SanDiegoUbermom

Food journal:

I used to hate it, but I've been writing since April of this year and it's become part of my daily routine and I don't even think twice about it.

I don’t do calorie counts, I journal what and when I eat only.

I found (in the past) that it just took up to much time to find out what the calorie(s) was for each and every thing I ate or drank.

I've been losing weight, so I guess you could say what I've been works. Since I’m a visual person, I like how this keeps me on track at a glance.

I've been posting here and emailing my mom (trying to get her on track too) about my food journal.

She found a site and told me about the food dairy section. She said it was easy to use.

I tried it out today and I think I've found an site to log into and get my calorie counts for the day.

I had been on this site (www.myfitnesspal.com) about a month ago, but only used it as a "ticker" creation. I looked through it but thought there really wasn't anything there that I needed. Guess I was wrong.

It lets you input exercise info too.

Ya it's a waiting game and boy do they know how to play it.

Keep on task. Keep in contact w/the doctor's office and your insurance like dredems28 said.

It will be so worth it in the end!!

Sunshine; I've been asking that same question about the 2# gain over night. If you find the answer---plz don't keep it to yourself. :}

Happy Early Birthday!

You will make your goal, it's just going to take a bit more time. Keep up the good work!

Hope your new plan works and have a wonderful day off!

Way to go. Keep up the good work.

You will be fine. Stay on task; journal, drink your water, do some exercises if you can (go for a walk) and keep us posted.

I was banded in '06, I stayed on task for a year lost 30 pounds and then lost my way (thought I could do it on my own). But I'm back and loving it! I gained some back but I’ve had a fill and I think I’ve found my sweet spot.

WW might come back in a good way though. A lot of people use it to stay on track with food and calorie count.

I journal all my food but don't count calories, to time consuming for me. I eat just about anything I want but just in smaller portion sizes or just stay away from it cause it really isn’t good for me. I also eat 6 to 8 times a day. When I leave the house, I make sure I have a lunch tote filled w/snacks just in case I’m out for a while. Really stops me from driving to that Fast Food joint when I’m hungry.

But one thing you should remember is if you eat more than usual or something that you shouldn’t. Don’t beat yourself up over it; acknowledge it, learn from it and then get over it.

I find that by posting my food for the day helps and I can get other ideas from seeing what others have had for the day too. Try this link if you haven’t already; http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f9/share-ideas-what-did-you-eat-today-36828/

Have I told you lately that I LOVE THIS BAND!!

This is the best diet tool I've ever used. I'm so happy that I decided to get this!

Summer is coming to an end and the kids are excited to go back to school and so am I!!

We’ve been so busy w/playing and cleaning that I haven’t had time to blog.

I’m going to push back my appointment for a fill in September. I’ve been doing well this last month; I’ve lost 8 pounds with no problem, could I have found my SWEET SPOT?! (Last fill- July 16th)

With going to Zumba twice a week; I’ve also dropped another 10.75 inches! Since I’ve been working out in Zumba (since April) I’ve lost a total of 21.75” and 12#’s!

I have been emailing my mom with my daily food journal. She has a weight issue too. I thought by showing her what I ate, when and that it worked that she might try.

It worked; she started this week but wanted to start out doing shakes only. I convinced her that the shakes are good when you’re in a rush but that food is the best way to go (keep a journal, watch the portion size and eat more than 3 times a day—she is NOT banded). But also knowing from the past that the shakes get boring quickly and then she starts eating the WRONG things.

For the week she has been doing it right and has dropped a pound already!

WAY TO GO MOM!

You'll get back on track.

You do have a lot going on but you are still following a good regime. Keep it up.

And we're here for you when you need us.

I love this place

I just love how we are all there for each other.

Bashful I'm happy you reached out and rec'd support. Not only from us but from your other friends to to get you through this tough time.

You have it! You will do great!

Good to hear that you're feeling great and have the support of your boyfriend.

Listen to your body, don't over do it even if you feel better. I thought I was doing well my first couple of weeks out and then I picked up a watermelon. Oh the pain. I thought for sure I had pulled everything apart. No, I just pulled a muscle.

I was banded on 7/11 too but mine was back in 2006. I was doing well in the first year and thought that I could finish it on my own. No support, no more fills...well 3 years later I'm back. I gained some of my weight back but now I'm on track and losing again.

Stay with the plan, keep your eating journal, drink your water, exercise (when you're ready) and keep us updated on your journey into your new life.

Oh I knew it was called something! lol

I'll be there.

Yes, thank you for posting. You've reminded me just why I had a lap band done. I'm 46, married and have 4 kids under the age of 13. I want to be there for them!

Thanks for the update. I'll have to try that type of spreed sheet. Seeing where you've been to where you are going helps you along the way.

I'm one of those visual kind of people.

Way to go!! You are an inspiration to us all! I was banded in 2006 and am "being reborn". Went rouge for 3 years ago "cause I thought I could do it on my own--NOT". But am getting back on track now!

Your post is the type of encourgement I need. Thx

You look marvelous! (yes I remember Mary Poppins--lol)

I too just went through this kind of thing. I went rouge for 3 years and came back just this last May.

I started with my food journal again. This was my down fall like water is to you. It just took up too much time to write everything down, find the food in the book or on line and then count the calories.

I keep a journal now. I keep times of when I eat and what I eat (i.e. breakfast burrito/ sm flour tortilla, 1 egg, chdr chz, salsa, pork-comments too – ate half, got stuck…) but I don’t count calories and I’ve been on top of it each day without a problem. That was my first step.

Second; I picked up some of those water flavored packets (5 different kids) and now I can drink 64oz (4 16oz bottles) in a day. I have some in my purse, in the car or in my snack tote I carry w/me every time I leave the house.

Third; got back into doing exercises twice a week. I found a Zumba class and have been enjoying it immensely. I’ve lost 15 inches of off my whole body since April.

Fourth; I now watch the amount that I eat and what I eat. Started by eating half and half only. Found that it was really enough, started listening again to my body when it was satisfied – not FULL. I eat about every 2-3 hours (meals to snacks) and try my best to stop at 7-7:30pm (some days I do this, others days I don’t, but I keep trying)

One thing I’ve learned is to own up to my mistake, deal with it, learn from it if I can and then move on.

I went back to the doctors for the first time recently, I handed since him since 2007. That was last fill I had had too. At this visit the doctor this added ½ cc to my current 8cc that I already had. I’m proud to say that I’ve lost 3 pounds in just 8 days!

I mentioned this earlier, keep snacks with you at all times. This will stop the urge for fast food—the quick fix. I will have fruit, yogurt, string cheese, almonds, crackers, 100 cal snacks and of course 1 or 2 bottles of water (that have been pre mixed w/flavoring)

Keep posting! I would like to hear how you’re doing.

You can do this, I have faith in you!

I have had my new fill now for about 2 weeks. It was tight the first few days and then it felt like it loosened up and I could eat just like I had before.

Well in 8 days I’ve lost 3 pounds!! I step on the scale each day and I see it just going away. I was teetering between 196 & 198 and now I’m over it and melting the pounds away. But I’m still thinking I may need ¼ more at my next doctor’s visit in September.

It feels so good! My lowest weight ever, since I started was 189 and it feels really good that I am getting closer and closer to that once again.

My kids are great; they’ve been so supportive during all of this even though they feel they’ve lost their fast food fixes. We still go but just not as often as we used to, instead of going EVERYDAY we go maybe every other week if that. They’ve learned that if we do go, FRENCH FRIES are right out!

I will get grilled this and no bun that. The other day the twins (DDs) wanted to go out to Jack’s for breakfast. They earned money and needed fast food fix. The girls ordered french toast sticks, hash browns, and a breakfast jack.

I mulled over the menu and decided to have an egg, cheese and a sausage with hot sauce. It took all I had not to have the croissant that would have companied this. But by asking to hold the croissant, I took control and enjoyed my breakfast with-out feeling denied. (out of sight, out of mind—and not missed)

I am able to get my bread fix, we have mini plan bagels in the house right now, and I will have a half a bagel w/cream cheese and a deli slice of ham. This I do have to REALLY CHEW! I have noticed that with this fill, bread isn’t my friend anymore. I eat more flour tortillas these days than I ever have before. It isn’t a bad thing mind you but, who knew?

The other thing that has been on my mind is my tummy. I see that my core is getting smaller (thank you ZUMBA!!) and my tummy skin is sagging more. This will be a costly fix when I’m at that point to get it removed since I’m sure my insurance won’t cover it.

I'll be looking into this soon, so I can start saving.

I think their just scared. They may not understand just what will happen. Do you have any local support groups that you all can attend? Here in San Diego we have support groups every month for family and friends to attend with us so we all could be on the same page of just what was going to be expected before, during and after.

You will eat, you must eat to survive. Your eatting pattern will change and change for the better. Your amounts will change too. Your family may learn from this also on how to eat in a better way, I know that mine are.

It will be a journey like no other for you and them.

If you read forums on this site, you will learn a lot.

Keep posting, let us help you.

You will be ok. Keep writing down what you eat & when. This will help! Don't forget about the water.

I bring a lunch tote w/me when ever I know I'm going to be out for more then an hour. (I'm a SAHM-so I do't have to worry about work) I bring snack; almonds, cheese, crackers (yes crackers-1oz), yogurt, carrots, fruit and one or two water bottles. Don't starve in between meals it will just get you in trouble.

I eat about every two to three hours, meals to snacks through out the day and I try not to eat after 7-7:30. But with 4 kids, that's not always the case, but I try.

Keep us posted on your journey.

Hello Newbie Jojo,

Welcome!

You need to follow what your doctor says to do on your pre op.

I know that it's hard but you can do it.

When I did it I actually lost 16 pounds before surgery.

Don't know about you but I had to be on the liquid diet for 2 weeks prior to surgery. That was the hardest and longest 2 weeks of my life! :thumbup:

Hang in there you can do it.

Do you like strawberries? I cut up some, put a packet of splenda and let it sit. When I have sweet tooth later, I have this ready to go.

Cherly,

Glad to have you back!

Keep us posted, please.

m;)

Thank you everyone. I can't wait to meet my next goal of 185.

I'm trying to do it 10 pounds at a time.

But you do see the difference! You said it yourself "over 20 inches" and ""My 24's and 26's jeans are too big...I'm in a comfortable 22 and a fitted 20".

Don't think that your only success is shown in your weigh alone!

You wrote about a "non weight triumph". What others do you have?

Mine: notched my belt one loop tighter this week, my kids tell me they can put their arms around me now when they give me hugs, I can last a whole hour in my Zumba class w/out having to stop for water or an extra breath...

Those count too!

I see that you measure, have you been taking pictures too? I use that so I can see the difference.

You are doing great--really, keep it up.

I made a goal in 2007 that I wanted to get to 195 by December of 2007. That would have been 13 pounds from my surgery date weigh in.

When I last journaled in Nov I see that I was at 198. Oh so close and I think that's why I thought I could do it on my own. Didn't need anyones help, I was working it and it was working. Oh what I know now.

I met my goal this morning of 195!!!:smile:

I would have told you a year ago that writing in a journal really didn't make a difference.

I'm here today to tell you that it does.

I don't count calories, I just write down what and when I eat and how much water I've had.

I listen to my body when it tells me it's satisfied, not full but satisfied.

I bring snacks and water w/me where ever I go so I won't be tempted.

But if I want a peice of candy, french fry, buttered popcorn or what ever - I have some, not a lot and don't feel guilty about doing it.

I've always known that exercise is a great help but I do believe that for the first time I've found my "sweet spot" on an exercise program called Zumba.

Thank you everyone who has responded to my blogs, been there in chat and who has posted. You all have done so much for me!

Great job on you weight loss. I too have been tossing all those BIG clothes and swearing that that size will never enter into my house again!

Oh I totally know what you mean.

One day I was on the road, in a rush and late for an appointment and hadn't eaten.

Stopped at a fast food joint and thought "I can do this, I'll be ok".

Well no sooner had I had two big bite of a hamberger (ya I know--that was stupid) I was stuck.

I tried everying, hitting my chest, sipping some water, trying to burp--NOTHING HELPED.

I was choking now from all the saliva that was in my throat that had no where to go.

I pulled over to the side of the road, told the kids to just stay in the car and that I would be ok.

I was there for at least 5 min. vomiting. I was so scarred and once I got back into the car my kids were too. They knew about my band but had no idea that this could happen.

I threw up so hard that my chest hurt for a few days afterwards.

Keep up the good work!

m:)

I have been going to the beech so much this summer with my kids and actually enjoing it.

I have been actually going into the water and swimming or boogie boarding with them. :smile:

Today I swam out into the ocean as far as I could with my oldest son. I haven't done that since I was a teenager. It was such fun!

I can see that my kids are happy that I am not just sitting on the beach watching them and taking pictures, I'm really out there with them.

I started in a Zumba class back in April. I know that this has given me so much from energy to self confidence. I am up and out and not just sitting around.

I really started focusing in getting back into the right frame of mind on how to use my tool to its potential back in January of this year.

I started by journaling my food and finding blogs that would help me and going back to the doctor.

When I stopped going to the doctor back in November in 2007 I had left at the weight of 198 and thought that I knew what I was doing because I was losing weight.

In January of this year I started at the weight of 205, I am now lower then I was in November of ’07, I'm at 196.

I am so happy that I’m working on this again! :thumbup: