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When you say "large portions" how big a portion are you talking? For instance, how many scrambled eggs do you typically eat at a sitting? Now, think about how those eggs prepared? With milk? Whole eggs, egg whites or egg substitute? Cooked in butter or cooking spray? With or without cheese? Served plain or on toast? If with toast, how many pieces? Is it buttered? And what is on the side? Bacon? Turkey or regular? How many pieces? Hashbrowns? How are they prepared? How many do you eat? We make dozens of choices with very meal. Writing down what you eat, how much you eat, and how you eat it is key to success, I think, as it makes us aware of the choices we've made -- both good AND bad. If you need the nutrition data for a food item or recipe, a good resource is Nutrition facts, calories in food, labels, nutritional information and analysis – NutritionData.com I'm sure there are others out there, but that's the one that I use and I love it. Best of luck to you!

Sorry -- and not to sound contrary, but speaking from experience -- Yogurt, soup and cottage cheese are absolutely not slider foods. Skim milk yogurt (137 calories/14 g Protein per cup) is a staple in most WLS diets, as it is very high in protein and relatively low in calories and fat -- especially if you opt for the low fat versions. Greek yogurt is even higher in protein. Yogurt can replace mayonnaise in many fatty recipes. The same is true for cottage cheese (163 calories/28 g protein per cup) which can replace ricotta, or simply be enjoyed on it's own. And unless you get the ultra creamy/fatty Soups, soup can be a very good food choice -- it can be filling and yet low in both calories and fat. Slider foods are those foods that slide through your new pouch and that add empty calories into your daily diet, so, for instance, sugary drinks, high carb foods, deserts, and so forth.

@hmarko I don't think it has to do with the nicotine, but good thinking! My reasoning is that I only used the electronic cigarette about four times before I put it away, and that was about 12 weeks ago. It just tasted gross, lol! The lichen planus thing sounds like a real pain to have to deal with -- sorry to hear that! I don't think that I have this either. I looked up the symptoms, and I don't really have any of them. As to Vitamin C, other than the Flintstones, I'm not chewing any other Vitamins, so not sure it is that -- but way to brainstorm! @mogirl I'll write that down and bring it to my dentist's office with me so I don't forget those brands -- thanks for the suggestion! LOL, when she sees the list of notes I have for her, my hygienist is going to think I've finally lost my mind!

Welcome Aboard! Our choices now include ... Steps for Troops Troop Miles HoneyLove Walk Military Mile Marchers Maniacal Milers Bander Brigade Sneaker Squad Walking For Warriors Walking With Warriors Stride 4 Stride Feel free to vote here, or send me a PM with your thoughts. I'll start the group as soon as we have a name. Here is the description of our group. Please feel free to offer any suggestions for additions or changes. "We are committed to encouraging those of our members with loved ones in the military; especially those whose partners are deployed, and who therefore lack the support required for successful weight loss. Specifically, we commit to walking a minimum of one mile per day beside them, matching their weight loss efforts stride for stride. In exchange, we will reap the personal benefits of increased exercise while extending our appreciation for the sacrifices of our deployed military. "Members are encouraged to use this group as a place of encouragement, where we can share our progress, or any thoughts, insights, or reflections from our daily walks." Thanks for your input!!

So far we have ... Steps for Troops Troop Miles HoneyLove Walk Military Mile Marchers Maniacal Milers Bander Brigade Sneaker Squad Feel free to vote for your favorite or suggest another!

Wow! Two more -- we're growing like gangbusters ... assuming of course, that gangbusters - whatever they are - actually grow. Okay, so maybe not the best way to phrase that, but you get the drift. It's a good thing! :smile2:

Ha ha! I don't think I have scurvy, though it would have been cool to be able to say "argh" and "shiver me timbers" and what not. But no, my Vitamin C levels were all fine. Ah well, I suppose it is NOT the pirate's life for me, ROFL! Vitamin D deficiency is a different animal. I found that part of the article very interesting. And as the internist said it was severe enough that OTC Vitamins were not enough for mine, perhaps there is something in that. I'll have to bring this up with the doctor on Monday. In the meantime, I will eat much fish and consume much dairy, and do my best WALL-E impersonation (BONG!) and try to find some sunshine in which to recharge my (vitamin) D batteries. Thanks again!

Probably not, but it isnt worth chancing it. Truly. If I were you, I would follow your doctor's advice until you can speak to them on Monday. I promise you that you can do this. It is nearly bedtime now, so you only have one more day to get through. You can do this for one day. You can do anything for one day. Remember, it's just food. The only power it has over you is that which you grant it.

The first and most common reason for sweet cravings is sugar spiking. If you eat carbs (starches included, such as white bread, rice, Pasta, etc), your sugar spikes -- then falls. When it falls, your body thinks, "Crap! A sudden and unexpected famine! Must stuff sugar into mouth!!" And so we do, and we spike again ... and we crash again. And again, etc. The other reason for sugar cravings is a tricky little guy called Serotonin. I hate him. Passionately. Here's a decent article about how sugar and serotonin work together to sabotage your weight control efforts, but there is a lot out there on the Internet on the subject. It's worth investigating if this is an ongoing issue for you I've even seen some advertising for supplements that are alleged to block the process -- but I'm not at all sure they actually work. Could be a bunch of hooey designed to get you to buy a bunch of worthless pills. I know -- who would do such a thing? Insert gasp here, lol. In any event, the article: Sugar Cravings Good luck!

Time for me to pile up in bed and watch a little Glee on DVD (such a happy show!) but please do feel free to leave any suggestions for group names, or PM them to me if you're shy and I'll post them anonymously for group consideration :smile2: I do want to add that this is enormously exciting for me. Just the motivation that I need. Walking is difficult for me now and has been for several years, since I was diagnosed with Facet Joint Disease, and even more so now that I have arthritis and bone spurs in one of my hips. These conditions are the reason that I put so much weight on in the first place: I was always very athletic - a black belt, went hiking, horse back riding every weekend, jogging every morning, etc. I was 5' 4" and my measurements were 34, 26, 34. I did seriously not have a weight problem. Then we got pregnant. So much for that, LOL! And then I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. The weight packed on, and as it did, the symptoms of my condition became evident. I gained 63 pounds with my pregnancy and only 17 came off at birth! I was successful in losing much of it through walking, but as the years have passed, the facet joint pain has increased, my life has become more sedentary, and the weight kept adding up. I knew that if I did not have this surgery, I would eventually end up in a wheelchair. And die. That simple. To now have someone else to walk for -- that's hugely motivating. I can take my time, even take a little break and sit for a while if I need to, but I'm going to do this, not just for me, but for the group. I'm going to keep moving until I lose this weight. I'm not ready to trade my legs in for a set of wheels yet! So -- thanks all, for your interest -- and thank you especially to Ashley for er original cry for help. Remember that following every the dark moment is something bright and shiny, waiting to happen. You are proof of that. Well done, my new friend! :smile: Okay, Hallmark Moment over. Time for some serious Glee! Have a super night, all!

Woot! That's ten! A thousand miles!! :smile2:

Aww, how sweet! Thank you! Does this mean you'll be joining us? We're up to eight or nine walkers now - all very exciting stuff! Jump on over to the Mile Matcher thread and let us know! And we need a name for our group, so bring your thinking cap!

Fabulous! Even though you'll be walking anyway, maybe it'll give you a warm fuzzy to know that you're walking to support others -- and since it seems that warm fuzzies are a endangered species these days, that's got to be a good thing! Save the Warm Fuzzies! Walk a Mile! :smile2: We're up to eight or nine now, losing track -- and we still need a name. Suggestions anyone?

Yes! We're at six now! We'll start on Monday and walk through April 10. That is 100 days, so 100 miles a piece, or a total of 600 miles covered! How amazing is that?? Woot! We can do this!

Wow. I am so impressed that you would immerse yourself into her new world, the better to communicate and meet her needs. You must have an incredibly strong marriage, and I have no doubts that you guys are going to make it through this just fine. You've gotten a lot of excellent advice. One thing that I would add is to stay attuned to her "Love Language." Great book, BTW, if you've never read it. The Five Love Languages are: words of affirmation, quality time, giving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. I am absolutely about acts of service, so while yes, the new jammies were a nice thought, and the back rub was appreciated; while I never tire of him telling me how much he appreciates or supports me, and as much as I appreciated that he took a week off to be with me through the ordeal -- what really meant everything to me were his acts of service. Changing my bandages. Making a cup of Soup or a mug of tea. Measuring out my pain meds. That was huge. I know that it sounds so little, but it's what is important to me. It is what says "I love you, and I'm here for you." Think about what your wife needs. What is most important to her, of the five love languages? Supply those things and you can't go wrong! And I concur -- if you have a brother or a cousin, please let us know. I have a warm, wonderful, single sister that would love to meet him, LOL!

Yay! We're five walkers now! I'll start a new thread for us, and leave poor Ashley's thread alone, LOL.

@Patterba Thanks! You're so sweet! I used to run a private, very busy online community for Christian women and it was all about encouraging. The sort of place where you could talk about real issues that you needed to talk about, but which you knew you could never discuss with your pastor's wife, LOL. Glad to hear you found the tushie kicking helpful, ha ha! Can I assume that you'll be joining us in our walking? :smile2:

Of course! Tuna salad with Dill From Allcooks . com I cut back on the dill by half, as it seemed like a lot! In the end, though, it didn't seem as overpowering as thought it would. The whole amount might wok just fine. 1 (6 oz) can tuna packed in Water 1/4 c. died celery 1/4 c. chopped fresh dill weed 2 T chopped fresh parsley 2 T thinly sliced green onion 2 T fat-free mayonnaise 2 T. plain low-fat yogurt 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard In a small bowl, mash tuna with juices from can. Add celery, dill, parsley, chives, mayonnaise, yogurt, and mustard; mix well. TUNA SALAD PROVENCAL From Epicuious . com I thin on this one I will pass on the capers and the anchovy paste -- just not to my liking -- and substitute FF mayo or Miracle Whip. I will also use the tuna packed in water instead of oil ... and of course, I will omit the bread! 1/2 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons drained bottled capers, rinsed and chopped 2 teaspoons coarse-grain mustard 2 teaspoons anchovy paste 1 teaspoon tomato paste 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 3 tablespoons white-wine vinegar 2 (6-oz) cans light tuna in olive oil 4 ciabatta or kaiser rolls, halved horizontally 1 head Boston lettuce (1/2 lb), any coarse outer leaves discarded 2 or 3 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices 3 large hard-boiled eggs, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices Preparation: Whisk together mayonnaise, capers, mustard, anchovy paste, tomato paste, pepper, and 1 tablespoon vinegar in a bowl. Drain oil from tuna into a bowl and whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar. Brush insides of all roll halves generously with mixture. Add tuna to mayonnaise mixture and stir to combine. Make sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, egg, and tuna mixture on a work surface. Weight sandwiches with a heavy cutting board, large plate, or platter for about 10 minutes. I can't find the tuna patty recipe -- I'll have to dig a little deeper and will post when I find it. Bon Appetit! PS Sorry about missin letters. Batteries in keyboard dying Must recharge lol

Ha! That would do it for me! Or maybe snails? Bleh!

I just tried a recipe for tuna salad made with yogurt and dill and parsley It was fabulous. The dill really made the difference! I've got another recipe that incorporates a bit of tomato paste. I'm a bit leery, lo, but willing to give it a shot! Also found a recipe for tuna patties -- made with some egg substitute, a few bread crumbs and cooked with cooking spray. Sort of like a crab cake. Big on protein! Looking forward to trying that one out, too!

At three days out, I wanted meatloaf. How odd is that? LOL! I can't tell you how to beat your cravings, but I can guarantee that you're stronger than a saltine cracker. Try to visualize it with something gross on top. Something that you wouldn't ever eat in a million years. That is how I got past my meatloaf craving - by visualizing the raw meat (I hate dealing with raw meat. It gives me the heebie jeebies). Be strong -- you can do this!

Yay! And now we're four! Tuna also has a lot of Protein, and I made a potentially dangerous discovery last night: Kentucky Friend chicken has a new grilled chicken menu. One breast is only 184 calories and 4 grams of fat (probably less if you discard the skin) -- but a whopping 35 grams of protein. A nice alternative on those occasions when a drive thru is the only meal option. The key is getting out of there without a side order of original recipe, mac and cheese and those lovely little pies, lol.

I just ordered unjury from their dot com on the recommendation of another bander. You can order sample sizes for a buck seventy five. I like that it supposedly has a very smooth consistency -- I'm all about texture. I'll let you know how it works out -- I'm really eager for it to come in!

Yay! We've got three people for our Mile Match. Come on, Banders, surely there are more of us who could use a one mile walk each day, yes? Adopt a military spouse and walk with him/her every day -- a lovely way to say thank you ... and to get ourselves moving, to boot!

I'll tell you what I'll do ... if you want to start walking, and if you commit to walking one mile a day, I will match it. It'll be my own little thank you to your husband for the sacrifices he's made for all of us. If you're up to the challenge, I am. And any other military wife, for that matter. My husband works in the private sector now, but he was a Marine throughout the Regan Administration, and spent more than his share of time overseas as well. If anyone is interested, drop me a private message and we can start a group or something. It could be fun!