Electrawoman

I have been reading The Gabriel Method and he suggests that the reason our body craves junk is because we are not giving it the nutrition it needs. He suggests adding healthy foods to your diet instead of taking away unhealthy foods. The idea is that, once your body knows it is going to regularly get what it needs, you will not crave junk any more.

You can get the vanilla shake mix and make your own flavors. I add orange Tang to vanilla for a creamsicle flavor. And there are lots and lots of coffee flavorings (DaVinci makes a sugar free version) that you can add to spice it up.

That window garland is adorable!

It took about 10 days to get approval. I think TriCare gave it sooner but the Surgeon's office didn't call me right away. Either way it was easy. My surgery was scheduled for less than a month after initial consult/seminar. I am on my preop diet now and have surgery next Monday.

Support groups are not for the weak. They are for the smart. Being strong is about making decisions that can keep you strong and talking about what you're experiencing is a good decision. Plus it's fun to look at pics of everyone transforming their bodies! I am scheduled for mine on Monday next. Can't wait!

Day four had kicked my butt a little though I made it under calorie and fat budget anyway. From sugar and fat withdrawal to losing my tried-and-true feelings buffer, my mood and energy level dropped straight down to the ground. I woke up with a headache and feeling cranky. I spent the rest of the day that way. I am very tired, even though I hung out on the sofa for most of the evening. I gave in at some point and had a BK veggie burger but luckily, it didn't put me over my limits. Anyone who says this is cheating, can kiss my fatt ass. The bright spot in my day was my son, who gave me lots of hugs and kisses even though I spent a large part of the morning fussing around him. Even my husband is trying to stay out of my way. It is probably safer for him to do so :cool2: Grrrrrrowl! I also had a chance to read more of The Gabriel Method and using the visualizations and relaxation techniques in the book are helping.

Day four had kicked my butt a little though I made it under calorie and fat budget anyway. From sugar and fat withdrawal to losing my tried-and-true feelings buffer, my mood and energy level dropped straight down to the ground. I woke up with a headache and feeling cranky. I spent the rest of the day that way. I am very tired, even though I hung out on the sofa for most of the evening. I gave in at some point and had a BK veggie burger but luckily, it didn't put me over my limits. Anyone who says this is cheating, can kiss my fatt ass. The bright spot in my day was my son, who gave me lots of hugs and kisses even though I spent a large part of the morning fussing around him. Even my husband is trying to stay out of my way. It is probably safer for him to do so :cursing: Grrrrrrowl! I also had a chance to read more of The Gabriel Method and using the visualizations and relaxation techniques in the book are helping.

I am wondering how many of you eat soy and specialty veggie products with the band? I was a vegetarian for 13 years and found a large number of good soy products that provide a great source of Protein with very little fat/carbs. I am now rediscovering them on my preop diet. Morningstar Farms is one of my favorite brands. I ate 2 veggie sausage patties this morning with an eggbeater's veggie omelet. The whole meal tasted awesome, was less than 300 calories and I got nearly half of my protein for the day out of it. I am just curious now if I will be able to tolerate the foods post band. ****If anyone is curious about veg foods but afraid to try them, ask me for a list of the good stuff. From years of trial and error, I found a few gems that you can easily serve to meat-eaters and they never know the difference. I tried it all from Tofurkey to Quorn and Wheat meat. Trust me, you don't want to waste your money or your taste buds on the icky ones!

Well, I am 3 days in and I am getting the hang of it. I had a great day keeping good foods in my mouth and a spirit of movement in my body. I chose a family activity that involved a lot of walking outdoors and stayed under budget for all of my food requirements. Now, I am going to take the advice of a friend who recommended that I read this book: The Gabriel Method. I downloaded it to my phone and I can't wait to read it. I am really proud of myself for today! Toot Toot! (That's the sound of my own horn)

Well, I am 3 days in and I am getting the hang of it. I had a great day keeping good foods in my mouth and a spirit of movement in my body. I chose a family activity that involved a lot of walking outdoors and stayed under budget for all of my food requirements. Now, I am going to take the advice of a friend who recommended that I read this book: The Gabriel Method. I downloaded it to my phone and I can't wait to read it. I am really proud of myself for today! Toot Toot! (That's the sound of my own horn)

GOOD for you!!!!!

They were probably just speechless because they couldn't find anything to criticize you about. And listen, you do what you feel is best about the holidays but let me share this with you: What if you refused to waste the happiest time of the year on people who are going to ruin it? We have been tricked into thinking that we HAVE to spend it with family but you don't! Spend your happy times with the people you want to be around. It will change your life. And don't let those bitches get you down! If all they have to do is make you feel bad for getting healthy, their lives are pathetic and none of your energy should be spent on anything but pity for them. You can always pity them from afar (while you are flitting about town in your pretty new body)

YOU CAN DO IT!

I also took that same spinach and made a dip out of it by mixing other veggies (mushrooms, tomatoes, green onions) and a little plain greek yogurt into it. The whole bowl had less than 300 calories in it!

Well, I started out good with a very yummy less-than 300 cal, hi-pro, low-fat, veg breakfast. I came up with it on the fly so I thought I would share: 1/2 c Egg Beaters 1/4 cup chopped bell peppers 1/4 c sliced raw mushrooms 1/2 chopped green onion 1/2 cup leftover spinach/pine nut/garlic mix (I got this at the Market Street Deli. But you can just add fresh spinach, a little garlic, and a little red pepper to taste. If you have pine nuts, add 'em. If not, it's no big deal) Mix all in a microwave take-and-go container with a lid. Lightly place the lid on top but don't latch it. Cook in microwave for 2 minutes. Then, take out and mix. Cover and let sit. The egg mix will continue cooking in the steam while you pop 2 morningstar farms veggie breakfast patties (tastes like mild sausage patties) in the micro for two minutes. I was tempted to add cheese but I decided to try it first. It was awesome even without cheese! You can also add tomatoes and a spoonful of plain greek yogurt (which tastes like sour cream) Cal: 231 Carbs: 14 Fat: 10 Protein: 33! Now, I am going to get cleaned up and try to find something to do with myself and the family today that involves exercise. Maybe I will break my "no more plus-size clothing" rule and buy a new bra at the mall. Since I hurt my shoulder, I can't fasten them in the back anymore. I am tired of hunting down my husband to fasten them for me or going bra-less half the time. It's time for a front-loader, I think.

Well, I started out good with a very yummy less-than 300 cal, hi-pro, low-fat, veg breakfast. I came up with it on the fly so I thought I would share: 1/2 c Egg Beaters 1/4 cup chopped bell peppers 1/4 c sliced raw mushrooms 1/2 chopped green onion 1/2 cup leftover spinach/pine nut/garlic mix (I got this at the Market Street Deli. But you can just add fresh spinach, a little garlic, and a little red pepper to taste. If you have pine nuts, add 'em. If not, it's no big deal) Mix all in a microwave take-and-go container with a lid. Lightly place the lid on top but don't latch it. Cook in microwave for 2 minutes. Then, take out and mix. Cover and let sit. The egg mix will continue cooking in the steam while you pop 2 morningstar farms veggie breakfast patties (tastes like mild sausage patties) in the micro for two minutes. I was tempted to add cheese but I decided to try it first. It was awesome even without cheese! You can also add tomatoes and a spoonful of plain greek yogurt (which tastes like sour cream) Cal: 231 Carbs: 14 Fat: 10 Protein: 33! Now, I am going to get cleaned up and try to find something to do with myself and the family today that involves exercise. Maybe I will break my "no more plus-size clothing" rule and buy a new bra at the mall. Since I hurt my shoulder, I can't fasten them in the back anymore. I am tired of hunting down my husband to fasten them for me or going bra-less half the time. It's time for a front-loader, I think.

My doctor wasn't real clear on the calorie intake for preop. My instructions just say low-fat, no-fat, low-carb, no meat, no white bread, etc. So, I used my fitness pal to set up a basic plan. I ended up finishing the day of Jason's with calories to spare, but went way over my fat intake. Mark,I bet you can still have that gumbo and the salad, just stay away from the chocolate mousse! It's evil!

WOW. I dont know how you did it! You are giving me hope. Thank you.

I think we spend too much time feeling guilty and beating ourselves up for being fat or having been fat. I bet nearly every one of us is a people pleaser of some sort or another. In my case, I make sure everyone else is happy then I eat to relieve my own stress and anxiety. It got out of hand and has caused me to hate on myself more than once for "destroying my body". But here's the deal. Even skinny people and people without addictive eating behaviors crave sweets and certain other foods that make them happy. You are not doing anything wrong, nor should you feel guilty for feeling this way. Depression may or may not be caused by your new lifestyle but if it is chronic and there really is no concrete reason for it, it is probably chemical. Short-term meds and a little counseling may be all you need to reset your brain and feel better. Overeating and eating certain foods releases lots of feel-good chemicals in your brain like dopamine and seratonin. You brain isn't getting high off food any more so yeah, you might need a little help getting your brain chemicals balanced. There are also ways to trick your brain. Exercise releases those same feel-good chemical. So does eating hot peppers! (Jalapenos will give you the same shot of dopamine that you get from jogging).

that's grrrrrrreat!

Keep at it! You're doing great! Now, tell me about this travel trailer! Where are you? How much is it? And do I want it? I am obsessed with getting one right now because I just saw Pam Anderson's playboy trailer at a car auction today.

I spent most of this morning, walking the floor of an auto auction (where I got to see Pam Anderson's Airsteam Playboy Love Trailer) trying to think of what to eat for lunch. Hubs was already working my nerves and I was itching to stick my face in something gooey just to relieve the stress. Instead, I opted for the healthy choice. I was very proud of myself for ordering a one-trip salad-bar-and-soup plate at Jason's Deli. I chose all the green and colorful stuff, none of the meat, one egg for protein and 1 whole grain cracker instead of croutons. I even went easy on the dressing, using about a Tablespoon for the entire salad. I skipped the free ice cream, opting instead for 1/2 c of the chocolate mousse on the salad bar. Then, I used my iPhone to log what I had eaten on myfitnesspal.com That stupid Mousse cost me 800 calories and put me way over fat grams (+30) for the entire day. It had 80 grams of fat in it! What I want to know now is, who thought it was a good idea to put that on the SALAD BAR????? The whole meal left me only 300 calories for the rest of the day and night. Not cool, Jason's. Not cool.

I spent most of this morning, walking the floor of an auto auction (where I got to see Pam Anderson's Airsteam Playboy Love Trailer) trying to think of what to eat for lunch. Hubs was already working my nerves and I was itching to stick my face in something gooey just to relieve the stress. Instead, I opted for the healthy choice. I was very proud of myself for ordering a one-trip salad-bar-and-soup plate at Jason's Deli. I chose all the green and colorful stuff, none of the meat, one egg for protein and 1 whole grain cracker instead of croutons. I even went easy on the dressing, using about a Tablespoon for the entire salad. I skipped the free ice cream, opting instead for 1/2 c of the chocolate mousse on the salad bar. Then, I used my iPhone to log what I had eaten on myfitnesspal.com That stupid Mousse cost me 800 calories and put me way over fat grams (+30) for the entire day. It had 80 grams of fat in it! What I want to know now is, who thought it was a good idea to put that on the SALAD BAR????? The whole meal left me only 300 calories for the rest of the day and night. Not cool, Jason's. Not cool.

Here are some ideas for December group names: Santa Babies Skinny Santas Frosty Foxes Blessed Bandsters Stone-Cold Hotties December Dudes and Dames Holiday Hotties December Snowflakes (each one different and beautiful...) Jingle Belles and Beaus Twinkle Twits The Stars of Bandlehem Merry Bandsters slogan: Trading Stocking Stuffers for Trimmed Trees

I would like to join this group! My surgery is scheduled for November 30, but if I join November's group, I will be behind. Is everyone okay with that? And for all of you trying to quit smoking, please check out the e-cig! You can use it with or without nicotine and all of the liquids come in flavors. It smokes like a regular cigarette but you are really smoking steam and it will not cause cancer or stink breath or any of that stuff we hate about smoking. You can use it everywhere. I have even smoked mine in a doctor's office and all the nurses and doc went crazy for it. I got mine in March and it was 2 weeks before I even realized that I hadn't had a real cigarette in that long. These things are amazing. My doctors think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread because remember, nicotine doesn't cause cancer...it's everything else. Nicotine is still a stimulant but so is coffee. You should use caution with anything but I think it is better than smoking. I have tried to smoke a real cig since and it makes me sick. I smoked for nearly 25 years, too. You can get them anywhere online and even in some malls, but here is a link to my favorite shop. This is the cheapest price for the best version and they ship super fast. Customer service is great too. e-Smokey Treats Oh, and I haven't finished reading everyones' posts but your diets sound quite different than mine. My surgery was scheduled on the day I should have started the preop diet. Since I didn't have a copy of the diet, the bariatric coordinator told me to wait until I got it. My surgery is in 10 days and I just started my preop diet today. I was not told to lose a specific amount of weight and my diet is low-fat, low-carb AND vegetarian. Basically, I get fruits and veggies plus protein shakes, sugar free pudding/jello and crackers for carbs. It is the end of the day and I have plenty of calories to spare. But I do wonder how important the preop diet really is, if each surgeon is so flexible about it. I'm not going to let it worry me. I know the purpose is to remove some of the fat from your liver, making your stomach more accessible. It helps the doctor get done faster and more efficiently. Some folks were talking about before pics. TAKE THEM. Take lots of them from different angles and get your entire body. You might feel uncomfortable now but you will be glad to have them later. I took mine a couple of months ago because I TRIED (and failed miserably) to do the P90X program. They give good guidelines for how to take those pics. I took mine in a somewhat modest swimsuit. I figured that if people saw me like that already in public at the pool, it wouldn't hurt to put the pics out there too.