Kitt3000

First, let me congratulate you on the 61 pounds lost! Excellent! What works for me regarding exercise... Fit bit is a great motivator. Give yourself goals in the amount of steps and stairs you want to do everyday. Work up to that 10 thousand min per day, and then every couple of days, push yourself a little more. In bad weather, I head for the indoor mall, I'm busy looking at everything, and forget I'm exercising. Park your car at the farther point of every parking lot, it becomes a game as to how much you can get in. Dust off that old bike, or treat yourself and spend some lovely evenings touring your neighborhood after work. Turn on some music and dance like no ones watching! Have fun with moving! You will be surprised that pushing yourself just a little harder, may kick start the results you want...

Have you given some thought to making food one day of the week, pack it in containers by portion, date & freeze. Pop in the microwave? When we fix steak, I make some rare so that when reheating, it's not over cooked. There are some precooked meats you can buy at the grocery store, bake a small sweet potato in the micro, a small ind. size veggie portion, dinner can be ready in 10 min. Beans by themselves or in a soup, lentil soup, breakfast for dinner... Turkey or roast beef roll ups with cheese and lettuce. Just tossing out a few easy things I do for myself. When I need extra protein, a whey protein shake. Even restaurant meals, pack leftovers in individual containers. Since you rant eating as much, splurge on better smaller cuts of meat, pork, turkey, crab, shrimp etc.. Feeling lazy, I eat a single serving container of Greek yogurt. Multi vitamin, minerals, etc.. Good luck, and happy cooking!

Today, I read somewhere on the forum, how banded people with prior food addiction issues, would find something new to be addicted to. What are your thoughts? What is taking the place of food for you, if anything?

Today I was so busy, I wasn't hungry and forgot to eat. By supper time I was hungry, but my band is saying no way. It's reassuring to know, I'm not in the "fickle zone" alone! I have noticed this same scenario happening before, wonder why??

What does your band being locked at 4 mean?

Yes, I would do it again. I have gone from size 18 to a 2-4. My back pain is close to being completely gone, I can move about freely again. Traveling is so much easier, consequently , I am rarely home anymore- too busy out living life! My stats were similar to yours. It's been a good choice for me. What I was not prepared for was my body rapidly changing and all the attention it brought. I've had to work at that mental aspect, as in not undermining my own hard work. Learning to listen to the fluctuations of the band/ body, and not fighting it. If it's tight today, it's ok to have a protein packed smoothie, instead of solid food. Follow up care is a really important aspect, to the best of your ability, investigate that help will be there for you, this board has been so valuable, and I would encourage you to read as many post regarding the band by folkes who live with it. I don't have local support, I'm sure if I was in real trouble, I would get help, but the rest.. It's a good thing I enjoy research. You sounds like you are on the right track, you have many people here to help you along as frequently as you need it. Good luck, best wishes in whatever your choice is!

Post on sista!

High five!

I found myself sabotaging myself also. But then, I was having trouble seeing a thinner me. The weight gain in part, was to be invisible , and I just was not ready for all the attention that loosing weight was creating. Crazy huh? I'm a bit of an introvert, it's sort of like learning to swim, take a big gasping breath of air, then plunge head first back in the water!

I swear the docs office adds 5 to their scales !

I try to eat at least an egg & a piece of breakfast meat around 10am, but my fall back is a protein yogurt smoothee for an extra protein punch.

I am so sorry you have had this situation occur. I can only send best wishes and hope you will get a new band soon. I would be freaking out, I have to admit. You've worked so hard to get to your goal. Don't give up, never give up! Big hug!

My kids say that's why they like Nanas house too, but, I'm happy to report, they love me- not just the treats! Big surprise (happy one) to me too! Cause like my mom, we thought food was love...

My own children are feeding my grandchildren with a more healthy diet. I am banned from giving them junk food. I've asked them for healthy snack treat ideas, and they have complied. Now I'm passing out eating better to the next generation, and helping myself at the same time! Yee haw!

Lol! Thought you were taking a sleep walking, umm a sleeping pill!!!lol that's for the laugh!

I am using "nature's Plus" adults chewable multi vitamin and mineral supplement. 180 tabs is 45.70 at my local health food store. I get the in natural pineapple or berry flavor wafer size tablets. They do the job, break down easy, for me, no burping them up. Taste is not bad, but do any of the really taste yummy? Don't think so.....

Hi Haley! Do you have insulated saddlebags? Or will you be taking a cooler? This is what my lunch snacks would look like. I would roll sliced deli meat around a cheese stick, with a few dots of mustard or mayo inside the wrap. Maybe be even a leaf of lettuce , probably iceberg for extra moisture. An apple and carrots to nibble on, but mostly to share with the horses, a handful of almonds. Water water, maybe a small gator ade to dilute in the water to keep your electrolytes going if it really warm or outright hot. Yogurt. Big sun shady hat. Sounds like a fun productive day, enjoy! Most people will be too busy to notice what you are doing. Make a joke about your girlish figure...have fun!

Thanks ladies! I'm so happy to hear these things, and the little shake Diva! I know everyone needs a place to chat, I think four or five of the last few days, some of the email I've had has been terrible situations for folks that are having bands removed or no weight loss, regains... Yes, I need to reset some settings, I'm almost afraid to open my email. I really love hearing from long term banders, it really helps! Thank you.

Fresh salsa! Love it! Peaches & cottage cheese

What's up Gavin?

If you haven't spoke with your doc/ support team, sounds like a good time to make a call. As for me, I would reevaluate my diet. I would make sure I did not slip into slider foods, I would have some dense proteins, ground meats, some cheese and make sure I had a few bites of high fiber. I would measure and eat my allotted portion, drink my water, and have my last meal at least three hours before lying down. I am a big fan of a teaspoon of baking soda in 4-5 oz of water - drinking it gives me relief within minutes. Too many sliders tends to create excess acid for me- so I guess that's a good way of the band keeping me faithful! Lol! I hope it's something this simple for you as well, it's always a bit of a set back to be completely unfilled, but sometimes necessary to give everything a chance to calm down. Good luck! Let us know how it goes for you, I've seen several members posting in need of acid relief lately...

Wow. That is very insightful, it really sounds like you are doing your part with your therapist! Good for you, I know with your motivated attitude- you are going to succeed! :-)

Go back to basics. Try three measured meals with no snacking in between, eat protein first then veggies then fruit, if you have room... Water, water, water between meals. Once you reach your personal goals, add back in, trial & error. Doc drills it in my head ... Protein first, then some veggies... Lol! Good luck. :-)

Guilty Lisa. All things known about myself, just can't put it into words.

Sorry you're feeling under the weather! The only advice I can offer, listen to your body,stop fighting it, rest-and sleep as you need to. You will recover , everyone is a little different. Healing takes time, I had lap band, but had no energy for the longest time. I did walk but no way could I clean the house, or do vigorous exercise. It gets better!