luluc

BCBS denied me pretty quick w/a BMI of 36, I also had no co-morbidities. I wasn't required to do a 6month diet w/our Plan, it simply stated for a BMI under 40, I had to have 2 comorbids & I didn't meet their criteria. BCBS has a lot of different plans (policies), make sure you get yours in writting so not to encounter any delays or changes. Went self pay .... Good Luck!!!

yesterday - b- 1/2c kashi go lean crunch w/2%milk * blueberries l- 1 slice kashi flat bread pizza d- 1c white bean chicken chili s- 100cal pck choc soy nuts

see - that's along my thinking. i'm not fearful of damnation - i just would like to "believe" i will be reconnected with love ones who have passed on. it's a hope / wish, when i say "carry on the party" - i imagine having a manhattan w/my great grandmother on top of a cloud...like we did when she was alive. might be silly, but that's where i say i have "faith" in the afterlife. it's not religiously based - more "selfish" as mentioned previoiusly.

thank you / turler.... big man is sleeping on my feet. keeping an e-collar on a 100lb lab is work...thank goodness for doggie valium. i need to knock him out to keep his activity level LOW & not want to play w/the other pups - wish they gave Mom a prescript!! would LUV a kitty - one out by the barn is all hubby will let me (he's allergic), and i don't have it in my heart to keep one out there...but would keep our horse (duke) company... also have 4 cows...they're only activity is my heeler chasing them from one end of the property to the other - ALL day long!!

I love Enell!! Your correct, pricey - but I need the support & these lock the girls in.!!.

I typically get my fruit in during breakfast. Protein shake w/half a banana; fiber cereal w/berries, yogurt w/fruit & granola - there was a recipe this wk for cold oatmeal that i plan on making today, has dried fruit etc. On occassion my snack might be a small apple w/some peanut butter.

Steph - hope you have good weather again today!! Whosya - Good Luck!!

yesterday - *bad day* b- skinny dolce cinnamon latter & 1 venison sausage & cheese link l- 2 steak fajita nachos / lg margarita d- 1/2 venison burger no bun & 1/2c shells & cheese:eek: (haven't had that since the band) s- 100 cal pck chocolate soy nuts

Thank you - This honestly was something I was not aware of. My GF does not believe in the afterlife & it was an assumption I made.

brandy - you make me giggle (big pumpkin). gadget - you stunning lady that i banter w/ - i have a face ; while your still get my big lab to look at. i got to say this topic FASCINATES me, and not for an obvious reason. my very dear friend is an Atheist, and she's never been able to articulate her feelings well, and she has in a way been looked down upon my some friends of ours. i couldn't necessarily help her - because i have faith & i believe - but i'd never force my view onto her. i'm selfish - i like to believe there's more out there after death, like the party to continue. it was something written here on the subject by Wasa / Wheetsin / or Laurend that i had her read, and the light bulb went off for her. she's like that's how i feel (she's very earthy) - so i get it. not my choice. i more than want a separation of church / state - i have issues w/other philosophies different than mine forced upon me. back to the big pumkin....

I have a Lili & Casey too - (dogs) Lili - 16yr Long hair Chi Casey - 8yr Golden Ret / Yellow Lab Mix Sal - 15yr Teacup Poodle Babe - 1yr Red Heeler Skippy - 12yr Choc Lab Red (my avitar) - 2yr Red Lab Dogs ARE a lot of work. Hubby and I have spent the last 18hrs in Animal ER w/our Red Lab. He was neutered on Monday and well they didn't take the full scrotum out (sorry guys reading this) and he developed blood clots. Scrotum Ablation, what a mess....and so was I (he is my lucky charm). I don't often give my hubby credit - but last night while we were waiting on the vet to diagnose the bleeding, there was a family that had brought in their cat (not sure the problem). They could not afford the $480 fee to save the cat (parents & 3 boys crying). I looked at my husband, and He just handed the staff his CC to pay their fee. I had been crying enough - but that made me smile. When we arrived this afternoon to pick up our big guy, they had come back w/a lucky bamboo plant for us - very appreciative for helping their family pet. .... I asked hubby if we can get a cat and call it bamboo or lucky and he told me "NO".... will still work it:)

[quote name=Bozzj;826619 mashed potatoes & creamed spinach (2oz each) s: peanut butter chocolate ricotta cream (SO GOOD). in case you want to know how to make the snack..it's a cup of skim ricotta' date=' a teaspoon of vanilla, 3 splenda, tablespoon of natural peanut butter, tablespoon of sugar free chocolate syrup (or coco). blend well (i used a food processor). chill. this makes a lot (for one). i had 2 oz for snack and i probably have at least 5 servings left. You can make this with any flavor if you're not down with peanut butter. [/quote] that looks yummy - will have to try, thanks for sharing!!!

yesterday - b- 4oz pomegranate yogurt w/ 1/4c granola l- 1c shrimp/whitefish/avacado ceviche *spicey* s- 1 slice of colby jack cheese w/4 melba rounds d- 1/2 turkey burger w/avacodo wasabi mayo no bun

good luck whosya !!! can't wait to hear about your race this wkend!! hey wombat - since doing pretty hard weight training w/my trainer; my cardio is down...but not gone; by no means - just working on a balance. i'm introducing some sports in the picture in the next few wks (soccer/tennis) i want to shake those last 15lbs. i'm kinda digging the way my arms are right now - the legs (my problem), i have to work at a couple times a wk. squats/lunges/leg press/ blah blah blah - all the things i can't stand - are starting to show better results. i think w/the running you've been doing - the elliptical will be a breeze after some time. hope your doing well.... happy wkend all~

I would love a Trader Joes near by as well. I eat raw almonds / walnuts frequently - actually keep them in my workout bag/purse. I just found South Beach Dark Chocolate covered Soy Nuts (100cal / 3g protein) - and they taste just like "Goobers".

I actually don't feel that I'm in the minority when I say that drinking during meals are a No No - the OP asked a question, and I answered based off of my experience - my husband (also banded) & those who have done so w/in my Dr's practice. And to ease the mind, I "might" have 4/5 sips - sometimes none - sometimes more w/my meals - I'm not slamming drinks. Why is OK to give one point of view on the subject? I certainly don't advocate, nor ever have deviating from your Dr's orders, It just wasn't one of mine. Can't I have the same floor to respond as others? I just answered the question from the OP as honest as possible as it pertains to me & my experiences. Am I not to respond because someone new here got different post op directions? To respond why I got the band is to prevent regain - Not an uncommon reason.

I know I got the band to "keep" the weight off long term vs possible re-gain with regular diet & exercise, I had other use of $15k, but self pay was my only shot at the band. This concept (one of not drinking w/meals) is not one completely mandated by all Dr's - including mine. If I measure my food out & don't add, how is having a sip of drink making me eat more? If I don't go over my caloric intake for the day - how is drinking affecting that weightloss? If I control what I eat for the day - how can I put more in my "Pouch" or as you say "flush" with a sip of drink. I monitor every item I put in my mouth every day (more so for my trainer) & in less than 7 months I've met my Dr's goal & a bit shy of my own personal one. Husband already met goal at month 6 & he's never had a meal w/out ice tea. I just don't buy the concept, especially since others can drink before hand - others have to wait 30mins .... Some have to wait 30mins after a meal...some and hr. - Agree to disagree~

I've been eating salads since going to solids & it's not been an issue. I prefer field greens & spinach to ice berg, but that's more for taste. You might have to play around & try a few items to see what works for you. Congrats on your surgery!!

and your PS is around the corner!!! - ... as always kat, your charming in your dialogue/analysis. i find the closer to 40 i'm getting the more i'm turning into my mom:eek: she's beyond comfortable in her own skin - not afraid of a nip / tuck to the face over the yrs, but is a "I am what I am chick" - No makeup / No frills / eats healthy - works out & likes a cold martini on occassion. i think that's the role model for health & good living one should have & pass down, rather than rely on "others" - those famous...

This is one concept of the band I'm not sold on. Why on earth with healthy eating & exercise - taking in approximately 1100 calories a day would this prohibit my weightloss? I get the flushing of the pouch, but that's just malarky in my opinion. I have a problem with getting in enough fluids, I'm not going to stop myself with a sip here / sip there during a meal because it's going to fill me up sooner. I'm a whole lot better than my husband, who said he wasn't going to follow that advise (our dr doesn't mandate it) - not stopped him from dropping 75lbs in 6months. Again I struggle w/getting in enough Water in during a normal day - I'm going to pause that for an additional 4+hrs a day in hot TX?? Like Molly - I will have some wine; but I'm restricted enough that my wine compliments my meal - rather than the meal taking over w/my wine.

The same was explained to me. My Dr said if I got to 60grams of protein a day - as a woman, that was a great number to shoot for. I should not have to add a protein shake to get to that number - it should come from solid foods; though I will admit - the days I meet w/my trainer I do have an EAS Carb Control Shake (110calories / 17grams of protein)....this is to sustain the hard workouts. If this works for many - great; honestly I can't stand drinking my food & it's not a long term solution for me.

I'm in - Not sure the hrs/minutes; but I train twice a wk & usually hit the gym another 3/4days, will be playing soccer on sundays & LOTS of ranch work ahead this month. Today - 2mile walk w/my 2 lab pups mountain bike ride this evening w/hubby around lake

I like this way of thinking & am slowly adopting a similar philosophy. I hate the after taste of artificial sweetners & some can give me a headache. I can handle weaning towards unsweetened tea & coffee ... but every now and then I need a "fix" - and I've gone to pure honey or raw sugar. I agree, I'm eating so little that I'm not going to subsitute chemicals for natural - regardless if more calories. I also had to convince myself that I need carbs (the good ones of course), they really aren't to be ignored - rather a more balanced meal is preferred. For me I rather find a balance way of eating ( shop only the perimeter of the store - only going up an aisle for grains/wht Pasta ) that will sustain me long term. DH and I try to support our local farmers often w/fresh veggies / fruits & some "game". I hit my local sushi bar & get a slab of tuna/salmon whenever I want some fish. We just bought some chicks - so we'll see if I can get some eggs from them, and well - I've yet to figure out what to do w/my cows other than give them my partial rotting fruit:smile: I love food / wine & for me to give them up during "weighloss mode" might not bode well for me once I'm at the place I want to be - I'll just overindulge from the restriction & won't be successful maintaining.

melissa - check out this thread: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f9/share-ideas-what-did-you-eat-today-36828/index46.html#post826619 lots of recipe ideas as well.