salsa1877

Nichole we both had fills that were too tight and I am sure that is what helped the weightloss. However, we should take some credit too. We could have caused ourselves problems and eaten more despite the pain. Or taken the opportunity to drink high calorie drinks. Fortunately my fills seems to have loosened a little. It is terrible to be so tight. Congrats to everyone for losing ANYTHING! The holidays can be rough on the pocketbook and the waistline. Fortunately it seems that most of us weathered the waistline problem...as for the pocketbooks, mine was emptied in August with the best Christmas present I could have ever given myself. Who would of thought that surgery would be a great present.

Phyl we are related. Seahawks fans and you mix your tatoes and cole slaw!! I always get made fun of for doing that, but I love it. It is the perfect blend of creamy and crunchy... salty and kinda sweet. I always get the gravy though. I think I have had this once since surgery. It was the healthiest thing I could find.

Wow you are getting another fill and are that tight? I HATE how tight I am. After my first fill I was not restricted at all, but was tight enough to NEVER feel hungry, so it worked. After I had to be unfilled (due to not chewing well enough) the hunger came back. Now I have a new fill, and it is too tight for me. For at least the first week I couldn't even get down potatoes. chicken would be okay if I went really slowly. I am too afraid to try bread and Pasta, and rice is out of the question. I had problems with rice even when I was completely unfilled. It is funny how each of us tolerate things at different levels. They want me to comeback in and get a new fill in 3 weeks. I called today and said NO THANKS. Well, good luck with your fill. How many calories can you get in when you are tight. I struggle to get to 800.

I am with you IndioGirl! I have not eaten McDonalds since before my surgery and frankly I NEVER want to eat there again. I saw that you had posted on the November thread but haven't read it yet. My students think it is AMAZING that I have not eaten there. I always give my 4th period students (right after lunch) crap about what they are eating. Now most of them are rail thin in that class, but I tell them that it is not healthy for them. Always the teacher I am giving them replacement options that they could get instead. I would tell them to stay on campus and eat, but the food there isn't any healthier. I can't say that I haven't eaten fast food because I have eaten at KFC (mashed potatoes) and taco bell(refried beans) but only because we were out and just too exhausted to go home and cook. My BF and I love to cook. In fact we are thinking about sending him to culinary school because we would love to open a restaurant some day. Maybe the food cop from the July band and the food cop from the August band should tag team the newbies. The December band needs help. They are eating Jello Cheesecake cups for mushie foods!! I didn't say anything at the time but like you am feeling renewed and empowered so maybe I will go back there and say something. As for exercise, I am doing 35 exercise sessions. That means that some days it is going to be 2 times per day:faint:. No, I can do it. I workout with the Biggest Loser DVD, (GREAT VIDEO) and then I will also work on abs and arms (sit ups and push ups) when I do 2 per day. I am only going to do double workouts on non-work days, but I am determined to start losing some of this belly.

So I took this from the goals thread. It amazes me how far we have come since just August. So far I beaten all of my original goals and am right on track for my updated goals. I went to Wal-Mart this weekend because I needed to buy some new shirts for work. Mine were all way too big. Just for giggles I tried on a pair of size 14 jeans. They were too big!! So I put on a pair of size 12 jeans and they fit. A little snug, but still wearable. I was so excited. I didn't buy them because I have been able to alter most of my pants to fit for work and need the shirts way more. I hope everyone is very proud of themselves for what we have accomplished. Even if you haven't lost as much weight as you have wanted, you took the first step and that is always the hardest. Here is to no more dieting resolutions and to making healthy choices and exercise an important part of our lives.

Well I tell you...This signature editor is PICKY! It took me about 10 minutes to fit into all the specifications. So I had to get rid of all the neat little features and go to something boring. Well I am uping the ante on exercise this month. I am going for 35 exercise sessions. So some days I will get in two workouts per day. These will obviously be on the days that I don't work. I got my first one in yesterday and as soon as I can get the laundry into the washer (someone is hogging them) I will do my 1st for today. Good luck to all of you who join, and for those of you who haven't joined so far, you really should. This is a great group and even 5 days of exercise is better than nothing.

Wow that is one big moose. I have never eaten hunted food. I have always said tha my meat comes from Safeway! Actually any grocery store would do, but I did not grow up in a household where anyone hunted so I have never been exposed to it. I supposed that I would taste it now but there would have been no way you would have gotten it past my lips a few years ago! I got in another workout with the folks from the biggest loser DVD. I did a different workout (there are 4 on the video) and did it KICK MY REAR! I am lacking energy to begin with and halfway through the video I was pretty certain that I was being tortured! I didn't make it all the way through because I thought I was going to pass out. Instead I finished up my time doing sit ups with the exercise ball. I really wish this lightheaded feeling would go away. I got almost 1000 calories yesterday and was over 800 tonight, so I don't know what is going on right now. I think I vaguely remember this happening after my last fill too, so I think it could be rapid weightloss. I was down another .5 pounds this morning. I am 1 pound away from being 2/3 of the way through my excess weightloss. While that is a great milestone, I am actually looking forward to the one that will follow soon after than. That is right, in just 4.5 pounds my driver's license will have the correct weight on it for the first time since...well... ever:p Well off to watch the biggest loser.

Yikes. I remember someone telling my grandma to cook in cast iron skillets. Also, some cereals are iron fortified. I just checked my cream of wheat and it has 45% of the daily recommended amount in 1 serving. I don't know if you drink tea, but I do remember them telling her to stay away from that. If it is really bad they do have iron supplements. I know they don't play nice when talking about bathroom issues, but I don't know which one would be worse!

Well here is a little trick I use. I have my capital one finance statements for 17000$ at 24% interest :scared::eek::mad: taped to my fridge and on the cupboard right above the stove. Whenever I want to cheat it usually means that I have to look at one of those two statements to get food. At that point I realize it isn't worth it. I usually just end up grabbing a water bottle!

I bake for Christmas gifts. It really is the only time of the year that I bake, so friends and family have to wait for the holidays to get anything. I baked a bit more than normal, but my dad was having a party and I did all of the cooking for them. I feel like I am snacking all the time right now, but I am just trying to get some calories in. I really don't like being this restricted. I enjoy the feeling of never being hungry, but I still would like to eat something without always being stuck. I haven't pb'd, but I think I have come close.

I too have a fantasy team. I just play the national one supported by NBC. Currently I am 4255 out of 100 or so thousand. NOT TOO SHABBY Brett has always been my favorite QB, but just gotta root for the seahawks. Okay back to topic. Has anyone experienced a lot of lightheadedness since having the band. I have had it once or twice before, but it is really bad right now. I don't know if I am coming down with something (BF has been sick lately) or if I am not getting enough calories/water. I know I am doing terrible on water right now, but when it takes me 45 minutes to get through food it is tough after the waiting periods. Last night when I got out of the shower, I had to have my BF come in and walk me to the couch cause I felt like I was going to faint. Then again this morning I felt so lighthead I got nauseous. I am getting all of my protein in thanks to protein bars that I cut so small they are almost invisible. Just can't do the shakes :speechles Calories are still on the low side. Yesterday was the second time I made it to 800 since the fill. Well I am off to finish baking the cookies for my BF's potluck today. His boss loved the peanut butter cookies that I made and since it is his birthday today I said I would make them and take them in this morning. I was going to make them last night, but didn't feel very well.

Yeah!!!:clap2: Good job. Well I have to say that I did really well over the holidays. Despite baking over 100 dozen Cookies, 4 batches of fudge, and 3 batches of divinity I only ate a total of 6 cookes, 2 pieces of fudge, and 1 piece of divinity over 1 week. I would normally have eaten more than that just while in the baking stage. The fill helped a little too! During the holidays (so far! 1 day to go) I have lost 7.5 pounds. Now most of that is due to the fact that I can't eat much, but I am going to take credit, because I could have let this VERY tight fill cause me to eat foods that are really easy to go down, but not nutritious. Instead I just have my meals last 45 minutes so that I can get the good, Protein rich foods down. Despite disliking my job, I will be happy to go back and be in a normal routine again. When I am working I have a very rigid schedule that allows me to get my Water and food in. When I am at home, it is a little more relaxed and I find that I struggle to get in water. Especially now that it takes so dang long to eat! Well I am off to bake yet another set of cookies. My BF's boss has a birthday today and he LOVED the Peanut Butter cookies I made, so it was suggested that perhaps I could make another batch for the potluck today. So being the dutiful girlfriend, I am doing just that. Hope to hear from everyone else.

I don't think I could live anywhere that didn't broadcast the Seahawks!! Last year I got an Alexander jersey for Christmas, this year a Hasslebeck Jersey. Next year I am asking for a Tatupu jersey. I am a huge football fan. My BF is not a big sports fan but gets a kick out of me and all my antics! Oh I can't believe I didn't mention this in my earlier post. Yesterday I tried on a size 14 pair of jeans and they were too big. I tried on pair of 12's and they fit! A little tight, but they fit!!!! I was so excited.

Yipee, I made the exercise challenge and I will make the level challenge as well!!! I was down an extra pound this morning for a total of 7 since I got the fill. I am able to eat a bit more food, but yesterday I got really light headed. We walked for several hours doing window shopping and just getting out of the house. I NEVER feel hungry now, so I forget to eat and then wonder why I feel like I am going to pass out! DUH! Mornings are still pretty tough for me trying to get anything down. I just take it VERY slow. I don't like drinking meals so I am avoiding that at all cost. I think I got to 800 calories yesterday. We ate out the whole day so I am not sure, but I ate a lot of protein! Well halftime is over with my seahawks so I will check in later.

I made it! Yesterday we walked for about 5 hours straight and amazingly I didn't feel like I was going to die. We parked our car on one side of the town and did all of our window shopping and browsing and walked almost all the way across town and then back. It was fun and my BF needs some exercise too. Seems as if he is finding the pounds that I lose!

Wow that sounds like my mom. In a way, I am glad she is no longer around. LONG STORY! I am really sorry that you are in that situation. Luckily I have a very strong support group at home and HERE! So, my suggestion to you would be to write what you want for yourself and your son and keep that in your pocket so when you walk by the bowl of MMs or skillets full of food, you can look at that instead of listening to that damn voice in your head that tells you how good those little morsels of chocolate are. I think it is great that you have made the decision to become healthier for you and for your son. It sounds like genetics are not kind to you (or me!) so it is important that you show your son the proper ways to eat. I can't imagine how different my life would have been if I had parents that showed me how to eat, exercise, and just be healthy. My mom died of a heart attack at the age of 53 weighing over 350 pounds. My dad (who wasn't around much) weighs currently over 400 pounds. Hang in there and come back as often as you need to vent or get support or WHATEVER! I know that you can't store your cold food in your room (or wherever you are staying), but could you store some of the dry food? I really am fairly speechless and that takes a lot for me to be like that, but I hope that you find some comfort in joining us here.

Wow, there certainly is a difference. It is funny because I can't see a difference unless I look at my pictures. Even when my clothes go down another size, it baffles me cause I can't see any difference.

First, welcome! This is a great group. As you can see, I didn't even have surgery in July and I still come here:D. Don't do anything unhealthy to get to onederland. Is it a great feeling? Yes, but certainly not worth doing anything unhealthy. It will come. This is not a race, bur rather just a road to health. If the doc says that you are in starvation mode, that means that you are not eating enough. If you could give us more information about what you are doing, we will certainly give you some pointers on what you could change to become successful. For example, how much are you eating, what types of foods are you eating, about how many calories and grams of protein are you eating, are you drinking calories, and any exercise that you are getting. Believe me, I understand the long hours. I am a chemistry teacher and have pretty much said that I am not going back into teaching because I am tired of the 12-16 hour days. Hope to hear back from you, and welcome!

The directions say that I am not supposed to heat it past 130 degrees. I haven't experimented with it to see what happens if I do. I would assume that it would denature the proteins and make them have an odd texture. I am using the Unjury protein powder. Did you use a different kind that was resistant to heat? If so, could you send me the name of it?

Nope we don't do anything for New Years. I don't like big crowds and I have been to one club in my life and lasted about 5 minutes! We will be celebrating New Years with New York (we are in Oregon) and then heading to bed! My BF has to work New Year's Day at 6:00 am so it is a normal bed time for us. Well I don't know if I did any better today eating wise or not. I ate the rest of my refried beans from dinner last night and had a protein bar. Now I am making some extra meaty, pastaless lasagna for dinner. The only thing I wish was different about the protein powder is that you could heat it. I am not a big fan of cold foods, so that is why I never remember the protein powder. I did get another day of exercise in, so I only have one left for the challenge. It looks as if I am going to meet both of the challenges. I was down another pound this morning. That makes 6 pounds since my fill. I kind of hope that it slows down a bit. I know that losing that quickly is not healthy. I need to get more water in too, because right now I am having to choose between water and eating. I am choosing eating right now because I need some energy. It still kind of bothers me to drink stuff with liquids in it. I'm such a rule follower! Hope everyone else had a good day.

Awww SCHUCKS! Thanks. I guess that 48000$ student loan is all worth it!

Got in another morning of exercise, though it wasn't any better this morning. I had some beans and orange juice before my workout (with the proper time spacing between them!) hoping that I would do better at the workout. NOPE! I have to get more protein in today. I think that will make me feel better.

Dana, I am the exact opposite. I hate being as tight as I am. I am not getting enough calories, protein and nutrients to be healthy and I think that losing 6.5 pounds in 1 week is too much for me. But again, this is an individual fight, and if you like being tight and can be healthy in that state, then you have found what works for you. However, I think you are doing great. 12 pound in 6 weeks works out to 2lb/week, which is optimal. As for the chocolate you just have to throw it out. If you can't handle them in the house with will power than that is really the only thing to do. If your family wants it, then they should put it where only they know where it is. That is what my BF did with our fudge. I didn't ask him to, he just knew that I kept eyeing it when I went in the kitchen. So when I went in there the other morning, I asked him if he ate it all cause I was going to yell at him cause that was a LOT of fudge. He said no, it is just is someplace you won't be tempted by it. I didn't really want it that bad to look for it, so that worked for me. If you think that you have fallen back into bad habits, you have to do what you did at the beginning. Remember, this is not about losing weight quickly, this is about learning how to take it off sensibly so that we change our lifestyle. I am all about having a treat once in a while, because that is what thin people do to. But if you don't have the will power to resist it most of the time, then you just have to get rid of it. Hope I didn't come across to harsh cause that is not what I hoped. I just want all of us to continue to grow smaller and healthier.

One other thing. Did you eat stuff with a lot of salt? That could be the reason for the big gain. It is called false fat and we were just having this conversation on the July board. Your body will hold on to a LOT of excess Water if you ate too much salt. Also, if you ate a lot more carbs than you normally do, that too could be the case. It takes something like 8 pounds of water to digest 1 pound of carbs (my biochem class) while it takes considerably less to digest Protein. So, with that information, if you go back to the bandster rules, up the protein and lower the carbs and salt for a bit (not eliminate, just lower) than those extra pounds should come right off.

I do the same thing as manatee. However I just use excel. I weigh myself every morning and then record it. Then I determine my average weight for the week and compare it against the average weight for previous weeks. I too look at the trend line. For me (a chemistry teacher) it is all about the numbers. This process is something that I learned from doing Atkins. My dad's doctor actually told him to use this process because if you only weigh once per week, it can have the same type of fluctation as just looking at the numbers daily. For example if you weigh every Sunday and the first Sunday was an abnormally LOW day and the next Sunday is an abnormally HIGH day, it may show a gain (or very little loss) when that is not the case. For some people, 1 time per week or even month works just fine. For me, I am a numbers person (the scientist in me) so I need to see them everyday. To be honest though, I have not seen many fluctuations since I began my new lifestyle with the band. For about 2 weeks during the last part of my unfilled days I was noticing some jumping around, but I have been very lucky to just see the numbers go down. Right now, I think they are going down a little too fast. 6 lbs in 1 week. Sounds great right? I don't think is good for my health. I've gotta up the calories today.