Hello Junbies ......

I haven't seen a June Band Crew thread yet so thought I would start it .

I'll be banded on June 9th in Texas. I'm getting very excited about it. I know that the band is just a "tool" to aid in my weight loss journey and it will take a lot of hard work on my part to make it successful. I've been overweight my whole life with the earliest memories being around age 4. Although no one else in my family is overweight, I am extremely fortunate to have full family support in my decision. I know that there are many people who's family doesn't offer the support they need. I would love to meet other pre-bandsters being banded in June to walk with me to the banded side of life and offer each other support.

I wish you all the best.

Melissa Lea :hippie:

Pre-bandster 240 lbs

June 9, 2006

Spivak

self-pay

Hope all is doing well today. I'm hoping for another great weekend. DH and I had a good time last weekend after being sick for 5 weeks off and on with cold and flu. I'm definitely going for a massage to get my tired muscles working again. Can I count that as exercise?

My appetite is definitely back after the unfill. I'm having to really watch what I eat. I'm really thinking some of those prepared meals may be the way to go. I guess I could make my own on the weekends and freeze them. DH does all the cooking, but sometimes he lacks variety.

I am very happy to report that the last 2 days the scale has moved down a bit more. I weighed 200.5 this morning and as PinkyLee would say, "CLAIME IT!!".

I turned in my resignation from work yesterday. I can now allow myself to be truely excited about the opportunities ahead of me.

Barb4 --I do a lot of the South Beach meals because they have a lot of proteing and low CHO. I love the Kung Pow Chicken. That is my all time favorite. The pre-made meals is sometimes easier for me. But I'm lucky because it is only me. If I want cereal for dinner, that's what I eat.

So close to Onederland Melissa Lea! Hang in there! I'm sipping my protein shake. Still can't wait for solid food. It's been too long. The last time I ate solid food was Jan.16!! Have a good weekend all...mine is a 3 day weekend! Thanks Mr. Lincoln........

I think I finally have good restriction. It's a strange feeling. After 8 months its about time. I still have some issues if I dont chew chew chew. Finally the scale is moving again and I feel better about things. I was feeling quite discouraged. But I couldn't give up, I have invested too much time and money into this body...lol

Hope everyone has a great Friday.

Melissa you are sooooooooooooo close. You might enter onederland next week - on Valentine's day. Wow!

Thanks for the supportive advice everyone. I have been trying to incorporate all of it - not to beat myself up, also to try to take some breaths and break down what I can do about the things I can control.

I also decided to let my man (what's the abbreviation for dear supportive significant other?) in on the situation. It has been a bit of a struggle figuring out how much to say to him all along. He knows about the surgery and the restrictions, not so much about the head struggles. But over this past weekend we visited my parents and he saw all the photo albums, so he knows the score. He was very supportive also, said "Take the advice they give you when you board an airplane. First secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others." I'm pretty sure that's the same advice Barbara465 was giving me in different words.

Now I have to figure out how to find an alternate "M&M" for those out of control moments. I keep thinking exercise, but boy is it hard to find the time.

What are your goals for protein intake? My doctor recommends 30 or more and Spark People puts my range at 30 or more, but I have heard people say their doctor recommends 65 or something. Just wondering........

I try to target 40-60 each day. I do this with food and not protein drinks. I am thinking about having one of those smoothie king drinks a couple times a week. You can get like 60 in one drink. I'm not sure how it tastes, but I want to give it a try.

I have had a few smoothies with the protein powder in them. They really aren't that bad. Slight aftertaste, but otherwise pretty good. My dr. recommends 50-60 grams of protein per day. I also try to do all of that with food. When I go to the mall I do tend to get a smoothie made with the protein powder while everyone else does ice cream. I really don't feel deprived at all.

This is what I had today:

1 EAS protein shake

4 oz. Light 'n Fit yogurt

16 oz. Jamba Juice light w/protein powder

11 oz. hot and soup sour(run through the blender)

52 oz. of water(so far!)

liquid vitamins

Does this sound ok for 10 days after surgery? My incisions are ITCHING like crazy. I don't remember them being so itchy last time. My tummy gurgling has finally slowed too. I had forgotten about how bad those gurgles were!

Sounds good to me Socalgal. The Hot and Sour Soup sounds REALLY GOOD.

Well, I have finally gone off the deep end. Ate about 6 cookies today. I am officially going to take off my cheat free icon, because I am a terrible cheater.

I have been fighting it all week, and my dog got sick again last night (seizure) and we had to take her to the vet. I swear I was in a trance when I went into the break room and saw the cookies. Went towards them and the next thing you know I "woke up" and was on cookie number 3.

My dog is still not doing great. Her labs came back ok, except for her tyroid (which we will get back later), and she has not had another seizure, but she is still not herself. So, I am still worried... and would keep eating if my band did not stop me. Weird how we comfort ourselves hugh?

Anyway, I hope all is well with everyone else in band land. Just wanted to check in.

I'm just posting what I am eating for a few days to make sure to have accountability and not go crazy. I ended up having some "Hamburger Chowder" last night run through the blender. It was a recipe a friend gave me...kinda like chili. I was dying for food.

Today I've had so far:

1 cup orange juice

1 EAS protein shake

1 cup Walnut Soup(from the South Beach Diet Cookbook-blended of course)

24 oz. Propel fitness water

I am also about to go do my 6.5 walk around a local lake. This is my first major exercise since surgery. I hope you all are staying away from the cookies(YES YOU-Poodles! hahaha)

Hi all! Hope all are having a good weekend. Its still cold here here in NY but not as bad as the " Frozen Apple" weather it has been all week.

I'm feeling much better since my complete unfill on Thursday and trying to use listening to music to get over my stress.

My husband has his catherization on Tuesday morning so we hope to know more about his heart condition bye the end of next week and I will keep all up to date!

On to the site I found:It's called Affordable Supplements.com- found that it has great prices on protein powders and other items.

I use Designer Whey protein powder for my shakes and the big 2lb ones are for $17.95 and that for me is a good price since most stores have it for like $25.00 dollars.

They also have a new product called :

Instone High Protein Pudding it is sugar free and has 20 grains of protein per serving, 2grams of carbs, 2grams of fat, 100 calories. It is available in vanilla, chocolate, banana, and strawberry,comes in 4 pkgs for $5.99. and 24 can cases for $34.95.

I have not tried this pudding yet so not sure how it tastes , but it sounds good!

Have a great weekend all!

Love and Hugs,

Lisa

Hi Junebies:

Kinda wondering how everyone's weekend is going. I can definitely relate to the "secure YOUR oxygen mask first" statement Cathy. As women, we are programmed to be nurturers.

Friday I let DD talk me into doing an errand for her. Bottom line is, I was checking a size of a jean jacket on the wall of Kohl's and there were no sales people to help. You guessed it. I climbed on a chair and as I was stepping down I fell. Nothing major. Jarred up a bit, but it's high time I learned the word "no". BTW, she "didn't have time" to pick up the jean jacket I bought for her b4 boarding the plane to Vegas.

I'm going to try substituting a fresh bottle of water and a tic tac or raisin for those "need a fix quick" moments. :faint: If only it were as easy doing it as it is typing it.

I've been looking around at weight loss helps and found a bracelet that lets you move a charm around the beads for every 50 calories you consume, or every point (WW), etc. I'm rebelling at logging in stuff, so I'm going to have to resort to some other technique.

DH reminded me as long as I'm not gaining, I'm ok. I did try on my anniversary suit and it seemed slightly roomier. Maybe LOL.

Have a relaxing Sunday!

Wow Pinkylee --are you alright??? Thank goodness you didn't break any bones. I'd take that jacket back to Kohls and buy you something nice that you would like to wear instead. Just a thought.

Barb4 and Socalgal --I'm trying to get to wonderland but up a half pound this morning. Did you all ever see "The Devil Wears Prada"? There is a line in the movie where the assistant says, "I am one stomach flu away from my goal weight". My version of this line ...."I am one really good poop away from Onderland!" LOL Well, it's funny to me.

Leecelove --glad that your feeling better after your unfill. Let us know how your husbands heart cath turns out.

Ladies (especially the ones that know me)...I'm wondering if I should get a little fill (like .2cc prior to moving???) I'm pondering this thought. Hummmm

Well, talk to you ladies and gents tomorrow.