Elle23

Okay, this might be kind of a lame question, but I was wondering what you guys are eating day-to-day? I've been keeping track of everything I eat on My Fitness Pal, and I feel like I'm in a rut (protein drink, salad, grilled meat + veggies). Maybe you guys have some ideas? My average day consists of the following: Breakfast: Protein drink (e.g., Muscle Milk Light, Lean Dessert, Lean Body for Her) or bar (Pure Protein are okay, but I think I prefer the drinks to the bars); on the weekend (when I have a little more time) I try to do scrambled egg whites and chicken or turkey sausage Snack: Coffee with 1 tablespoon creamer (usually SF) or skim milk Lunch: Spinach salad (1.5 cups) with reduced-fat cheese, light Ranch salad dressing (1 tablespoon), 2-3 ounces of turkey or chicken breast, and sometimes 4 diced cherry tomatoes Snack: 1 ounce almonds or Chobani yogurt (I've only added this snack in the last week since I've been exercising more...I've been getting hungry) Dinner: Grilled chicken breast, steamed/grilled fish or shrimp, turkey burger, or meat substitute (Lightlife and Morningstar Farms are wonderful!) with steamed veggies or salad; sometimes fruit if I'm still hungry (i.e., fresh strawberries, blueberries) -- a good tip I got from a friend is mashing up cauliflour and using it in place of rice or potatoes (I usually add in a little garlic and cheese). I also have been eating spaghetti squash in place of pasta -- it's really good. I don't eat red meat or pork (DH and the kids do), but it doesn't work well with my system. I usually cook dinner for my family and then something separately for myself (i.e., if they are eating spaghetti -- I'll have the sauce with squash or over LF ricotta with a small salad or steamed zucchini). I guess I'm just curious to see what my fellow bandsters are eating to get some ideas and maybe we can swap recipes. Thanks in advance!

Hi Soph! I agree -- it's very quiet around here. I hope everybody is going okay! I'm glad your first fill went well! My doctor sounds almost exactly like your doctor! I got my first fill a little quicker than you (about 7.5 weeks out from being banded) -- I had 2 cc's from installation and he added 1 cc -- for 3 cc's total. My second fill isn't until almost the end of May -- and I do think that I need a little more (he will add another 1 cc), because I am getting a little hungrier between meals...almost moreso than before the first fill. Weird?! It might be because I'm exercising more, but it's still kind of strange. LoL. How many calories a day are you eating? I'm doing pretty good sticking to 1200 a day with 65+ grams of Protein...now if I can only get DH to ditch the Ben & Jerrys! UGH! Have a great day fellow bandsters!

New Chic ~ I didn't notice a huge difference from the way I felt before my first fill to after -- maybe a tiny bit more restriction, because I do feel fuller faster and on a little less food. I had some restriction from the initial installation (I had 2 cc in my band from surgery and they added another cc at my first fill for 3 cc total). I don't think I'm quite in the "green zone" yet, but I only eat three meals a day without much hunger in between and it has been pretty easy to keep to 65+ grams of protein and 1200 calories a day. At your stage, make sure you get in your protein -- it helps you to heal and keeps you full. I really liked egg drop or tomato soup -- I would add in some Any Whey to boost the protein (if you do it, read the directions carefully to make it dissolve smoothly into your soup or drink). Good luck!

Thanks for all of the tips! I'm trying to make do with some of the clothes I have in my closet (I never thought it before, but now I think I might be a minimal hoarder -- I kept a few "skinnier me" outfits that I liked from college). LoL. I never thought of going to Marshall's or TJ Maxx -- it has been a long time since I shopped for clothes that I like versus clothes that fit and didn't make me feel too fat (LOTS and LOTS of black and vertically striped outfits here). Kwim? :yikes: Have a wonderful Easter, and thanks again!

You ladies have done so well! From the time I started visiting my doctor's office (I had to do 5 months of pre-procedure visits with my doctor and the nutritionist to qualify through insurance), I have lost 35 lbs. -- 18 lbs. since band day and having one fill. Working out definitely helps boost my metabolism...that and eliminating white carbs (which I am learning to live without -- and I really haven't missed that much -- shockingly). I can't wait until this time next year around our B-days (BAND Birthdays) when we can look back on our journeys and see the progress.

Hi TexasMama ~ I agree with the PPs. It sounds like you might need a tiny unfill, but you should try to get into see your doctor ASAP -- that much PBing would make any bandster upset, worried, and discouraged -- and you've been doing so well with diet and exercise, you shouldn't feel like that. Same as PPs, taking in more calories is probably what you need to do for your health and weight -- if your body thinks it is starving, it will save everything you eat and even gain a little (I've had personal experience with that on LoCal diets). Do you have a favorite Protein shake and/or cream soup? How about that split pea one you mentioned early on? Just eat slowly, but try to get in your calories -- sip all day if you need to. I know you must be totally fed up. Please try to see your doctor and keep us posted, okay? (((HUGS)))

:success1: :waytogo: Awesome! I never ever thought I would say this (well, the overweight "me" that has been around for the last 15 years), but I really love the way I feel after working out -- it's, geesh can I say it...A RUSH!

Great ideas! I seem to get stuck in a rut some weeks, and it seems like I eat the same thing over and over. Breakfast: Click Mocha Protein shake (blended with 12 oz. Water and ice) -- it gets me going in the morning! Snack: Chobani Greek yogurt (if I'm hungry) Lunch: salad [5 oz. grilled chicken, 2% cheddar cheese (1 oz.), baby spinach (2 cups), and light ranch salad dressing] Snack: 11 Newman's Own Hi-Protein pretzels with Babybel Light cheese Dinner: Baked chicken breast (5 oz), steamed zucchini/yellow squash with a little lemon pepper

Hi Polly, I'm glad you were able to keep down your dinner (totally yummy sounding by the way!). Since being banded, I'm taking smaller bites, but what has gotten me in a couple of minor jams is (1) Eating too quickly and (2) Not chewing quite enough. The main thing I've noticed since my first fill is that stuff will sit a little longer in my chest if I eat too quickly and/or don't chew enough. It's just so darn hard to eat slowly and chew enough while I'm wrangling kids at Breakfast or dinner (lunch is my best meal because I'm at work, and for breakfast I usually just have a Click Protein shake these days). I think your Water retention theory is definitely right on the money -- our bodies aren't used to sweating it out for workouts (I'm with you...my body is all sorts of LoL about this transition back to a healthier self). I've also been taking in a lot more fluids than I did before, so my scale weight in the a.m. is always much better than the p.m. Your workouts sound awesome! I would love to havea PT, but am settling for Zumba classes and the treadmill for now. I need to start doing weight training ot stave off some of the flab if I can. Btw, I love your blog and cooking photos! Yummy omlet idea -- I may have to try that out on a weekend. I always get intimidated when I have to flip the filled omlet...and that's where it all goes wrong. I love to cook too, and am always in search of great lower carb/healthy recipes (DH, the kids, and I are all eating better...and I really owe it to the band...although I still make Cookies for my preschooler here and there). Have a great day and chat with you later!

Are you having heartburn or reflux? When was your last fill? When I saw my doc last week, he said to keep a watchful eye for being overly restricted. Have you called your doctor? Sorry...wish I knew more. I have PB'd twice and hated it...terrible feeling. ((hugs)) Hope you feel better soon -- I'd give your clinic a call.

I got my first fill today and it went well -- my doctor was very excited and supportive about my progress. I had 2 cc in my band from installation priming, and he added another cc, so I have 3 cc's total now. Today was liquids only, tomorrow soft food, and if all feels okay back to normal on Saturday. My doctor is conservative too, and I can't get another fill, if needed, for at least 6 weeks. I am hoping that this one does good for me. Well, I need to get to Zumba -- hope you all are doing well! Btw, my doctor didn't use any numbing agent for the fill -- it pinched a little, but wasn't that bad.

These recipes all sound good! I'm eating lower carb, and made this last night for my family (even my toddlers liked it -- although they ate it with pasta): chicken Breasts in Italian Cream Sauce Serving Size : 4 -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 4 boneless, skinless lean chicken breasts 1 package dry Italian salad dressing mix 1/4 cup sherry (a little more if desired) 1/2 cup Water 8 ounces cream cheese (I used reduced-fat) 1/4 cup chopped green onion Salt/Pepper to taste Place chicken breasts in crock pot and sprinkle Iitalian salad dressing mix on top, add 1/4 cup sherry and 1/2 cup water. Cook on low approximately 3-4 hours if thawed and 6-8 hours if frozen. Remove chicken breasts and set aside; leave cooking juices in crock pot. Cut cream cheese into chunks and add to crock pot; heat until cheese has melted (at this point, you can add more sherry if you would like and sprinkle green onion -- salt/pepper, if you would like). Stir with wire whisk to incorporate cream cheese if your in a hurry. Return chicken breasts to crock pot until heated through. Can be served over steamed vegetables (broccoli, squash, etc.) or with Pasta (a good pasta substitute if you have a craving is spaghetti squash).

Some of my regular breakfasts are: Protein shake (easy, relatively low carb, and helps to get my daily protein in -- I really like Click Mocha...satifies both hunger and my coffee craving), plain cream of wheat with Truvia, 2 egg whites + 2% american cheese + turkey sausage, and low sugar instant oatmeal (easy to keep at the office in a pinch).

Welcome back! I'm so glad that your mom is all right and on the mend. (((HUGS))) I'm so glad that you are doing well -- you have lost a lot of weight! On fills, I haven't had one yet (first one is later this week -- my doctor likes to wait at least 6 weeks before the first fill...and since his office is always booked, it would probably be another 6 weeks before I can get in for a second fill...but that's all right -- I'm less restricted than I was initially, but I still have some...I would just like a little more because my weight seems to be stuck at the moment), but I don't think my doctor numbs the site either...so I hope it isn't too terrible, and that whomever is doing my fill will find the port quickly.

Okay, this great EASY low carb high-Protein recipe came in from the Hungry Girl today, so I thought I would share. I think it would be great on a salad, and it's a recipe that the hubs and kids might eat too. I'm going to try it with turkey bacon pieces: Ranch-O Bacon chicken MAKES 1 SERVING PER SERVING (entire recipe): 186 calories, 3g fat, 429mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0g Fiber, 0.5g sugars, 35g protein Ingredients: One 5-oz. raw boneless skinless lean chicken breast cutlet 1/2 tsp. dry ranch dressing/dip mix 1 tbsp. precooked real crumbled bacon (like the kind by Oscar Mayer) Spices: black pepper Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking pan with nonstick spray. Season each side of the chicken with a dash of black pepper, and then place the chicken in the pan. Season the top of the chicken with ranch dressing/dip mix. Evenly place bacon over the top of the chicken. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently press down and help the bacon adhere. Bake in the oven until chicken is fully cooked, 20 - 25 minutes.

Yeah Polly! I'm so happy for you! I'm also glad to know that it was minimal discomfort. Unfortunately, I don't think my doctor's office uses any numbing medication (from my conversations with people in the waiting area pre-band). I'm so excited to hear that the restriction effect was almost immediate for you. I have a tiny bit of restriction, but definitely could use a little more. If you don't mind me asking -- when will you see your doctor next? You sound like you've been really working it at the gym -- good for you! A personal trainer would be wonderful and can teach you a lot. I've been hitting the treadmill and working out in the yard a lot. My husband and I may start playing tennis again, if we can get a sitter for the kids. Anyway, congratulations to you -- you are on your way hun!

Hi fellow bandsters! I am getting my first fill in early April, and I was wondering how your doctor and/or his staff determined how much to put in your band? Do they follow a general guide or discuss it with you? I have some restriction with my band now -- almost always enough to curb my appetite and give me indications to stop and I am still losing some weight, so I was just curious. Also, as a side note, my doctor's fill schedule is always full, so if/when I need another fill it would probably be almost 2 months down the road. Thanks in advance!

Hi Soph ~ Thanks for the reply! I guess I'm just wondering, and I know my doctor can be fairly aggressive on weight loss...but then again, he said to come in when a fill "is needed." I do think that I could use a little more restriction -- not a ton, just a little. I guess I will find out when I go in next week...I guess I stress about being overly tight. You are doing great with the band! Good luck to you too, and chat with you more later!

Kis ~ Veggie patch is a great suggestion! I love their meatballs. I used to be able to find it fairly easily at the grocery, but now it is harder. I need to look for Oh Yeah bars -- that would be a good snack. Also, good tip on happy hour Bloody Marys -- I try to avoid happy hour these days, but sometimes my boss really wants us all to attend...group morale booster. LoL. You are doing awesome! TexasMama ~ I know how you feel...I totally blew it today, for the first time since being banded. Boo. We had a big celebration at work and everyone decided to go to eat at a Mexican restaurant -- since pre-banding I've made excuses not to go (Mexican food is my kryptonite :ballchain: ), but this time I couldn't come up with anything acceptable. So, instead of making wise choices -- what do I do -- I get chicken fajita nachos. The only good that came out of it was that I only (...yes, I said "ONLY" :der: ) ate 4-5 chips with salsa and then only 3 or so more of my nachos -- mostly I ate the pico de gallo, jalapenos, and chicken. Of course, it was surrounded by cheese and Beans. UGH (mental hand slap to self). I'm not happy with myself right now, but I know I just need to learn from it -- the plus, was that I got full indicators from my band (I get hiccups) and that's when I quit. I think the fear of sliming or PBing in public outweighs my desire for nachos. LoL. That's my weekly confession. Sorry to be so long-winded. How is Lifetime Fitness? Do you like it? I've been taking a Zumba class 3 x's a week (this is week 2 since surgery) and walking inbetween. I need to bump it up, but finding time is HARD. Loozer ~ I hear you on taking care of your family's food making it hard. My toddlers live on white carbs (even though I add in a lot of multigrain items) and I am a white rice addict. I've had to commit to giving up white rice, bread, and Pasta -- and although it is hard, especially when the kids have it -- I know it is the best for me (I am IR). I've only eaten out a couple of times since being banded and boxing half the meal is definitely the way to go. Have you had any trouble eating toast or brown rice? I haven't tried yet -- today was the first day I had something normally off of my current eating list (e.g., tortilla chips). Also, for some reason (it's on my list to ask the doctor and nutritionist in a couple of weeks) -- my doctor lists beans as a food specifically not to eat (that and corn). Does anyone know why? I'm just curious because a lot of the banding recipes I've found use beans and they are good sources of Protein and folic acid.

JPT ~ I am so sorry to hear about your mom, and I'm wishing her a very speedy recovery. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. (((HUGS))) Tom ~ The PB and sliming you descibed sounds very unpleasant! Like TexasMama, I've had an episode where I didn't cut/chew my chicken breast enough and it got a little stuck (I actually took a sip of Water to help it down, but it did not feel good) -- I just got distracted trying to get my kids to eat there dinner...toddlers and preschoolers...oi vey! TexasMama ~ It is hard to balance eating the way we are supposed to and juggling kids at dinner. My DH had to work late a lot this past week and I got a bit careless -- plus, my kids live in carbs...much to my dismay...I don't think I've ever had a bigger craving for Pasta or rice in my life...geesh! I hear you on being hungry -- I was going 3-4 hours between meals without any hunger pangs, but these last few days I've had to add in a few almonds to snack on between meals. Let us know how your fill goes -- you are doing great! Kis ~ You are doing awesome! Let us know how your fill goes! Hope all of you other bandsters are doing well! I can't wait to see how our first fills affect us. For me, I was stalled out for awhile and have started exercising which seems to help the scale move in a more positive direction. I've moved from my biggest clothes to the next size or two down in my closet, which was nice (DH thinks I'm crazy for hanging onto things but a girl's got to do what a girl's go to do! LoL). Last week I went to Zumba class twice and walked everyday for at least 30 minutes -- my nutritionist is big on getting 10,000 steps in each day, so I've been trying to aim for that (taking stairs at work, walking out and about every chance I get, etc.). I still have some restriction, but it seems to be less and less as time goes on, so I'm counting down to my first fill in about a week and a half.

Sophinator ~ My doctor told me about the same as yours concerning portion sizes -- eat until you are satisfied, but not full -- and to try to distinguish between head hunger and actual physical hunger. The only other guidelines he gave me for between now and my first fill are to eat at least 65 grams of Protein a day, drink a minimum of 80 ounces of Water, and have no more than 1200 calories. He also said to walk for 30 minutes each day and maybe add in another aerobic activity a couple of times a week (no crunches, sit-ups, or weights for now to allow for healing). For those of you fellow February bandsters that have gotten your fills -- I'm glad they have gone smoothly. Have you guys had restriction? How are you feeling? This board has been quiet lately -- I hope everyone is doing well. For those of us waiting to get our first fills -- how are you feeling? I'm a little nervous and a little excited. I have some restriction now, but I'm kind of in scale limbo this week.

I totally identify with the love of Nutella. This shake sounds so yummy -- I ordered Bell Plantation Chocolate PB2 today (much healthier than regular peanut butter -- lower fat, carbs, etc.). I haven't had the chocolate version, but the regular is great in protein shakes.

Hi! I was banded on 02/22/11, and I am just this week returning to eating regular foods (sans bread, rice, pasta). My doctor told me to get in 60-65 grams of Protein a day, no more than 1200 calories, and at least 80 ounces of Water, but he didn't say anything about carbs (my next appointment with him and the nutritionist is on 04/07). About how many carbs a day do you all average? I've been tracking, and I'm averaging about 70-80 grams a day. I'm not doing a lot of strenuous exercise right now -- walking at least 30 minutes a day and then Zumba twice a week (I'm cleared for more activity in another 3 weeks, since my incisions are still healing). I know I may have to add in more once I start doing more vigorous exercise...I was just curious. Thanks in advance!

Reverie ~ That's awesome, and you've really done wonderfully -- congrats! You are an inspiration to a new bandster, like myself. Did you find the need to bump up your carb intake due to exercise or did you just find a range that worked best for you? Kimky ~ Congrats on your band! We're both newbies! I've been having the same problem with not being able to get to 1200 calories without really blowing up in other areas (i.e., carbs, fat). I just checked my food journal and I've been averaging about 900-1000 calories and 41 grams of fat. A lot of the low carb options tend to be higher in fat or even carbs (Atkins bars traumatized me...) with the exception of Protein shakes -- the Protein shake I try to get in once a day is 30 grams of protein, 9 carbs, 3 grams of fat, and 180 calories. That gives me a good deal of protein, but leaves my calorie intake low and I don't want it too low because then my body thinks it is starving and stalls, or even gains. Finding a good balance is hard. Good luck to you too!