earlier this week i had a craving for ice cream. not really sure why but just really wanted it. so i went to the store got a half gallon of rocky road. i ate a small dish. it satisfied the craving. i never went back for more. when my younger sister saw me eating it she accused me of cheating on my band, asked what was the point of the band if i was gonna cheat. i dont consider this cheating. i consider it normal. dont people that are thin already have an occasional snack. it really pissed me off. one of the worst things about my previous eating habits was the continuous guilt i felt over every bite i put in my mouth. thats part of how i got fat. you eat something thats bads for you, then you fell guilty over what you ate. the guilt then makes you depressed. then you eat again cause you feel depressed. i've tried really hard to overcome that vicious cycle. so i've tried to make an occasional guilt free indulgence part of my new life change. does anyone else feel this way. have family or co-workers that scrutinize every bite that you put in your mouth?

No, its not was banded Dec 08 have lost 30 lbs , last week went to a diner with a friend I ate half a sanwich then had a oice of lemon meringue pie, it was my only treat in the week.Before the band would have eaten a whole sandwich, fries and 2 pieces of pie. Ypu can eat normally just less

It's definitely eating like a normal person! That's why they're thin. They know that what they do 95 percent of the time is what counts, not the occasional indulgence. They have that ice cream, piece of pie, etc,. then get right back on the horse. That's what I've been doing since I've been banded and it's one lesson I hope I've finally learned.

Hell NO I don't consider an indulgence once in a while cheating. Now, instead of eating a King Size Snickers bar, I have 2 or 3 mini ones if I'm craving chocolate.

And I agree, I didn't have my surgery as a 'diet'. I did this to completely help me change my lifestyle. I love my Mom, and she's been SUPER supportive, but whenever she sees me she's always asking "how my diet is going"? I just smile and say, "It's NOT a diet Mom, it's a lifestyle change".

You're doing great so far! Hell I know if I was told I could NEVER have chocolate or something sweet again, I'd go bonkers!! :thumbup:

Jennifer....

You have every right to have an OCCASSIONAL indulgance....were it me I think I would have said "DidI ASK your opinion!!"

If you deprive and deny yourself things you want or love you will resent your band. This is a way of life, not some short term diet fix.....repeat after me "I DON'T DIET" make smart choices and stay active and you will have no reason to feel guilty over a small bowl of ice cream or a piece of cake or chocolate.

I am pretty much the only person amongst my family and friends that is, or I should now say, was over weight and I can tell you that all of them eat junk food from time to time, they don't deprive themselves.

A band restricts your portions. It limits your intake. And as you get your fills, it helps with the constant hunger and food obsessions. I chose my band so I could eat like a 'normal' person .... just not so much. I no longer count my calories, limit my fat, or eat anything 'fake' like sugar free or low-fat. I eat everything that has the 'regular' amount of fat, not the light version. But I don't gorge myself like I did before. Ice cream is one of those things I enjoy. I eat full-fat varieties, but no longer the whole carton, but instead a small bowl. The band is all about having a normal relationship with food and not obsessing about everything you put into your mouth. If people start obsessing for you, tell them to take a leap... in the nicest way possible. it is SERIOUSLY not anyone else's business.