enjoythetime

@@Sharpie, I know what you mean, me and ice cream we go waaaaay back, this is my biggest craving which oddly enough is what inspired me to write this post. Last night my kiddos begged me to take them for ice cream so I caved and agreed all the while driving there preparing to buy a mini sized one and then as I pulled into the parking lot I said nope, you know summer is around the corner and that swimsuit you want, yeah not worth it, so I dug down deep ordered quickly so I couldn't change my mind and went home and ate a Protein bar instead. I've been yo=yoing back and forth with 4lbs and today I got on the scale and 2 of those were gone. Fully believe that wouldn't have happened if I would've given in. I eat a skinny cow ice cream every night when I get home from work:-)

What sacrifice did/do you need to make in order to claim the ultimate reward? Soda Candy pizza Bread Ice Cream The feeling of not being worthy of success The fear of failure The fear of success The perception of what others might have if they knew you had WLS What's your reward? How badly do you want it? Are you willing to make the necessary sacrifices to get there? Are you just half-hearted at your attempt? When the road gets too tough do you just give up, or instead when you find yourself getting off course do you pick yourself up and come back fighting harder than ever? I'm a fighter. I always have been and always will be. I was raised that nothing in life is easy and you have to fight for everything worth having. Boy isn't that the truth! I wasn't handed the skinny jean, I'm not able to eat whatever I want and not worry about it permanently attaching to my stomach. That's ok though because 21 months ago I gave myself the best gift ever, the start of a new healthy beginning. Far from easy are the sacrifices I was and am willing to make every day in order to succeed but because of these sacrifices my ultimate reward has been reclaiming my life at the age of 35, being a healthy mom and wife able to enjoy life to the fullest with no restrictions, no shame and no feelings of inadequacy! Words can't describe how different I am today inside and out then I was 21 months ago. When I signed up and fully committed myself to this surgery I had my mind made up on what life long "sacrifices" I was wiling to make for the rest of my life. Yes I get off course, yes at times I throw myself a pity party but I always pick myself up and come back fighting harder than ever. Why???? Because I want to keep the ultimate reward that I've worked so hard to achieve. What are some of the things you need to sacrifice to obtain your ultimate reward?

Fan freakin' tastic job! You should be extremely proud of your accomplishments!

The pre-op diet varies for each surgery, which are you considering? Also, each pre-op diet varies greatly from Dr. to Dr. I have the band and I was on a 2 week pre-op diet which included 2 shakes Breakfast & lunch and then a weight watchers meal for dinner. I think 2 days before my actual surgery I was on all Clear liquids. Good luck with your journey!

Glad you posted this. I too worry at times that I'm being obsessive with how I monitor my food. I think like she said mindful is what will keep us maintaining. I think If we stop being mindful we stop the process. I don't and never will have the leisure of being able to eat whatever I want when I want, if I did I wouldn't have needed this surgery, taking preventative measures to ensure we never end up where we were is imperative in my opinion. As far as being boastful you're not but even if we were, I feel we've earned the right to be, we've worked our butts off (literally) to get where we are today. Sometimes I feel like when I'm posting advice that I'm coming off as a know it all, which isn't my intent at all I'm just trying to help and share what works for me but I see the pull back some times and wonder if I'm being too direct or if they're viewing it as oh she has this all figured out. Nope not at all, I'm learning every day. To see where we were and where we are now is something that keeps me motivated because I never want to see the old me in the mirror again. I pray every night that I'll be able to maintain where I am now for the rest of my life. The old me really wasn't ME.

@@bacon Yes eating out adds up quickly!!! What a great way to put those $$ to good use! @@bacon Yes eating out adds up quickly!!! What a great way to put those $$ to good use!

Sacrifices = rewards!!!!! I got on the scale this morning and am down 2lbs of the 4lbs I'm struggling with. Making sacrifices when you really don't want to, when you have to force yourself to are the times when you really need too. I know if I had given in I wouldn't have seen the results I did this morning! Today I will continue with my Water flush the goal is 96oz today @@s_suther we are on this float trip together:-) Breakfast- Greek Yogurt with trail mix- 250 cal, 17 g Protein Lunch- Skinny chicken Casserole- 250 cal (my hubby didn't eat it all:-)) approx. 29g protein Snack if needed- Quest protein bar- 180 cal 20g protein Dinner- Thinking I will do parmesan crusted tilapia with cauliflower and cheese (green giant)- approx. 286 cal. approx 25g protein Snack- Skinny Cow icecream- 160 cal, Shooting for 1200 calories or less, this comes in at 1126 with 91g of protein. SCORE:-) Walk the stairs today for exercise Maybe squeeze in the exercise video well see how much time will allow @@JustWatchMe you're just an amazing person! You're the one who got my butt back involved on this board after being gone too long!! I owe you a huge thank you for that!!!!! You're real perspective and positive attitude are awesome! Great job on letting go of logging, you're doing great! Let's get this people!!

@@s_suther you're so sweet! Thank you for starting this thread and for filling it with positive inspiration! It's truly does make a difference when you know there are people who will hold you accountable but in a positive caring way so thank you! it's funny because I despised yogurt until I found this one. It's funny how they all vary in texture flavor etc. Now a day without my yogurt is a bad day:-). Adding something crunchy really helped me as well, it adds more substance and seems to keep me satisfied longer. Now a day without my yogurt is a bad day:-). So glad you found one you like!

Ok my biggest accomplishment for today, my kids wanted my favorite treat tonight so I took them fully planning on getting myself one too BUT then I pictured that swimsuit I want and I didn't do it. The little victories over food feels great. It gives you tha t sense of control and strength over food. Calories 1250, 88oz of water and exercise. Good day!

@@2babutterfly @@s_suther Absolutely! . It was better today then it was last night. My husband just called to tell me he had some more today which I'm guessing means I better plan on making something else for dinner tonight because it's gone:-) That's always a sign that it was good! 1lb. Boneless skinless chicken breast- 480 cal 1/4 cup lite mayo- 70 cal 1 5.3oz PLAIN Okios Non-Fat Greek Yogurt- 80 cal 3 Tlb flour- 84 cal 1 1/2 cups skim milk- 120 cal 1 Tlb. olive oil- 119 1 small onion- 29 cal 1 8 oz package fresh mushrooms sliced- 80 cal 1 package of frozen chopped broccoli- steamed- Approx. 50 cal. I think this was an 8oz bag 3/4 cup 2% sharp shredded cheese- 240 cal I love garlic so I minced an entire head:-) Makes 6 servings ea. at approx. 225 cal. ea. I rounded up to 250 just in case I was off somewhere:-) Steam your broccoli and set aside. Chopped your garlic, mushrooms and onions and sauté in 1 tlb of olive oil for about 5 min. Dice your chicken and add it to the onion mushroom mixture and cook until chicken is done. Once the chicken is cooked stir in 3 Tlb of flour and cook for 1 min. then add in the milk stirring constantly let bubble and thicken about 3 min.. Transfer into a 8 X8 baking dish, mix in the broccoli, s & p, yogurt and mayo. Top with 3/4 cup of 2% sharp cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 for 20 min. YUMMMM!

I see both sides. For me personally if I'm making healthy meal choices, I have to snack in order for to consume a healthy amount of calories I need daily. Typically my meals are between 200-300 calories each. I'm in maintenance and need 1338 per day to stay status quo so for me that means adding in 2-3 Snacks per day which are usually cheese, Protein bars, etc. Unless I have a higher caloric meal and then I adjust my snacks accordingly. Now what I will say on the flip side is that typically when I do go over my calories its because I've had a higher caloric meal and still have a craving for my normal snack so........It can really go either way.

Feeling much better today! Breakfast- Greek Yogurt with Trail mix- 240 Lunch- Skinny chicken Casserole- 250 Snack- 2oz of cheese- 180 cal Dinner- More Skinny Chicken Casserole- 250 (LOVE this stuff:-)) 88 oz of Water Work out video Tada...Hope everyone is having a great day!

@@s_suther Praying all goes well tomorrow!! I physically feel like crap from all the junk I ate yesterday; Headache stomachache etc. So I didn't get my exercise in and I'm behind on my Water but I did make a skinny chicken casserole for dinner that was amazing and only 277 cal & 29 g of Protein. Calories 985 Will work on catching up on my water the rest of the evening.

@@bacon @@2babutterfly you weren't alone this weekend. My issue was lack of planning and having too many unhealthy choices in front of me which we all know is a recipe for disaster! Yesterday was one of the worst days I've had in regards to giving into my cravings it was like I never felt satisfied so after multiple treats throughout the day, last night I just felt terrible, you know the guilt started setting in, followed by that sick feeling because of all the crap I put in it, followed by being angry at myself and then getting another treat because I was feeling sorry for myself.....ugggh I'm stronger then that, we all are!! I woke up mad at myself this morning which is no way to start a day nevertheless a new week, it's just NOT WORTH IT so enough of this crap. Today is a new day and I will come out on top!!! There is an awesome lady on this site who's signature line says "Nothing tastes as good as normal feels". Boy isn't that the truth!! I don't miss waking up feeling like I did today! We have to stop beating ourselves up we're always quick to point out the bad when we're less than perfect but there's ALWAYS something good to be found in every situation like I stayed on top of my Water and I cleaned, cleaned, cleaned all weekend long so that was my exercise. Today: This is going to be a little choppy because I didn't make a meal plan or make it to the store like I typically so I'll be going after work. Striving for 1200 calories or less and will be doing a water flush 88/96/88 for the next 3 days. Walk the stairs at work Exercise video Here's to the start of a new day and a new week. Let's make it great!

@@gail10 this is the post I was telling you about

@@gail10 there is a thread under trending topics that is titled what does your green zone feels like. There have been several posts. It may be good to read through those so u can get a variety of responses nut basically the green zone for me is eating my alloted amount 4oz protein 1/2 cup veggies and 1carb serving if you have room which I don't. This should keep u satisfied for 4-5 hours. I have no desire for foods that I once craved, I eat what I eat and I'm satisfied. My craving have changed, i now crave yogurt vs junk etc. Its not a full feeling but a feeling of no longer hungry satisfied. I hope this helps a little. Goid luck with your first fill. Youll do great just stick with it!!

@@Sharpie at my last dr. Visit she told me if you want to loss more weight bump up your protein. I told her I always get berween 60-80g per day and strive for 80, she still said to bump it up if I wanted to lose. So I would start with more protein and see where that takes you. Hope this helps a little!!

Welcome to the board and to the banded life. Congrats on the great loss so far! This sight is a great resource for support and answers! Keep us posted on how you're doing!

I'm constantly freezing and burning out those around me:-) I typically wear 2-3 layers at all times including my hubbies wool socks, yes very cute but I don't care they're warm, under armour under my jeans/pants and then a tank, shirt over that and then a jacket or sweater vest over that plus my coat when I go outside. Still cold. I have a heater under my desk and when I get home the ONLY way I can get warm is to take an extremely HOT bath. I also find that when I'm cold like this my port hurts. Ready for summer time!!!!!!

Happy Friday Everyone! On this cold and snowy Friday in Missouri my day will go something like this Calories would like to keep them at 1200 or less 80oz of Water Exercise- Stairs for sure- exercise video depends on how long it takes me to get home!! I do have a question Can anyone tell me how much Protein is "too much", is there such a thing? The reason I ask is I was telling my Dr. that I get 60-80g in per day more towards 80 and she said if you find yourself wanting to lose more bump up your protein but she didn't tell me by how much. I was wondering if there's a DO NOT EXCEED???:-) Thanks and I hope everyone has an awesome day!

I know you feel frustrated right now, it's completely normal. Just remember this is just temporary!!! Until you can find that "sweet" spot which for some comes quicker than for others. Until then just focus on making the healthiest choices possible, be sure you're getting 60-80g of Protein per day, 80 oz of Water, some sort of movement and eventually the scale has no choice but to start moving. Until then focus on your Non-scale victories (NSV's) no matter how small you think they may be they all matter. Right now you're probably losing some inches so try to gauge your loss by more than just the # on the scale. How are your clothes fitting, have you noticed an increase in energy etc. Don't give up, you just started and trust me the rewards that are waiting for you up ahead and far greater than you can imagine right now!!!! Can you give us an example of what you're eating and how much on a daily basis so maybe we can help further?

@@bacon whoohoo, congrats to you, this is great! Keep it up!

I'm sooo over winter! The cold the snow, it knows where it can go:-) It took me 3x as long to get home last night because we got a whoppin' 1" of snow. Those poor people in Boston is all I can say. This cold weather really makes my port hurt(is this weird??) and I can't get warm no matter how many layers I have on. It's crazy. I just keep telling myself 4 more weeks, you can do this. Ready for sun, fun and 90!!!!

Ok so I hit half of my goals. Exercise 18 flights of stairs, no shred tonight Lunch grilled chix salad S: protein bar 85oz water Yogurt with trail mix for breakfast and dinner Snack skinny cow ice cream Total calories 1020 So all in all not bad. Started snowing today and took me 3x as long to get home. Excuses I know but life happens right. Sounds like everyone is holding their own AND helping one another out. Great group!!

37lbs in roughly a month and 1/2 is AMAZING! You have to give your body time to catch up with itself. During the time that the scale isn't moving is when your body takes advantage of catching up with itself by losing inches. As long as you keep on making healthy food choices, getting in your Water, Protein and exercising the scale will start moving again, it has no other option. I know it's frustrating but hang in there you're doing great!!