enjoythetime

Yay! You're going to do great just try and relax, I know it's hard but everthing will be ok. Keep us posted on how you're doing!

Yowza! That's amazing lady! Great job!!

So funny that you posted this today! I only weigh myself when I go in for my monthly check-ups and I always wear the lightest clothes possible and I refuse to eat or drink anything 3 hours before my appointment.....I know, I know crazy OCD again but hey if it makes you happy!!:-)

Hmmmmm this sounds amazing! Gonna have to try it out! I love all the creative ideas you come up with using Quest bars!!!!

You're making great progress! I can definitely tell the difference! Keep up the great work!

Happy be-lated Bday! Congrats on the smaller size!!!

Thank you everyone for your kind words of encoragement!! I really appreiciate it!!:-)

@@JustWatchMe well now we're even because when I read your comment I teared up:-) Thank you so much for your kind words! You have amazing strength and are just rocking it girl!! Aw, this made me tear up. You are beautiful, inside and out, and you are such an encouragement to me. Thank you for all you do on these boards.

You look stunning! Great job on your loss and your long-term maintenance!

Toytoy, This is per my doctors recommendations. 3-4oz of Protein, 1/2 cup veggies and 1 starch serving. I always always eat my protein first then my veggies and then a starch if I still have room for it, which most of the time I opt out. Hope this helps!

@@gowalking ((hugs)) to you! You're just incredible!!!!

No, you didn't miss them I forgot to attach the pic at first. I missed the pics in post #1? Hey Fiona, we want to see what Shrek looks like

@@Debbie3sons Thanks Girl!! You WILL get there! You will be at goal in no time, 100#'s that ABSOFREAKINLUTELYAMAZING!!!:-)

LOL....TMF, at first I thought you were going to tell me I looked like shrek in my before pic, which I would completely agree with only I perfer Fiona:-). You're so sweet! You're one of those people I mentioned who have been a huge inspiration and source of encourangement for me along my journey!!!!! Thanks!

Sorry but this made me laugh because I thought the same thing, however, have you tried some of the 1/2 shirts with a tank underneath? I actually bought one they're really cute on. I had the same thought and then I said why not try it:-)

You've done an amazing job! You look fantastic!!

AAAH, Summer time my absolute favorite time of year!!! So with Memorial Day weekend being the official kick-off to summer my weekend was packed full of BBQ's, pool time and hanging with friends and family. I love everything about summer, the sun, water, bbq's and just the overall laid back feeling you get during this time of year. However, this will be the FIRST summer I've been healthy in like 11 years so I've been planning away and our schedule is looking pretty busy:-) I've learned some lessons this weekend in regards to needing modifications for my new life. During all the festivities of this past weekend and when looking at my upcoming calendar I realized some modifications have to be made for me to stay on track and be accountable. It comes down to the fact that I simply wasn't properly prepeared. When we have get togethers we go all out and by that I mean endless spreads of BBQ, buckets of potato and pasta salads, baked beans, chips & dips, and desserts galore. I found myself surrounded by wonderful food and friends which is great but I quickly realized that if I'm not careful and not properly prepared this could be a very difficult time for me. The lesson learned is that it's much easier to get distracted about what's on your plate when you're comfortable and when everyone is setting around the table talking you're not paying as much attention to how quickly you're eating or as concious of what you're putting on your plate. I knew all of this going into it I was the one planning the menu for goodness sake, and I thought oh no problem, I've been around all this before and did just fine, but I learned I can't wing it like that. I have to be better prepared. I planned it so that I saved a majority of my calories for the dinner. I had a yogurt for breakfast and a protein bar for lunch and then we had a late lunch/dinner. I had some BBQ meat, my recommeneded amount, a TLB of each of pasta salad and beans, which I think is all fine, BUT the thing that I think got me the most is that I found myself later that evening picking on things as I would walk by, not making a plate, but you know 4-5 chips here or there, a couple M&M's here and there and then later that eveing was dessert, so I made 4 different kinds of mini cheesecakes and think I handled it "responsibly" by taking 1/4 of each one on my plate to make a whole (these were the mini muffin sized cakes). Again, I think this is fine everything in moderation, HOWEVER, I can see that I need to be better prepared, I can't do this every weekend for the whole summer, that's NOT moderation. Today, I feel terrible, stressing out in fact even though I didn't eat nearly the fraction of what I would have without the band I know I could have made better choices. This isn't typical fo rme and I don't like the way it makes me feel. I've come too far!!! I don't want to have to worry about every little thing I put in my mouth but lets be honest we have to be accountable for every little thing we put in our mouths because if we don't before we know it, it sprials out of control. I'm not one who likes to be restricted by the band, meaning I don't want to be so tight that I'm getting sick to stop eating. I have very little fluid in because I want the band to give me that full signal but not the full restriction so I have to take full control of the situation now and start making a pre-game plan which means, Making some menu modifications now and then (at least for myself) by grilling leaner meats like chicken, turkey and shrimp vs. pulled pork and pork ribs, pork pork and more pork:-) Modifying my side dishes like coleslaw without the "typical" dressing more like an asian coleslaw that is a much lighter dressing, instead of potato salad maybe a veggie tray, or a tomato, cucumber salad, instead of crazy desserts how about some fresh strawberries or peaches with a dab of cool whip etc. Again I know it's about everything in moderation and I don't think I did terrible and I feel it's ok to treat yourself ONCE IN A WHILE but if I see this in my every weekend summer schedule then these changes have to be in place. Whewww ok now that that's out there, how did you kick-off the summer?

@@gowalking yes you nailed it. It's definitely a control thing for me! When I feel I'm not in control I'm just totally uncomfortable! I almost wish they made food scales small enough that I could stick them in my purse when I go out to eat. I'm just a by the book kind of person, which isn't a bad thing but some times I'm over the top BUT the control is what eases my fear, the fear of going back to a place I NEVER WANT TO BE AGAIN! Thanks for the words of encouragement!!

That's awesome! Congrats on 100# down!!

I'm sorry you experienced this! When I read this the only thing I could think was man this lady is a fighter, she's strong and she's going to bounce back greater than ever! I could actually hear that coming through what you typed. You have what it takes and you will get passed and beyond this! Thanks so much for sharing your story!

Thanks for sharing! This sounds like a great tool! This is very similar to what I'll do occasionally. http://coloradobariatric.com/2012/04/5-day-pouch-test/

How soon do you go to bed after eating?

"believe in yourself to give yourself credit..you know if you eat too much of the not so great food chioices out there dont say the WLS did not stop you..you stop you.....YOU can control yourself..(you wont step out in front of a train would you??) All truth! Congrats on your upcoming 2 years! Thanks for sharing your awesomeness with us!!!

I'm much like you and healthynewme I CAN'T eat when I'm upset I lose all interest in food and if I try to eat I often find myself sick. I find I eat when I'm happy or bored? So again like healthynewme I HAVE to constantly stay busy which for me really isn't a problem I have two kiddos and a husband and I'm also very social so I find I often over-extend myself alot in an effort just to keep busy:-) My happiness and joy comes from doing things for others, there's always a reason to Celebrate. I'm usually organizing events which of course includes food and fun and this is when I feel like I eat more , I get caught up in the moment and the fun of it all and that's when I start grazing and picking at everything. So this is the happy feeling (or maybe it's stress because I took on too much and then when everything turns out fine I relax???. I'm not sure which it is:-) Yes, I feel you and think it's super important to figure these emotions out so that we can control them. Great post.

@@lisacaron I love your attitude and outlook on this subject! This is just what I needed to hear! Thank you! I need to reminded every now and then that food is no longer the enemy and that nothing in moderation is prohibitied with this new way of life. This is why I got my band and this is why I love my band, to no longer be a capative to food but to enjoy it and not be afraid of it but sometimes I forget and go back to the years of failed diet attempts and being told that certain foods are prohibited. I've been beating myself up since Sunday, about eating a very small amount of things that won't hurt me if enjoyed on occasion and I know that but man it's hard to break out of that cycle some times!!! This is exactly what I needed to GET OVER IT AND ON WITH IT ALREADY!!!:-) Thanks for the reminder and the support!!!