georgia girl

Today has been a rough day. I didn't sleep hardly any last night and I had 2 cluster headache attacks today and my right cheek and jaw is really sore. So I didn't eat much today. Today: B- LC slim fast blended with 2 tsp instant coffee L- skipped, was too tired to eat D- half of a hamburger, couple of bites of baked beans Oh, where is luluc? I haven't seen her post in a few days...

Hey nazzy. Here's the thread --> http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f82/protein-muffins-83590/

Thanks for letting me know. I will have to try it. The protein muffins I was talking about turned out dense too. It was VERY filling though.

I talked to one of the trainers at my gym about my sweet cravings and how I craved them ALL the time. He suggested to eat a piece of fruit first, then if you are still craving (notice I said craving, not hungry) then go brush your teeth and gargle mouthwash. Nothing would taste good after that! I thought that was a pretty smart tip.

At my local grocery store, they are mixed in with the regular cake mixes. I used the reduced sugar cake mix for some protein muffins that Macmadame posted a while back. Let me know how it turns out!

Thanks slim! I will check that out. I think Duncan Hines and Pillsbury makes a reduced sugar cake mix also.

Question: you use a box cake mix and diet soda only (and the carob chocolate chips)? No eggs or oil? How much diet soda?

LOL, me neither. They should put the saying they put on chips on the oreos....bet you can't eat just one! LOL

I say if you can manage your portion control for sweets, then go for the "real stuff". For me, substituting is the way to go. One oreo usually turns into 10. If I consume much sugar, it pretty much consumes me. It always has. I suppose that could be partly due to PCOS. I do better when I stay away from "the real" stuff. I'm not saying I NEVER eat a piece of cake, but I tend to get into trouble once I start eating that stuff. Not everyone can eat sweets in moderation. I know I can't. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Sweets are definitely my downfall...always has been. Try a cup of Diet Hot Chocolate, only 25 calories. Or what about a chocolate protein shake. Sometimes a cup of chai tea, with a little splenda and milk helps me too. Sugar free pudding? Oh, and I have some cinnamon raisin South Beach Diet protein bars that taste just like a cinnamon roll!! I love them!!

I did really good today, up until tonight at least. We went to the movies and I ate too much popcorn. I'm actually feeling sick right now. Today B- Atkins mocha latte shake L- a small slice of ham, 1/8 c. squash casserole D- a few tortilla chips and queso, taco S- too much popcorn....with BUTTER!!!

That is great Mim!! That's a GOOD problem to have. Keep it up and you'll be out of plus sized clothes forever!!

Hey marathinner!! It's so good to hear from you. Sorry about the slip, but glad you were able to keep a band. Are you doing okay since the surgery? Are you having to start all over with the food, like when you first got banded? Thanks for the positive vibes! I really appreciate that. I went to the doctor this past Monday and he decided to put me on Verapamil, which is most commonly used as a blood pressure medication. It's been proven to work well for many people. It was either that or Lithium, and I just wasn't ready for that, lol. I'm still taking the Prednisone too...got another week or so on it. I'm taking a much lower dose now, and I can already tell some of the swelling is going down and the hunger is getting better too! Thanks again for the kind words! Glad to hear from you! Keep posting and don't be a stranger!

Hello everyone! Hopefully some of ya'll remember me. I've been MIA for a while now and I decided it's time to come clean. I was banded 9-20-07. Lost 100 lbs exactly on my 1-year bandiversary. I have flip flopped with the same 20 lbs since then. I have been pretty active on LBT until the past few months. I was recently diagnosed with cluster headaches. It's a very rare headache disorder- known as the worst kind of headache there is. Here is a link that better explains if anyone is interested in it --> Cluster Headaches I have been dealing with these headaches for a little over a month now, with anywhere between 1-6 headaches a day. My doctor put me on a steroid, a very high dose and then I'll be tapered off it. I think I will be on it a total of 6 weeks. The side effects are taking a toll on me....even less sleep, mood swings, fatigue, and HUNGRY ALL THE TIME! I think I've gained 8 lbs since starting the steroid 10 days ago. The steroid blocked the headaches for about 4 days, and now they have returned again. I have tried exercising since the attacks started and exercise ALWAYS brings an attack on...even light swimming. It's very discouraging. I am lucky that my doctor knew about cluster headaches, because many people go misdiagnosed for years...it's heartbreaking. Now, I am not blaming cluster headaches for all my weight gain, because I have not been following the rules much lately. food has become my comfort. I never thought that would happen to me after all I have accomplished. I guess I'm just looking for some support. I still have a long way to go and I'm wondering if I will ever get there. I am going to start tracking my food tomorrow and try to make better choices with my food. Thanks for listening. I've missed my band buddies!!

LOL Plain! As much as the crying irritates me, I can't seem to stop watching! I wanna see who wins!

The recipe calls for regular squash, but I used spaghetti squash. You can also half the recipe too. Lowfat mayo and sour cream can be used as well. Cook 2 spaghetti squash or 2 lbs regular squash, however you prefer. Sautee a small chopped onion and set aside. In a good sized bowl, mix together 1/2 c. mayo, 1/2 c. sour cream, 1 pkg dry ranch dressing mix, 2 eggs, 3/4 c. cream or half and half, sauteed onions, and 1 cup of your favorite cheese. Fold in cooked squash and pour into a casserole dish. Bake on 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes. I also added a little extra cheese on top at the end, but you don't have to. DH wasn't crazy about the ranchy taste, but I liked it. I suppose you don't have to use that if you don't want to. Today: B- 1 c. Hood milk, mixed in 2 tbsp of DiVinci SF chocolate syrup L- Insides of a cheeseburger S- Fresh sliced mushrooms dipped in mustard D- Cracker Barrel- kids grilled chicken strips and green beans S- Atkins shake

Hi there. I haven't tried FF turkey bologna, but I often use deli ham or turkey and cheese roll ups for lunch. I've never had a problem with these, but I know other bandsters that don't do well with deli meat. I didn't eat anything like this until 6 weeks after surgery though. Just be careful since you are only 3 weeks post op.

I did pretty good with low carb today. I ate dinner really early and now I'm hungry. Don't really wanna eat this late, so I may just drink a protein shake. Today B- Protein shake- LC Slim Fast, ice, and 2 tsp instant coffee L- Hot spinach dip, fresh mushrooms for dipping D- 2 slices crock pot ham, 1/2 c low carb squash casserole

Thanks Suzanne! I went to the doctor yesterday, and since tapering off the steroid, the headaches have come back. He put me on Verapamil, so hopefully I will see some good results from this. Any news on your foot?

I really like it! I got the white milk this time, but I may try the chocolate next time. It only tastes slightly different from regular milk to me. Not enough to tell a big difference. I will definitely keep buying it!

Didn't do low carb today, but all in all, not too bad Today B- couple of swallows of Hood milk to take my medicine L- 3/4 of a chicken sandwich from Chik-Fil-A D- 1 c. homemade chicken and dumplings

Today B- LC slim fast L- 2 oz beef jerky, hot spinach dip with fresh sliced mushrooms for dipping D- chicken breast (baked in the oven with salsa) topped with a dollap of sour cream

OMGosh! 140 cans? That is too funny, lol. I use them from breakfast. I like them. They are a little thicker than the atkins ones (which I like too- mocha latte is good), but it doesn't bother me. Those who have "texture issues" may not like them though. They only have 20g of Protein in them, but I get plenty of "real" protein throughout the day, so it's not an issue for me.

Oh, another favorite is taco salad. I make mine with extra lean ground beef and packaged taco seasoning. Lettuce and your favorite LC toppings. Sour cream on top...yum!

Hi there. I have done low carb on and off since I was banded and I do very well on a low carb diet. I'm not sure exactly what kind of low carb diet you are on...Atkins, South Beach, etc. I "try" to keep my carbs around 30 a day and I also try to limit my fatty Proteins and keep it lean. Here are some things I eat while low carbing Typical Breakfast foods- a low carb shake South Beach Diet cinnamon raisin Protein bar (tastes like a cinnamon roll) glass of milk (Hood has a milk called Calorie Countdown that only has 3g carbs per serving, or 5g in the chocolate milk) a scrambled egg Lunch- tuna or chicken salad (I use Tostitos spinach dip instead of mayo...it's tasty, lower in calories and fat, but still low carb) turkey wrap (use a low carb tortilla) salad (again, I use the spinach dip mixed with a little LC milk...makes a good dressing) Dinner- Baked chicken breasts- I eat chicken breasts a lot. Sometimes I bake it or put it in the crock pot. One of my favorites is chicken breast baked in the oven with salsa poured over it. As long as you don't go overboard with the salsa, it's pretty low carb. I like a little sour cream with it too. This can be done in the crock pot too. Walmart has good stuffed chicken breasts in the frozen section. I believe there are 4 or 5 different kinds. I think it's Sam's Choice brand. Each having about 6 or 7 carbs. Green Beans, salad, steamed broccoli with a little cheese, and spaghetti squash are some of my favorite sides. I posted a crock pot meatloaf that turned out really good. Here's the link --> http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f9/shredded-cabbage-meatloaf-99257/ I don't know if you use the crock pot for cooking, but I have a low carb cookbook that has a good "sauce" for meat in the crock pot. Chicken, short ribs, pork chops, etc. would work well with it. Mix 1-8oz can plain tomato sauce, 3/4 c. Water, 2 tbsp cidar vinegar, 4 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp splenda, and 1 chopped onion and pour over meat. Cook on low until done. I personally LOVE my crock pot and for someone with a busy schedule, it is a lifesaver. If you have a specific low carb food you would like the recipe to, I'd be happy to look in my cookbook and see if I can find it. Just let me know. Hope this has helped you. Best of luck to you.