Cingulus

One small NSV for me is my feet have shrunk. I bought some new shoes a while back and had to set them aside and buy wider ones because they did not fit well and were too tight. I tried them on for the hell of it yesterday and they fit great and I wore them the whole day with no problems. I never would have never thought of my feet shrinking…probably a guy thing.

I gave up on bread :frown:

I went to Rochesters Big and Tall and I barley fit in their largest suit, size 60 coat. When you out grow the fattest clothes at the fat store...it is time. Shaun

Try the following Yoga poses Warrior II Pose Goddess Pose Triangle Pose Then do swing squats with a small Kettle bell and

“The Green Zone,” Matt Damon’s new movie opens tomorrow. Not a big surprise…it is about the green zone in Iraq and our intrepid hero is entering the fray to unlock CIA conspiracy, kick some ass and otherwise fight the good fight…did Jason Bourne ever go to Iraq? Anyway, I will be taking in the movie over the weekend. However, the green zone that I am really interested in is the lap band green zone. Tomorrow is the day for my second fill. I sit at 5.5 ccs and I would guess that I will go to 7 ccs. According to my doctor, in the green zone I should be able to eat 3 meals per day and not be noticeably hungry between meals. Based on that definition, I am not in the green zone. I would have to say I am in the yellow zone. For the past 4 weeks, I have been eating solid 8oz meals every 3-4 hours and I do get hungry. It is livable and manageable, but nowhere new the promise of lap band restriction. Conventional wisdom, with the band, seems to be 2-4 fills before folks who find restriction, achieve it. Hopefully, Friday will be a landmark day in the band process and on Saturday I will visit both, “The Green Zones,” the movie and lap band restriction.

“The Green Zone,” Matt Damon’s new movie opens tomorrow. Not a big surprise…it is about the green zone in Iraq and our intrepid hero is entering the fray to unlock CIA conspiracy, kick some ass and otherwise fight the good fight…did Jason Bourne ever go to Iraq? Anyway, I will be taking in the movie over the weekend. However, the green zone that I am really interested in is the lap band green zone. Tomorrow is the day for my second fill. I sit at 5.5 ccs and I would guess that I will go to 7 ccs. According to my doctor, in the green zone I should be able to eat 3 meals per day and not be noticeably hungry between meals. Based on that definition, I am not in the green zone. I would have to say I am in the yellow zone. For the past 4 weeks, I have been eating solid 8oz meals every 3-4 hours and I do get hungry. It is livable and manageable, but nowhere new the promise of lap band restriction. Conventional wisdom, with the band, seems to be 2-4 fills before folks who find restriction, achieve it. Hopefully, Friday will be a landmark day in the band process and on Saturday I will visit both, “The Green Zones,” the movie and lap band restriction.

Nissan R35 GTR :sad:

Yes, I eat hamburger, have not tried steak yet.

One of my favorite book series is from a husband and wife team, David and Leigh Eddings. There are 12 books in the series and throughout these books there a two “primal forces” in their universe that meet for battles and events. Often in these books the battles are very small, at other times these are cataclysmic, however in every one of these events the winners is ultimately decided by an individual choice between stasis and progress. A single person has to decide the fate of the universe. To me, in many ways this defines the lapband process. Every day we are faced with moments of choice and if we choose properly we win the battle…but it is a new fight every day if you want to avoid stasis and make progress. Since I am an engineer who became marketing guy and that means for every problem I like to build a checklist of how to solve it and turn it into a visual diagram with simple steps so it is easy for people use and implement. I spend most of my days doing this for technology products and I was thinking about how to apply this to the lapband last night while I was on the elliptical machine. What are the key moments and choices for each day’s battle? I am sure the list will vary for most, but here are my moments for lapband success: 1. Choosing a High Protein Breakfast with supplements 2. Packing a good set of 8oz meals for the day before I leave for work 3. Eating the right midmorning meal, I brought to work 4. Choosing a High Protein Lunch 5. Eating the right late afternoon meal with pre-work out supplements (NO-Xplode) 6. Stopping at the gym everyday 7. Going into the Gym working hard 8. Drink a good high protein, low carb post work supplement drink (ISOPure Low carb…) 9. Choosing a High Protein Dinner These nine moments are like the recurring battles between those”primal forces“in the Eddings books. They only require an instant of choice, but they make the difference between stasis…or progress.

One of my favorite book series is from a husband and wife team, David and Leigh Eddings. There are 12 books in the series and throughout these books there a two “primal forces” in their universe that meet for battles and events. Often in these books the battles are very small, at other times these are cataclysmic, however in every one of these events the winners is ultimately decided by an individual choice between stasis and progress. A single person has to decide the fate of the universe. To me, in many ways this defines the lapband process. Every day we are faced with moments of choice and if we choose properly we win the battle…but it is a new fight every day if you want to avoid stasis and make progress. Since I am an engineer who became marketing guy and that means for every problem I like to build a checklist of how to solve it and turn it into a visual diagram with simple steps so it is easy for people use and implement. I spend most of my days doing this for technology products and I was thinking about how to apply this to the lapband last night while I was on the elliptical machine. What are the key moments and choices for each day’s battle? I am sure the list will vary for most, but here are my moments for lapband success: 1. Choosing a High Protein Breakfast with supplements 2. Packing a good set of 8oz meals for the day before I leave for work 3. Eating the right midmorning meal, I brought to work 4. Choosing a High Protein Lunch 5. Eating the right late afternoon meal with pre-work out supplements (NO-Xplode) 6. Stopping at the gym everyday 7. Going into the Gym working hard 8. Drink a good high protein, low carb post work supplement drink (ISOPure Low carb…) 9. Choosing a High Protein Dinner These nine moments are like the recurring battles between those”primal forces“in the Eddings books. They only require an instant of choice, but they make the difference between stasis…or progress.

I can’t believe how much this topic comes up on the forum…”is the LAP-BAND® the easy way out…” http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f15/banded-living-ez-way-out-111243/ I am sure like most things there are as many opinions as there are people. I guess the net-net of my thoughts is who cares if it works. I love the help I am getting with the band and I don’t really care that I got help…I am getting the results I and looking for. Yes, I still have a long way to go, but I am half way there. I have not been under 300LBS in 20 year so I love taking the easy way out for those that want to call it that. Some people will get it and support us, some will not care one way or the other and unfortunately some will be ardently against the band. Unfortunately, this vocal group of detractors tends to be those closest to us…in many cases. It is fairly easy for me to be caviler, since I have a very thick skin and my immediate family talked me into doing the band. However, I continue to be amazed how much hardship others go through. I really do hate that fact so many people get so much resistance to helping themselves. I have some thoughts about this and here are my thoughts: 1. Is the band the easy way out…I have to say YES, I do think that the LAP-BAND® makes things easier…and I am glad it does…and I don’t care that it is easier. I have been much more successful with the band than without it. Let’s face it. if this was easy we would not have decided to use the band. Does that mean that it is simple and does not take work? Obviously the answer is no. It takes focus, patience, following the rules and persistence to make the band work, but it has been easier than trying to do it on my own. 2. Is the band the easy way out…some same NO, it is not the easy way out. You still have to do the same work for Pre-op, surgery, post-op, controlling what you eat and exercise. You can each Ben and Jerry’s all day and the band will not work. To me this is a question of perspective. As I said above, this one of many cases, where my opinion really does not matter. It is about what you feel. The problem is you will never convince those who have not been fat and been stuck in a fat body. They can’t really understand, and most of the detractors don’t want to comprehend the challenges. There are myriad reasons why some folks will think this is the easy way out. They are jealous, they are cruel, they are misinformed, they don’t want to see you change, they only feel better if others are worse off than them, they have low self esteem, they are afraid for you regarding surgery, they heard bad things, they read an article that said XY&Z and the list goes on. You have to do the pre-op alone, the surgery alone, chose the right foods alone, exercise alone and live with the choice alone. All of us who have had the band were required to make these choices alone and that is the key. In the end the choice to change and be better is done alone. Others might help and support, but only you can make the changes so ignore those who would hold you back, belittle you or otherwise hamper you from being everything you want to be in this life.

I can’t believe how much this topic comes up on the forum…”is the LAP-BAND® the easy way out…” http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f15/banded-living-ez-way-out-111243/ I am sure like most things there are as many opinions as there are people. I guess the net-net of my thoughts is who cares if it works. I love the help I am getting with the band and I don’t really care that I got help…I am getting the results I and looking for. Yes, I still have a long way to go, but I am half way there. I have not been under 300LBS in 20 year so I love taking the easy way out for those that want to call it that. Some people will get it and support us, some will not care one way or the other and unfortunately some will be ardently against the band. Unfortunately, this vocal group of detractors tends to be those closest to us…in many cases. It is fairly easy for me to be caviler, since I have a very thick skin and my immediate family talked me into doing the band. However, I continue to be amazed how much hardship others go through. I really do hate that fact so many people get so much resistance to helping themselves. I have some thoughts about this and here are my thoughts: 1. Is the band the easy way out…I have to say YES, I do think that the LAP-BAND® makes things easier…and I am glad it does…and I don’t care that it is easier. I have been much more successful with the band than without it. Let’s face it. if this was easy we would not have decided to use the band. Does that mean that it is simple and does not take work? Obviously the answer is no. It takes focus, patience, following the rules and persistence to make the band work, but it has been easier than trying to do it on my own. 2. Is the band the easy way out…some same NO, it is not the easy way out. You still have to do the same work for Pre-op, surgery, post-op, controlling what you eat and exercise. You can each Ben and Jerry’s all day and the band will not work. To me this is a question of perspective. As I said above, this one of many cases, where my opinion really does not matter. It is about what you feel. The problem is you will never convince those who have not been fat and been stuck in a fat body. They can’t really understand, and most of the detractors don’t want to comprehend the challenges. There are myriad reasons why some folks will think this is the easy way out. They are jealous, they are cruel, they are misinformed, they don’t want to see you change, they only feel better if others are worse off than them, they have low self esteem, they are afraid for you regarding surgery, they heard bad things, they read an article that said XY&Z and the list goes on. You have to do the pre-op alone, the surgery alone, chose the right foods alone, exercise alone and live with the choice alone. All of us who have had the band were required to make these choices alone and that is the key. In the end the choice to change and be better is done alone. Others might help and support, but only you can make the changes so ignore those who would hold you back, belittle you or otherwise hamper you from being everything you want to be in this life.

The LapBand…Is it the Easy Way Out…Who Cares if it Works! I can’t believe how much this topic comes upon the forum…”is the LapBand the easy way out…” http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f15/banded-living-ez-way-out-111243/ I am sure like most things there are as many opinions as there are people. I guess the net-net of my thoughts is who cares if it works. I love the help I am getting with the band and I don’t really care that I got help…I am getting the results I and looking for. Yes, I still have a long way to go, but I am half way there. I have not been under 300LBS in 20 year so I love taking the easy way out for those that want to call it that. Some people will get it and support us, some will not care one way or the other and unfortunately some will be ardently against the band. Unfortunately, this vocal group of detractors tends to be those closest to us…in many cases. It is fairly easy for me to be caviler, since I have a very thick skin and my immediate family talked me into doing the band. However, I continue to be amazed how much hardship others go through. I really do hate that fact so many people get so much resistance to helping themselves. I have some thoughts about this and here are my thoughts: 1. Is the band the easy way out…I have to say YES, I do think that the LapBand makes things easier…and I am glad it does…and I don’t care that it is easier. I have been much more successful with the band than without it. Let’s face it. if this was easy we would not have decided to use the band. Does that mean that it is simple and does not take work? Obviously the answer is no. It takes focus, patience, following the rules and persistence to make the band work, but it has been easier than trying to do it on my own. 2. Is the band the easy way out…some same NO, it is not the easy way out. You still have to do the same work for Pre-op, surgery, post-op, controlling what you eat and exercise. You can each Ben and Jerry’s all day and the band will not work. To me this is a question of perspective. As I said above, this one of many cases, where my opinion really does not matter. It is about what you feel. The problem is you will never convince those who have not been fat and been stuck in a fat body. They can’t really understand, and most of the detractors don’t want to comprehend the challenges. There are myriad reasons why some folks will think this is the easy way out. They are jealous, they are cruel, they are misinformed, they don’t want to see you change, they only feel better if others are worse off than them, they have low self esteem, they are afraid for you regarding surgery, they heard bad things, they read an article that said XY&Z and the list goes on. You have to do the pre-op alone, the surgery alone, chose the right foods alone, exercise alone and live with the choice alone. All of us who have had the band were required to make these choices alone and that is the key. In the end the choice to change and be better is done alone. Others might help and support, but only you can make the changes so ignore those who would hold you back, belittle you or otherwise hamper you from being everything you want to be in this life.

For me, it also has to do with how my body reacts to some carbs vs. others. oatmeal and Lentils are great, lots of carbs for energy and it does not trigger the craving for more carbs. You need to have some good carbs in your life, especially if you are exercising regularly. The real key is to listen to you body. We all have to experiment a bit with the band and find the things that work for us. I can't go super low in carbs and work out effectively. Keep trying things until you find the right balance. If there is one thing I have learned from this forum and the people here...one size does not fit all.

That is great news. Keep up the good work. Shaun

One thing I still have not completely mastered is not drinking during meals. I don’t guzzle stuff, but I do still drink a bit after I am done. Even if it is soup or stew or chili, typically it is water or iced tea. I just feel the need to have few decent sips of something to drink. Since I have not reached full restriction I have been able to get away with it, but I am sure it will catch up to me. Like most of the rules or guidelines related to the band I understand the reasons and implications. I will continue to work on this challenge.

One thing I still have not completely mastered is not drinking during meals. I don’t guzzle stuff, but I do still drink a bit after I am done. Even if it is soup or stew or chili, typically it is water or iced tea. I just feel the need to have few decent sips of something to drink. Since I have not reached full restriction I have been able to get away with it, but I am sure it will catch up to me. Like most of the rules or guidelines related to the band I understand the reasons and implications. I will continue to work on this challenge.

Keep it up. and congratulations.

One of the most difficult things for me as part of the band was finding the right portion sizes. As a newbie reading about sliming and PBing, it gave me significant reasons to pause and question if the band was the right choice for me. Obviously I got over the concerns and got the band, but in the spirit of optimizing this process, I still wanted to minimize the risk of ever having to go through the sliming experience. Veterans of the band would probably tell me the answer was simple…don’t eat more than your pouch can hold, avoid the major blocking foods, breads, rice and chew thoroughly when you do eat. While this is sound advice and I am doing my best to follow said advice, I needed better tools than my eyeballs and will power. Not to mention, relying on those before are part of what got me into this problem in the first place. To that end, my wife found two outstanding tools that are making banded life manageable. The first has been the Escali P115C food scale. This little device has stopped me from adding extra food and takes the guess work out of most meals. The second item is 8oz cups with lids like you find at the delicatessen. They also help me regulate food at restaurants. I bring an empty cup with me, order what I think I want, cut it up and only eat what fits in the cup. Yes, it is a little odd, but after spending this much money, going through the pre and post op issues, I want to optimize the process. I know this may sound a bit OCD, but it has worked. I like my body weight scale when it moves, but I love this one every day.

One of the most difficult things for me as part of the band was finding the right portion sizes. As a newbie reading about sliming and PBing, it gave me significant reasons to pause and question if the band was the right choice for me. Obviously I got over the concerns and got the band, but in the spirit of optimizing this process, I still wanted to minimize the risk of ever having to go through the sliming experience. Veterans of the band would probably tell me the answer was simple…don’t eat more than your pouch can hold, avoid the major blocking foods, breads, rice and chew thoroughly when you do eat. While this is sound advice and I am doing my best to follow said advice, I needed better tools than my eyeballs and will power. Not to mention, relying on those before are part of what got me into this problem in the first place. To that end, my wife found two outstanding tools that are making banded life manageable. The first has been the Escali P115C food scale. This little device has stopped me from adding extra food and takes the guess work out of most meals. The second item is 8oz cups with lids like you find at the delicatessen. They also help me regulate food at restaurants. I bring an empty cup with me, order what I think I want, cut it up and only eat what fits in the cup. Yes, it is a little odd, but after spending this much money, going through the pre and post op issues, I want to optimize the process. I know this may sound a bit OCD, but it has worked. I like my body weight scale when it moves, but I love this one every day.

Make sure you keep this list and let it motivate you. Many of us have gotten the band for vanity and issues that have nothing to do with health. Yes, the health benefits are great. Stay focused and you can reach your goals. In the end the only thing that counts is that you find a path that helps you get where you want to be. Best of luck.

I mentioned in one of my recent blogs that I went a Bon Jovi concert last week. The show was great and it was amazing watching women from 8-80 drool and swoon over Jon Bon. One of the rituals of going to almost any concert is getting the concert t-shirt. In the past, every time I pick a shirt I like, it is never available in my size 3XL or 4XL, which usually meant, I bought a baseball hat with the band logo instead. However, this time was different. Obviously, with the LapBand, I am losing weight so I asked what they had in 2XL and of course both of the shirts I wanted were available. So…thinking of the future I bought both shirts. I am glad to report that when I tried on the 2XL today it fit. I know this is a small victory, but it felt great and is one of those proof points that band is working and that I can do better in the future.

I mentioned in one of my recent blogs that I went a Bon Jovi concert last week. The show was great and it was amazing watching women from 8-80 drool and swoon over Jon Bon. One of the rituals of going to almost any concert is getting the concert t-shirt. In the past, every time I pick a shirt I like, it is never available in my size 3XL or 4XL, which usually meant, I bought a baseball hat with the band logo instead. However, this time was different. Obviously, with the LapBand, I am losing weight so I asked what they had in 2XL and of course both of the shirts I wanted were available. So…thinking of the future I bought both shirts. I am glad to report that when I tried on the 2XL today it fit. I know this is a small victory, but it felt great and is one of those proof points that band is working and that I can do better in the future.

Congrats you gotta love these little victories :smile2:

Menu Blog I do push the limits of the food budget 1300-1500 calories per day vs. the typical 800-1200 quoted by most doctors. I do this for 4 reasons: 1) I think that they (the doctors) under estimate the amount of protein people need. The higher I keep my protein the better weight comes off. 2) I lift weights and feel I need the extra protein 3) I want to keep my metabolism in as high a gear as I can 4) based on my target weight 190 lbs. I won’t have to make many changes when I get there. Key for my Menu First, one of my key tools is Vitol Egg protein powder. Second is packing all my meal in 8oz plastic containers so I don’t have to guess. Third, we make most of the items below in a big batch on Sunday and uses them during the week. Fourth, sometimes you have to eat out, when I do I stick to fish or soups/stews they are easier to digest. Fifth, I avoid directly adding carbs because they make my hungry between meals. Breakfast (5 am) Option 1: 1 whole egg and 3 egg whites, 1oz low fat cheese and sliced peppers and mushrooms Option 2: 1 Cup Oatmeal with Vitol Egg powder 2 Tablespoons (adds 24Grams of Protein) Option 3: 1Cup fat free yogurt with Vitol Egg powder 2 Tablespoons (adds 24Grams of Protein) Mid-Morning (9 am) Option 1: 1Cup fat free yogurt with Vitol Egg powder 2 Tablespoons (adds 24Grams of Protein) Option 2: 8oz Diced Chicken Salad Option 3: 2 String cheese and 1oz. Almonds Option 4: MuscleMilk Protein Shake Lunch (Noon) Option 1: 1 cup Turkey Chili with 1 oz of Cheese Option 2: 1 cup fat free fried beans with diced, onions, peppers and salsa Option 3: 8oz Diced Chicken or Tuna Salad Pre Work Out Meal Late Afternoon (4 pm) Supplements – Nitric Oxide Drink with Creatine, Gummy Vitamins, Gummy Omegas Option 1: ½ Cup fat free yogurt with Vitol Egg powder 2 Tablespoons (adds 24Grams of Protein) Option 2: 4oz Diced Chicken Salad Option 3: 1 String cheese and 1oz. Almonds Option 4: MuscleMilk Protein Shake Post Work Out Dinner Option 1: 6 oz Ahi Tuna Steak in olive oil and lemon pepper Option 2: 1 cup chipotle chicken crock pot stew with carrots, onion, mushrooms, peppers Option 3: 8oz Chicken Brest Happy Eating