Bozzj

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.

BlooEyez--I like the cafe caramel shake... Today: b: atkins cafe caramel shake l: (will be) a cup of soup from the local deli (no idea what kind yet) d: going out to eat. maybe a crab cake. You know...i have 5.6 fill in and so far i've had no trouble eating whatever i want (keep in mind i don't eat Pasta, bread, rice or steak). I thought i'd have a tougher time...i guess i've been lucky so far.

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.

filled yesterday....so s: lol pre-breakfast. iced coffee b: slim fast, low carb chocolate l: i brought a slim fast, but i'll probably buy some soup d: i'm going to see how eggs go down (doc says it's ok)..we'll see lol

BlooEyez...everytime i read that you have this atkins cafe caramel shake i want to try it!! I searched and literally called 15 different places and no one carries it by me...so i ordered it from online. :smile:

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.

b: 1/2 cup cereal/skim milk l: french onion soup, 1 cup, no bread so hungry:confused::tt1::confused: due for a fill this week s: trying to hold off for a bit...will be: dole fruit cup d: no idea.

i'm going to be blunt and i hope it doesn't offend. if you cheated. ok that's in the past. if you continue to cheat, you should know that it will only get harder after the surgery and maybe this isn't for you. i know you might think "that b*tch" but this isn't easy...it's hard afterwards..and i think in the beginning is when we're all charged up and super strict. i'd move forward following the docs orders and you'll see the rewards for all your hard work.

soda is a bad no no according to my doc. i haven't had it since the band.

you know i don't count much of anything...i just use common (weight loss sense). for me, i don't want the diet to be a "diet"... so i: avoid, bread, Pasta, rice and Desserts I eat: wasa crackers (1-with tuna salad or whatever on it if i need bread), Protein, veggies, and every now and then- potatoes. I make sure my portions are small...i carry dole fruit cups with me everywhere and i whip that badboy out if i'm hungry. Literally, i was driving yesterday and took it out for a snack lol. I try to eat fish at least 2x a week..but not more than 3x... Often times i crave breakfast- so i make turkey bacon instead of real bacon. With all of that said--i don't count up my cals..i guess i haven't had to as of yet. I just make sure i'm staying under 1000ish and i do that by eating 4-6ozish of food x3 daily (and a snack if i need it).

yesterday- b: cereal l: salad with turkey, egg, a few crumbles of bacon w/ free dressing (small portion) s: fruit cup d: i went to outback, lol, but i was fairly good. had 1/2 crab cake (they were smallish), and a few bites (about 4) of my tilapia fillet with crab meat on top...a few green beans. today- b: special k protein bar (choc. peanut butter--it's really good...i have it from time to time...180 cal/10g protein). I brought a fruit cup in case if i need it either in the am or afternoon. l: will be- small portion of the leftovers from last night's dinner...the rest i fed to the hubby lol d: no idea yet. maybe just tuna or something.

yesterday b: 1/2 cup shredded wheat with strawberry cereal/skim (a few drops) l: 3 pieces of turkey bacon and 2 fried eggs:rolleyes2: Lately, i've been craving turkey bacon (only 50 cal for 3)...and i've had it a few times in the last week. need to get off that now though. d: 1 baked crab cake (150 cal) (i only ate 3/4 of it) and about 5 bites of mashed potatoes s: dole fruit cup

This is so true. I stand a little taller now..and i still have a looong way to go. Just keep telling yourself that you are going to live a life you never thought possible...much of it is mental..talk to yourself. literally.

yesterday b: slim fast high protein shake, chocolate l: salad with turkey deli meat, cheese, hard boiled egg and a few sprinkles of bacon--with a little ranch dressing (this is NOT my typical lunch lol..but i had very little of it):thumbs_up: d: tuna salad (3oz) on a wasa cracker s: fruit cup (pineapple)

yup!! unfortunately it didn't go away for a few weeks (especially when i started eating again). just do everything you should and it'll stop in time. hang in there!!

So i read somewhere- that someone made mexican meatballs. I didn't print the recipe, but decided to throw something together and see how it turned out. Well, this was to DIE for...my dh (who is thin) really loved it...kind of gives you that "fast food fix" without eating fast food. 1 lb ground beef about a tbsp of cumin about a tsp of cayanne pepper about a tbsp of garlic powder s & p to taste 1 egg about a 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs 1 can enchillada (sp) sauce 1 can (medium size) tomato sauce onion powder (a dash) about a tbsp tomato paste Put meat, egg, breadcrumb, cumin, cayanne pepper, garlic powder, s & p in a bowl. Mix with your hands (don't over mix). Roll into balls (all about the same size) and put them on wax paper (something that they won't stick to) until done. *note* my slow cooker is one of those where you can saute on the stove then drop into the slow cooker base...if yours isn't, then just saute in a pan first. Put about a tablespoon of olive oil in the bottom of the pan and brown the meatballs (don't overcrowd). When they are all done...drain the oil (if using a similar slow cooker as mine) and put the meatballs back in the slow cooker. cover them with the sauces (it will look like a lot). I wanted it to be a little extra spicy so i put a dash or two of more cayanne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and the tomato paste. Stir. Cook on low for 6 hours. I served this with some ff refriend Beans (and rice for the hubby).

Yesterday: b: protein shake l: split pea soup (about 4 oz) d: mexican meatballs (SO GOOD), 2, with a few tablespoons of ff refried beans (about 5 oz total)

i made this..it's very good..and sweet (which is good because i don't over eat when having this) Note to all: lol if you're kind of a ditz like me sometimes..defrost the cool whip before trying to mush it all together...i'm a dork!! i ended up blending it together (in the blender) with the pineapple because i got annoyed..and it's still good, but you got those fibers from the pineapple going through it. I mean i still eat it just fine lol. ...but it would come out better if defrosted first.

yesterday: b: 1/2 cup oatmeal l: 1/2 cup fake out pasta (georgia girl's recipe) d: 1/2 cup 16 bean soup s: 2 tablespoons of that apple dessert on here (so good) Today: b: protein shake with 1/2 bananna l: tuna salad on wasa cracker d: (will be) 16 bean soup Tomorrow i'm going to try mexican meatballs for dinner...i'll report back:cool2:

1 bag of 16 Beans (goya, among other brands sell it) 1 can crushed tomatoes (the larger can) 8 cloves of garlic, minced ham hock or a handful of diced ham (you can omit this if you want) s & p to taste Water I prepare this in my crockpot, but you can do it on the stove if you prefer. Saute garlic until tender. Remove from heat. Dump in all ingredients and fill to the top of your crockpot with water (i left like an inch from the top). Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. When ready to eat, shake in a few drops of hot sauce (if you like that sort of thing).

the only thing i had an issue with is tomatoes with the skin on. i haven't tried everything yet- like beef (except for ground beef--that's fine) or pork chops and whatnot. fish, moist chicken (cooked in sauce or something), ground beef that's moist, etc are what i stick to. i haven't had Pasta, bread or rice (only wasa crackers) so i couldn't tell you how they are...i just know they are on my doc's "no" list.

Name........................Current.......Goal....... Lost.......Still to Lose bozzj..........................260.2........140ish......31.8.......120.2 i started this journey 7 weeks ago..so far, so good...my first goal is to break 200lbs.

yesterday: b: 1/2 bananna, 1/2 cup special k with yogurt & fruit cereal- splash of milk l: tuna salad on wasa cracker d: portabella mushroom parm s: 4 or 5 nuts