I have to weigh in at the clinic today and although I don't think I gained this week, I didn't lose any either. It started with a get together with an old high school friend and a bunch of scrapbookers that brought food and yes deserts:( and then a graduation party for my stepdaughters best friend. I usually don't eat many deserts, but I couldn't pass up the little weenies in BBQ or the chocolate cake. Just a little bit, but I look at it, I gain weight Oh well, next weeks a new week, except that it's a family reunion at the lake. "Help". This last fill seemed to be just what I needed, but now after a couple cheats, doesn't seem to be working for me now. Guess we are just going to have to hit some hiking trails before the reunion.

I haven't even had surgery yet and I have been tempted to cheat... it's the end of the year, so there have been lots of celebrations... graduations, reunions ect... I have just decided not to go to our annual banquet... skipping the graduation party... sending a gift with my hubby and daughter... having liquids only for the last 12 days has been a struggle..

Isn't amazing how often these events happen? I've been dodging lunches with old friends and weekend BBQs for two months now. It's so funny how friends contact me and want to see how I'm doing over a lunch? Egad, no way. I'm doing great and don't need the setback. I think I'd be OK in a restaurant as I can order what I want where at a picnic or BBQ there are way too many temptations.

I think many of us come by our propensity to make any friends or family gathering a food based fiesta, honestly. Many of our families did the same and some of our parents didn't pass on those genes that tell our bodies to stop eating.

tmf

I've only been banded a couple of weeks so haven't eaten at any parties yet, but I do have family coming in town and I know we will be eating at restaurants at least twice next week. Then I am going on vacation a week after that. Yikes. I know at the restaurants I will be sticking to Soup, fruit, fish and veggies. Just sucks how everything revolves around food. When I am at home I feel like I have more control.

What are you doing for exercise? I think an occasional treat is ok as long as you have planned for it -- getting your regular exercise and sticking to your meal plan the rest of the week.

I bought a VIc Magary program. It's basically the Paleo diet and a how to video on exercising. But it's extreme exercising. I like it because it's only 10-15 minutes. I find it easier to for me to find 15 minutes in the morning and hit it real hard. It's really intense which has a lasting metabolic effect that carries on long after the workout. It's not for everyone and it was difficult for me to even start but I'm building endurance and muscle too.

tmf

If you are going to a family or friends cook out bring your own Protein. Bring 4 oz of chicken breast and grill it. I find if I get my protein in I am more able to choose my side dishes judiciously. There is often a veggie platter at a cook out. So between the protein and veggies you should be fine.

Exercise is important in controlling your weight if you are going to parties and eating more cals. than you should.

We are going on vacation for the 4th of July...we usually have a BIG cookout at my older sister's house... she and her husband are both watching their weight so, we have all decided to go to Tunica and Memphis... for a week... no buffets... just ordering from the menu... I will be on soft solids by then.... chicken and fish...In my family every event is celebrated with a cookout... weddings, divorces, birthdays, deaths... Food Food and more Food... at our last cookout, I noticed that there were at least 6 whole chickens and several other meat dishes... Wow..it's time for a change.. @honk... good idea to bring my own protein..

Hey I messed up last week. Averaged 1750 calories per day. I am moving on. Today I will do better. I will have more lean Protein and avoid the places that add calories to my diet without adding real nutritional value to it. All you can do.

My advice, being almost a year out, is to allow yourself a slip at a party. Have a rib or two smothered in sauce. And let people see you licking the sauce off of your hands. Then suggest someone accompany you for a nice walk around the block. No one will question how you have lost weight. Most people will see you ate and not bug you to eat more. This is how I managed all the work picnics and social gatherings during the past year. I grabbed a coworker and took him or her for a long walk. Their comments whoa slow down!! My sentiments exactly!!

Thank Kate, my stats for last week are like yours (and I am only 2 months out). I have my second fill next week, and am frustrated with how hungry I am. I was so disciplined with my pre & post surgery diet and not freaking out about hunger but I just couldn't get a handle on it this last week!

This site is such a lifesaver!

You can't avoid social eating forever, though. food is such a huge part of our culture. We have to find a way to deal with it, or we'll never see our family and friends. For me, reaching the green zone helped tremendously in controlling the urge to grab the not so good choices at gatherings. In restaurants, I have control over what I choose.

At family gatherings, I began to no longer hang out by the table. Proper fill level has allowed me to say no to Desserts, or to just have a taste, rather than the entire slice.

Since you usually are expected to bring a dish to a cook out/family reunion a have been scouring all my healthy cookbooks finding something I have never had...but would really like to try. I go ahead and make a main daish/side dish and dessert.Three new dishes that I really want to try.....then when I get to the event I'm excited about what I have brought and could careless about all the other stuff.....that way I still have some control....even if I had a bite or two of the other stuff...........there just isn't room for a whole bunch.

Thanks for the great ideas. I bought some chicken breast and I am going to make a dish I like and take it with us.

I did gain a pound this week, but they think it also might have to do with the fact that I am back on steroid shots for a pinched nerve in my foot. Bad thing is I am seeing a doctor tomorrow for possibly one in my neck and shoulder as well. At first they told me the pain was from gas, due to the band, but almost 5 months in, I can barely turn my head without being in pain. I sit at a desk all day at work, that doesn't help either. But, we will see. I just wish I could tell if it is actual hunger cravings or the steroids telling me to eat more. That is a big part of why I gained weight in the first place years ago, due to daily steroid pills and monthly shots for heel spurs, now this. I'm happy about the 45# weight loss, and feel better, but now I can't exercise like I want to until this nerve thing is fixed. So frustrating

Great ideas..i know that i won't be able to hide forever... i'm actually looking foward to family get togethers...i will bring my own new creations... i love to cook, so this will be fun...

Live life everyone! It's sad to me that ppl avoid going to lunch with friends bc of the band. I've had some recent trouble with some good friends not ever calling me to go out toy lunch ne more. When I asked them what was up they told me "well u don't eat. So we figured u don't want to come " This infuriated me! Just bc I don't scarf dwn a 1100 cal meal with u?!

Needless to say I find enjoyment out of the satisfaction of knowing I cam control my eating.