Alfonso D.

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Just a reminder -- sodium leads to water retention. In a few days I managed to go from 175 to 179. Sigh.

DETAILS: 
179.0 lbs (BMI 25.7) Current Weight
335.0 lbs (BMI 48.1) Weight when I joined Synchrony
 
166 Weeks since reaching my goal weight of 200lbs

So I got down to 175lbs; shirts and pants no longer feeling snug. I'll probably hold on another week just to offset the bounceback, but then what?

I'm struggling a bit with the healthy eating part. As much as I try, I don't get enough nutrition during the day, so I'm stuck with whatever I can chow down at night quick enough that it won't delay my bedtime.

The problem comes with having to eat slowly during the day. Seriously, a small portion could take me an hour to finish. Unless I stick to cold cuts (ugh, sodium), any meal is going to taste a little blech after 60 miinutes on the table.

Sigh.

I could use some lunchtime cold menu suggestions...


DETAILS: 
175.0 lbs (BMI 25.1) Current Weight
335.0 lbs (BMI 48.1) Weight when I joined Synchrony
 
164 Weeks since reaching my goal weight of 200lbs

Another week, another pound. I'm holding out hope that this is still actual fat loss -- not slow dehydration. I've been pretty good about drinking water, but I could certainly do better.

Yesterday I was at Jewel and found Chobani Greek yogurt on sale for $1, so I stocked up of course. And of course I got a bunch of different flavors (every 0% fat flavor they had). And of course I had to try some from each container when I got home.

Sigh. That's one of the things that we're warned against when trying to lose weight. It's called stimuli narrowing -- cutting down on choices helps reduce food consumption. In other words, it's better to get 12 of your favorite flavor than 1 each of a dozen different flavors; you'll end up actually eating less.

Now I'm stuck with a bunch of open containers, and who knows how long they'll stay fresh.

Naturally I did it so that I could pass flavor recommendations along to others, but then I didn't really take any flavor notes, so my excuse is a little thin. The only thing I remember is that the lemon flavor could have been a little more tart, and the lemon peel in it was a bit hard to chew thoroughly and swallow.


DETAILS: 
335.0 lbs (BMI 48.1) Weight when I joined Synchrony
176.0 lbs (BMI 25.3) Current Weight
 
163 Weeks since reaching my goal weight of 200lbs
 

...being green. No, wait, that's actually easier than losing weight and keeping it off.

So I cut back on my calories and lost a bit, but I think it might be just water loss), but it was nowhere near as easy as it used to be. A lot of it is mental, and I may be suffering from fatigue. The last two days I've started feeling a bit better, and I hope I can show a little more progress by next week.

In better news, our support groups are back on! They're scheduled for the 1st Saturday morning of the month (except holidays), and an ocassional Monday evening depending on demand. They're being run by our friends at Bottom Line Weight Loss, which is headed by Melody Kodis, our former administrator. She's doing an excellent job as always, and can be reached at 630-360-BAND (2263) or visit her website at www.BottomLineWeightLoss.com

Like I said, it ain't easy -- but it helps when you have great people to support you. Thanks Melody!

DETAILS: 
335.0 (BMI 48.1) Weight when I joined Synchrony
177.0 (BMI 25.4) Current Weight
 
162 Weeks since reaching my goal weight of 200lbs
 

Don't ever let anyone tell you that surgery is "taking the easy way out." It ain't. The band is a great tool, and it can help with hunger and portions, but it's up to us to work at it every day to lose the weight and keep it off.

After leaving Synchrony I gained about 20 pounds. Granted, that was an increase over my lowest weight, which I realistically could not live with and did not like (I felt and looked malnourished). I think 175 is a good target weight for me -- a balance between ideal health and realistic expectations.

Since returning to Synchrony I've lost 10 pounds and regained 3.5. Of course I just got back from a trip, so I think in the next couple of weeks I can get it back down to 175.

I need to get more water; it's as simple as keeping a bottle next to me, but I keep forgetting. Sigh. We just have to make the effort until it becomes a habit, and even then remind ourselves constantly.

Speaking of reminders, it's important that everyone keep up with Support Group. No matter how successful you are, it's worth an hour of your time once a month to remind yourself of the things you need to do and the things you have to avoid.

Again, it bears repeating: It takes effort!

DETAILS: 
335.0 (BMI 48.1) Weight when I joined Synchrony
178.5 (BMI 25.6) Current Weight
 
161 Weeks since reaching my goal weight of 200lbs
 

So it's been awhile since my last post. I will be writing my usual long-winded explanation soon, but for now let me just say that I'm back at Synchrony and my weight is back on track!

Down 0.8lb these past two weeks.  
  
Silvia and I signed up for a month's worth of dancing classes at "Fred Astaire Dance Studios" (www.FredAstaireBurrRidge.com).  The place is lively, fun, supportive, totally non-judgmental (important for someone like me with two left hooves). BTW, I have some free dance class vouchers if anyone wants them. 
 
So, will I be able to continue classes forever? Nope, but my hope is to add a little lean muscle to get my metabolism up a bit. Silvia's hope is that I'll continue to take her out dancing after classes end. What is it that they say springs eternal..? 
 
Seriously, though, it's always important to keep our activity levels up, and if you can have fun doing it, so much the better. 

DETAILS: 

121 Weeks of Synchrony;  
93 Weeks at Goal Weight; 

127.2lbs Official Weight Lost; 
155.2lbs Unofficial; 

173.8 (BMI 25.3) Official Weight; 
169.8 (BMI 24.7) Real Weight. 

Down 1.8lb these past two weeks.  
  
Using the Lap-Band the way God intended! Smaller portions, healthy meals, gentle weight loss! 

DETAILS: 

119 Weeks of Synchrony;  
91 Weeks at Goal Weight; 

126.4lbs Official Weight Lost; 
154.4lbs Unofficial; 

174.6 (BMI 25.4) Official Weight; 
170.6 (BMI 24.8) Real Weight. 

Down 1.0lb this past week. 
 
A slight decrease in calories, a slight increase in activity, and I'm slowly easing on down again. God bless the Lap-Band! 

DETAILS: 

117 Weeks of Synchrony; 
89 Weeks at Goal Weight; 

124.6lbs Official Weight Lost; 
152.6lbs Unofficial; 

176.4 (BMI 25.8) Official Weight; 
172.4 (BMI 25.2) Real Weight. 

Up 5.4lbs these past 7 weeks.
 
It's been a tough few weeks; hectic, stressful, disorganized. Excuses aside, I'm surprised I didn't gain more weight. Sigh. I'd like to post more but I'm really feeling out of sorts -- maybe the sore throat is a sign of impending illness rather than hoarseness from talking over the engine for 9 hours yesterday as I drove back from my brother's graduation through a neverending rain storm. BTW, I ate way too much over the weekend (Japanese hibachi and Bob Evans -- salt and more salt), so maybe that has something to do with the weight. Nonetheless, I'm going to crack down a little to get back to under 172. 
 
DETAILS:

116 Weeks of Synchrony
88 Weeks at Goal Weight

123.6lbs Official Weight Lost
151.6lbs Unofficial

177.4 (BMI 25.8) Official Weight
173.4 (BMI 25.2) Real Weight