My Banded Time

Monday, December 13, 2010

SCARED-I don't want to be a slow loser!

I'm going to be honest...just 18 lbs ago, I was scared to do the treadmill alone at home or while the kids were here.  I didn't want to risk having a coronary incident while alone or with the kids.  I was feeling that unhealthy and short of breath.  Now I'm ready to join our company gym today.  I don't feel breathless, I've stopped huffing. 

I feel compelled to ramp up the exercise for one very scary reason...I'm so scared of being a non loser or a band failure!!!!  I've been a good girl but I'm a slow loser.  18 lbs for 3 months is kinda slow.  I realize I've gotta move more!  Because I've very scared to be one of those people who only loses 18 lbs through this whole experience.  The week before I was banded I met two ladies in the waiting room at my surgeons office.  One lost 12 lbs the whole year and another lost 70 lbs in 9 months.  It illustrated that the band is a tool but you also have to work the tool.  But my secret nightmare is not achieving a healthier life status and losing weight after all this pain and effort.  Statistically most successful banders lose a majority of their weight during the first 6 months.  I'm at 3 months so I want to take it up a notch.  I have an added complication in that my thyroid is not working well so I'm having it removed 12/29.  I hope that this will also help me maximize my weight loss.  But at the same time I don't want to use my thyroid as an excuse.  We'll see after its removed.  My endocrinologist thinks it will definitely help.
Thanks for posting your experiences and sharing your support.

Felt happy to see Gen and Camille as new followers...Mentors I've been following!  It always excites me to get new followers...

11 comments:

  1. Congratulations on joining the gym - and the "non-huffing"!! That's a are wonderful choice and a terrific NSV!! I believe it's about becoming a healthier, happier you - and the more you move your body, the happier and healthier you will be, making you WANT to move your body even more - ultimately meaning the lower the scale will go!

    You're doing the right thing!! Keep it up!

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  2. Hmmm...I didn't know about that 6 month statistic. That scares me. It seems to me (and this is purely anecdotal) that a lot of the bloggers I follow don't even reach a good fill level until around month 5 or so. I think everyone's different and I think some people lose faster than others. I think moving more is a great idea but I don't think you should be scared. I think as long as you're doing your best and working the band, you'll be successful!

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  3. I'm with you. I believe I am going to be a slow loser. I've only lost 15lbs in the last 10 weeks. However, if you average it out, that means 1.5 lbs per week which falls into the area my surgeon suggested of 1.5-2lbs per week. I am 46, so I know I no longer lose as fast as I used to. I have also messed up my body by yo-yo dieting. So...I think we just keep at it. Joining the gym is a great start.

    I'm sure we will get where we want to be eventaully as long as we "work our bands"!

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  4. Fighting your thyroid issues can make losing weight an uphill battle. I hope the surgery helps! I bet it will!

    But you're still losing more than a pound a week and that's nothing to feel bad about!

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  5. I've lost most of my weight in the 2nd year, actually!

    First 6 months = 10 pounds lost
    Second 6 months (1 year after surgery) = 50 pounds lost total
    Third 6 months (1.5 years out) = 75 pounds lost
    Fourth 6 months (almost 2 years out) = 100 pounds lost.

    Slow but steady, but the first couple months were NOT my quick-losing months. Keep with it...there's no reason for the weight loss to stall, and if you're plateauing then go see your doctor.

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  6. I think you're doing just fine, and I have never heard that 6 month statistic. I've heard something similar about bypass (that they lose pretty much all the weight they're going to lose in the first year) but that over time, bandsters and bypass people lose about the same. I'm just curious where you heard that.

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  7. 18 pounds in 3 months is not slow-it is great. Finding greater fitness is priceless as that is the stuff that will keep you alive (or coronary free) for your kids.

    30 months and 140 pounds. That is between 4 and 5 pounds per month is the speed at which I lost my weight. No loss is something to worry about. Slow loss is just fine as you are gaining 'alive' time (or years more to your life span) by losing the weight and finding your fit self. Where is the statistic about losing most of your weight the first 6 months? I would like to read it. Maybe RNY could claim this but I have never seen that particular statistic with the band. I have heard the first year but I do not even agree with that one.

    Everyone is different and needs different amounts of time to come to terms with their optimal fill levels, exercise and adjusting to new lifestyle changes.

    I say take whatever time you need but keep pushing forward (fill, exercise, and eating habits) They all work-together to keep you successful.

    xxxooo

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  8. You're doing great Rachel, and your exercise plans will only help.

    Don't get in your own head about this-- I think sometimes we can create a self-fulfilling prophecy by being really critical of ourselves and that only encourages defeat in the end. As long as the scale is moving in the right direction, you're doing what you're supposed to. Make sure to give yourself the credit you deserve!

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  9. I think you are doing great Rachel.. honestly that is a very good pace.. it is very rewarding to lose allot up front, but think about it.. the lbs didnt come on overnight and they certainly dont melt off overnight.. I know you have been following my WL saga.. and I am now 13 months out.. I really did not feel true band restriction until these last three fills (and as I have written this last fill is just wonderful).. I feel like the tool has turned into a magic wand.. and my damn vagus nerve is signling like made.. I would have never thought that I need to remind myself to eat.. but there I am .. so It would be great for you to incorporate the exercise part, but there are many banders that do minimal exercise and still lose. I think you need to look at this from a holistic perspective.. remember that band will be with you for a long long time (hopefully).. that is what I call building a relationship with your band.. keep at it.. remember this isn't a contest.. its a lifestyle.

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  10. Any loss is a good loss!

    Just hang in there, and exercise as much as you think you can handle. You keep your eyes on the prize, and you'll get there.

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  11. Rachel,

    I think you are doing great! Where would you have been in 3 months without the band? I would have been maybe 5 pounds down and on my way to gaining it (and more) back! Hang in there....you are doing great. Just the fact that you are motivated to join the gym means that you are making changes in your life that are more positive. This is a life-long journey!

    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. We need to stick through this together!

    Tracy
    http://bandedadventures.blogspot.com

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