Like many of you I have dealt with my weight my entire life. I was a cubby baby, then I was a cubby toddler and when I got to adolescence I was an overweight teenager. Everyone told me I would lose my "baby Fat" but it never happened.

Now I am overweight adult who struggles daily with making the right choices.

I can't begin to tell you how many times I joined Weight Watchers. At least 30 times since I was 18 years old. I would lose 20 or 30 pounds and quit, then regain that weight plus more. Like many others I have been on this weight loss roller coaster my entire life.

I was banded on October 16th, 2008 and have had 3 fills. Currently I have 5.5 ccs in my 14 cc band. I have lost 51 pounds since my surgery. So I am obviously very happy with my band.

I will be honest, sometimes I continue to eat when I know my pouch is full. Sometimes I am enjoying my dinner so much and almost get upset when I realize my band is telling me to stop eating but then I have to realize, that's my band's job and I obey.

With Christmas quickly approaching I get worried about my eating. I will be traveling 7 hours to my mothers house. In the past I viewed traveling as a 7 hour long pig feast. Almost like I convinced myself that stopping at gas stations and buying candy and soda and chips, oh my! that I was somehow exempt from calories. Or maybe I thought since I was so exhausted from the drive that I "worked" off the calories. Whatever my mindset has been, it's time to change these habits, especiallly those habits that only come up a few times a year.

I'm going to take the Boy Scout oath when traveling this year: Always be Prepared! I am going to pack our food and snacks so that I am in control of what my husband and I eat. I am going to bring lots of water so I'm no tempted to stop at Starbucks ( I love Starbucks and look for every excuse to stop).

When I set out on my journey to become a bandster I was fully informed. I was fully educated by my surgeon, his staff and my personal research. However, being educated does not mean doing. Learning to live as a bandster has been an adjustment. I'm learning to trade off food because I track calories and know what has been in my mouth every second of the day. I journal every bite, taste, meal and snack. If I have dessert with my lunch and that puts me over my calories, then it means no dinner (which happened to me on Tuesday).

Everyday I focus on listening to my band. To realize those full signals that I have always ignored. Every week I omit another item from my grocery list that I would have purchased and brought into my home. I am enjoying more fruits and vegetables and eating things I would have never considered.

I thank God everyday that I was able to be banded. It is teaching me to tame the food addicted animal that exist within me. It's trial and error but for once in my life I feel that I am in control!

Good luck on your journey!

Merry Christmas!!!

this is so funny because i can relate sooo much! thanks for making me laugh. keep up the good work

This is so me!! Thanks for posting! I was banded Oct 29th.