Bob the builder

I have been on a very strict low carb low sugar diet since rededicating myself at the first of the year. At first I had all the side effects Dizziness moodiness (outright rage sometimes) and utter exhaustion. I pushed through it and now I am discovering that I don't really crave it anymore and my energy levels are soaring. A month ago just walking down the hall at work at a fairly slow pace I would get out of breath. Today I had to slow down so another guy could keep up with me and I was breathing normally! Then I was faced with a challenge. Some people were in from out of town and wanted to have lunch at an awesome mexican restaurant (Chuy's). I ordered a taco salad (less guacamole) and didn't eat the shell or a single tortilla chip. This was a BIG test for me but as I sat there watching them eat their meals I found I wasn't craving it and actually didn't even want it! I feel like today was a big step for me in my journey.

I have been on a very strict low carb low sugar diet since rededicating myself at the first of the year. At first I had all the side effects Dizziness moodiness (outright rage sometimes) and utter exhaustion. I pushed through it and now I am discovering that I don't really crave it anymore and my energy levels are soaring. A month ago just walking down the hall at work at a fairly slow pace I would get out of breath. Today I had to slow down so another guy could keep up with me and I was breathing normally! Then I was faced with a challenge. Some people were in from out of town and wanted to have lunch at an awesome mexican restaurant (Chuy's). I ordered a taco salad (less guacamole) and didn't eat the shell or a single tortilla chip. This was a BIG test for me but as I sat there watching them eat their meals I found I wasn't craving it and actually didn't even want it! I feel like today was a big step for me in my journey.

I am still doing low carb. I have stalled a bit but just got a fill yesterday so I expect I will start losing again. It was hard for a while until I got used to not having sugar/starches, but now I don't miss it all that much.

Being a good ole southern boy my one vice is sweet tea. I have been able to transition to using splenda so there are no calories but I struggle with avoiding drinking tea with my meals. I'm just so used to it that I find myself doing it unconsciously. Anyone else struggle with this?

Get yourself a food journal and start logging everything you eat. Read nutrition labels. That will help you see how many carbs you're taking in. You'll be surprised at the things you will learn about your eating habits.

I am still doing low carb. I have stalled a bit but just got a fill yesterday so I expect I will start losing again. It was hard for a while until I got used to not having sugar/starches, but now I don't miss it all that much.

I have been on a very strict low carb low sugar diet since rededicating myself at the first of the year. At first I had all the side effects Dizziness moodiness (outright rage sometimes) and utter exhaustion. I pushed through it and now I am discovering that I don't really crave it anymore and my energy levels are soaring. A month ago just walking down the hall at work at a fairly slow pace I would get out of breath. Today I had to slow down so another guy could keep up with me and I was breathing normally! Then I was faced with a challenge. Some people were in from out of town and wanted to have lunch at an awesome mexican restaurant (Chuy's). I ordered a taco salad (less guacamole) and didn't eat the shell or a single tortilla chip. This was a BIG test for me but as I sat there watching them eat their meals I found I wasn't craving it and actually didn't even want it! I feel like today was a big step for me in my journey.

I got a fill today too. My doc always says to only do liquids for a couple of days after a fill then to the "mushies" stage and then to normal foods. The key is to take small bites and chew well. Unless you're too tight, after a couple days most meats (I have trouble with steak unless it's really tender) and veggies should pass.

I put a store brand fiber powder in my morning Protein Shake. One teaspoon seems to work. 2 teaspoons and its Katie bar the door. Lol

Update: Went in for a fill today. Down 18 pounds in just under a month. Can definitely feel some restriction now. Now to get back to a regular exercise routine. I go back in 6 weeks and really want to lose 25-30 pounds by then.

Update: Went in for a fill today. Down 18 pounds in just under a month. Can definitely feel some restriction now. Now to get back to a regular exercise routine. I go back in 6 weeks and really want to lose 25-30 pounds by then.

Keep on your doctor. If you are having issues as you describe with no Fluid in your band something is wrong. It could be as simple as your stomach is irritated and swollen where the band sits.
To answer your question insurance was the deciding factor for me. I was denied my request to revise to the sleeve. It probably would have been approved but I hadn't been going in for regular checkups. I can't see age being a factor in getting the sleeve. If it works today it will work when you're 80. However it is still just a tool. You have to eat the right foods and watch your caloric intake or it won't work either. Sounds like you're pretty disciplined with your band so you should have no problem with the sleeve. Good luck whichever way you decide to go.

I have been on a very strict low carb low sugar diet since rededicating myself at the first of the year. At first I had all the side effects Dizziness moodiness (outright rage sometimes) and utter exhaustion. I pushed through it and now I am discovering that I don't really crave it anymore and my energy levels are soaring. A month ago just walking down the hall at work at a fairly slow pace I would get out of breath. Today I had to slow down so another guy could keep up with me and I was breathing normally! Then I was faced with a challenge. Some people were in from out of town and wanted to have lunch at an awesome mexican restaurant (Chuy's). I ordered a taco salad (less guacamole) and didn't eat the shell or a single tortilla chip. This was a BIG test for me but as I sat there watching them eat their meals I found I wasn't craving it and actually didn't even want it! I feel like today was a big step for me in my journey.

I have been on a very strict low carb low sugar diet since rededicating myself at the first of the year. At first I had all the side effects Dizziness moodiness (outright rage sometimes) and utter exhaustion. I pushed through it and now I am discovering that I don't really crave it anymore and my energy levels are soaring. A month ago just walking down the hall at work at a fairly slow pace I would get out of breath. Today I had to slow down so another guy could keep up with me and I was breathing normally! Then I was faced with a challenge. Some people were in from out of town and wanted to have lunch at an awesome mexican restaurant (Chuy's). I ordered a taco salad (less guacamole) and didn't eat the shell or a single tortilla chip. This was a BIG test for me but as I sat there watching them eat their meals I found I wasn't craving it and actually didn't even want it! I feel like today was a big step for me in my journey.

I have been on a very strict low carb low sugar diet since rededicating myself at the first of the year. At first I had all the side effects Dizziness moodiness (outright rage sometimes) and utter exhaustion. I pushed through it and now I am discovering that I don't really crave it anymore and my energy levels are soaring. A month ago just walking down the hall at work at a fairly slow pace I would get out of breath. Today I had to slow down so another guy could keep up with me and I was breathing normally! Then I was faced with a challenge. Some people were in from out of town and wanted to have lunch at an awesome mexican restaurant (Chuy's). I ordered a taco salad (less guacamole) and didn't eat the shell or a single tortilla chip. This was a BIG test for me but as I sat there watching them eat their meals I found I wasn't craving it and actually didn't even want it! I feel like today was a big step for me in my journey.

As we all know when starting a diet the weight loss in the beginning is substantial because 1. we are losing Water weight and 2. our bodies are used to a much higher caloric intake and our metabolic rate is higher.Whether its the band or low carb or whatever your body will try and lower your metabolism to compensate for the reduction in calories. With all the diet plans and "miracle pill" garbage out there weight loss is a very simple formula: Calories burned > calories consumed. If you are eating less calories than your body requires to run, it will have no choice but to tap into its fat stores for energy. There are several online BMR (Basal metabolic rate) calculators out there. Find your BMR and if you are consuming fewer calories than that number, you will lose weight.

I have been on a very strict low carb low sugar diet since rededicating myself at the first of the year. At first I had all the side effects Dizziness moodiness (outright rage sometimes) and utter exhaustion. I pushed through it and now I am discovering that I don't really crave it anymore and my energy levels are soaring. A month ago just walking down the hall at work at a fairly slow pace I would get out of breath. Today I had to slow down so another guy could keep up with me and I was breathing normally! Then I was faced with a challenge. Some people were in from out of town and wanted to have lunch at an awesome mexican restaurant (Chuy's). I ordered a taco salad (less guacamole) and didn't eat the shell or a single tortilla chip. This was a BIG test for me but as I sat there watching them eat their meals I found I wasn't craving it and actually didn't even want it! I feel like today was a big step for me in my journey.

Personally I think they're junk food - they're either artificially sweetened if they're truly low carb, which is dubious at best. I think any sort of sweet food - artificially sweetened or with sugar - does drive you to want more. I also think the ingredients are man made, not natural and not healthy. I am a teacher too - I take a bag of cut up raw vegies to school and when the kids have fruit break, I have a few, or I might have them when the kids have their snack right before recess time (we dont get lunch till 1.45). I think I'm modelling good eating to my class, and a lot of the kids that dont like fruit have started bringing carrots or cucumber for fruit break. Of course in Australia we dont have school lunch systems, there's usually a canteen but all in all students bring their lunch from home.
I also think they're too many calories for a snack - but that's because I'm a 3 meals a day kinda person so my meals are heavier on the calories and I couldnt afford that many for a snack - if I was a five small meals a day sort of person I guess then a Protein bar would be more reasonable.
I think they taste like eating candles anyway, but that's just me.
I would get pretty hungry between a 6.30 am breakfast and a 1.45 pm lunch but I take breakfast to school with me (or keep stuff in my pigeon hole and in the fridge in the staff room) and eat at about 8.30 instead, so that I can eliminate the need for any sort of substantial snack.

I check carbs and calories. I don't worry about fat. At the begining I ate 800 - 1000 calories a day. No cheating. There were weeks that I lost nothing and then a week later 5 lbs. I till today keep a running list of calories and carbs eaten per day. I include everything no matter how small a piece. Use my fitness pal if you can. I achieved my goal and then some in 6 months. The trick don't cheat and don't give up. You will succeed.

Being a good ole southern boy my one vice is sweet tea. I have been able to transition to using splenda so there are no calories but I struggle with avoiding drinking tea with my meals. I'm just so used to it that I find myself doing it unconsciously. Anyone else struggle with this?

Update: Went in for a fill today. Down 18 pounds in just under a month. Can definitely feel some restriction now. Now to get back to a regular exercise routine. I go back in 6 weeks and really want to lose 25-30 pounds by then.

Update: Went in for a fill today. Down 18 pounds in just under a month. Can definitely feel some restriction now. Now to get back to a regular exercise routine. I go back in 6 weeks and really want to lose 25-30 pounds by then.

Keona:
re: "I am not feeling full as long between meals as before."
I've shared many of your same struggles. The BIG focus for me, is to continue with the notion that 'feeling full' is a false sign and NEVER served me well in any of my pre-OR-postBand life.
What serves to moderate my own circumstance, is to recognize the difference between 'hungry' and 'NOT hungry'.
Any food intake based on 'full feeling' is doomed, as that sensation never lasts long for me.
The goal of eating is be NOT hungry.
Any eating when NOT hungry is 'sport eating'.
So I understand your concerns and struggle at times with you, toward our similar Goal.
Even now, at times 'one or two bites' is plenty, yet the habit of eating the whole thing remains strong.
It helps to downsize the eating bowl.
Cheers in your journey.

Use your fear as motivation. I know what you're going through as I did just what you're afraid of. I am back on track now and with just a fifteen pound loss so far I am already feeling better. And now it's the weight loss I crave more than the sweets. I was in a very bad place for a while but getting my resolve back has been great for me. Oddly reading about others who are going through similar struggles has helped me realize I am not alone. It helps to know others have similar demons. We are in this together and we can succeed. Glad to see you getting back on track.

Use your fear as motivation. I know what you're going through as I did just what you're afraid of. I am back on track now and with just a fifteen pound loss so far I am already feeling better. And now it's the weight loss I crave more than the sweets. I was in a very bad place for a while but getting my resolve back has been great for me. Oddly reading about others who are going through similar struggles has helped me realize I am not alone. It helps to know others have similar demons. We are in this together and we can succeed. Glad to see you getting back on track.