littlefroggy

I realized my life was not going to move forward until I took care of this weight problem. I want to be married, have kids, etc. and my weight-issues and self esteem were keeping me from that. Also, I was just plain unhappy with how I looked. I figure I will still be unhappy, but things are getting better!! I was so tired all the time, out of breath, unhealthy, unhappy, etc. I don't think losing weight alone will make me a happy person, but my self-esteem is increasing and I am becoming healthier, so that all together is making me happy. I am so glad I did this, even if there are still hard days, overall, things are SO MUCH BETTER!!

I think I can do 16 lbs, which will put me at about 195!! ONEDERLAND.... Haven't been that weight since I was 19!

B- very small portion of chicken pot pie (like less than 1/4 cup) L- macaroni and cheese (2 oz) D- 1 latke w/ sour cream and applesauce, 4 bites of noodle kugel a LOT of CHOCOLATE I had a Hanukkah party! I think I probably had most of my calories in chocolate today- that was like 10 hershey kisses w/ almonds, and 4 ghirardelli chocolates Amazingly I calculated my calories and I was still 30 calories UNDER for the day!

Sushi is one of my favorite foods! I had 1 piece before my first fill, and it hurt my stomach. Haven't had it since. I miss it too!

It came up when they wanted me to do a pregnancy test. I told them I didn't need one and why, but they made me do one anyway- twice. I found it a bit insulting, but I guess it's protocol.

You all are very inspiring!! My plan for a few years has been to get to the point of being able to do a triathlon! I swim daily right now, so just need to add the bike and the running. I said when I got below 200 I would start, and I'm almost there!!

I took karate before and LOVED it!! (Pre-surgery, in college, when I was about the same weight... however, after their workouts, I could do 100 sit ups, 100 push ups, 100 leg lifts, etc! I felt SO in shape, even though I was still heavy!!) There is a karate studio within walking distance of my house and I am thinking about going there. You should be able to do karate, but I don't think you want to risk getting punched in the gut while boxing!! In karate they won't really punch you hard! And, if you are in a place that does contact, they will be able to work with you not getting punched in the stomach. I say YES to karate, NO to boxing... but talk to your doctor too!

I did notice it went away COMPLETELY when I was on the Protein shakes for 3 weeks, but I was doing these ones with no whey or dairy Proteins in them. It seemed to be good, however, once I went back to food, it's acting up again. I have mild psoriasis, as it goes, but for me it's a real hassle. I have it on my scalp, elbows and knees only, oh and my EARS, which is the worst. It has lessened on my knees and elbows significantly. It used to be thicker but in small spots (nickel sized) now It's very thin and just like little white bumps, but covers more area, it looks more like dry skin now. When I have the ointment on you can't even see it, so it is a lot better!! I don't know if it's the food though. I used to have an RX but haven't been to a derm in awhile and have been using over the counter stuff... so that could have something to do with it. I wonder how much it's related to food and how much is just my body getting healthier in general (exercise, more Water, etc.)

Shout it out!! I ROCK!!! I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF!!! Anyone else???

I found the poll helpful!! I upped my calories so 1200 (but often came under) and lost 4 pounds this week!! I hadn't lose in 3 weeks, so I was probably in "starvation mode."

Hmm... well, I feel like I've been terrible lately- but I was in my calorie range... just WAY low in protein!! B- nada L- Mac and cheese D- tuna, pita chips and cheese (melted, tastes like a tuna melt) Then I got snacky....:thumbup: S1- frozen applesauce (punch flavored) These are good treats!! S2- nachos (about 7 chips + 1 oz cheese S3- slice of ham S4- sugar free popsicle

I think I had a bit of a breakthrough! I have been single for a long time, and I realized that FOOD has been my companion all this time. I am starting to date, and really feel ready, so this was big. I realize I don't have food for a companion now, so I actually should find myself a real live human. Anyone else make any discoveries connecting their personal lives to their weight loss?? (Before dating was a drag and I wasn't willing to even try, now I am excited and ready, and I don't care if I'm not "perfect" or skinny yet- apparently either do my dates!!)

I am having a very hard time getting in any exercise (except for trudging through snow.) I had been swimming 5 days a week, but for the last 2 weeks only went once. Not only did it seem too cold most days to get in the pool, but now I am on day 5 of being essentially snowed in. I only left the house in the car once, and going to the gym means driving DOWN and back UP the steepest hill in my city. Aside from going on very cold, chilly walks, what do you do? I haven't room for equipment in my tiny little apartment. (I saw a PSA on TV about getting exercise in the winter and it made me realize this is probably not just my problem!)

That is SO awesome! I plan on doing a 5k when I lose a little more weight... I think that's SO cool!

I gained 3 lbs between my post op visit and my first fill.... I was eating too much! But I haven't gained weight since then, so all will be resolved. Just get your fills and eat small amounts. Look at serving sizes, especially.

• I'm more social now. I used to be very social, but at my heaviest was suffering from some social anxiety. I am feeling better and looking to start dating, meeting more people, etc! (This is making me happy!) • I feel better, have more energy and WANT to be moving! In fact, this week snowed in has been so BORING! I just want to get out and walk around, exercise, move... • My piggiest days are like my better days before the lab band. I still have days when I over eat, but not in one sitting- more like over eat over the course of the day. I'm still working on that, but it's better. • I look a little better in my clothes.

I use calorieking, but there is a subscription fee.

I don't eat bread much (can't really) and don't eat rice at all, but Pasta has been fine for me. I don't THINK it's expanding my pouch. The nutritionist said it's mostly that those foods don't provide as much nutrition. I eat what I want in smaller amounts. I'm in Seattle too. Who is your surgeon? I have Dr. McMahon. I'm also 31!

I am well restricted now and becoming aware of the learning curve involved with being restricted. I seem to do this a lot.. I eat a bit and put my plate down... I think I'm fine, so I take one more bite (even though I am satisfied) and then I get stuck. It's a pain in the A. When will I learn? I seem to eat beyond my capacity at least 1-2 times a day. I stop once I am stuck, but I would rather not get stuck at all! Am I the only one?

I am FINALLY restricted properly and am able to keep to the 800 calories a day recommended by my doctor. However, my Protein has now dropped from 60-70 grams per day to 40-50. What's typical when you're well restricted? Today- 3 blackberries, bite of greek yogurt lunch - turkey salad, 2 small slices of cheese, w/ pita crisps Dinner- ham and macaroni and cheese (more ham than noodles) Snacks- mini veggie corn dog (at someone's house) 1/2 apple That was 45 grams today. I don't like the way I feel on a low carb diet so I want to avoid that.. but will I have to increase the protein to stay healthy?

I'm working through this right now too. It's the hardest part so far. Now that I am properly filled, I am learning to stop. I don't need that "last" bite, because the last bite is often the one that does me in! I'm still working on this myself... it's very hard!

You should be able to eat "anything" in small amounts and still lose weight! Just keep the calories low (like 1200 or under) and you will be fine! I'm losing and I eat Pasta every day.

I baked some treats for my co-workers last night.. and I had a couple, but it;s not the end of the world. I will still lose weight (maybe not as much this week) and I will be fine. I am not going to stress about it!

We're not really supposed to drink calories on the band, except for when we're in the liquids phase. You won't be able to drink pop after your surgery, so start finding things you can drink! I like the flavored waters (non-carbonated) by Dannon or Aquafina, as well as Zero, by Powerade, which is a zero calorie drink like gatorade. I also drink propel but it has some calories in it. I also drink a lot of crystal light, since I am not fond of plain Water so much. I really like the pomegranate flavor right now, but got completely sick of the fruit punch flavor which was about all I drank for a couple months. I stopped drinking pop the minute my surgery was in the works, and it was hard because I used to drink several diet sodas a day. My doctor said juice is a no-no because you will get much better nutrition from actually eating the fruit rather than juice or a smoothie.