daisychains7

You know skipping meals is a no-no!! I needed to take my own advice today. Did you not have time, or just didn't feel like cooking? Sometimes it helps me to have a snack with me throughout the day. I am proud of you for trying to get back on track and seeing where you fell. Exercise really helps make up for the slip ups. I did ok today however didn't have a real dinner (having a snack right now) due to going out for coffee with a friend tonight and not getting home til 10:30. My meals for the next few days are already planned out so I'm all set there. Breakfast - 6oz yogurt lunch - 1 Arnold's sandwich thin with Peanut Butter, 3 strawberries Snack - 2/3 of a banana, tea Dinner - 6oz yogurt Exercise - 30 min elliptical, 15 min abs and weights

Omg, congrats Manda!!

I don't consider myself a "success story" yet, because I have a long way to go until my goal, and a lot to learn. But I wanted to share one way in which my life has completely changed since my weight loss. I stopped going to theme parks about 4 years ago due to being repeatedly turned away from rides because of my size. However, yesterday I went to a theme park for the first time in years and was able to fit on EVERY SINGLE RIDE! I rode a rollercoaster!!! No more panic attack waiting to see if the bar would fit over my stomach or if I could squeeze into the seats. It was a dream come true for me. Here I am yesterday: Little things like this make the hard work worth it.

Thank you for the support!! It's nice to be able to share these victories with people who have been there. When you have been fighting weight for so long, the little things like this mean so much. We will all attain our goals! Congrats Sarah.

Sorry, I didn't see this post til now! Happy your surgery went well. Pain meds are a beautiful thing! Haha. I love my band and am pretty much used to it now. I have good restriction quicker than most, am exercising, sticking to small portions, have more energy and am losing at a good pace for me. I have some days I forget I even have it, and other days are harder. The hardest thing for me is having to plan all my meals and not having the freedom to eat whatever. I am still trying to find my groove as far as eating schedule, but i hear it gets easier in time. Also if I'm not careful the constipation is a nightmare!! A lot of Bandsters deal w/ it so remember to drink tons of water. Still, I would do this again in a heartbeat because I feel the best I ever have. It just becomes a way of life.

I talked to my doctor about this and she suggested 1 snack a day, something like string cheese or Greek yogurt. She also insists I have 2 or 3 glasses of milk a day. It seems to work.

Mine came back with a vengeance after 2 weeks. Since my fill, if I eat right, I can keep the hunger at bay for a good stretch.

I agree that attitude is everything. Every day we can either feel sorry for ourselves and what we've lost (being able to take the easy road and eat whatever, whenever) or go full steam ahead. Be prepared to work for it and have bad days. Do not expect perfection of yourself or compare yourself to other posters here. We all have different goals, personalities, and weaknesses. I am still new to this but I try to ignore negativity and do what works for me. I have no doubt you can succeed.

I think we have all been through that. The funny thing is I never truly realized how big I was at the time. Only recently after losing significant weight have I noticed the difference, and started liking how I look in some pictures. you will get there. Don't dwell on the past... Remember you are taking control of yourself and will be a healthier, smaller you very soon.

Debbie, you and your mother law are in my prayers. Keep it up girls. Breakfast - 4oz yogurt snack - hot tea lunch - 4oz chili w/ cheddar cheese, 2 saltines, 2oz peaches dinner - 3oz roasted chicken w/ gravy, 2oz veggies, 1 piece of pineapple Snack - 8oz skim milk Exercise - 30 min elliptical, 15 min abs Went to the movies today (Batman... It was awesome!!!) and wasnt even tempted to get popcorn or candy. Sipped on my Water.

Lose_It, we all make mistakes sometimes. Tomorrow is a fresh start! You tried Zumba for the first time which is AWESOME! I am thinking of trying kickboxing soon. I have been constipated and in pain due to that all day. So honestly I havent felt like eating and haven't worked out. :/ Breakfast - tea, milk lunch - 1/2 spinach mushroom omelette dinner - 6oz Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp flax seed Lots of Water, colace, ducolax I may have another yogurt before bed. I am hungry.

Just wanted to let everyone know I got back home safe from ATL. Stuck to small portions, exercised once, allowed myself some frozen yogurt on 2 days. however my Water intake was severely lacking (was in conference all day where no drink or food is allowed), neglected to take laxatives all weekend and now I'm blocked up again. UGH!!!! I am so frustrated!! I'm not going back to the hospital this time. I took softeners last night and this morning, prune juice and a little laxative for breakfast. Things are def trying to move, its just hardened stool so its unpleasant and stubborn. I am going to try a bran/flax "laxative pancake" later and see if it works.. My stepmom swears by it. Gonna keep trying! Not feeling good enough to eat much today, but back at it tomorrow. Hope you all had a good weekend !

Thanks for the inspiration! I start Couch to 5k on Monday and I know I'll be in a world of pain! Lol. I have always wanted to be able to run though. Always envied the athletic people I see going for jogs outside. I can't do more than 30 secs running before im out of breath and exhausted!. I will be doing 60 seconds running, 90 seconds, intervals for 20 minutes to start. I have heard interval training bumps up weight loss so we will see how I do

That sounds so yummy. I don't have much soup because it doesn't keep me full long. Breakfast - 5oz yogurt, 2oz granola lunch - salad bar at Jason's deli. 1/2c mixed greens,2oz chicken breast, 1 tbsp lite ranch. Had a hard time getting it down so I think I'll avoid salad for a while. snack - 5oz yogurt dinner - 1 mini wheat pita with crunchy Peanut Butter, 1 strawberry, 1 mango slice Snack - 8oz milk, tea Exercise - 20 min elliptical, 10 min bike Off to Atlanta tomorrow. Got my gym clothes packed.

It sounds like you're a bit too tight. At my first fill the doctor put 3ccs in, but after I sipped water it was gurgling going down. She told me that's definitely too tight if you have gurgling.. Took 2ccs out and that was just right.

It will get better. I am similar to NWGirl. I only have 1cc (in a 8cc band) but according to my doctor im already in or very near the green zone. If I eat the right foods I stay full for a good stretch, and I can never eat more than 1 cup at a time. I am physically able to eat pretty much anything, so every day I have to choose not to! But trust me it is a lot easier when you're not constantly starving!

Hey Cooper! Welcome and congrats on your upcoming surgery.

Hi Mike! Great to have you here.

I remember talking to my nutritionist a few months before surgery and being horrified at the thought of eating 1 cup per meal. Never thought I could eat that little. Now I get to 1 cup and my body tells me that's enough! I can eat salads but rarely do. Lettuce takes me forever to chew.

I have 3 meals and 1 snack a day. I also have 2-3 glasses of milk throughout the day.

Don't give up on yourself so quickly. Its hard work but you can do this! If I were you I would start small. Remove the temptation -- get all the unhealthy or trigger foods out of the house ASAP. Join a gym and start making exercise part of your routine. And take advantage of the resources you have (doctor, nutritionist, this community) to educate yourself. You may want to log your food for a couple weeks and show it to your nutritionist to get feedback.

Try not to get discouraged Debbie. 35 lbs is amazing progress! Soon you'll be back on track again with eating normal foods. You are doing great with exercise... Inspiring! Breakfast - 6oz yogurt lunch - 2oz milk, 4oz kashi Cereal snack - 6oz yogurt dinner - 4oz chicken, 2oz potato, 2oz veggies Snack - tea Exercise - 30 min cardio, 15 min weights

My workouts are going ok. I see a trainer 2x a week where she has me do 30 mins cardio then 15 mins abs/weights. The remaining 2-3 days I will do a DVD, swimming or cardio. I haven't been as gung-ho with exercise lately but I am still forcing myself. Going to start Couch to 5k next week. I will be in Atlanta this weekend but I will still exercise at least once in the hotel.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery! You may want to start timing your meals and make sure to take at least 30 minutes to eat. I am a little over 2 months out, and still learning how to take small enough bites, chew enough and slow down. For me, getting stuck feels like a very deep chest ache/pressure. Sometimes it is at the bottom of my throat. it lasts anywhere from 15 minutes to a few hours.

What you're feeling is normal. It's an emotional rollercoaster at times. Surround yourself with positive people and keep your mind focused on your goal!