lsereno

I haven't dealt with food cravings to that extreme, but one thing that helps me is to have non food items I enjoy around. Maybe a basket of sugar free drink mix packets in the snack cupboard, crossword puzzle and a cute pen by the TV Chair, great smelling lotion and Chapstick on the nightstand. And a few notes tucked around that simply say " I love you" Lynda

I've been busy with holiday stuff, but I'm here with everyone who is further out. It's very hard to resist as the years go by and I can eat more. It's a week after Thanksgiving, I am over my bounce range by two pounds and I just stuffed a gingerbread cookie in my mouth. For me, I have to weigh every day, and even that has not prevented holiday creep. I have to set myself first and remember as someone ( maybe lipstick lady) said, self soothing does not gave to be self sabotage. I do not deserve to overeat just because I've been busy and it's the holidays. I deserve to be at my preferred weight and healthy, happy, and strong. I'll have more to say later when my life settles down a bit. And on a final note, as with others, night is the worst. Like Butter, I sometimes go to bed early. The only hard rule I have 100% stuck to is no eating after I fall asleep until I get up the next morning. Pre-op, I was quite the middle of the night snacker. Lynda

Hi all, Set your DVR: All of Me airs on PBS march 24, 2014. All of Me is a documentary about several women who have weight loss surgery. I've been waiting for it to appear on TV since first learning about it this Spring. Blurb from the movie website, food, and the shared experience of being obese. But, now, as some pursue weight-loss surgery, their center has shifted and upset everything they knew about happiness, friendship, and love. Lynda

Happy birthday Fluffy!

My program called for 400 calories per day at that stage. I haven't seen a program that calls for that,any calories so early out. I did three protein shakes per day, then cut down to two when I could eat al little more, then one, then none. Does your program call for that many calories at 7 days? Lynda

I prefer to model the behavior I want others to have. And when others comment on what I eat, I say " yeah, I can eat that! Isn't it great?" I hate drama so I usually try to say something that doesn't have a comeback and doesn't encourage them to keep yapping. Lynda

OMG. I never knew dreds took that much work! I lean so much new stuff here it's not even funny. Lynda

Congrats! You look fabulous. Lynda

me too. I have to click on the post, then I see it in its own window, it is formatted correctly. Have to do the same thing for links and sometimes for photos. From the ipad app. Lynda

Congrats! So glad you were able to get that straightened out. Lynda

I freeze it in serving size portions in baggies squished flat. I thaw a Baggie and have: - Canned soup with some turkey and extra veggies - Turkey sandwich ( 2-3 oz. of turkey on a slice of whole wheat bread) - Turkey pot pie ( 1 sautéed onion, 1.5 cups frozen mixed veggies, can of cream of chicken soup, 1/2 c. Milk, and 12 oz. turkey, put in pie pan, cover with crust and bake at 425 for 40 minutes.) I don't eat the crust if I'm not in goal range. - Turkey stir fry with broccoli, snow peas, and soy sauce mixed with a little Splenda and a little sesame oil - Turkey salad with mixed greens, apple, walnuts, and walnut oil and pomegranate vinegar.

Congrats on year three! I joined VST right around the time you had your surgery. I still remember the fear I had that I wouldn't qualify for the surgery, that I would have complications, that it wouldn't lose the weight, that I would regain the weight. Thank you so much for being here through the years. Lynda

The Starbucks instant decaf has a good strong flavor so the coffee tastes shines through. The Protein powder does thicken it a bit, but not bad. A latte has a lot of milk so they are comparable. For a more milkshake consistency, you could cut down on the milk and blend some ice cubes in. Lynda

Congrats and welcome back to the goalies bench! I'm glad 5:2 worked so well for you! Where did you get your resting metabolic rate tested? I've been considering getting my body fat tested in a bod pod. We have one locally. Lynda

I used 1 scoop of the Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard whey in French Vanilla with 1 cup soy milk. It's 31 grams of protein. We had a great thanksgiving. I'm more than two years out, so I had some of everything. Yum! I went overboard and woke up with a stomach ache last night. Still learning after all this time. Lynda

Wow misty! I think you broken a record in the big pants post! Less than 6 months postoperative? You look great in those big pants! Lynda

Second the squats. If you aren't built with permanent padding there, squats will fill out your jeans nicely. Lynda

I think skinny is always a little smaller than the person wants to be, no matter where's that is. Many here would consider me skinny, but I do not. I have a jiggle on my thighs, a little roll around my tummy, and a turkey gobbler neck. Of course,I'm also closer to 60 than 50. I like the way the girl with 17% body fat looks. I don't look like that. My BMI is 21.8. I a small,small boned, small chested, and long limbed. I m not skinny. To me, skinny is when your ribs stick out, your hipbones jut out like clothes hangers, or your knees are bigger than your thighs. Lynda

Yes, I used unjury chicken Protein. After a few weeks I also did well with Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard whey Protein mixed with Soy Milk. After the first couple of weeks, I did well with Chobani or Fage plain Greek yogurt. I am2.5 years out Nd still can't have much dairy. Lynda

hi Goldy, I don't have the bypass, so I'm no expert, but it may be the Lactose. The only Protein shake I could tolerate well right after surgery was the unjury. It has less lactose than most. Glad surgery went well and you are home. Lynda

I buy the instant at Walmart or at the Starbucks. It's pricey, but I buy it in the pack with seven or twelve packets. Each packet makes one drink. It mixes well, even with child fluids. It's called Starbucks Via. I use the Italian Roast Decaf. Lynda

For Protein Shakes, I like the vanilla mixed with Starbucks instant decaf. Happy thanksgiving everyone! Lynda

My normal will never include the cookie not calling my name. And I've got a ways to go before I am not ashamed of my eating on occasion. Lynda

I have a tall soy latte. Seeing the calorie count front and center keeps me away from the baked goods. Lemon cake with icing for 500 calories? No thanks. Lynda

Weigh every day. Set a bounce range that is small, less than 5 lbs. and cut out extras if you get there. Continue with your healthy eating habits. Add calories in slowly, adding healthy fats, whole grains, and fruit. Plan for how to incorporate treats. I keep treats I can control in the house. For treats I would over indulge in, I only eat them when not at home. Enjoy life at goal! Lynda