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My Lap Band Journey

Entries in this blog

 

Finally

Just for the records....   After a 7 week plateau, scale finally moved to 183.8 today, 10/16.   Started using Body Bugg on 10/13. I don't think the two events are related, it just happend that way.
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

2
 

How bad do I want it?

I changed the quote in my signature this morning. This question is directed at myself. How bad do you want it, Terry? How bad do you want it and what are you willing to do to get it? I was ON FIRE before and after surgery. My goals and plan to get there were shining before me like a holy grail and there was nothing that was going to stand in my way. I absolutely loved this person that I'd become -- a totally reinvented self that for once in my life was 100% sure that I would get slim and fit....and most of all, healthy. I had no doubts.   The doubts are starting to raise their ugly heads and I want to beat them back with a vengence!! I see the 'old me' creeping in the back door and I want to slam that door, bolt it and nail it shut!!!   I have to find the strength somewhere (but where?) to re-commit. I have to rekindle that fire (but how?) to reinvent myself once again. I have to love myself enough (huh?) to do this for me!   And so what is it that I am raving about?? 3 'simple' things: 1) Regular, intense, meaningful EXERCISE 2) Eating according to my doctor's guidelines and following The Rules 3) Not smoking   My scale registered 188 this morning. It's going UP, not down. I have not exercised in any meaningful way for this entire month. Gee, you think those two things are connected?? It is crystal clear that I will not reach my ultimate goal unless I make regular, intense, meaningful EXERCISE a regular part of my routine at least 4-5x/week. And, in fact, I not only have to make it a part of my life for this weight loss process, but FOREVER. I have to decide...which do I want: 1) Eat fewer calories (enjoy food less, be hungry more) and be lazy (i.e. have a mushy body but more time to do 'nothing'!) OR 2) Eat more of the foods I enjoy, have occasional treats without guilt, and enjoy a body that is firm and fit although it requires effort?   I choose #2. I CHOOSE #2!!!   Yes, I CHOOSE it. Nobody is making me do it. I can be somewhat satisfied at this weight but I CHOOSE a to be something different! I CHOOSE to set a goal and reach it!! I CHOOSE to be as healthy as I can be!!! This is what I choose. I have free will! I can choose to eat Snickers all day if I want to, but that IS NOT WHAT I WANT!! I WANT TO BE HEALTHY AND FEEL ATTRACTIVE. I want to wear a size 10!!!!!!   How bad do I want it??? I want it BAD!! I want it so bad that I am willing to do whatever it takes to re-invent myself once again. I will go into therapy or hire a life coach. I will enlist the help of any- and every- one on this message board. I will read inspirational books. I will COOK healthy meals! I will EXERCISE 5x a week. I will get back into training. I will have faith in myself and I will love myself.   And I will succeed! [ROAR!!!!!]
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

2
 

Ok, Let's Try September........

Ah, September! The renewal of hope is in the air as kids go back to school with the promise of straight A's and I with my promise of exercise!!   I didn't like the pressure I felt last month with the 'specific' goals I outlined and it made me feel bad when I didn't measure up exactly. So I'm going to relax them just a little bit and break it down into Cardio sessions and Weights sessions, like many of the other Violets do. 8 - Full Body Strength Training Sessions 10 - Cardio Sessions of at least 45 mins. --------------------------------------------------------------------   This book is so awesome! This Year I Will.....How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True by MJ Ryan. I plan to buy several for Christmas gifts this year. I'm almost finished with it and when I am, I'll start it over again. Awesome.   8/30 - Got back to the gym today after my little sebbatical and it felt good. I actually had a hard time getting my heart rate UP! Could the quitting cigarettes only 11 days ago improved my performance that much already?? I did quit hacking and couging by day 3. Hmmmmm. Cool. :eek: 9/1 - Tried the rowing machine today! I like it!!! I especially like the idea of a total body workout on one machine and in less time. Was getting soooo bored with the other cardio machines. time to play racquetball!! 9/2 - Rowed again today for about 15 minutes and then the elliptical for 10 mins. I feel like I've lost something...can't seem to get a good workout in. Maybe I need to build up to it. 9/8 - Just had one of the most stressful weeks of my life and it was HARD to get thru it without cigarettes, food or booze. I think this Chantix is messing with my moods too....I can't wait to get off of it, but I'm not nearly ready. Exercise went by the wayside again this week. I think I got 3 workouts in. Pitiful. Discovered a 'fitness test' on the stationary bike computer and it said that I have low-very low O2 volume. I should have never taken that test. Here I felt like I was getting into pretty good shape and this computer tells me I suck. Well, whatever....I'm fast approaching 30# gone and that feels great!!   9/20 - Got back from a week in Vegas and California - ate anything I desired while there and gained 2#. Lost it all by Thursday. Yea! Got back to the gym last night by doing 30 mins on the stationary bike and reading. that worked out nicely - the time flew by! Scale at 186.6 Day 31 of not smoking!
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

3
 

August Exercise Challenge

Here is my August Exercise Challenge -- I wanted to be more specific with my goals and this is way too long to put in a signature line!   Wish me luck! Monday - Upper body + abs 2 of 4 (missed 1*)
Wednesday - cardio (cycle & elliptical) 4 of 5 (Missed 1**)
Thursday - Lower body + abs + cardio 3 of 5
Saturday - Full Body (no cardio, no abs) 3 of 4
Sunday - Swimming + Sauna 2 of 4 (missed 1)
Tracking pool laps: 8/12 - 12 laps total, 6 at one time. 8/13 - 15 laps total, 10 at one time 8/16 - 22 laps total (begin HIIT: can only do 1.5 laps at HI; takes 4 easy laps to recover)   *Quit smoking this day, quads are killing me from lunges and fighting an ear infection....just too tired and cranky...need rest) **Quads still hurting bad (wish I could take Advil!!) and huge attitude problem since quitting smoking. Not worried. I'll get back soon. Just need a rest. 8/29 Well, exercise has been almost a total loss this month because of quitting smoking which ruined my attitude, then a back injury from a bad masseuse. I'm trying real hard not to get too down on myself and friends here at LBT are helping so much. I guess I'll start over in September! What else can I do?!   Here's a link to 4 month progress pictures: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f91/shrinking-violets-april-07-bandsters-29472/index274.html#post533397   QUIT smoking on August 19th. Lord help me to not gain weight!!! :pray:   Major Revelation: Just because you CAN put away 1 to 1.5 cups of food, doesn't mean you SHOULD!! Let me clarify: I had gotten a SB frozen meal for lunch yesterday. I generally HATE any kind of frozen dinner but I was in a crunch. I nuked it when I got back to the office then ended up eating only about 1/2 of it....it was disgusting....and I injested about 150 calories worth of chicken and broccoli. I remained satisfied until 5:00! Ok, so what was my lesson here? 1) I don't need to feel the food backing up into my esophagus before I consider myself 'done eating'.[/color] 2) My instrux are to eat 1/2-3/4 cup of food at one sitting (regardless of if I feel 'full' or not) and that is what I need to do!!! (It's a RULE, dammit) Now, of course, this is totally contrary to the way I've trained myself to eat for the last 49 years and it will take a conscious effort to stop waiting for that full feeling and just follow the rule of 1/2 - 3/4 c of food. I simply need to stop overserving myself. If I am in a restaurant, I need to ask for the to-go box FIRST and load up the extra before I even begin my meal.   4th Fill on Aug. 22 - to 2.8cc's -- 8/29 - UNfill to 2.4cc   Weight loss for August was about 2.5#. Bleh.
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Hello Again!

Gosh, I haven't been able to get to this journal for the longest time! Ever since we went to the new "skin" the link didn't work. Found a work-around.   so, it's July 3rd and I feel like I'm doing great!! Had my 3rd fill 6 days ago and am loving my restriction. If it could stay just like this I'd be real happy! Hopefully I'll start losing like a good bandster now.   I'm exercising 5x a week: working with a trainer (Rory), trying different classes (they all kick my butt), swimming, cardio, etc. This morning I will try spinning for the first time. Last night I tried a step class (fun!). WHO IS THIS PERSON? Feel great and have no plans to stop, that's for sure. I think this is the longest I have consistently worked out and am really feeling all the benefits. It's incredible and I'm hooked! Richard is working out too and I noticed this morning that his biceps are really getting BIG! I'll have to check out the rest of him a little more closely!! :car:   Today I weigh 194. Seem to be averaging about 1 lb/week...maybe a little less. But that's pretty good because I'm not "dieting" per se. Eating things I enjoy, just less of them. I've had to get rid of SO many clothes but hated them anyway! LOL Gave them to Holly and hopefully she's getting some use out of them. She'll get more!   Making great friends here on LBT. It's been a wonderful source of support and my sister Violets are all doing very well. This is an incredible journey and so much fun to have others going thru the same experiences and sharing our victories. What a positive place!   Hopefully I'll be posting here more often. I'm so pumped and this is a good place to write where people won't get tired of me. LOL   I LOVE MY BAND!!
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Day 13

Weight 202   Total: 890 Fat:52 465 53% Carbs:61 213 24% Fiber:8 0 0% Protein:51 206 23%   No exercise today
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Day 12

Weight today 203!   Total: 980 Fat:34 307 32% Carbs:52 191 20% Fiber:4 0 0% Protein:73 293 31% Alcohol:22 155 16%   Activity - 30 mins on treadmill 3.1mph @ 2.5 incline - 200 cals recumbant bike - 10 mins - 50 cals   Net calories 730
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Day 11

Back to normal today!!! Absolutely back to my old self again...BUT 11# lighter!   Weight today 204   Total: 894 Fat:48 431 49% Carbs:64 224 25% Fiber:8 0 0% Protein:56 225 26%   Activity - 45 mins on treadmill @ 3.0 and 10 mins on bike at target HR for 200 calories
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Recipe - Cold Avocado Soup

Liquid diet ideasCOLD AVOCADO SOUP   Cold Avacado Soup, In a blender puree 2-3 ripe avacados, about 1/4 c prepared mashed potatos, juice of 1 lime, 1/2 tsp cumin and 2-3 cups organic chicken broth.
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Day 10!

My food was kinda wierd today, so I'm not even gonna mess with Fitday. If I had to guess, I'd say I probably had 950-1000 calories today. Had a ton of water and went to the gym as well.   Activity treadmill - 32 mins at 3.0 mph recumbant bike - 10 mins at target HR   So, I think my net cals for the day were at about 750-800. Still at 205#.
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Day 9

I joined a gym and hit the treadmill for 35 minutes tonight...even broke a sweat and everything! :clap2: Feel so much better now than I did when I got off work.   Other improvements are that I have just about weaned off of caffeine entirely. I used to drink 4-5 cups of coffee and 1-2 glasses of iced tea/day. Even the smallest amount has been upsetting my tummy this week and I found that I really just preferred plain old water. Once I get completely off, I will try my best to stay off. It just makes me hungrier.   Now that I am past most of the pain and almost past most of the fatigue, I am really, really getting pumped about all of this....the 10# drop doesn't hurt either. This is looking like it's going to be a very, very good year.   DH came to me this evening after work, when I was VERY tired, and asked what he could do to support me. I said, "Unload the dishwasher." He laughed and later watched me unload it. 10 minutes after that he was out for his poker game. I went to the gym. :ermm I mean, why did he bother asking? I was serious when I said that....all I really needed at that moment was a little help around the house. Pretty disappointing. He did say that he can already tell in my face that I've lost weight. Cool. So can I.   Activity 35 mins on treadmill @ 2.8 mph   Nutrition Total: 869 Fat:55 496 58% Carbs:35 111 13% Fiber:7 0 0% Protein:60 241 28%
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Day 8

Total: 808 Fat:45 405 51% Sat:18 163 21% Poly:4 40 5% Mono:12 106 13% Carbs:44 150 19% Fiber:8 0 0% Protein:60 239 30%   8 days postop and Ruh Roh. Bandster hell is coming.... I'm getting hungry!!! BUT...I eat a cup of full fluids or mushies and and I'm ok for 2-3 hours....and still only getting in <900 calories, but just spending more time hungry than I was. It's all good. I scheduled my appt for my 1st fill for May 4th. My soreness is almost all gone but still get tired easily. Grateful the wknd is coming. Incisions are looking good. Signed up with a gym today and I'm really excited about that. Hit the treadmill tomorrow. Tried scrambled eggs tonight and they went down fine. Man, did they taste good!!   I can SERIOUSLY see how my relationship with food will be changing. Now, when I'm hungry, I get kind of sad that I can't go out and eat a plate full of enchiladas or a nice sandwich or a steak or even my favorite salad. But it is precisely at that moment I am grateful for my new tool. I can't overeat even if I wanted to. So I shrug my shoulders, go have a 1/2 of cottage cheese and Voila! My hunger is cured ....and so is my sadness (that I can't have enchiladas). I sometimes miss that FULL feeling I used to get....but not really. Not after I've cured the hunger with even a small amount of food. I'm over it just like that. No regrets, no more mourning. This is certainly going to be an interesting journey.
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Day 7

Down another pound today to 206.   Yesterday (Day 7) was my first day back at work and it was pretty tough. Didn't get enough sleep the night before and was really tired. Didn't realize how much I wasn't moving around until the gas started REALLY bothering me. I think caffeine is a problem now...or maybe just coffee. Don't like the way it settles in my stomach 1st thing in the morning. Amazing how I am weaning off without even trying. Am starting to prefer water. Cool. This is yesterday's counts (all liquids):   Total: 775 Fat:37 331 44% Carbs:80 267 36% Fiber:13 0 0% Protein:36 146 20% 122
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Day 6

Had a quiet day at home yesterday. Pain is almost gone. Incisions itching like crazy!!! Took a 20 min walk. Had trouble getting my food in 'cause I'm getting bored with everything I have in the pantry. Protein was horrible, fat was way high, calories too low. Will try again tomorrow!   Total: 728 Fat:40 357 49% Sat:21 189 26% Poly:3 29 4% Mono:11 96 13% Carbs:63 224 31% Fiber:7 0 0% Protein:36 144 20%
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Evening Day 5

Today was a painful day. Tried to just stay with Tylenol but it didn't do much good. Finally broke down at 7:00p and took pain meds and feel sooooo much better. Duh! Sutures really felt like they were pulling...best way to describe it. It hurt! No problems eating today or getting liquids in. A good day. I think that caffeine is not agreeing with me. I LOVE iced tea but it is upsetting my tummy & making me hungry. Will observe this closely in days to come. Taking Gas-X a couple or three times a day and it's helping. Gas is much better. Starting to feel 'skinnier' :rolleyes   I only have one more (scheduled) day off. I hope it's enough. Will try to take a nap or two tomorrow. Maybe the extra rest will help. Didn't do any walking today except around the house and with DD at Old Navy for a bit.   Bkfst: Cream of wheat w/ butter & skim milk - 1c Lunch: Broccoli & cheese soup - 1c Snack: Yogurt/protein smoothie - 1c Dinner: cottage cheese 3/4c w/ 2 sm canned pears   Total: 808 Fat:32 286 36% Sat:17 157 20% Poly:3 28 4% Mono:9 84 10% Carbs:78 293 37% Fiber:5 0 0% Protein:54 217 27%
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Morning Day 5

Last night I ventured into the world of real food again. According to my post-op diet I can have fish and cooked vegetables...so I went to Luby's and ate about 1-1/2 oz. of baked fish, maybe 12 green beans, and 2 tbsp. of mashed potatoes. Yes, I was a little scared to swallow. But I chewed the tar out of that food and I had little problem. And I sure didn't eat very much. In the hours that followed I did have 4-5 short bursts of pain in my sternum area but it was no big deal. It did, however, give me a glimpse of what it feels like to get something stuck. Motivation enough to chew, chew, chew let me tell you! The most amazing thing was how this little bit of food kept me satisfied all night long!!! :omg: I realize it won't always be this way, but it was an interesting view of things to come.   I dropped another 2 lbs.   This is the coolest thing ever.   Slept really well last night but had the STRANGEST dreams of my life. OMG!! And they just went on and on and on and on. Can't go into details in a public forum but let me just say they involved everything from bugs in my poop, to working with the FBI to nab a former neighbor, to being unable to properly care for a baby, to being named an executive in a new corporate merger. Hey, they're just dreams, right??? :rolleyes   This morning have a good deal of pain at port incision and lots of pulling sensations when I cough or sneeze (OMG!!!), etc. Also, still constipated after taking two rounds of milk of magnesia :puke:. Gas is better this morning. Much better. Will try to move around more today....go for a longer 30 minute walk....maybe even 2x!! That would be really good.   counts for yesterday:   Total 638 Fat:21 190 30% Sat:10 93 15% Poly:3 29 5% Mono:6 54 9% Carbs:71 272 43% Fiber:3 0 0% Protein:43 171 27%
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Morning Day 4

No pain meds in my system right now at all and I'm feeling some new soreness. Port pain and incision on left side (2 largest) are pretty sore. I've been fighting headaches for the last 2-3 nights...very persistent...even when taking hydrocodone. Woke up with a new tight feeling in my esophagus at the breastbone area....like there's food stuck there or something. Also experiencing a slight heartburn. Will try to get answers & suggestions from the board today.   On the bright side, I'm down another pound -- to 210.   It has really been so long since I saw the scale go DOWN that it is freaky to me. It's a great feeling but a very small voice of panic is in the back of my head. Have no idea what that's about except maybe the concern over how little I have been eating. Odd. Will try to sort out those feelings today.   It's Easter Sunday, in the high 40's, windy and wet outside. Very, very odd weather for us this time of year. I'm feeling like a crappy mom because i've been so focused on myself that I didn't do anything for the kids for Easter. But they're teenagers now...hopefully they are not taking it personally. DS is no problem, but DD might be a little miffed....but she would never say anything. She had a fun day yesterday tho...out with Mia all day - Jillians, beading, dinner, movie, beading, sleepover. She'll be ok. Had to confront DS about some paraphenalia I found. We had a good conversation, but I don't need this stress right now. I pray that he stays on the good path he's set on with the new job, new car, grades are way up, etc. Oh, how I pray. I think it's medication issue - hopefully can be resolved with appt this week.
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Day 3 Post Op

I slept well last night and only had to get up 3-4 times to pee, rather than the every 15 mins. I did the night before! Oh, and I also weighed 211 today so the weight loss has officially begun! I really feel like I have 'turned the corner' and my pain is sooooo much better today. I'm only taking Tylenol now. Still using Gas-X. Had a 1/2 c of cream of wheat this morning and it was yummy! (skim milk, brown sugar splenda, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, plain protein) I'll probably have soup again for lunch. Need to start tracking on fitday. Think i'll go over there now....
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

I'm Banded!

Well, I thought I would record my banding experience...I may find it interesting at some point in the future.   DH drove me to Park Plaza at 8:30 and I basically sat around until 10:00. they got me in a gown and in a room then I took a nap (relaxed, eh?). Finally got to the staging area about 11:00 where they took another hour to start an IV and get an anesthesia history. I met with Dr. Spivak for a bit, too. At noon they gave me something in my IV that made me really goofy and took me to the OR then....LIGHTS OUT! I woke up in recovery feeling quite a bit of pain and having difficulty breathing. They gave me oxygen and some morphine, I think...and I was in and out of sleep...don't really remember. At some point they took me back up to my room and I was SLEEPY!! I was having a really hard time staying awake for more than 30 seconds at a time. I was hurting, but not too bad...I could get up out of bed and sit up etc. They wouldn't let me go until I drank 30 oz of fluid and urinated. The fluid wasn't any problem but I was having a very hard time urinating...I kept falling asleep on the toilet!! Actually, I even would take a sip of water and fall asleep before I swallowed it!! That happened 3 times....with the popsicle too. It was pretty funny. I finally peed and was able to go home at about 8:00p. I got home and watched the recorded American Idol (why??) and posted on LBT! I actually slept very well. I was given liquid vicodin for pain and that did the trick for me but I do have to take it every 4 hours! I'm still taking it. I didn't really eat anything to speak of for 2 days. 1st 24 hours I took 3 naps and had one 8 oz protein drink and a bunch of water. Shoulder pain was the worst of all. Took a shower. 2nd 24 hours I've been moving around a lot more, even went for a walk outside this morning, and did a little shoppiing at Michaels with Hannah. Did a load of laundry, unloaded the dishwasher, etc. Haven't had any shoulder pain today. I made a 4 oz smoothie, 3/4 c. cream of wheat, 3/4 c cream of mushroom soup. That's all! But I'm not really hungry. Feeling a little weak, so I know I need to eat, and I will, but I sure do like not eating all the time! I know this won't last but it's pretty cool for now!   DH was so sweet yesterday...I gave him a whole list of stuff I needed and should have gotten beforehand. One of which was a "magic bullet" and that thing is GREAT!! He's been wonderful about this whole thing. Very supportive and never questioning my judgement at all.   I weighed 212 before surgery, 219 day after and 215 today! Man, that's a lot of water!   Ok, headwise, I am having a little bit of the "oh sh*t what have I done?!" syndrome but I hope I'll get past that. DH and DD were eating BBQ and baked potatoes last night and I was feeling kind of sorry for myself. But those kinds of feelings don't last long. The support and motivation here on LBT have been indespensible. I can't imagine how one goes through something like this without it. Seriously.   Life is good.
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

2
 

Ongoing post-op diet

Panda's post-op diet -- looks like some great guidelines:   *********************************************   PHASE 3: (Day 9-Day 15) After Surgery (SOFT FOODS): 1. Avoid full fluids except MEAL REPLACEMENTS (Unjury, diet low carb slim fast, etc). 2. Baked NOT fried fish, pork, chicken, or turkey (no skin) and in small pieces 3. Lean ground beef finely crushed 4. Dried beans, peas, and lentils -- well cooked. 5. Canned or well-cooked vegetables. 6. Low carb (30 grams per day is the maximum allowable carbs). NO bread, pastas, potatoes or rice. 7. Cottage cheese and non-processed cheese. 8. Scrambled/boiled eggs NOT fried 9. Salad, Egg salad, chicken salad, tuna salad or turkey salad (mixed well). Low calorie mixes. 10. Separate solids from liquids 10 minutes prior to and 30 minutes after mealtime   PHASE 4: (Day 16 onward) After Surgery Lets Try Some Real Food: 1. You may try an solid foods -- protein (fish, meat, poultry), vegetables/salads. 2. Eat your protein first, then vegetables/salads, then other (e.g. fruit). 3. Stay low carb (sugars and starches). 30 grams per day is the maximum allowable carbs. 4. Avoid full fluids except MEAL REPLACEMENTS (Unjury, diet low carb slim fast, ect). 5. Plan 3 meals a day. Remember it's ok to skip a meal, but NO snacking. 6. Cut your food up fine and chew well. Eat slowly. Avoid what doesn't agree with you. 7. No liquids 10 minutes prior to and 30 minutes after mealtime. May have diet carbonated drinks. 8. Continue to drink 3/4 to 1 gallon of sugar free clear fluids each day. 9. AVOID potatoes, rice, pasta, bread products, popcorn, fried foods, processed meats, sweets, chips. When in doubt leave it out. 10. Don't forget to exercise at least 10-15+ minutes EVERY DAY.
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

More useful info

CONSISTENCY   *If the food you are eating is keeping you full for 3 or less hours you must increase the consistency/thickness of your food. (Generally when you are on clear liquids and ready to move to full liquids, full liquid to mushy, etc)   *If the food you are eating is keeping you full for 4 or more hours your food is at a good consistency/thickness.   *As soon as you feel full (this may feel like discomfort in your chest) STOP EATING. If you ever feel like something is stuck STOP! Do not drink or eat. Typically, in 30 minutes the food will come up or go down.   · Special note: If all you can eat is soft/mushy foods, you are too tight and need fluid out of the band.   ADJUSTMENTS   · You are ready for an adjustment when you are eating good solid nutritious food (the highest consistency) and it is no longer keeping you full for 4 hours and/or your portions are increasing, and/or you are not losing weight.   DAILY ROUTINE   · Upon waking drink 20 oz of water (anything 1 calorie or less, no caffeine, no carbonation). The first 8 oz may need to be hot clear liquid. This is also a good rule to apply when preparing your meals. (If you feel pressure/tightness, you need to loosen your band before you eat with hot clear liquids and deep breaths, then repeat water process) · Wait 10 minutes. No eating or drinking (let the fluid drain out of the pouch). When dining out, this would be when you are waiting on your food. At home this will be the time you take cutting meat, moistening meat, and getting it ready to eat) · Breakfast: Protein 1st (use fork and knife and cut up food well), Fruit 2nd (Sample breakfast: ½ cup low fat, low sugar yogurt, 2 T of almonds, ¼ piece of fruit w/ no skin OR 1 very soft, moist scrambled egg, 1 crisp piece of bacon, ¼ piece of fruit w/ no skin · Wait 1 ½ hours (no eating or drinking) · Drink 20 oz of water up until time for lunch. · Wait 10 minutes. No eating or drinking (let the fluid drain out of pouch) · Lunch: Protein 1st (use fork and knife and cut up your food well), vegetable 2nd, carbohydrate 3rd (sample lunch: ½ cup chili (beef or turkey and beans), 4 whole grain crackers OR 1/3 cup chicken salad, ½ seedless cucumber, 4 whole grain crackers OR 1-2 oz grilled chicken on 1 cup garden salad w/ low fat dressing, 4 whole grain crackers · Wait 1 ½ hours (no eating, drinking) · Drink 20 oz of water up until time for supper. · Wait 10 minutes. No eating or drinking (let fluid drain out of pouch) · Supper: Protein 1st (use a fork and knife and cut up food well), vegetable 2nd, carbohydrate 3rd (sample supper: ½ cup stew (beef and vegetable), 4 whole grain crackers OR 1-2 oz meatloaf, ¼ cup green beans, ¼ cup mashed potatoes OR 1-2 oz bake or grilled fish, 2-3 tops of broccoli (steamed and very tender), very small baked potato w/ no skin · Wait 1 ½ hours (no eating or drinking) · If you are getting hungry between meals, you are waiting for an adjustment and you feel you must eat a snack, it should be a protein snack. (low fat chunk cheese, T of peanut butter, nuts, turkey jerky) · Once you get close to your ideal body weight you may have to pay closer attention to your calories. You should not have more than 1200 calories a day.   They also recommend when drinking right before your meal to drink/gulp to see if it moves smoothly. This will let you know if you are ready to eat yet. Also, my doctor's office does not recommend snacks.
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

How to tell when you are perfectly adjusted:

BetsyJane posted this and I thought it might come in REAL handy. ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````   HowtoTellWhenYouArePerfectlyAdjusted: You are losing 1-2 pounds per week.   If you are not losing 1-2 pounds per week:   A. You may need an eating adjustment 1. Are you eating 60 grams of protein a day?   2. Are you eating 25 grams of fiber?   3. Are you avoiding all liquid calories? a. Soup can be sign of soft calorie syndrome b. Alcohol contains a lot of calories 7 calories per gram.(It's also a stomach irritant). c. Fruit juice is just sugar water   4. Are you making healthy food choices from a wide variety of foods? a. Are you avoiding soft foods b. You can't just eat what's easy c. Cheese is glorified fat   5. Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day between meals?   6. Are you eating too much junk? a. Chips, chocolate, nuts, ice cream, cookies and other highly processed junk foods are too calorically dense to be regular parts of a healthy diet. But don't avoid them completely to the point where you feel deprived. b. Stay out of fast food places   7. Are you getting in two servings of calcium daily?   8. Do you always eat the protein first?   9. Then the vegetables or fruits a. Five servings a day b. Potatoes are NOT a vegetable   10. Is your portion size appropriate? a. Meat or fish (3 ounces the size of a deck of cards) b. Vegetables (½ cup the size of your fist) c. Starch (If you eat the protein and the vegetables first you don't need much - Avoid: rice, potatoes, pasta) 11. You might try avoiding artificial sweeteners a. Some people think that artificial sweeteners stimulate the appetite b. They are HUNDREDS of times sweeter than sugar c. They teach you to like things too sweet d. There is no evidence that people who use them are any thinner than people who don’t   12. Avoid most diet foods a. Real food usually tastes better b. Real food is more satisfying than low calorie substitutes c. When you are only eating a tiny bit the caloric savings is not that great (Use a teaspoon of real butter instead of a tablespoon of diet margarine. d. The body has no way to break down artificial fats). a. They may go into permanent storage b. Some people think liposuction is the only way to remove hydrolyzed fats from the body     B. You may need a behavior adjustment 1. Are you eating only when you are hungry? a. If you're not sure drink 8 ounces of water and wait   2. Are you eating three meals a day? a. With maybe 1 or 2 small snacks   3. Are you sitting down to eat?   4. Are you eating consciously? a. No distractions, turn off the TV, put the book or newspaper away, pay attention to your food and your companions   5. Are you eating slowly? a. Put the fork down between bites b. Take 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal c. Taking longer might cause the pouch to begin emptying   6. Are you taking small bites? a. Tiny spoon, chopsticks, cocktail fork   7. Are you chewing well?   8. Are you drinking with your meals or too soon after your meals? a. Practice water loading between meals b. You won't be thirsty if you are well hydrated before the meal   9. Are you stopping at the first sign of fullness? a. Sometimes it's a whisper: not hungry, had enough b. Hard stop versus soft stop   10. Do not eat between meals. Stop grazing.   11. Do not eat when you are not hungry C. You may need an activity adjustment 1. Are you getting in 30 minutes of physical activity at least 3 times a week? a. Over and above what you would do in the usual course of your day b. Could you make it 4 or 5 times a week? c. Could you make it 45 or 60 minutes?   2. Are you taking advantage of opportunities to increase your physical activity? a. Taking the stairs instead of the elevators or escalators b. Walking on the escalators instead of riding c. Parking your car further away from the entrance d. Getting out of the car instead of using the drive through e. Getting off the bus one stop before your destination f. Washing you car by hand instead of the car wash g. Playing with your kids   D. You may need an attitude adjustment 1. Are you committed to your weight loss journey?   2. Are you totally honest with yourself about how much you are eating and exercising? a. Log your food and activity on ww.fitday.com for 3 days   3. Are you using food inappropriately to deal with emotional issues? a. Have you identified what the emotions are that drive your eating? b. Can you think of more appropriate ways to deal with those emotions? c. Are you willing to seek help from a qualified counselor?   4. Are you attending and participating in support group meetings?   5. Have you drummed up some support from your family and friends?   6. Have you dealt with saboteurs realistically?   7. Do you have realistic expectations about the weight loss journey?   8. Are you still obsessing about food, weight, dieting, eating? a. Obsessive compulsive thoughts (Obsess about something else) b. Perfectionism (All or none, black and white thinking) c. Patience with the pace of healthy weight loss   9. Are you acknowledging your successes with non-food rewards?   10. Have you learned how to take a compliment?     11. Are you giving up diet mentality? a. Stop weighing yourself several times a day or every day b. Stop dieting c. Stop depriving yourself d. Stop defining food as good and bad e. Stop rewarding and punishing yourself with food   12. How do you feel about all the changes taking place?     E. You may need a band adjustment 1. You feel like you are making healthy food choices in appropriate portion sizes but getting hungry between meals?   2. You can still eat white bread, fibrous vegetables and large portions.   3. You are having to struggle to lose   4. You are gaining weight in spite of eating right, exercising and having a good mind set.     F. You may need your band loosened 1. There are times when you can’t get fluids down   2. You are vomiting too much a. How much is too much?   3. Do you have frequent reflux or heartburn at night? a. Do not lie flat or bend over soon after eating b. Do not eat late at night or just before bedtime c. Rinse your pouch with a glass or water an hour before bedtime d. Certain foods or drinks are more likely to cause reflux: (1) Rich, spicy, fatty and fried foods (2) Chocolate (3) Caffeine (4) Alcohol (5) Some fruits and vegetables (6) Oranges, lemons, tomatoes, peppers (7) Peppermint (8) Baking soda toothpaste (9) Carbonated drinks e. Eat slowly and do not eat big meals f. If you smoke, quit smoking g. Reduce stress h. Exercise promotes digestion i. Raise the head of your bed j. Wear loose fitting clothing around your waist k. Stress increases reflux l. Take estrogen containing medications in the morning m. Avoid aspirin, Aleve and ibuprofen at bedtime (Tylenol is OK) n. Take an antacid (Pepcid complete) before retiring o. Try other over-the-counter heartburn medications p. See your health care provider
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Getting my head ready...

I went back to visit my old Low-Carb journal...and sure enough, those things DO come in handy later on.   I certainly don't remember the weight coming off so slowly. I was a paragon of patience!!! I was working my a$$ off with BFL and tennis and still not losing...but I plugged away...and eventually lost 26#. It was a pound here and there....gain and lose, gain and lose, but I had the support of a great forum and a diet that I was happy with (read: wasn't hungry all the time). I rarely cheated. I was faithfully keeping my #'s on fitday.com. Apparently that's a formula that works for me. Remember that.   Been having the strangest dreams EVER the last few nights.   On a totally unrelated note, I just wanted to pat myself on the back here. I just finished a week-long project at work where I created the absolute Picasso of Powerpoint presentations for our Chairman to use when he's at investor conferences, one-on-ones, etc. Everyone was ooooing and aahhhhing over my maps and color choices, etc. I have to say that it was very good work and a 900% improvement on the one they were using before. They finally broke down and gave me the opportunity to create one, and VOILA!....I did real good. Everyone is happy! (Except the other secretary who USED TO do them )
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Getting nervous

Well, I guess it's healthy to get a little nervous--prepares you for the realistic possibilities, right?   It'll be ok. It'll be ok. It'll be ok. It'll be ok.
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
 

Calorie count today

wt 212   Total calories: 1422 Fat:84 755 54% Sat:23 208 15% Poly:26 237 17% Mono:27 246 17% Carbs:78 265 19% Fiber:12 0 0% Protein:97 387 27%
TerriDoodle

TerriDoodle

1
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