Mia31

Hi Janet I have great news - I lost another 2.4 this week! I have been reading the posts, but haven't had much to say since you sorted me out over the last few weeks! :thumbup: Your pics from what you wore for the commercial are fab - you look so willowy and graceful You look like a todal fox actually!!!:crying: Its horrible and cold here, and its been mental at work. I haven't eated brilliantly (5 portions of fruit and veg went out of the window for a couple of days) or done any exercise apart from gardening and cleaning - but I am being careful with food, and have a much greater sense of what is good for me to eat and what is not ie. that I cannot simply tuck into chocolate and expect to lose weight! My boss said the other day to change something which you've done for a long time and want it to be different, you have to do things differently to achieve that - which sounds RIDICULOUSLY obvious - bt actually to me, makes complete sense. I thought by having the band, and continuing to eat poorly - I would be able to lose weight - and sometimes I did, and most times I didn't. The really important thing for me is trying to remember that this is permanent - I'm not going to stop eaating this way or trying to be healthy. I think if I can crack that thought process - I will really be there. I am finding that eating different calories everyday rather than the same amount is really helping. There isn't a massive difference between each day, probably a hundred or so, but I think it must be working as 2.4 with no exercise is unheard of! I don't think that carbs are a problem for me either. I have tried eating high Protein low carb, and I find my loss slows down, so I am really doing a low fat diet, and trying to get between 50-60g protein a day to keep those amino acids high. I am hols with my parents next week - so this week has to be a good one! Then I would like to maintain over the holiday and come back and get straight on the wagon. I will do my best not to get off it, as holidays are deceptive - you go on one, come back and suddenly think you're still on one for another 2 weeks! Anyway = got to get off my bum and go to work - BOO! Speak soon, Mx ps This is such a positive group - well done all of you!

Hello Girls! All I can say is......YAY!!!!:thumbup::thumbdown::crying::cursing::drool: I did it! I lost 1.1 yesterday to take me up to 10lbs for the whole month. That's my best lost ever, even better than when the band was first put in I think. I am buzzing!! I am still struggling with the exercise this week again (work always seems to get in the way of having fun!) but I am going to stick religiously to 1200 cals and see how far that gets me. I would like to zigzag, but am reading into it, as I am a routine person, and I need to know how much I am having on what day. A friend sent me this link if you are interested too Calorie Calculator - Daily Caloric Needs I am so pleased. I don't feel deprived and better than that - I just took off my work trouserx (don't panic - I'm at home now!) without undoing the fly or buttons!! NSV city!! The discussion here is so useful. You take so much for granted, but its only those who have tried and had success who really know ie Our Janet! Mx

Janet - thanks so much for taking all this time to explain this to me. As far as I can see, for the best possible results, the max calories has to be 1200 and that is without exercise. For better results, zigzagging will also help. I suppose the way to look at it is that the exercise is for your health, and the calories for your weight loss. You've given me the best example of the science of losing weight that I've seen for a long time. I really understand for the first time how it works -so now to put it in practice. The thing is, when you've been a fat chick for a long time, and you've done quite a bit about dieting, its easy to get all that knowledge mixed up and not be able to see the wood for the trees! Re the carbs - I am not having as many as you may think, as I don't eat any starches with my evening meal, so the 2 portions I get are in the morning and lunch. I don't think I would be able to eat a sandwich in the morning, as it would probably get stuck, and also I am steering clear of bread, as that has been a really good habit to break, and the band has really helped with that. Its also quite clear I need to calm down and take each day at a time. I will try to not weigh everyday, I may start doing it every other day, just to break the cycle. I was really miserable yesterday because it went up, and I don't think there's any need to live on a knife edge like that! I am just making it hard for myself. Having said ALL that - it was better news this morning, but won't record until my official weigh in on Tues! I know - I'm such a loser!! You guys are all fantastic! I've had more support here on this site than anywhere else - you're the BEST! Mx

CongratsJoannMarie - you will do really well as you have such a positive attitude. Well done Becky on losing 7.5 inches - that's so much! Janet - my calorie intake for the day should be 1400, if I do a minimum of 200 exercise - so it is really 1200 - which is roughly what you say. I just recalculated my foods, and without snacks, and by having eggs and a banana for breakfast, tuna and onion with no crackers and grapes for lunch, and then one pot wonder for dinner I am at 873 cal. I have included the fruit in the main meals instead of snacks, as I think its really important to have good nutrition which should mean 5 portions of fruit and veg a day. Re eggs - do you eat the whites or all of it, and what do you do with them? I struggle with eggs in the morning, but maybe I am preparing them wrong. Cereal, milk and banana goes down slowly but nicely, and I feel full after. I also need to eat whatever I have at work, as I have to be in early in the mornings, and can't find the time to eat at home. I am short - 5ft1!! That's why every pound makes a difference. I also do a desk job with little physical activity and often very long hours. I used to buy my lunch, but now I make it and take it, as otherwise I have no way of controlling the food. Re exercise - I have my own cross trainer and try to get on that at least 5 times a week for 20 minutes. According to my site, that's more than 200 cals of exercise. I assume their calculation is the average calorie burn of someone of my size. The machine cannot be set to show your weight, so that doesn't really tell me anything. I also take my pulse and make sure I am always working out at between 60-80% of my max heart rate. I do have good restriction, but restriction does not stop you from feeling hungry, and I need to really get my head around that. I guess the key is to not make food so important! Thanks for explaining all of this. I know that your plan may not work for me, but I would really like to understand it and see if I can do it, as its clearly worked for you! You are right this is not a diet, but at the minute, I am more focussed on getting the weight off than looking too far into the future. But I do know the more I lose, the less I can think of going back to the bad old ways! Thanks for your patience:thumbup: I hope I'm not too annoying! Mx

Wow! You look fantastic - and so much younger now!! No offence meant btw - although fat keeps the skin plumped up - it doesn't do much for your style does it? I love your dress in the final pic, really nice. :thumbup: Your regime was superstrict wasn't it? Although I can see the advantages - I am really not sure whether I could stick to it. I might try for a week at some point and see how it goes. A usual food day for me is cereal, low fat milk and a banana approx 275cals mid morning 100cal snack and some fruit approx 200 cals lunch is tuna, onion on some low fat crackers approx 250cal afternoon fruit or ricecakes approx 100cal Dinner one pot wonder approx 300cal Low fat hot drink and A 100cal snack approx 200 Altogether that's about, and always below, 1400cals, and according to nutracheck (my dailyplate) that should be enough to lose 2lb a week and get to a 20% loss by february. Do you think it's better to go for a more agressive diet like you did? I am just not sure I could go down to that yet without completely losing heart. It seems like the weight came off really quickly though, which is probably why you didn't plateau, and also achieved so much in such a short time. Can you also explain whether there was any method in your zigzaggin calories, and whether you always went in that order ie 800,100,900 or whether it was random? I've seen a lot of discussion about zigzagging and people say it really works. More words of wisdom please! Mx

Thanks Janet What was your calorie limit when you were my weight - 212lb (if indeed you ever were as I can't remember how much you started out at!) and how did you set your calorie limit? Also, do you snack between meals - on healthy stuff obviously? Or do you really only have 2/3 meals a day and thats it. I am getting hungrier - not sure why, my protein intake is the same, and I am packing in the fruit and veggies. btw, I only record the once a week weight, but I like to keep an eye on the scales for encouragement. They are not going up, they are just not moving!! M

Thanks for stepping into Janet's shoes - much appreciated! I think the thing is that we all want to lose weight SO badly (otherwise we wouldn't even have begun to think about surgery!) and when it doesn't do what it's supposed to and you've been trying really hard, its easy to get demotivated. It has passed now and I don't care if I don't lose anymore this week, I will just keep plugging away at it, and try to move more next week. Mx

Janet - help. I have not lost anything for 5 days. Is this a plateau - or am I overreacting? ( I think I am overreacting, and just want someone to tell me that!):wink2: I continue to be good with the food (although yesterday I just felt SO hungry), and eating 200 less cals a day on the days I cannot exercise or do any physical activity (this is normally the amount of exercise I would do). As an NSV - I was also able to fit into a pair of jeans which I bought 3 months ago, but could not make meet in the middle to do up! I suppose my question is, do you just weigh weekly, or look at your monthly total. If I go on monthly totals, I think 9lbs in one month is fine. Its all a bit fits and starts, and i suppose I am looking for reassurance. Everyone - please feel free to give your views too - I would really like to understand how this works for different people so that I can educate myself and not lose hope. I've been here before where things slowed down, so I think, oh..a bar of chocolate can't hurt, because I'm not losing anything anyway... and suddenly its all gone down the pan, and I'm still fat and unhappy. Hope you can give me some wise words - I think the answer is not to weigh everyday and to review what I did if I do not lose by my next weight in date...:tongue2: Mx

I got 2 free fills with my op - so I'm afraid I don't know because I haven't had to pay for one yet - sorry! You could give the x-ray department a call, I'm sure they'd be happy to tell you. If you find out - please let me know - as I will probably need to go for one at some point! I'm doing ok I think. I was hungrier today, but I am failrly sure it was because my routine got messed up with work yesterday. I also keep climbing on the scales too often which is stupid but strangely addictive. I haven't done much exercise this week either - so it could mean no loss for me when I have my formal weigh in day! I can't take cheese at all - so maybe once you've had a fill that will help keep you off it? What made you decide to have the op this year then? I like knowing what made everyone decide to take the plunge -as its quite scary isn't it, that moment before you go into surgery and you think have I done the right thing? I'm glad I did it because my health was really suffering - I'm only short - so my bmi was really bad. I'm glad I had it done, but know I need to learn to feed myself properly too, as the band can't do everything. That's sort of the hardest part...! Chat soon, M

I was banded last August (07) and have only just got my head straight after spending most of this year gaining and losing the same stone. I think I am on track now - lost 6 pounds this month already, and am eating and exercising a lot better. Would also appreciate any tips and tricks on food if you have them! I seem to be eating the same 4 things over and over and over..... Would love to hear everyone's views, as I don't think its as widely discussed here in the UK as it is in the US.

hiya! i went to see the Duchess - cos that's what every fat chick needs to see - Keira Unsightly looking like a pin! It was quite good though, although my husband looked like he wanted to die halfway through!! Funny about the banana, I find them really easy, and slip one into my cheerios to try and get in one my 5-a-day portions of fruit a day. Have you been recording what you eat? i think that helps loads - although it can be boring too! Mx

Oooh - before I go - can I just say that today, someone in my office bought back treats from their holiday, and for the first time in I don't know how long - I didn't have any!! Yay for me!!!! :girl_hug: Good night Mx

Hi Janet I'm sure we are distant relatives - I agree with your posts so much, I almost feel I wrote them myself! :girl_hug: How are you anyway? I had another good day - no loss yet, though I KNOW I shouldn't get on the $£$!&& scales every morning, but it sort of keeps me motivated. I know I shouldn't expect too much, as I have already lost 9lbs this month, but its so NICE to see it falling off! I did feel hungrier, but it was head hunger, so I beat it with a stick and saw it off. I ate proper food tonight - lean mince (or should I say lean ground beef!) and veggies in a tomato sauce on the basis of you one pot suggestion, and it was really nice. The cats enjoyed it too when I left my plate on the side to do something. I came back and they both had tomato sauce on their whiskers, so I knew they'd been up to no good! I am staying up too late reading this site, as I CANNOT get up in the morning, so off I go to bed. Happy slimming and catch up with you soon! Mx

My turn to apologise - it says very clearly in your signature when and where you were banded - duh!!! Sorry!! M

Hiya I live in Surrey not TW, but don't worry about rambling - I've been known to do the same! You should try the Spire Hospital there for fills, as they do mine. There is one radiologist I really likeand if oyu're lucky you may get him - sorry, but for the life of me I can't remember his name. I've had 3 fills, and got pretty good restriction, but to be honest, restriction doesn't count for anything unless you are prepared to change the way you eat - again, in my opinion. When did you have your band put in, and how is it going for you? Mx

Hello All! Becky - I can't recommend doing the dailyplate recording thing highly enough! I know I used to do really DUMB calculations in my head, where I would underestimate everything, and then convince myself that 5 chocolate bars, 2 packets of crisps/chips, several sanwiches, a full fat dinner, a couple of eggs, more chocolate and a pot of ice cream couldn't be more than 2000 - which is the daily limit right?! Its only when you really see how much you're putting in - you realise- I could walk solidly for a whole day (a full 24 hours!) and not get rid of what I've eaten in 3/4 days. I use nutrcheck (a uk site) and it also tells you how many portions of fruit and veg I should eat, and from someone who used to choke at the sight of an apple - I pleased to report that today, I ate 162% of my recommended daily portion of fruit and veg! Ellen - I think if you can whip the head hunger - you really are there, and the weight will come off slowly but steadily. My personal view is that we are rarely ever REALLY hungry. We might feel like eating, but that's very different to being hungry. I used to think I couldn't have my evening meal without something sweet after. With the band (and I think with 3 fills, I am now at my sweet spot) you have to eat slowly, so you learn to savour the food, and after a very short time, you realise..." I'm full!" In fact, yesterday I took my DH quite by surprise by bellowing exactly that at him whilst we were quietly eating dinner! :smile: I also think that the sweet spot has to be in your mind as well as your band. You could probably have maximum restriction and keep shoving soft calories down your neck. Ice Cream, Milkshakes, anything mushy with high fat and sugar slips down FAR too easily! In fact, the band is bad in that sense, because I find that truly bad food, with little nutritional value goes down a treat, whereas the good stuff takes work - especally, for me, broccoli! The other advantage of recording is that you realise - wow - I'm eating tons of food - I can't possily be hungry. I record everythign I plan to eat, and through the day, if I don't have it, I'll either move it down to later in the day, or delete it! I have to say, there's nothing like being a fat girl, looking at a record of what you've eaten, and thinking OMG - for once in my life I DIDN'T overdo it!! Seriously - it makes you high!:confused: Then if you lose weight - you kind of remember those moments, and not the ones where everyone except you was eating double chocolate fudge cake with chocolate sauce, cream and ice cream!:wink_smile: My main reason for having the op was because I wanted to be like a "normal" person. I don't want to be the fat one anymore. I want to shop normally, I want to wear things everyone else is wearing. I'm (fairly!)normal in most ways - good job, great family, my weight was the only thing not so great, and now I AM going to change that. Thanks for reading my speech! Would love to know other people's reasons for opting for the band. People's personal stories are always so fascinating! Mxx

I am SO happy - I lost just under 2.5 lbs this weekend alone! I was super careful on Saturday, as I wanted to go to the cinema, and so ate v little, and yesterday the scale had jumped!! I had my op and my fills here - the care before and during the op was really good - but they need to sort out the aftercare big time! I was asked to see a dietician who just talked about me eating custard ALL the time, as i think it was the only soft food she could think of, so i gave up seeing her after one appointment. I've had to teach myself a lot about food and nutrition - I would highly recommend using something like fat secret or nutracheck too. I think the thing to remember is that often your hunger is not from your body - but from your head. I find myself thinking "wow, I'm starving" but if I really think about it - I'm not - I just want to eat for the hell of it. Weird huh? I;m sure there's a load of psychological explanations for that - but the trick is to recognise and not do it - I think anyway! Tell me more about how its going with you - happy to listen/advise/sympathise etc! Mx

I did well! I took 2 low cal snacks with me (had to sneak them in as our local cinema sometimes checks people to see if they have their own fodd - because apparently you can only eat the high fat, high sugar shiz which they sell!) and chomped my way through the film. Actually i didn't feel really hungry at all today, and only had a can of baked beans and one low fat sausage aa day. Strange. No fruit and veg though - which is not good news. I totally understand why you avoid the food you have no control over - that sounds like a plan to me. My downfall is chocolate, and I really cannot stop once I start. i am therefore no longer biying anything chocolaty and keeping it in the house - even the low cal stuff, as it is too easy to keep eating it, thinking its not so bad. This might sound weird, but I am also a bit scared of myself and my ability to FAIL! i've given up so many tmes, i keep thinking that my new-found positivity will give up in a few days, and I keep worrying about it! Stupid I know - but see where being fat can get you! Any views Janet?? Some tough band love perhaps?! :eek: Finally I am taking a 2 week holiday with my parents. Its a tour, so there will be v little control on food. I am really worried about how I will calculate what I am eating when i am there, and how to count my calories. What do you do on holiday?? Mx ps Is there anyway you can make and keep settings for what font and size you want your posts to be in? I am FED UP with having to highlight and change everything all the time...:thumbup: pps thanks for listening!

Hiya You will lose weight at this stage, so try to maximise it by sticking to low calorie food and keeping the fat low too. it will help when you get to the stage when you get tightened, and need to eat less. It seems the weight you lose in the early stages stays off - so I hope that's encouraging for you. How have you managed not to tell family? I haven't told anyone except family and one v close friend. Seems you have to justify what you're doing everytime you talk about it - look at poor Fern Britton! When do you get a fill and do you have to go back abroad? Mx

Thanks for replying so quickly! Ok -first quesstion.... Did you/do you ever get that mad hunger where you could eat everything and anything in sight - and if you let yourself - you could eat our entire caloried intake for 3 days? If yes - what do you do? I know about distracting yourself etc, but my stomach really rumbles and reminds me I haven't eaten - do you have that too? Would love to know - because I have it right now - and I am typing furiously so that I can't hear my stomach gurgle. I am trying to have a low cal day, as we are going to the cinema tonight, and I want to have a treat without feeling guilty. Can't stand that feeling when you've eaten something you shouldn't, so you get all depressed and frustrated, so you go and eat some more! :cursing::thumbup:

Ha ha! A Brain transplant may have been more useful in many respects! No - not on msn, but would LOVE to chat here! So nice to have someone to talk to! Family etc are very loving, but all are stick thin and can't understand what it feels like. What was your biggest food problem? Mine was/is chocolate! I can simply eat tons of the stuff. The band makes you have to do the hard work still though doesn't it - as from what I can see - chocolate still goes down the easiest, apart from ice cream! how r u finding everything, as you r a newbie right? Mx

Sorry - its late! I've just noticed your ticker and signature - please ignore the stupid questions about how much you were filled! Mx

I do have a question, several in fact - and hope that you will answer - even though my post is so late! 1. How have you eaten? Did you count calories etc Did you do high protein/low carb or just low fat? 2. Do you exercise? 3. How much were you filled to? 4 Do you have any helpful hints?? I was banded a over a year ago - but have only just got my head straight, so have wasted a lot of time losing and gaining the same pounds. Any advice much appreciated! :thumbup:

Hi there I got banded in September 07 and although I started well, I have spent the last 7/8 months losing and gaining the same 11 pounds. I never got my head straight when I had the op, and although the surgeon's team all talked about it, I think I was desperate for the surgery, as it would all be SO easy once I'd had it done. I am in the UK and don't think there is as much of a support netork as the US, and so people can get a bit stranded. Anyway - I think I might have cracked the head stuff now. We have a really good site called nutracheck which is like fitday, and I am sticking to 1400 calories or less and doing a minimum of 250 calories worth of exercise everyday. I am only up to reading page 15 of this thread - so I have some catching up to do. I feel really positive though, as I have lost 6 pounds since the beginning of the month, which is when I really sat down and thought about things. Thanks for all the sensible advice indio - kep going! When I found your thread - it was like I was hearing someone say all the things I knew but hadn't been doing. It isn't easy - but we'll all get there! Mx :thumbup::thumbup: