tapshoes

That's great, Ezma! Part of me says, why not do it for 2 weeks and see what happens, but then the more 'experienced' side of my mind says, but once it is done, you will revert to old habits and negate the whole investment. Great for you though. And yes, that first piece of fruit will be very pleasureable, won't it??

I really enjoy cottage cheese - and not just since banding or for protein, but because I like the taste! I use it as an appetizer (blend with various other ingredients for dips), as a main course (mixed with veggies, or hummus, or as a soup base, or topping for pasta), as a snack, and as a dessert - by itself, or with fruit, or baked into different desserts. But I have never heard of mixing it with jello - I just gotta try that!

A great positive story! Thanks for posting it.

At nine months (which is not that long), the band and I work together 95% of the time. I follow the chew chew chew and drink Water rules. I record what I eat but I do not necessarily measure them. Some things I know just because they come in containers of a certain size (eg individual yogurt, or cheese slices), but I don't measure if it is Soup, or salad or something. I do however record the items I eat on the "What did you eat today" thread on LBT. I do not, and have not, counted calories - for some that works, but for me, that is a mindset that makes me think 'diet' - the worst of the 4 letter words!! And I am not dieting; I am embracing a lifestyle of smaller portions, and more exercise. 95% of the time this works, 5% - the band may provide reminders of what I am doing or should not be doing, but I'm in control of my mouth, not it!

That is fantastic! And yes, we DO understand - we've either been there, or are on our way....let the tears flow! Yay you!!!

How did you do, Georgia? I did housework for 4 hours yesterday...does that count? If not, I was a blob yesterday. Feeling a little 'blechy' today; have yet to see if I can get my rear in gear and do something.

Yesterday B: ff yogurt and a banana L: apple and 1 oz cheese D: (all approximate) 2 oz roast beef, 1 tbsp each of mashed potato, corn, green Beans, broccoli casserole, sauteed mushrooms, with a caesar salad on the side. Back to normal today....

The sour cream is in the filling - thick apple slices, sour cream, cinnamon, sugar, vanilla, egg, flour. I ended up doing a 'loaves and fishes' routine; if not familiar with the reference, it means to make the food multiply sufficient for the people...my guests brought guests ("We knew you wouldn't mind"), DSD dropped in and brought her boyfriend...all of this AFTER I had the desserts made, the roast in the oven, and veggies washed, peeled etc. Whipped up another dessert (my rule, for every 4 people, there must be 2 desserts). No one left hungry and a good time was had by all...but no left overs. So much for my lunch plans for a few days!! Now it is time to enjoy my morning coffee, and catch up on all the posts....

Could I have done the diet and exercise? Sure. Could I have kept doing it for the next 50 years? Not a chance! For me the band is not just about losing the weight, it is keeping the weight off. It isn't about eating X#of calories or DIETING, it is about eating to get and remain healthy. Good luck on your journey whatever you chose to do.

I went in to this looking like a bloated me; 9 months later I look like my sister - I have cheekbones, I have a chin, and my eyes are not little slits in a mound of dough.

Yesterday B: bowl of strawberries S: 1 oz cheese; an apple L: 3 mushroom soup with few crackers D: chicken caesar salad; ff pudding

Yes indeed, that's what it sounds like to me, too. Restriction isn't a 'fixed' point...as you continue to lose weight, your stomach too loses it's fat coating and therefore the band gets loser. Hence getting fills to regain that feeling of restriction....until you hit maintenance (or so I've heard). Haven't reached that point, so Im not sure, but it makes sense to me.

Thinner - I hope things are alright with you. Peanuts in the shell - my first tries to minimize my nut intake was to buy them in the shell thinking it would slow down my consumption....it didn't. Hence the nut boycott!

It is 520 on a Sat morning; I've been sipping coffee and doing my sudokus since 430. Im taking a few minutes to catch up on the PJTP and to relax before starting the day - company coming for dinner so I must hit the grocery store and then do some cleaning. Tonight's menu - don't know about the main course, but sour cream apple pie and black forest cake are the desserts planned...unless someone has a better idea. Hope you are feeling better Mac.

Seeds aren't nuts - trust me on this!!!! But I can certainly understand an addiction switch, but the nuts ARE much better for you than the demon ice-cream. If you are undecided, what would make you decide one way or another?

Perhaps election hysteria has exhausted everyone....

Today 20 min of upper body/arms 30 min of cycling 35 min brisk walking

Yesterday B: banana, ff yogurt S: 1 oz cheese and an apple L: bowl of lentil soup with grated cheese and 2 rye-krisps D: 1 oz cheese, an apple, and EEKS an entire large container of FF yogurt. WHY? I don't know. I just did. :thumbup: So luluc, you may have od'd on carbs, but I just consumed a weeks worth of dairy! Better meals for today....

Ezma, you know better than to be comparing to what you used to lose. Just focus on you are losing. That's the key. RSG - Don't beat yourself up; don't give yourself grief. Think of it a different way - you are determined to be successful. I'm not looking forward to the weekend - the weather is to be dreary, and I am more inclined to munch away then. I KNOW I need to keep busy, and I have planned a bit of a baking marathon for Xmas (this isn't a problem for me, I don't have a sweet tooth), but still...there may be nuts! In fact, xmas baking ALWAYS includes nuts...rolling rum-balls in crushed pecans; apricot cakes with almonds; fruit and nut balls ..........nuts nuts and more nuts!! I am stronger than my cravings; I can do this! I am stronger than my cravings; I can do this! I am stronger than my cravings; I can do this!

It's Friday - yahoo! So many posts since last I checked in.... Plain, an interesting pic; as for your inability to find the button, and your wife's need for good vibrations....TMI? Mac, I hope all is well; babygirl, the lineup for Plain's dope is long; vibrating mascara?? I poke myself in the eye enough, who wants to risk a rototiller effect on the eyeball? Coffee...I need more!

I will keep reading the thread Ezma, encouraging you onwards and downwards! I hope the transition phase is easier, and that given its similarity to your doc's plans, your body will behave nicely!

Whoo hoo! You deserve it!!

But maybe it was malespeak for: Dear, you must be exhausted. What can I do to make your day better? Breakfast in bed? Rub your feet? Wait on you hand and foot? Tap pauses for the hysterical laughter...............

So Denise, what did the doc say?

Do I want to know? *Tap ruminates - as in ponders, not chews the cud, although someone did refer to as a heifer*