pen527

I used to be a diet coke addict. Now I make crystal light by the gallon. I'm two years out and do not drink any pop at all.

I can relate to your struggle. I am also 2 years out, lost 125, gained back 30. I decided Friday after Thanksgiving that I had to catch this before it went any further- I DO NOT WANT TO BE THAT FAT PERSON EVER AGAIN! I have been on liquids (protein shakes and yogurt) since Saturday and I feel so much better. My body didn't like all that sugar that I was dumping into it. I already feel healthier, more alert, and back on track! Also- my counselor specializes in eating disorders and hypnosis. Tuesday, for the first time, I was hypnotized. I have since listened to the recording 2-3 times a day, and the message is staying in my head. I have the ability to choose. I can choose healthy, low-fat, low-calorie foods. I can choose to stay positive. I can choose to take care of myself so that I can be the healthy, happy, attractive person that I want to be. It's never too late to get back on track. If we try to stay focused, and make the right choices, WE CAN DO IT! Good luck fellow bandsters!!! (phew! I hope I can stick with this!!!)

Donna, the point wasn't about how to cheat. It was about the fact that everyone struggles. Habits are hard to break. I did good for over a year and a half and then slipped. The good thing is that you can go back to square one and start the post-op diet and get back on track. Don't be so quick to judge. You haven't been there yet.

I am the same way. I think it's because all of the junk food is slider foods. I can't eat chips or doritos though, they get stuck. But for some reason Cookies, cakes, and ice cream go down just fine. I had to go back on liquids for a few days just to get rid of all the carbs and sugar in my blood. I'm on day 3 now and I feel so much better. Sometimes we just have to go back to square one!

I get the cherries in the frozen fruit section. I think most stores should have them. I use about a teaspoon (if that) of cocoa powder and usually close to a tablespoon of splenda. That's probably too sweet for most people, but I'm a sugar person so it works out good for me. Just experiment. Oh, and the sugar free coffee syrups are really yummy with the vanilla protein. It doesn't take much, and you won't need splenda with those shakes. If I don't have frozen fruit in my smoothie I put ice in so it's like a ice cream/milkshake treat. Another idea is to add about 1/2 the protein powder you'd usually use to a yogurt. It's like pudding!

GNC Pro Performance is my favorite brand. I always get vanilla and add to it. For chocolate add cocoa powder and a little splenda. Add frozen fruit and splenda, or Peanut Butter and splenda, or frozen sweet cherries and splenda, or pumpkin pie spice and splenda, or a banana and splenda, you get the picture. The banana GNC is good, but I tend to get sick of it before I can finish the tub. Chocolate is good, especially with the frozen sweet cherries and splenda. I always mix all of my Protein shakes with skim milk for the added protein. Good luck!