Apples2

I would try a few days of 100-250 more calories per day to see what it does. I had my last 2lbs to lose b/4 I hit goal and the scale would not move. I bumped up my caloric intake and that did it. Try putting some Fiber One in your food plan for your snacks.

Good point, Lauralee...I get the feeling her whole "coming out party" is a ploy to increase her popularity...to make her seem more "normal" like the rest of us. I also remember when I had only 40 pounds to lose and how I felt about myself. I gained about 75 more and looked back and wished I would have done something about it at that time...it would have not been so overwhelming. I truly have sympathy for anyone with a weight problem. Oprah has definitely struggled her entire life with weight issues. I guess one the main things that irks me about Oprah is that she preaches tolerance, pats herself on the back in front of God and everyone and then does not practice what she preaches. It's not just her show about WLS...she's had others where she just completely will abase, ridicule a person for a problem they have. I caught a show a couple of years ago. It was about a hoarder. Oprah had cameras go into the home. The home was absolutely filthy. Her show was based on how hoarding is an sickness like any other obsession. Anyway, the woman (a very pretty, nicely dressed lady) was sitting in the front row at Oprah's show. Oprah ripped into her. She asked her how she could sit there with diamonds on her fingers and live in a dirty house like that. If I did have any respect for Oprah...I would have lost it that day. Point being...she needs to practice what she preaches.

I totally agree and with the great platform Oprah has, she should be more empathetic and open minded to the plight of others.

I do like the Jack Links also, Mindy but found the World Kitchen a couple of months ago and like them a little better. Think it's the sweet taste. This afternoon I ordered quite a few different flavors from Amazon. I break them down into smaller bags to carry with me and to have in my truck. Congrats on being a few pounds from goal. Great job!!!!:wink_smile:

Well put...she has disclosed that she has a thyroid problem. She's all for treatment for that but so against someone treating themselves (with WLS) for obesity. Maybe if she would have thought of it first????:wink_smile:

I will admit that I have sympathy for anyone that struggles with weight loss issues. I am a foodie myself. I do not watch her show but caught one a few months back where she openly berated young people who had weight loss surgery. She touts that she has an open mind? Me thinks not. I turned her show on today to see what she had to say about her recent REGAIN. All I got out of it was what my original post said................

Blah...blah...blah....blah...blah...

I buy World Kitchens brand at Walmart. 16oz bags are usually about $11.50, 80 cal, 11g protein. There's many different flavors. I also order it on Amazon when I cannot get to a Walmart (yes, I live in the sticks!). I eat it daily for a snack and sometimes for a meal. Love it.

I like the way Jachut put it....1/2 a size from fitting in her skin. I feel the same way. The few imperfections that come with the weight loss I have had do not justify plastic surgery for me. Someone else might feel totally the opposite. For the age of 53, I feel very lucky to have come through this and get to goal and beyond without a lot of hanging skin. Just a little. None on arms, butt's OK and tummy is flat. The place I notice it the most is on my upper thighs. I did work out during the entire weight loss process and continue to. I am not sure if working out helped with less sagging skin but the definition of my muscles makes a difference in how I look and feel about myself.

Minnesota state law: It is illegal to cross over into Wisconsin with a chicken on your head. No sh*t!!!!!!

I am 53 yrs old. Started gaining at the age of 39. I feel like I wasted some really good years. I would try to take the weight off...lose 15lbs and then give up. I cannot tell you how many times that happened. My health was shot. Had this morbid feeling constantly that I would not wake up in the morning. Worked really hard to get the Lap Band. Lost 54# on the six month medically supervised diet pre-op and have lost a total of 128 and feeling like a 19 yr old again. Have never PB'd and have just had to learn what foods my band will tolerate. Any work I have done to make this band work for me is well worth it to have my health and my life back. I was born a social butterfly....went back into my cocoon when I was heavy. The Lap Band has freed me from so many things. It's NOT the easy way out. It's work! But...it's such easy work cuz I have my little buddy inside me as a reminder. There is light at the end of the obesity tunnel. Just make your decision on what is right for you and focus on the positive from that point out. All the best to you.

The best holiday NSV for me was the baking and eating a "normal" amount of treats without craving more. This has NEVER happened during the holidays. I was satisfied with one little piece of whatever a day. Years past I would be shoving things in all day long for two weeks and feeling sick...physically and emotionally. Another NSV...the after Christmas sales. Could walk in a store and just pick out small tops and size 4 pants (pants I needed to try on cuz I have a 34' inseam). My closet loves being full again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me and my band LOVE popcorn. I am careful about the amount of calories and would not eat the theater popcorn. I treat myself to one 100cal bag every night. I pop one for myself, DH and black lab.

I eat pretty much all of the above that others have mentioned. Just wanted to throw in a suggestion for when you are on the run and need a quick meal. I carry Pure Protein bars (Walmart) and beef jerky in my purse. 20gr of protein in the bars and 25g with the beef jerky. The jerky keeps me full for up to 4-5 hours. Protein bars for about 3 hours but really does give you what you need on the run.

Sent expedited positive wishes. Should be delivered by Dec. 24!!!!!!!!!!!:smile:

All I can say is "OH Juli"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats on the hard work

I think you might be talking about Carnie Wilson. She has been so "out there" about everything she has been through which IMO is admirable. I believe I heard that she is in her second pregnancy. She was on some tv show this summer and stated that she was up to a little over 200lbs. She talked some about her struggles, etc. I have a hell of a time admiring "idols" but she seems so down to earth and "real".

Nope, Mac, not any meaner than her sitting and rolling her eyes on a show where teenagers were talking about their WLS stories. She was just sooooo not nice. IMO she was so into the negatives that were brought up on that show and so into pushing her negative opinion when something positive was said about WLS. I lost whatever respect I had (wasn't much) for her that day. Never have been a huge fan and after that show just cannot turn her on anymore. I do have sympathy for her (or anyone with WL issues...we've all been there, right?). But, there comes a point where a person needs to take the initiative and DO something like we all have. I just feel she is a coward to sit in judgment of WLS people. Who can say what her yo-yo syndrome has done to HER health?

Happy .5 bandiversary to you, too, Long!!!!! I think I cheated on the poll though (not on purpose...was an afterthought). I voted 100+ weight loss....54 was prior to surgery....62# since June 17. I have gotten so much out of this journey. #1. What it feels like to have energy again and feel young and healthy. #2. Appreciation of all the friends I have made on this board. #3. A deep appreciation of the fact that I am taking care of myself. It took me a lot of years to find the right tool to help me along but I am now at the place I want to be. #4. Watch out world!!!!!!! There's not holding back!!!!!

Hey....anyone else having trouble today with posting on this site. I break my posts into paragraphs but when I go back to read them, they are all mushed together

I have been really struggling lately because of comments made by people I have not seen since I started my weight loss. Have been running into a lot of them in the last month or so. I have been getting the "You're too skinny and you better not lose any more". My answer is usually "I'm right where my doc wants me to be and I feel healthy, not too skinny." I know that most people do not mean to demean me but just don't think b/4 they speak. The worst are friends that have quite a bit of weight on them. The word anorexic was being tossed around at a party a couple of weeks ago and started by a so-called friend. The last time I met with my surgeon, he was happy with the weight I am at. My BMI is within the normal range and he told me I am done with my monthly meetings and would see me in March. Then he added that I should come back for a fill in the mean time if I start to gain any weight. I am quite tall and have a boyish figure with boobs. Have always had skinny arms and legs, even when I weighed 249#. I had a similar incident on Thanksgiving day. A person who is an RN started questioning me about having the LB. Drilled me for about 5 minutes and just stood there staring for about 30 minutes while I was busy in the kitchen but not saying another word. Another incident happened two weeks ago while volunteering at our local hospital. Was in the cafeteria getting a cup of coffee. The lead RN (what is it with these RN's? LOL) came up behind me and stated that she thought I was too skinny and that the surgery I had was not meant for that purpose. The purpose is to get healthy...not skinny. I couldn't even open my mouth to respond. There were about 20 people standing in line within hearing distance. I was appalled. The RN walked away and then turned around and said "In MY opinion you are way too skinny". It's too bad that it threw me cuz I would have told her that if I wanted her medical opinion, I would have made an appt. (This RN works at the hospital I had my LB surgery at). Very inappropriate. In my opinion, this incident was reportable but I cannot be bothered. I am proud of the steps I have taken to get to where I am. It was a lot of work and I am finally at peace. The obesity cloud has lifted. And...I AM NOT TOO SKINNY. Where were people when I was sooooooooooo obese? Why didn't they say something then? I will have to say that there are more people than not who are encouraging and compliment me on how good I look. All in all most people mean well. There just has to be those few.....

I have done a fair amount of travel since being banded. I usually make sure my carry on or purse contains the following items: 1.5oz beef jerky snack packs...25g protein, 140 cals....works as a meal in a pinch. Low fat cheese sticks Pure protein bar...purchase at WalMart Most hotels provide a continental breakfast. Some have hard boiled eggs (cannot do them), fiber cereal, oatmeal, etc. I have found that airport food is a challenge for me. Especially deli type meat that my band does not allow me to have. Enjoy your trip!!!!!!!!!!

Lulac....reread my post....the part about people not accepting themselves was not directed at you. You seem to have a great attitude about your new body.

Lulac...I have a couple of friends that have model type figures. Stand about 5'9" and at the age of 50 have no detectable cellulite. They are always complaining about their cottage cheese looking ass and thighs. They look HOT in shorts and bathing suit. I decided that whatever I ended up with after my weight loss, I would embrace and go with it WITHOUT complaining. God gifted those friends with what I see as amazing bodies. SHUT UP has come across my mind a few times....but need to practice some kindness. DH says women are never happy with themselves. I beg to differ. When a person has been where we have with the extra weight....we tend to accept the few imperfections we end up with.

My doc says to absolutely wait a year AFTER reaching goal to make any decisions on PS. I reached goal in Oct and can tell things are better two months later. I am 53 and did worry about the tummy since I carried everything thru my torso. I happened to luck out. I have no bat wings on the arms and the tummy does not hang. In fact, I can wear french cut panties and nothing is hanging out. At times I think my upper thighs look like melted butter but something most 53 yr old women have. And, I can cover that area. My DH is the only one that sees them. I would never worry myself b/4 the LB surgery. You are young. Just wait and see what Mother Nature gives you in the end.