Bozzj

let me preface this blog by saying that up until 4 months ago i was ms. lapband usa. i swear, i was. i worked out 4-5x a week--like REALLY worked out, i ate right and i judged others when they fell off the lapband wagon. I mean i didn't really know it then...it wasn't conscience, but thinking back i think i thought i would NEVER do it again--you know, eat like whoa and pretend the weight was going on my abnormally thin friend instead of my a$$. August 31st...4 months of denial...17lbs higher than my lowest weight of 205. Now granted i was only that weight for like 3 days, but still. So here i am armed with excuses: just found out in the last few months my grandma is termally ill, work is really bad at the moment, and was stressed with thinking my husband and i couldn't have a baby because he's on a certain medication. See the thing is...most people would say "omg that's totally understandable..." etc etc etc until i gained back all the weight i lost. So here i am, looking at what i've done and realizing that i am not ms. perfect lapband. and honestly, that's ok. it's got to be ok. otherwise i'll eat some chocolate crying about my failure. Today, i'm being accountable...and i'm also realizing that i'm human. I will not be perfect in this journey, but i will be honest with myself and accountable. 17lbs up. let's see how many i can get back down. this is day one of my 'omg it's me that's getting fat, not her' diet launch. wish me luck. :smile2:

let me preface this blog by saying that up until 4 months ago i was ms. lapband usa. i swear, i was. i worked out 4-5x a week--like REALLY worked out, i ate right and i judged others when they fell off the lapband wagon. I mean i didn't really know it then...it wasn't conscience, but thinking back i think i thought i would NEVER do it again--you know, eat like whoa and pretend the weight was going on my abnormally thin friend instead of my a$$. August 31st...4 months of denial...17lbs higher than my lowest weight of 205. Now granted i was only that weight for like 3 days, but still. So here i am armed with excuses: just found out in the last few months my grandma is termally ill, work is really bad at the moment, and was stressed with thinking my husband and i couldn't have a baby because he's on a certain medication. See the thing is...most people would say "omg that's totally understandable..." etc etc etc until i gained back all the weight i lost. So here i am, looking at what i've done and realizing that i am not ms. perfect lapband. and honestly, that's ok. it's got to be ok. otherwise i'll eat some chocolate crying about my failure. Today, i'm being accountable...and i'm also realizing that i'm human. I will not be perfect in this journey, but i will be honest with myself and accountable. 17lbs up. let's see how many i can get back down. this is day one of my 'omg it's me that's getting fat, not her' diet launch. wish me luck.

my diet during the week is lean cuisines (lunch and dinner). is it the best option health wise? no. but i lose weight well on them and it helps me with portion control. depends on how tight you are in terms of what you can eat. i can eat them all.

aww you were banded on my birthday! see i've been at the same weight for a month, but it's because i'm eating badly on the weekends:thumbdown: If you are eating right...why don't you start writing down your food intake and posting it on the thread in this section (what did you eat today). It helps all remain accountable. I asked my doctor your question a while ago and he said this (and he put it bluntly): If you are eating right, staying within a good calorie range for you (varies depending on each person) and exercising you will lose weight. If you aren't--you may think you're doing it all right, but you are not (for your body). That being said, again post it up here so we can maybe look at the types of foods you eat and see if you can swap out things that might help you out of your slump. Losing weight is all math--you have to burn more than you eat. I hate this!! I Wish i could eat more than i burn hehehe :eek:

well i'm not a doctor, but my advice is if it's working for you...go with it, but make sure you get your vitamins in because you're not getting them with food. i would maybe sneak in some milk though...or yogurt or something. just realize you can't eat like that for the rest of your life..ya know? so when you're ready you may want to introduce some other foods. i know how it feels though to stick with what works. I eat lean cuisines during the week like they are going out of style!!! i just can't muster up the energy to cook after the gym. not the most healthy option, but it works for me. Good luck!! Seems like you're doing great.

eww!! First off most people would not say that to your face lol...well in jersey they wouldn't because us jersey gals can get rough if you mess with us!! :mad2: Second, all weight gain is a mental issue. I'm sorry--maybe this will not make me popular for saying this--but i believe very few people gain 100lbs because they just love food that much. I gained 150 because i 1) love food and 2) ate when bored and lonely. It was how i would cope with anything. SO if my theory is correct--then WW peps would have the same freaking issue!! I don't tell everyone that I have the band--just those i trust because many are ignorant.

i drink coffee every day. i didn't, however, the first 6 months or so. let's face it--regardless of what doctors say--if most of us are going to be successful we need to make life changes. so, i felt it was necessary for me to omit it in the beginning, but once i started to feel more in control i started to allow myself the things i like and crave--like coffee. moderation is a key thing--and with coffee that's no exception. for me, when i drink it i just include those calories and work out my meals with that in consideration. is it worth it to you to subtract like 50-100 cal of your food for it (assuming you add milk)? it so, you may want to incorporate it back into your diet at a later date.

Hi I would call your doctor as well. If everything looks ok from him I would totally change the types of foods you are eating. Eliminate carbs completely for a week to see if that jump starts you...change the type of exercise you do so that your body gets confused....and lastly, eat less. I know 1000 cal isn't that much, but technically my doc wants me to eat between 800-900 cal a day (i try to monday-thursday). Maybe introduce greek yogurt...lean meats & cheeses...salads, etc. Whenever i get "stuck" in the same place for a week or more I change up my diet and it works every time.

i'm another fan of oatmeal with pb and syrup. except i use the instant high Fiber kind-made with water- and stir in a teaspoon of pb and low fat syrup. yum. i also really like organic greek yogurt with honey (that's the flavor- stonefields or something makes it) with some chopped almonds. i also like vita muffin tops (100 cal)...any of the chocolate flavors rock Vitalicious- 100 Calorie Muffins, Muffin Tops, Brownies and Healthy recipes hmm. what else. i like flourless bread toasted (sold in the frozen section) with some pb and all fruit spread on it. on the weekends when i have time to make a real breakfast i usually have scrambled eggs with greek feta (the good stuff from a specialty store) and good quality olives...mixed in with quite a bit of paprika. sounds gross, i know..but if you like the ingredients its super yummy.

I know how you feel with the fills...if i get more than .2 or .4 i need to get an unfill...so i'm always scared to get more in lol. I think weight watchers would be good if you need structure. I have my own "program" that works for me and my needs. Since i'm approaching a year of having the band..i crave much more. I want "splurge" foods often. So i have them. Just to give you an idea you may want to consider here's what i do that's been working: First, mon-fri i post in the food section on this board on everything i eat. I post the good, bad and ugly. Monday-Thursday i'm pretty strict on my diet. Although, today i woke up wanting sweets so i planned them out to stay within my calorie structure for the day (see the thread for specifics). Friday: i eat whatever (that's my weigh in day). I drink a nice latte and have whatever for Breakfast, lunch and dinner (same volume of food--just more caloric options). Saturday and Sunday: i wake up to a nice latte (these are my fav) and i watch what i eat for breakfast and lunch and then eat whatever for dinner (again i don't binge..just allow myself anything i crave--within reason). So, this works for me because as i'm sick of eating healthy monday-thursday---i just think to myself "well my cheat days are coming" and i lose about a lb or so a week. I should note, however, that i do work out which i'm sure helps.

Congrats on your wedding! Well for me, I never order an appetizer and i lovingly force others not to either lol (if they do i just talk a lot while they eat) lol. I tend to order fish a lot...i can eat basically anything, but i know your diet may be restricted. Hey just focus on the lovin:smile: and not food. Eat slow. if something isn't going down well stop eating it:lol: And enjoy your honeymoon!!

i go to the gym and to cardio classes, but sometimes i just feel like working out at home. I--personally--hate really hard to learn routines so i have several leslie sansone "in house walking tapes." They are fun (i like t he walk your waistline and the advanced 5 mile tape--you can stop at each mile marker) and they are easy (the steps). Amazon has them really cheap, but she has her own website as well.

no pre-op diet for me. my doc doesn't believe in it (every doctor is different). the post op diet ..now that was hell. lost a ton...but was very hungry for 6 weeks lol.

i don't eat fast food very often because the high fat content gives me an "effect" if ya know what i mean. I have had wendy's chicken nuggets and even some of a small fry a couple of times. I've had wendy's chili as well. if i'm in a rush (and with my work and gym schedule i don't get home until almost 8pm during the week) i eat lean cuisines...it's a healthier version of fast food. i can eat their flat breads and pizzas with no problem...i just take my time and chew.

well i'm not really stressed...i'm normal. i wouldn't mind the noise if i didn't have this "pain" feeling in the center of my chest...i wonder if it'll just pass...ugh

Hi, I've been banded since April and today i'm experiencing something new. I don't typically get sick or have problems eating much (i.e. lean cuisine pizzas, etc)...but today i'm so tight that when i took a sip of my iced latte it's making that bubbling noise and is taking a while to go down (and just uncomfortable--not really painful though...just really tight feeling). I'm trying to think what I did differently to cause this and the only thing is i had a big workout last night and also did sit-ups for the first time (30). Could that be it? It's so weird to only have this happen now. ugh i really want that latte too!! Thanks for your help in advance.

that's the kind i buy--high fiber. i tried this and i'm hooked...totally good!!

i drink coffee everyday and my doc is ok with it...and he's pretty strict. did he say why? i personally cannot give up coffee

i'm totally going to try this tomorrow am. i eat oatmeal often...i bet this will make it yumm-may hehe

Sorry i didn't read this before posting before. Livingston is far from NYC (40 minutes without any traffic)...and it's not the best area--especially at night. I'm not sure if i'll drive there or not...so i guess put me as a maybe.

i'm ok with either nj or nyc because i live in north jersey. i recommend that if you "do it" in nj you have it close to NYC...like in Secaucus or at the Meadowlands..then it would be 10 minutes from the city and people can enjoy it more. Just a suggestion. So, count me in...just let me know the details when you have them.

sounds yummy. i always crave sheperd's pie when it's chilly outside. i use some help from the store during the week due to time issues... pre-made mash (real) in refrigerated section bird's eye steam bag veggies (i use the garlic peas & mushrooms) 1lb lean ground beef reduced fat cheese can ff cream of mushroom can golden mushroom preheat oven to 400 so i start browning my meat. meanwhile i pop in the veggies in the micro. when they are done (veggies) i pop the mash in the micro. So when the mean is browned i add the veggies and about (i don't measure) 2 tablespoons of each Soup. Stir. Dump the meat in a pam'd dish. top with cooked mash. add some cheese. cook until brown and melty. I know many are "afraid" of carbs, but i find that for me--if i still eat what i crave, but i make sure i measure it...then i stay on track. it's work for me so far. :wink_smile:

i think most strict programs say no Snacks, but it's my body and i do what i want--as long as it's food that won't hurt my band. I do, however, notice i lose less when i snack (i'm in a snack mode the last week or two). i bought a few different kinds of 100 cal. packs and i will never...do that again (ok well i'll try not too, hehe). See, i eat them because i like the taste of them..not because i'm hungry. i stayed the same last week because i had 2 snacks a day...these 100 cal things..ugh. i need to cut it out!! so my answer is use your judgement. you know what is right and wrong..and what is overeating and what is not. ya know? some weeks you may need it...others you may not.

thanks. yeah i really like beans and when made as "cakes" they taste fattening lol. really. i feel like i'm eating fast food and it keeps my head on straight. plus they reheat really well.

i posted "black eyed pea cakes" that i make every single week. Just do a search. Love them. I also make black bean cakes every week. The recipe is: Black Bean Cakes Lime Sour Cream: 1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice 1 small fresh jalapeno pepper, minced salt to taste Bean Cakes: 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 4 green onions, thinly sliced 6 cloves garlic, pressed 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, finely diced 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 (14.5 ounce) cans black Beans, drained and rinsed salt and black pepper to taste 2 cups grated raw sweet potato (i microwaved these for a minute to ensure they were cooked) 1 egg, lightly beaten 1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs (i used italian because it's what i had) To prepare lime sour cream, mix the sour cream, lime juice, 1 small minced jalapeno, and salt together in a small bowl. Cover, and refrigerate. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook green onions until softened, about 1 minute. Stir in garlic, 2 diced jalapenos, and cumin; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer contents of skillet to a large bowl. Stir in black beans, and mash with a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix in sweet potatoes, egg, and bread crumbs. Divide into 8 balls, and flatten into patties. In the oven, set cooking rack about 4 inches from heat source. Set oven to broil. Lightly grease baking sheet with 1 tablespoon oil. Place bean patties on baking sheet, and broil 8 to 10 minutes. Turn cakes over, and broil until crispy, about 3 minutes more. Serve with lime sour cream. *I also added a little light cheddar cheese on top (and one time i added light mexican blend cheese). I'm a cheese freak so i liked it better this way.