hollyberries

Ok..here is mine. My pants fell down at the store today. I laughed, pulled them up and said I think it is time for some new clothes. I have gone from a size 34 to a size 26 and am almost in a size 24. I have hit all the smallest sizes in the closet. I am 2lbs away from reaching 50% of my weight loss goal of 179lbs. I guess to many NSV's lately. It is what keeps me going. Cindy

Steph! You are doing fabulous. You are 50% to your goal. That is damned remarkable considering you had surgery in November. I am interested in this TV series as well. I have learned that we need to eat to live not live to eat. I eat everything in much more moderation. I find that if I don't deprive myself and allow myself to have just a little than I won't binge. I have started to ask myself questions before eating. Am I really hungry? Am I eating to live or living to eat? Am I eating this for any other reason than hunger? Do I really need this? Sometimes the answer is Yes to Do I really need this? But more often than not, it is I can wait or just a little. I seems to work for me. I gotta tell you the head has not caught up to body changes! Cindy

Good attitude. I have one for you...You are over a 1/3 of the way to goal 44% to be exact. That is very close to 50%. You are doing super. Cindy

Wow! He is restrictive. My problem with that is that the LapBand should allow you to eat everything in smaller quantities. However, we are all different in how are bodies are. Mine seems to react well to high protein, fruits & veggies and lots of cheese. My typical diet is this: Breakfast: 8am 2 eggs with cheese & sausage (turkey) or Quaker Weight Control Maple & Brown Sugar. 1/2 an orange or bananaThis usually fills me up until 12:30 or 1pm Lunch: Low carb tortilla with turkey, mayo, lettuce cheese, almonds, 1/2 orange or 1/2 a banana. Snack: yogurt or SF/FF choc. pudding Dinner: 2-3 oz protein, 1/2 cup veggies or salad and some type of 1/2 cup carb (i.e., mashed potato or rice with gravy). I drink 2 K20 24oz. waters a day. I like the ice tea one the best. If I am super hungry I might eat some cheese with RF Wheat Thins or have 100 calorie snack packs. Again, this might not work for everyone but it does for me. It is kind of like South Beach but not as restrictive. I have recently been making quiches. If you like to cook tryout some of these recipes at Kalyn's Kitchen: Recipe Favorites I have found her website awesome with great recipes. Good luck! Cindy

Cindy/Linda I would get the fill even if it is a very small one. I think that by going in and getting a tweak it will help you but you will definately have to chew, chew and chew some more. Also, eating much slower. I would also recommend drinking something warm prior to eating. This will loosen the band up a little. I am finding that I am eating crazy stuff sometimes at crazy times; i.e., 1 scoop ice cream sundaes or Cookies but I always have a small amount just to get the demon off my back. I think that if we try to stay away from our triggers it will make the craving much stronger so I find for me that it is better for me to have just a little to but the craving on ice. It seems to work for me because I am down 88lbs. I have also noticed that shifting my calorie intake every so often kicks starts my metabolism. For example, I might only eat 800-1000 calories for several days in a row and then eat at 1200-1500 for additional days in row. I might even kick it higher than that if I am hungrier than usual. It seems to work for me. Keep your chins up your doing great and you just need to keep coming here for support. We are here for you. Cindy

Longhorn, Hope you are doing well considering everything that you going through. I have noticed that when I am super over hungry that I get stuck on anything. The best thing is to track when it happens because sometimes it is the fill level it is the band rules...i.e., chewing, eating slower. One tip my Dr. did give me was to drink something warm prior to eating to help with the stuck episodes. You are still in my thoughts and prayers. Take care! Cindy

Name...................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go Momto1plus1.........228.8............227.6............218 .8.......8.8 Teresajo...............195..............188...............185......... ....3 Shortgal.................189..............184................182...... .......2 Hollyberries...........278..............268................270..........(-2) Can't tell you what happened this week but I am down 6lbs and I only had my fill yesterday. I can't figure this band out. Up and down like a yo-yo. But no complaints here. Have a great day everyone! Cindy

Just a little update. I did go for my fill today and discussed with my doctor how we should proceed. He agreed that moving at a slower pace with the fills will be good to avoid getting over filled. I started with 1.5cc's from the last fill and they pulled out 1.2cc's (not sure where .3cc's went...hmmm) and he decided that we would put back 1.5cc's and see if the works for me. So I am at 1.5cc's in my 4cc band. I go back in one month for another fill so I think that this will give me a good idea if I am coming close to restriction or not. I hope so! Cindy

I am so sorry that you had to even justify your ticker. You have had a heck of an ordeal and I wish you much success. It sounds like you have the support you need in the doctor and keep coming here for support. We are here for you. Cindy

Way to go Bandpal! You are a much different person now and I think that you know that. That was your security blanket, something that you had control over that no else does. You are in control now and you have taken control over your life with your decision to put that tool inside you. Good for you! You deserve this self realization, this epiphemy (sp?). Shine! You have a lot to offer. Cindy

Sucks doesn't it. I kind thought the same thing...I am just eating food that I usually eat with not problem. This band is so finicky isn't it? Cindy

Points well taken. I am going to have them give me a little fill and keep training myself to eat slower. This band gives us something new to learn everyday but like you Lizzie I wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China. Thanks bunches! Cindy

Sounds to me like you haven't had much support. I find that our success has been largely a result of being a part of a community/family of bandsters. We are very supportive of each other and have grown close through this experience. Not only does it take following the Band Rules, getting fills and exercise it also takes a support system. My suggestion would be take a look at all the band information that you got about how and what to eat and follow to the tee! Protein first, veggies and if still hungry carb. Drink your Water and allow yourself a treat once and while and for goodness sake get over here for some support. Cindy

Jack you are a breath of fresh air! I love reading your posts. I agree that I have got to get better at it or going to be on miserable Bandster. I am going to do liquids to calm things down a bit. I thought I was going to be Slime-free since it had been 3 months or so. No such luck...I think that I am going to get the fill but a tweak not an aggressive one. I know that if I don't I will need in a week or so. So I guess I am going back the toddler stage and relearning to eat. LOL Cindy

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I haven't been able to post as much lately because of the new store opening. Lots of headaches and just plain sheer exhaustion have been my daily plate for the last month or so. I am glad to see everyone doing so well. We cannot complain because we keep losing. We do have a great family here. TXArcher! Man you are doing a great job too! You are going to be so light on your feet during Spring Turkey Season that I am sure that you will be eating turkey for a year. Keep up the great work. Oh Yeah! I dropped that pound that I though I gained last week. I hate this yo-yo up and down everyday thing. It makes it really hard to post your true weight loss. Oy! Cindy

Thanks Shortgal! I appreciate the kudos. I can always rely on a response from you. You are the November Nymphs den mother. You are always lifting us up. We appreciate it. Hey, I have noticed the weight is moving for you. You should be very proud of yourself. You are going to look just fab for the wedding. You better take lots of pictures. Do you have any ideas for the "Dress"? Cindy

Hey Welcome! I have Dr. Lautz and I love him as well. I had to wait 3+ months to get in to see him for my surgical consult but I was very happy that I did. I had a very good surgery and recovered quickly about 1 week after surgery. Since my pre-op diet started on 10/22/07 I have lost 80lbs. I have had 2 fills and I go for my 3rd next week. I have seen a slow down on my weightloss this past month but am happy with my progress thus far. Good luck on your upcoming surgery. I am sure that you will do just great and are in good hands with Dr. Lautz. Cindy

Longhorn- I wanted you to know that I have been praying for you. I pray that God gives you the strength you need to battle this. From your posts, I have found that you are a very strong person and that you will fight this. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Cindy

Name...................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Go Momto1plus1.........228.8............228.4............218 .8.......9.6 Trixie....................241..............224.5............221....... ...3.5 Osangriared...........262..............255...............250.......... 5 wnt2lose...............226..............219...............216......... .3 TxArcher...............345..............337...............325......... 12 Shortgal................188..............185...............182........ ..3 Sades...................201..............197...............190........ ..7 Shalee04...............205..............200...............197......... 3 Mariegabrieleee.......252..............249...............240.......... 9 Longhorn...............204..............196...............195......... .1 Hollyberries............278..............270...............274..........4 I have been floating about 2-3lbs this week. It is an up and down roller coaster ride. I really need to start doing something with exercise but I have been so busy with the store that I don't even have to time for me. I hoping the next few weeks will bring some slow down. However, I must say that I am very pleased with my weight loss thus far. I can't complain at 80lbs since 10/22/07. I am shooting for 100lbs. by May 31st. I really need new clothes but I don't want to buy anything until I hit that 100lb mark. However, my pants are not staying up anymore. I might have to suck it up and get something. One good thing is I can now buy clothes at WalMart. Keep up the good work everyone! November Nymphs are Awesome! Cindy

I got a lot out your post. I have not had full restriction yet but have lost weight well. I have a problem with head hunger. I find that I can eat more than I should be able to. However, it is still not as much as pre-band. I really need to deal with the head hunger issue because I find that I pick. I don't want to slow down the weightloss. Why is it so hard to feel saiety? Ugh! Cindy

OK... I have to chime in on this one. I have lost the world's largest ball of tape. Nothing as exciting as you all though. I am moving onto a new born calf. Yipee! Cindy

We own a country store, Hollyberries Country Gifts. I have one location in Middleboro, MA and I am opening a 2nd store in Kingston, MA tomorrow. If you are interested check out our website at: Hollyberries Country Gifts. Cindy

Name...................Start..........Current..........Goal ......To Shortgal................189.............188.2.............184......... 4.2 TxArcher...............345..............342...............325......... 17 Osangriared...........262..............258...............250.......... .8 Shalee04...............205..............203...............197......... ..6 Trixie....................241.............231................221...... ....10 Longhorn...............204.............197.4.............195.......... .2.4 Teresajo................195..............190...............185.... .... ..5 Hollyberries.............278.............273................270...........3 Down another 3lbs. partly due to the fact that I have been working like a dog to get my store open for my Grand Opening on Saturday. I have been putting in 12 hour days and not eating that much. It amazes me that I have not been that hungry. Looks like everyone is doing great, keep up the great work. Cindy

Another board has a daily thread entitled, "What are you eating today?" I like this idea because it will us new exciting ideas of what everyone else is eating. Also, great accountability. Everyone is welcome to post. I was in the hospital the last two days with my youngest son. He was having a bone graft for is bi-lateral cleft palate. So I was eating hospital food until this evening. Breakfast: 3/4 cup of scrambled eggs and 3 sausage links Lunch: chicken Quesadilla's with sour cream and salsa sauce. 1/2 an order. Dinner: 3 oz of London Broil, 1/2 cup of GG Brussel Sprouts, 1/2 cup of GG Corn Nibblets Snack: 10 almonds Have a great evening everyone!:smile: Cindy

You know Steph, sometimes your body just needs a break and by eating more calories you may have just kick started your body into action. I find that if I am home doing nothing that the hungry horrors creep in and I find that eat more than I should. I can't figure this whole band thing out sometimes because the weight loss is sporadic. Take this week for example, I went down 3lbs. without really being on target. I have had a very stressed and busy week and had to eat out a lot but I tried to make good choices as best as I could. I also agree with you that getting back on track is key. You've done that and you are definately allowed to go off track. If we thought that getting into this we would never fall...we are fooling ourselves. You are doing just great and know that you are inspiration to all of us. Cindy