Rsilversea

I'm looking for suggestions on how to get my exceptionally picky eater to try new things. I refuse to force him to try (such as shoving the food in his mouth or yelling at him). I believe that will just cause him to not want to try new things at all as well as fear us and meal time. I don't know if this will work but I've made a chart. Starting next week, he will get a sticker for each day he tries a new food (he loves stickers). His end goal will be a Fisher Price Castle or some other toy he wants. I'm going to put a picture of it next to the chart. This method worked for potty training so I'm hoping it will work this way. I don't keep junk food in the house (as I will eat it first) but I have a heck of a time trying to get him to eat something different (even if he used to eat it before he went into "picky" mode). I saw the advice to have them eat two bites of each dish before eating what you want at the table. I liked that. I also liked how they would be sent to their room and could not have anything until the next meal. I'm just wondering if that would work on a three old. Well, I'll see how my chart works.

Thank God I have a (mostly) understanding spouse. My advice is to talk to him after you've calmed down a bit (maybe like a day or two) and explain the problem. Tell him you need his support and that you were very hurt by his laughter. If that doesn't work, tell him what would tell my husband--"Next time I'll just barf on you and then we'll see who's laughing."

Does your gym offer a complimentary hour with the physical fitness trainer? The gym I joined does and I managed to get strength training workout from her (along with a lot of embarrassing facts about body age and visceral fat). If you don't know, ask. It's worth it. At the very least they will help you figure out how to work some of the machines.

I wish they had samples of almond milk and soy milk. I'd like to try them but I don't want to waste money buying the large ones then throwing them out if I don't like them.

Like you, I know what foods I can cheat with. My solution--ditch them! I don't keep them in the house and I try to stay far away from them when I go out. I log my foods faithfully. I had problems right after Christmas but now I am slowly losing weight again. I know it's hard but you can do it! Look how far you've come and remember, you're already a winner!

If you have a bicycle shop nearby, go to them. They are the experts and can help you. My first bike was a comfort bike and then I moved to a hybrid. Don't ever go to Walmart, Target or a big box toy store.

Actually, that's one of the reasons I had the surgery. I don't want my 3 year old picking up my bad habits by watching me. I need to change the way I eat and cook better meals for the family. We're trying to expand his palate right now since all he will eat is macaroni, macaroni and cheese, cheese sticks, applesauce, yogurt and oatmeal. The oatmeal was a recent win for us. Now he will eat french fries (yeah, bad choice) and ketchup. He loves candy and chocolate milk. I don't keep either in the house but he gets it grandma's (he doesn't go there often). I make sure he knows that those are treats. I have said over and over to my husband that we will have to monitor The Boy's eating to make sure he doesn't end up like Mommy. Hopefully he will watch my new habits and start to adopt them.

I have food addictions but what I do is faithfully log everything I eat. I try to keep my carbs in line and my calorie intake between 1200 and 1600. ONCE IN A WHILE I will treat myself (usually by splitting a cookie or candy bar with my 3 year old) but those are treats (as I keep reminding him). No junk food in the house. I have absolutely no will power over them. Like the old Lays commercial said "bet you can't eat just one." I also have to be vigilant after dinner. I like to munch in front of the computer so instead I bring a bottle of water (not too much since I hate being up all night running to the bathroom). Am I successful? Mostly. I still have problems but I know it's going to take time to correct my problems. I compare my addiction to an alcoholic except that I'm a recovering food addict.

I look in the mirror and still see a fat person (ok , I am but not as fat as I was). I actually have pictures of me from before surgery and from last week up on the computer to help keep me motivated. I also put on gym shorts that I haven't worn in about three years since I just started going to the gym again and haven't bought any new gym clothes. I found I could fit all of me in one leg. Unfortunately, I had to work out in those humiliating shorts. My new motivator? I want to wear a swimsuit this year. Not sure if that helps you or not.

I'm not an expert by any means but if you're feeling depressed, maybe seeing a doctor would help? Maybe there's more to your depression that "the blues" or being in a rut.

I hear ya! That's why I haven't told my father (who is morbidly obese also). I couldn't stand to hear his "advice". I made the mistake of telling my cousin and he didn't seem too enthusiastic. He wished me luck but that was it. Only my husband's family knows and supports me.

"Have to work your instrument" Hmmm, I think my mind is in the gutter today....

"Have to work your instrument" Hmmm, I think my mind is in the gutter today....

I bought that hammer someone was talking about but now my fingers hurt. Did I do something wrong?

I eat Chobani vanilla. I do like some of the fruit ones but I prefer to eat the vanilla. I have to add some sweetener to it though as I find it just a little bitter otherwise. I went out and bought several varieties of Greek yogurt (all vanilla) to see which one I liked best. Now I prefer Greek yogurt.

People laugh at me when I tell them I had a LapBand "installed".

I just purchased a Moving Comfort bra. It has separate cups with underwires. Most of the bras I have seen are just a large band that push you up and strap you down (uni boob). Google Moving Comfort or even sports bras. There is a large selection out there and the one I chose may not be right for you.

I blame winter. It's harder for me to work out (although I have my bike set up on a trainer looking out a window) and I've been repainting rooms. I so want to be outside doing my yard work. Instead, I'm inside thinking about eating.

Reminds me of card I saw in the store. Front cover showed a man wanting to see a woman's boobs. Inside she lifted her skirt. I never thought I would buy Victoria's Secret bras again but I went in, got measured and they found one that fit me. I was too large for the rest but now I keep the tag in my purse in case I want more. I also discovered push-up bras. I always thought they were uncomfortable but I was wrong and will never go back to Ol' Saggy again.

I'm kind of in the same boat. What keeps me motivated is watching my family. I see how they eat, I see their health problems. I don't want to have the problems they are. I also remember the cousin who died who was morbidly obese. She's the reason I got the band in the first place. Up until then, it wasn't even a consideration. When I feel I'm having problems, I get out all my information from the nutritionist and try getting back to basics. Does it work? Sometimes. I may not lose the weight I want but it gets me motivated again. I also come back to here. Reading about other successes and seeing their pictures helps me get past the moment of frustration.

It sounds to me like you've started the best way--by admitting that you fell off. Maybe try to remember what you did before you fell off would help you. I have to log all the food I eat or I overeat. Try to fit in exercise. I don't know how old your kids are but I try to "dance" with my 3 year old. He seems to enjoy that. When the weather is nice, I take him for a bike ride (my favorite activity). I keep the house cleared of all weaknesses for me (ie chocolate). I love dried fruit but because of their sugar content, I try to limit how often I get them. If you haven't seen your doctor in a while, make an appointment. You may need an adjustment. And he may be able to give you further advice. You already took the hardest step. Welcome back and good luck.

8 oz is a liquid cup. All those measurements are for liquids. I prefer to weigh my food since weight is more accurate than measuring.

It's only been 5 months. You're being too hard on yourself. You have done a great job losing so far. What I have discovered is that the band is possibly 10% and the rest is up to me. Give it time.

Just a suggestion but maybe a protein snack before bed will help. It might help you feel full and help you sleep. Then again, maybe you are not sleeping as well as you think because you're healing. I would suggest talking to your surgeon. He might be able to help.

Congratulations! Wish I'd lost my taste for Black Forest cake (or any sweets for that matter).