i had my first meal with friends today- they all heaped their plates with yummy smelling food and I had my spoonful of chicken salad, spoonful of cottage cheese, and half an egg.

I am still on mushy phase- everyone commented on my small lunch, and I know that nothing on their plates could possibly taste as good as putting on size 4 jeans, but still- I had pangs of jealousy!:thumbup:

See, that's where I'm a bit of a sicko, lol. I get a real kick out of being satisfied by so little food, it really is quite disturbing what people manage to put away and you KNOW that you survive quite healthily on so much less, it's just horrific what society is doing to itself in its huge overconsumption (of everything really, not just food).

As you live longer with your band, you may have pangs of wishing you could scarf something down, but more often than not, that's just a wistful memory, not a true craving that you really wish you could satisfy. You learn to enjoy the smaller portions.

that stinks don't it??!! today at work like around 10:30ish (still considered Breakfast time mind you) two of my co-workers ordered pizza and breadsticks...HOW DARE THEY. it filled up the room with yummy smells and of course these girls offered me some; you'd be proud, i was strong and said "no thank you." not to mention these girls are of average size and eat JUNK all the time and stay small...i'm so jealous,lol.

but your right size 4's in your mind and i'm pre-band with goals too. we know its all worth it! keep up the great work!!!:thumbup:

maybe it will be different when i experience restriction and i dont have hunger helping my ire along!

Congrats Kiki on being strong and good luck with your surg!

Yes, it is very hard to be in that soft food stage when you don't feel restriction yet and have people around you pigging out. That was the very worst time for me. The smells are what really got to me. (Pizza...oh my gosh) I just kept telling myself it was for my own good, it was temporary and I even had an end date, and that I had done much more bizarre things with food before being banded on all the stupid diets I went on. That helped. Know there are lots of people out here who know what you are going through and hang in there, you will make it!

In eating situations with other people, I have noticed that the 2 who know I have the band try to match me in portions eaten and eating slowly. THEY CAN"T DO IT! I eat what they eat, only miniature portions, and I never feel deprived. They are sitting there unable to stop eating. Like I used to be. Yesterday, my sister and I split a hamburger with everything on it, and she ate her half and I only ate 1/4 and felt like Thanksgiving-full! I marvel everyday at the way the band works! No, weight isn't falling off quickly, but at my age (55) the slower the better - don't want to win any SAG awards :thumbdown:

I actually often look at what other people eat and I'm amazed. That gets me thinking about what my portions used to be like, and I'm amazed again.

I think you'll get to a point where you are glad you aren't stuffing your face like the people around you.

thanks tex and marimu!

I know I just have some adjusting to do when eating with others.

restrict2008 - I've been through a lot of stages with my band, and sometimes I can eat more than others. Hang in there with the mushy stage (I'm thinking that you must be recently banded). Right after you're banded, you're healing and still have some swelling so your band is probably tight enough.

Right after the mushy stage, when I was able to start solid foods, I found that I could eat a lot - but that was because I hadn't had a fill yet. Just hang in there - you'll feel much better about eating out as you continue your weight loss journey.

You'll find that you'll be able to eat more of a variety of food when you eat out, and will have leftovers to bring home.

Best of luck to you.

Isn't that a great feeling to be able to eat a BAD thing in a GOOD portion and not feel guilty! I love that. I'll go out and get a loaded baked potato...for dinner. I may or may not finish it, depending on how my band has been acting that day. But I feel wonderful having had the wonderful tastes, without the GUILT of having stuffed 3000 calories in my face. Now I don't just LIVE on all the "Bad" stuff, but when I go out with family and friends, I don't deprive myself. But when I get home and put a pencil to it, I find it has been a totally acceptable amount of calories taken in. If I am really going to be BAD at a meal, I make arrangements to adjust the rest of the day accordingly.

yep! that is why i got the band! to be sated on less!! can't wait

:eek: that stinks don't it??!! today at work like around 10:30ish (still considered Breakfast time mind you) two of my co-workers ordered pizza and breadsticks...HOW DARE THEY. it filled up the room with yummy smells and of course these girls offered me some; you'd be proud, i was strong and said "no thank you." not to mention these girls are of average size and eat JUNK all the time and stay small...i'm so jealous,lol.

but your right size 4's in your mind and i'm pre-band with goals too. we know its all worth it! keep up the great work!!!:thumbup:

Look at it this way hon, if they are around our age group and like that - give them 15-20 years and their metabolism will kick their asses and while you're a champ with your band they... well u get the drift

heheheh! :thumbup: i tell my hubby the same thing. he's 30; he's a stick and stuffs his face with anything & everything. i did tell him to watch out cuz all of that will sooner or later catch up to him and i'll then be the skinny minnie:tongue2: