pinkdots410

I keep hearing the need to UP calories because the body goes into "STARVATION" mode. If that's the case, why do anorexics lose massive amounts of weight and are stick/bony thin, eating way less than 500 calories a day? I too, am at a plateu. Had my surgery in May of 2008. Started at 289 and I am holding STEADY at 226. I am at a "sweet spot" but am not losing weight. I have the perfect level of restriction. I can eat chicken and good protien and am full quickly. I do splurge on the weekends. I just don't want to have to "diet". I 'm guessing I consume around 800 calories a day?? and probably more on the weekends...(I don't track) I am beginning to think that I am not meant to lose weight and be "thin". I admit, I haven't been exercising like I should be. Honestly, it's hard to just 'turn on' the PUMPED UP, READY TO EXERCISE mindset, if I was able to, I would and probably would not have needed the band in the first place. :ohmy:

Yesterday: Bad Girl Day! B – 1 cup half SF hot cocoa and half coffee w/ 1 mini French vanilla creamer S – 2 TB pumpkin seeds L – 3 chocolate covered raspberries and 1 choc covered strawberry D – Happy hour – 1 cheese steak spring roll and 2 buffalo chix strips, 1 glassed of Pinot Grigio

Yesterday: B - 1 cup LF hot cocoa, 1 boiled egg S - 6 saltine crakers and wedge of skinny cow cheese, 1/4 LUNA protien bar L - 1 cup "Mexican Mash" D - went out to dinner, was extremely tight! - couple bites of pulled pork w/ barbeq sauce, couple bites caesar salad, couple bites of a rib, and a few bites of bread pudding

Yesterday: B – 1 cup hot cocoa w/ coffee and 1 mini French vanilla creamer L – Last of the gnocchi (about 10) w/ vodka tomato sauce and 2TB parm cheese S – I bite of 100 cal yogurt D – 1 cup of “Mexican Mash” (sooo good) –ground beef, NF refried beans, packet of HOT taco seasoning, onion and bell pepper all sautéed in olive oil. Topped with 1TB cheddar and 2TB sour cream – YUM!

Yesterday - Late breafast (SNOW DAY) 2 beef sausage links (came back up) and 1/2 of 100 cal yogurt S - 1/4 cup peanuts L - about 5 gnocchi w/ vodka tomato sauce and 1TB parm cheese S - 1/2 cup LF ice cream and about 20 chips D - skipped dinner and went to bed early w/ a headache

Yesterday - B - 3 pcs beef jerky, 1 ounce cashews and 100 cal yogurt S - 1/2 grapefruit and 4 pcs beef jerkey L - 1 can Healthy Select chicken and sausage gumbo (YUM) S - 1 cup hot SF hot cocoa (made w/ water) w/ splash of coffee and 1 french vanilla mini creamer (sooooo good) D - about 8 gnocchi w/ vodka tomato sauce and 1 TB parm cheese S - REG yogurt (full sugar) :cursing: and a handful of chips

In an effort to be accountable for what goes in my mouth, I will try posting here again. I am on my 5th fill and still yearning for that sweet spot. I think I am pretty close, though I have been having a case of the “snacksies” since Friday. Yesterday – B – about an ounce of cashew nuts S – 1 boiled egg L – 1 small can of Campbell’s veggie beef soup S – 100 calorie yogurt S – 1 cup SF hot cocoa (was getting hungry again) D – 4 small drummetts (w/ bbq sauce and sesame oil) (most came back up) and 2 T canned spinach S – 1 packet (about 6) peanut butter sandwich crackers <- this I could have talked myself out of but chose not to. Today will be a better day!

I dream of that very moment....it was tooooooo long ago (10 years and I am only 29) that I fit into a size 10!!! Congrats to you!!!!!!!!!! You are at my goal! :huh2:

I use Optimum Nutrition - I get it from GNC...tastes ok - it's unflavored...I think they are all chalky...so I jsut chug and go! lol

A day in the life for me is: I usually skip Breakfast or have a yogurt if I get hungry. I am typically not hungry until around noon...but I like to have *something* before then. I currently am on fill number 5 and I am really tight! I am even contemplating an unfill...as I have to eat slow and chew really really well...My days generally look like (samples of what I'll have): Day one - Breakfast - oatmeal and Water or coffee Snack - yogurt, a few mini pretzels lunch - soup and a cheese stick Snack - a few pretzels and cheese stick dinner - a small portion of whatever my husband makes... (usually meat and veggies of some sort) and/or Protein shake Snack - sherbet Day two - Breakfast - Protein Shake and water Snack - yogurt Lunch - grilled chicken and gravy Snack - orange juice and cheese stick Dinner - grilled chiken and gravy Snack - sherbet On the weekends, I splurge a little and have a few bites of "junk food" - pizza, cheesesteaks, subs...MIND YOU - I mean literally 1 or 2 bites...it either gets stuck and comes back up, OR I don't have an interest...my mindset about food has changed soooo much. It's really crazy! (in a good way) Rules for me are - as much protein as possible. I have to have my meat with some type of broth or gravy or it gets stuck and comes right back up! So I try to get good sources of protein in there and be sure to take my Vitamin. I wish you the best of luck!! Feel free to ask any questions! :thumbup:

Hello ladies! Great thread. I guess Oprah's situation goes to show, it doesn't matter how much money you have, the personal chefs, fitness coaches, stylists, etc. you have, you still need to WORK for weightloss and continue to work for that matter. Oprah has said many times before that she is addicted to food. When food has that much power over a person, to gain and lose the same 50-100 pounds that any times (I mean come on...over how many years?? Would she just get the Lap Band already, lol), maybe WLS should be an option. If I were her, I would be all over the Lap Band and work it for what it is, a TOOL to help her meet the weightloss goals she wants and keep them!! Obviously what she was doing before hasn't been working...she did look great though! When she does lose the weight, she looks amazing!!! I guess it comes to a point where she just gives up and cave in to all the endless treats that are at her fingertips...I would probably be the same way. :thumbup:

Hi Dawn! Hello Philly girl! I was banded on May 19th. I am a bit of a slow loser, but I am really happy with my progress! Slow and steady. I would have never been able to come this far without the Lap Band! Good luck to you with your surgery! January is a good month to start...starting the new year as a new you! LOVE IT! :blushing:

Banded May 19th 2008 Before/during - April 08 and August 08 down about 30 pounds During - December 08 - down about 50 pounds!! :blushing: