I went to a wedding last night and was very aware after nibbling on a plate of food during the cocktail hour, that I had likely had enough. There was no soft stop, my band didn't object to anything I was eating...I just sorta figured it was time to stop so I could also partake of the dinner meal as well. At dinner, I treated myself to the filet mignon but had to cut a portion of it away so I'd know when I had enough. Same for the potatoes. I also made the choice to have one small taste of each of the dessert offerings....about four items in all.

I did fine, and weighed in this morning as I do every Sunday and lost a pound this week. Now up to 71 lbs. lost..so I know I'm doing well.

The question is....I have to be super diligent so as not to overindulge. Does it ever become second nature where I can be eating food, and just know when I'm done?

I suspect not....because if I could do that, I wouldn't have gained so much weight to begin with. I just wonder if I'll always have to be so aware of what I'm eating...and more importantly...how much I'm eating. Opinions and feedback from veteran bandsters welcome.

My band did give me a soft stop and if I continued to eat, it would have been at my peril, so yes it did fact become second nature for me once I was in the green zone to eat just enough to satisfy myself without overindulging. However, I was not really hungry either, so the urge to eat and eat and eat certainly wasn't there either.

Now, even though I have restriction, I'm NOT at green zone and it's more difficult to stop eating. But as you know, it can be done.

I went to a wedding last night and was very aware after nibbling on a plate of food during the cocktail hour, that I had likely had enough. There was no soft stop, my band didn't object to anything I was eating...I just sorta figured it was time to stop so I could also partake of the dinner meal as well. At dinner, I treated myself to the filet mignon but had to cut a portion of it away so I'd know when I had enough. Same for the potatoes. I also made the choice to have one small taste of each of the dessert offerings....about four items in all.

I did fine, and weighed in this morning as I do every Sunday and lost a pound this week. Now up to 71 lbs. lost..so I know I'm doing well.

The question is....I have to be super diligent so as not to overindulge. Does it ever become second nature where I can be eating food, and just know when I'm done?

I suspect not....because if I could do that, I wouldn't have gained so much weight to begin with. I just wonder if I'll always have to be so aware of what I'm eating...and more importantly...how much I'm eating. Opinions and feedback from veteran bandsters welcome.

Yes...it does become second nature.....combination of the band..and new habits from following new "Rules" if you will.....

Many people count calories for instance...I get it...I don't count calories anymore...it has become 2nd nature what is good and what is not...when I read a menu, I don't need to pull out my I-phone app....

Also, my band does tell me when to stop...and it has become 2nd nature to listen to it...

Someone might think how can you just stop when you're still hungry? Well, the kicker is I'm not hungry...

Sometimes I skip entire meals....I can go all day without eating, and I have at times....

For me, it did become second nature. I still measure all my portions when at home but when I'm out I've gotten really good at "eyeballing" things for size. Plus, I've learned to listen to my band, which is really the biggest thing. I know when I've had enough immediately- and I know when I reach the point if I keep eating it's not going to be pleasant.

Without the band? I'd never be able to happily stop after so little food. But, without the band, there was nothing inside me going "hey chic, you take another bite and I'm gonna make you regret it" either. The band is the reason I can stop, and be satisfied, with the small portions.

It's a learning experience.

Yes it does become second nature. In my case if I try to over eat I get the hiccups or nose start to run.

Everyone is a little different.