melloways

Yay!! I am down 80lbs!!! Woo Hoo! I definitely can eat more than I should and probably need a fill. But I am trying not to become so dependent on the restriction. I have been doing pretty well without an adjustment lately. I have an appt on June 9th and will decide then if I will get a fill. Working out at least 4 times per week has really kept me on point. My boyfriend and I have tried cooking with no salt for two weeks and it has done wonders! It helped me break a plateau. Down to 236lbs and trying to get to 230 before my cruise on June 13th. Thank God my mother is gonna be my gym partner on the cruise. Not trying to fall off the wagon just because I am on a floating restaurant LOL!! I hope everyone is doing well and continues to stay motivated. Good Luck everyone!

Hello November Knockouts!! I am happy to report that I am down 73 lbs. Woo Hoo!! Now I have to head off to the gym. Some days I just don't want to go and I have to force myself to. But I always feel great afterwards.

Hey November Knockouts! I am surprised that I haven't been on here often. But I'm glad I'm not stalking the site like I was in the beginning. LOL! I am doing well and I hope everyone else it too. I've lost 66 lbs so far am I am loving the transformation. I began going to the gym a few weeks ago and I've become a gym rat. Loving the workouts and the energy I have now. And I have a new love in my life. YAY!! Life is Grand!

Oh Wow! Its been a long time since I posted. I was curious about everyone's progress. I am doing well. Down 55lbs Woo Hoo! Getting my hour glass shape back, YAY!!! I'm in desperate need of a fill though. Because of all the snow storms in NYC, my appts kept getting rescheduled so I haven't had a fill in a long time. Can't wait to reach my sweet spot. I have feeling this next fill will be it. Right now I'm at 7cc's and I have a 14cc band. I've only gotten stuck 3 times and it was because I was talking on the phone while eating (don't recommend it). I have had hardly any discomfort in recent months and I continue to walk for exercise but I'm ready to step it up a notch so I can tighten up ALL THIS GOODNESS!! Hahahaha! Hope everyone is doing well. Looking forward to hearing from you all.

I love snacking on Trader Joe's Edamame in the pods. I snack on them at work, at the movies, or just when I am watching TV. Its loaded with nutrition and fiber. At $1.69 a bag its a steal!

Hello November Knockouts!! I hope everyone is doing well and on track. I am doing very well and am down 51 lbs! I'm ecstatic because this was my first goal. Walking has been my main exercise and I try to eat between 1000-1400 calories a day. I make sure I eat at least every three hours to keep my metabolism going and log everything I eat on SparkPeople. I have an appointment scheduled for today but will probably cancel due to the blizzard that has hit NYC. But truthfully I don't wanna go anyway because my job gave us a snow day and I already decided I'm not leaving my apt. I am so surprised at how normal my daily routine has become and its not obvious to anyone that I had surgery because I eat normally, but just really take my time. Of course they notice the portions but it doesn't seem odd to them. I am learning to accept compliments everyday from my co-workers. I love being stopped in the halls and being asked, "what have you been doing girl? You are looking great!" I've been going out more and have enjoyed dressing up like I used to. I have my glass of wine when I go out and sometimes 2 glasses but never more than that. No more big fruity drinks for me. My tolerance is waaaay low so my wine is always sufficient to get that little buzz. LOL! I'm noticing that I am getting the 2nd glances I used to get while doing my random activities around the city. Its nice to know that I've "still got it". I wonder if its the weight loss or if it shows that I am extremely happy and that's what's causing the extra attention. All of this is great because I am still young (30) and single and am ready to date again now that I've gotten my confidence and joy back. My depression has been under control but I still see my therapist to keep everything on track. But the endorphins from my daily walks have been a huge help. Also the monthly lap band support groups at NYU are so inspiring and helpful. I get really good tips there and enjoy sharing info. I have only had a "stuck" episode twice but its because I was eating while talking on the phone and was eating too quickly. I have had 2 fills so far and I am at 7cc's (had some fluid in band during surgery) and I think my next fill may get me to my sweet spot. I've been losing about 10lbs a month and I am happy with that pace! I just feel AWESOME and its having such a positive effect in all aspects of my life. Life is grand and I hope my fellow November Knockouts are feeling the same. Updates please!

The only problem I've had with my period is that my band gets really tight. I guess it could be because I retain water right before and during my period. It makes me feel really nauseous in the mornings. But other than that, my periods have been normal.

I am 2 months post op and most of my exercise has been walking. To make it fun, I started a blog Melodie Takes Manhattan!! I thought it would be fun to find out how long it would take me to walk every street in Manhattan. I blog and take pictures of interesting things along the way. I will continue to do this but now I need more of a challenge because my body is no longer challenged by the walking. I have an eliptical aka clothes rack and I think its time to pull it out of the corner. Okay. IT'S COMING OUT OF THE CORNER TODAY! Gotta stop thinking about it and actually do it.

The Indian Fare products are not in the freezer section. I usually find them in the same isle as the sauces and rice. The sodium content varies among all the products. Some can be a bit high. As for my favorites, The Madris Lentil has 445 mg soduim. Dal Mahkini has 670 mg sodium. Some of the vegetable ones have less sodium. Shouldn't have this stuff everyday, but its delicious and good way to mix things up. Throw in some shredded chicken and make it a meal!

If you are a person on the go and need to get your veggies in. Green Giant has these frozen boxes of veggies flavored with light sauces. There are 2 servings in a box. I caught them on sale at pathmark for $1 each. Perfect to take to work. 1 serving is usually 50 to 60 calories. Baby brussel sprouts in butter sauce Califlower in cheese sauce Immunity blend (carrots,broccoli, sweet pepper strips) Baby vegetable medley And many many more!

I got my 2nd fill today and it was so much easier than last time. She found my port in 2 seconds. Yay! This time my surgeon did it. I have 7cc's in my band now. I lost 10lbs since last visit. She was very pleased and said I'm right on track. I didn't have to get a fill if I didn't want it. But its been getting harder and harder to stick to small portions so I was like. FILL ME PLEASE!! I'm down 40 lbs altogether. Yay!! Walking, walking, and walking has helped a lot. I'm addicted to it and actually feel guilty if I go straight home after work. I have to walk! Melodie Takes Manhattan!!

We are bandmates!!

What a great suggestion! You should definitely post this in "great food finds" in the food and nutrition forum. I am def gonna try this.

I PB'd for the first time this morning. Just when I was starting to brag that I never have. LOL! I'm not tight (had first fill 2 weeks ago). I simply ate too quickly. Just in case you want the gross details, it was collard greens.

Ak-mak stone ground 100% wheat crackers. 5 HUGE crackers in a serving. 115 calories, 2g fat, 20g carbs, 4g fiber, 5g protein

I made boneless chicken thighs baked with trader joes chipotle salsa. Baked it until it was falling apart. Ummm ummm ummm.

Hi everyone!! I must say I am glad Christmas has come and gone. I have a family full of great cooks! I tasted a little of everything for three days straight. I felt really guilty about it and refuse to touch a scale until I am completely back on track. My splurge is nowhere near what it would've been if I didn't have the band. However, I have kept up with my walking the entire time. Today I walked 61 NYC blocks. Check out my blog Melodie Takes Manhattan!!

Where is everybody???

5 oz. of trader joes non fat greek yogurt with 1/2 cup of kashi Go Lean Cereal. Yummy and satisfying!!

Trader Joe's sun dried tomato chicken sausage with basil. One link has 110 cal, 6 fat, 3 carbs, 11 protein.

Non fat greek yogurt, Quick eggs (like egg beaters), Lite mexican shredded cheese, Bagged spinach and frozen fruit (great for smoothies when you need to be on liquids), Six pack flavored no sugar added apple sauce, chicken Sausage (various flavors), frozen veggies, canned tuna in Water, oatmeal complete, in frozen section boneless chicken thigh meat, hummus perfect on whole weat melba toast or bagel chips, part skim string cheese, Box Soups they have so many flavors the best are creamy tomato, corn and pepper, tomato and roasted pepper, and black bean are my favorites they are smooth and perfect for pureed stages and also gerat right after a fill, vanilla almond milk goes great in oatmeal and Cereal, 4% cottage cheese, indian fare products (read labels for Protein info) That should start you off. Pretty much all my posts are from trader joes so more products to come.

Hey! It's my 1 month bandiversary and I am now 283lbs!! Woo hoo. Are we updating every month for the spreadsheet?

Thanks!! Glad you are following along. It keeps me motivated!

Check out my blog Melodie Takes Manhattan!! It's about my quest to walk all of Manhattan.