Pinkylee

Lisa, You both look so happy and your smile is infectuous! You are a beautiful couple. Isn't it nice to be happy when the camera comes out? Great job. Regina, Hoooraaaay!:clap2: . Only four more minutes to The Biggest Loser, so I'm outta here!

I love The Biggest Loser and in some ways feel what they do. Our only difference is they have a national TV audience as a motivator. We have our band and each other. Erick seems to be the logical winner. One of the four (one of the gals) seems to be "throwing out the scales" in the promo commercial. My prediction is that she's pregnant, but don't quote me.

I'm cruising the forum to find info on "head" hunger. I'm slipping back into old "thinking" habits, i.e., -Never tolerate an empty growling stomach -Too little food will ruin your metabolism -I can't possibly wait for dinner, I'm just famished! -I'm weak (lightheaded) from lack of food -I don't want to get too hungry before eating or I'll never be able to eat slowly. There is a small amount of truth to much of this, but I'm eating enough calories and often enough to know this thought process is wrong most of the time and hurting my ability to lose. Anyone out there willing to share their thoughts on "head hunger".

Wheetsin Forgive my intrusion, I'm not a supersized bandster, I'm a bandster with a supersized appetite. Your recent post on a "typical" day was another reinforcement that most hunger is mental and not physical.

I exercise to Leslie Sansone "Walk Away the Pounds". I load the dishwasher and fold clothes, etc. while I "walk" for the first l/2 mile, until the moves require more attention. It makes the tape seem to go by faster. EVERY day I give myself permission to stop after 2 miles (28 minutes) and every day I manage to finish the DVD Any low impact DVD will do. Moving seems to help my joints. I like to walk on a rubber mat (purchased at Lowes) to lessen the impact. I use large cans of Soup for weights. All total I spent less than $30 on my equipment. I never worry about the weather

Melissa, It's been since Christmas 1980 that I haven't worried about gaining weight! I'm so happy and excited for you. Amazing to be in 16 land (which is really better than onderland). Remember 16 land doesn't last that long. Save some money for 14's! Sandra

Good Morning! I've been really bad about keeping up reading this forum and guess what? My weight goes up and down 3 pounds and I know it's because I'm not being careful. LBT is still my best motivator. Thank you for each and every post. Even vents help us know we're not alone with tough days (or weeks).

My port tilt seems to change with each fill (3 so far). I was trying to check on it all the time, but at the last fill the nurse easily found her spot. Let your health care professional worry about where your port is. A port that is too palpable can be a daily problem.

I'm at 3.0 cc's in a 4.0 band almost 6 months out. My last fill was a week ago and I still have a growling tummy within 2 - 3 hours of a meal. I would call this physical hunger. Which half of my tummy is growling so loud? In order to keep losing, I need to stay a little hungry. Anyone else still hungry? I'm eating only the good stuff, high protein, lo carbs and trying to stay around 7 ounces per meal or less than 1 cup. I wait to drink liquids for l.5 hours or the hunger comes earlier. Am I chewing too much?

I have to admit the best way for me to unstick the scale is to stick with band rules doc gave me. 3 small meals a day. Maybe my hunger is more mental. I never considered that a growling tummy was anything other than a hungry tummy.

Barbara465 is a fantastic hostess with a lovely home. Trees and decorations were gorgeous. Enjoyed meeting DH and puppy. Barbara 4, do you think the band is helping at all with your weight loss? Slow or no loss is discouraging, but I am definitely not as hungry as I would be without a band! I would not have lost 50 pounds without the band. Laura, I also want to get back on track tomorrow. My back isn't so bad that I couldn't try at least 20 minutes exercise and last time I looked, my head was still screwed on, so counting to 1200 shouldn't be too hard. Regina, congrats on being willing to share. The real truth about WLS should be more available (especially to those like me who were clueless until after the surgery) I had some candy that I kept taking small nibbles of this afternoon. I'd say about 150 calories worth. They weren't that great, so I put them in the disposal and loved destroying a real enemy.

Melissa, It doesn't seem to matter where I place my feet or scale on the digital. Not so on the analog. I need to get over the numbers thing. Jana congrats on the loss and best wishes to you and Melissa and Socalgal in reaching onderland. As always Regina, congrats on your great accomplishments. Can't wait to find out how to deal with maintenance. No exercise and I needed a lift today. I opted for a hi protein bar this afternoon. It was a tasty 210 calories and now I'm not hungry for dinner. Think I'll take your lead Melissa. If I get hungry, I'll eat. I know I still need to count the calories. I'm too old to think my body will metabolize on days I eat over 1200.

What's going on may be head hunger. Although my tummy is growling loud right now. Our scales are not professional. I weighed myself naked. 195. I weighed my clothes on my kitchen scale. l.5 pounds. I dressed and weighed myself on my scale again. Still 195. Can cold or dry weather affect our scales. (It's a digital) My new fill has my tummy growling and my bra's are tight around (not cup). It appears I'm still swollen from my last fill. My hair started falling out again and looks really "wispy". Barbara465. eggs and bacon, ok, but all of the hashbrowns could be over the top. I'm sure there have been times I've eaten that much too and it is scarey. Take cheer. For me (and I bet you too) that would have been a light dinner this time last year! The up side to it is you can enjoy the cruise. I know that for some reason, at times I am wide open. I haven't lost any fill, so go figure. I can easily eat that much volume in Mexican. Cathy, I've cut way back on my exercise too. I've read some of your "vents" and these are mine. Odd how we're all different, but so many struggling. DH suggested I not worry about results, but stick with my program as much as possible. Doesn't like the idea that I'd like to "hit it hard" in January. Guess he's heard that one before. At this point, I'm one day at a time.

If no sweet spot is in the cards for me, so be it. I've lost most of this weight being a little or a lot hungry. I am reminded that I'm not STARVING or thinking constantly about food like I would have been with out a band. I can count on l/2 thin sliced toasted bread and meat sandwich filling me up and that may be my new "meal". I must still be swollen from my last fill because my old formerly too big bras are a bit tight around, we won't mention the sad cup size. Thanks for responding. It's good to know we're not alone in the hungries.

Barbara You have my prayers and those of my family as well. Keep us posted.

Vegas is my vote too. Regina, Congrats on being at that sweet spot. Barbara465, no more seat belt extenders is a great NSV. Enjoy. That image made me smile. Anyone else with a holiday NSV? Holiday NSV's are fun to read. I'm gonna be a lot happier to have my picture taken this Christmas. . I went back to my walking DVD yesterday and my back is much better. I'm glad I gave run/walking outdoors a try, but the DVD is easiest for right now. Positive thoughts to you Socalgal. Congrats on those long hikes, May they gobble up every calorie in those 2 cookies.

Barbara465, I hear you about the "cooking" thing. It's hard to prepare food when you cook by taste testing. My guys aren't so crazy for my cooking any more. Sounds like you had a frustrating experience at your fill. My fill has been typical. I've gained 2 pounds as I did with the other two. I'm contemplating your comment on "diet failure". I believe it's time for me to "take a break" from my expectations and enjoy what I've accomplished. I'm still going to work on forming good eating and exercise patterns, but the thought occurred to me that the decisions I make are more focused on what the scale says than what is best for my new life. If I see the scale go up more than these last 2 pounds, I'll go back to counting calories. I have a confession. I have a serious eBay problem and can waste entire days "watching" the bidding of some useless item I'm interested in. My latest purchase--a perfectly ugly teapot my Mother won't want to display. I'll have to give it to Goodwill. This won't be easy--but no more eBay this holiday season. Regina - A question for you. Are you hungry between your small meals? Lucy - From reading your posts, you are just now feeling hunger between meals? Is there really a sweet spot or is it mental?

Hi Everyone! It's good to be back reading the posts. My DD's carotoid artery surgery went well, but his blockage was extensive. Hopefully he will feel some benefits soon. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I always get the holiday blahs. They hit differently each year, but they hit. This year I can't turn to food like I have in the past. Not that I haven't tried. Fortunately I've been able to stay away from the sweets. I had wanted to do "hard core" after this last fill, but somehow it's not happening. I had a few "skinny" days, but I'm back at struggling to stay around 1200 cals/day. Socalgal, Being so close to Onderland is tough, but when you do finally hit it, maybe you won't bounce back out of it. A wise decision to postpone a flll b4 leaving the country, but it must be frustrating too. NSV's may be our "life ring" this year to get through the holidays. Some black pants I bought in August are now so baggy I can't wear them in public. I went shopping with the kids today and actually shopped for myself in all "their" stores. Bought a blue sweater on sale at the Gap. (not my usual "slimming" black) and, drum roll please, I bought my first pair of heals (2") in 20 years. What would you rather have for Christmas, a big loss or to look fantastic in a smaller size outfit?

I'm sore and swollen too. Had a bit of a meltdown last night. I get cranky on liquids and plan to try your soup/cheese concoction. I've been courting 195 this week and when 194.5 popped up this a.m. I claimed it. It will be interesting to see what happens when I go to mushies, but that brings me to -50 from pre-op date. I'll just have to be extra good. Speaking of which, I definitely feel some restriction that I'm sure is partly swelling, but it has me hoping I won't have to return on the 12th for the remaining .4 they wanted to put in.

Carlene, Happy Anniversary! Thanks for another insightful post.

:high5: :high5: :whoo: :hail: :rockon: :wow2:

DH and I usually look at Christmas as an excuse to get something a little extravagant we've been wanting. This year he bought golf equipment and I bought myself a cast iron Japanese tea pot, maple tea chest and tea cups to match. I'll pick out the teas when I have time to make some good choices. We've given and received theatre and concert tickets and that is really a great gift. I love buying gifts for our family when they give me something specific to purchase. Honestly, DH and I probably get the most satisfaction out of what we do charity wise. It's always too puney, but it is our best memory of the Christmas season.

Did someone say "drink more water". Same problem with exercise, drank more water and no more problem.

Sunta When I first "met" you in June, you were struggling with a fill. Look at what you've accomplished! 68 pounds. Congrats!!!!! Funny you should mention an unfill. I hope to begin a gradual unfill once I'm at goal and stable. Actually, I've been dreaming about it. Sounds reasonable to me, but I'm no professional. I'm also going to check in on that daily "wine" thing. Never been a nightly drinker, but I wouldn't mind giving it a shot!

244.5 Pre-Op Visit - 6/6/06 239 Day of Surgery - 6/9/06 TODAY AT MY THIRD FILL I STAYED IN ONDERLAND - 198.6 - down 45.9 since pre-op. It's one thing to make it to Onderland on the home scale, but it was another milestone to make it medically official. I'm adjusting to this fill with a bigger smile on my face than with my last fill.