orea15

Hi, I had a nice holiday and didn't gain anything to speak of. :-) I held pretty steady, which was good considering I made a few desserts for the guys and had a little bit now and then. Now I am finally getting the scale moving again -- in the right direction! And today I finally hit the 200's. 299.0. :-) It almost feels like an anticlimax, it took so long. LOL But I can out-wait my stubborn body!

Welcome! I highly recommend that the majority of your diet be protein and produce. I find I feel so much better eating this way, it's well worth it.

Don't worry, we read Typo fluently!

If you are having trouble with solid foods, you do need a little unfill.

Good for you! <applause>

Excellent! You've got a great chance of success. :-)

How about we share some of our goals for 2009? Last year was all about diet and eating habits for me. --And jumping through all those hoops! This is my year to start exercising regularly and build up my strength and stamina.

I think we need to avoid black and white thinking when it comes to food. Yes, we need to keep it under control and not indulge too frequently. I know my body well enough that I am scared to eat sweets too often for fear of the hunger monster returning. But, it's not a moral issue for me. I choose to eat foods that make my body feel good and avoid the ones that don't. That means getting in as many vegetables as I can along with my protein, and avoiding the breads and potatoes and sweets for the most part. It's just practicality for me. I have paid attention enough to know I don't feel as good if I indulge in pizza. I still love pizza and I probably always will, but it's a high price to pay, feeling crappy afterwards. I can always find a recipe for a pizza flavored dish based on zucchini or something, if i want to. And, I know in my heart that I want to lose more weight, more than anything. I plan to do what it takes, as long as it takes, to get to a comfortable weight that I am happy with. I don't know where that will be. I'll figure it out as I go. 2008 was all about diet for me, learning how to eat, changing habits, finding new and healthier recipes. I've got my good habits, and I've got the band just starting to work for me now. 2009 is for adding in the all-important exercise quotient. I'm stating it here publicly. I think I will start today. Slow and easy, as I am not very strong, but a start. :-) So everyone tell me: What are your goals for 2009? Let's work together and support each other.

I've made a few desserts for the family recently but I find they really don't send me. I've been off sugar so long that the one I made tonight was just...way too sweet. (The guys liked it, though!) I think the thing to do is take a moment before you make your decision to indulge, and think about how good it feels to step on the scale and see that new lower number. Then ask yourself, "Am I trading what I really want, for what I want right now?" And then think about how proud of yourself you'll feel for saying no, versus the "aw shit" feeling you get afterward when you do indulge. If you are anything like me! LOL Is the moment of pleasure really worth it to you? Then do it, but do it in a small way. If not walk away and pat yourself on the back.

Hi, I'm in Vienna. I was banded by Drs. Halmi and Tran. They have a support group in Woodbridge and are working on starting one in the Vienna area. I believe I heard they are open to non patients, but I'm not sure. It's nice to know there are more of us in the area! Orea

I'm only down about 18 pounds from banding. But I will NOT give up! It's still a better place than where I was, and I'm not gaining like I know I can w/o the band. (If gaining weight were an Olympic sport, I'd be in the finals for sure! It is shocking and horrifying how efficient my body is at storing fat.) So, keep the faith, remember why you want it, keep working on those good habits, and we'll be seeing less of each other in 2009!

PJ, my thoughts are with you. {{{hugs}}}

Every single one of us has come a long way this year. Give yourselves a heartfelt pat on the back! 2009 holds great promise for us. It will be fun to see what we can accomplish.

Joann, my sincere condolences to you and your family. I lost my two best kitties, sisters, six years ago, within 3 1/2 weeks of each other, one at Thanksgiving, the other right before Christmas. We still get teary even speaking about them, they were so special. :biggrin: We love and appreciate each and every one of the eight cats we have now, but there was something bout those two girls...we were honored to be chosen by the Universe to be their family. At the time the first one, Kismet, died, my vet told me that for many people, the pain of losing a beloved pet is worse than losing a a human family member. Perhaps because we can safely be more of ourselves with our animal companions? Anyhow, I'm sorry. {{{hugs}}} All we can do is cherish the memories and be grateful for the love and good times we shared.

Oh, that is heartening news! <fingers crossed> I'm breathing a big sigh of relief here. Let us know how it goes.

Unfortunately, my fill is wearing off... hungry!!!

I don't know if they are related to Slurpees, but did you know Slurpees have carbonation? A word to the wise.

Congrats, Bubbles!

Right, who needs diamonds that look like kitty litter?! We want sparkle! LOL

A couple of things to consider: 1) Many bandsters at their right fill level may have trouble with solid food in the morning. Often they do a shake or a fat free latte to get in some protein and calcium for the day. They get their food in later in the day. 2) There is a thing called "first bite syndrome." What you need to do, is take a tiny bite, chew it well, swallow, and then wait a minute or two. See how you feel, repeat if you are doing okay. Some bands (or the stomachs they are attached to) need a little time to adjust to eating. They clamp down or something unless you ease them into it with a few tiny, well spaced bites. Try these ideas and see if you find a way to work with your band. oh, and going to liquids for a day after you PB isn't a bad idea, either, to let your tissues settle down from the insult. Good luck! Orea

Wow, you are just a whisker away from the big 8-0! Congratulations! :confused_smile::thumbup::thumbup:

Of all the bandster rules, eating more slowly is by FAR the hardest thing for me. I still work at it every time I eat, with varying success. I've got to figure out a way to beat this. Beat my old bad habits into submission? :confused_smile: I am determined to master this.

As you get tighter, they can become a problem. Especially if overcooked until dry. (Rubbery hard boiled eggs can do the same. Poached and soft boiled are friendlier.) I haven't had a problem with them yet. I just had some for dinner, scrambled with onion, pepper, broccoli and cauliflower, with little bits of ham, seasoned with five spice powder and the like and a little teriyaki sauce. Yum.

Sorry to hear of your difficulties. Scrambled eggs are difficult for many bandsters.

Sounds like you probably need a slight fill. But also take a look at what you are eating, how much, how often, thinks like that. Most of the time ir I need to snack, I do it on veggies: grape tomatoes, carefully chewed baby carrots or green peppers, things like that. They hep me feel full again with minimal damage and maybe some nutritional benefits. Good luck!