julie.ann

This is how I am doing what I am doing. 1. The second most useful tool for me is keep VERY CLOSE track of what I eat on www.sparkpeople.com That is about all I do on there because I have this great support system here so I don't use it for that. This may even be my #1 most useful tool at this point until I reach my sweet spot. It helps me to make smart decisions. Remember the band is just a tool. It won't keep you from putting things in your mouth that will cause you to gain weight. Until we can all get out of bandster hell and get to that much talked about sweet spot. Many I have talked to can eat anything they want...just in bandster portions. 2. No potatoes, rice, pasta or bread. I say none, but I do have an occasional piece of thin crust pizza. I went without anything that resembled any other these for a month. I got these carbs out of my system. Oh, I still eat carbs. Don't get me wrong. I eat plenty of carbs. No atkins diet for me. But they have to be carbs with purpose. Veggies or fruits. I look at potates now, even mashed potatoes and think...nope, so not worth it! 3. This is also a BIG ONE. Anytime I look for something to eat I stop and ask myself "Am I hungry?" :bored:I know sometimes it sounds like a stupid question. Sometimes I say "Yes!" Most of the time I say no. Sometimes I have to stop, be still and really listen to my body. There have been times that I had that head hunger so bad I said Yes I am hungry and then stopped, put everything out of my mind and asked myself again. I wasn't physcially hungry. I don't know why I never got this before when I would diet or even not diet but just eat. There are times I think something looks great and I find myself thinking "I wish I was hungry so I could eat it!" How weird is that? You might really be hungry...but give it a chance. My doctor told me to do this on my phone consult and I think it has saved my bacon (no pun intended) quite a few times. 4. I try to plan my meals. I can't plan them out week in advance. I really can't plan them out 24 hours in advance because I don't know what I'll be in the mood for. I plan my meal a meal in advance. Especially supper because I want to keep within my calories for the day. I put in into Sparkpeople when I decide what to eat. That way I have the chance to change my mind if I've made a bad decision. 5. I am pretty happy with how I've lost, but sometimes it is pure will power at this point. Just this week I was on the eliptial at the gym and I wanted to quit and go home. I was tired, stressed out and had a million things to do. I literally had some very strong words with myself. Don't get me wrong I said them in my head. Everyone alread thinks I'm fruitcake without arguing with myself in the middle of the gym. :rolleyes2: I really had to say, "You want to quit? Go ahead. No one is making you stay. No one is going to do this for you either. Do you want to hit wonderland in April or June or do you want to wait for 2010? Stop right now and go home if that is the most important thing for you right now. But if you really want to surprise your family and inspire them to get the LAP-BAND® then you are going to have to stop wining and keep going. It is only 15 more minutes. Can you really not spare 15 minutes today to get healthy?" 6. I have committed to hitting the gym 3 times a week for 30 minutes of cardio each time. Last week I worked out 5 times (once was a 1 1/2mile walk outside) and I have started to do weights and sometimes I'm at the gym for an hour and that's great, but if I don't do any more than 30 minutes of cardio 3 times a week then I don't allow myself to get down about it. I've been told that you don't have to follow all of the guidelines all of the time, just most of them most of the time. I posted those guidelines here: My Bandster Guidelines..... - LAP-BAND® Surgery and LAP-BAND® Discussion Forum 7. I weigh myself everyday on my Wii so I can see how what I do affects my weight. It also gives me a graph so I can go back and see where I was and where I am. I have an excel spread sheet too to tell me where I will be and when if I lose 1 lbs a week or 2 lbs per week. It seems so small but it helps me see the big picture. I found it on-line and downloaded it!

(This is kinda long. If you are just starting a meal that might the perfect time to read this because it might take about 30 minutes to get through it! :thumbup:) TJ , I'm sorry you've had such a hard time. I know everyone is different so please take my questions and suggestions with that in mind. I too am a early day eater. I used to not be. I used to be a night-time eater. The band seems to be tighter or work better in the evening for me. 1. The second most useful tool for me is keep VERY CLOSE track of what I eat on www.sparkpeople.com That is about all I do on there because I have this great support system here so I don't use it for that. This may even be my #1 most useful tool at this point until I reach my sweet spot. It helps me to make smart decisions. Remember the band is just a tool. It won't keep you from putting things in your mouth that will cause you to gain weight. Until we can all get out of bandster hell and get to that much talked about sweet spot. Many I have talked to can eat anything they want...just in bandster portions. 2. No potatoes, rice, pasta or bread. :smile2: I say none, but I do have an occasional piece of thin crust pizza. I went without anything that resembled any other these for a month. I got these carbs out of my system. Oh, I still eat carbs. Don't get me wrong. I eat plenty of carbs. No atkins diet for me. But they have to be carbs with purpose. Veggies or fruits. I look at potates now, even mashed potatoes and think...nope, so not worth it! 3. This is also a BIG ONE. Anytime I look for something to eat I stop and ask myself "Am I hungry?" :bored:I know sometimes it sounds like a stupid question. Sometimes I say "Yes!" Most of the time I say no. Sometimes I have to stop, be still and really listen to my body. There have been times that I had that head hunger so bad I said Yes I am hungry and then stopped, put everything out of my mind and asked myself again. I wasn't physcially hungry. I don't know why I never got this before when I would diet or even not diet but just eat. There are times I think something looks great and I find myself thinking "I wish I was hungry so I could eat it!" How weird is that? You might really be hungry...but give it a chance. My doctor told me to do this on my phone consult and I think it has saved my bacon (no pun intended) quite a few times. 4. I try to plan my meals. I can't plan them out week in advance. I really can't plan them out 24 hours in advance because I don't know what I'll be in the mood for. I plan my meal a meal in advance. Especially supper because I want to keep within my calories for the day. I put in into Sparkpeople when I decide what to eat. That way I have the chance to change my mind if I've made a bad decision. 5. I am pretty happy with how I've lost, but sometimes it is pure will power at this point. Just this week I was on the eliptial at the gym and I wanted to quit and go home. I was tired, stressed out and had a million things to do. I literally had some very strong words with myself. Don't get me wrong I said them in my head. Everyone alread thinks I'm fruitcake without arguing with myself in the middle of the gym. :tt1: I really had to say, "You want to quit? Go ahead. No one is making you stay. No one is going to do this for you either. Do you want to hit wonderland in April or June or do you want to wait for 2010? Stop right now and go home if that is the most important thing for you right now. But if you really want to surprise your family and inspire them to get the lapband then you are going to have to stop wining and keep going. It is only 15 more minutes. Can you really not spare 15 minutes today to get healthy?" 6. I have committed to hitting the gym 3 times a week for 30 minutes of cardio each time. Last week I worked out 5 times (once was a 1 1/2mile walk outside) and I have started to do weights and sometimes I'm at the gym for an hour and that's great, but if I don't do any more than 30 minutes of cardio 3 times a week then I don't allow myself to get down about it. I've been told that you don't have to follow all of the guidelines all of the time, just most of them most of the time. I posted those guidelines here: My Bandster Guidelines..... - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum 7. I weigh myself everyday on my Wii so I can see how what I do affects my weight. It also gives me a graph so I can go back and see where I was and where I am. I have an excel spread sheet too to tell me where I will be and when if I lose 1 lbs a week or 2 lbs per week. It seems so small but it helps me see the big picture. I found it on-line and downloaded it! I hope something in all of that helps!:tongue2:

I'm not a goody two shoes, but aren't you afraid of stretching you pouch with carbinated drinks?!?!?

It does sound like referred pain from the air on your diaphram. Sometimes it hurt so bad I wanted to cry. I found it helped me to lay flat on my back on the floor. Something about the hard floor. Driving was tough. I also had more of it after I would eat. I had it off and on for about 3 weeks. You'll get there. Congrats on the band.

There are a FEW people that do well without a fill. Some only need one. I am not that person. I thought I might be until about 4 weeks after surgery when all the swelling suddenly disappeared. I was fine one day and a couple of days later I was famished. Have you made your first fill appt? Some docs say 4 wks post-op is enough. Others say 6 wks. I have even heard of one that makes their patients wait 8 weeks. That would suck! You should be able to go 4-5 hours between meals without hunger, only be able to eat about 1/2 - 1 cup at a setting and be losing 1-2 lbs per week. If any of these things are not happening then you probablly need a fill. Good luck. Keep us posted.

Oh, I just ate too much for supper. I worked pizza into my nutrition for the day. I am still under 1100 calories. It has been so long since I ate too much that I forgot about the chest pain that goes along with that. Just a little tonight, but I wish I still didn't remember it..... I worked out 5 days this week so I did a half a workout to day (my 5th day). I am feeling pretty good. The scale said that I gained a little today. That doesn't really happen too often, but lost like 2.5 lbs the day before so I expected a small rebound. I do worry about gaining and what that would do to my psyche. So far so good. I eat when I am hungry. I am not doing low carb, but I am not doing high carb either. I really watch it pretty close. If I start looking for food I ask myself if my stomach is empty...if I am hungry. If not I don't eat. I get about 800 calories a day with maybe 2 days a week getting up to 1000-1100 calories. I know it doesn't sound like much...but I am being very careful. Protien first for every meal. I am addicted to cottage cheese. I know soft food, but I love it. My favorite meals include: 1. my quick chicken salad (200 cal) and a side 2. 3 oz of turkey breast (I measure all my protein) 1/2c cottage cheese (4% - the good stuff) and 1/4 c peas Mixed all together. (350 calories) 3. 2 Hebrew National 97% fat free hot dogs cut up and 3 tblsp. of Great Value Brand hot dog chili sauce. ( 150 calories total) 4. Egg Beaters are a staple for my breakfast. Usually 3/4cup of southwestern. (90 calories) (I have changed my breakfast to a morning star sausage patty and 1/4 cup egg beaters. I had to put in some solid protein to make it last until lunch! edited 12/31/08) There are some of my favorites. I usually get 70-120 gms of protein a day and 30-50 gms of carbs a day. I can't wait for my next fill. 3 weeks from today! :biggrin:

Oh, I just ate too much for supper. I worked pizza into my nutrition for the day. I am still under 1100 calories. It has been so long since I ate too much that I forgot about the chest pain that goes along with that. Just a little tonight, but I wish I still didn't remember it..... I worked out 5 days this week so I did a half a workout to day (my 5th day). I am feeling pretty good. The scale said that I gained a little today. That doesn't really happen too often, but lost like 2.5 lbs the day before so I expected a small rebound. I do worry about gaining and what that would do to my psyche. So far so good. I eat when I am hungry. I am not doing low carb, but I am not doing high carb either. I really watch it pretty close. If I start looking for food I ask myself if my stomach is empty...if I am hungry. If not I don't eat. I get about 800 calories a day with maybe 2 days a week getting up to 1000-1100 calories. I know it doesn't sound like much...but I am being very careful. Protien first for every meal. I am addicted to cottage cheese. I know soft food, but I love it. My favorite meals include: 1. my quick chicken salad (200 cal) and a side 2. 3 oz of turkey breast (I measure all my protein) 1/2c cottage cheese (4% - the good stuff) and 1/4 c peas Mixed all together. (350 calories) 3. 2 Hebrew National 97% fat free hot dogs cut up and 3 tblsp. of Great Value Brand hot dog chili sauce. ( 150 calories total) 4. Egg Beaters are a staple for my breakfast. Usually 3/4cup of southwestern. (90 calories) (I have changed my breakfast to a morning star sausage patty and 1/4 cup egg beaters. I had to put in some solid protein to make it last until lunch! edited 12/31/08) There are some of my favorites. I usually get 70-120 gms of protein a day and 30-50 gms of carbs a day. I can't wait for my next fill. 3 weeks from today! :rolleyes2:

Oh, I just ate too much for supper. I worked pizza into my nutrition for the day. I am still under 1100 calories. It has been so long since I ate too much that I forgot about the chest pain that goes along with that. Just a little tonight, but I wish I still didn't remember it..... I worked out 5 days this week so I did a half a workout to day (my 5th day). I am feeling pretty good. The scale said that I gain a little today. That doesn't really happen too often, but lost like 2.5 lbs the day before so I expected a small rebound. I do worry about gaining and what that would do to my psyche. So far so good. I eat when I am hungrey. I am not doing low carb, but I am not doing high carb either. I really watch it pretty close. If I start looking for food I ask myself if my stomach is empty...if I am hungry. If not I don't eat. I get about 800 calories a day with maybe 2 days a week getting up to 1000-1100 calories. I know it doesn't sound like much...but I am being very careful. Protien first for every meal. I am addicted to cottage cheese. I know soft food, but I love it. My favorite meals include: 1. my quick chicken salad (200 cal) and a side 2. 3 oz of turkey breast (I measure all my protein) 1/2c cottage cheese (4% - the good stuff) and 1/4 c peas. (350) 3. 2 Hebrew National 97% fat free hot dogs cut up and 3 tblsp. of Great Value Brand hot dog chili sauce. ( 150 calories total) 4. Egg Beaters are a staple for my breakfast. Usually 3/4cup of southwestern. (90 calories) There are some of my favorites. I usually get 70-120 gms of protein a day and 30-50 gms of carbs a day.

Well there haven't been any postings today, but overall I don't think I am missing any. I know there has been trouble with that twice.

I hope for 2 pounds a week. I have set up a spreadsheet to see where I will be if I lose 2 pounds a week. If I lose more that is great, but I aim for 2. During Thanksgiving week I only lost 1 lbs. That was okay. I would just rather do a little better.

Have you tried a food journal? I use the one on www.sparkpeople.com I know it is the second most important tool I use!

WOW! 72 lbs is amazing! How much is from losing post-op?

I was scared that the weight wouldn't come off. I was afraid that I would spend all this money and be sitting on the couch eating crap weight the same or more a year after my surgery. I was SO SCARED. Not of the procedure...OF FAILING! Bypass was never something I considered. I have a friend that had it done. She has done well. I'm not saying it is a bad surgery, but I am saying that I didn't want anything to do with dumping syndrome, malabsorption issues or MAJOR surgery. Lap band seemed to be a dream some true. Minor laprascopic surgery, adjustable, reversible. Great...where to I sign up. Yep I had to sign alright...the loan papers to afford my surgery. It has been work but I can push forward with the results I am seeing. I keep telling myself that this is the last time I lose these pounds. I've had one fill. In 2 months I have said good-bye to the 280s, 270s, 260s and 250s. I am now down 41 pounds from my pre-op weight. Don't kid yourself. I keep track of everything I eat. I workout. But the band makes it easier. I love my band. Good luck!

WOW! That's tomorrow. No 2 week pre-op diet for you! Good luck!

I am very proud of myself. I had to work the consession stand at the ballgame tonight. I was in charge of dishing up the frito-chilli pie, nachos, taco salad, pizza and hot dogs. I didn't eat any of it until I realized I was going to have to eat supper there and then I had 1 piece of med beef pizza. That is it! :tt1: I am so glad I have my band. I couldn't have done that before. Even if I did I would have gotten home and eaten anything I could find. Now I am going to bed instead. Did I mention I love my band?!?!?!:tt1:

I haven't been in a 14 since high school. I think maybe my freshman year. I can't imagine a 12 but I think I want to shoot for a 10. My mom has worn a 10 for as long as I remember and I want to be able to wear that. I can't really explain it. I can't fathom being able to wear those sizes! Really! I just can't! Oh by the way I am 2 pounds away from the 40# mark. I can't believe it. Just 2 months ago I weighed 285.5 before I started pre-op!:tt1:

Maybe you should call your doctor. I worry about you being too tight.

Wow you are tight! Good luck I hope you loosen up a bit so you can eat! Just curious. How much was your fill?

Have you tried to eat real food? Care for soft calorie syndrome. Great job on the 20lbs loss!

I went to walmart and could find a bunch of Palmers, but I got the concentrated cream. I couldn't find the weight loss and pregnancy. Plenty of pregnancy, but nothing that said weight loss.

What are you upset about? You have lost 4.1lbs per week. :w00t:That is AMAZING! My ticker shows the weight I lost pre-op too, which was 14 lbs. So since surgery I have lost 23 lbs. We have done great! Don't get too hard on yourself! keep doing what you are doing and good luck with the fill!

Thanks for the info! You just can't find this information anywhere else!

That is funny. I think we are getting our daughter a guitar and amp for christmas. She plays the flute, has started the guitar, drums and wants to pick up her brothers sax. Can you tell she wants to be a music major!

Protein first then veggies is what I am always told and that is what I try to do. Small bites and chew chew chew. When you say you feel restriction does that mean it won't go down? If it will go down just very slowly then that sounds great. If it won't go down then maybe you are a tad too tight.

I just had a mini surprise. I got out my christmas stuff and I found my old (that look brand new) jeans that I haven't been able to wear in about 3 or 4 years (or more). I have some 18P and a few 16P. Although I found a size 18P that fit me (and you could have knocked me over with a feather!) none of these fit. That's okay thought because I think that in February if not January I will be wearing them! Women's pants are so funny the way the same size is so differnt. I found a size 18 that fits and I have a size 22 that doesn't and one size 22 that is really too big. I guess it's true you shouldn't look at the label. Just find what fits you well! I'm so happy I won't have to start buying jeans that I plan on not fitting into soon. I was stressing about wastig money that way. Hope you are having a great weekend..if not today starts a new day. Start fresh!