jess9395

Oh wow! That's a great tip! I love their hot mustard sauce... Will have to try ordering just the grilled chicken next time thanks!

I wish I could tell you yes but in my experience no. My thighs are the same as they ever were. I still rock a bikini though!

Come to California! We have non fried appetizers! Ahi Poke, grilled shrimp, smoked fish, sashimi, chicken lettuce wraps, grilled veggie and chicken stacks and skewers... I'm sure other states have them too, LOL! But honestly most of the appetizers at the restaurants I go to have lots more than the standard artichoke dip, blooming onion, fried mozzarella choices. And as far as fast food goes do you have a chick fil a? Love their grilled chicken nuggets! Jack in the box chicken fajita pita (I don't eat the pita) is awesome too. One Chick Fila in the entire western side of Colorado, but will try the nuggets, no Jack in the Box here. Thanks for the ideas. Dang! Like I said come to CA! Carl's Jr/Hardee's grilled chicken sandwich isn't bad without the bun

Yup! And truly compared to what we used to eat, I think choosing a small think like Splenda is not a bad choice. Disclaimer--this is only my personal opinion! Your mileage may vary!

Come to California! We have non fried appetizers! Ahi Poke, grilled shrimp, smoked fish, sashimi, chicken lettuce wraps, grilled veggie and chicken stacks and skewers... I'm sure other states have them too, LOL! But honestly most of the appetizers at the restaurants I go to have lots more than the standard artichoke dip, blooming onion, fried mozzarella choices. And as far as fast food goes do you have a chick fil a? Love their grilled chicken nuggets! Jack in the box chicken fajita pita (I don't eat the pita) is awesome too.

Two things here--first of all as someone said it takes twice the lbs lost to do down a size in plus sizes as it does in straight sizes. Second you are probably trying to move from a 16W to a 14. That's another size difference. If you can find a 16 or a 14W that would be an in between size. But not all stores carry those sizes. A 16W to a 14 is a two size jump. There was a discussion about this when I was at the same stage and that knowledge helped me immensely!

Carbonated beverages--ouch Rice Heavy bread like croissants and bagels and rolls and thick pizza crust The rest I can eat when I choose to!

What is Splenda supposed to do to your stomach? I haven't seen that research. Can you share? I had heard about effects on blood sugar but not stomach. Would love to be more informed Screenshot_2015-11-30-18-28-55.png Screenshot_2015-11-30-18-30-17.png Screenshot_2015-11-30-18-30-50.png Screenshot_2015-11-30-18-31-50.png Screenshot_2015-11-30-18-32-06.png Screenshot_2015-11-30-18-32-06.png Screenshot_2015-11-30-18-32-35.png Screenshot_2015-11-30-18-32-54.png Screenshot_2015-11-30-18-32-54.png Screenshot_2015-11-30-18-33-11.png Screenshot_2015-11-30-18-33-32.png Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk Thanks! I hadn't read that... I'm gonna look up that Duke study on the alteration of gut bacteria! That's such an intriguing field of study. 500mg/kg seems like a LOT of Sucralose though... Not sure many of us will consume that amount (the amount that showed kidney damage). But still good to be aware of!

I should restate myself. Yes Truvia isn't pure stevia leaf... But in the supermarket the boxes labeled Truvia and stevia... Or at the coffee place the packets labeled Truvia or stevia usually contain the same blend unless marked "stevia leaf." Again that's why I said above that it was made FROM stevia leaf not that it was stevia leaf. For practical purposes the labels Truvia and stevia typically contain the same things. Stevia Leaf or Stevia Leaf extract is more pure. Sorry for not staying myself more clearly.

What a great idea! I eat on the run a lot...may have to try that!

Ha ha if only it were that simple! The only time I've gained weight since surgery was the last few weeks of marathon training! And my portion sizes were small... Lots of hunger and carbs!

Yup that's why I said stevia is made from the stevia leaf, it isn't just pure stevia lead. Agave nectar is another choice... Brown rice syrup, maple syrup... Try them all see what you like. Heck I even use some things with nutra-sweet/aspratame on occasion. I figure I have so many less vices than before and I use it so sparingly it's ok!

Truvia is a brand name of stevia. They are the same thing and both have that taste. I don't find it offensive but it definitely has a flavor and I can't put it in coffee. Splenda is a brand name for sucralose.

Truvia is a brand name for stevia which is made from the leaf of a stevia plant. I like it in some things but it definitely has its own taste to it not just sweet so I don't like it in coffee.

What is Splenda supposed to do to your stomach? I haven't seen that research. Can you share? I had heard about effects on blood sugar but not stomach. Would love to be more informed

So awesome!!!!

I totally get being private and think you are completely entitled to say no! But a side show? That sounds kind of judgmental to those of us who do chose to share. I don't consider myself a side show, I am proud of my accomplishment and hope to inspire others. One particular friend inspired me to start this journey and I feel like it's my way of paying that forward.

I eat off my husband and kids plates (and usually hubby will let me pick what he orders!). Or I eat a protein appetizer for my meal.

Just a question--- why are those last 15 pounds so important? You wear a size small, are clearly "normal" BMI. I'm sure any health problems are resolved. Why do you need the last 15 vanity pounds? Check out the what defines success thread! That said, if they are that important to you... Google 5:2 intermittent fasting or look for threads on that here. It's helped a lot of vets lose those last stubborn pounds.

Well, to be fair I have eaten a whole small banana during my weight loss phase. But I run a lot so it was always pre race to fuel or post race to recover. If it fits in your plan carb and calorie wise, it's not a bad choice.

I can understand that. Next time split it with someone or plan to eat a few bites or half and throw the rest away!

So you're 18 months out? That doesn't seem too unusual to me. Especially the banana. Carbs and such are easier to eat more of than dense proteins. I have days where I could eat a whole banana. Toast is a slider and dissolves to nothing in the sleeve. The corn dog dunno about, I haven't tried those and have no plans to. Seems an odd choice for healthy eating.

I was a 3-4 Diet Pepsi a day addict! Gave it up two years ago almost to the day for pre op and haven't looked back. I have a craving hit about once every few months and ride it out. Carbonation still hurts my tummy but I feel like if I let it go flat and started back I would be back to 3-4 a day too quickly. And I do think for me it increased my appetite, the artificial sweeteners raised my blood sugar levels or something. I think it would be hard to quit again.

I was never given a number either though I was told statistics are with sleeve the average person loses 60% of excess weight and that the health benefits of even losing 10% are wonderful! I lost more than 100% by using it as a tool and working hard and making huge lifestyle changes as far as eating choices (not just amounts) and activity levels.

Success--I never look at anything and groan at it being "too far to walk" Success--I don't get winded climbing stairs and choose them instead of the elevator Success--I can buy cheap clothes off clearance racks and at goodwill and they fit Success--I can borrow clothes from my slender teen daughter (though that also means she can borrow mine, and she's not so good at returning!) Success--saving money sharing Entrees at restaurants Success--being able to challenge my teen son to planking contests and sometimes winning! Success--wearing a smaller size than I wore in HS even when adjusted for vanity sizing. Success--running a full marathon Success--inspiring more healthy eating in other members of my family who have never struggled with weight, just because it's healthier. Success--MAINTAINING weight loss for a year (well as of this coming Wednesday!)