sue11

dawneb... Onederland...WOW...you're almost there!!! I'm scared to even set a onederland goal, it feels like things move so slow. I'm averaging just a smidge over 2# a week which is right about where I should be, just seems so slow. It's good to look back once in a while, I'm 1/3 of the way to my goal. I was pleased that I lost 2# this last week on vacation, I was quite nervous as I ususally gain.

Manatee... CONGRATS on the goal!!! God's speed to the next!

I have to share my "This is soooooo cool moment". We're vacationing and I took my daughters horsebackriding yesterday. On the pre-ride forms they asked the question "Do you weigh more than 240#" I got to check the "NO" box!!!!!!!! I was smiling so big, practically giggling...but no one knew why. Sure made me feel better about all those desserts I've passed up this week. I know you all will understand!!!! SO COOL!!!

MaryumC... I totally agree with you. Everyone has their own challenges and their own means of coping. Some do better with total restriction from thier trigger foods, but I'm with you, I'm learning that I can survive on a bite or two, and it does help my cravings. I would still love to stuff myself, and I'm hoping that desire will decrease with time, I'm retraining my inner self...for a lifetime.

I had a "this is soooooo cool moment yesterday. We're vacationing and I took my daughters horsebackriding. On the pre-ride forms they ask the question "Do you weigh more than 240#" I got to check the "NO" box!!!!!!!! I was smiling so big, practically giggling...but no one knew why. I know you all will understand!!!! SO COOL!!!

dawneb... Looking forward to meeting you!!! Been a busy couple of days, even though weather hasn't been great. We were lucky yesterday and scheduled our white Water rafting trip for the one slot of time in the day that actually had sunshine, we had a great time. I skipped the rafting last time, feeling more comfortable with my body now. We went on a couple bike rides today, the longest was 7 miles around the airport on the river trail...beautiful!!! It's so great to want to be active, not so worried about if I can keep up. My attitude is changing, a real NSV for me. One little chuckle on the biking...I had to remind myself that it was a good thing that my upper arms were "flapping in the wind". Has anyone else noticed things getting soft and droopy. I told myself in the beginning that loosing the weight would be good enough, I didn't need to get plastic surgery. I'm seeing my attitude changing on that one, I'm seeing into the future and it seems to be full of flaps, jiggles and droops!!!

Mer... Sound like fun, I really wanted to do the bridge walk. We're down here in Oregon waiting to see what the weather's going to do. We're scheduled to river raft today, but there's thunder storms coming. Oh well, we'll just re-schedule. We're hoping the storms some in tonight, they are fabulous at night!!!

dawneb...I'm so diappointed I missed meeting you at the St Joe's support meeting. I've been to every Monday support meeting since the week b4-banding in May. We're on vacation this week so I missed. Wendy goes too (also vacationing). Maybe I'll see you there in 2 weeks, I'd love to meet you. Did Laura lead the group? She a nutritionist with a Phd in exercise physiology, a great wealth of information. She's the one who helped me figure out my weight loss had stalled b/c I wasn't eating enough. Glad to hear you enjoyed the group. We've talked about possibly meeting b4 group to walk down on Ruston, but it's tought for alot of people to get away at that time of day.

We're heading to Sunriver, OR for a week. We (my parents, brother & his kids, 10 in all) have gone there for 14 years. Lots of opportunity to walk & bike ride, lots to do, or just sit by the pool. Just checked weather...low 80's...that works.

melissa o... Congrats!!! You're lifetime memories will be even more special knowing your fantastic accomplishment!

Patty... Sounds like you're doing well without the additional fill, remember slow & stead is best for the body, even if it is hard on the patience. Good idea on the mint after meals, I'm battling the desire to drink with & after meals. B4-Band I was using water to fill me up at mealtimes, it's really hard to switch gears. I love lifesavers SF wintergreen!

I thought I'd really mourn the bread, but I had the berger patty with cheese, tomato and grilled onion...it was BETTER than having a bun!!! It's the muchies that I struggle with...My name is Sue and I'm a recovering chip-a-holic.

I'd love to walk the bridge, but we leave in the AM for Oregon. Sad note...we just got home from putting down our lab (cancer), now Butch is an only pup.

OK, I need to confess, all this food in this house is showing me why I need another fill. I need some accounability and self control (or internal control via the band). For a while I got by, telling myself I'd get sick if I ate too much or the wrong thing. Now I know that I can eat ANYTHING. I scheduled my 2nd fill for August 13th, I really need to bump it up!

Mer... We need to have a sewing party at your house!!! I never realized how often i pop in to my machine and mend/hem etc. We're redoing my daughter's room, waiting for carpet, so all her stuff is piled in front of my machine...I miss it, & need it. (I'm jealous!)

I've finally broke through my 2 week plateau. I've gaining/loosing the same 2# and I really felt the last couple days that I was ready to start moving again. Amazing enough, I needed to eat MORE! My "baby" turned 13 yesterday, so there's been extra food & cakes and such. I was careful, took small little amounts of things, and didn't really deny myself anything, but just took tastes and nibbles, let loose the reigns a little. I think it kicked my body out of the starvation mode I've been in, eating 500-900 calories a day since pre-op started 8 weeks ago. I'm going to work on eating moderate amounts of good choices. Live & learn!

Last summer I had only a few things to wear, even though my closet was full, I was stuborn and wouldn't put away the too-small clothes. This summer i can wear the whole closet, except for a few things that are too BIG...it's like shopping in my own closet!!!

twinmommy... I just noticed that last week too...I hate the word "morbid", but it's gone forever!!!

My 1st fill was 1.8 in my 4cc band on June 25 (4 weeks post-op). Can't really say I'm feeling alot of restriction yet. I haven't PB or slimed, but will power is still hanging in there. I have another fill scheduled Mid August, and I think my will power will hold me until then, but past history tells me there is definitely a limit to my self-control, but that's why I'm here!!!

My DH & I have talked about this several times lately, he only eats b/c his body needs nutrition and is very rarely hungery, I have alway been pre-occupied with food pretty much every waking moment. I'm starting to see how the band is gong to help with this. Now that food is not such a big deal and not so exciting I can see myself moving on to better things in the future. Thank God, I know this is going to work. PS...great sermonette!!!

I am constantly amazed when I meet people who have gone through WL Surgery and are not involved in some type of support group, be it a group meeting or on-line chats such as this. I would be so lost, thinking I'm the only one who is mourning food, or throwing my self into starvation mode by not eating enough and losing nothing. I'm on a plateau right now, and while I am frustrated I'm not in a panic as I probably would be if I had noone to talk too. I would be thinking I just threw away how many thousands of dollars!!! I have learned more though this talk forum, my group meetings and talking with individuals then I ever learned in my doctor's required classes. The real struggle, at least for me, is with my head, and nutrition classes, though full of alot of good information, don't address that issue. Thanks to all of you for letting me know I'm not nuts!!!

I've been craving some good ice tea, but I ususally shop Fred Meyer and they don't carry much. I'll have to swing into Albertson's tomorrow, and I think I'll put out come sun tea. A little splenda and it's such a refreshing sweet tea. I need to have something for our vacation to Oregon next week. I miss my diet colas too! So, you basically eat 3 shakes and 2 meals a day? Any snacks? Do you get hungry between meals? A meal only lasts about 2 hours for me, I'm tired of being hungry, I don't think my will power is going to last much longer. I'm starting to nibble on really bad stuff, I wish I could at least stay with good foods when I get the munchies. I guess that's why I have a band, I don't have enough will power and I don't make good choices. I need a fill.

Question for anyone... How may calories to you eat in a day? How many meals/snacks? Protien Shakes?

I can't say my energy has been all that great, there are some afternoons that I would just love to take a nap, and by the end of the day I am TIRED! I think a big factor is that I'm not eating enough, not b/c of restriction, I'm just grunting it out on will power right now. I've been watching my calories for the last few days and I think I was probably about 800-900 a day. My weight loss is stalled for 1 1/2 weeks now, and I'm frustrated. I've decided to try eating more, hopeful kick my body out of starvation mode. I'll give it a try, at least I'll be happier with a little more food while I figure out if that's the issue. It's a little hard to convince myself that eating more will help me start losing again, I sure hope so, I don't think I can really eat any less!

My first real plateau...so frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not sure if I'm eating too much or too little, I think it's too little, but I'm nervous about eating more. I guess I will do a careful review on my calory count. How many calories is everyone generally eating?