I have to admit that one of my biggest hurdles w/the band is trying to figure out how/when/if I can still enjoy wine. I've been all over the place w/it from completely cutting it out to having a couple glasses a night like I used to. I am totally committed to create a lifestyle w/the band that is healthy, enjoyable, and sustainable. The problem is I truly love wine and the band just can't help me w/that... empty liquid calories sliding right through.

So, I've tried different ways of keeping it in my lifestyle, but putting some rules around it so that it is not a daily thing. I just haven't come up w/a rule that I could really embrace. If I set a number of drinks per week, then that feels like a diet. And, its really more about putting it in its proper place in my new lifestyle rather than limiting to a certain number.

This all got me thinking... what is something else in my life that I love, but have learned to moderate well? And, the answer is... Cake! I LOVE Cake!!! If I could eat cake every day, I would. And, there was a point in my life when I actually did. I would buy those single serving slices at the grocery store and have a little bit after lunch and a little bit after dinner. Yeah, I really knew how to live it up when I was 'off' a diet.

But, I learned long ago (way before the band) that this just wasn't gonna work (diet or no diet). So, I managed to tame my cake habit. Now, I never buy cake just to eat for no reason. But, I thoroughly enjoy eating a piece of cake at EVERY birthday party I go to, every wedding, every baby shower, and I may even order a slice to share after a nice dinner out. Its just not a daily thing or even a weekly thing anymore. Somehow I have learned to put it back in its proper place as a special occasion treat. And, this is exactly what I need to do w/wine. Epiphany!

My new mantra, repeat after me...

wine is cake

wine is cake

wine is cake

Would I eat cake right now? No? Then, no wine. Wine is for special occasions! :waytogo:

I like this way of thinking! LOL I did not even think about NOT havin a glass of wine! About the weekend after my 1st fill I went to my girlfriends in Tampa, FL and she offered me a glass of wine, I drank it, and about 10 min later, girl I was DRUNK! I had only 3 oz too! It had all absorbed in the upper part of my new small tummy and I was reeling, had to go lay down! Did not want wine again until about 5 months later and only drank a small amount again and did a little better this time, but woah it gets me! Loved your post about the cake, my thing is salted peanuts, they are LOOOOAAAADED with carbs and my downfall!

Janet, that's very interesting. I wonder if wine will not agree w/me once I have proper restriction. My mom has the band and says wine doesn't agree w/her much anymore. Its hard for me to imagine wine not agreeing w/me, though. Ha!

I've been pondering this whole issue w/wine some more... trying to analyze why I feel entitled to have wine even though I cut so many other things out of my diet or way way back (like the cake). I think it comes from growing up and seeing my parents have wine every evening before and during dinner. If my mom is reading this... No, I do not blame you! I know as parents we all just do the best we can and we can never know how every little thing we do effects our kids. But, I'm sure that is where I get this feeling of entitlement to it... like I put it in a different category that it really doesn't deserve. Its a feeling of... well, I'm an adult and I took care of all the stuff I needed to do today and its the end of the day and I deserve it. But, that logic totally fails when taking calories into consideration. Its true that on an emotional level, I may completely deserve it. But, on a physical level, it is a roadblock to reaching my goals. And, as someone who is committed to improving my health and making a better lifestyle for myself, I need to remove all roadblocks to achieving those physical goals. I need to learn how to satisfy the emotional needs in a different way that doesn't sabotage my efforts to improve my physical health.

Wow, I feel like my own psychologist sometimes. Writing is very powerful. And, I'm happy to say that the 'wine is cake' mantra is working very well for me. Last night as my daughter was being very demanding and I was trying to get dinner in the oven so we could eat at a decent hour (so my DH wouldn't be annoyed), I really felt like some cake (wine!). I drank a huge bottle of water anyway. Did I enjoy the water as much as wine? NO! But, anytime you try to break a habit, it feels unnatural at first. Just gotta keep my eye on the prize!

Hi ladies. I have been reading a book on lapband, I can't think of the name of it off the top of my head but it state in there that wine is ok. It says that you are allowed to consume 5-7 glasses a week and that it actual helps with weight loss. I have heard that you do get "tipsy" very easy with even like half a glass!