Armonet

I made these today. I am NOT a fan of meatloaf, but these were delicious! PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray 1 pkg (20 oz each) lean ground turkey (93% lean) 1/4 cup Egg Beaters® Original 1/3 cup dry unseasoned bread crumbs 1 can (10 oz each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, drained, liquid reserved 2 tablespoons (1/2 of 1.25-oz pkg) 30% less sodium taco seasoning mix 1/4 cup finely shredded Mexican blend cheese DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 12 regular muffin cups with cooking spray. Mix turkey, Egg Beaters, bread crumbs, drained tomatoes plus 1/4 cup reserved liquid and taco seasoning in medium bowl. Form into 12 balls (1/4 cup each) and place in muffin cups. Top each with 1 teaspoon cheese. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until browned and cooked through (170°F).

Use an ice cream scoop to put them in muffin pan Nutrition Info: Amount per Serving Calories 184 Total Fat 8 grams Saturated fat 2 grams Cholesterol 59 mgs Sodium 425 mgs Carbohydrate 8 grams Dietary Fiber 1 gram Protein 19 gram s

I guess it doesn't take much to get me excited, but I went to Chick-fil-A earlier. There was an employee walking down the drive-thru line giving out samples of their new grilled chicken sandwiches. They are VERY good and they're on a wheat bun. I don't do well with bread, so I tossed the bun. However, they now have grilled chicken nuggets on their menu! I ordered the 12 count combo with a side salad and Diet Lemonade. DELICIOUS lunch! I couldn't eat it all, so the other half will be my dinner. Try them, they're yummy!

kimk1999, today was my first day ever seeing them! Of course, we get everything late in my neck of the woods! I can't eat a whole one at once either. Sharpie, I've never had the tortilla soup there. I agree about Wendy's chili. I LOVE IT, but hadn't tried it prior to being banded. Luka Beth, I better try that soup soon then!

Iambeautiful...being able to eat chicken varies from person to person. I've been banded for almost a year and haven't had many problems with chicken. The few times I had issues, it was due to the chicken being dry or overcooked. My surgeon suggested using dipping sauce, such as a low fat salad dressing or Walden Farms BBQ sauce. I haven't had the grilled strips from Chick-fil-A (I still have a tendency to take large bites). The nuggets are tender and because they're small, it reminds to take small bites. Hopefully, you won't have any problems with chicken. Just remember to chew, chew, chew!

People started commenting on my weight loss at about the 40 lbs lost mark. I lost the first 40 in about 4.5 months. Now, 11 months out, I've lost about 75 and people are acting like it just fell off overnight. Part of that is because I was still wearing the same clothes for a long time. I didn't want to keep having to buy different sizes, so I waited til I was close to my goal to start shopping.

I was banded almost a year ago. I've lost 75 lbs and am 25 lbs away from reaching my goal weight. It took 4 fills for me to feel restriction. However, I was only in the 'green zone' for about 3 months before I started to get hungry every 2 or 3 hours. Since about the second fill, I've been unable to eat any amount of bread at all. At my last dr's appt, I received another fill to attempt to get back into the green zone. That was 2 weeks ago and now I am hungry ALL THE TIME! I can eat small amounts of bread now also. I'm sooooo disappointed! I have only lost about 6-7 lbs this year, but my size 14's are falling off of me! I can't understand why the green zone keeps eluding me!!!

2muchfun, thanks for the great info! I eat about 60 grams of protein a day, which might not be enough. Even though I'm able to tolerate bread now, I'll only eat one slice and I refuse to eat it every day! I've gone so long without it, I don't HAVE to have it like I used to.

GREAT for those of you who had pen pals that actually sent you something! This was my first time participating and I sent my pen pal some things but got NOTHING in return:( I won't participate again.

Thank you aufan! I stayed at 210 for 2-3 months. I know how frustrating it can be to hit a plateau! Like you, I was feeling restriction and making healthy food choices. When I changed up my workout, the weight loss started back. Have you ever tried Zumba? I LOVE it! It's so much fun, you forget that it's exercise. If you don't have a class near you, just try stepping your workout up a little! Good luck. I'm sure you will be vacation ready in no time!!!

10 months since surgery. 256 on the left, 185 on the right. I'm 25 lbs. from my goal!

I watched it and I was shocked when I saw her. She looked extremely frail and unhealthy. Her legs were so small, she looked as though she was having difficulty walking. Tumi lost a lot of weight, but she looked great. Actually, I thought that everyone looked great, except Rachel.

Thank you LadyVS!!! Awwww...you're too kind PrettyThick1!!! I feel sooooo much better. I've gained so much more confidence. My 8 year old told me that it's time to stop wearing all black all the time, LOL!

HealthyNewMe, I used to dread going to the gym too! Once I get there, I really get into it though. Like I said earlier, if I don't work out, I don't even feel as if my day is complete. I'm glad you have developed a love for exercise. I just think that it's a must. You can lose weight without exercising I suppose, but for me, healthy eating and exercise go hand in hand. My cousin lost over 200 lbs. with WLS and didn't exercise but she has a tremendous amount of loose skin. I have loose skin also, but it's minimal due to the exercising, IMO.

cheryl2586, thank you! My face is hidden because prior to the format change on this site, some members were discussing how some of the posts from this page show up on Twitter and some other sites. I don't mind sharing my journey with others who are going through it, but I pretty much keep my WLS private. Other than my family and a few close friends, people don't know I've had WLS.

I know EXACTLY what you mean! Prior to being banded, I hated exercise. Even 30 minutes of exercise is good. It's a start. I get bored easily, so I have to switch up my workout. I go to the gym, walk around the track at the school, do HipHop Abs DVD at home or, my personal favorite, go to Zumba! If I'm being honest, I don't LIKE to exercise, but it's a necessity. I exercise between 5 and 7 days a week. I will say this...when I don't exercise, I feel like something is missing from my day. Once you start, your endurance will build up.

HealthyNewMe, thank you!!! I feel sooooo much better. Getting banded was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Thank you krps0930!!! I lost quite a bit the first 4 months, then I reached a plateau and didn't lose much at all for about 2 months. I think my body was getting too used to the same old workout routine. I had to up my workouts to make them more challenging. I'm losing between 1 and 3 lbs. a week now, which is what my surgeon wants. Good luck on your surgery! Please keep me updated on how it goes.

wynnemhb@hotmail.com

No, I didn't realize that Sudafed was safe to take with high bp. Thank you so much for that information. I'm going to give it a try. I'll also try the Zyrtec tonight. I actually already have Zyrtec. My son takes it daily for his asthma. Thanks again for the info!!!

I am having my first bad episode of allergy/sinus discomfort. I have a super low tolerance for medication, so in the past, I've always used either AlkaSeltzer cold and sinus or TheraFlu to get some relief. I have high blood pressure, so I stay away from a lot of the other meds. Plus, everything, other than the 2 aforementioned things, makes me extremely sleepy. I haven't had a carbonated beverage of any kind since March, but didn't think twice about downing AlkaSeltzer right before a meeting at work. BIG MISTAKE! My stomach made the most violent, horrific noises ever!!! Sounded like a freight train was trying to find its way out! I didn't feel sick or anything, just noisy! I haven't taken anything since and have lost 5 lbs in less than a week. I need some relief! Any suggestions on what I might take???

lisacaron, you chew gum? Do the rest of you chew gum as well? My nutritionist told me not to ever chew gum again. I haven't had gum since being banded in March. She said that was a no no, as well as drinking from a straw. She said that both of those things allow too much air to enter your body?????

A tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder plus a packet of Splenda...

I had surgery on 03/29/13, so I'm almost 8 months post op. I started out at 256 lbs. and my goal weight is 150 lbs. Today, I weighed in at 190 lbs. Because of my height and the fact that I have huge boobs (LOL), I really just wanted to fit into Size 12 jeans. I figured that would make me look well proportioned. I wanted to wait to buy clothes, but everything is falling off of me. I caved in today and went to buy a new pair of jeans. I bought a Size 14, but was too embarrassed to try them on in the store. I just tried them on...they're too big!!! Yippee!!!

Thanks everyone! I took them back today and got a 12!!!