tonya66

I track calories & carbs & try and stay within 20% fat. If I vear from carbs and only watch my calories, I don't lose. I have learned for me, all the above counts!

Scales read 172.8, so I'm up 1.2 lbs since last Monday. I'm not discouraged, I'm still determined that November, I will get out of the 170's! Not sure why I'm up, but I'm sure its water weight, and I will not get upset! Menu today: Bfast coffee with cream 1/2 of a packet of weight control oatmeal Lunch Leftover meal from Zios (chicken and angel hair pasta (only ate about 1/4 cup of past and 1/4 cup of chicken) Snack hungrey at 4:00 - so am having carb control yogurt mixed with Activia cottage cheese, only eat 1/2 of the small container of each. Dinner ground beef little bit of green beans

Scales read 172.8, so I'm up 1.2 lbs since last Monday. I'm not discouraged, I'm still determined that November, I will get out of the 170's! Not sure why I'm up, but I'm sure its water weight, and I will not get upset! Menu today: Bfast coffee with cream 1/2 of a packet of weight control oatmeal Lunch Leftover meal from Zios (chicken and angel hair pasta (only ate about 1/4 cup of past and 1/4 cup of chicken) Snack hungrey at 4:00 - so am having carb control yogurt mixed with Activia cottage cheese, only eat 1/2 of the small container of each. Dinner ground beef little bit of green beans

Enterprise, I had an ulnar nerve entrapment and I had to have surgery on it and the scars (my surgeon told me) are like the brachioplasty, exact same position. I will say the scars took forever to "die" down with the redness, but knowone sees them unless I raise my hands over my head. Not sure if that helps or not.

My cousin does some field trial stuff with his pointer. My DH doesn't do the field trials, but he loves to hunt, matter of fact, him & my son are out duck hunting right now. Our last dog, who was also an English pointer (died of a weird desease at 5 yrs old), his grandfather was a champion field trial and the owner was offered $35K for him, he wouldn't sell him. Anyhow, we drove down to Amarillo, TX to watch him compete in a field trial competition (he won), so it was fun. It's amazing how smart those dogs are and how they know to stay "in the boundry area". My english pointer is a hyper little thing, he is about 2 1/2 years old and is pure white. You are very brave to have that many dogs - especially hunting dogs, lol. They are handful for sure - full of energy! Here is a pic of ours watching a squirrel out our dinning room window.

Its really no different than regular food, except they make everything homemade right down to the noodles, so its just a fresher taste, their Desserts are made homemade, nothing is bought, its all made. They have no electricity, so they make it the old fashioned way. They don't believe in electricity or worldly things, they use their hands and live in a community seperated from the City. They like farming, so their pies are made with the milk that comes straight from their cow. Its just good down home cookin'.

Well, I told my MIL & SIL i had some bug.....must have been the "eggs I ate that morning". I don't think they every knew I actually up chucked. Okay, yes, I'm bad, I did wipe the upchuck up with the fabric remnant (price was $1.62 for the piece), and yes, I threw it back in the bin, didn't know what else to do...but here is what I did to "ease" my conscience, I Mailed - anonymously - $2.00 to cover the cost, I sent a money order. I know, it was bad of me, but I was desperate, I just did it without thinking and trying to get it cleaned up before my MIL & SIL came around the corner (they were 1 aisle away). I promise, NEVER to do it again....next time I will be better prepared with a spit cup or bag or something - in my purse. lol.

Yes, I can look back at it now and laugh, because let me tell you, the look I got from these two old ladies was hillarious, especially the way the food shot out of me and stuck to the walls - I know its a very graphic picture. I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, there is a town about 45 minutes away called Cheteau, it has a lot of Amish community there. I went to the Amish cheese house too and bought some cheese balls they make, very good! But a little on the fattening side.....But their restraunt is good and everything is so fresh and homemade. I didn't even get to enjoy it and it cost me $8.

I just got back from the Carribean in August, and yes, I wore a swim suit - a Tankini instead of my moo moo type I usually wore (pre band), but no matter what weight, if I'm going to the ocean, I'm wearing a swimsuit. I might not wear a bikini, but I'm wearing a swimsuit and enjoying myself just like everyone else. You deserve to have a good time, so put it on and enjoy! By the way, this summer was a NSV for me in the swimsuit area, I purchased a one from Victoria Secrets (a tankinni) and I actually felt good in it!

Well, now that its over, I think I can talk about it...so I'm going to share my first PB incident and just how embarrassing it is (for those weak at stomach, please stop reading now - ) Okay, last Friday my mother in law, my sister in law and myself drove to a small little town to look for some upholsterey material for my antique chair (we were going to discount fabric store that we heard about). Anyhow, this town has this great little Amish restruant, so we decided we would eat lunch there. By this time, its about 12:45 in the afternoon. So, we go thru the buffet line, and I pile my plate high with food (just like I would pre-band) I don't want to just get a little to draw attention to me becaue neither of the family I am with no about the band...so I try and just act like I will eat it all, knowing I will leave a lot on the plate. Anyhooo, So, I take my first bite of the roll, smothered in a little butter, and that was the biggest mistake...But instead of stopping, I think it will just pass like an idiot, I keep on eating, I have a bite of fish or two, then a little sip of tea (thinking this will help the stuck go away). By this time, my mother-in-law is looking at me and notices something is wrong, I keep telling her I just need to burp - and I keep eating - what an idiot i am....Anyhow, so finally, the food is lodged clear up to the back of my throat and it is coming out, one way or another, so I told them I had to go the bathroom. Well, when I got to the bathroom, (it was just a single toilet room), someone was in there and there was a line...Finally, here comes the food, it shot out like a bullet over the wall. I was totally embarrassed, but so glad only these two old ladies who didn't know me saw and my family did not. So, I think, okay, its over so I go back to the table and start picking and nibbling at my food again...oh boy, big big big mistake, here it comes again. I didn't want to look too obvious, but I told them I had to go back to the bathroom, I had "gas", I didn't know what else to say. So back to the bathroom I go, and the poor little waitress is cleaning up my mess - and once again, the bathroom is full, but the mens bathroom is open, so I run in there and I couldn't even make it to the toilet, so I had to hack in the sink...yuck. So, I ended up paying for my food and walking outside, where I PB'd again!!! You would think it was over, but no, we head to the fabric store and I'm walking around looking for fabric and here it comes again, so I head to the bathroom and right when I'm almost there, I see the lady who works there go in...I tried people I really did, but I couldn't get to the bathroom and this food was coming up and out it came, right there on the floor. So what do I do?? I grab a remnant piece of material and wipe it up and then throw it back in the bin. No one saw, thank Gawd. After the last PB episode, I felt great releif. Lesson learned - no bread, and quit eating when I feel something stuck...and when I go to the bathroom, make sure everything is UNSTUCK before coming out. Well, there you have my first PB episode, and was it ever an episode.

Terry - the beauty of the band is it can be indivualized. Everyone is different when it comes to a "good fill level". I was feeling bad because I'm at almost 4cc and FINALLY have a good restriction. I read where others are at 1.5 cc's and are tight. Some NEVER even have to get a fill and lose. So, don't compare your fill with others, you get the fill that you feel is needed for you and you only.... You don't wan't to be too tight, if your PBing and sliming all the time, your too tight, or you might need to take a look at your eating patters (are you chewing thoroughly?, are you taking small bites, etc). In the 9 months I've had the band, I've slimed 3 times, (at the beginning), and had 1 PB incidents (this happened last week). From experienced bandsters, they say being too tight can cause problems, so you don't want to be too tight.

YES YES YES YES!! I told my DH how cold I am these days. I am told its from losing weight and it takes time for our bodies to adjust??? Not sure if that is true. Anyhow, I'm with ya, I'm COLD! I just bought a little space heater for my desk at work because I'm so cold.

Your burning a lot more calories now, you body will probably require a bit more fuel, so gas up with some good lean protein!

I'm so PROUD of you!!!!! All the docs don't recommend the band for someone over 250lbs, they say "it doesn't work", YOU my dear, your proving them WRONG!!! I can't run! I've tried it, its something I would love to learn to love, so I really admire you for running! I've heard it is the fastest way to burn those calories. Keep it up! You will be in the 250's before you know it!

Okay - November, I'm starting off with the right mind and doing it right! I WILL lose weight this month, I WILL stay true to my Billy Bob (the name of my band), I WILL get back to exercising this month, and I WILL keep my journal updated more. I talked to my Physical therapyst today regarding the elliptical machine, she gave me the okay to start on it this weekend, however, I have to take it slllooooow. She said no more than 15 min to start out on and not to go super fast (this is going to be hard for me to follow - but I will do my best). So, I am planning on exercising tomorrow. Next week, it will be back to the 5 am exercises I think. I'm going to try and do 15 min everyday next week of the elliptical! My menu today Bfast - liquid calories - bad bad bad (had a white mocha been coffee drink - grrrrrrr so mad at myself) Lunch - about 1/2 cup of cottage cheese mixed with 1/2 container of carb control yogurt snack - hand full of nuts which included almonds, macadamias, cashews. Dinner - Salad bar from Ruby Tuesdays Exercise - worked out at the PT office - did 10 min on bike, did some leg lifts, and did some resistance with my knee on 20 lbs (ouch). Afternoon Exercise - did 10 min on recumbant bike Suppliments - took 1 Quickslim-30, daily 5 veggie & fruit drink

Okay - November, I'm starting off with the right mind and doing it right! I WILL lose weight this month, I WILL stay true to my Billy Bob (the name of my band), I WILL get back to exercising this month, and I WILL keep my journal updated more. I talked to my Physical therapyst today regarding the elliptical machine, she gave me the okay to start on it this weekend, however, I have to take it slllooooow. She said no more than 15 min to start out on and not to go super fast (this is going to be hard for me to follow - but I will do my best). So, I am planning on exercising tomorrow. Next week, it will be back to the 5 am exercises I think. I'm going to try and do 15 min everyday next week of the elliptical! My menu today Bfast - liquid calories - bad bad bad (had a white mocha been coffee drink - grrrrrrr so mad at myself) Lunch - about 1/2 cup of cottage cheese mixed with 1/2 container of carb control yogurt snack - hand full of nuts which included almonds, macadamias, cashews. Dinner - Salad bar from Ruby Tuesdays Exercise - worked out at the PT office - did 10 min on bike, did some leg lifts, and did some resistance with my knee on 20 lbs (ouch). Afternoon Exercise - did 10 min on recumbant bike Suppliments - took 1 Quickslim-30, daily 5 veggie & fruit drink

Sula - yepper, Its Friday!!!! I love Fridays and hate Mondays! Congrats on hitting the 52 lbs!!!! I have been struggling since August too to lose the same 5 lbs, I lose it, I gain it, I lose it, I gain it, vicious cycle. I agree with you, the band is fickle, but so far Billy Bob (my band name) is keeping me comfy. It took 3 weeks for this fill to kick in to a great restriction level, I love my restriciton level I have right now. I am trying to watch my portions and food choices. We're going out to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner tonight, We just had one open up here in Oklahoma, but I've heard they have a great salad bar....I'll probably just eat a salad. Sula - why are you raising pheasants? My DH loves to hunt them..He is a big hunter and loves fishing. We have an English Pointer (bird dog) that loves the pheasants too. lol. I eat the phesant, and dove, quail, venison, but not the ducks - hate duck....but I don't hunt them. I don't have the heart to kill an animal, but I'll eat it.

I found this link on the web : Low-Cost, Low-Calorie, Dieting on a Budget

No but I am looking for it myself, if I find it I will post it.

One of the recipes I got from the Body For Life plan was to mix cottage cheese and yogurt together. I love it! I eat it that way and eating it right now as I type.....I mix it with the Carb Control strawberries & cream yogurt. yum yum.

I will have to say, My cravings are sooo much better. I was on a downhill spiral with my chocolate, it was crazy. I had a bag of chocolate morsals in my freaken nightstand, next to my bed - How crazy and addictive is that? Man, I love my chocolate. But, since I've been taking the quickslim, I think it has gotten better. Not sure if its the quickslim or what, but I am turning down chocolate. Congrats Sherilynn for NO HALLOWEEN CANDY! I'm usually pretty weak when it comes to sweets, I think I will always have to work on it. But I am getting better.

Rene' - There are some things I always ask myself before a fill - 1) - am I eating 2 to 3 oz of lean Protein and veggies, and staying full for 3 to 4 hours? 2) - Am I following the bandster rules like drinking with eating? 3) - How much am I eating to get full? If I am eating a lot more than the 3 oz, and getting hungry within a few hours, I need a fill. I went thru the same thing you are going thru from July to October, I relized I as losing/gaining the same 5 lbs. I took a long look at what I was eating, doing and found that I needed to get back to the basics of bandster eating. This has really helped. I love the book The Success Habits of Weight-Loss Surgery Patients (Paperback) by [ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/002-7216544-7356806?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Colleen%20M.%20Cook]Colleen M. Cook[/ame] (Author) It has really helped me to see what others do to stay on track. What helped them be successful. Its for all kinds of WLS patients, including Lap-Band. Hang in there and you will succeed.

Well the thing I have noticed is when I first got banded, I lived by the rules 100%, and as time went on.....before I even relized it, I became a grazer. It was when the scales stalled for 3 months that I took a good hard look at my eating paterns and realized, 1) I wasn't planning my meals like I did when I was successful (if you don't plan to succeed, you plan to fail) 2) I was taking in way too many liquid calories (drinking starbucks way too much) 3) I was eating when I wasn't hungry (grazing on food just because it was there). So, I think many of us bandsters think we got this down, when months go by and we realize we've slipped back into our old habits. At least, thats what happened to me. The great news is, I've realized this, and I'm back to following the rules!!! And, back to losing again!

Its been a long Month, things in my life have been hectic, my knee surgery really put a damper on things. My house flooding was a total nightmare, and my grandmothers passing was a heartache. As they say, Old habits are hard to break. I realized just how much I was an emotional eater. I did it before I even realized I was eating for comfort. I am trying to "think" before I eat now and it seems to be working. I'm trying to get back to the basics and follow the rules. They are easy to sway away from the longer you have the band. But let me tell you, they are rules that you need to follow for the rest of your life. At least, I need to follow them. My knee is improving everyday. I'M OFF MY CRUTCHES officially today!!!! I'm so excited!!!! I still have my brace on, but soon, that will be leaving too! I'm still tight, and I still have to ice it down throughout the day, but I can deal with that. I am going to probably get to start out SLOWLY next week on the elliptical machine. YAY. My house, it looks so pretty now. Still have a lot of tiny things to do, but it looks like a home again!!!! I love my new wood floors, I love my new tile in the bathroom, I love my new paint in the bedrooms and new carpet. It looks like a totally new home (its about 40 years old). My restriction has really kicked in, I have to slow down on drinking and eating. I get full quickly, so I'm making sure I eat good healthy protein that my body needs. I'm taking the quickslim 30 (on my 2nd day of it), so I'm anxious to see if this will help me as well. I don't feel any different taking it, I don't feel like I have a lot of energy, or don't feel like I don't. I really feel the same. I do think it could be helping me with my appetite. I was going to "try" and stay off scales, but I couldn't do it, I ended up weighing this morning and it said 170.4. So, I'm losing!!!!! I am hoping by Monday, I will see the 160's! OMG, I can't believe I'm going to weigh in the 160's. Thats so hard for me to comprehend. when I say it out loud, or type it out loud, it just seems so unreal to me. It makes me want to cry. My eyes are tearing up now. I just can't believe I'm no longer morbidly obese. I am no longer Severe overweight, but the charts show Overweight and getting close to the "healthy weight" range. I'm out of the Red Zone on the charts. I never want to go back to my old self, never ever ever! I feel so much better now. I love my new me. I'm trying to look past my imprefections (stretch marks, scars, sagging skin etc) and see what my DH tells me all the time - That I'm beautiful. Thats so hard for me, I still see myself as a fat ugly person. I know others don't see me that way, I get told I'm beautiful all the time, however it is hard to have a good self image of myself when I let myself go for so long.....but this is something I am working on. I want to be happy with my body and my looks and accept the things that I cannot change. Okay - back to work I go............

I did good yesterday, This last fill took about 3 weeks to really kick in, but it has kicked in. I'm scheduled for another fill 11/21, but I think I might cancel it. I'm going to wait until we get closer to that date before I decide. babygotback - I've been taking my quickslim-30, I'm on my 3rd day of taking them. So far, so good. I will weigh on Monday and see my results. I'm really hoping that I will finally be out of the 170's and into the 160's! When I weighed the other day I was 170.4, so I'm sooooo close. The best news of all, I'm FINALLY OFF MY CRUTCHES!!!! I still have to wear my leg brace, but no more crutches!! I'm so excited, things are getting back to normal.