As I have mentioned previously, I have my first visit with the surgeon on Tuesday. I'm self pay, so I'm hoping to schedule the procedure as early as possible in 2010.

That said, I have been on a bender lately. I haven't been binging or anything like that, but I have been just eating whatever I want and I haven't been exercising a lot. I was holding steady at my "highest weight ever" through May of this year. Then, I quit smoking. Don't get me wrong...YAY! Completely quit. Done. Finito. However, the 15-20 pounds I have gained since then have just been horrible. I am uncomfortable like I have never been before. I am actually changing what I do because of my weight. Unacceptable!

But...when it comes to food, I think..."I better enjoy this since I'm not going to get it after I'm banded!" Bad! And when it comes to exercise, I've gotten to the point where my feet hurt, my knees hurt and I'm just so freaking out of shape. Pathetic! I have been Jazzercising regularly for 6 years...how is it even possible that I got to this point? By only going 1-2 times per week, apparently. I guess just paying for my classes doesn't actually contribute to keeping you in shape. Oops.

I stepped on the scale today and HOLY MOLY!! I am the biggest I have ever been. It's like everyday is a new record. I had had enough!

I came to work and had my bowl of cereal instead of a bagel. And we went to a salad place for lunch where I had a nice healthy veggie filled salad. Good me!

I had been back to work for 30 minutes after lunch and I was hungry. I tried to decide the ratio of stomach to head hunger. I made a goal to drink 16 oz of water and if I was still hungry in 10 minutes, I would have a 100 calorie pretzel snack. After the water and 10 minutes, I was still slightly hungry, but didn't feel my stomach was going to growl at any second. Yay for me not immediately eating more. It's a start! Although after another 20 minutes my stomach started to growl so I ate the pretzels. I ate each pretzel slowly one at a time and paused after each to assess my hunger. I also tried to take a big drink of water in between each pretzel (which I know you aren't supposed to do when your banded, so maybe that is the wrong strategy.)

I really want to try and learn to disguish the head/stomach hunger. I'm afraid that I will get banded and still be "hungry" all the time.

I know I'm not going to be perfect between now and band day. But maybe I can at least get started.

I KNOW that the band is not magic and it will still be hard after. But I just keep thinking that it will be a wonderful tool to help me make it less hard than it is now.

Keep on keeping on.

Hang in there! As far as lunch...sounds like it was perfect but was missing protein which is probably why you were hungry so soon after.

I too Jazzercised for years and never got the weight off, but I loved, loved, loved the classes...keep going. Where else can you go and make an ass of yourself for an hour? :confused:

2010 will be here before you know it!

In addition to the missing protein, keep in mind that fat is what makes you feel full. Don't be afraid of the fats - just be selective. Olive oil and vinegar, for example, instead of salad dressing. Or add avocados. The protein will carry you further, the fat will sustain you short term. 40% of your diet should be protein, 30% fats (HEALTHY fats) and the rest carbs - but try to make those carbs "the naturally growing" kind.

I am pre-band myself and I am working on getting used to eating protein first followed by the veggies. For some of my veggies, afternoon snack, for example, I dip them in homemade hummus - which is higher in protein as well. I'm finding that I was severely lacking in my protein intake and with trying to increase that, I am being sustained longer between meals. If you want to know where you are as far as protein/fat/carb intake, check out www.fitday.com and start tracking it....amazing what I discovered there, I think.

Jazzercise is the only exercise I have been able to stick with as an adult for longer than six weeks! :confused: I love it because it is always different and it is both cardio and toning. Plus, my group has killer instructors and I have made some very good friends from my class.

My best friend is training to become an instructor. She is going to start around March 2010, so I'm hoping that I will be going strong so I can help support her. That will be one of my NSVs!!

I actually had both chicken & avocado on the salad. I honestly think I just eat too much and don't realize when I'm full. When I get distracted, I don't "feel" hungry anymore. When I'm really, truly hungry, nothing can distract me!

Thanks for the fitday link. I'm going to check that out!