I'd like your tips, tidbits, stories, experiences, advice..

[pixistix 1]

Here are my best tips:

* Be patient with yourself until you have good restriction. Try to focus on healthy food and exercise rather than the scale during "bandster hell". It can be a frustrating time, but it doesn't last.

* Once you're on regular foods, Snacks are my secret weapon. I make sure to always eat a small healthy snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon. That way I don't get too hungry and go crazy at meal times. A few almonds, some yogurt, string cheese, a piece of fruit, whatever. It helps more than anything else, because when I let myself get too hungry my judgment becomes impaired. Suddenly I'm "starving" and all I want is fast food.

* I can't get solid food down in the morning, so I drink a Protein shake for Breakfast every day. I really like "Pure Protein" chocolate shakes from Trader Joe's (or other health food stores or online). They have 35 grams of Protein and are pretty decent tasting in my opinion.

* Fast food is my enemy. No matter what, I try to avoid it like death. Anything I make at home (no matter how unhealthy) is better than fast food. Fast food makes me gain weight, always.

* Exercise helps me immensely with mood and motivation, in addition to just being all around wonderful for you. Strength training, especially, is great because muscle tissue burns more calories (all day long, even while you're sleeping) than regular tissue. Even if it's just sit-ups and wall push-ups at home, and walking around the block, exercise is terrific.

* If you make a wrong turn, don't despair. Every day (every hour!) is a new chance to get up, brush yourself off, and get back on track. Perfectionistic, all-or-nothing thinking has been a liability for me. I will always make missteps. I just try to focus on getting back to the basics that work for me. Small healthy meals, small healthy Snacks, lots of protein, lots of Water, go to the gym. Plenty of sleep, etc. Taking good care of myself is a new thing for me and it takes some practice to get consistently good at it.

The reason I consider myself inspiring is that I have had a pretty hard time sticking to anything remotely considered a "diet." I try to eat healthy stuff, but I screw up all the time. I eat sweets. Fast food is my kryptonite. I don't get to the gym as often as I'd like. And yet I'm making slow, steady progress. I know for a fact that I never ever would have lost nearly 50 pounds without the band. I'm 4 pounds away from "onederland." My husband calls me "Skinny Bones Jones." I even feel a distinct improvement in my overall mood (I've suffered from debilitating depression my whole life).

And the better things get, the more motivated I feel. I eat better because I don't need to "fix" crushing depression with food. I can get around better so I'm happier doing active things. It's like an upward spiral -- the better things get, the more I do to make them even better. I'm in this for the long haul. It's a good life.

Best of luck to you.