Great Idea - I will do it right now !!

Hi

I am Janet and I am a recovering food addict :wink2:

I was banded 7/17/07 - My starting weight was 250 - I'm 5'4

Today (just over 10 months out) I am 154 - size 8 pants (was 18/20) Medium tops (was 22/24)

I got banded as I wanted to extend the years that I have left on this planet and to do that I knew that I needed to lose weight.

The band has been the tool I needed. For the first time in my life I have been able to achieve this goal (actually getting to my goal weight)

If you want a buddy - support - help - suggestions - Please feel free to call upon me - I will gladly share my journey with you - the journey is still on going and by helping you I will be helping me (staying motivated and accountable) and then one day you can pay it forward and help someone else.

Ouch let me say again Ouch. Today was my first real day working. Standing, lifting, cleaning, making meals doing the works. Stair climbing walking everywhere.

So I got what I wanted a labor intensive job. Remember my jobs have not been physical at all since 2001. So if I am sore now I will feel it more tomorrow I am going to take a warm bath and some aleve and go lay down. But I am happy

Melissa, my nutrionist at my surgeon's office has a motto - Carbs are NOT required for a balanced diet. She is specifically referring to the white carbs -- she told me when I was in preop that I could go the rest of my life without ever eating a carb and be just fine. I occasionally go on the 5 day pouch test and it's really helped me -- it's sort of a "cleanse" and you feel so energized when you do it - just google 5 day pouch test to get the instructions.

Linda

Linda -thank you for the information. I actual have the 5 day pouch test book. I plan on getting more things this weekend to prepare some meals in advance but right now I am doing pretty well with the food could be better but I am taking it one day at a time

Hi guys. So far so good. Stuck to meat and Atkins shakes and bars all day today. Have a chicken broccoli kiev in the oven right now. Has a few but not many carbs. One more day of extremely low carbs and then I'll add some back. Nuts are Ok as long as they don't trigger pigout in me. Just a few in a salad are good. A few berries in my salad. No more than that. A couple of pieces of chocolate a day eventually. But if they trigger bingeing then they've got to go again. Since I'm at maintenance a couple of days of no carbs usualy drops 2 or 3 lbs and puts me back where I want to be. Then I have to be careful or it comes right back. Very hard this time of year. For me, the two lb rule really works. Gain 2 and I have to go on 2 days of no carbs and then a few days of lower carbs to stabilize. The Protein train has always worked for me. Choo,choo!

Cheri

Linda, so good to hear from you. Thanks for sharing the counselor's advice. I love it. I would like to think of it as serving me a big pile of dog poop. JUST SAY NO!!! Don't even get close enough to smell it. lol My DD and DGD are trying to serve me up their drama. I keep pointing them both to God. So, they haven't called in a few days. When it is a money issue they want me to play god and dish out the dough. Nope.....they need to pray about it. Lesson learned.

Cheri, Boy, if I tasted chocolate......this train would run out of steam or hit a log jam. I have to stay away from it.....trigger food. It sounds like you did well today. WTG!

Melissa, I bet those dogs are tired today. A hot bath is definitely in order. Hang in there!

Time for Protein shake. I am using my old menu from when I was on the Protein Shake diet. Protein shake......chicken......coffee w/ Protein Drink in it.......chicken/with green salad.......protein shake with two strawberries. See I am using the tools I learned from nutrition class. Oh, the almonds were okay too.

Choo! Choo!

Hi guys~

Just sort of a fly by. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers for me and my itching. Well, I went to the dermatologist yesterday (it took a firm call from DH to get me in- I hate that too. I couldn't get past the secretary and she said the first available was Feb!!!) My dr was super nice of course when she saw me and gave me the time of day (even though she was busy). Well, she said I had every right to be concerned- it looks bad. She took a biopsy although she is 99% convinced it is a viral exanthem. (rash caused one of many viruses). She said it is SEVER and is surprised I haven't itched my skin off! I have it on every surface of my body except myu fave- but it is on my neck too. I will attach a photo of some examples. It's common for kids to get this more- but I have "weird" skin and tend to react strongly to every thing. So, I have to continue the antihistamines- atarax or benadryl at night and high potency steroid creams for in between. I am done with reglar prednisone tabs. The benadryl and atarax knock me out. DH has seen me scratching in m sleep! (it's that bad). She said the stress of my Dad's diagnosis is always a contributing factor too. So, I will live- I will just look horrible for a few more weeks. I am just thankful it doesn't appear to be a recurrence of my gutatte psoriasis- which I really don't have time for!!!

Only 2 more days of school! I was hoping to have gotten all my wrapping done and presents hidden in the attic. (Florida homes are notorious for no hiding places or roomy closets!) I guess I will have to sneak a few down each night and get them down that way. I am excited that my parents and sister will be down. It will make the holiday fun and cheerful. I have to start thinking about the menus for the other meals. We will have to wait until after Christmas to do the new england clam/lobster bake. Florida is on thier "no no" list for shipping. It's too warm to risk it. (we always got those sent to NC no problem). Dad wants an organic Turkey on the big day. He loves homemade leftoever turkey used in pie. I want to give my mom a break from cooking. She is wearing herself thin).

Next Saturday is DH's big anesthesia group Christmas party. Last year I was feeling sassy and bought new black pants and a sassy red and gold sweater and new heels. well- today I went to 3 stores and can't find anything that I LOVE. I can't wear the same thing as last year. Might have to venture to the mall in a couple days.

Tomorrow I work. I am feeling torn, as it's one of the biggest "center' days at school. They will be doing 4 crafts. I delegated all the work, so hopefully it will all get done. Friday, they are watching the polar express and I will bring donut holes and hot cocoa. I am also REALLY pleased with my parents! So far I have 10 out of 16 reply and send in money for a group gift. I decided to give a visa gift card. I figured teachers have enough "junk" from all the years of teaching! I do know she likes chocolate covered pretzels- and Godiva had an amazing gift basket I couldn't pass up!

(chocolates, coffee, Chic pretzels and a nice decorative bowl)

I hope you are all doing OK. I promise more writing later. So much on the brain right now!!!

hugs... Laura

http://http://www.skinsight.com/adult/viralExanthem.htm

Started a post a couple of hours ago and lost it!! Here I am again!! Stayed inside today trying to get Christmas stuff done. Made a little progress but not much! Tomorrow is back to back stuff again! So much to do before we leave on Sunday!! Trying to keep up with all your posts so I know what's going on!!

HUGS!!

Hey All!

I haven't posted for awhile.. nothing new happening since I'm in my 6 weeks of liquids/puree. I will be having my first fill in a couple weeks and I am feeling nervous about it. Not the fill itself but the restriction, the chewing well, the dry meals, possible stuck foods... any words of wisdom?

I haven't lost much in these last 4 weeks, I feel mostly because eating mushies its not like I'm finding a well balanced meal. But I'm ok with that since I've been told that before the 1st fill you may or may not lose much.

Hi again everyone and thanks for the "welcome"s!

Charlene K - I have started the preop. I began it on Monday, so beginning day number 4. I've heard I'm over the worst days (1-3). It seems to be getting easier. I haven't had any cravings yet - which is excellent considering... (period

Okay I have no idea what just happened but I'm frustrated that it cut off ALL the rest of my answer.

Good morning everyone. Janet, glad to hear you're feeling better -- like someone else said I've been lucky that I've been nausea free since banding - I don't get too many stomach viruses so I'm thankful.

I've been on the Protein train for two days - in the process of doing the 5 day pouch test -- I do this too after I've overindulged a bit - this past week I enjoyed myself a few extra times and my pants were feeling tight. I enjoy it -- feel renewed and energized -- I truly recommend it for anyone struggling -- remind yourself it's ONLY a few days. I can do anything for a couple of days -- positive thinking MAKES it happen people.

Arlene, I'm kind of glad your surgeon recommends salad as I have always been a salad person and enjoy eating a salad as my main course for dinner -- with chicken or salmon in it -- I can eat quite a bit -- probaby 1 to 1-1/2 cups of veggies and then my 4 oz of protein added in. I tend to use fat free ranch on mine because that's what I have eaten for over 20 years. I know others here don't think fat free is the way to go.

Vickie, good luck to you, we will support you any way we can -- did you get banded in Mexico? If not, you should call your surgeon's office and make an appt. with the nutritionist. They should still be willing to help you with your weight loss -- my surgeon's office advertises that they will be there for their patients "for life" -- any time we need them we can go in for consultation. I don't go in very often since I don't need fills any more -- they want to see me twice a year to keep me accountable, but if I need them I can all and go in at any time.

Kelly, wtg on the weight loss and walking -- walking is truly a very good way to begin your exercise journey -- just keep increasing speed/distance as you go along -- move those arms. Funny story -- I always have dogs that are part daushound -- the last two have been terrier/daushound mixes - but personalities like daushounds -- anyway, my former dog, Rusty, was old when I started walking in 1988 - it was the first time I started a serious weight loss path and I was walking every morning -- she truly loved it at first -- the first 6 months or so. Then one day I was getting ready -- stretching when she was doing her business and when it was time to start walkng she just sat down and refused to budge -- she was about 16 at the time and I think 5 miles of super brish walking was just too much for her -- so then I started walking her just a small bit and putting her in the house before my longer walk.

Gotta run everyone -- Aylah was here overnight and she's up and I need to ge be grandma.

Love to all. Chris - where are you? Hope everything is good with you,

Linda

So I knew it woke up sore today. I have another 8 hrs of work for the day. (don't get me worng I am grateful) Just my body is probably saying what the heck are you doing to us. LOL Anyways just a quick Hi and I am going to get ready for work. I will post this evening when I get home.

Laura - I am glad you got an answer for your itching

Kelly - WTG!!!!

Good Morning Gang! I am still on that Protein train today. I had turkey sausage patties(2).....well pups had one of them. Now I am off the Water aerobics.....Lori, for real, I am going!

Linda, I like eating 4ozs of meat on a bed of lettuce. It is more filling for me. Where as some many people get stuck on it......it actually helps me get the meat down.

Swan........Good for you! Yep, straight protein takes the hunger way down. Remember that when you get hungry after the band is in place. Protein really helps control the hunger.

Laura.....so sorry about your rash. I clicked on the site, but I didn't see it. I will try again.

Apples.....missing that green post......need my green post fix!

Phyl.....I did not know you were leaving. Going home for Christmas?

Janet.....glad your tummy is better!

Melissa.......soak those feet when you get home!

Okay, I am off to the gym.......then babysitting the 2 yr old DGD. The three month old has a UTI and needs to go to a follow up today. They even want to do an ultrasound. I am going to see my friend that had a stroke . She is about fifty miles from here. I will check in this evening.

Good morning! I am stuck at home today without a car. I could've taken DH to work this morning but didn't want to get up that early and really have no where to go. My car is at the autobody place getting the door fixed that got damaged in the wind driving across Wyoming for Thanksgiving, it's supposed to be done tonight. I sure hope so.

Linda, thanks for the kind words and the tips on the dinner party. I already bought the prime rib so am going with that. Could I get your spinach salad recipe? I have one I make but it's more summery. Ugh, to go through all that work for the party only to have them cancel it.

Phyl, leaving? Where ya going??

Laura, glad you got some answers on your rash, never heard of a virus causing a rash, guess those darn viruses can cause all sorts of things. HOpe it clears up soon. Couldn't get your link to work.

Arlene, did you make it swimming? or was it too cold again? I thought when you said that you were going out doors. LOL BRRRRR

Melissa, think of your job as getting paid to work out! What are you doing for Sam's?

Apples, where are ya?

Eva, ????

Good Morning Gang

Hot Hula was fun last night :0) !!! May just do it again next Wed - did work up a sweat..

Bwhitty - How long do you have to be on pureed foods - you are 6 weeks out - I had 10 days each phase - got 1st fill 8 weeks out - As to eating - you just have to take tiny bites - chew well - eat slowly - you will forget and your band will remind you.. As to what you can or can't eat - well you may have no problems - everyone is diff in that dept

Swan 56 - Yes the 1st 3 days are the hardest - I was lucky I only had 1 week of pre-op and it did include salad & fish for dinner - so it wasn't that hard for me... When's your date??

Laura - Hugs on your rash... You are going to be busy girl w/family coming - and I hate it when I have somewhere to go and want a special outfit and can't find it.. I would hit the mall ASAP before this weekend.. You won't find me at the mall this coming weekend ;0) I heard on the news this morning - Snow in FL..

Linda - I'm like you - can't really tell you the last time I was sick and really I could have gone to work - just didn't feel like it and it was the 1st sick day of the year - ;0).

Melissa - Glad you are getting a workout at work ;0)...

Charlene - WTG hittig the gym this morning...

Great - You might not have anywhere to go - but just do to the fact that you can't cuz you don't have a car makes you feel stranded - I know that's how I feel. Phyl's going home to WA for Xmas..

Well need to get my butt in gear - CBL