Jenn1214

I've been looking at the descriptions of P90X and Insanity and they sound pretty scary to be honest. Is Power 90 just as insane or is a little more geared towards people like me? I'm in no rush since I just started exercising again recently, but in a few months I'll probably want a challenge. Any opinions? Thanks!

My absolute favorite is Chobani 0% Raspberry...yum! Chobani is my favorite brand overall, but Fage is not bad either.

I have yo-yoed with my weight for many years, so I have been on both sides of the spectrum: there is no doubt in my mind that I was treated better when I was thinner. After losing 60 pounds I definitely notice a difference in the way people act toward me, even though I don't think I act any differently myself. Men will hold doors for me, occasionally let me go ahead of them on the checkout line, and I've even noticed some checking me out as I walk by. I'm still very overweight and have a long way to go, but the changes are very apparent. Even some of my fiance's male friends are friendlier to me now.

You haven't had a fill yet, so the band isn't doing what it is supposed to do. That being said: 1. Did your surgeon give you an eating plan that you were supposed to follow? I was on full liquids for two weeks, then mushies for two, then solids. It sounds like you're progressing into solids too soon (unless your surgeon says that's ok.) If not, don't progress too fast or you could cause damage to your new pouch. 2. Just because you CAN eat a certain amount doesn't mean you SHOULD, especially so soon after your surgery. The band doesn't stop you from eating, it dulls your hunger so you don't eat as much and can go longer in between meals. Having the band still requires a certain amount of willpower and making good food choices is important. Please take it slow and easy and give your stomach a chance to heal. I have heard horror stories about people ending up in the ER because they started eating solids too soon, and we don't want that to happen to you!

Try it once and you'll find out! Seriously though, drinking through a straw tends to fill your pouch up with gas. My surgeon says it stretches the pouch, but I just find it uncomfortable so I don't do it.

I've lost 60 pounds since my fiance proposed in February and my engagement ring is disconcertingly loose. I have about 45 more pounds to lose so I don't want to get it permanently resized until I reach my goal weight, but is there anything I can use to keep it from flying off in the meantime? I would be devastated if I lost it!

Maybe it was just sheer laziness, but I just ate mushies that were already in that state, i.e. hummus, soft cheeses, cream of wheat, etc. Every nutritionist recommends something different. As for the immersion blender, I think it's only good for things that have a liquid component to them...they're used to puree soups right in the pot instead of transferring them to a regular blender.

For some reason, the first thing I wanted to eat after I was cleared for solids was a grilled cheese sandwich! I ate almost half of it and didn't have a problem. As for pasta, I don't have any trouble with it but I keep my portions very small because it tends to swell up in my pouch and cause some discomfort. I don't think there's anything I physically can't eat, but I stay away from things like rice and white potatoes. I've also found I don't like burgers anymore because there's always pieces of fat and gristle and I'm just not a fan.

I was just at my surgeon's office and the PA said that women tend to lose inches even if they are not losing weight. Do you take your measurements? You may be pleasantly surprised! As for the coffee being bad for you, I personally think it's a crock. I've lost 60 pounds since March and I drink about 2 cups a day (regular cups, not mammoth Venti cups!). As long as you drink enough water it shouldn't be a problem. Have you changed your workout routine with your trainer lately? Perhaps your body is just reacting to that by holding on to some extra water weight. If that's the case the weight should come off soon. Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged!

I've actually heard that keeping it in an airtight container makes salads go bad faster. They need to be able to "breathe" a little bit. I've seen Zip Loc bags that have small holes in them that are made especially for produce, so I'd give those a try.

Unfortunately you are in what we call "Bandster Hell", the time between being healed from surgery and getting to the Green Zone. It does get better, so don't despair. I really think surgeons need to warn their patients about this, because I certainly wasn't prepared for it either!

Thanks for the info everyone! I never thought I'd be able to survive on 1000 calories a day before I was banded...the amount I used to eat in a day is staggering to me now! I guess the term "starvation mode" is thrown around too easily these days. I definitely don't feel like I'm starving!

As long as it's not affecting other aspects of your life, and you're not exercising for 8 hours a day, who cares? Exercise is a pretty good thing to get hooked on! Since I started exercising regularly, I have more energy and feel better about myself...what could be wrong with that? It doesn't sound like you're "addicted" to the gym, you just enjoy it. I wouldn't worry about it. Keep up the good work!

I just discovered today that I can cross my arms properly!

Can you post a menu of what you eat in a typical day, so we can get an idea? Also, are you exercising? Getting enough water and protein? When was your last fill? (I know it's tough without insurance)

Thanks everyone :-) I needed that!

Last week I was doing really great. I exercised six days a week, burning around 220 calories each time (according to myfitnesspal.com), ate about 1100 calories a day, drank at least 64 oz of water a day, and got my protein. Yesterday was a rest day, but I still took a leisurely walk with my fiance. Then we went to my in-laws for dinner. I wasn't too bad, although I did eat my first jelly donut in about 7 months (I told myself I was just going to have a piece, ha ha). That was really my worst indiscretion for the whole week., and surely didn't undo all of my hard work. I stepped on the scale today expecting to lose at least 2 pounds. What did I lose? 1 measly pound. Now, I should be pretty proud of myself for losing and not gaining or plateauing, but I'm just MAD! Why am I mad at myself? Now I'm starting to feel the old habits creeping in: "Oh well, you did all that hard work and only lost 1 pound. Here, eat this bag of cookies, you'll feel better." There is NO way I'm going down that road again, but why can't I just be happy with my progress so far? Maybe PMS has something to do with it? Is my body rebelling against me for trying to take away its precious fat? Or am I doing something wrong and I really should have lost two pounds? Thoughts? Comments? Am I just being a whiner for no reason?

I'm just starting to exercise again so I walk a couple of miles or do a workout video at home (I like Leslie Sansone).

I know how you feel...the first few weeks after surgery I fantasized about food like most people fantasize about, well, never mind. You get the idea. I was depressed and convinced that I had made a huge mistake and wanted to run back to the doctor to remove the band. It was kind of like detoxing from food for me, since I was such a food addict. It gets better, don't worry. As for weight loss, don't worry about that right now. Your body is still recovering from the stress of surgery and not getting the calories it was used to. Focus on getting better, staying hydrated, and learning to eat with the band, and the weight loss will come. Keep on keepin' on!

Congratulations on your awesome weight loss! You must feel great!

My doctor tells me that fills can take up to two weeks to take affect, and I always do full liquids for 24-48 hours and mushies for 24-48 hours after a fill until the swelling goes down. I'm not sure if every doctor recommends it but it always helps me. Make sure you take small bites and chew everything to death. If literally everything gets stuck, not just trouble foods like bread and steak, I would give your doctor's office a call and ask their advice.

I used to hate exercise. I mean really HATE it, like I would go to any lengths to avoid it. Once my weight loss started stalling, however, I knew I just had to grit my teeth and do it. I have so much more energy now and I literally have to force myself to take a rest day during the week. It's now just a part of my daily routine and I love it!

I used to be a huge soda addict and drank almost nothing else. My surgeon put such a fear of carbonation into me that I avoid it at all costs. The few times I have drank anything carbonated was accidentally and I definitely paid for it...ouch! It's just not worth it for me.

I stayed away from coffee for two months after surgery in case the caffeine irritated my stomach...I also didn't want to get dehydrated since it was still hard to drink a lot of liquids. Now almost 8 months later I have 1-2 cups a day with no problems. I just make sure to watch the creamer I put in...those calories add up quick! I only use a tablespoon of fat free french vanilla, so each cup is about 30 calories. I also make sure to make up for it in my water intake. My PA's eyes kind of widen when I tell her that I drink coffee, but it hasn't affected my weight loss at all so I don't know what the big deal is.

I keep a water bottle with me at all times. At first I had to force myself to drink enough water but now if I don't get enough my body tells me! I'm not sure if it helps with my weight loss but I find that I have more energy if I'm hydrated, so in turn I have the energy to work out and do what I need to do.