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Elled2

LAP-BAND Patients

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Blog Entries posted by Elled2

  1. Healthy Snack

    · Elled2 · 09/07/15 01:55 AM

    Half a cup plain greek yogurt
    half a thinly sliced banana.
    Finely chopped strawberries (2)
    One scoop vanilla protein powder.
    1 Tablespoon natural peanut butter
    A few raspberries
    Topped with a natural granola.
     
    You can also use chocolate protein powder.
    It tastes a lot like cheesecake meets mousse.
     
    SO SO good for those days were swallowing isn't a b***h

  2. Hold my hair back.

    · Elled2 · 09/06/15 12:13 AM

    I've had my band for 3 years.
    Of those three years I spent one year struggling with swallowing anything, even my own saliva.
    It was the worst year of my entire life, but I looked damn good. I was the smallest weight I had ever been.
    I was active, I was shrinking, and I was cocky. I lost myself in my weight loss journey.
    My lap-band was too full, the restriction was so tight. I struggled to sip hot water.
    Nothing would slip through...and I became sick. I became the girl I never wanted to be.
    I never wanted to make myself ill so that I could accomplish weight loss.
    I fought my entire life so that I would not end up like those bulimic models on TV.
    But, I wasn't eating. And people noticed I was losing weight. I got compliments.
    I loved it. I lived an entire year with a restricted band. I would get a de-fill every few months.
    But I always got it filled back up as soon as I saw a number increase on the scale.
    I lost myself in my lap-band weight loss journey.
    I took advantage of a tool meant to help me on my weight loss journey.
    The lap-band is not magic. It will not make you lose weight simply by having it wrapped around your stomach.
    Like a hammer or a saw, the lap-band is a tool that you must use.
    It took my four years to learn that my band is not responsible for my weight loss.
    I was responsible for my weight loss; my band was just a tool I used to aide me in my journey.
    The moment I realized that I was abusing my resource, my life improved.
    My mental health became more positive, my physical health improved drastically.
    I saw a nutritionist and a dietitian to learn more about what my body needs to see positive, healthy weight loss.
    I was advised on taking over 7 natural vitamins a day that are essential for your body to function at a well enough pace to support the energy required for weight loss.
    The body is a machine, and it needs essential vitamins and nutrients to survive. So if you want to lose weight, don't take diet pills.
    Ask your doctor about your vitamin levels, and then incorporate more of what your lacking in your blood.
    Feed your body in ways that aren't necessarily food. In saying this, I don't mean don't eat. Absolutely eat whole foods.
    But don't neglect your body because you have a band, or a sleeve, or a by-pass. Remember that it is your machine, and
    the machine is run by you. You are in charge of your machine and it's resources. Take control of your relationship with your weight loss 'tools' and make your weight loss experience a positive one.
    I wish someone had told me this years ago when I was struggling with my weight. My mental relationship with my physical body has drastically improved. I have not thrown up in over 2 years. No one has had to hold my hair back after I binge eat in frustration.
    I always said that I eat when I am upset or angry or sad. I was an emotional eater. But I find that I don't crave food as much when I am distressed. And I believe that is because my brain/body is satisfied with the level of nutrients and vitamins I have supplied myself with through supplements because with a band it can be difficult to eat whole food.
    Knowing the restriction of your band is sometimes impossible, but the least we can do on those moments when we are too restricted is to provide our bodies with supplements as best we can so that our mind is not as distressed as our empty stomachs may feel.
    Give your body peace of mine and please take my advice. It really is a game changer in the weight loss journey.
     
    Very passionate about this topic as the realization was just so simple.
    Sorry if it got out of hand!

  3. Mind Games

    · Elled2 · 09/04/15 06:51 PM

    Despite having lost 70 lbs, my mind still treats my new body with the same grievances.
     
    'You're too fat to wear that outfit'.
    'You could use another 5lbs'
    'Are you really going to eat all those grapes? You don't need the extra calories!'
    'You skipped a workout? You're worthless'
     
    I shrank from 210 lbs to 140lbs. A size 18 pant to a size 6 pant. I started running, attending yoga, making friends, feeling confident... but every morning when I would wake up and look in the mirror while getting dressed I would see it. The 5 more pounds, the stretch mark, the surgery scar... and then my mind would start to play games.
     
    Despite my weight loss success, my mind kept dragging me back to the mind of my 210lb self. The version of me that was self-conscious, that hid beneath clothes three sizes too big. The 'fat' version of myself. The mind games I play with myself are relentless, after all I am my greatest critic. No one could out criticize me because I live with myself 24/7. I am my biggest barrier and I am my greatest cheerleader.
     
    Weight loss is hard. It is as much a physical battle as it is a mental battle.
    Be kind to yourself.
     
    In being kind to yourself, you will be amazed at how plateaus transform into progress. You will be more dedicated to your weight loss journey. Hush the little voice in your head telling you can't and show yourself that you can. If you don't feel like going on a run, walk around your neighbourhood. If you want a piece of cake or a sugary treat, find a recipe that is healthier but you still feel naughty indulging.
     
    Life is supposed to be lived so that you can learn and grow. Stop the mind games, smash the mirror, and set achievable, realistic goals for your weight loss journey.
     
    I advise you to make positive mental growth a top priority; weight loss will follow.

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