sleepygirl

Hi Sleepygirl -thanks for the compliments, they were much appreciated! I started this journey, in earnest last June 12, 2007 (I call it my committment date), although I didn't have the surgery until September 25, 2007 - so I am about a year ahead of you.

I weighed 322 on June 12, joined weight watchers and between ww and the pre-op diet, I weighed 279 at surgery. I had a few complications (not due to the lapband, but another pre-existing condition) that made the beginning part of my journey very challenging, but after I got into the groove - I haven't looked back!!!!

I promised myself that I would approach this journey as an eating plan that I could follow for the rest of my life, so I am not going low carb. I am counting calories and trying to stay with low fat/ low sugar alternatives, if they taste acceptable to me.

Most days I try to stick to around 1000-1200 calories a day and I log everything I eat, including quantitites on the dailyplate.com. I found the journalling to be a huge success factor in this journey, as I can't eat unconsciously and I have to make choices -makes me accountable to myself.

When I go out, I try to think of what I am going to order before I go, so I make a semi sane choice (not the bacon double cheeseburger with fries like I would choose before).

All that being said, if I really want something, I eat it. I still eat chocolate and pizza and cookies, just not all the time and in much smaller quantities. I would say I eat really healthy about 90-95% of the time. I don't sweat it if I eat some things that may not have been the best choice. I needed to do this journey the way I am going to do the rest of my life, and my life will include pizza and chocoloate!!!

I am not overly restricted - I can eat 2-3 oz of protein and at least a cup of cooked vegetables at any time - I seem to function best this way. I can and do eat anything, including bread (the weight watchers bread works very well for me). I occasionally have some problems with food (ie chicken or beef or eggs), but only rarely and when I try it again, I am fine -what can I say - the band is fickle).

What the band does for me is keep my portions reasonable, and it curbs my stomach hunger, so I am not physically hungry between meals (I still have evening head hunger though). Because I have always been an evening eater, I plan for at least 1-2 snacks (about 100 calories each) to help me manage. Again - works well for me!!!!

I also exercise - ALOT. I try to go to the gym 3-5 times per week and I combine cardio and strength training. For each session, I have built up to where I am exercising for between 1-2 hours.

Anyways good luck to you in your journey. If I can do it, anyone can!!!

Jacquie