amey_idaho

So I took all your advice today and had a snack at 4:00...string cheese and 1/2 c grapes. It totally did the trick :sigh: I was able to go to the gym straight from work and do step aerobics for an hour then come home and make dinner without feeling like I was starving. Thank you all so much...I really appreciate the help....it made a big difference today

I'm having a real time issue. I just don't see how there are enough hours in the day to do it all. I'm supposed to eat 3 meals a day and be able to stay full for 4 hours. I just don't see how this is possible. I eat Breakfast at work at about 9:00 am. I have 2 options for lunch (12:30), leave work and eat out or eat in my office where I am constantly interrupted and it takes me an hour to eat which allows time for very little to stay in my pouch to keep me full. So..I'm done eating at about 1:00. 4 hours later it's 5:00, I'm leaving work and HUNGRY!! By the time I get home it's 5:30...by 6:30 dinner has been cooked, eaten, and dishes are in the sink. 20 minutes back into town to the gym for an hour and 20 minutes to drive back home. So, it's now about 8:30 and I'm barely getting home again, the mail needs opened and addressed, bills need paid, kids want attention, animals want food & Water, laundry needs done, dishes are still sitting in the sink and I'm exhausted!! Two nights a week. we have to be back in Idaho Falls by 6:30 for my son's karate lessons that last until 8:30. I get 15 minutes to make dinner and eat on those nights. I'm really struggling here and could really use some time-management help. Please...anyone....please share how you manage to do it all. I think I'm most frustrated with how I'm supposed to eat at noon, then not until 6:30 and not be hungry without having a snack. Before being banded we'd eat out on karate nights. And normally my husband is really good about doing laundry and getting dinner started but he had some major surgery last week and so I'm trying to keep up with everything he did during the day (he normally works nights), take of him, cook nutritious meals, and find time to exercise too. I'm so overwhelmed....Any suggestions????

I'm about 6 weeks post-op. I tried Zumba last week and I only lasted about 30 minutes. I think if I knew what the steps and the moves were then I would have been able to do better. I was just really hard to keep up when it goes so fast and there isn't anyone to teach the basics before you jump into the deep end, so to speak. Anyway, I tried spinning a couple days later and that totally kicked my butt! Good luck!!!

We eat out a lot too and I LOVE OLIVE GARDEN!! salad is not a problem for me so I have about 1/2 bowl of that. And if I really really want some of the breadstick I will take a little pinch off the end where it is crusty, and I've only done that 1 time out of 3 that we've been there. My FAVORITE menu item at Olive Garden is the Mixed Grill and I get it with all chicken. There is NO Pasta with this dish. It is all grilled chicken on a kabob with bell peppers & onions in the most amazing marinade...keeps it all moist. It comes with steamed veggies like squash & zucchini and roasted potatoes. I put 1/2 in a to go box right off the bat. 1/2 of a full order of all chicken mixed grill has 315 calories, 43 g Protein, 10 g fat and 10 net carbs. Or....if I'm in the mood for spaghetti I get spaghetti and meatballs hold the pasta. I don't even miss the pasta. In a mexican restaurant I'll order a burrito or enchiladas and just eat the filling, not the actual tortilla....or a taco salad, or sometimes fajitas (i don't eat the tortillas). I also always order it with ground beef not shredded beef. Chinese...pork & seeds & an egg roll or sometimes cashew chicken, no rice. Rice, chow mein, and lo mein are not my friends. Tonight I had pizza for the first time since banded...Papa Murphy's thin crust combination with some salad. AWESOME!!! So yes, you will be able to eat out again. During my pre-op diet I left 2 restaurants crying and posted that I thought I'd never feel normal in a restaurant again....so you're not alone!!! But it will get better. The first couple weeks after surgery are the worst but it all gets so much better after that!!

A lot of food that say they are low fat are loaded with carbs. Low Carb tends to have higher fat content. For me...I've been choosing the lower sugar/carb stuff and taking the hit on the fats. But I'm not sure I'm doing it right. So....the question of the day is... When you have to choose the better of 2 evils...do you choose low carb/higher fat or low fat/higher carb???? I am really interested to see how other bandsters handle this dilemma :thumbup:

I had my first fill today too. I barely even felt the needle...was totally prepared for it to really hurt...was I ever surprised! I got 2 ccs, drank the Water, no problems :biggrin: I have another appointment in 2 wks. I have to say I didn't really feel anything when I was at the office but by the time I got home I was feeling some tightness in my chest and pressure in my back, probably from the swelling. It's such a good feeling....like I finally really believe something is in there LOL. I'm on full liquids for 24 hours then mushies for another 24, then back to my regular diet.

Let us know what you think of it :confused:

Don't feel so bad, you're not the only one. I don't get my first fill until Wednesday, June 2nd. Last night we went to Sizzler for dinner. My plan was to just eat some salad and some broiled shrimp. What really happened...I had 1/2 plate of salad, a boiled egg, 4 broiled shrimp, 1/2 bowl of clam chowder, 4 chips with nacho meat & cheese & lettuce & guac., and I had about 3 bites of ice cream. How the hell did I eat that much?? Then....we went to the drive inn. I tried a handful of popcorn but the hulls scared me. Tried a pickle but the skin was really tough so I gave that to my husband. I shared an order of nacho chips & cheese with my husband, and I ate a Peanut Butter cups candy bar. I wrote down everything I ate, felt like crap for it but I had to be accountable and the fill clinic has to know what I'm capable of putting away so they will give me a good fill on Wednesday. Today...I'm back on the wagon. Calories & protein in check, got all my water in, took my vitamins and feel much better. I can't take it back but I can go forward. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone. I think the time just before this first fill has been the worst for me!!

I tried this yesterday with fresh sliced strawberries and OMG!!! It was the BEST treat/dessert I have ever had!!! Thank your for the great tip!!!

Uh yea...I'm eating WAY more...WAY TOO MUCH LOL. BUT...the scales did move down and I would up losing 1.4 pounds last week. Not too shabby, considering before I probably would have gained more than that. I'm feeling a little better, starting to actually feel like I have some energy, which is a shocking change. I really starting to think there was something wrong with me because I never have any energy. It's supposed to be crappy and rain all weekend so I guess we're going to stay in and watch some movies. I'm going to start washing walls and I want to get all my curtains washed this weekend too...hopefully that will burn some calories Have a great weekend....catch ya on Twitter

Amaretto Sours have always been my all-time favorite, then Daquiri's and Pina-Colada's. Had some shots last year called Washington Apples that were out of this world!! But I thought we couldn't have alcohol with the band. Not sure where I heard that from but for some reason I just thought we couldn't. The Cranberry Vodka sounds good too. I might try that.

EDIT - The subject should read 12 g Protein NOT 20 g protein...so so very sorry!!! I had to share my new discovery... Kroger Carbmaster yogurt, full 8 oz cup.... 80 calories, 4 carbs & 1 Fiber (so 3 NET CARBS!!) and 12 grams of protein...and it only cost 40 CENTS. And it's NOT CHALKY or gritty like Greek Yogurt can be, smooth and creamy and less calories and carbs than greek yogurt. It's delicious, I'm eating the cherry flavor right now. :ohmy: It's Kroger brand and I got it at Smith's but Fred Meyer carries Kroger brand too. I love yogurt for Breakfast and now I can have my yogurt and eat it too

Thank you all so much!! I guess I am just anxious to get this show on the road. I added some veggies and upped my calories to 1000/day and what do you know? The scale moved down a full pound this morning. YEA!! I was SO motivated to go walking when I got off work today. By the time I drove 11 miles home it was raining in sheets. And it's not supposed to stop until after Sunday. GRRRR!!! I will try to be patient, do my best and wait for my fill appt next week. And thank you so much to VikingGirl, you have helped me more than you know. I look for you on Twitter....I totally relate to so much of what you tweet. amey

Thanks Leigha & Curious. I'm going to add some veggies and see how that works. I had 1/2 cup of green Beans with supper tonight and they were oh so good. I had 5 meatballs, 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce, 1 tablespoon grated cheese and the green beans. I'm not stuffed but I'm ok. I might have a SF popsicle later if I'm still hungry. So proud of myself that I didn't eat any of the Pasta or garlic bread. :smile2: Think I might go for a walk later since it's finally stopped raining. Thank you again for all the support!!