Bozzj

i felt the same way in the beginning. see the thing is--at least for me--food is still my comfort. when i'm celebrating i go out to eat. when i'm sad--i'll have a snack that evening. i still eat what i love--crab cakes, potatoes and soups (yes even cream based ones). i just do all this in small portions. so the difference is..when i have a crappy day and feel the urge to binge..as most of us have...i stop myself...i say "ok i can treat myself today one time" and i stick to it. a typical day for me (like today) is: breakfast: cereal (Just a half a cup) lunch: 1 small crab cake & 4 bites of potatoes (quite a bit of dipping sauce) dinner: potato soup with a few croutons See, i eat what i want...and i enjoy it too. After you get past the first 6-8 weeks--it will get easier. Just don't cheat...trust that this will work for you..and i promise you..when you lose some weight and people come up to you saying "damn girl" you will not want to binge. just take my word for it. Good luck to ya!!

i don't track it..then again i don't really track my calories either. i eat food with fat...i just make sure i stay in my portion size range so that i can still enjoy the things i love--reasonably. i just avoid bread (not crackers/crountons though) and pasta and rice. other than that i just try to eat as healthy as possible, but if i want a crab cake--i eat one. keeps me sane...but that's just me.

a snack i really like is the cook n serve sf choc. pudding..made with skim and while it's hot add peanut butter. i love it.

this sounds great. i'm going to try it.

first--sounds like you've done such a great job! congrats. it sounds like you do not have an issue with doing more...but more of an issue with getting "lazy" and losing motivation. So, why don't you tell people around you--those you are friendly with--that you need to lose 22lbs to be healthy. ask them to call you out when you're "cheating" isn't that what many of us do when we start our 'diets' anyway (or in the past i kept it quiet so i can cheat and no one would know i was trying to lose lol). you need to be accountable again. tell people that when you reach for cake for them to hand you some cheese instead lol. i mean--it works if you're really ready to step back up to the plate and lose the last 22lbs. i mean you're almost there!!! imagine if back when you started someone told you that you could be healthy if you just lost 22lbs! we'd all do it in a second! if i were you--i'd make one "cheat day" a week...that day you can snack on some cake or whatever (just not binge) and that way you don't feel cheated. you can do it...you've done SO much already. Here's what I've done: I've lost almost 52lbs in like 4 months or so...so everyone at work is like "wow don't lose much more" (ahh, i'm STILL 100lbs overweight lol..but they are used to seeing me so much bigger i look slim to them). I told them "well my doctor recommends i lose 100 more so i can be healthy." I was surprised at how they responded to that--so caring and concerned. when you drop the "healthy" word people will respond to you as well. good luck.

Hi, My doctor gave me one. To be honest, I never used it. I usually just order a meal (without bread/rice) and eat what I can and bring it home. Usually my intent is to eat it the next day, but my hubby usually gets to it before then. :thumbup: For me, i like to feel "normal" lol. Whatever that means...i guess i feel good when i can order a normal meal and i stop when i'm full.

well if my head needs something (which it usually does a few times a week) i have a skinny cow ice cream (80 cals) or if i'm really craving junk food i'll have a weight watcher frozen dessert. Head hunger is the one thing i still struggle with---especially while watching tv at night. i don't usually snack too much during the day.

I made this for dinner last night and it was SO good. A few tips: 1). i could not find adobo sauce for the life of me, but i realized that if you go to your mexican aisle- they have chipotle peppers in adobo. I used a teaspoon of that sauce. 2). this is a little messy when you make into patties. Make sure you heat your pan first--with a little oil--and then have flour next to you. It will stick on your hands, but i just put a tad of flour on both sides and it was no problem. This took me about 20 minutes to make. Ingredients 1/4 cup fat-free sour cream 1 teaspoon adobo sauce 1 (15.8-ounce) can no-salt-added black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion 1/2 teaspoon bottled minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 large egg white, lightly beaten 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil 1/4 cup (about 1 ounce) shredded Monterey Jack cheese Preparation 1. Combine sour cream and adobo sauce in a small bowl. 2. Place Beans in a medium bowl; partially mash beans with a fork. Stir in breadcrumbs and next 7 ingredients (through egg white). With floured hands, divide pea mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping each portion into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. 3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to pan; cook 2 minutes on each side or until golden and thoroughly heated. Remove from pan; top each cake with 1 tablespoon cheese. Serve with sour cream mixture. Yield 4 servings (serving size: 1 patty and about 1 tablespoon sauce) Nutritional Information CALORIES 173(33% from fat); FAT 6.3g (sat 2.1g,mono 2.4g,poly 0.9g); Iron 2mg; CHOLESTEROL 59mg; Calcium 118mg; CARBOHYDRATE 19.3g; SODIUM 462mg; Protein 10.2g; Fiber 3.6g Martha Condra , Cooking Light, SEPTEMBER 2008

Hi! You may want to look at the "what are you eating today" thread. We all share our good, bad and ugly over there:redface: to be honest i don't count calories that much..sometimes when i'm not lazy i put my foods on www.dailyplate.com but often i forget. typical foods i eat are: slim fast with Peanut Butter (breakfast) or high Fiber oatmeal and often times my darn chai tea latte from starbucks:eek: lunch usuals are: small Soup from local deli (i just don't order the ones with rice/pasta in them, but i eat creamy ones..and i have 1 serving of oyster crackers. Or salads, or chicken/tuna salad. Dinner: i make a frittata every week for dinner, tonight i'm making black eyed pea cakes (cooking light), tomorrow is leftover meatloaf and we'll order out one night (fridays i go out with the girls). I really eat whatever i want except for steak (tough meats), bread (except for a few times), Pasta & rice. I do eat crackers though because it keeps me sane and feeling like i'm not on a "diet." Snacks: dole fruit cups (that's a biggie with me), sf pudding, slimfast Protein snack bars. I've had 3 fills--have in 6.6. Honestly, i think i could probably eat most things without trouble if i tried...

you know i've been craving pancakes!! i'm still not that tight (6.6 in band) so i may go crazy and make these on saturday:lol:

Hi Susie I'm from north jersey too. I think you'll be fine...i personally had more trouble with not eating...plus you're mind will be on relaxing:smile:

Last night I made this and it was quick, good and healthy. 1 can of ff/low sod. chicken stock 3 tablespoons of cornstarch 1 can ff evaporated milk 1 onion 5ish potatoes (small to med size. adjust if needed) handful shredded carrots, chopped 1 celery stalk, finely chopped s &p *water and/or skim milk if needed* toppings: cheese (part skim) and/or bacon/turkey bacon if you want Saute chopped onion, celery and carrots for about 4 minutes on med. heat. Meanwhile, peel and chop potatoes. Throw them in the pot and cover with chicken stock. I needed to put a splash of Water on top to cover the veggies. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes (covered). Meanwhile, put about 1/4 cup of the milk in a bowl and whisk in the cornstarch one tablespoon at a time. Add to the pot. Stir. bring to a boil and add the remaining milk. Season the Soup. I used a hand blender to blend the soup. You don't have to though (although it did make it very creamy). Add toppings if you want them. This took me about 20 minutes.

Hi!! Shoot i'm going to my aunt's in long island that day (the one day i make family plans lol). But let me know next time...

Hi Everyone, I'm new to this thread...from Bergen County NJ (near paramus). I was banded in April-lost just under 45ish lbs. I'm in an exercising rut...but other than that i haven't had problems with the band. anyone ever get together and whatnot? Jamie

ooh see my post..i'm in need of a mentor too. how is this working? not sure how we all get paired..

I'm not sure how this works and all...i was banded in april and lost 44ish lbs...but sometimes i struggle with "head hunger" and keeping myself motivated. I have not exercised hardly at all..would love to have someone to just talk to about these things. any takers? i'm from nj if that matters. pm me! Jamie

i remember the first 6-8 weeks and it was hell. i was still hungry and i had to do all the work (not much help from the band). my suggestion would be to write down what you eat (or use dailyplate.com) and change it. i would eat less and just suffer through it because i promise it will get better. a typical day for me then was: b: 1/2 cup yogurt or oatmeal OR Protein Shake with 1 teaspoon Peanut Butter (skim milk) l: tuna, chicken, or egg salad with 2 tablespoons of mayo (1/2 cup)--i ate it without bread OR deli meat rolled up with a piece of cheese d: Protein based meal (1/2 cup total). After 6 weeks i was allowed to eat a cup at a time. Good Luck!

I got this from Rachael Ray and it was really good. Very moist and easy to eat. food network doesn't have the recipe posted so i had to wing it based on what i saw on the show... Time: 15 minutes 1lb ground chicken (lean) shredded carrots, big handful celery, finely chopped (handful) 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped blue cheese crumbles, a sprinkle buns (i didn't eat it on a bun, but my husband did) olive oil, 2 tablespoons or so s & p to taste tomato paste, 2 squirts from the tube (or if from a can 2 tablespoons) hot sauce, 1/3 cup whistershire sauce, 1 tablespoon 8 oz tomato sauce brown sugar, 2 tablespoon chicken stock, 3 tablespoons or so heat pan with olive oil and brown chicken. once brown add onions and garlic. Once tender (about 3 minutes) add celery and carrots. season with s & p. meanwhile, combine last 5 ingredients in a bowl and stir until mixed. when celery and carrots are tender add sauce and stir. add tomato paste and stir. let cook for about 5 minutes or so. i ate this with just some blue cheese on top, but if using buns build the sandwhiches and top with cheese.

Thanks everyone. Examples of what to eat...first, i go to the "what did you eat today" thread under food every single day--georgia girl has some awesome ideas. Yesterday i had: B: Atkins protein shake (20g p) blended with some ice. *Note: i know it's not good to drink your food, but i enjoy milkshakes and having this in the mornings makes me feel good...so i do it. On weekend days when i have time to cook i make 3 slices of turkey bacon and 1 scrambled egg. L: I often make tuna salad on a wasa cracker. Or egg salad. Or grilled chicken/shrimp over a green salad. Yesterday i went to my grandmas (she eats "dinner" at 2pm lol) so i had one meatball and a side of broc. In the afternoon i drink Protidiet's concentrated drinks..i LOVE the grape flavor. 70 cals and like 15g of p. D: Yesterday i had a deli sliced turkey rolled up with a laughing cow low fat cheese--about 4oz. If i'm still short of the 70g of p..i'll have another concentrated drink in the pm. Honestly, i don't sweat it as long as i average 70 most of the week. I do the best I can to get to where I need to be and I've learned to stop punishing myself if i don't. The one thing i do avoid is eating foods that could damage my band. For example, today i'm sick and for lunch i got potato soup (1cup) with cheese and bacon. CLEARLY a wrong choice, but it can't hurt me physically--like pasta could potentially. So, i've made a choice that i won't make everyday and i'll make a good choice for dinner. I feel so much better that way and honestly it's easy to stay on this path that way. Hope some of this helps.

So i've been banded for 3 months and i've lost 41.6lbs. I keep losing each week and i've decided to look back in my journal and see what's "making this work." The day i opted to get the band (i'm self pay...even though my insurance would have covered it) i decided i needed to do something. I'm 29, 5'5 and 250lbs (was 292 the day i got banded). I have people all the time ask me what the "secret" is...and i just say that i'm ready. To someone who is in my shoes...you all know what that means...skinny people just nod and stare. So what am i doing? I guess i'm on the non-diet diet. I've realized that i allow myself to eat a lot of things--like crab cakes, tuna salad with real mayo, potato salad at a bbq, etc. Normally, pre-band, i'd eat a mountain of these things and feel guilty the next day (then eat because i would feel like a failure). You probably know how that feels. So how can you lose while eating (basically) what you want? I'm sure all of you are shouting in your heads SMALL PORTIONS. I guess my "secret" is that i make my meal about protein (so i've never had pasta, bread or rice--that includes pizza and such) but i haven't cared so much if it has fat. To date--it's working--and i realize i may need to change that as i get closer to goal. I listen to my body (which is harder than one would think--again--skinny people don't get that)--i try to make decent choices, but i allow myself to enjoy the things i crave as long as they avoid the listed items above (oh and no desserts). For me--it's a good balance between what i crave and the things i have to give up. I can eat enough of the "cheating" things to make me feel like a bowl of pasta is no biggie. For someone else that balance may be different, but i think it's important to find what works and really believe in it. I've noticed that for the first time i stand a little taller and dream a little bigger. I have a very long road ahead of me, but i'm excited to go down that path.

So i've been banded for 3 months and i've lost 41.6lbs. I keep losing each week and i've decided to look back in my journal and see what's "making this work." The day i opted to get the band (i'm self pay...even though my insurance would have covered it) i decided i needed to do something. I'm 29, 5'5 and 250lbs (was 292 the day i got banded). I have people all the time ask me what the "secret" is...and i just say that i'm ready. To someone who is in my shoes...you all know what that means...skinny people just nod and stare. So what am i doing? I guess i'm on the non-diet diet. I've realized that i allow myself to eat a lot of things--like crab cakes, tuna salad with real mayo, potato salad at a bbq, etc. Normally, pre-band, i'd eat a mountain of these things and feel guilty the next day (then eat because i would feel like a failure). You probably know how that feels. So how can you lose while eating (basically) what you want? I'm sure all of you are shouting in your heads SMALL PORTIONS. I guess my "secret" is that i make my meal about protein (so i've never had pasta, bread or rice--that includes pizza and such) but i haven't cared so much if it has fat. To date--it's working--and i realize i may need to change that as i get closer to goal. I listen to my body (which is harder than one would think--again--skinny people don't get that)--i try to make decent choices, but i allow myself to enjoy the things i crave as long as they avoid the listed items above (oh and no desserts). For me--it's a good balance between what i crave and the things i have to give up. I can eat enough of the "cheating" things to make me feel like a bowl of pasta is no biggie. For someone else that balance may be different, but i think it's important to find what works and really believe in it. I've noticed that for the first time i stand a little taller and dream a little bigger. I have a very long road ahead of me, but i'm excited to go down that path.

i'm going to be the "bad girl" and say this, but i'm hoping it'll help. if you aren't going to follow the doctor's instructions maybe this surgery was a mistake for you. this isn't a magic wand that'll make you thin...it's hard work and you have to be "ready" to DO it this time...it's a mental battle for me every single day, but it gets easy each time. i urge you to get to the place you need to be in order to have this wonderful tool help you acheive your goals. if my doc told me to drink Water for 3 months i would have...i would have complained like hell, but i would have because i want to be healthy...i think almost anyone who goes through with the surgery does. my mom told me early on not to sell myself short..i'm stronger than i give myself credit. she was right..this time i am--but not without struggles--you can still do this the right way. i hope you do.

somewhat easy not because of the band, but because my heads in it this time. i'm self pay so i stick to the plan because it means a lot to me. i've only had one fill so it isn't easy to diet, but when you're ready...you're ready..you know?

Hi All, Silly question. Tomorrow i'm getting my 2nd fill (in the early evening) and now i'm wondering if i can eat during the day (breakfast & lunch) and do the liquids the day after--mushies the 2nd day. Do you normally eat the day of a fill, but hours prior to it? Thanks!

i eat it all the time. i've only had 1 fill so far (next one is tomorrow)...and i don't have problems eating anything...yet (although never tried bread, Pasta, rice, Desserts, steak or pork chops). you know what my guilty pleasure is...crab cakes!! i get them from time to time when i need to feel like i'm "cheating" (not the maryland style...outback has a nice soft version). I still lose when i eat them too because i cut back on the rest of the days meals...yum. might have them friday.