Kekeboo

So a banded friend tells me..."I can eat 3 cups of salad before I'm full". Ummmm, yea? My response "doesnt mean you should eat 3 cups". Her response was that we are supposed to eat until your full.
 
No, that is such a false statement. You still need portion control. If I am still hungry after eating, I wait the 30 minutes after eating then I start drinking my liquids. If you are not getting your liquids in every day, your full spot will trick you into wanting more food. I'm sorry, but I just don't think there's a lot of truthfulness about why the band isn't working for some people. I can sit and eat chocolate pudding and candybars and a bunch of other crap, then post my menu and say I'm eating a well balanced diet....that doesn't do me any good.
 
I GAINED 2 POUNDS IN 6 WEEKS BECAUSE I WAS NOT EXCERCISING OR EATING PROPERLY. I was sooo proud of my 31 lb loss that I got cocky and thought I needed to reward myself with foods and treats that didn't comply with my instructions. I screwed up, not the band. Well, since my fill last Friday I am down those 2 lbs plus 1. I contribute that to following instructions.
 
The first and most important process to this journey is being honest with yourself, if you mess up, recognize it accept the consequences (possible weightgain), fix it and move forward. I have only been banded for 6 months, I don't want or expect to lose all my weight in the first year. I don't want to...I want it to come off slow and steady.
 
Does the band work for everyone? No, some have true medical complications, some are just not using it correctly. Some are relying on the band to work for them instead of using the band as the tool it was meant to be. If you follow instructions to the letter, excercise 2-3 times per week, be patient with the weightloss process....the weight will eventually come off. Maybe not as fast as others, or in the first year. It wasn't meant to be a quick fix. Frustration is just an emotion, don't let it consume you or drive you. You have to take the wheel on this journey. So many say if I had the will power I wouldn't have had the surgery...it's not about will power. It's about following instructions. My will power sucked before the band, but I would have never of gotten the band if I wasn't ready to put those feelings aside and just do the work. Got a sweet tooth, then find a recipe for a desert you can have. Be prepared. Have the need for some comfort food, MAKE IT!! But use lower fat and carb options. Its all out there. Yes, some things are a little more expensive, but you won' be eating as much so it will last longer.
This is solely my entitled opinon...and I am sure that some will agree, some will disagree and others will feel the need to "set the record straight". That's fine. Just make sure you are honest with yourself before commenting.
 
Anyway...that's my rant.
 
Breakfast:
Mocha protein shake
 
Lunch:
LC/LF chicken enchilada
 
Dinner:
White bean chili
 
Chai tea
water with MIO
Multivitamin
 
1 Cor. 15:33 My bible verse for today.

So a banded friend tells me..."I can eat 3 cups of salad before I'm full". Ummmm, yea? My response "doesnt mean you should eat 3 cups". Her response was that we are supposed to eat until your full.
 
No, that is such a false statement. You still need portion control. If I am still hungry after eating, I wait the 30 minutes after eating then I start drinking my liquids. If you are not getting your liquids in every day, your full spot will trick you into wanting more food. I'm sorry, but I just don't think there's a lot of truthfulness about why the band isn't working for some people. I can sit and eat chocolate pudding and candybars and a bunch of other crap, then post my menu and say I'm eating a well balanced diet....that doesn't do me any good.
 
I GAINED 2 POUNDS IN 6 WEEKS BECAUSE I WAS NOT EXCERCISING OR EATING PROPERLY. I was sooo proud of my 31 lb loss that I got cocky and thought I needed to reward myself with foods and treats that didn't comply with my instructions. I screwed up, not the band. Well, since my fill last Friday I am down those 2 lbs plus 1. I contribute that to following instructions.
 
The first and most important process to this journey is being honest with yourself, if you mess up, recognize it accept the consequences (possible weightgain), fix it and move forward. I have only been banded for 6 months, I don't want or expect to lose all my weight in the first year. I don't want to...I want it to come off slow and steady.
 
Does the band work for everyone? No, some have true medical complications, some are just not using it correctly. Some are relying on the band to work for them instead of using the band as the tool it was meant to be. If you follow instructions to the letter, excercise 2-3 times per week, be patient with the weightloss process....the weight will eventually come off. Maybe not as fast as others, or in the first year. It wasn't meant to be a quick fix. Frustration is just an emotion, don't let it consume you or drive you. You have to take the wheel on this journey. So many say if I had the will power I wouldn't have had the surgery...it's not about will power. It's about following instructions. My will power sucked before the band, but I would have never of gotten the band if I wasn't ready to put those feelings aside and just do the work. Got a sweet tooth, then find a recipe for a desert you can have. Be prepared. Have the need for some comfort food, MAKE IT!! But use lower fat and carb options. Its all out there. Yes, some things are a little more expensive, but you won' be eating as much so it will last longer.
This is solely my entitled opinon...and I am sure that some will agree, some will disagree and others will feel the need to "set the record straight". That's fine. Just make sure you are honest with yourself before commenting.
 
Anyway...that's my rant.
 
Breakfast:
Mocha protein shake
 
Lunch:
LC/LF chicken enchilada
 
Dinner:
White bean chili
 
Chai tea
water with MIO
Multivitamin
 
1 Cor. 15:33 My bible verse for today.

So a banded friend tells me..."I can eat 3 cups of salad before I'm full". Ummmm, yea? My response "doesnt mean you should eat 3 cups". Her response was that we are supposed to eat until your full.
 
No, that is such a false statement. You still need portion control. If I am still hungry after eating, I wait the 30 minutes after eating then I start drinking my liquids. If you are not getting your liquids in every day, your full spot will trick you into wanting more food. I'm sorry, but I just don't think there's a lot of truthfulness about why the band isn't working for some people. I can sit and eat chocolate pudding and candybars and a bunch of other crap, then post my menu and say I'm eating a well balanced diet....that doesn't do me any good.
 
I GAINED 2 POUNDS IN 6 WEEKS BECAUSE I WAS NOT EXCERCISING OR EATING PROPERLY. I was sooo proud of my 31 lb loss that I got cocky and thought I needed to reward myself with foods and treats that didn't comply with my instructions. I screwed up, not the band. Well, since my fill last Friday I am down those 2 lbs plus 1. I contribute that to following instructions.
 
The first and most important process to this journey is being honest with yourself, if you mess up, recognize it accept the consequences (possible weightgain), fix it and move forward. I have only been banded for 6 months, I don't want or expect to lose all my weight in the first year. I don't want to...I want it to come off slow and steady.
 
Does the band work for everyone? No, some have true medical complications, some are just not using it correctly. Some are relying on the band to work for them instead of using the band as the tool it was meant to be. If you follow instructions to the letter, excercise 2-3 times per week, be patient with the weightloss process....the weight will eventually come off. Maybe not as fast as others, or in the first year. It wasn't meant to be a quick fix. Frustration is just an emotion, don't let it consume you or drive you. You have to take the wheel on this journey. So many say if I had the will power I wouldn't have had the surgery...it's not about will power. It's about following instructions. My will power sucked before the band, but I would have never of gotten the band if I wasn't ready to put those feelings aside and just do the work. Got a sweet tooth, then find a recipe for a desert you can have. Be prepared. Have the need for some comfort food, MAKE IT!! But use lower fat and carb options. Its all out there. Yes, some things are a little more expensive, but you won' be eating as much so it will last longer.
This is solely my entitled opinon...and I am sure that some will agree, some will disagree and others will feel the need to "set the record straight". That's fine. Just make sure you are honest with yourself before commenting.
 
Anyway...that's my rant.
 
Breakfast:
Mocha protein shake
 
Lunch:
LC/LF chicken enchilada
 
Dinner:
White bean chili
 
Chai tea
water with MIO
Multivitamin
 
1 Cor. 15:33 My bible verse for today.

I just can't seem to get it together. i read all other blogs about menus and updates and all that stuff and I think to myself....I'm witty, I'm organized I CAN DO THAT.
 
Uh...NAH!
 
I am disappointed in myself, but that's just me. I am a planner, a doer, a go getter.
 
Anywho.
My menu plan for the next 2 days are won't be worth posting. I just had a fill today and I'm on liquids for the next 24-48 hours, then soft for the following 3-4 days. I didn't follow the directions properly the last time and found myself gaining 2 lbs since my last visit. I can read all about how important it is to follow directions, and how this is my choice and on and on and on. I know, I get it, I had to fall before I could pick myself up. When I saw that 2 lbs, I wasn't surprised, but I was very upset. I had to reboot myself and decide for myself that I have to let the lapband work for me, and in order for it to work I have to use it properly.
I have followed my menus, but I found myself eating a little more here and a little more there. Yes, calories do count. My 2 lb weightgain proved that to me.
I had my 6 months bandaversary on Jan 16th and I am happy to have lost about 30 lbs. It was not done easily or without effort, and I just don't think I could have done it without my band. It was my wakeup call....I qualified for a lapband. Not my proudest moment, but so very thankful for it.
 
So, I promise myself to blog...more often. May not be everyday.
To continue my 30 minutes a day walking.
To add some light hand weights.
To accept that I am worth this. I deserve to be healthy. I am already happy.
 
I'm always happy. Yeah, I am one of THOSE people. I smile through everything, I strive to see the good in every situation.
And when it starts to get hard, I have a rock I can lean on...my awesome husband. Very greatful and blessed.

I just can't seem to get it together. i read all other blogs about menus and updates and all that stuff and I think to myself....I'm witty, I'm organized I CAN DO THAT.
 
Uh...NAH!
 
I am disappointed in myself, but that's just me. I am a planner, a doer, a go getter.
 
Anywho.
My menu plan for the next 2 days are won't be worth posting. I just had a fill today and I'm on liquids for the next 24-48 hours, then soft for the following 3-4 days. I didn't follow the directions properly the last time and found myself gaining 2 lbs since my last visit. I can read all about how important it is to follow directions, and how this is my choice and on and on and on. I know, I get it, I had to fall before I could pick myself up. When I saw that 2 lbs, I wasn't surprised, but I was very upset. I had to reboot myself and decide for myself that I have to let the lapband work for me, and in order for it to work I have to use it properly.
I have followed my menus, but I found myself eating a little more here and a little more there. Yes, calories do count. My 2 lb weightgain proved that to me.
I had my 6 months bandaversary on Jan 16th and I am happy to have lost about 30 lbs. It was not done easily or without effort, and I just don't think I could have done it without my band. It was my wakeup call....I qualified for a lapband. Not my proudest moment, but so very thankful for it.
 
So, I promise myself to blog...more often. May not be everyday.
To continue my 30 minutes a day walking.
To add some light hand weights.
To accept that I am worth this. I deserve to be healthy. I am already happy.
 
I'm always happy. Yeah, I am one of THOSE people. I smile through everything, I strive to see the good in every situation.
And when it starts to get hard, I have a rock I can lean on...my awesome husband. Very greatful and blessed.

Today is a bust. I went to the commissary to see what deals they had and then took a nap. So my menu plan that I was going to post is just not gonna make it on today's blog.
However, I will start with tomorrow's plan and hopefully have a weeks worth to post by Saturday.
Friday 12/27:
Breakfast- Protein shake
Lunch- 4 turkey meatballs with marinara sauce
Side of mixed veggies (1/4c)
Dinner- turkey patty with lettuce/tomato/light mayo/ mustard/ dill relish. Side of 1/4 c cauliflower with cheese sauce.
1 white tea (green tea) everyday.
2 cups of coffee. Got a Keurig for Christmas.
4 cups decaf tea with lemon.
4 c of water with mio flavoring.
1 c of water with liquid vitamin
 
That's my plan and I'm sticking to it.

I just can't seem to get it together. i read all other blogs about menus and updates and all that stuff and I think to myself....I'm witty, I'm organized I CAN DO THAT.
 
Uh...NAH!
 
I am disappointed in myself, but that's just me. I am a planner, a doer, a go getter.
 
Anywho.
My menu plan for the next 2 days are won't be worth posting. I just had a fill today and I'm on liquids for the next 24-48 hours, then soft for the following 3-4 days. I didn't follow the directions properly the last time and found myself gaining 2 lbs since my last visit. I can read all about how important it is to follow directions, and how this is my choice and on and on and on. I know, I get it, I had to fall before I could pick myself up. When I saw that 2 lbs, I wasn't surprised, but I was very upset. I had to reboot myself and decide for myself that I have to let the lapband work for me, and in order for it to work I have to use it properly.
I have followed my menus, but I found myself eating a little more here and a little more there. Yes, calories do count. My 2 lb weightgain proved that to me.
I had my 6 months bandaversary on Jan 16th and I am happy to have lost about 30 lbs. It was not done easily or without effort, and I just don't think I could have done it without my band. It was my wakeup call....I qualified for a lapband. Not my proudest moment, but so very thankful for it.
 
So, I promise myself to blog...more often. May not be everyday.
To continue my 30 minutes a day walking.
To add some light hand weights.
To accept that I am worth this. I deserve to be healthy. I am already happy.
 
I'm always happy. Yeah, I am one of THOSE people. I smile through everything, I strive to see the good in every situation.
And when it starts to get hard, I have a rock I can lean on...my awesome husband. Very greatful and blessed.

I just can't seem to get it together. i read all other blogs about menus and updates and all that stuff and I think to myself....I'm witty, I'm organized I CAN DO THAT.
 
Uh...NAH!
 
I am disappointed in myself, but that's just me. I am a planner, a doer, a go getter.
 
Anywho.
My menu plan for the next 2 days are won't be worth posting. I just had a fill today and I'm on liquids for the next 24-48 hours, then soft for the following 3-4 days. I didn't follow the directions properly the last time and found myself gaining 2 lbs since my last visit. I can read all about how important it is to follow directions, and how this is my choice and on and on and on. I know, I get it, I had to fall before I could pick myself up. When I saw that 2 lbs, I wasn't surprised, but I was very upset. I had to reboot myself and decide for myself that I have to let the lapband work for me, and in order for it to work I have to use it properly.
I have followed my menus, but I found myself eating a little more here and a little more there. Yes, calories do count. My 2 lb weightgain proved that to me.
I had my 6 months bandaversary on Jan 16th and I am happy to have lost about 30 lbs. It was not done easily or without effort, and I just don't think I could have done it without my band. It was my wakeup call....I qualified for a lapband. Not my proudest moment, but so very thankful for it.
 
So, I promise myself to blog...more often. May not be everyday.
To continue my 30 minutes a day walking.
To add some light hand weights.
To accept that I am worth this. I deserve to be healthy. I am already happy.
 
I'm always happy. Yeah, I am one of THOSE people. I smile through everything, I strive to see the good in every situation.
And when it starts to get hard, I have a rock I can lean on...my awesome husband. Very greatful and blessed.

B-
1egg scrambled with
1/4c mushrooms
Sprinkle of low fat cheese
 
L-
Tina on lettuce with light raspberry vinaigrette.
 
D-
Chicken
Side salad light dressing.
 
Snack
Mozzarella cheese stick
 
Busy day, but I made sure I got my 30 min walk in.

So, I've been out of the picture for a while. I got a job, quit my job. And now I'm back to working on me. As of today I have lost 31 lbs. in 5 months. I thought this would be a bigger number by now, but I'm actually pretty happy with it. I'm not gonna lie and say I've done everything by the book, we did just go through 2 major eating holidays. And make the best Hershey chocolate pies. However I am proud of myself. I used to make 2 pies. One for the family and one I'd devour before anyone knew it was there. Lol.
My eating habits are not very structured anymore. I eat when I feel hungry. The cold wet weather tightens my band and some days I just make sure I get my protein shakes in and my liquid vitamins.
Now that I'm not working anymore I can go back to my menu plans. I'll post them again in a separate blog and please feel free to comment and give feedback.
Good to be back!!!

Breakfast:
1 egg + 1 egg white scrambled with turkey sausage
 
Snack:
Chiobani yogurt
 
Lunch:
1 cup chicken salad
 
Snack:
SF Pudding
 
Dinner:
Turkey brat with spicy mustard, steamed veggie
 
Dt. Lipton tea with unflavored whey protein
SF koolaid
 
Multivitamin
2 Tums plus calcium

Breakfast:
2eggs scrambled with 1 wedge laughing cow cheese and a 1/2 cup scrambled turkey sausage.
 
Lunch:
1/2 cup tuna fish with1 hard boiled egg, 2 strawberries
 
Dinner:
1/2 c. Quinoa and black bean mix. 1 chicken thigh, bonesless/skinless and baked. 1/2 avacado, 1 tbsp FF sourcream.
 
Snack:
1 Lipton diet green tea (mango/pineapple) and 1 scoop unflavored whey protein.
1 chiobani greek yogurt FF.
 
Multivitamin
2 tums with calcium

Breafast:
Carnation instant breakfast, added 1 scoop unflavored whey proteien
 
Lunch
Turkey meatballs, marinara, 1/2 c. cantelope
 
Dinner:
chicken thigh (skinless and boneless), 1 wedge lite laughing cow cheese, 1/2 c. quinoa
 
48oz of water...need up that alot.
multivitamin
2 glasses (about 32 oz.total) of SF grape koolaid, I love this stuff.
 
Calories: 819
Protein: 73
 
I did not walk on the treadmill today, I spent the day running errands and kids every where...and yes I used that as an excuse not to excercise. Can't do that again, it's too easy to stop.
I feel like I did better with my food, calories and protein yesterday. I plan to add 2 small snacks into my meals.

Please feel free to comment your thoughts. This is new for me, but I am a planner. If I don't plan ahead I don't follow through. I stopped working at the end of the last school year and it's been hard to get my daily plans in order. I get my down time, but without my "things to do list" or a menu plan I end up with a lot more down time with a bag of chips.
treadmill workout:
1 incline 10 min. 3.4 speed
2 incline 10 min. 3.0 speed
3 incline 5 min. 3.0 speed
4 incline 5 min. 3.0 speed
2 incline 5 min. 3.0 speed
1 incline 5 min. 3.4 speed
1 incline 5 min. 2.8 speed
Total time:45 minutes
 
Breakfast:
Iced High Protein Coffee + Energy
20g whey protein
130 Calories
 
Lunch:
3 oz tuna, 1Tbsp light mayo, dill pickle juice.
18 g protein
125 Calories
 
Dinner:
6 Butterball turkey meatballs, .25 serving Francesco Rinaldi Spicy Marinade
18.5 g protein
185 Calories
 
Snack:
1 sugar free pudding
2g protein
60 calories
 
Drinks:
Diet Lipton Mixed Berry Green Tea 16.9 oz
0g protein
0 calories
Sugar Free Koolaid
0g protein
10 calories
1 scoop 100% Whey Protein
21g protein
110 calories
 
Vitamin:
OnTHEGo Vitamin drink
2 Tums plus calcium
 
Daily intake:
79g protein
620 calories

I spoke with my nurse yesterday and my surgical date has changed from July 12th to July16th. I am getting anxious on because I worry about my own personal will power. I eat whether I am hungry or not. I can tell myself over and over not to do it, but I love flavor. Notice I did say food. It's not that I need to fill up, I just cant get enough of the flavor of something good.
 
Today is another new day. I know I have the choice to so what's right, I now need the will power.

Today is a bust. I went to the commissary to see what deals they had and then took a nap. So my menu plan that I was going to post is just not gonna make it on today's blog.
However, I will start with tomorrow's plan and hopefully have a weeks worth to post by Saturday.
Friday 12/27:
Breakfast- Protein shake
Lunch- 4 turkey meatballs with marinara sauce
Side of mixed veggies (1/4c)
Dinner- turkey patty with lettuce/tomato/light mayo/ mustard/ dill relish. Side of 1/4 c cauliflower with cheese sauce.
1 white tea (green tea) everyday.
2 cups of coffee. Got a Keurig for Christmas.
4 cups decaf tea with lemon.
4 c of water with mio flavoring.
1 c of water with liquid vitamin
 
That's my plan and I'm sticking to it.

So, I've been out of the picture for a while. I got a job, quit my job. And now I'm back to working on me. As of today I have lost 31 lbs. in 5 months. I thought this would be a bigger number by now, but I'm actually pretty happy with it. I'm not gonna lie and say I've done everything by the book, we did just go through 2 major eating holidays. And make the best Hershey chocolate pies. However I am proud of myself. I used to make 2 pies. One for the family and one I'd devour before anyone knew it was there. Lol.
My eating habits are not very structured anymore. I eat when I feel hungry. The cold wet weather tightens my band and some days I just make sure I get my protein shakes in and my liquid vitamins.
Now that I'm not working anymore I can go back to my menu plans. I'll post them again in a separate blog and please feel free to comment and give feedback.
Good to be back!!!

I talk a good game but can I follow my own advice? I have always been told that I give great advice, but I just can't seem to incorporate my advice into my life.
 
Between the selfhelp books, the weightloss books and the devotional books...I thought I would have my life more put together. My kids are healthy, smart and seem to very happy. I monitor thier food, thier homework, thier friends. I am not over protective because I feel they need to fall down so they know how to pick themselves up. We talk about what they eat and teach them to make good food choices, we talk about thier friends and if they are surrounding themselves around positive role models or if they are the role model for those who need positve friends.
 
I took motherhood on as a lifestyle, not a challenge. But, I forgot to take care of mom. They saw the opposite of what I was teaching them in me. My food choices, my education and a few friends that were not healthy for me.
 
I remember introducing a friend of mine to Lowcarb eating. She lost 35lbs so fast and I gained 5. She thanked me for all the recipes and websites to follow. I wanted to crawl under a rock.
 
So now that I have revealed myself, I feel like I have to put up or shut up. So, I am going to post on my blog my daily food intake, my excercise and anything else that comes to mind. It will be easier to post my successes my failures since I don't personally know anyone here. The only person I can dissapoint is myself.

No not completely. I may not have the experience that some bandsters do, but I am quickly learning in my 13 short days. I am sooo very greatful I have found ways to enjoy my protien powder without getting bored. I am very happy I invested in a Magic Blender. It's been my lifesaver. I put all my Light Progresso soups in it with some chicken or beef broth...to make it soupier. I add vanilla and/or chocolate protien powder to a cup of ice and a cup of coffee in the morning to make an iced coffee. I bought Lipton diet tea with honey, individual packs, and add unflavored whey protien to it for my afternoon drink and I drink another one at night. So I am getting atleast 75g of protien per day. I am getting in the habit to brush my teeth after EVERY meal, that helps the hunger cravings. Then when my 30 minutes are up the toothpaste taste is gone and I can have my liquids. I am still having trouble getting all my liquids in, but I am trying since the hunger has increased over the past couple of days.
 
The worst time of day for me is suppertime. My family has always depended on me to cook a hot dinner. The first week and a half they did fend for themselves, but I had to help because alot of what they were cooking were my recipes. Now, my husband has stopped helping make dinner and my kids are tired of ramen noodles and frozen pizza's. Actually they are out of them and I refuse to buy those anymore. So, I am cooking chicken and rice for dinner tonight and I have the BBQ chicken in the oven for tomorrow night. The house smells soooo good, and so tempting. I miss eating with my family, but I know if a couple of weeks I will be eating with them and they will be eating healthier since I don't short oder cook.
 
Time to move on and take another walk on the treadmill.

No not completely. I may not have the experience that some bandsters do, but I am quickly learning in my 13 short days. I am sooo very greatful I have found ways to enjoy my protien powder without getting bored. I am very happy I invested in a Magic Blender. It's been my lifesaver. I put all my Light Progresso soups in it with some chicken or beef broth...to make it soupier. I add vanilla and/or chocolate protien powder to a cup of ice and a cup of coffee in the morning to make an iced coffee. I bought Lipton diet tea with honey, individual packs, and add unflavored whey protien to it for my afternoon drink and I drink another one at night. So I am getting atleast 75g of protien per day. I am getting in the habit to brush my teeth after EVERY meal, that helps the hunger cravings. Then when my 30 minutes are up the toothpaste taste is gone and I can have my liquids. I am still having trouble getting all my liquids in, but I am trying since the hunger has increased over the past couple of days.
 
The worst time of day for me is suppertime. My family has always depended on me to cook a hot dinner. The first week and a half they did fend for themselves, but I had to help because alot of what they were cooking were my recipes. Now, my husband has stopped helping make dinner and my kids are tired of ramen noodles and frozen pizza's. Actually they are out of them and I refuse to buy those anymore. So, I am cooking chicken and rice for dinner tonight and I have the BBQ chicken in the oven for tomorrow night. The house smells soooo good, and so tempting. I miss eating with my family, but I know if a couple of weeks I will be eating with them and they will be eating healthier since I don't short oder cook.
 
Time to move on and take another walk on the treadmill.

So, Day 8 is here and I can't believe what a difference I feel every day. I was still hurting on Friday (Day 5) and every day since I have woken up feeling better and better. The neck pain can still get pretty bad, so I cut back to 3 oz. of liquid at a time and it was a big difference.
 
I am down 19 lbs. since I started my pre op, I am not starving or feeling deprived. I am learning to eat to live. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have the flavor of a good steak or some lasagna....but I know what the consequences will bring and that's just terrifying. My fear of throwing up is enough keep me dedicated.
 
I am walking 1 mile a day...it's a start. I sat in one of those full body massage chairs at the gym today, WHOA!! That is worth going to the gym everyday. I need to do that after my walk though, I sure didn't feel like getting on the treadmill after that.
 
Okay, time to sit back and enjoy the evening.

That was the response I got at Olive Garden today when I said "no thankyou" to the complimentary garlic bread. pat pat pat myself on the back. Seems like small potatoes, but it was a HUGE triumph for me.
 
I love breads, rice, pastas...oh and the delicious mashed potatoes made with cream cheese!!! I am a not just a food addict, I am addicted to starch.
 
So, I orded the soup (pasta fagioli) and salad...yes with the dressing. But I did not order anything carb loaded. I thought about asking the waitress to remove the bread, but my friend was enjoying it sooo much, I just didn't have the heart.
ooh ooh ooh....and you know that little mint they give you at the end, I gave it to my friend.
 
New plan, I am going to feed all of my friends so they get fatter to make me look skinnier. Just joking.
 
The will power is getting easier....but no bueno on the shakes 2 times day. It's too much sweetness. I bought some jerky, string cheese and yogurt to get the full amount of protein needed per day. I also eat fish or chicken and green veggies or salad for dinner. I am only down 2 lbs for the first week of preop diet, but I am still limited on my excercise with my broken toes. Note to self....stop falling down stairs.
 
Tomorrow starts week 2 of preop. Phew....can't wait for this week to be over with. I am so excited to get banded next week.

I am hanging tough through a tough time. I have NO regrets, I am just posting the facts. I am sore and the gas bubble are excruciating. I am taking gas x strips, it is not helping. I am walking as much as I can, it's not helping. I am just biding my time until I am past the initial aches and pains. I know this will be easier in a few days, I am excited to get to the point where I can see some results. I know it's based on my actions, I am 100% dedicated. I couldn't imagine going through this much pain and not follow through.

Letter to myself:
 
Dear Keke,
 
You didn't quite get through your first day without a struggle, it's okay. Day 2 will be better. The only person you can dissapoint is yourself, and you are pretty hard on yourself. Remember all the times you couldn't do things with your kids because your weight held you back...swimming, hiking and just walking around a theme park. Your kids missed out on a trail walk at the Grand Canyon because you couldn't do it. We drove the strip in Vegas because you couldn't walk that far without your knees hurting. Couldn't explore Lake Tahoe and drove through all of Yellowstone. That was a trip of a lifetime and your weight didn't just affect you, it affected the whole family.
 
Day 2 is here, what are you gonna do about it? Stay strong, stay positve and stay faithful. You can do this, it's your life.

So, I did all my grocery shopping today for my pre op diet. I am sooo very scared to fail, but I am working on that. I know I need a positive attitude to get through this. I know some people may think.."OMG, its only 2 weeks!!". Well, if I the will power to control my food intake I wouldn't be getting the Lap Band. I have spent many hours researching, reading articles and mentally preparing myself for this. It's not easy, I can't imagine it was easy for anyone. I do, however, have the desire and determination to be healthy again. I amcurrently looking for volunteer work or a project to do during these 2 weeks to keep my mind preoccupied. Sitting home just opens up way to much time to munch and fail.
 
 
I have a really good friend that had gastric bypass, she is a huge support for me especially since she went from a size 20 to wearing her bikini at the pool yesterday. I felt like a beached whale, but it was very encouraging for me to want to lose the weight and just wear smaller clothes. Her family is moving to Hawaii in a couple of months and for my reward next year when I meet my weightloss goal is to fly out to Hawaii to see her.
 
I start my pre op diet on Monday. I know I can do this, not without struggle, but with determination.