krtork

We usually have dinner with my parents on Christmas Eve. That way we can sleep in and have a leisurely (sp?) Christmas morning. My dh family is in WI and we are in OR, so we don't see them this time of year. My dh family opened gifts Christmas eve, my family opend them Christmas morning, so we trade off every other year. We are down for the morning unwrapping this year. Then we usually have a big breakfast to hold us over until turkey dinner. I am sure the food will differ slightly this year, but I will make sure the family has their fill! We should have a white Christmas this year! I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

The scale just won't move! Same as the past three weeks. Woo Hoo to all that busted the plateau!

Accountess~ I am feeling better. I am restless without being able to exercise, I noticed that I am also not sleeping as well. Can't wait for next Wed to start running again! Shamrock~ I was feeling the same thing. I was tender after the first two fills, but that went away, the third was really tender and the fourth was miserable. It will be interesting to see if the pain kicks up again when I start running.

Went to the dr for a follow up with the port pain. Still a bit sore, but he told me "No running for 1 week"! What!??? I want to die, going stir crazy! Never thought I would feel that way, but I am worried about not running and getting out of the habit, I know how easy it can be to make excuses! Argh! Just had to vent! Happy running this week! I will hit the road again next Wednesday.

I agree, it sounds like you are too tight. I would see about getting an unfill. It is important to get in your Protein, but strict Atkins can make you crave carbs! IMHO you should have a healthy balance of nutrients. My nutritionist has me on 1100-1200 calories a day and 80 grams of protein. I definitely have to eat protein first, to make sure I am getting it all in. I hope you can find a good balance!

Benefiber - flavorless and you can add it to anything!

Went back to the dr today and the pain has gone down. He does not think that it is an infection, but I still have some pain. I am going to take tylenol for the next week and see if it will make all of the pain go away. The part that I hate - NO exercise for one week. He wants me to take it easy and see if all of the pain will subside before I start running again. Argh. I was looking forward to running tonight, but that won't be happening. At least it is not anything major and it seems to be going away.

The scale won't budge! Argh. Went to the dr today about my port and he doesn't want me to run again (& no exercise) until next Wed. I am doing better, but still have some pain. Hope the pain is all gone by next week and I will be back on the road again!

Renewed~I agree, it seems to take forever to complete my run on the treadmill. I also know I do push harder outside, have to make it back to the house! That is why I used the incline, to try and get a better workout. I need to get off the computer and on the treadmill!

It is a lovely 2 degrees out. I hate running on the treadmill, but I will do it! It is supposed to be cold like this for the next week. Any suggestions for treadmill running. I feel like I de-condition when I use it. Yesterday I did more of an incline to make it more challenging.

My weight has been stuck at the same point for the last couple of weeks! Argh! Oh well, at least it is not going up. I hope to reach my goal, 6 lbs to go!

I see a nutritionist and she says having crackers or pita in moderation is fine. Personally I refuse to eat bread - I know how easy it would be to go back there. I ordered a wrap at lunch the other day and just ate the chicken out of it, didn't even attempt to take a couple of bites in a restaurant. I think everybody has to find what works for them. I have had a hard time with red meats, so I don't even go there. Tuna has been hard for me to eat, but in my monthly group meeting everyone raves about tuna. I know what my calorie and Protein limits are and I eat within in those by tracking my foods. That has been a huge help in making me more aware of serving size. I feel like I can judge portions fairly well, but I still measure on a regular basis to make sure I am getting it right.

How often are you getting fills? Maybe you need more time in between to adjust to the fill before getting more put in the band. I agree with attending a local support group or meeting with a nutritionist. I have found online support to be great, but the face to face meetings each month are just as important. You are held more accountable when you have to meet and talk about your experiences in a live group. Make sure you look back at the rules that will help you learn to live a new healthy life style. It does take work and it is not always easy to change the bad habits that we have become so comfortable with over a lifetime. Maybe focusing on one or two of those changes at a time would make it easier.

Here's the link to the food & nutrition forum Food and Nutrition - Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum There are a lot of good ideas and recipes there. My fav was ff refried Beans, cheese and salsa. Scrambled eggs are always good.

It could be the flour products. I have found that tortillas are hard for me to get down. I can have a couple of small bites and that is it. If I take more I get stuck. I have not really had any bread/muffins, but it could be the same thing, it expands and is not super band friendly, well for me. I have been able to eat very dry crackers with something moist. I have been able to eat some pita but that does vary from day to day. You might watch the bread, tortilla, muffins for a few days and see if that changes getting stuck. Hope you are feeling better!

Tutornmom~ Let us know how you are doing. I hope they have an answer for you! I have been on the meds and I am not feeling any different my port site is still tender to touch. Argh!

Great job getting started running! I too love the Couch to 5K. I started it and I was just like you, could barely make the 1 min. But after following the program for 9 weeks I was able to run my first 5K. Keep up the good work! You will love it - it is definitely my "Me" time!

I had three 25 min runs this week, was able to do them. I even conquered "the hill" on our road. I have been running to "the hill" and turning around and heading back. Well, this week I went down it to the end of the road and ran right back up it! It wasn't fast but I kept movin' and it wasn't so bad. I could not even imagine doing that when I started this. Just had to share!

Thanks for your support! I will keep you posted! Heartfire, he did leave the fill in. Roheryn, I was also thinking it could be from the running I have been doing. When I come in from a longer run I definitely can feel where my port is. I started the meds today - just crossing my fingers that I feel better and will have a good report next Wed.

I have a Realize band and the site has you measure the same as what luluc listed but adding in the bust.

My dh refered to me as a polar bear in the past, now I am cold all of the time! It is crazy how cold I am. Oh well, at least I can throw on a sweatshirt and warm up at home. My classroom is always about 90+ so no worries there.

I can cross my legs with my leg hanging freely! Airplane seat was not tight and the seatbelt fit! Size 18 pants! I feel thin! I ran my first 5K! I can see my toes!

NSV are the best. I also find it hard to wrap my brain around being a smaller size. I look at the clothes and think, "I could never fit in that!" At least you only paid $5 for the pants! Keep up the good work!

Very good points posted by all. Make sure you make time for yourself. I am the queen of doing everything for everybody, but me. I had to carve out time to start exercising - after three weeks it starts to become a habit. I have found it to be one of the best things I have done. It is my me time and I love the solitude! Try setting some goal that you can work toward, I know that can also be a motivator. I set a goal to run a 5K and set it about 9 weeks out. I told other people about my goal, which also made it more motivating. I reached my goal this weekend and now I am looking to find another 5K to keep myself motoring! Just think about the weight you have lost! Those are pounds that you don't have to lose again. Make sure you follow the band rules and you will keep moving down the scale.

We are getting a Wii for christmas, what games/activities would you suggest to get with it?