SapphireDragon

Welp ... I'm sure you can imagine that I ended up on the Lap Band's doorstep because I tried every other diet/workout/fad imaginable to lose weight ... and somehow still needed more help.
 
I've tried Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, Paleo, Green Tea pills, Phentermine pills, B-12 shots, Lipo Shots, Liquid diets, and any other thing you can think of.
 
I was very unimpressed with the side effects that the pills and crash diets had on my body - jitters, constipation, etc.
 
And as I am here now struggling still with the lap band trying to get my weight down wiht a feeling of my own will and discipline, I have something else to "try" and I navigate my way to the green zone.
 
So a few months ago I bought some "chia seeds" from Trader Joes. I mixed them with some water like Dr. Oz said on his TV show, and they were the weirdest grossest feeling thing ever. They were lumpy and slimy and crunchy at the same time ... I was confused and grossed out and never opened the bag again.
 
BUT ... I realize that on my journey to the green zone what I really need is something that keeps my hunger under control, so that I can feel more satisfied eating small portions of healthy foods ... and supposedly this is exactly what Chia Seeds do ... they swell once they are mixed with a liquid, and therefore make you feel full once you eat or drink them ...
 
SOOOOOOOOO I figured I would try to outsmart myself and eat them again without making myself gag. I tried them yesterday morning with my protein shake. I didnt mix them with the shake, but I took a gulp of the shake and shoved a teaspoon of the seeds in my mouth, then swallowed quickly and drank some more. Well I have to say that if I was guessing, I may have subsided my extreme hunger pangs for maybe an extra 30 mins or an hour ... so I did the same thing before I left work late in the afternoon ... and again I felt satiated for maybe 30-45 mins.
 
So I'm at it again this morning, drinking my protein shake and eating the seeds simultaneously. And I'll do the same thing this afternoon before I leave work (1.5 teaspoons per sitting). I'll see if there is correlation to how long they supress my hunger, and the amount of seeds I take in, so I'll gradually increase the amount and see what happens.
 
I'll keep you all posted. If you woild like to try them, they have them at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's (and probably fresh market) for under $5 per bag. I suspect that this bag may last me about 3 weeks.
 
And if anyone else has had some experience with them please let us know!

I have thought about writing this blog all day long. Part of me says don’t write it, you are a success and you don’t want people thinking you slip up and fail. The other part of me says write this, maybe this will tell others that this journey is not easy and even after reaching goal & being declared a success you still struggle…
 
‘The other part’ won, so here goes….
 
I have always been called strong, never showing my weakness or emotions. It is a skill I learned early in life, build a protective barrier around you so no one can know how you feel or hurt you. The way I coped with this barrier was with food, it got me to 250 pounds….
When I started my weight loss journey I recognized this habit. That being said doesn’t mean that the habit went away or that it doesn’t get the best of me still.
Over the last couple of weeks I have experienced events in my life that caused me to retreat to my protected barrier and to comfort myself with junk food (ice cream, etc…).
 
Now, those closest to me know me well enough to see through the barrier and last night my husband did just that. He asked what was going on and I caved, I told him everything that was causing my stress, my work, my friends, and the whole lot. I had a good cry and we talked about how I could try and cope with things. I also confessed the eating that I had done and do you know what he did? He said, “Well trash is picked up tomorrow morning” and went into the kitchen, threw away all the trigger foods that I had mentioned. When he came back in he said to me, “You are worth so much more than any of that junk food. From now on there will be no junk in this house.” God, I love this man. I am so lucky to have such great family support.
 
Then, this morning one of my most dear friends asked me what was up. And again I caved and told her everything. Know what she said? “Done now….back on track” and then she said, “It is what it is; pull up those panties, put on those heels and work it!” Thanks princess, I needed to hear that. I am so lucky to have such great friends supporting me.
 
I know I can do this and I will do this for the rest of my life. I will have days and times where I stumble and fall. But, I will get myself up, brush myself off and keep going. Because I WANT this!
 
I guess what I am trying to say is that even the success stories (the veterans) make mistakes, have bad days, and go backwards. The important thing is to identify the problem and find a solution. Then get your ass back on track.
 
Thant is exactly what I am doing.