2009 National LAP-BAND Conference

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!

Speakers:
Dr. Matthew Schulman-Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Duc Vuong-Bariatric Surgeon
Dr. Brian Jacob- Bariatric Surgeon
Mary Jo Rapini-LPC
Connie Stapleton- PHD
Coach Cher- LAP-BAND Lifestyle Coach

For more information visit: https://www.bandedtogether.net/Events.php

Too Tight or Just Right

Okay I’m sure each one of you has a fickle band like me. It is enough to drive you insane, one day you’re wide open and the next your band is so tight you can only take two or three bites and your done. I know, I know, I’ve been there done that, it actually happened to me last week. I was eating a ham steak; took three bites and I could feel the tightness in my chest. At lunch I had chicken tacos and was able to eat just fine. How can that be? It boils down to the actual food we are eating, some foods are more dense than others so it makes it harder or easier to get full, depending on how you look at it.

Take what I ate for example. The ham steak was much thicker than the cubed chicken I had at lunch. I waited too long to eat and basically tried to scarf my food. I should have taken the time to chew the ham much more than I did the chicken cubes. Had I taken the time to really chew the ham I could have had more than three bites. We are all guilty of this, we eat too fast and don’t chew well enough then we get frustrated because we want to eat more but we can’t. Don’t get upset if you take a couple of bites and you’re full, it’s one meal. I hear this all time “I only had three bites and I couldn’t eat anymore”. I know how it feels it still happens to me even four years out.

When this happens to some band patients; they automatically think that’s it “I’m too tight and I need an un- fill”. Look at what you ate and how fast you ate; it can be as easy as slowing down and paying attention to how you are eating. We have to be aware of what we are doing as patients and not be so quick to blame our fill amount.

I have stated this before and it’s worth repeating, if you are stressed or eat too fast this can cause premature fullness. If this is happening to you from time to time, start paying attention to your eating patterns.

A. Are you waiting until you are starving to eat, then you try to scarf down your food? Don’t let yourself get to this point, eat well before you reach starvation mode.

B. Do you test your band to see if you can eat something? If you do that’s fine just make sure you are chewing to liquid before you swallow. This will help you avoid PB’s.

C. Are you getting stuck every time you eat, no matter what the food is? If this is happening you could be too tight and need to schedule an appointment with your surgeon.

D. Do you choose band friendly meals because you know you can eat it? It’s okay to eat softer foods if you are going out or will be with a big group. However don’t make it a common food choice just because you know you can get it down.

I know it can get frustrating from time to time. Try to be patient and honest with yourself before you decide if you’re too tight or just right.

20 Worst Foods in America

**Warning reading this article could cause weight gain or a upset stomach**


#20. Worst Fast-Food Chicken Meal
Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips from McDonald's (5 pieces) with creamy ranch sauce
830 calories55g fat (4.5g trans fat)48 g carbs

#19. Worst Drink
Jamba Juice Chocolate Moo'd Power Smoothie(30 fl oz)
900 calories10 g fat 183 g carbs (166 g sugars)

#18. Worst Supermarket Meal
Pepperidge Farm Roasted Chicken Pot Pie(whole pie)
1,020 calories 64 g fat 86 g carbs

#17 Worst "Healthy" Burger
Ruby Tuesday Bella Turkey Burger
1,145 calories 71 g fat 56 g carbs

#16 Worst Mexican Entree
Chipotle Mexican Grilled Chicken Burrito
1,179 calories 47 g fat 125 g carbs 2,656 mg sodium

#15 Worst Kids' Meal
Macaroni Grill Double Macaroni 'n' Cheese
1,210 calories 62 g fat 3,450 mg sodium

#14 Worst Sandwich
Quizno's Classic Italian (large)
1,510 calories 82 g fat 3,750 mg sodium 106 g carbs

#13 Worst Salad
On the Border Grande Taco Salad with Taco Beef
1,450 calories 102 g fat 78 g carbs 2,410 mg sodium

#12 Worst Burger
Carl's Jr. Double Six Dollar Burger
1,520 calories 111 g fat

#11 Worst Steak
Lonestar 20 oz T-bone
1,540 calories 124 g fat

#10 Worst Breakfast
Bob Evans Caramel Banana Pecan Cream Stacked and Stuffed Hotcakes
1,540 calories 77 g fat (9 g trans fat) 198 g carbs(109 g sugars)

#09 Worst Dessert
Chili's Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream
1,600 calories 78 g fat 215 g carbs

#08 Worst Chinese Entree
P.F. Chang's Pork Lo Mein
1,820 calories 127 g fat 95 g carbs

#07 Worst Chicken Entree
Chili's Honey Chipotle Crispers with Chipotle Sauce
2,040 calories 99 g fat 240 g carbs

#06 Worst Fish Entree
On the Border Dos XX Fish Tacos with Rice and Beans
2,100 calories 130 g fat 169 g carbs 4,750 mg sodium

#05 Worst Pizza
Uno Chicago Grill Chicago Classic Deep Dish Pizza
2,310 calories 162 g fat 123 g carbs 4,470 mg sodium

#04 Worst Pasta
Macaroni Grill Spaghetti and Meatballs with Meat Sauce
2,430 calories 128 g fat 207 g carbs 5,290 mg sodium

#03 Worst Nachos
On the Border Stacked Border Nachos
2,740 calories 166 g fat 191 g carbs 5,280 mg sodium

#02 Worst Starter
Chili's Awesome Blossom
2,710 calories 203 g fat 194 g carbs 6,360 mg sodium

And the #1 Worst Food in America is....

#01 The Worst Food in America
Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing
2,900 calories 182 g fat 240 g carbs

This artery clogging, heart attack waiting to happen article was provided by Men's Health check out the full story at http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/20-Worst-Foods/1_The_Worst_Food_in_America.php

Bandster Bash 2008

2008 National LAP-BAND Convention- LIVE and In Person
For Pre-ops, Post-ops, Family, and Friends... Dallas Texas, October 3-5, 2008tentative date) still working with hotels for availability

We'll Focus on Key Strategies so your Transformation to “The New You” Gives You More Results, Support, and Success:

Mary Jo Rapini- Body Image and Sexuality

Cher Ewing- Is your band failing you or are you failing your band? (My Story)

Dr. Sina Matin- Educating your support system

Chef Leslie Moore- Will share band friendly recipes

We will also have people volunteer to receive a make-over and then we will choose three people via random draw to receive a make-over after the Saturday event and before the Fall Fling (should be fun).

This live event is going to be life changing; you will meet people who are taking the same journey you are, meet professionals who want you to be successful and you will leave feeling rejuvenated, inspired, empowered to embrace every change you are going to experience during your LAP-BAND journey.

Please check back often to see what speakers and vendors have been added to the venue.

You won't want to miss Sunday's closing as we have successful post-ops share their story.

Succesful Post Op- Robin McCoy

Join Cher and Jeff as they welcome ObesityHelp monthly as part of their successful Internet Radio Show. Obesity Help will be represented, this month, by three different staff members to share with us "What's new at ObesityHelp".

Special guests include...
Nikki Johnson – Editor in Chief, OH Magazine
Cathy Wilson – Director of Support Groups
Joanna Fee – Events Manager

"ObesityHelp is dedicated to the education, empowerment and support of all individuals affected by obesity, along with their families, friend, employers, surgeons and physicians".

They are the most popular Bulletin Board for the Weight Loss Surgery Community and have an incredibly successful magazine. The first issue of OH Magazine, then called ObesityHelp Magazine, was released in July 2003. The magazine was launched to expand the ability of ObesityHelp.com to reach out and provide education and support to the millions of people worldwide who suffer from obesity. OH Magazine is like an ongoing support group, full of hope, inspiration, and information.

Date: 05/07/08
Time: 8:00 pm ET, 7:00 pm CT, 6:00 pm MT, and 5:00 pm PT
Where: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thewlscoaches
Request Line: 646-716-9413

Most WLS Patients are missing these 4 key ingredients in their WLS Journey


1. Confidence

The ability to believe you deserve to see results you want need and deserve. I want to encourage each of you to not beat yourself up for your past failures, because that's exactly where they are in the "PAST". You can't change the past or your past choices, however you certainly can learn from your past.

2. Motivation

Is your lack of motivation getting in the way of eating right, exercise, and adopting a new healthy lifestyle? When life throw's you a curve ball do you reach for food or do you adopt your new lifestyle and forge through? Life is going to come at you from all angles; you can't let your "Moments in time" define who you are.

3. Results

Are you doing the same things you did prior to "WLS" and expecting different results? If you are; then you are setting yourself up for frustration. As a "WLS" patient you should change your way of doing things to achieve the results you desire. By adjusting how you diet, exercise and think; you will have peace of mind every month.

4. Accountability

Are you taking your "WLS" journey by yourself, or do you have a built in support system? Accountability can really kick you into high gear, especially if you have others accountable to you. If you are in need of accountability join me for "Accountabilty Tuesdays" This is a 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 every Tuesday at 8:00 pm CST.

((HUGS))
~CoachCher~

Beyonce: Making People Sick!

Wow….is she serious?! This is a photo of Beyonce…trying to be attractive. And..I just threw up a little in my mouth. Girlfriend tries so hard. This is NOT a good outfit….for anyone…especially chunky ass Beyonce! Looks like she is wearing two pairs of pantyhose (excuse me…shiny tights). Why does she always try to show her damn legs?! I mean damn….she should cover up those fat knees and big thunder thighs. The back of her leg is probably just a mountain of cottage cheese! YUCK!

Now I realize that some people might think Beyonce is in good shape…okay…fine! But if you think that, then more than likely, you are over weight as well! She just needs to cover up…that’s all! Not everyone wants to see that chunk! OKAY-feel free to throw up on your computer screens now!!

HYPE IT UP!

Ok I found this article and I am "Shocked and Aww'd" by the comments of the poster. Has it really come to this?!? Do we no longer appreciate someone for their curves? SHE is FAR from fat, as long as you LOOK HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL ..how can she be considered fat? Remember Marilyn Monroe, she is the exact same size as what our society calls "FAT" and yet she was an "Icon" in her day.

Let me know how this article makes you feel. Are you as outraged as I am?

((HUGS))
~CoachCher~

Hit a Roadblock, take a detour...

Ahh the dreaded plateau, what to do? Well actually there are several things you can be doing to get the scale moving again. First and foremost you have to be “Honest” with yourself are you following a diet, exercise plan which you actually enjoy.

Let’s be real here, if we are not eating foods we enjoy or participating in a workout program we love (yes I said the “L” word) chances are we are not going to stick with it.

Try journaling for a week to see if you’re really getting in enough calories and enough movement to actually have an impact on the scale. If you’re not getting enough calories this can be cause for the scale to stop moving. This will also give you a clear idea of what you’re doing well and where you’re missing the mark.

Our bodies know us better than we know ourselves. If we listen to what our body needs-wants we can work with it rather than against it. I know I hate this saying as much as the next guy but it is true “Calories in-Calories out”. If you want the scale to move; you yourself have to move as well.

This is not Rocket Science, if you follow just one rule you have ever learned about diet and exercise you will have results. Remember you had surgery on your stomach not your brain. Don’t let that little voice tell you its okay to eat “Junk” and expect to see results.

This is my weekly routine. I eat very well (follow the rules) 6 days a week and I workout 6 days a week. The workout I follow is by Gunnar Peterson “Core Secrets”. Then on the 7th day I give myself a free day and I don’t follow any rules.

Seriously no matter what program you choose to follow, you have to find the right balance. If you have the mind set you’re never going to eat your favorite foods again then you are setting yourself up for failure. If you follow your program for 6days then give yourself a “Free Day” you are not depriving yourself and you will see the results you want and deserve.

So I challenge you to follow this routine and watch the results. You will be blown away at how easy it is to stick to your program once you start.

Drop me and email and let me know how you’re doing.

Cher@divinetransformation.net

Live, Love, and Laugh

~CoachCher~