I live alone and as such, don't pay attention much to anything but my own food intake. Maybe those of you with partners/children are more aware of consumption but for me, like I said...I am not really aware.

So...it's coming as quite a surprise to watch my family and what they are eating while I am visiting with them this week. People stuff themselves. It's that simple. I love my family...it has nothing to do with that. I just can't help but notice how much friggin' food is going into their mouths...and used to go into mine I might add.

We went to a bistro for dinner last night and ordered the following to share:

Soup, salad, mussels, fish, vegetables, and a chicken/mushroom/swiss cheese crepe. Oh my but what alot of food it was. I was surprised they were able to eat it all. My portion was inconsequential compared to what the others ate.

Oh...and we topped it all off with coffee and dessert. Now...I understand that if you are not banded, you're going to eat more than a banded person will but come on....this was consumption on a massive scale. Jeeze..no wonder I was a fat kid. Now I'm not blaming anyone. After all, no one put a gun to my head and made me eat. But it just shows the difference between people who live to eat, and those who eat to live.

Oh, and by the way, I had lunch today with a cousin who has never had a weight problem. We split a sandwich and I was quite satisfied as I'm sure she was as well. No wonder she never was heavy...

I went to a few Xmas parties in December and the amount of food and the size of the bites people take is alarming? I know I was right there with them for many years but it's no wonder there's an obesity epidemic!

The range of bowls at our house is quite something -- I used to fill a largish bowl for each of us with fish and rice, chili, whatever we were having for a meal. Then big salad, etc. Now I eat from the little side dishes we use for condiments and I use a baby spoon and cocktail fork for good measure. I have started using smaller bowls (not the condiment ones, lol) for the family -- phasing out the others which are just too large of a portion. People an always go back for more, and they most always do. That's the problem, the more, more, more. I love knowing how to stop now. And being a dainty eater!

I know exactly what you're saying. Just watching people eat now amazes me! Giant bites, big gulps of drinks another giant bite...and I'm like wha??? Did you chew that? That used to be me...

Having the band makes you slow down and chew or savor each bite. It gives you lots of time for good conversation and sometimes people watching! I still get a lot of questions like, "Don't you like your food?". Which I respond to by saying, "Yes! I'm just enjoying the company." Corny maybe, but it works.

I love my band and I feel healthier and stronger every day!

I so know that being banded does make you aware of how those around you eat. It also makes me well aware of how I eat now. I eat with the same two people at work each day...one eats really slow-but eats way big bites and the other one eats faster and big bites. I bring out my phone with my slow eating app and they giggle at me, but it works...I know if I don't remember to use it though I do still eat too fast...so I try to make it a habit to have it with me all the time. So here's to eating slowly and eating smaller portions and being healthy.

Way to go there Banders...you all are doing GREAT!!! Thanks for being on here to give me inspiration!!!

It is quite funny to watch people eat now, since I have had the band. I use to be one of them. I would go to a restaurant and wonder if I would be full with what I was going to order for dinner, oh well, better get an appetizer too. Wow, my husband and I would eat everything. What I didn't eat, he would top off his tank with it.

Now, when I go to a chain type restaurant with friends I get annoyed at the menu. Nearly everything is deep fried, and/or smothered in a sauce. Last week I went to a restaurant for dinner and the menu read "your choice of side" I asked the waitress what the side dishes were, since they were not listed. Here was the choice: regular fries, spicy fries, or chips (wafer fries). Just shows you what our world has come down too. High fat, high salt, and high sugars. No wonder society is getting fat!!

My advice: Cook at home-we can all prepare more tasty and healthy meals than these restaurants can.

I agree Cutlass. The chain restaurants are terrible if you want to eat healthy. I love to eat out...both for the good food and good company. I'm lucky in that I live in a metropolitan city and can choose from many restaurants without resorting to the chains.

Though, I will admit that Bonefish Grill is terrific because they can customize the fish to however you want it and they will put the sauce on the side...and mean it.

I just keep in my head to choose better and watch my portions. Oh...and just as important is that I know after a week of eating out as I'm doing now, I'll gain a pound or two and won't stress over it.

In a couple of weeks once I'm home, it will go away. It always does.

I know right? Hubby and I went out to eat a couple weeks ago and the waitress came by 3 times and asked if she could clear my setting or get me a to-go container. Once I had the fork in my hand.????