meal and then lost 2.3 lbs last

week. Trying to get the 10 lbs off that I let come back over the holidays.

>

> Who else is on this board in terms of profile of how long you've been a

bandster and where you are in your journey?

>

> Kathy

>

>

>

>

>