Penni60

Susan, as soon as I get them finished and taken I will post them. I gotta do a couple of touch ups first. Keeping busy is a definite must in this struggle. IT keeps the mind and fingers occupied. LOL!!!

Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (OK stayed on track. This is a huge accomplishment for me.) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (30 min today plus I cleaned up my office space and threw out things from 2001. That is also an accomplishment.) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. (I have lost a 1/2 pound as of this morning. I go see Dr. Billy tomorrow. YIKES!! He is gonna holler at me so bad. LOL!!!! ) I will drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. (I got mine in today.) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore.

Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (OK stayed on track. This is a huge accomplishment for me.) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (30 min today plus I cleaned up my office space and threw out things from 2001. That is also an accomplishment.) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. (I have lost a 1/2 pound as of this morning. I go see Dr. Billy tomorrow. YIKES!! He is gonna holler at me so bad. LOL!!!! ) I will drink at least 64 ounces of water a day. (I got mine in today.) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore.

That first long list of foods is the supplement list to your entree meal. Calorie and Protein count are a must. If you want to look at Fat content as well then go for it. I find if I follow the plan then the Fat content doesn't come into play as much for me. Here is a typical meal plan I try to follow: Breakfast: (approx = 200 Calories and 10 g Protein) Usually a cup of any whole grain cereal with a 1/4 cup milk (if that much - I just like the cereal to be wet not drenched). To the cereal I will add either 15 Fresh Blueberries or 1/4 cup banana. I have a cup of coffee with Lowfat French Vanilla Powdered Cream - This allows me to not have to use sweetener of any kind. Or I have a cup of Caffe Vienna Sugar Free. Of course a 16 oz of water as well to take my Vitamins in the morning. Lunch: (approx = 300 to 450 Calories and 20 to 35g Protein) 1.) I might have a 1 cup of broth based soup. Something like Chicken noodle, Vegetable beef soup, just make sure the liquid isn't cream based like Cream of ANYTHING. You can have it you just have to adjust your calorie content for the day. 10 baby carrots with 1 tablespoon Light Ranch dressing. 1 med size apple. 16 oz water up to 32 oz water. 2.) I might have 1/2 cup Tuna with 1 tablespoon of Light Miracle Whip. This make the Tuna very creamy. I put that on two slices of Melba Toast or one slice of Whole Wheat Bread. I always have the baby carrots and apple at lunch with the water. 3.) I might have the salad listed below and cut up some ham and turkey for a cobb salad. Afternoon Snack: (never over 150 calories) Apple, Pear, chose from the list of items I gave you for your snack. I rarely get this snack in. Dinner: (approx = 450 to 500 Calories and 20 to 35 g Protein) 1.) Two Palm size Cheese and Spinach Ravioli. Small bowl of Salad with 10 Almonds or Walnuts or Pecans, 15 Blueberries, Either Cauliflower or Broccoli, celery, cherry tomatoes if I have them, topped with some Feta Cheese and drizzled with a yummy Pear Vinegratte I got from Trader Joe's. You can use any low cal dressing. Just watch those calories per serving. I never use more than a 1/4 cup of dressing. 2.) I might just have the salad and add some yummy chicken strips. With each meal I drink at least 16 oz of liquid. Of course this is just an example of what my meals look like now. Here is the Nutrisystem suggestions for the day. Breakfast: Entree, 1 dairy or protein, 1 fruit Lunch: Entree, 1 dairy or protein, Salad Veggies, 2 tbsp fat free dressing Snack: 1 dairy or protein, 1 fruit Dinner: Entree, 2 Veggies, 1 Salad or Fruit, 2 tbsp fat free dressing, 1 fat Dessert: A Nutrisystem yummy dessert that is always under 200 calories. If you have more than 100 pounds to lose then you can add 1 carb to breakfast and dinner, and 1 fruit to lunch. I almost never add the carb to the breakfast. I sometimes do at dinner. If this has helped then please let me know. If you need more suggestions for mealtime then let me know.

Dairy and Protein Servings • Fat-free Milk or Light Yogurt, 8 oz • Fat-free or Low-fat cheese, 1 oz • Non-fat or Low-fat Cottage Cheese, 1/4 cup • Parmesan (grated), 2 Tbsp • chicken or Turkey (without skin), 1 oz • Egg, 1 • Egg Whites, 3 • Egg Substitute, 1/2 cup • Fish (fresh or frozen, not breaded), 1 oz • Lean Beef (Round, Sirloin, Flank, Tenderloin, Chuck, Rump), 1 oz • Lean Pork (Fresh or Boiled Ham, Canadian Bacon, Tenderloin, Loin Chop), 1 oz • Sandwich meat (with 2 grams of fat or less per ounce), 1 oz • Sardines, 2 • Shellfish (Clams, Crab, Lobster, Scallops, Shrimp), 2 oz • Tuna (canned in water), 1/4 cup • Vegetarian Protein Foods ("Veggie" Burgers, Smart Dogs), 2 oz Skim Milk Alternatives If you have trouble getting in all of your dairy servings or are lactose intolerant, the following can be used to replace a Dairy or Protein serving in your meal plan: • NutriSystem Chewy Fudge Bar Low Glycemic Index Carbohydrate Servings • Barley (cooked), 1/3 cup • Beans (Garbanzo, Pinto, Kidney, White), 1/3 cup • Bread (Whole-wheat, Multi-grain, Pumpernickel, Rye, Sourdough, Oatmeal), 1 slice • Corn, 1/2 cup • Couscous (cooked), 1/3 cup • Crackers (whole-grain), 3/4 oz • oatmeal (cooked), 1/2 cup • Pasta (cooked al dente), 1/2 cup • Peas (green), 1/2 cup • Peas (split, black-eyed), 1/3 cup • Pita (whole-grain, 6 inch), 1/2 • Rice (cooked, brown), 1/3 cup • Roll (whole-grain, small), 1 • Sweet Potatoes, Yams, 1/3 cup Fat Servings • Avocado, 1/8 • Mayonnaise, 1 tsp • Nuts Almonds, 6 Peanuts, 10 large Pecans, 4 halves Walnuts, 4 halves • Peanut Butter, 1 tsp • Oil (Canola, Olive, Peanut, Corn, Safflower), 1 tsp • Olives, 5 large • salad Dressings (regular), 1 Tbsp • Salad Dressings (reduced-fat), 2 Tbsp • Seeds (Sesame, pumpkin, Sunflower), 1 Tbsp Fruit Servings • Apple, 1 small • Applesauce, 1/2 cup • Apricots, 1/2 cup • banana, 1/2 • Blueberries, 3/4 cup • Cantaloupe, 1/3 • Cherries, 12 • Cranberries, dried 2 Tbsp. • Grapes, 15 • Grapefruit, 1/2 • Honeydew melon, 1/8 • Kiwi, 1 large • Mandarin Oranges, 1/2 c. canned • Nectarine, 1 med. • Orange, 1 med. • Pear, 1 small • Peach, 1 med. • pineapple, 1/3 c. canned • Pineapple, 3/4 cup fresh • Plums, 2 • Pomegranate, 1/2 med. • Prunes, 3 • Raisins, 2 Tbsp. • Raspberries, 1 cup • Strawberries, whole, 11/4 cup • Tangerines, 2 small Fruit Juices (may replace fruit) • Apple juice, 1/2 cup • Cranberry Juice Cocktail, 1/3 cup • Grapefruit Juice, 1/2 cup • Grape Juice, 1/3 cup • Orange Juice, 1/2 cup • Pineapple Juice, 1/2 cup Salad Vegetable Servings These raw vegetables may be eaten in unlimited amounts as part of your daily salad servings. • Alfalfa Sprouts • Cabbage • Chicory • Cucumbers • Celery • Escarole • Green Onions • Hot Peppers • Lettuce (all types) • Parsley • Radishes • Spinach • Watercress • Zucchini Vegetable Servings Serving size is 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw unless otherwise noted. • Artichoke, 1/2 large • Asparagus • Beets • Bell Peppers • Broccoli • Brussels Sprouts • Cabbage • Carrots • Cauliflower • Collard Greens • Eggplant • Green Beans • Kale • Mushrooms • Mustard Greens • Snow Pea Pods • Spinach • Tomato, 1 med • Tomato Juice • Vegetable Juice • Zucchini The follow condiments and beverages may be eaten in the amounts listed. Unlimited • Artificial sweeteners • Herbs • Lemon juice • Spices (salt-free) • Vinegar Limited to 1 tsp. per day: • Flavoring extracts • Horseradish • Low-sodium soy sauce • Mustard • Relish • Worcestershire sauce Limited to 1 Tbsp. per day: • Catsup • Salsa • Picante sauce • Taco sauce These beverages may be consumed in unlimited amounts: • Cofee ot tea • Diet soda • Sodium-free seltzer Water • sugar-free tonic water

Hey there Kellykins. How ya doing there sweetie? I see you are hydrated and recovering but how is the head working right now? You got my number so use it anytime. It ain't easy unbanded but we will win this trip too.

Is this list complete now? Is there something that you just can't live without it being on the list? LOL!!!

I can speak to having been banded, eroded then had band removed and not dieting. IT SUCKS!! LOL!! Ok got that out of the way. The band limits and quiets the head demon. If he is not overweight and does not battle the weight issues like we do then he might not understand period. Here is something I have used in the past to explain it to someone. Preband you can eat a horse and have no idea you are doing it. With the band you can eat a horse hair and realize that is too much. Of course this is over-exaggerating but you get the pic. With the band you get this feeling that if you eat another bite you will explode. It drastically limits how much you eat therefore cutting down on calories. Without the band you don't have that little indicator to warn you. So you can continue to eat. The statement of "just eat less" doesn't work for us without the band. I am struggling to just eat my Nutrisystem meals and not grab something else cause I don't have that limit indicator anymore. Hope this helped.

So far so good today. I was occupied most of the day with a painting project for my new grandson. My daughter wants me to paint 5 pictures to match his blanket for his bed. So I got those done today. I will post pictures of the painting when they are dry. I had a blast with that. Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (OK stayed on track. SIGH!!) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (Nope none today) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. ( Will see come Friday how this is going ) I will drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. (I got mine in today.) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore.

So far so good today. I was occupied most of the day with a painting project for my new grandson. My daughter wants me to paint 5 pictures to match his blanket for his bed. So I got those done today. I will post pictures of the painting when they are dry. I had a blast with that. Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (OK stayed on track. SIGH!!) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (Nope none today) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. ( Will see come Friday how this is going ) I will drink at least 64 ounces of water a day. (I got mine in today.) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore.

Carol: Here is a suggestion from a fellow grazer. I go to the grocery store and buy packs of baby carrots, celery, and green, red, yellow, and orange peppers. I take about 10 pieces of each and put them in a baggie. I then take those baggies and put them in the fridge. If you need something to graze on those are the best and your taste buds get a variety. I think I have the worst taste buds. They are so fickle and get bored really easy. I have to have several different tastes per meal or I don't satisfy that head demon. Pesky little critter. He is slippery too just when I think I have caught him or cornered him at least he gets away. Anyway, I digress. LOL! I also keep Fresh Fuju Apples and Valencia Oranges and D'Anjou Pears and Seedless Red and Black Grapes on hand to just grab if I find myself in the vicinity of the Kitchen and that head demon peaks out. I stuff him with a healthy and might add LOW calorie treat and he is happy. Med Apple = 80 Calories Pear = 98 Calories 15 baby carrots = 30 calories 5 celery = 30 calories 5 each Peppers = 30 calories Get some Ranch Light dressing 2 tablespoons = 80 calories You have satisfied that head demon and not blown your calories for the day. Lianna: When I was banded I never ate anything till around 9a due to the high restriction. If I did eat then it was something very soft that could essentially slide down without much chewing. Oatmeal very watery, very soft scrambled eggs, protein drink, etc. I also did the warm liquid prior to eating breakfast. The thing about high restriction in the morning has several different theories. I don't think the food in the stomach overnite is logical. No disrespect Susan OK. DUCKING NOW!!! LOL!! Here is why it isn't logical. Your entire stomach has little receptors that are triggered when food is present. It begins to digest the food immediately. That means it digests food whether it is in the top portion or the bottom portion. It just takes more time in the upper portion. It has to work harder to get it to slush to slide through the opening into the lower portion of the stomach. But normal digestion takes 4 hours. I would imagine the upper portion would take at least that long maybe a little longer but not 8 hours. So eating at night will not cause the swelling or fullness in the morning in my opinion.

WOW!! I feel like I have been called on the carpet for something I did wrong. LOL!! Maebeth, I was only unbanded in Dec and it is recommended to wait 6 months to be rebanded. At least that is what my surgeon does. He won't even consider doing any type of surgery till the 6 months are up. That will be in June or July of this year. I doubt I will get rebanded mainly due to no funds and I just don't think I wanna go that route again. Paula, how ya doing sweetie? I was thinking about your planned meals thingy. I can develop a meal plan for you if you like. I need a day to get it together. So Let me work on it tonight and I will post it tomorrow or later tonight if I get a chance. It will basically follow much of the Nutrisystem plan minus their meals of course but you can supplement with other stuff and I will give you suggestions. Hang in there and help is on the way. LOL!!!!

Susan the rest of my day was pretty good. I am so proud of myself. I do have a cupboard full of great organic teas. I just keep forgetting they are there. I get so hung up on wanting the Starbucks. LOL!!! OK they are getting pulled off the shelf. Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (OK stayed somewhat on track. Went for Sushi and had about 500 Calories total. I Think I went over my calorie limit by 300. Not too bad. SIGH!!) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (Nope none today) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. ( Will see come Friday how this is going ) I will drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. (I got mine in today.) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore.

Susan the rest of my day was pretty good. I am so proud of myself. I do have a cupboard full of great organic teas. I just keep forgetting they are there. I get so hung up on wanting the Starbucks. LOL!!! OK they are getting pulled off the shelf. Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (OK stayed somewhat on track. Went for Sushi and had about 500 Calories total. I Think I went over my calorie limit by 300. Not too bad. SIGH!!) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (Nope none today) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. ( Will see come Friday how this is going ) I will drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. (I got mine in today.) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore.

OK so far so good. I am still on track and sticking. When I feel the need to munch on somethng I grab an apple or some almonds. Then I grab a bottle of water as well. Today is a yucky day all the way around. I don't feel good for one thing. I have a borderline Migraine and I am still trying to function. The weather is awful here in Sunny SO Calif. HAHAHAHA!! It hailed earlier. Then the sun came out now it is 38 degrees outside. All I wanna do is curl up with a good book and read till I fall asleep. But of course then I want a Starbuck's coffee to go with. I am one of the weird ones that Caffeine at a time when I have a migraine makes it better. LOLOL!!! Anyway, I am resisting temptation right now and that is an accomplishment for me.

Lena all the doctors I have spoken with about erosion say it isn't an emergency. Now my personal opinion is if something inside me has failed to to what it is supposed to do and is causing MORE harm to my insides then I want it out NOW. I was about 40% to 50% eroded and my doc took it out that same night. Several of us that have eroded had ours out within 24 to 72 hours of finding out. Personally I would get it done pronto. You just don't know what will happen if you wait.

Yup Nutrisystem breakfast this morning and resisting temptation to pig out on anything and everything. Gonna go eat an apple instead. Oh by the way, Beef is the highest caloric and fat content of all the meats. I limit my beef drastically. Fish, Chicken, Turkey, Tuna anything but beef. If you must then only 3 oz.

Just thought I would crash this here thread. Susan and I have been doing the Committment thread thing so I thought I would see what is going on in here. So here is my day. Today the meal plan went soooooooooooo far out the window it ain't even funny. First I had an appt today for a mammogram. EWWW!! Yeah they got squashed today. Second there is this darling Italian restaurant close to the Breast Center so John and I had a little date today. So I had a Chicken Lasagna with Mushroom and Tomato cream sauce. Yes I know that was very bad but so worth it for the date. LOL!! Then paid for it later with a stress headache. Actually I was fighting it off all day. I was stressed big time over the mammogram. I had a spot on my Right breast 6 months ago and this was a follow up appt. I got the all clear though so then the stress hit me. I had to take a min and just relax. Then I got home and heard from a really good friend of ours that her father is on his death bed and not expected to last through next week. So that brought up alot of emotions I thought were long gone. My father passed away almost 11 years ago now but this brings up all thoses emotions again. MORE STRESS!!! So I ate McDonald's tonight. Yes shame on me, but ya know what I allowed myself this day. Tomorrow will be better. Hugs to everyone facing the head demons and surviving one more day.

Today the meal plan went soooooooooooo far out the window it ain't even funny. First I had an appt today for a mammogram. EWWW!! Yeah they got squashed today. Second there is this darling Italian restaurant close to the Breast Center so John and I had a little date today. So I had a chicken Lasagna with Mushroom and Tomato cream sauce. Yes I know that was very bad but so worth it for the date. LOL!! Then paid for it later with a stress headache. Actually I was fighting it off all day. I was stressed big time over the mammogram. I had a spot on my Right breast 6 months ago and this was a follow up appt. I got the all clear though so then the stress hit me. I had to take a min and just relax. Then I got home and heard from a really good friend of ours that her father is on his death bed and not expected to last through next week. So that brought up alot of emotions I thought were long gone. My father passed away almost 11 years ago now but this brings up all thoses emotions again. MORE STRESS!!! So I ate McDonald's tonight. Yes shame on me, but ya know what I allowed myself this day. Tomorrow will be better. Hugs to everyone facing the head demons and surviving one more day. Today's plan accomplishment: I will follow my Nutrisystem meal plans. (HEHEHE OOPS!! Way off track today. Long story. See above. SIGH!!) I will exercise for a minimum of 20 min a day 4 days a week. (Nope none today) I will lose at least 1 lb a week. ( Will see come Friday how this is going ) I will drink at least 64 ounces of Water a day. (Susan yes Iced Tea, coffee, and any non caloric drink counts. That is the only way I get mine in. I still need 20 oz for today.) Positive reinforcement mantras: I cannot continue to eat unhealthy and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to not exercise and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to buy pills, buy exercise equip, etc then not use them and expect to lose weight. I cannot continue to feel sorry for myself because I do not have the band anymore.

Sorry but have to say this. ,.... Um,.... wait for it,... a FREEZER!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha I kill me! LOLOL!!!!

THe muscle gain is possible but I think it is the slips I did with my diet instead. Who knows for sure? LOL!! See there ya go again with the "SNICKERS" STOP THAT!!! LOL!!!

First things first here. What is a typical diet look like for you in one day? That could explain alot. Second are you drinking your water? Are you exercising? We are all here to support your battles. It is a struggle every day sweetie whether you are banded or not.

My band removal was covered with my insurance. I only had to pay $900. The removal surgery cost almost $22,000 If your doctor treats the removal as an emergency then your insurance should cover the removal. Ask your doctor to admit you through the ER for the band removal. That is seen as an emergency.

They showed a 1 lb gain. So I am at 251 this morning. I am so frustrated.

OK Susan when I saw that I thought SNICKERS how dare she tempt me with a candy bar. Then I realized what you meant. LOLOLOLOLOL!!!