mousecrazy

Jan 18 Wednesday B: coffee and Zone Perfect S: Zone Perfect L: salad with turkey, nf french dressing S: Zone Perfect D: slice meatloaf and grilled veggies (leftover from Carinos) Water: 30 oz I had ice cream....:speechles vitamins/ calcium: yes

Please, take a breath and a long look at the big picture. Like Jack said, this is a marathon, not a sprint. From my own experience, I can assure you that I have gone through two good, long plateaus, and I know how hard it is, and how discouraged you feel, but there's nothing to be gained by feeling discouraged. More than likely, your body is adjusting to its new weight, its new food intake, etc. These parts are necessary on the journey. I know when I found out I was pregnant (8+years ago, not now, GF!) it seemed like 9 months was FOREVER! Yet, the body needed all 9 months to make a healthy baby. Your body needs whatever time it needs to adjust, then you will lose. 2 lbs. per week, average, is fantastic! You're doing great! Cindy

You're probably in bandland by now, but I am saying a prayer for your safe surgery and easy recovery. Cindy

Hi, Crystal! Great work on the weight loss! Fantastic! Glad to have you here - you are an inspiration! Cindy

I do not know first hand about the problem you are having, but there are plenty of good people on here who have recently been through the exact thing you are experiencing. They'll find your post. In the meantime, I wish you luck and good health. Cindy

Pre-banding: Cereal! I would eat 3 big bowls of it at a time. Ice cream. Diet Cokes Post-banding: I never eat cereal. I still eat ice cream. This is weird, but I pig out on Zone Perfect bars...that means I eat two instead of one, but only sometimes. I figure it cures the chocolate craving, and at least I get a lot of protein. How's that for a rationalization? LOL! I like pita chips and hummas...why do all the "empty" foods go down so easy?

Hi! I am a teacher (28 years!). I've been banded for 6 months; I know the beginning is especially difficult. Give yourself time to adjust...some people refer to it as "head banding." Right now, you are focused on healing well and completely. That is why you are only subjecting your espophogus and stomach to liquids/mushies...nothing it has to work too hard to digest. See, there's a REASON...when you understand the reason, it makes it easier (I think). I recall others posting that they had second thoughts about having had the surgery, but within 2 months, most, if not all, of them have embraced their decision, and are happy. Hang in there, it WILL get better. Until then, use this site for support, and post any time. Also, use the "search" feature to find old threads on some of the topics on your mind. Cindy

YOu've done great with your weight loss! Welcome back!

Hello, all! I am about done with all my meetings and work, and am out the door...and on to Girl Scouts! Doc, you take care of yourself, sip, walk, sleep, and repeat. Take something for gas if you need it. I liked the heating pad, but some say it doesn't help. Try it, though, if you need it. Glad you're back and safe! Pat, wow. I don't know what I'd like to try first, the Harley or the jet ski...something makes me laugh picturing you and I zipping down the river on a jet ski! Or, would it be funnier if we were on a Harley? I haven't forgotten about designing your biker babe outfit! Eileen, I had a week like that last week...no brain in head, just going through the motions. Yes, pink eye is all gone, and now I have no excuse! Gotta go to work, and get these kids ready for the state test. Fun. Betty, glad you're able to get on the boards a little more, you are such a positive person and I look forward to your little messages! Pat, again...You don't have to sell on Ebay to get a hug from me! ((((HUG))))! To all others, I love reading about your day, and hope everyone is doing great! later, Cindy

duh DUH duh duh dah DAH:music: Happy Birthday to you! and so on...it's supposed to be the Beatles version....:embarassed: Hope you have a fantastic special day! Cindy

Jan. 17, Tuesday B: Coffee/ Zone Perfect bar S: Zone Perfect Bar L: 1/2 meal at Boston Market...chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans D: 6 nachos at Taco Bueno, iced tea Water: 40 oz so far Exercise: (why do I even write this?) Vitamins/calcium Here's to a good choices day! Cindy P.S. I did not eat ice cream yesterday!

Welcome to LBT! When you feel nervous, come here and look at the before/after picture thread! That'll cure you! Congrats on your upcoming surgery! Cindy

Beanie, have fun on your NY trip! Might as well embrace the early time, let's see....the traffic will be very light! Yeah, that's it.... Eileen, enjoy your butternut squash soup! I know I'd love it, wish I'd find that sale! Patty, enjoy your day off...you have a big week ahead in nursing! Anne, I get Zone Perfect bars in 14 or 16 packs at Sams. Which flavors have you tried? Dianne, glad to see you around, and sorry about the caraway cheese...I like caraway, but have never had it in string cheese. Sherry, I will never eat string cheese the same way again! Betty, you, Beanie and I must get together sometime! It would be great to hug each of you in person. I'm home from Denton...DD had a great time bowling. I shopped, but didn't buy myself anything...I have plenty of 20s for now, and with the season change coming up, I kinda hate to overbuy in any size. As it is, I have some really nice sweaters and jackets I doubt I'll get to wear many more times. Can you say Ebay? LOL! We have inservice training at work tomorrow, but there's no telling what it is about, since principal kinda forgot he was supposed to plan something. I hope we may get some time on our own so I can get some stuff done like grading and posting grades on the computer. And visiting you all! Cindy

Kathy, I don't have any real answers, but want to give you a hug! Then, I want to tell you to say "no." So much is going on for you, you have to put your family first (after taking care of yourself, of course). If handbells gives you pleasure, stick with it; if not, take a vacation from it. You can always pick things up again later. Your sis and her husband can handle dad's house issues; they are going to live there (sounds like a blessing to me!) Main idea: simplify. Cut some stuff out, and go back to taking care of you. Hugs again, Cindy

Jan. 16, Monday B: coffee and zone perfect (glad you like them, Anne!) L: coffee and zone perfect (Yea, me! No goofing around today) D: (will be) pork loin, salad I WILL NOT EAT ICE CREAM TONIGHT! Water: 60 oz, better Exercise: shopping (I like to think of it as walking) Vitamin/calcium yes! Cindy

I know how you feel, so I'll lecture you and myself at the same time! No normal person makes perfect food choices every single time they get to choose. Think about that. I'm thinking we'd be golden if we gave ourselves an 80% target goal: make good decisions 80% of the time. This may not sit well with the perfection crowd, but I'm not trying to be perfect; I am happy with "progress." Sorry this isn't a kick butt lecture, but it is a sanity-seeking one. You can, will and are "doing it."

Good morning, my best band buddies! I've said this before, but I'm a little jealous of your cool weather! It is muggy and way too warm for my taste (for January anyway!) Hopefully, we wil get some rain...the fires have been so destructive. Pat, thank you for posting the pictures of your ranch. It is definitely a beautiful place...I think DH would LOVE it! Lots of room for gardening. I would love the dock, myself! I love being able to picture where you are in the house, and now you need to post a picture of your hogs. It's a beautiful place, Pat! You must be so proud of it. My DD is on the phone with her friend, talking about bowling with her friend and her friend's dad. Of course, that means I have to drive her down to Denton... Betty, oops! I wanted the Colts, too, but somehow goofed up the final score..I think it's called DENIAL. LOL! Gotta run for now...Eileen, I do my window shopping on the computer! LOL! Cindy

Hi, Margo! I am haviang some of the same issues you are...I am not hungry, but I WANT to eat...the band helps me avoid big problems, but stress and eating go hand in hand for me. I'm trying to give you the advice I need to follow myself. Maybe it would help to take each decision as it comes...minimize the focus to just one meal, and what you are going to do for it. Then the next...I keep thinking things like, "It's just one _____," or I'll follow the rules at the next meal...this is like putting off acountability. Today, I'm following this rule: "Don't eat unless I am actually hungry." Well, I threw a lot of things at you...hope one of them makes sense and helps! Cindy

Thanks, Leatha...Arlington is out of my beaten path. Like you, with work and DD's activities, I am not always reliable for support group meetings. Weekday evenings are just pretty much "no". I do like finding out about these activities, just in case, though!

Great pictures! Look! You have collarbones in your newest picture! Isn't that fantastic?! P.S. I like your little Mickey peaking up over your sock.... Keep it up Mandy!

Jan.15, Sunday B: zone perfect bar S: zone perfect bar L: zone perfect bar and pita chips D: braised pork loin, green beans, and sweet potatoes No exercise, but I watched football. I'm a great spectator! Vitamins/calcium: yes Water: 30 oz Cindy

Pat...no, the picture turns itself into letters and numbers, and is a huge file...so huge, I can't even send it to you to show you what it looks like. I have no idea why it does that. Does anyone here know? Betty, you got the Colts, but not DA BEARS. I like them, too; but have usually liked the Panthers, and now that I hear the sweet story about Hope House (sorry....can't go back to that page without losing my writing) I like them even more. I watched all 4 games! I grew up with football...by dad played hs and college ball, and DH played hs and college ball, and did training camp with the Seahawks, then coached hs ball for a while (until DD was about 2). I can't remember if I've told ya'll that before. Sorry if I did. So, I enjoy the game. DD would make a good offensive lineman, just like her daddy! Laptops get hot after a few hours! I am proud of all of you who are exercising and eating right. I'm having a hard time pulling out of the holiday eating habits. ESPECIALLY when I am at home. At school, it's much easier! When DD and I went shopping, she was 'helping' me look for clothes, and she was asking if I wore 3X (I used to!), and I said no. Then she asks if I wear 2Xs, and I said let me see it. It looked so big! So, at Dress Barn, I wear a 1X....a 1X! I had already bought a couple of XLs before, so hey! I'm shrinking even if the scales aren't moving. Pat, your idea of muscle vs. fat is interesting, and I'd think it might be true, except I'm not exercising, so don't know how the muscle is getting in there! LOL I imagine I'll consider another fill (a teensy one) in March, during spring break. I don't have many days left that I can take off for that. It is getting late, and even DD is hinting around that it's bed time, so I'm gonna go and I'll see ya tomorrow!

If we get this together, I'd like to join in, if possible. PM me. Thanks! Cindy

I make sure I chew it well, and don't have big handfuls at a time, and I have not had a problem. Cindy

I live in north Texas and have heard good things about your doctor. I hope you are doing fine, and losing weight. Cindy