HarleyGirl

I went out to dinner tonight with my daughter and my best friend....... I was sooooooooooooooooooooo proud of myself.... I didn't drink with my meal....huge deal for a diet coke guzzler like my *former* self.... I ordered a bowl of potato cheese Soup (I'm still on mushies).....ate a little less than half of it....ignored the giant slab of corn bread (Marie Callendars)....brought it home to hubby.....and still have leftover soup for lunch tomorrow.... Had a GREAT visit with my two favorite women in the world........they both ate regular meals and as we were leaving my BF said..."Geez, now you make me feel like a pig...." It feels good to know that I CAN DO THIS, I TRULY CAN!

I have no earthly idea.....apparently there were some things that were explained more in depth if you were actually there....:huh2: I have cleared my calendar for next month, though......kind of a PITA to drive an hour for the meetings, but I'll certainly give it a go one time to see if it's worthwhile.

When you're ready....remember that Utah has "The Greatest Snow on Earth".....I live 20 minutes from the ski resort that hosted the men's and women's downhill and Super G races in the 2002 Olympics. I would so join you on that (not the downhill race hill, but the bunny) hill and SHRED!

There was a support group meeting at my hospital tonight, I didn't make it, but they were kind enough to email me the information.....thought I would share it with you guys....some good tips! Mindful Eating Strategy #1: Think 20 percent more or less Dish out 20% less than you think you might need, you probably won’t miss it Eat until you are 80% full For fruits and vegetables think 20% more. Strategy #2: See all that you eat Pre-plate your food; don’t eat directly out of a package. Put your snack in a dish and leave the kitchen. See it while you are eating it. Keep reminders of your food. Glasses, wine bottles, bones, ect. Will remind you how much you have eaten. Strategy #3 Be your own tablescaper Mini-size bowls and boxes, repackage jumbo size food into smaller containers Become an illusionist-make smaller portions look bigger by serving them on smaller plates. Beware of the double danger of leftovers. If you have them it means you made too much of the original meal and the more leftovers you bring out of the frig, the more you will eat. Strategy #4 Make Overeating a Hassle, Not a Habit Leave serving dishes in the kitchen so you have to get up to get seconds. It gives you time to ask yourself, ‘Am I Hungry?’ De-conveinience tempting foods. Put them in a high cupboard that you have to stand on a chair to reach. Reseal them, wrap them, and put them back in the frig or freezer. Snack only at the table and on a clean plate. This makes it less convenience to serve and clean up. Strategy #5 Create Distraction Free Eating Scripts Rescript our diet danger zones-trying different things/different habits Dinners Snacks Parties Resturants Desk/Dashboards [*]Distract yourself before you snack—eat in one room only [*]Serve yourself before you start Strategy #6 Create Expectations that make you a better cook. We taste what we expect to taste Tell them what is for dinner any two words “home-style pasta”, “Cajun chicken” Fix the atmosphere when you fix the food—soft lights, soft music, nice table cloth Strategy #7 Make Comfort Foods More Comforting Don’t deprive yourself—one reasons traditional diets fail is that they deprive us of the food and lifestyle we enjoy. Eat comfort food in small amounts. Rewire your comfort foods—if they consist mostly of the four c’s-cake, cookie, candies, chips, substitute for other more healthy versions Strategy #8: Crown yourself the official gatekeeper Be a good marketer-food should be neither a punishment nor a reward. Offer variety-try new things Use the half plate rule—half of the meal needs to be veggies Make serving sizes official.-package servings individually and put them away. Don’t leave them out on the counter where others will see them and snack. Strategy #9 Portion Size me Beware of the Health Halo-McDonalds vs. Subway Think small and super-share—toss out what isn’t good and what you won’t eat.

Congrats on your loss and your very positive attitude! Here's to more success along the way!

Can I get an AMEN for Fenton??!!?? As much as we'd like to have a rewind button.....there just isn't such a thing....all we can do is move forward. I've tended to be one of those "F*ck it, I've already blown it" kind of people as well.....but like you say, that just isn't an option anymore....esp for me as a self-pay.....I've got pain, hardware and seriousl cash tied up in my guts......I have no choice but to go forward!

NO!! Remember the part about it being a great stress reliever......it is a good time to NOT talk to each other.....:thumbs_up:

THANK YOU, Amanda! I saved it this time....... I love my bike....I've been riding for about seven years...it's a great stress reliever for me! This is mine all loaded down (the black and white one), we took a 3,000 mile trip through Southern Utah, Arizona and Nevada last year.....it was glorious!

At some point in this thread....there was a post that had sort of a guideline regarding how many calories a day were recommended for each stage.....I meant to copy and paste it in a word document, but forgot.....any help? I'm worrying about how I'm eating.....I'm staying under 1000 a day and making sure that carbs are lower than protein.....staying lowfat....but still, I worry. Feeling a little more hungry lately........may start thinking about an adjustment in the next two or three weeks....

I work at our local Harley Davidson dealership.......in motorclothes..... it's a great job!

WOW, WOW, WOW.....WHAT A DIFFERENCE.....especially in your tummy! MOST EXCELLENT! I kick myself for not taking before pictures.....I thought about it, but just didn't.....

CONGRATS, DIVA!!! As far as lunches, I am soooooooooo lucky.....I live about four blocks from my shop, so I can just jet home for lunch and have whatever....sure makes it easy!

Smokin' HAWT.......beautiful pictures! You must be sooooooooooo proud of yourself...... now I have another idea for a goal reward!

Just to get to know each other a little better...... I live in Northern Utah....about 35 miles north of Salt Lake City... I'm a retired police officer, spent 23 years on the department and retired in January of 2006.....now I work retail for Golden Spike Harley-Davidson. Just part time, but it's a fun job. I worked two years as a bail bond agent, but I didn't like that very much....was glad to get the gig at the harley shop where people are happy!

That IS a long day, Teri! Don't be surprised when you come home positively exhausted! My first week back to work was brutal......but all good now.... Have a good first day back.....

Next mini goal.....hmmmm.....under 200 by May 1st! It's been a long time since my body has been in ONEderland! The numbers and the way I feel are really a reward in themselves......but yes, I should probably buy myself something pretty.....saw some killer spring Steve Madden shoes at DSW today!

If you want to appreciate your band even more......stop by: Duodenal Switch Post-op Experience - Duodenal Switch Support Forum The greatest recommendation is for: Poo~Pourri I'm happy for people that it's worked for.....but soooooooooooooo not for me.

Perhaps I am paying for the sins of my past........but for now, things have been pretty low key.....nothing in the last few days that would make me have the gas pain....UGH.... I've been on heat for the last two hours and it's helped........maybe I just did one of those 'as you get older' move wrong things.....

If you can get past the cheesy set/infomercial feel, it really is some good stuff.....very bandster friendly....watch your portions, eat slowly, chew, chew, chew....sound familiar? I did get totally hoked out when he started on the pressure point thing, though.....tapping my forehead will make me NOT want to eat chips....hmmmmmmmmmmm highly unlikely.

Anyone still having shoulder pain? I'm tellin' you it's excrutiating today......I can't even take a deep breath. I've got a hot pack on it right now and it helps, but DANG. I've had it off and on since my surgery on the 18th, but today it's just horrible.....

I would never advise someone to go against their surgeon's orders....please call your doctor and talk to them before you do it.

Okay....but still chocolate with things I'd never eat....so same/same! :biggrin2::biggrin2::biggrin2:

KERRI! Congrats on the jeans, girl! I do understand what a big deal it is not to have a size with a "W" behind it! WOO HOO! LISA! Good for you....and yes, we can all be selfish a bit right now. You are absolutely correct in taking a stand. This is such an important time to get and stay on the right track...... FENTON! 10%....that's a huge milestone! Still a few pounds off for me....but yes, certainly reward worthy! Let us know what you decide.....as long as it's not chocolate covered earthworms or what the hell ever you saw the other night!

PAID OFF! After what seemed like FOREVER (really only five days).....IT MOVED and I'm officially down TWENTY POUNDS! Ah, it feels good!

Christine I think we've all been there to one extent or another......I did horrible secret eating things.....buy two packages of oreos....eat one and put the other in the cabinet with two or three Cookies out of it....so no one would know I ate the whole package. I always figured anything I ate in my car didn't count.....I could mow through a bag of chips or candy on the way home from the grocery store.....then stash the empty bag in the outside trash before anyone saw it.......and I always threw the receipt away so no one could check and see what was on it......even though NO ONE has EVER looked at a grocery store receipt. I'm so glad you're working through it......I'm trying, too! One thing to think about are the "LBT's"......and I'm not talking about Lap Band Talk this time.....it's "Licks, Bites, and Tastes"......as much as we'd like to think they're all freebies, fact remains....they're NOT. I agree that keeping a totally honest food journal....if you eat one chip, log one chip.....if you have another one an hour later....log that. You may surprise yourself. I HAVE to stay away from those kinds of foods for now.....even a bite will send me in to a tailspin....I don't have an off button. I've tried to file a warranty claim.....but alas, no call back.