enjoythetime

@@s_suther You must have ESP because I've been struggling lately and told myself I needed to check in on here and then I saw your tag and I must say that it meant a lot that even though I haven't been on for a LOOONG time that you still remembered me!!!! Thank you for that! I just made the following post to another board which pretty much sums up what's going on with me right now. I hope everyone here is doing well!!!! Ok, so straight off I'm going to say this is a selfish post, a pep-talk out loud for ME. In doing so, I'm not looking for sprinkle and rainbow compliments I'm doing this as a way for me to get back on track, you know it becomes real when you put it out there:-) Most of you know my story but for those that don't I've been banded for 2 years and 8 months. I started this journey weighing 289lbs. Within 16 months I had lost 159lbs., surpassing my goal by 20lbs. I went from a size 22 in pants to a size 2/3 and size 3XL shirts to size small. My life is dramatically different then it was 3 years ago in every aspect. When my weight hit 130lbs. I told myself I needed to identify a range to stay within and when I hit the max of that range it was time to get serious and get back on track, I decided 135lbs. was that max # for me. Last year about this time I started stressing because my weight began flexing 3-5lbs., which was within the range I set for myself but once I was there I freaked out, I didn't like it. I would hit the max, go back to basics the scale would go down, then I would get excited and say well now I can have this, this and this and not go over my max, the problem was when I would go down it was 2-3 lbs., never back to that 130 mark, I hovered in the middle, over the course of 4 months I gave up, I started excepting the fact that 130 was history and 134 was my new norm and that it was ok, deal with it, be happy with it, telling myself 3 years ago you would have been thrilled to be at 134, what's your problem. I finally convinced myself and a new weight range was set and my new max # became137. I stayed within this range for 8 months, doing the same thing as before up and down, treat, basics etc. Then a month ago it was vacation time, followed the next week by Christmas and then New Years and today I'm now flexing 7-9lbs. and guess what, I'M FREAKED THE HELL OUT!!!! My worry isn't about the 9lbs, it's about losing control and this developing into something more and ending up where I started at 289lbs, miserable, letting myself and those who believe in me down. I've turned this into a pattern of excuses, passes and acceptance until I keep lowering my standards to except where I am because it's easier because if I don't accept it I have to face the fact I may never be 130 again followed by the justification of remember 3 years you were XXX well if I keep going I will be XXX and I CAN NOT LET that happen! I'm now setting here with tears in my eyes thinking how ridiculous this all is. I know the band works and I know how to work the band. I know what I want but I'm not pushing myself to get there. I'm done feeling sorry for myself!!!! I've worked entirely too hard to look back now. I know I have what it takes to stay focused to make the right choices to get my ass up and start exercising (which I will confess I haven't done at all during this journey), drink 80oz of Water, Protein first, veggies, then a carb if I have room, to STOP eating when I'm satisfied instead of caving into that craving when I'm not really hungry. I know I have what it takes because I have the band and the stubbornness to back it up:-) I feel like some reading this will be like is this girl for real, she wrote an entire book over 9lbs. but it TRULY isn't about that, I know that if I work the band the band will work for me I just have to start believing in myself, believe I have it in me and that if I want those lbs. gone then I don't have to settle for less because I'm "stuck" but to keep pushing and not let food or weight or worry stop me. Thank you all for listening!

I haven't posted or been on the site in a while, I hope everyone is doing well!!!! Ok, so straight off I'm going to say this is a selfish post, a pep-talk out loud for ME. In doing so, I'm not looking for sprinkle and rainbow compliments I'm doing this as a way for me to get back on track, you know it becomes real when you put it out there:-) Most of you know my story but for those that don't I've been banded for 2 years and 8 months. I started this journey weighing 289lbs. Within 16 months I had lost 159lbs., surpassing my goal by 20lbs. I went from a size 22 in pants to a size 2/3 and size 3XL shirts to size small. My life is dramatically different then it was 3 years ago in every aspect. When my weight hit 130lbs. I told myself I needed to identify a range to stay within and when I hit the max of that range it was time to get serious and get back on track, I decided 135lbs. was that max # for me. Last year about this time I started stressing because my weight began flexing 3-5lbs., which was within the range I set for myself but once I was there I freaked out, I didn't like it. I would hit the max, go back to basics the scale would go down, then I would get excited and say well now I can have this, this and this and not go over my max, the problem was when I would go down it was 2-3 lbs., never back to that 130 mark, I hovered in the middle, over the course of 4 months I gave up, I started excepting the fact that 130 was history and 134 was my new norm and that it was ok, deal with it, be happy with it, telling myself 3 years ago you would have been thrilled to be at 134, what's your problem. I finally convinced myself and a new weight range was set and my new max # became137. I stayed within this range for 8 months, doing the same thing as before up and down, treat, basics etc. Then a month ago it was vacation time, followed the next week by Christmas and then New Years and today I'm now flexing 7-9lbs. and guess what, I'M FREAKED THE HELL OUT!!!! My worry isn't about the 9lbs, it's about losing control and this developing into something more and ending up where I started at 289lbs, miserable, letting myself and those who believe in me down. I've turned this into a pattern of excuses, passes and acceptance until I keep lowering my standards to except where I am because it's easier because if I don't accept it I have to face the fact I may never be 130 again followed by the justification of remember 3 years you were XXX well if I keep going I will be XXX and I CAN NOT LET that happen! I'm now setting here with tears in my eyes thinking how ridiculous this all is. I know the band works and I know how to work the band. I know what I want but I'm not pushing myself to get there. I'm done feeling sorry for myself!!!! I've worked entirely too hard to look back now. I know I have what it takes to stay focused to make the right choices to get my ass up and start exercising (which I will confess I haven't done at all during this journey), drink 80oz of Water, Protein first, veggies, then a carb if I have room, to STOP eating when I'm satisfied instead of caving into that craving when I'm not really hungry. I know I have what it takes because I have the band and the stubbornness to back it up:-) I feel like some reading this will be like is this girl for real, she wrote an entire book over 9lbs. but it TRULY isn't about that, I know that if I work the band the band will work for me I just have to start believing in myself, believe I have it in me and that if I want those lbs. gone then I don't have to settle for less because I'm "stuck" but to keep pushing and not let food or weight or worry stop me. Thank you all for listening!

@@JustWatchMe these are huge changes! I'm incredibly happy for you! I'm currently experiencing what I call the Vacation and Holiday detour. This is the first time since being banded that I've been completely laxed about my food choices, but now the vacation and the holidays are over and it's time to take back the control and make the necessary modifications in my food plan as well! Thank goodness for the band, I know if I make the right choices the band will do the rest and that's why I'm not all doom and gloom about it. Going to the store tonight to stock up on lean Protein and veggies!!!! We're going to ring in 2016 with a healthy bang:-) Happy New Year!!!!!

This is one of the greatest self motivators there is!!!! Keep up the great work!!!!

You know what the craziest part of all this is? The same people that are saying these things to you now, will be the same people who will tell you you've lost too much weight and now you're unhealthy and you need to eat a Big Mac and Fries.....It's simple, people like this make themselves feel better by putting others down because no matter what your weight they're intimidated by you for some other reason they're just using the weight as their reason because they don't have the guts to come out and tell you what their real problem with you is. If people paid attention to their own life as much as they do to others!!!!

Bandista what wonderful NSVs!!!! Great job on enjoying your vacation and coming home with no extra baggage:-) That my friend is a huge feat!!!!

I make substitutions all the time. I hardly ever order something directly off the menu. I find that I can eat most any where and find something that works for me, I can order a grilled chicken sandwich or turkey burger asking them not to even place the bun on my plate. The best thing I've found is at the cafeteria at my work, they have the best chicken salad but instead of bread or a wrap I have them place it on a bed of spinach. I always ask for all dressings and sauces to be served on the side or to be left off completely. I sub chips, fries, etc. for a salad or veggie. I just simply try to stay away from the carbs. Mexican restaurants have become my friend. I get the fajitas with no tortillas and have leftovers for a couple more meals. Eating out is something we like to do and I find I can do it easily with some simple substitutions.

@@JustWatchMe it went extremely well! I could definitely tell the difference. It reset my pouch and got things back into alignment, dimmed the crazy carb monster and overall just made me feel better. If you haven't tried it I would give it a go. I plan on making this part of my maintenance routine like B52 suggests about once every couple of months or so. I will know when it's time. Hope you are doing well!!!!

So I have a slightly different perspective on "stalls" I honestly don't believe there is such a thing. I know you're thinking I'm crazy but really a stall is when everything stops right, the scale, the inches, feeling better etc.? As others have said during their "stall" they noticed inches being lost resulting in smaller sizes, more mobility, an overall improvement in their health etc. Of course there are times when the # on the scale doesn't budge for a period of time but this isn't a stall this is just your body catching up to itself and other things are happening "behind the scenes". Sure it can be discouraging when the # on the scale doesn't move in the right direction but trust me if you're sticking to your healthy eating and exercise habits then you're losing inches, improving your overall health and eventually that scale has no choice but to start moving!!!!

Yes, this is very common for me. Like you said I try to avoid doing this but some days it's just unavoidable and when I finally get the chance to eat I'm thinking I'm starving but then eat less than I typically do because of the tightness of my band.

0. What type of weight loss surgery have you had? Lap-band 1. How long have you been in maintenance mode? Maintaining below my goal weight for 1 1/2 years 2. What's your current height and weight? 5' 1.5":-) 130-135 3. How many calories do you eat daily (on average) to maintain your weight? 1,000-1,300 4. What kind of focus do you put on Protein -- number of grams or anything else you want to say? I always eat my protein first. My goal is 60-80+g per day- aim towards 80+ 5. What kind of focus do you put on carbs - number of grams or anything else you want to say? I try not to exceed 40 net carbs per day. 6. What other nutritional tips / tricks are working for you that help you maintain? Staying focused mentally 7. Which foods, if any, do you avoid altogether? Potatoes, pizza, Pasta, Rice, Bread, chips 8. What exercise regimen (exercise types and frequency) do you follow? This is my down fall for sure! No regiment. I realize this is something I have to be diligent about adding for long-term maintenance and overall health. 9. What role, if any, has counseling or therapy played in your WLS success? N/A 10. What advice would you offer WLS patients to help them be successful? Believe in yourself and never give up! Throw the scale away; stay positive; stay focused on why you made the decision to have WLS in the first place, remember that every NSV and every # and every " is a victory; remember how far you've come; remember the place you were in prior to WLS; love yourself where you are RIGHT NOW don't start until you're X amount of lbs. down or in a size ???? enjoy the here and now it will be this attitude and approach that will allow you to keep going!!!!

WHOOOHOOO!!!! Congrats to you!!!! You look great!

I think this is wonderful! You've worked your bootie off (literally) and if this is what makes YOU happy then you go for it. There will ALWAYS be people who will try and discourage you, why because some people just can't stand to see others succeed. Remember what they say, no pain no gain right?:-) You're going to do great, look at what you've already accomplished it's amazing!!!!

So happy for your and your success! You worked hard for every " every # and your results are absolutely amazing! Congrats!!!!

I was able to have both cooked and raw veggies such as salad, broccoli cauliflower (not pureed) at about 8 weeks out did fine. Some of the things I had a hard time with and stay away from is raw carrots, corn and anything stringy like raw celery. Broccoli is actually a great source of Protein so I try to add that into my meals whenever I can.

I think at some point we all go through this. Yes, I eat when I'm not truly hungry just because it's something I want. Last week I decided to do the 5-day pouch test. 2 Days of all liquids, mushy, solids and it helped me get back on track and stopped the crazy cravings that I felt were out of control. There is veteran on here that says he does this every 6-8 weeks just to allow his pouch a rest. It was tough but I really do think it helped me get back to basics!!!! Good luck! I know you can do it! Don't give up!!!!

Oh the scale, they really should drop the "e" so that it's an official 4-letter word!!!! The scale derails and gets more people in trouble then it's worth!!!! I'm just as guilty as anyone else, I weigh myself every morning and I hate that started that routine because it wasn't something I started until AFTER I lost all of my weight. While I was losing I would only weight once a month at my dr.'s appointments and now for some reason I just can't stop. It's the OCD in me I guess so if I weigh more I'm upset if I weigh less then that puts something in my mind that says you can now eat such and such because you're down x amount. It's strictly a mind game. I agree with @@Recycled we should only judge our loss, maintenance, gains by how our clothes fit, they never lie:-)

Myself New Experiences/Adventures Social Events Swimming Suites High heels Oh yeah and Broccoli:-)

A HUGE HELPING of: Thankfulness Gratefulness Appreciation I'm not concerned about what l'll be eating, I'll just be thankful that I'm not where I was three years ago; I'm thankful for how drastically my life has changed. I now put more thought into what will I wear vs. what will I not be able to wear after the holidays. That's no longer a concern for me and whooooa what a huge relief that is! I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving!

@@Debbie3sons awesome! Thanks for the encouragement! I'm not having an issue with eating more the amount is still the same it's just the kind of food I'm wanting isn't the right kind so I was hoping this would put me back in line. Glad to know it works! Thanks so much for the help.....as always!:-)

I've been banded for nearly 2 1/2 years and I'm thrilled to say I'm maintaining my weight loss, I do so with a 5-7lbs flex on the scale but I've learned not to freak out about it like I used to, but after 3 weekends in a row of birthday celebrations I just feel like crap. I notice I'm craving things I normally don't and when I walk away from the cravings instead of feeling victorious I feel miserable because I have that feeling of deprivation so I decided today was the day to tune and detox my body so I can fight the rearing head of the carb monster! It's amazing how making the right and wrong food choices totally effects every aspect of your life! So thankful I have this little tool to help guide me through moments like this! A few days of bringing myself back to basics is just what I need!!!! Reeling myself back in so to speak:-) Has anyone else tried this? Did you notice the carb cravings diminish?

Cottage cheese Cups, Greek Yogurt with some trail mix mixed in for substance, chicken salad ( you can make a big batch to last you through the week), Hard boiled eggs (I make mine into deviled eggs), in a pinch I always have Protein bars on hand. Hope this helps a little.

I know you said pick one but this one is too good not to post!!!! Skinny chicken & Broccoli Casserole 1lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts 1 16oz package of fresh sliced mushrooms 1 large onion sliced 4-5 cloves of minced garlic 1-2 Tlbs. of olive oil 1 16oz of frozen broccoli 3 Tlbs. of flour 1 1/2 Cup of skim milk 1/4 cup light real mayo 3/4 cup of 2% sharp or Mexican blend shredded cheese. Preheat oven to 350, spray 9x13 baking dish with PAM. Added Dice Chicken,mushroom, onions and garlic to about 1-2 tlb of olive oil cook until done. Add in 3 Tlb. of flour cook for about 1 min and add 1 1/2 cups of skim milk. Cook until a bubbly thicken sauce forms. About 5 min.. While the chicken and veggies are cooking cook your broccoli until tender but not mushy, drain and set aside. Once the sauce has thickened pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish, add the broccoli, yogurt and mayo, salt and pepper. Mix well. Top with cheese and bake for about 25 min.

Crock-Pot chicken Taco Soup 1 onion chopped 1 (16oz) can HOT chili beans- I like mine spicy 1 can of black Beans 1 can of corn DRAINED 1 8oz can of tomato sauce 1 can chicken broth 2 10oz cans of rotel 1 pkg. of taco seasoning 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Garnish Shredded cheese PLAIN greek yogurt- in place of sour cream A squeeze of a lime wedge-this makes it! Place all ingredients into the crockpot placing the chicken breasts on top and pushing them into the soup so that they're covered. Cook on low for 5 hours. Remove the chicken and shredded. Add the chicken back into the soup and serve with some cheese, yogurt or sour cream and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. YUMMMM!!!!

Thank you @@B-52! This helps a lot! I'm about 2 1/2 years post op and at times I notice I eat more than others but then there are times that I eat less so it's currently all balancing itself out. I think just from a maintenance stand point I will try this next week.