BobbieND

Starting over - Absolutely - NO REGRETS!! But some days.............

"I agree in theory. However, there are a lot of 'hidden' calories that people tend to overlook. Some would say that a dinner of 3 oz of Protein, 1/2 cup vegies and 1/4 cup carbs (pasta, Beans, rice, potatoes) is a balanced, low calorie meal...but fry that protein instead of grilling or baking, add butter, cheese, sauces or dressings to your vegies and slather on gravies, butters and sauces to your carbs...and you can easily add 600+ calories to your daily count. Broil, grill or bake your protein, steam your vegies and learn to enjoy their flavors and not use them as an excuse to eat the butters and sauces...same with the carbs. I'm not saying you can't have these things...just be aware that they can take an otherwise healthy, low calorie meal and turn it into a nutritional (and scale) nightmare." Words to live by, ElfiePoo !! Thanks for the reminder. I DO tend to forget about the extras sometimes. And the BLT's ( Bites, Licks and Tastes ) of cooking. I try to log everything, try to count calories, try low fat, low carb, low fat ... blah blah blah. Its coming down to just eating what I like, and what I'm able to eat. My boyfriend laughs at my "Barbie" dishes and silverware, and can't understand how just a 1/4 cup of this and a nd a bit of that can fill me up. Or even be too much sometimes. I think a big problem of mine is that I'm not mixing it up enough. Or shallI say I'm not Balancing it enough. Not enough Veg, or not too much Protein, or Vice Versa ...

Starting over - I SOOOO feel your pain !! It sucks some days to not be able to sink my teeth into a huge mushroom and swiss burger, or Pan Pizza, or eat a bowl of Fettuccini Alfredo. I feel "full" in my chest, but never in my tummy anymore. Ever. So sometimes I don't know when I'm actually full. Does that make any sense????

I love hearing about what others do daily. My dr says 6 small a day, and my Nutritionist says 3 meals... For me, it all depends. I've been banded since10/08, and I still dont have any kind of routine. I eat what ever is available. I cant always afford good healthy food. sometimes convenience is cheaper. unfortunately. I had my coffee for breakfast ( daily ) then lunch and supper are a crap shoot. Today my lunch is microwave popcorn, because its what I have in my drawer at work. Yesterday it was Peanut Butter Capt'n Crunch w/out milk. i tend to snack and graze thru out the day sometimes. Sometimes i have NO appetite. Other days I cant keep anything down. and still on other days i can eat as much as i could before i was banded. Its so FRUSTRATING !! One of my biggest issues is that I could NEVER drink a meal. Seriously. I drink water like its going out of style. But I dont do milk, pop, protein shakes, etc... And I'm having a stressful time right now, so I know I'm snacking and eating because of that. I havent gained, but I havent lost either. I'm between 212 - 208 - back and forth , for the past 2 months. ANyway, like i said, i enjoy reading about what everyone else does. It helps. Shakes things up a bit for me :-D

OK, here's the deal. I don't have a huge sweet tooth, but was at a hockey game over the weekend, and i just HAD to have a Cotton Candy! I love the stuff. So, after a few fluffs, i felt really full! i mean, like i would if I ate chicken or something. And then, yesterday at work, a co worker gave me some Sweet tarts ( love the bunnies, ducks and chicks for easter ) i ate about 4 of those, and felt so full again! Gurgling, belching, tight. The Sweettarts i could maybe see, but Cotton Candy???? Anyone else go thru this????

sdh - those are all good! and very funny :-) I'm glad I'm not alone in being a "Bit Off" by naming mine! LOL !! I figured either someone else would join me, or I'd be taken away in a straight jacket

"I love weighing everyday. It either is a thrill or a reminder. And I am ok with that." Couldn't have said it better myself :-)

“Being trapped by comparisons is nothing more than a habit – a way of thinking about life. The solution is quite simple: Stop doing it!” AMEN !!!!! What a great quote - I feel like this was directed at me personally. I'm always comparing... So now I know I just need to stop doing it. I wish It was that easy, but I'll give it the Ole College Try :-)

Elfiepoo - what a great goal to set ! I know you can do it as well.

OK, here's the deal. I don't have a huge sweet tooth, but was at a hockey game over the weekend, and i just HAD to have a Cotton Candy! I love the stuff. So, after a few fluffs, i felt really full! i mean, like i would if I ate chicken or something. And then, yesterday at work, a co worker gave me some Sweet tarts ( love the bunnies, ducks and chicks for easter ) i ate about 4 of those, and felt so full again! Gurgling, belching, tight. The Sweettarts i could maybe see, but Cotton Candy???? Anyone else go thru this????

I gurgle CONSTANTLY ! Many times I gurgle when I'm talking to a participant at work! It can be quite embarrasing. Some think I'm burping, but i'm not! I have no control over it, and I can't tell when its gonna happen...

JOJO1 - your salad idea sound wonderful also. I love canned salmon. So, do you use any kind of recipe? Or just use whatever amount you're feeling up to that day ?

Todd - What do you make your chicken salad with? I'm always looking for new ideas. Most of these other tuna / chicken ideas sound awesome! I'm definitely a seafood lover, and the shrimp and spinach salad sound soooo nummy! As does the smoked salmon. These are all great ideas :-)

Amy, did you come up with a name last night??? :-)

Woot! Woot ! That is SOOO awesome! Congrats :-)

Rock On, Bob!!!!!! :-)

LOL !! Those are great :-)

It may sound a bit off, but I know a few people who have "named" their bands...and I happen to be one of them :-) My band is named P.I.T.A ( pain in the A$$) LOL Would anyone else like to share ??

It may sound a bit off, but I know a few people who have "named" their bands...and I happen to be one of them :-) My band is named P.I.T.A ( pain in the A$$) LOL Would anyone else like to share ??

Betsy, I totally agree with you - it will be a HUGE eye opener !! I'm also in the +200 camp :-)

WHere I live, Spring is ALWAYS delayd! lol

Anyone else here play Farmville, Farm Town, Fishville, or Cafe World on FB?? I'm always needing neighbors :-) Send me a PM and I'll add you :-)

Hey Bob, i play Farmville also... We should hook up and be neighbors! I also play Farm Town , Fishville and Cafe World... :-) I know what you mean about not being a ray of sunshine lately. I'm not upset, or dissapointed, or anything like that. I just can't seem to get motivated for some reason. I guess things at home are affecting everything else in my life... My diet, my sleep, my work, etc... I mean, I'm not happy with my current results - Still stuck between 208 - 210 - been here for 2 months! - But apparently i'm not so unhappy as to get moving and do anything about it. <sigh> :Banane20:

Is there room for one more on this thread? I've been MIA on the boards for a couple of weeks ( lots going on at home ) and started reading this thread this morning. I've read all 14 pages of it, and I laughed as much as I cried. I'm a goob, I know :-) ANyway, I know some of you, and would like ot know the rest of you. I actually feel like I know you already ... I was banded 10/14/08, and am down 80 pounds. It should be more, but I don't exercise. I have RA in my knees and hips, and it makes just walking an experience some days! LOL But, i'm starting to get a bit more active as the weather is getting nicer. So theres still hope for me yet! I love the camaraderie on this thread. Truly. Anyway, if you're not already on my buddy list, can i add you ? Thanks!! :-)

Holy Cow !!! I must say I'm AMAZED at how many of you can eat lettuce salads! I'm sooo jealous :-( I cant handle lettuce in any way, shape or form. It comes right back up. And Ranch and Blue Cheese dressing ? They "Coat" my esophagus and barely get thru my band. Also, I can't eat hardly ANY fruits of any kind, nor any veggies- raw or cooked. The worst? Citrus fruits, Cranberries, Apples, and Broccoli, Green Beans, Sugar Snap Peas, Most Potatoes ( mashed or otherwise) Rice , Bread ( unless toasted) and almost all pasta. :-( Consider yourselves lucky if you can eat almost anything! :-) Good luck to you all ! :-)