Today, I flying from NJ to Phoenix for a 4 day Medical Symposium.....Guest speakers, workshops, lectures, etc plus the chance to interact with my peers from all over the country.....

What will also be there, are all the major manufacturers reps and sales people, exhibitors....with unlimited expense accounts....so these things can and will also include 4 days of unlimited non stop eating and drinking at every turn. Everyone will be wanting to take you out to lunch, dinner, or just drinks in the lounge....private receptions, hospitality suites, etc, all aimed to get you to use/recommend their products....

It actually starts with meetings over breakfast.....and does not stop all day and night....

In the past, these things were killers for someone like me who could and would eat with no limits, total indulgence!....

But now, things are different thanks to the Band!

Once again, I'm walking into this with no reservations and will totally enjoy myself....., and will be putting the band to the test.....I'm not going to tell myself what I can and cannot do. What I am going to do is live my new lifestyle and let the band be the boss.....and just like any other day, no matter where I'm at or doing, I will simply listen to my band.....

Throw caution to the wind and put the band to the test....

Will continue my daily early morning workouts....50-50 my weight will either stay the same, or I may even loose a pound or two being active all day and night....

We'll see...But I am not intimidated....

Good luck on your symposium. Let us know the results when you get back.

B-52,

I always enjoy your posts because you always have a positive "can do" attitude!

I have no doubt you'll do great...just wanted to say, "Enjoy your trip!".

I was at one of these (technical, not medical) this past October. Just like yours, it was laden with food of all sorts of decadent varieties with libations flowing every evening. Whilst I do not partake in that latter, I was a bit nervous concerning the former. Happy to report my WLS procedure helped to save me from myself as pre-op, it would have been a series of indulgence. While I could not gorge, I still did enjoy the few bites of dessert, the cafe mocha caramel lattes, butter curried chicken ... I was alway satisfied and never felt the food coma which usually would cause me to space out at least one afternoon session.

Because of constantly being on the go the entire week, walking between the hotel and all the different events, I actually ended up losing 5 pounds that week.

Nice to bring home all that swag without any extra pounds. You'll probably have a whole new wardrobe of polo-shirts, etc., frisbees, plastic water bottles, etc. Personally, I am a sucker for those little books of different-sized post it notes. Have fun! Ask them to please stumble on cure for arthritis between martini bars....

Have a great trip, enjoy the weather and the limitless scenery! It's nice to know you will be able to be more focused on people, places and things! Feed your mind - learn a lot & enjoy!

Back from my trip late last night....happy to say the band has come through and performed splendidly....

Yes there was food around all day long....

You could not avoid Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as it was part of the agenda were all expected to eat together and the speakers and presentations continued as you ate....plus in the evening were the big sponsored parties.....

All I can say is, the band is the band is the band.....regardless of where I'm at, or what I'm doing....no change....did not gain or loose a pound....

I do feel that what I did eat was not all that healthy, at least not the type of foods I would normally eat on a daily basis, not to mention the constant flow of alcohol available....just need to purge my body of all these toxins and impurities