Oh ladies, you will understand this. I had a major breakthrough today. It was unbelievable. It was incredible. It was..............are you ready for it? My great news is.....I CROSSED MY LEGS TODAY!! Yep, that's it. I haven't been able to cross my legs in years. I actually sat like a lady today. WONDERFUL!!
My dad thought I was little off the wall. My mom was thrilled though. She marvels in the little things. We had a little cookout today with some family. All in all, it was a nice day. I cooked out and made burgers, hot dogs, mac n cheese, baked beans, salad, and watermelon(mom brought this). I behaved and had my 1/2 burger, 1/4 c mac n cheese, 1/4 c. baked beans, 1/2 c. salad.
Then hubby and I went to Bingo. There we had split a nacho supreme. Which was just tortilla chips, chili and sour cream. Other than egg beaters, laughing cow cheese for breakfast that is all I had all day.
Anyhow, that was way off subject. Back to the leg crossing. It made me feel so good to cross my legs after all these years. It wasn't a major thing but it was significant in that I am doing things, no matter how minor. that I have not been able to do in years. Progress!! Keep trekking forward and the rewards follow.
Motivational Tip #4
Weightloss motivation is what you truly want not willpower. I don't have much willpower but if this is something I really want then that gets me going. List all the reasons why you want to lose weight. Add to your list as you go along. Read the list every morning or when you are in a rut. It kind of puts things in perspective.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Life's little stresses
It is easy to let life get in the way. Too many times have I let what is going on around me define what and who I am. I let the stress take over and that isn't good for anyone and it can certainly sabotage any weight loss efforts.
My job, like so many others, is very stressfull for me. It's not something I can change right now. How I deal with it though, I can change. Rather than let it eat away at me and ruin all my efforts, I have to at some point just LET IT GO. Yes, much easier to type that than it is to actually do it.
Letting stress interfere causes depression and that of course causes overeating or causes you to make bad food choices because you "need" chocolate or fried cheese. It does't have to be that way. Really, it doesn't. I konw you are thinking "oh, but I do need my chocolate or that tub of ice cream."
Don't let stress win. Keep your eye on the prize, on the long term. But remember, a slip up now and then is just that a slip up. It doesn't mean you have ruined it all and you can just start again next week. That is the basis of yo-yo dieting. One slip up does not make you a failure.
I have to confess, I LOVE Dove chocolates. The ones with the melting chocolate center or the caramel center. I call them "a little slab of heaven". I would have a few a day. I mean after all they are small. Right? This little delights sit on a desk right next to me. I can just roll my chair over to get some. Yeah I don't even have to get out of my chair to walk to it. When I gave up soft drinks in March, I have only had 2 since then and you what? They weren't as good or satisfying as I remembered. What was I thinking?
Evidently, I have new habits in place that make my old habits seem not worth it. I have absolutely NO desire for a soft drink. Not even a sip. The chocolates, so not worth it. Now, ice cream? I like ice cream. Do I love it? No. Do I eat it when I am bummed? No. So I continue to have Skinny Cow ice creams. The fudge bars are my favorite. My vice when I was bummed or stressed has always been real food. I would pig out and not even realize it.
Okay, I have a warning for those that eat at Jason's Deli, if you have one around. BEWARE!! Yes their food is delicious. They claim to be healthy and organic. "Food you can feel good about." No you can't. Go to their website before you go there again. Check out the nutrition information. You will be horrifed by the calories, fat and sodium content. Their infamous Nutty Mixed up Salad. It is organic and supposedly healthy. 45g of fat.
Motivational Tip #3
Promise yourself a reward when you reach certain weight loss goals. Having something to work towards makes the journey that much more enjoyable. The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Rewards could be a new shirt, purse or girl's day out.
My job, like so many others, is very stressfull for me. It's not something I can change right now. How I deal with it though, I can change. Rather than let it eat away at me and ruin all my efforts, I have to at some point just LET IT GO. Yes, much easier to type that than it is to actually do it.
Letting stress interfere causes depression and that of course causes overeating or causes you to make bad food choices because you "need" chocolate or fried cheese. It does't have to be that way. Really, it doesn't. I konw you are thinking "oh, but I do need my chocolate or that tub of ice cream."
Don't let stress win. Keep your eye on the prize, on the long term. But remember, a slip up now and then is just that a slip up. It doesn't mean you have ruined it all and you can just start again next week. That is the basis of yo-yo dieting. One slip up does not make you a failure.
I have to confess, I LOVE Dove chocolates. The ones with the melting chocolate center or the caramel center. I call them "a little slab of heaven". I would have a few a day. I mean after all they are small. Right? This little delights sit on a desk right next to me. I can just roll my chair over to get some. Yeah I don't even have to get out of my chair to walk to it. When I gave up soft drinks in March, I have only had 2 since then and you what? They weren't as good or satisfying as I remembered. What was I thinking?
Evidently, I have new habits in place that make my old habits seem not worth it. I have absolutely NO desire for a soft drink. Not even a sip. The chocolates, so not worth it. Now, ice cream? I like ice cream. Do I love it? No. Do I eat it when I am bummed? No. So I continue to have Skinny Cow ice creams. The fudge bars are my favorite. My vice when I was bummed or stressed has always been real food. I would pig out and not even realize it.
Okay, I have a warning for those that eat at Jason's Deli, if you have one around. BEWARE!! Yes their food is delicious. They claim to be healthy and organic. "Food you can feel good about." No you can't. Go to their website before you go there again. Check out the nutrition information. You will be horrifed by the calories, fat and sodium content. Their infamous Nutty Mixed up Salad. It is organic and supposedly healthy. 45g of fat.
Motivational Tip #3
Promise yourself a reward when you reach certain weight loss goals. Having something to work towards makes the journey that much more enjoyable. The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Rewards could be a new shirt, purse or girl's day out.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Eating Out
Weight loss surgery and eating out. Coincidence or nightmare? Neither. Honestly, I don't think that I eat really small portions, I eat what should be normal size portions. In America, we have become more "supersized" in every way.
What to do about this? Simple. No really, it is. When I eat out I immediately cut my meal in half and put it away in a "to go" box. It really does work. Out of sight out of mind. I always take food with me to work, as I have mentioned in previous posts. But let's be real here, I WANT to order take out with the gang or at my work they have Picadilly's restaurant bring in lunch twice a week that we can purchase and sometimes it is something I want. Well guess what? I get what I want because I can have whatever I want just in moderation.
Here's some examples. Tuesday, Picadilly's brought in lasagna. Yes it was carbs but I have barely had any carbs for months. So I had a treat. I had lasagna and they had a small salad bar. So I fixed a plate of salad but had my own dressing with me. I went back to my desk, took out an extra plate and cut my lasagna in half and took 1/2 my salad and put those in the fridge. What I had left was plenty. Today was a "bad" day. Well not really. We ordered Famous Dave's. It is BBQ. I ordered the BBQ chicken sandwich w/pepper jack cheese and garlic mashed potatoes. So, again, I cut my sandwich in half and took half of the mashed potatoes and put it in the fridge. I took off the thicker part of the bun and ate the 1/2 of sandwich and potatoes. I ate with my co-workers. 4 hours later I ate the rest of it. Two meals for one price. Quite handy. This is something ANYONE can do. It is a habit you can develop. I have a card that identifies me as a lap band patient so that I can either order smaller portions or off the kids menu. That is really embarassing to me so I just put half away for another meal or we share a meal. We love to get fish. My husband and I have always shared a box for two. We never had any left. It was 4-5 pieces of fish, fries and hushpuppies. Now, that same box feeds both of us and my daughter and we usually have a piece leftover. I can only eat 1/2 a piece up to a full small piece. It's about taking control and it is said that it takes doing something continuously for 21 days to become a habit. I think this is a habit. My band helps in the background but it is my habit of putting half of my food away that I think keeps me in check.
The key is to learn what it means to be hungry and no longer hungry. There is a difference in being no longer hungry and being full. If you are full, you ate too much. I am getting better about stopping when I am no longer hungry. If I have to unbutton my pants I have gone too far.
Motivational tip #2
You thought I forgot didn't you? I know I have been rambling so far. Here's tip #2. Document your progress. Take measurements, weight, keep a journal. Take pictures along the way. It is encouraging to look at how you have been doing because it just is the nudge you may need to show it is possilble.
I take measurements of neck, chest, waist, hips, thigh, calf, bicep and forearm once a month. I weigh myself once a week on the same day at the same time wearing the same clothes. It's best to weigh yourself first thing in the morning. I happen to personally use this journal the Dieter's Diary. It is very handy for me to keep track of what I am doing.
Till next time, happy eating!
What to do about this? Simple. No really, it is. When I eat out I immediately cut my meal in half and put it away in a "to go" box. It really does work. Out of sight out of mind. I always take food with me to work, as I have mentioned in previous posts. But let's be real here, I WANT to order take out with the gang or at my work they have Picadilly's restaurant bring in lunch twice a week that we can purchase and sometimes it is something I want. Well guess what? I get what I want because I can have whatever I want just in moderation.
Here's some examples. Tuesday, Picadilly's brought in lasagna. Yes it was carbs but I have barely had any carbs for months. So I had a treat. I had lasagna and they had a small salad bar. So I fixed a plate of salad but had my own dressing with me. I went back to my desk, took out an extra plate and cut my lasagna in half and took 1/2 my salad and put those in the fridge. What I had left was plenty. Today was a "bad" day. Well not really. We ordered Famous Dave's. It is BBQ. I ordered the BBQ chicken sandwich w/pepper jack cheese and garlic mashed potatoes. So, again, I cut my sandwich in half and took half of the mashed potatoes and put it in the fridge. I took off the thicker part of the bun and ate the 1/2 of sandwich and potatoes. I ate with my co-workers. 4 hours later I ate the rest of it. Two meals for one price. Quite handy. This is something ANYONE can do. It is a habit you can develop. I have a card that identifies me as a lap band patient so that I can either order smaller portions or off the kids menu. That is really embarassing to me so I just put half away for another meal or we share a meal. We love to get fish. My husband and I have always shared a box for two. We never had any left. It was 4-5 pieces of fish, fries and hushpuppies. Now, that same box feeds both of us and my daughter and we usually have a piece leftover. I can only eat 1/2 a piece up to a full small piece. It's about taking control and it is said that it takes doing something continuously for 21 days to become a habit. I think this is a habit. My band helps in the background but it is my habit of putting half of my food away that I think keeps me in check.
The key is to learn what it means to be hungry and no longer hungry. There is a difference in being no longer hungry and being full. If you are full, you ate too much. I am getting better about stopping when I am no longer hungry. If I have to unbutton my pants I have gone too far.
Motivational tip #2
You thought I forgot didn't you? I know I have been rambling so far. Here's tip #2. Document your progress. Take measurements, weight, keep a journal. Take pictures along the way. It is encouraging to look at how you have been doing because it just is the nudge you may need to show it is possilble.
I take measurements of neck, chest, waist, hips, thigh, calf, bicep and forearm once a month. I weigh myself once a week on the same day at the same time wearing the same clothes. It's best to weigh yourself first thing in the morning. I happen to personally use this journal the Dieter's Diary. It is very handy for me to keep track of what I am doing.
Till next time, happy eating!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Motivation
Motivation is so hard to keep up. Motivation is personal. Some days I have no motivation at all it seems.
Everyone needs motivation for just about everything. My job is my motivation to get out of bed during the week. My kids are my motivation to get up on the weekend, just mainly because no telling what trouble they would get into if I didn't.
So, what is my motivation to keep on track with the help of my band? Notice I said the help of my band. More on that later. My motivation to keep on track is several things. Health, weight loss, self esteem, success. I want to be more healthy and no longer dependent on my diabetic medication or my blood pressure medication. My weight loss is a no-brainer. I need to lose weight to make the 1st reason possible and to help the last two problems as well. Not to mention the fact that it would be easier to move around and get up and about without this massive amount of weight weighing me down. No pun intended there. Self esteem, well what can I say. I have none really. I am so embarrassed by myself that I can't stand myself sometimes. I truly believe that no matter what great things I accomplish in my personal life or work life, people always look at my weight and discount everything I have done. Yeah, I know, you think that is ridiculous. That is just the way my thinking has turned over the years. No matter how much I know deep down, that is bull but I think it just the same.
Success. Well what can I say on that. Successful weight loss, medication reduction, increased self esteem. Those are my ultimate goals.
Now to the band as my helper. Remember as it is pounded into your head over and over. THE BAND IS JUST A TOOL!! Nothing more, nothing less. You take care of your tool and it will take care of you. However, you must remember that the user is responsible for how well the band works. You can't blame the band if you gain weight. It didn't make you eat a quart of ice cream or that chocolate cake. It didn't force you to go through McDonalds for a cheeseburger or two. Of course, if you really want that cheeseburger, you can have it. ALL THINGS IN MODERATION. Nothing is really off limits unles syou make it off limits. Work with your band not against it. If you work against it, and blame it, then you are only hurting yourself in the long run.
Motivation again is the key. Just in exercising you need motivation. I like motivating music to keep me up and about. Fast beat music keeps me moving. I have created what I call my "flavors of the day". I listen to artists like Eminem, Usher, Lady Gaga, Timbaland, Justing Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Daddy Yankee etc... find what music gets you moving and load up your mp3 with it and get moving. My Zune is always filled with my favorites and I am always creating new folders with mixes of musics so that I have a choice depending on my moods. I download movies as well.
What motivates you? Work on that list. I do everyday because my motivations change daily. As long as you sit still and watch life pass you by you won't get the rewards of your new life with the band.
Motivational Tip#1 Make your target believable and attainable. If you set the bar so high that there is no reasonable way to reach it within a reasonable time period then what is the point? Make it reachable. Small goals lead to large rewards in the long run.
Look for Tip#2 on my next blog.
Everyone needs motivation for just about everything. My job is my motivation to get out of bed during the week. My kids are my motivation to get up on the weekend, just mainly because no telling what trouble they would get into if I didn't.
So, what is my motivation to keep on track with the help of my band? Notice I said the help of my band. More on that later. My motivation to keep on track is several things. Health, weight loss, self esteem, success. I want to be more healthy and no longer dependent on my diabetic medication or my blood pressure medication. My weight loss is a no-brainer. I need to lose weight to make the 1st reason possible and to help the last two problems as well. Not to mention the fact that it would be easier to move around and get up and about without this massive amount of weight weighing me down. No pun intended there. Self esteem, well what can I say. I have none really. I am so embarrassed by myself that I can't stand myself sometimes. I truly believe that no matter what great things I accomplish in my personal life or work life, people always look at my weight and discount everything I have done. Yeah, I know, you think that is ridiculous. That is just the way my thinking has turned over the years. No matter how much I know deep down, that is bull but I think it just the same.
Success. Well what can I say on that. Successful weight loss, medication reduction, increased self esteem. Those are my ultimate goals.
Now to the band as my helper. Remember as it is pounded into your head over and over. THE BAND IS JUST A TOOL!! Nothing more, nothing less. You take care of your tool and it will take care of you. However, you must remember that the user is responsible for how well the band works. You can't blame the band if you gain weight. It didn't make you eat a quart of ice cream or that chocolate cake. It didn't force you to go through McDonalds for a cheeseburger or two. Of course, if you really want that cheeseburger, you can have it. ALL THINGS IN MODERATION. Nothing is really off limits unles syou make it off limits. Work with your band not against it. If you work against it, and blame it, then you are only hurting yourself in the long run.
Motivation again is the key. Just in exercising you need motivation. I like motivating music to keep me up and about. Fast beat music keeps me moving. I have created what I call my "flavors of the day". I listen to artists like Eminem, Usher, Lady Gaga, Timbaland, Justing Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Daddy Yankee etc... find what music gets you moving and load up your mp3 with it and get moving. My Zune is always filled with my favorites and I am always creating new folders with mixes of musics so that I have a choice depending on my moods. I download movies as well.
What motivates you? Work on that list. I do everyday because my motivations change daily. As long as you sit still and watch life pass you by you won't get the rewards of your new life with the band.
Motivational Tip#1 Make your target believable and attainable. If you set the bar so high that there is no reasonable way to reach it within a reasonable time period then what is the point? Make it reachable. Small goals lead to large rewards in the long run.
Look for Tip#2 on my next blog.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
I'm a LOSER!!
Yep, there I have said it. I AM A LOSER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And that is actually a compliment to myself. Today was my 1st post op visit and 1st fill. I was nervous. Let's be honest, who wouldn't be afraid of someone sticking a LONG needle in your stomach?
Anyhoo, I get to the doctor's office and it is time for weigh in. I am down 14.7 lbs since surgery (May 12th) for a grand total to date of 33 lbs. I was so excited and so were they. My BP was down. 111 / 70. The best it has ever been. I haven't taken any meds for heartburn since surgery.
I had a long talk with Lori about my band, eating, symptoms, fills etc. It was very enlightening. So I learned that my doc doesn't put anything in the band during surgery so that it allows you to heal faster. He also has a very short liquid phase. He has found better success with his patients if he has them re-introduce foods slowly as soon as possible. He finds it leads to less cheating. Meaning when some are on the liquid phase they get so tired of the liquids they tend to start eating early. The problem is they probably have liquid in their band and that is the reason for the long liquid phase. GOD BLESS HIM FOR THAT!! I will take food/slow weight loss to liquids/faster weight loss anyday!
I am supposed to be eating a salad plate size meal. That is more food than I usually eat or even thought I could eat. 1200 calories a day. I should not be hungry more often than every 4 hours. Well that is not happening right now, I am hungry every 2-3 hours. So....my 1st fill. It did not hurt at all. Didn't even feel it. We were chatting then she said she was done. Sweet! I sipped water and it felt a little stuck then she was saying "wait for it" and lo and behold my throat gurgled, a little burp and down the water went. I was on mushy foods all day. Tomorrow I can start eating all foods again.
I go back in 3 weeks for a follow up to see if I need another fill and to see how much weight I have lost. She said they would like to see me lose another 100 lbs in the next 3 years. Slow as you go weight loss. I will also see the nutritionist that day. She can help me with food choices and if I am just bored with my eating.
I am on the slow track to weight loss and boy does it feel good.
LOSER AND PROUD OF IT!!
And that is actually a compliment to myself. Today was my 1st post op visit and 1st fill. I was nervous. Let's be honest, who wouldn't be afraid of someone sticking a LONG needle in your stomach?
Anyhoo, I get to the doctor's office and it is time for weigh in. I am down 14.7 lbs since surgery (May 12th) for a grand total to date of 33 lbs. I was so excited and so were they. My BP was down. 111 / 70. The best it has ever been. I haven't taken any meds for heartburn since surgery.
I had a long talk with Lori about my band, eating, symptoms, fills etc. It was very enlightening. So I learned that my doc doesn't put anything in the band during surgery so that it allows you to heal faster. He also has a very short liquid phase. He has found better success with his patients if he has them re-introduce foods slowly as soon as possible. He finds it leads to less cheating. Meaning when some are on the liquid phase they get so tired of the liquids they tend to start eating early. The problem is they probably have liquid in their band and that is the reason for the long liquid phase. GOD BLESS HIM FOR THAT!! I will take food/slow weight loss to liquids/faster weight loss anyday!
I am supposed to be eating a salad plate size meal. That is more food than I usually eat or even thought I could eat. 1200 calories a day. I should not be hungry more often than every 4 hours. Well that is not happening right now, I am hungry every 2-3 hours. So....my 1st fill. It did not hurt at all. Didn't even feel it. We were chatting then she said she was done. Sweet! I sipped water and it felt a little stuck then she was saying "wait for it" and lo and behold my throat gurgled, a little burp and down the water went. I was on mushy foods all day. Tomorrow I can start eating all foods again.
I go back in 3 weeks for a follow up to see if I need another fill and to see how much weight I have lost. She said they would like to see me lose another 100 lbs in the next 3 years. Slow as you go weight loss. I will also see the nutritionist that day. She can help me with food choices and if I am just bored with my eating.
I am on the slow track to weight loss and boy does it feel good.
LOSER AND PROUD OF IT!!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
29 lbs LOST!!
I am officially down 29lbs total since March 25 and 10.2 since my surgery May 12th. What an accomplishment for me. Yeah Me!! I bought myself some flowers for my vase. Just a little pat myself on the back treat and no calories, even better!
About 2 years ago I was in a program at work called "Count Me In". I had lost 25 lbs in 10 weeks. It was a lot of work. It took a lot more planning than I am doing now. Not sure why because I am basically following the same principals. With CMI, I would eat every 3-4 hours. That's what I do now. The bad thing about CMI is when I stopped severely watching my food I gained 35 back in about a month. I think preparing for the surgery and adjusting my eating before surgery helped me develop some new habits that for now seem to be sticking with me even though I have no restriction right now. That is encouraging.
Next week is my 1st follow up appointment. I am both excited and scared. I am worried they will say I am not losing fast enough. I seem to be hearing that a lot lately. I will try to remember to blog that day on what that is like. I am visualizing it and I am more than scared about them accessing the port. That creeps me out a bit.
Overall, I am happy with how things are going. I lost 2 lbs this last week and that is a good number. Slow weight loss means less of a chance of hanging skin. I would rather my skin readjust so plastic surgery won't be necessary. I am handling my new life right now. I expect some adjustment after a fill but we shall see.
So my final thought to ponder today is do stretch marks fade away? I ask because mine seem not as prominent as before and they ITCH like crazy!!
About 2 years ago I was in a program at work called "Count Me In". I had lost 25 lbs in 10 weeks. It was a lot of work. It took a lot more planning than I am doing now. Not sure why because I am basically following the same principals. With CMI, I would eat every 3-4 hours. That's what I do now. The bad thing about CMI is when I stopped severely watching my food I gained 35 back in about a month. I think preparing for the surgery and adjusting my eating before surgery helped me develop some new habits that for now seem to be sticking with me even though I have no restriction right now. That is encouraging.
Next week is my 1st follow up appointment. I am both excited and scared. I am worried they will say I am not losing fast enough. I seem to be hearing that a lot lately. I will try to remember to blog that day on what that is like. I am visualizing it and I am more than scared about them accessing the port. That creeps me out a bit.
Overall, I am happy with how things are going. I lost 2 lbs this last week and that is a good number. Slow weight loss means less of a chance of hanging skin. I would rather my skin readjust so plastic surgery won't be necessary. I am handling my new life right now. I expect some adjustment after a fill but we shall see.
So my final thought to ponder today is do stretch marks fade away? I ask because mine seem not as prominent as before and they ITCH like crazy!!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Misconception
This weekend I dealt with a very narrow minded person who had in their mind a very distorted view of just what this band should be doing for me. They had asked me how much weight I had lost this week and I said 2 lbs. Did I get a "that's great!" or " Good job!"? Of course I didn't. The response I got was "I guess you need to go back on the liquid or puree diet." I sat there and got quiet. I started to tear up and then I got just plain mad! I told them in many unsavory terms "DON'T YOU EVER SAY THAT TO ME AGAIN!!" I also said, "I have lost 2 lbs. How much have you lost?" It was ugly. REALLY UGLY! They said that wasn't what they meant. Oh yes it was. You can't make a statement like that and mean it any other way than to say I am not losing enough weight or fast enough or the 2 lbs isn't good enough.
So here is the misconception about the Lap Band. It is NOT a magical cure. A person generally does not drop mega amounts of weight really fast. True that one can drop a good amount of weight at first if your liquid stage is long but as you introduce foods into your diet that weight loss will slow and for some stop all together. It is then that you have to find the right combination of foods and exercise to work for you.
The amount of weight you SHOULD lose with the band is 1-2 lbs per WEEK. Just with any realistic diet out there you are expected to eat a certain amount of calories and this is the standard weight loss amount per week for healthy weight loss and long term success. The band's purpose is to help with portion control but it is up to the person what portions the band is helping to control.
This hurt me beyond belief. It felt as if this person just made my 27lbs of weight loss so far as insignificant and not worth mentioning. Any loss is a loss no matter how big or small. For me to lose 27 lbs in about 2 months is incredible in my book. That is 27 lbs that I have lost and not gained back. In the past, I would lose 25 lbs in 10 weeks and then gained back 35 a month later.
So what confused me is this person was supposedly fine with my weight prior to ever starting a diet or surgery and now that I am losing weight they want it off quicker? Why? Are they now seeing my potential and think they would rather have that then me as I am? I just don't know anymore. I do know that this is for me and not anyone else.
Just a warning...You can say your hurtful things and I guarantee I will give you my 2 cents right back. That is my right but when it comes to my weight loss, you have no rights.
So here is the misconception about the Lap Band. It is NOT a magical cure. A person generally does not drop mega amounts of weight really fast. True that one can drop a good amount of weight at first if your liquid stage is long but as you introduce foods into your diet that weight loss will slow and for some stop all together. It is then that you have to find the right combination of foods and exercise to work for you.
The amount of weight you SHOULD lose with the band is 1-2 lbs per WEEK. Just with any realistic diet out there you are expected to eat a certain amount of calories and this is the standard weight loss amount per week for healthy weight loss and long term success. The band's purpose is to help with portion control but it is up to the person what portions the band is helping to control.
This hurt me beyond belief. It felt as if this person just made my 27lbs of weight loss so far as insignificant and not worth mentioning. Any loss is a loss no matter how big or small. For me to lose 27 lbs in about 2 months is incredible in my book. That is 27 lbs that I have lost and not gained back. In the past, I would lose 25 lbs in 10 weeks and then gained back 35 a month later.
So what confused me is this person was supposedly fine with my weight prior to ever starting a diet or surgery and now that I am losing weight they want it off quicker? Why? Are they now seeing my potential and think they would rather have that then me as I am? I just don't know anymore. I do know that this is for me and not anyone else.
Just a warning...You can say your hurtful things and I guarantee I will give you my 2 cents right back. That is my right but when it comes to my weight loss, you have no rights.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Be Prepared
Preparedness. This is the key to any weight loss effort. We are told this no matter what the diet is. Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem, or Jenny Craig to name a few. You need to plan ahead. Be prepared for unexpected things. You want to plan your meals, have your snacks, plan your day.
That was my problem, as much as I thought I was prepared, I really wasn't. I was making things too hard. I was having too much variety and because of that I became frustrated and burnt out.
So, I was on a chat board and expressing my issues with ideas for meals and one bander gave me such a simplistic idea. She has two breakfasts and a few lunch/dinner choices and that is what she sticks with. Simple? Basic? Less thought, less stress.
Well, I am still coming up with my core menu to pull from. These need to be things I have on hand all the time or easy access to. I also need to keep good protein sources in my desk at work for emergencies.
Breakfast for me is usually an egg or egg beaters. Lunch can be left over dinner or if I need to run out I can make several choices. Taco Bell-bean burrito, refried beans, or a soft taco. Chick Fil A-nuggest, side salad, chicken soup. Wendys-chili. I also make my own egg salad, chicken salad. Kroger has a spinach and bacon salad with Balsamic vinegrette. I keep beanee weenees in my drawer at work with vienna sausages and tuna salad kits. It's all about having a set of choices but limit them. I know that if I am going to go out to eat I have a list of places to choose from and what foods I will limits myself to.
In short, it is all about choices. I can choose to be prepared or wing it. Which do you think will be more successful? I can choose a bean burrito or a 7 layer burrito. Which is better? It's all choice. I could just as easily go to McDonald's and choose a double cheese burger but why? I figure I should be satisfied so I have chosen foods I like but are heathier in a way.
My goal is to be prepared. Keep my good choices at hand and not stray. Why set myself up to fail? I know if I get too hungry it becomes severe pain. I have never had anything like it. Its goes from hunger to just plain sharp angry pain. Then I eat too much too fast and that does nothing but hurt me. Having a band makes being prepared that much more important but I can't over do the prepardness. It is possible to be too prepared that you lose sight of the goal and really sabotage yourself. I found that out the hard way when I was fixing all these little meals so I had a wide variety and I actually got tired of the food and wanted other stuff. Before surgery I would eat the same few foods over and over each week but for whatever reason I thought I needed a huge variety each day now that I was banded. CRAZY TALK!!
Just keep in mind that being prepared means you can enjoy foods with your friends instead of alone. Which would you choose? I don't want to turn them down when I know I can eat out. I also know that I don't have to eat out when I bring my own foods. But I will always have a choice that is why I carry an insulated bag with me to work and if I am going to be out all day. I have simple servings of snacks, food, water so I don't have to stress about the choices.
That was my problem, as much as I thought I was prepared, I really wasn't. I was making things too hard. I was having too much variety and because of that I became frustrated and burnt out.
So, I was on a chat board and expressing my issues with ideas for meals and one bander gave me such a simplistic idea. She has two breakfasts and a few lunch/dinner choices and that is what she sticks with. Simple? Basic? Less thought, less stress.
Well, I am still coming up with my core menu to pull from. These need to be things I have on hand all the time or easy access to. I also need to keep good protein sources in my desk at work for emergencies.
Breakfast for me is usually an egg or egg beaters. Lunch can be left over dinner or if I need to run out I can make several choices. Taco Bell-bean burrito, refried beans, or a soft taco. Chick Fil A-nuggest, side salad, chicken soup. Wendys-chili. I also make my own egg salad, chicken salad. Kroger has a spinach and bacon salad with Balsamic vinegrette. I keep beanee weenees in my drawer at work with vienna sausages and tuna salad kits. It's all about having a set of choices but limit them. I know that if I am going to go out to eat I have a list of places to choose from and what foods I will limits myself to.
In short, it is all about choices. I can choose to be prepared or wing it. Which do you think will be more successful? I can choose a bean burrito or a 7 layer burrito. Which is better? It's all choice. I could just as easily go to McDonald's and choose a double cheese burger but why? I figure I should be satisfied so I have chosen foods I like but are heathier in a way.
My goal is to be prepared. Keep my good choices at hand and not stray. Why set myself up to fail? I know if I get too hungry it becomes severe pain. I have never had anything like it. Its goes from hunger to just plain sharp angry pain. Then I eat too much too fast and that does nothing but hurt me. Having a band makes being prepared that much more important but I can't over do the prepardness. It is possible to be too prepared that you lose sight of the goal and really sabotage yourself. I found that out the hard way when I was fixing all these little meals so I had a wide variety and I actually got tired of the food and wanted other stuff. Before surgery I would eat the same few foods over and over each week but for whatever reason I thought I needed a huge variety each day now that I was banded. CRAZY TALK!!
Just keep in mind that being prepared means you can enjoy foods with your friends instead of alone. Which would you choose? I don't want to turn them down when I know I can eat out. I also know that I don't have to eat out when I bring my own foods. But I will always have a choice that is why I carry an insulated bag with me to work and if I am going to be out all day. I have simple servings of snacks, food, water so I don't have to stress about the choices.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
A learning process
Each day I am learning new things about my band and I have also learned that it continues to be a struggle. I have gotten the typical: "you took the easy way out" or " you are just lazy because you aren't doing the hard work to lose weight". I have news for each and every one of you. THIS IS HARD WORK!!
People seem to think that anyone who has WLS is just taking the easy road. There is nothing easy in this. First, you have to have to courage to through a life altering surgery electively. Then endure pain, discomfort and in some cases being very sick just to get to a point where then the hard work begins.
Portion control is still priority. We must pick quality high protein foods and they must be band friendly. We must still maintain a certain caloric intake. Exercise is a must not a choice. And...if you don't follow the rules then the consequences are high. Right now "normal" people can pig out, unbutton their pants for room and live life to the fullest. WLS surgery patients pig out and spend quality time getting to know the toilet bowl at the nearest restroom. There is no amount of pants unbuttoning that could save you. The fact that beyond getting sick it can do damage to your stomach pouch and band which can be costly.
Ok, back to point. Learning. I learned something new about my stomach. It doesn't tell me when I am full until 30-60 minutes AFTER I am done eating and I do eat slow. That's a problem. I don't know I am full until it is too late soooo I will need to measure out and stick with that measure. No eating out of the pot, bowl or or full container. Only eat out of my little portion containers. Without restriction, I have to modify my thinking right now. I won't begin to have restriction until after my fills so this is a waiting game. Yesterday, I had a fairly good food day. An egg w/laughing cow wedge for breakfast. 2 tamales for lunch. I spread dinner out. I had a broccoli casserole of sorts then my hubby and I went to Bingo. Now, we have not been out since before surgery so this was my mini test. This bingo allows you to bring in your own food. Yeah that is sweet, so this is one place I can go and stay on track. I brought a container of homemade potato salad and a vienna sausage for protein. BUT...I thought I would try something off the menu. I got a bowl of chili. I had maybe a quarter of it. Not bad, and for the first time I only spent $1.50 to eat. By the way, I never did eat the food I brought.
I am taking it one day at a time. Each new day brings new challenges and new hope. Make the most of it.
People seem to think that anyone who has WLS is just taking the easy road. There is nothing easy in this. First, you have to have to courage to through a life altering surgery electively. Then endure pain, discomfort and in some cases being very sick just to get to a point where then the hard work begins.
Portion control is still priority. We must pick quality high protein foods and they must be band friendly. We must still maintain a certain caloric intake. Exercise is a must not a choice. And...if you don't follow the rules then the consequences are high. Right now "normal" people can pig out, unbutton their pants for room and live life to the fullest. WLS surgery patients pig out and spend quality time getting to know the toilet bowl at the nearest restroom. There is no amount of pants unbuttoning that could save you. The fact that beyond getting sick it can do damage to your stomach pouch and band which can be costly.
Ok, back to point. Learning. I learned something new about my stomach. It doesn't tell me when I am full until 30-60 minutes AFTER I am done eating and I do eat slow. That's a problem. I don't know I am full until it is too late soooo I will need to measure out and stick with that measure. No eating out of the pot, bowl or or full container. Only eat out of my little portion containers. Without restriction, I have to modify my thinking right now. I won't begin to have restriction until after my fills so this is a waiting game. Yesterday, I had a fairly good food day. An egg w/laughing cow wedge for breakfast. 2 tamales for lunch. I spread dinner out. I had a broccoli casserole of sorts then my hubby and I went to Bingo. Now, we have not been out since before surgery so this was my mini test. This bingo allows you to bring in your own food. Yeah that is sweet, so this is one place I can go and stay on track. I brought a container of homemade potato salad and a vienna sausage for protein. BUT...I thought I would try something off the menu. I got a bowl of chili. I had maybe a quarter of it. Not bad, and for the first time I only spent $1.50 to eat. By the way, I never did eat the food I brought.
I am taking it one day at a time. Each new day brings new challenges and new hope. Make the most of it.
Friday, May 21, 2010
No restriction
Well yesterday I went back to work and noticed I didn't have much restriction. I was hungry a lot and only brought with me 2-3 oz servings and only 4 meals. I had yogurt, ham salad, a tamale, and green beans with cottage cheese. All day nothing made me feel full until I ate the green beans w/cottage cheese. Yeah I know that really sounds gross but it was actually DELISH! I had gotten green beans at a local restaurant and they were super peppery. Now normally I love my pepper but since surgery I am super sensitive to it and a little for me now overpowers the dish and that is all I taste. So anyway, these beans were good but really peppery. So I was eating them and they were strong and I thought hmmm what if I ate a bite of cottage cheese? It was the best thing to me. I ate a little snack pack of cottage cheese and 2 oz of green beans. For the 1st time that day I was full. I ate it at 6pm and was full the rest of the night. That too was a first. This morning I get up and I am way hungry. I fixed a little breakfast casserole. Hashbrowns, egg beaters, turkey sausage and a wedge of lite laughing cow cheese. I made two servings of it. I ate nearly all of it, both servings and was full but not stuffed. So that tells me I can eat more? Not a good thing. I think. Then I wonder okay I am at some point supposed to be eating 1250 calories a day now how am I supposed to that if I don't eat more? If I stay at say 3 oz then how am I going to get in 1250 calories in a day? I would have to eat high calorie stuff and that isn't good so I am really confused now. I go to the doctor for my first follow up on June 10th. This is going to be a battle I can see already.
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