Hi Fellow August Bandsters!

I have a question and I hope you can help.

I am joining a gym tomorrow, and know that my limited exercise is part of why I am not losing more weight each week. I can live with that. I was only approved to go to the gym two weeks ago, and then got sick a few days later and have only been up and about again for 48 hours (heavy head cold followed by an adverse reaction to my flu shot that got into my tummy - not a happy week for me).

Anyway, here's where I am. I had my first fill two weeks ago. For the first five days afterwards I was aware that I had less room and filled up faster.

Now I'm back to feeling like I don't have any restriction. I don't get hungry as often and stay comfortable for MUCH longer than before I had a band, and for that I am most grateful. I know I need to work harder on re-training myself to stop eating when I have taken in enough food, whether I feel full or not. That is my current challenge and goal and I know this will take me some time. It is about re-training myself.

So here's my question. What do YOU do to help yourself stop eating when you've taken in enough quantity-wise but still don't feel full? I can eat around this band like a champ - I can even sip Water WITH my food and then immediately afterwards if I want to (but I've already done well with learning to not drink with and immediately after meals. Not perfect, but I can clearly see I have a handle on that).

Hopefully I'll start to see more of a difference in how I lose when I go back to the gym this week. I can't wait. I actually am someone who looks forward to the gym. I like the results so much!

Blessings and thanks to you all. I think I fall within the range of normal for bandsters, but a little encouragement and support from those who walk this path with me would go a long way right now.

(By the way, I haven't figured out how to automatically update my ticker, so it isn't showing my correct weight loss - I'm down 17 pounds now).

I measure out my food and put it in a little bowl or on a little plate and that is all I eat. I had my first fill on Oct 6 and I get hungry about 3 hours after I eat, but I try to stay busy and ignore it. If it gets too much to handle I will have a No sugar added Fudgesicle - which is 40 calories. I think alot of this comes down to mentally telling myself to stay within my portions allowed if I want to get to my goal. It is really hard sometimes though.

I struggle with this alot too. I try to remind myself while I am eating that I need to stop when I feel full. I will say "are you full?" Most of the time the HONEST answer is "yes, but I like the taste and want to continue eating!" Then I will tell myself that there will be another meal, more food later and stop eating.

For example, i just got done eating a delicious salad with grilled chicken and feta cheese (my favorite) and I decided to eat half of it for lunch and half for dinner tonight. This way I can stop when I am full and not miss out on my yummy tasting meal.

Keep up the good work. This is a lifestyle change and we are all learning together.

If its not time for me to eat and I"m hungry I will first drink a bottle of Water. After drinking that I wait at least 20 minutes. If I'm still hungry I will have a snack, like a SF Jello, or cheese. That usually tides me over.

It also helps me to make sure to get in my water. I'm striving to get 60 oz in a day, so if drink one in between my meals (always waiting an hour after eating) it helps me get them in.

Good Luck.

Amy, I am right there with you. The only difference is that I never had any restriction after my first fill. As you can see, we have lost a comparable amount. I'm having horrible trouble with being able to eat as I please. I admire those folks who are able to self-limit, but I have never had the willpower to do that. If I had, I wouldn't have needed the band in the first place, you know? :tongue2:

When I AM successful in controlling my portions, here are the things that contribute to it working:

1. I pack the food up and put it away before I sit down with my plate. Sometimes the idea of having to pull it all out and reheat it will keep me from eating more. Sometimes.

2. I eat my plateful and then do something where I need clean hands. Putting laundry in the dryer while I eat works pretty well. Hard to fold towels while eating. Sometimes.

3. I'll admit that sometimes I get so frustrated with myself that when I go to get more I give it all to the dog, or toss is into the garbage and take the bag out. Sometimes.

The important thing is that we even think about things differently. Before I got the band, I had just plain sworn off of dieting. I didn't worry about how much I ate, period. So the fact that I am even thinking about it is a small victory.

I get my 2nd fill tomorrow. I'll update in a few days! I know that it may take me a couple or few more...but at this point I just want to know what restriction even feels like.

Lanakila