So i've been banded for 3 months and i've lost 41.6lbs. I keep losing each week and i've decided to look back in my journal and see what's "making this work."

The day i opted to get the band (i'm self pay...even though my insurance would have covered it) i decided i needed to do something. I'm 29, 5'5 and 250lbs (was 292 the day i got banded). I have people all the time ask me what the "secret" is...and i just say that i'm ready. To someone who is in my shoes...you all know what that means...skinny people just nod and stare.

So what am i doing? I guess i'm on the non-diet diet. I've realized that i allow myself to eat a lot of things--like crab cakes, tuna salad with real mayo, potato salad at a bbq, etc. Normally, pre-band, i'd eat a mountain of these things and feel guilty the next day (then eat because i would feel like a failure). You probably know how that feels.

So how can you lose while eating (basically) what you want? I'm sure all of you are shouting in your heads SMALL PORTIONS. I guess my "secret" is that i make my meal about protein (so i've never had pasta, bread or rice--that includes pizza and such) but i haven't cared so much if it has fat. To date--it's working--and i realize i may need to change that as i get closer to goal.

I listen to my body (which is harder than one would think--again--skinny people don't get that)--i try to make decent choices, but i allow myself to enjoy the things i crave as long as they avoid the listed items above (oh and no desserts).

For me--it's a good balance between what i crave and the things i have to give up. I can eat enough of the "cheating" things to make me feel like a bowl of pasta is no biggie.

For someone else that balance may be different, but i think it's important to find what works and really believe in it. I've noticed that for the first time i stand a little taller and dream a little bigger. I have a very long road ahead of me, but i'm excited to go down that path.

Oh my god i so get it ,you could have taken those words straight out of my head....i have dessert now and then but only thing's iv made that are low in fat/calories.

41.6 is an awesome loss in three months and you should be proud of yourself good on you for making this choice and wrapping your ead around it so well

xx

Hi Bozzi,

I was banded 3-11-08 have lost 55lbs. Could you please

give me an example of your protein meals. I am

having trouble with getting enough protein. I live alone.

It is hard to cook for just me. My hair is falling out also.

I eat protein bars and milk and a little chicken and some

fruit. Any suggestions.

Susie Q

Boise, Idaho

Hi Bozzi,

Thank you so much for posting this. I was just banded 7-15-08 and I was sitting here wondering "What the world did I just do?" How am I really gonna go the rest of my life eating like this?

But your thinking really allowed me to wrap my brain around all this. Thanks a bunch for your wisdom!

Thanks everyone.

Examples of what to eat...first, i go to the "what did you eat today" thread under food every single day--georgia girl has some awesome ideas.

Yesterday i had:

B: Atkins protein shake (20g p) blended with some ice. *Note: i know it's not good to drink your food, but i enjoy milkshakes and having this in the mornings makes me feel good...so i do it. On weekend days when i have time to cook i make 3 slices of turkey bacon and 1 scrambled egg.

L: I often make tuna salad on a wasa cracker. Or egg salad. Or grilled chicken/shrimp over a green salad. Yesterday i went to my grandmas (she eats "dinner" at 2pm lol) so i had one meatball and a side of broc.

In the afternoon i drink Protidiet's concentrated drinks..i LOVE the grape flavor. 70 cals and like 15g of p.

D: Yesterday i had a deli sliced turkey rolled up with a laughing cow low fat cheese--about 4oz.

If i'm still short of the 70g of p..i'll have another concentrated drink in the pm. Honestly, i don't sweat it as long as i average 70 most of the week. I do the best I can to get to where I need to be and I've learned to stop punishing myself if i don't.

The one thing i do avoid is eating foods that could damage my band. For example, today i'm sick and for lunch i got potato soup (1cup) with cheese and bacon. CLEARLY a wrong choice, but it can't hurt me physically--like pasta could potentially. So, i've made a choice that i won't make everyday and i'll make a good choice for dinner. I feel so much better that way and honestly it's easy to stay on this path that way. Hope some of this helps.

i am newly banded on jan 7 2009 looking for support as much as i can get.........came through well