I have lost about 50 pounds since January 1. I am proud of myself but have hit a plateau (I lost much weight quickly). I have not been exercising due to family issues then laziness kicked in.

My questions are:

How do you know you are full? Or How do you control your portions?

Do you find that exercise really benefits your weight loss?

Hi Nikki. I'm pretty new to this because I was only Banded at the beginning of May and have not even had a fill yet. I don't know how much different things will be after a fill but I have noticed that when I am full I get discomfort in my left side beside where my port is and that it feels like food isn't going down so well anymore.

I have been very careful to measure my portions out until I have an idea of what a portion looks like. I think that will come in time when I get used to eating less.

Definately exercise is a good thing! I have learned that there is no quick fix to losing weight- it has to be through diet and exercise. The band is a tool to help us but we still have to put some effort in if we want to see the weight coming off. I know it is so hard to get going with exercise but I think once you get used to doing it you might even enjoy it. I have gone through times too where I stopped exercising because life got too busy but I just get back to doing it as soon as I can. Which sometimes takes me awhile..LOL.

I know I'm full because I feel full. I dont measure or weight food, and here, 1/2 cup is not a "goal" its a "guideline". I eat more than that and always have. So I'm not mreasuring out half a cup and eating it and thining Hmmm, do I feel full. I serve my dinner, and eat until I feel full. Well, more correctly just until I feel well satisfied. Its different every time, depends on time of day, what I'm eating, whether I've just been for a run or not (makes me tight).

And as for exercise, yes, I'd say for me it was at least 50% if not more, of the equation and its definitely the main factor in keeping the weight off.

I definatly need to exercise. I can eat the same foods week to week, i will only loose 1/2 to 1 lb without exercise. I will loose 2-21/2 when I do exercise. This sucks for me because i HATE exercise. I have been running now for about 4months and am still waiting for that "runners high" I keep hearing so much about. I push myself out the door because know it is the only way i will loose the weight!