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Meredith...there are just times when it is impossible to weigh and measure EVERYTHING. It is a good habit to be into. Teaches us a lot about portion size, etc. Helps us to eventually eyeball what we are eating. I now just automatically know portions sizes by looking or know my limits as to what to eat by how my tummy feels. I had some of the same feelings you are having when I didn't weigh and measure. It's a good habit but so is choosing everything that is healthy at this stage of the game and it will teach you to make more healthy choices throughout your life. It will all come together for you. I think that as long as you don't overdo the dressing put on the salad, Protein and lettuce/veggies are a very healthy choice. At first I did not like filling up my new pouch with lettuce as there is not a lot of nutritional value in it. But I always craved it so much so I would just throw a handful on my plate with my meat/fish/etc. During the weightloss stage, I used Walden Farms zero cal dressings. I really like the taste of them but have heard others stating that they did not. I still have them on hand for DH and he really likes them also. Worth a try! On those occasions when you cannot weigh and measure, try to eye things up. It's actually a good way to learn to guesstimate what you are eating. You will know when you get to the stage when you trust yourself with the amounts you are eating. My pouch has always been good to me. I have never pb's, don't really know what it is to slime, and it tells me when I am full. I get hungry every 2-3 hours but I don't mind that. But you will find out, as all of us banders did, that there are days that your band is lose and you could eat your lips and your fingertips off and there will be days that your band is tight and you WISH you could feel hungry. It's all a learning process and that's what us experienced banders are here for. I relied on everyone here for many months. It's important to plan any Snacks that you have and also important not to let yourself get too hungry and have the urge to binge. Make sense????? Hey to the rest of the gang (man, that really sounds Gomer Pylish!). Had a VERY long day yesterday. Left home b/4 daylight and did not get my people home till after 10:30pm. Stayed up visiting until 1:30am. DH's butt will be dragging in the field today. Letting Aussies sleep in. They have been on an "around the world tour" for close to three months and are shot. We have made no plans and will leave it up to them what they want to do. I am sure DH will not take a break with the workaholism and I will be entertaining 24/7. Did insist guys come home for dinner (lunch) so at least DS has and hour today to get reaquainted with his big sis. It will all fall together and DH will just have to catch up with us when he feels he can pull himself away from the work. Cannot remember who mentioned about lifting and band getting tight. Linda????? I have noticed this from the very beginning. That, flying and stress. Now, I KNOW I don't get stressed when I fly so I know my band just tightens on me and have to be very vigilant of my eating days b/4 I fly so I get enough cals and do not lose weight the days after flying. I try not to lift much anymore as to not tighten up my band. Fickle, fickle, fickle band! Just as I explained above to Meredith. Laura......hope your dad is doing better. Anxious to hear. DH's mom has been on dialysis for over five years and functions quite well with it. Sad if your dad has to give up his pilots license but he will adjust if need be. Great..........(seems weird writing that) Smart not to buy a MOB dress now. I predict that you will weigh less a year from now. The body goes through so many transformations after a person gets to goal. You will be happy you waited. A couple of months ahead of time should be sufficient time to find one. Keep looking and trying on different styles. By the time you need to make the purchase, you will know exactly what you want and what looks good on you. I love separates due to the fact that I am long legged and short waisted. They just look better on me. Janet....sound like you had and "Apples" day on Sat. I tend to start a small project and it turns into an all day deal. Good example is the past week when I was getting ready for company. My house was basically already clean but when I started I didn't quit for three days and then started again on Sunday until I couldn't find anything else to do. I was cleaning, painting, hanging pictures, rehanging pictures, recleaning, etc. I swear I cause work for myself. And, as I mentioned the other day...I am way too picky about my house and am trying to make a stab at changing that. Would like to be a little more free and easy about that. Think it has to do with all the traffic we get through here and always having to have the house ready for extras just dropping in for a meal. Julie....hope you are feeling better each day. You have been through the wringer and it will take some time. When we are so used to taking care of others, it is difficult to accept help. Linda...I pray for your little grand daughter. I think of her often and think of what you are going through. Issues such as these are never easy and wear on a person. Take care. Doodle...what a good granny to be the "mom" while your daughter is away. Damn all brownies. Funny you guys mentioned them cuz my Aussie daughter talked about my "special" brownies most of the five hour drive home from the airport. She was begging me to make some and I kept just putting her off and saying not sure. Well, when we walked in the door I presented her with a pan all for herself. We stuck them in the freezer and she says she will have only one a day. She is a police officer and needs to fit into her uniform when she gets home. OK...know I left some of you out but not on purpose. Just a little brain dead this morning. 4 hours of sleep does not do it for me anymore and only 5 hours the night b/4. I am a believer in 8 good hours of sleep. Keeps life nice and mellow. Going to have to catch up this week. You all take care and will check in when I can. Think we will hit a casino a few hours south of here this week and stay over one night then off to the lake for a couple of days and a weekend full of parties. (I love a good party but, no, do not always have a drink. Maybe have one drink once a week on the weekend.). I have to be quite careful. 1/2 ounce vodka, crystal light and Water and I am a PARTY ANIMAL. Can't handle much. Never had much tolerance for alcohol b/4 banding. 2 drinks and I would slur so for 30 yrs of marraige I have been the D.D. Don't mind a bit and parties are all about the cooking, visiting, games, etc. My friends love me cuz on girls night out, they have a built in ride home. Gotta go plan dinner and supper. Need to make a blueberry dessert, making chicken strips on the grill, scalloped corn and homemade mac and cheese. Have no menu planned for supper yet. You all have a great day! :smile2:

Good to know. I've been a little scared to try alcohol. I have a friend who was banded several years ago. Let's just say the first time she drank, it involved the police. Anyone have any problems with the band and alcohol?

Hi Maysh, I'm staying at the Campanile hotel. Purely cos apparently everyone stays there - don't want to be the only banded person at the Crown Plaza! See Garry is getting re-done on the 12th too! I've been taking my Milk Thistle too, but mine is in droplet form so add to a glass of water three times a day. I don't drink alcohol anyhow so here's hoping my liver shouldn't be too big anyhow. Had porridge for breakfast, herbal tea at 11, now having a salad for lunch with tuna fish. Oh shine my halo:smile: Its hard going alright, and I'ver certainly slipped up like yourself - mainly with crisps. Its my birthday today and hubby has bought profeterioles for dessert....I'll have one, maybe 2.....oh help:cursing:

Found this great eArticle regarding ways to enjoy some of everyone's favorite alcoholic beverages in a reduced calorie manor. Just thought I would share - also remember that Bacardi makes a lite rum (almost 50% calorie reduction) Here are the drinks: Thanks to the dozens of different diet crazes, we are all abundantly aware of carbs, protein, and fat, and we all have different opinions on which is the most evil. But we forget that alcohol has calories too, specifically 7 calories per gram—more than carbs or protein and almost as much as fat. What does this mean for you? It means that it's a challenge to burn off alcohol, especially when it's mixed with yummy sugary ingredients. The most obvious solution is abstinence, but what fun would that be? Since we cannot remove the alcohol from the recipe, let's remove the excess calories from some popular summer drinks. Here are six summer cocktails and recipes to make them waist friendly. Margarita. The enemy in the margarita is the margarita mix. There are "light" versions out there, but the taste is less than extraordinary. Here is another option that will cut your calories in half without sacrificing flavor. Ingredients: 3 oz. light limeade (either the Minute Maid® version or your own, made with limes, water, and a sugar substitute) Lime juice (one lime) 2 oz. tequila 1.5 oz. triple sec Ice Either pour over ice or blend with ice. Add salt to taste. Sip while pretending you are on a beach in Mexico, and you look amazing in your swimsuit. Calories before: 435 Calories now: 180 Cosmopolitan. The sneaky trickster here is regular cranberry juice, which should be called sugar with cranberry flavoring. This light version uses only one type of alcohol, which drastically cuts your calorie count. Ingredients: 3 oz. light cranberry juice drink 1 oz. raspberry vodka Squeeze of lime Lime twist, as garnish Shake together with ice. Strain ice cubes and pour into fancy fluted glass. Look incredibly trendy and thin at the same time. Calories before: 413 Calories now: 98 Tipsy Arnold Palmer. Sweetened bottled versions of lemonade and iced tea can be pretty loaded with sugar. However, if we brew our own iced tea and squeeze our own lemons, with a bit of sugar substitute and 2 ounces of vodka, we can make a really tasty cocktail that doesn't have so many calories. Or, the light Minute Maid version and some diet iced tea will work for the domestically challenged. Ingredients: 3 oz. light lemonade (or juice of one lemon plus 3 oz. water and sugar substitute) 3 oz. diet iced tea (or 2 teabags steeped in 3 oz. water) 2 oz. vodka Sprig of mint (optional) Ice Pour over ice. Stir. Enjoy. Just don't try to play golf after two of these. Calories before: 156 Calories now: 71 Strawberry daiquiri. Nothing says vacation like a drink that a little umbrella will stand up in. Sugar, yet again, is the culprit. Try this version for a vacation flashback that will be reminiscent of the good times, and not of how you ordered seconds of dessert. Ingredients: 1/2 cup sliced strawberries 1 Tbsp. lime juice 1.5 oz. light rum Sweetener to taste (depends on how sweet the strawberries are) Ice Throw it all in a blender, and let the good times begin. Please don't consume so many that you try to drink the umbrella. Calories before: 299 Calories now: 118 Piña colada. Done correctly, it is the taste of summer. If not made well, a piña colada will taste like someone served you suntan lotion in a glass. This recipe uses actual fruit and skim milk to replace the sugar and cream. Ingredients: 7 oz. canned chunk pineapple, including juice 2 packets artificial sweetener 1 tsp. imitation coconut extract 1 cup skim milk 1 cup ice cubes Blend well, garnish with a small plastic monkey, and mentally escape to the Caribbean. Calories before: 297 Calories now: 146 [*]White wine/light beer/champagne. These all seem fairly obvious and don't require recipes, but they're worth mentioning. White wine has about 100 calories in a 4-ounce serving. And it's rather refreshing on a summer day, especially if you add a blast of club soda to make it into a spritzer. Beer comes in very light versions now, and some contain fewer than 70 calories. Champagne is not only fantastic with brunch, it also is around 100 calories per serving. With all of these, just be sure to measure your amounts so you don't end up with a splitting headache the next morning. And there you have it. A handle on your summer cocktails, without adding to your love handles. Now get out that swimsuit and let summer be the party it was meant to be!

Found this great eArticle regarding ways to enjoy some of everyone's favorite alcoholic beverages in a reduced calorie manor. Just thought I would share - also remember that Bacardi makes a lite rum (almost 50% calorie reduction) Here are the drinks: Thanks to the dozens of different diet crazes, we are all abundantly aware of carbs, protein, and fat, and we all have different opinions on which is the most evil. But we forget that alcohol has calories too, specifically 7 calories per gram—more than carbs or protein and almost as much as fat. What does this mean for you? It means that it's a challenge to burn off alcohol, especially when it's mixed with yummy sugary ingredients. The most obvious solution is abstinence, but what fun would that be? Since we cannot remove the alcohol from the recipe, let's remove the excess calories from some popular summer drinks. Here are six summer cocktails and recipes to make them waist friendly. Margarita. The enemy in the margarita is the margarita mix. There are "light" versions out there, but the taste is less than extraordinary. Here is another option that will cut your calories in half without sacrificing flavor. Ingredients: 3 oz. light limeade (either the Minute Maid® version or your own, made with limes, water, and a sugar substitute) Lime juice (one lime) 2 oz. tequila 1.5 oz. triple sec Ice Either pour over ice or blend with ice. Add salt to taste. Sip while pretending you are on a beach in Mexico, and you look amazing in your swimsuit. Calories before: 435 Calories now: 180 Cosmopolitan. The sneaky trickster here is regular cranberry juice, which should be called sugar with cranberry flavoring. This light version uses only one type of alcohol, which drastically cuts your calorie count. Ingredients: 3 oz. light cranberry juice drink 1 oz. raspberry vodka Squeeze of lime Lime twist, as garnish Shake together with ice. Strain ice cubes and pour into fancy fluted glass. Look incredibly trendy and thin at the same time. Calories before: 413 Calories now: 98 Tipsy Arnold Palmer. Sweetened bottled versions of lemonade and iced tea can be pretty loaded with sugar. However, if we brew our own iced tea and squeeze our own lemons, with a bit of sugar substitute and 2 ounces of vodka, we can make a really tasty cocktail that doesn't have so many calories. Or, the light Minute Maid version and some diet iced tea will work for the domestically challenged. Ingredients: 3 oz. light lemonade (or juice of one lemon plus 3 oz. water and sugar substitute) 3 oz. diet iced tea (or 2 teabags steeped in 3 oz. water) 2 oz. vodka Sprig of mint (optional) Ice Pour over ice. Stir. Enjoy. Just don't try to play golf after two of these. Calories before: 156 Calories now: 71 Strawberry daiquiri. Nothing says vacation like a drink that a little umbrella will stand up in. Sugar, yet again, is the culprit. Try this version for a vacation flashback that will be reminiscent of the good times, and not of how you ordered seconds of dessert. Ingredients: 1/2 cup sliced strawberries 1 Tbsp. lime juice 1.5 oz. light rum Sweetener to taste (depends on how sweet the strawberries are) Ice Throw it all in a blender, and let the good times begin. Please don't consume so many that you try to drink the umbrella. Calories before: 299 Calories now: 118 Piña colada. Done correctly, it is the taste of summer. If not made well, a piña colada will taste like someone served you suntan lotion in a glass. This recipe uses actual fruit and skim milk to replace the sugar and cream. Ingredients: 7 oz. canned chunk pineapple, including juice 2 packets artificial sweetener 1 tsp. imitation coconut extract 1 cup skim milk 1 cup ice cubes Blend well, garnish with a small plastic monkey, and mentally escape to the Caribbean. Calories before: 297 Calories now: 146 [*]White wine/light beer/champagne. These all seem fairly obvious and don't require recipes, but they're worth mentioning. White wine has about 100 calories in a 4-ounce serving. And it's rather refreshing on a summer day, especially if you add a blast of club soda to make it into a spritzer. Beer comes in very light versions now, and some contain fewer than 70 calories. Champagne is not only fantastic with brunch, it also is around 100 calories per serving. With all of these, just be sure to measure your amounts so you don't end up with a splitting headache the next morning. And there you have it. A handle on your summer cocktails, without adding to your love handles. Now get out that swimsuit and let summer be the party it was meant to be!

Good Morning ladies - Whew - just got caught up on all the posts I missed - so much to try to remember to respond to! Nicole - First of all - FYI - almost everybody on my facebook is family (blood & inlaws) NONE OF THEM KNOW I'M GETTING BANDED SO MUMS THE WORD! I am really, really praying for Mike extra this time - I would so so so love to have you in Vallejo!! YEAH!! So I've never heard of this Cricut thing so I need to check it out - I'd pay to learn how to use it! Got your message - will be waiting for your call around 4 or so! Donna, how was the concert? So sad I got stuck in Vacaville all night but that was my last Saturday helping my friend!!!!!! 3 in a row is enough - I was hoping to hook up with you for a minute while you were hear but I didn't get back to the V till 10:45 pm - :biggrin:. Go Tamra with our 2x Girl! We all have "bad" days so don't worry about it - just be sure to pick yourself up and start over as soon as you realize you've messed up! This is a LEARNING process for all of us! I honestly believe that is the reason they make us lose weight first - so that we can honestly decide if we can do this for the rest of our lives! Can't wait to see photos in your new sun dresses! - and congrats on your weight loss! Heather - PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU FIND THAT WAND - I'd love to borrow it! So, you'e hit one of those wonderful plateaus! Have you tried cutting the carbs for a few days to jump start it? Riley, if you don't mind me asking - what happened to your ex? It sounds so tragic and sad! My parents were both screwed up - drugs & alcohol though, not so tragic - anyway, as they got more and more irresponsible they lost ALL our photos between moving and not paying for storage! anyway, I was able to get a few childhood pics from family and friends of my parents. I'm probably real late on this one (haha) but have you tried that? OH, and I LOVE, love Sudoku! I have it on my computer at home and at work I play it on websudoku.com. It really keeps my mind occupied at night! Tina - how you doing girlfriend? I hate that you're having such a hard time! Hope it gets better soon - Jury duty? sounds fun LOL How are things at work going - any news? Yeah, Maria - you like Dr. Baggs - I think it really helps with you like your surgeon! I know there was something else I wanted to say - darn it! I forgot - Grrr!

I've taken to 4oz of yogurt for similar reasons. I hadn't thought of romaine mixed with tuna salad. Growing up, it was usually pickle, maybe some celery. Interesting. I'm not brave enough to try whole leaves yet, but shredded's stayed down. I'm a big fan of Bumblebee's Tuna Sensations. 5oz of shelf-stable, pre-seasoned tuna, ready-to-eat without mayo. Great size for meals. Well, aside from the 100-200 cal of ice cream or candy, unless you're getting the sugar free varieties (definitely a reason to read labels). This is a love-hate relationship for me: for me, sugar alcohols (maltitol, etc) can lead to what I imagine is a form of dumping syndrome. This was true for years before my surgery. Congrats! Post pictures :biggrin:

Well it ended up being a nice dinner. The DD with the wierdo for a DH was our only one not to show up. He dislikes us all, so it is not a surprise. She wants to get together with her Dad later in the week to celebrate his birthday. Not sure if it will be "later in the week" when her DH is working or "later in the week" when he only has to put up with DH and I and not the whole family. He really sucks!!! Other than that we had a great time. Missed my little granddaughter being there, she was with her Daddy for the weekend, and he refused to let her come home an hour and a half early. Another winner there!! Yep took my handyman to Home Depot and spent more $$$ but the addition is coming along nicely, and should be finished before too long. And to top it off here in a minute I am taking my handyman to bed!!! LOL No alcohol for me, work tomorrow, and I seriously do not want to go. I am not usually this anti anything, but I am really bummed about working and DH being off and all alone for his birthday. And in 2 weeks he will be off again while I am working and it will be MY birthday---which will suck seriously too!!! We are both taking off Friday for the birth of our newest grandson. Providing she does not go into labor before then, they have her scheduled for c section at 7AM on Friday!!! YAY!!! My little Garrick will be here! Time to hit the shower.....see y'all after work tomorrow!

Ok, so DH has decided that the mojito is his new favorite drink. He is actually drinking a virgin mojito right now. He said that he can't handle the alcohol tonight, but loves the taste (even with the mint that he didn't think he liked Friday). He seems to think that mojitos with tacos would be an awesome combo. I can't believe he tried it in the first place so him liking it is surprising.

Trying to get the house work done, not sure what the evening is going to bring. Tomorrow is DH's birthday, and the family wants ME to DO something. Which would be fine, but DH is not so much wanting me to DO anything! He is building an addition onto the shop to house the air compressor and some other things, so that the noise will be outside the shop, well he planned to do that, have a few beers, and kick back. His parents think the world will come to an end if anyone sips a drop of alcohol. We let them live and do our own thing, but out of respect for them, keep it away from them or family gatherings they are at, At 80+ they are not changing their minds we know! So now here I am, I either curtail DH's plans, and satisfy the family that by me cooking a cleaning all day THEY did something for his birthday......or I am the uncaring wife/DIL who let his birthday go by without celebrating. I have to work tomorrow, he is off, but I am not going to have him prepare the yard and house for a cookout for HIS birthday! My Mom offered to host a cookout for it, and then last night the man who delivers their firewood, dumped 3 cords of wood in the parking area, that now my Dad has to get stacked & ready for winter. So her house is out. My MIL has not offered to do anything.....for a long, long time. Then again when I am over 80 I hope to not have to either!!! LOL All 3 kids work tomorrow. DIL is due any second, she does not feel like doing it, and is the only one not working! I am going to suggest we all meet for dinner at someplace simple---a burger joint or something. Any suggestions??? As for hanging shirts, all mine hang, and all of DH's EXCEPT his work shirts, they go in a dresser---and are kept separate. Nothing washed with them, nothing stored with them, as there is an odor to them! They smell like diesel to me. No one else agrees.......but I smell it! They get dumped into a hamper in the laundry room, not in our bath like the regular clothes! He does not deal directly with the diesel anymore, but when he goes through the shop, he puts on coveralls, that are work issued, and work cleaned, so the guys who marinate in the diesel under the trucks, coveralls get washed right with his, and they make his clothes smell. No detergent or additive gets rid of it....so his work stuff folds into a dresser. With properly folded shirts!!! LOL No rain here, at least not enough to be worthwhile.....trade ya some heat for some rain Tap...... My kids and grandkids ALL got their own cakes to tear into for their 1st birthday, and we have progressive pics of each of them, they are some of my favorites! My youngest grandson probably will be the first not to get one, his Dad would not allow it---the mess etc. He is a germaphobe, and very OCD---it would make him crazy. He cannot even stand for him to have drool on his shirts! He is such an annoyance!!! Well I am being called to inspect the building process, and my laundry is ready to change out. I do not BTW have new W & D and am NOT enjoying doing laundry!!! LOL

Short whines are totally allowed. I haven't started the pre-op diet yet as I have till late Oct to go, but I have drunk my last Diet Dr. Pepper and I have to admit that I was/am addicted to the things. I have also switched to decaf teas. Tonight I went to WalMart and had to think twice because I almost bought my ususal case. Lucky for me that I hate the smell and taste of coffee so developed that bad habit. Diabetes has kept me away from alcohol.

I actually love doing laundry because I love my new washer and dryer but I am horrible at folding it - my clothes are soo wrinkled. Lulu - my mom had a Bichon and one time when the whole family met back in colorado for Christmas - the dog was attacked by a coyote - sadly we found her hanging on to life - but too much damage was done for the emergency vets to save her. All right I'm going to share a drunk secret with all of you to help avoid or at least severely reduce the symptoms of a hangover. Medically speaking you get hungover due to 2 major things - dehydration and the depletion of B vitamins (effect of alcohol on your system) Go out and by a B-complex vitamin supplement (look for one with the highest percentages of a wide variety of the b vitmains) Take one supplement when you start drinking if you can - but most importantly - take one before you go to bed and drink at least a 16.9 oz bottle of water - better if you drink 32 oz. If you are someone very prone to headaches - take ibuprofen as well (400-600mgs) - but many times rehydration and replacing the b vitamins will stop the headache.

Saturday, August 1, 2009 Progress Isn't Just Measured in Pounds Lost. In 12-step programs there is a saying: Progress not Perfection. I wrote in response to a comment on a post: Progress isn't just measured in pounds lost. I came home late last night and tried to write my blog but couldn't. I kept falling asleep. I reread what I wrote and thank God I didn't publish the post. I could not get my thoughts together. Part of what threw me was that I wasn't yet able to write about having had a chocolate malt while I was out with my husband. Intellectually, I don't believe there was anything wrong with that. It was a conscious choice on my part to allow myself a treat. But the subconscious fear was also there, waiting to sabotage me. Will this trigger me to start eating a lot of carbs again? There are a lot of so-called experts out there who believe that carbs, especially simple carbs like sugar, trigger binges. They may be right. But a freshly made turkey or a spit-roasted chicken can do the same to me and according to the gurus, protein isn't supposed to do that. So was the malt the healthiest choice I could have made? No. Was it a bad choice? No. What's going to make me binge? The malt or the guilt? I vote guilt. Today, I am right back on my protocol. I may eat a little less to make up for yesterday's extra calories. I may not. I am one of those "get a phone call may travel" kinds of people. Some days I have an idea what I'm going to do for lunch and supper, other days I don't. I always leave myself open to possibilities. So is progress not ever having a chocolate malt? Or is progress making it a conscious choice to have a treat and then getting right back on my food protocol? Is progress pretending I didn't have that chocolate malt or going ahead and writing about it and working through the issues it brought up? I think you know where my vote lies. All things in moderation is a very Biblical concept. Do I want to flaunt that chocolate malt and lead others astray who might not be able to handle it? No. I would not flaunt alcohol in front of an alcoholic either. What's right for me is not right for everyone. We learn the difference through trial and error. Let me tell you. I see so many people beating themselves up for gaining a lb., not reaching a certain BMI, falling off their food protocol, losing too slowly. I think they would be better off keeping a progress journal with entries like: My stomach doesn't stick out farther than my boobs. I can sleep on my stomach. I'm not snorting myself awake. I can cross my legs now. I can walk for over an hour. I had a treat and got right back to my food protocol. I didn't binge. Good for me! I've said this before in an early blog: Don't "should" on yourself. Don't "should" on others. Don't let other people "should" on you (don't internalize their criticisms.) Or, as the Bible says, "Judge not that ye be not judged."

Saturday, August 1, 2009 Progress Isn't Just Measured in Pounds Lost. In 12-step programs there is a saying: Progress not Perfection. I wrote in response to a comment on a post: Progress isn't just measured in pounds lost. I came home late last night and tried to write my blog but couldn't. I kept falling asleep. I reread what I wrote and thank God I didn't publish the post. I could not get my thoughts together. Part of what threw me was that I wasn't yet able to write about having had a chocolate malt while I was out with my husband. Intellectually, I don't believe there was anything wrong with that. It was a conscious choice on my part to allow myself a treat. But the subconscious fear was also there, waiting to sabotage me. Will this trigger me to start eating a lot of carbs again? There are a lot of so-called experts out there who believe that carbs, especially simple carbs like sugar, trigger binges. They may be right. But a freshly made turkey or a spit-roasted chicken can do the same to me and according to the gurus, protein isn't supposed to do that. So was the malt the healthiest choice I could have made? No. Was it a bad choice? No. What's going to make me binge? The malt or the guilt? I vote guilt. Today, I am right back on my protocol. I may eat a little less to make up for yesterday's extra calories. I may not. I am one of those "get a phone call may travel" kinds of people. Some days I have an idea what I'm going to do for lunch and supper, other days I don't. I always leave myself open to possibilities. So is progress not ever having a chocolate malt? Or is progress making it a conscious choice to have a treat and then getting right back on my food protocol? Is progress pretending I didn't have that chocolate malt or going ahead and writing about it and working through the issues it brought up? I think you know where my vote lies. All things in moderation is a very Biblical concept. Do I want to flaunt that chocolate malt and lead others astray who might not be able to handle it? No. I would not flaunt alcohol in front of an alcoholic either. What's right for me is not right for everyone. We learn the difference through trial and error. Let me tell you. I see so many people beating themselves up for gaining a lb., not reaching a certain BMI, falling off their food protocol, losing too slowly. I think they would be better off keeping a progress journal with entries like: My stomach doesn't stick out farther than my boobs. I can sleep on my stomach. I'm not snorting myself awake. I can cross my legs now. I can walk for over an hour. I had a treat and got right back to my food protocol. I didn't binge. Good for me! I've said this before in an early blog: Don't "should" on yourself. Don't "should" on others. Don't let other people "should" on you (don't internalize their criticisms.) Or, as the Bible says, "Judge not that ye be not judged."

Very interesting - I like broccoli but not the others but don't think I liked many vegetables as a kid - but love them now - I don't know - could be me. To vodka and schnapps it is an actual allergy though - not like any my doctors are aware of though - I actually look like and feel like someone who is having a heartattack. Actually any time I drink alcohol - I will get a mild reaction (feel like i did a 2 hour strength workout for the upper body) it's just those 2 alcohols that give me the bad reaction. I actually had a friend once who thought I was making it up - and gave me a jello shot that she said was made with rum but was actually made with vodka - i was on the floor in 5 minutes and out of commision feeling like I was going to die for an hour. Vodka cooked in sauces is ok though.

People with the TAS2R38 genotype have a heightened sensitivity to bitter taste. Their genetic makeup includes a gene discovered in 2003 that controls the presence of receptors for a bitter-tasting compound called 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). Scientists believe that the presence or absence of this gene can help account for individual taste preferences and eating habits. A study published in February 2005 found that children who had this gene were more partial to sweet beverages and foods than those without it (though this effect seemed to wear off by adulthood, when race/ethnicity was the strongest determinant). Researchers theorized that these children may be less likely to find vegetables palatable, which could limit their intake of important nutrients. On the plus side, an earlier study suggested that those with the TAS2R38 gene were less likely to indulge in underage alcohol consumption, experiencing it as more bitter and irritating than do those without the gene. Nutritionists hope that this type of information will help improve dietary planning for children. We were just discussing this on another thread I am on regularly. It was a subject on a Nova Science program. It was common among the group of us, that those of us who disliked broccoli, cauliflower and brussel sprouts as kids, were also the ones who disliked bitter alcohols. And some of them who really liked those foods, even find swishing VINEGAR in their mouths to NOT be horrid! There were of course exceptions to the rule--but it was kind of interesting...... Not of course as interesting as hot handy men, or sponge baths given by hot handy men, or giving sponge baths TO hot handy men......deep, deep sigh.......

PJTP... Thanks for the laughs...on my way to bed... Thinking of a tipsy Slim trying to type and spell-check... A flirty Beth with two hottie body slaves washing her gently... HH with a grey beard calling for his nightly sponge bath...:wink2: Lulu in the middle of the ghetto...though the way you describe yourself, some might say you have a 'ghetto booty'...:eek: KC - when I COULD drink alcohol, I was always good for the sweeter stuff. Started with rum and cola because the cola masked the alcohol; Long Island Iced Tea, when made correctly, will sneak up on ya, because you don't really 'taste' the alcohol; Wine coolers were always good... Night yall!

I love mojitos - I sometimes cheat and go 1/2 and 1/2 with seltzer and a diet lemon lime soda. I am actually allergic to several alcohols (no vodka or schnapps for me) and for this reason I think my body has always had a natural aversion to alcohol in general - I genuinely don't like the taste and have had to work very hard to be able to drink (how messed up is that) I basically only drink sweeter drinks where you don't taste the alcohol as much.

Welcome Galatea, its a big step to book up for the operation but well worth it, I dont think anyone on here regrets it one bit, read back thro the posts and ask any questions you want, and join in the banter. Big sis, I'm gutted for you but this band is a funny thing, I put on 1lb last week, I've not eaten any less in fact I've eaten more this week and its come off again, lets hope the same happens to you. You must be so thrilled to be close to 10st thats my target weight I'm so jealous. Gary have you had a date to go to Belgium yet? As we're talking babies, I'll give you all a quick update on my daughter, she due mid Oct, and has not yet had any fill taken out, she's 6.5 months now and has put on 7lb in weight, because she has a band her pregnancy has been consultant led and she has had an extra two scans, the last being last wednesday, where the head was the right size, but the baby was 2 weeks bigger than her dates, we now agreed for her to have a glucose tolerance test in two weeks time in case there could be any underlying diabetis,although there are no other symtoms. She is booked into her band consultant for a defill on the 8th august, all is progressing wonderfully and she has'nt had a moments sickness or any other problems. Everything is now in place if she should need to deliver early, both my house and her house is awash with pink and white frills, we've got lists upon lists of thing we've got ready. Freckles we now need an update about yours. Whats happening with you reflux, last night was the second night it came back, I read the main causes are smoking, alcohol, and chocolate, I dont drink or smoke so it might be my evening treat of choc, I hope not :crying:

Michelle - oh my gosh I can't believe you tried the vinegar trick. I never actually tried it. I left the vinegar out on my kitchen island and each time (for about a week) that I wanted something sweet the thought of actually swishing with vinegar made my stomach turn. But then I just put it away one day and forgot about it... Terry - that thing you found about people with that gene liking sweets and hating alcohol, that's me. I never ever drank until I was in my late 20's because alcohol was so bitter and gross to me. Now at this age I still won't drink beer. Hate the taste. I will drink alcohol only if it's masked with fruity sweet things. Red wine is bitter and gross and I will drink a very light white wine once in a blue moon. I hate brocoli, asparagus, lots of other veggies as a child. They were so bitter to me...

People with the TAS2R38 genotype have a heightened sensitivity to bitter taste. Their genetic makeup includes a gene discovered in 2003 that controls the presence of receptors for a bitter-tasting compound called 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). Scientists believe that the presence or absence of this gene can help account for individual taste preferences and eating habits. A study published in February 2005 found that children who had this gene were more partial to sweet beverages and foods than those without it (though this effect seemed to wear off by adulthood, when race/ethnicity was the strongest determinant). Researchers theorized that these children may be less likely to find vegetables palatable, which could limit their intake of important nutrients. On the plus side, an earlier study suggested that those with the TAS2R38 gene were less likely to indulge in underage alcohol consumption, experiencing it as more bitter and irritating than do those without the gene. Nutritionists hope that this type of information will help improve dietary planning for children.

I chose to sever ties with my best friend of 7 years. She is diabetic, will not take care of herself, and can't stop eating or drinking alcohol, I had tried to help her on numerous occasions, I told her please don't end up like an ex of mine that almost died from diabetes because he would not take care of himself, I also asked her to please stop drinking, for her own health, and I told her that she was seriously hurting herself. At the end of our relationship, she was the biggest I had ever seen her, seriously, she was bigger then me. After my lap band, our relationship changed a lot, It seemed like her whole LIFE was centered around getting food, eating food, or securing food for later. I couldn't eat much of anything after my surgery, and at restaurants when I would go to eat with her, she would try to make me eat. She was trying to sabotage me, and I actually let her one time. I was so angry that I let her make me feel that bad, that I ended our friendship. If she wants to be fat and unhappy, let her be, sometimes you cannot help people help themselves.

I wasn't hungry AT ALL and was so dizzy and light-headed that I felt horrible even laying down. It felt like when one drinks too much alcohol and the room is spinning (the last thing one feels like doing is eating and drinking when one feels like this.) It was the dizziness that was the WORST. And Parrot...I know! I have been so sick and my nurse thinks that I am having anxiety attacks (but I am not). I live in a very small NE town and the doctors around here don't know anything about lapband and wouldn't know how to help me. I can only rely on my lapband doctor (who is nicer than the nurse). He really does try to help me. The problem is that the problems come and go so sometimes when I see him my chest doesn't hurt (like on Monday). He focused on my dizziness and that has gone away. Now that I am eating again though...my chest pain is back.

I'll try to present my case better today (I'm just so damn frustrated these days that, yes, my knee-jerk reaction IS to ditch all programs) and try to sound reasonable while doing so. Should many programs be ditched? Yes. Should all? No. However, I am of the mindset that if you abuse it, you use drugs or alcohol while on it, you get caught cheating, stealing, or in any way manipulating the system, if you are a criminal or become a criminal while on services, it's a one strike and you're out. If you can't prove you live here LEGALLY, I don't care if you're bleeding in the friggin' street, you get NOTHING. NADA. ZIP. We are bleeding here and can't take care of our own, yet we have to take care of thieves who don't belong here? I don't think so. If you get services and are able-bodied, you WILL work. I heard somebody on the radio yesterday mention something I could live with: Start out working one day a week, then after a period of time that is reasonable, they begin working two days a week, and so on and so on until they are working full-time. If you choose to have babies while ON welfare, you get cut off (unless you give the child up for adoption). There is free birth control on virtually every corner (ALSO paid for by tax dollars). Use it or lose everything. Let your mama take care of you because I WON'T. I think the biggest problem we have in this country is the utter apathy of so many. And that apathy has been CREATED by the government hand-outs, in my opinion. There was a time when legal immigrants came here with nothing in their pockets, and by sheer willpower and determination, they made it work. They worked hard, they learned the language, and they became productive members of society. Very few sat around just waiting for handouts. If they chose to do so, they probably died. I feel if you're able-bodied and choose to sit around collecting your monthly check while watching cable and drinking beer all the time, you are worthless to society and I frankly don't give a crap what happens to you. You can starve, you can rot, you can fall off the earth for all I care. I care NOTHING for you. Every tax dollar of mine that is going to feed and clothe and house your fat ass is a dollar that is taken away from me and mine. The fact is, there has always been the poor. There always WILL be the poor. Redistributing wealth from the rich to the poor does not make the poor any less poor -- it just makes the rich, those who have worked for it (because let's be real, what's considered "rich" these days is not what I would consider rich) less rich. It is NOT my job to be my brother's keeper. It is NOT my job to be sure that some loser on the street has cable TV or food on their table. If they can't do that for themselves, then they are a useless waste of space, in my opinion. I know it's harsh, but I don't care. I am NOT a bleedin' heart, and I know this about myself. And I'm fine with it. If we were talking about a relatively minimal percentage of society that this referred to, it could more easily be ignored. But our states are DYING, and I see many of the reasons they are dying. And the answer is NOT to continue pouring good money after bad on the lowlifes and illegals while cutting services to the poor sap who is sitting here footing the frikken' farken' bill! Okay, I'm sure I don't sound as reasonable as I had hoped, but damnit, I've had enough of this already.