Musiclover

I don't have trouble with anything on that list. I can't eat very much bread and I have trouble with dry protein like a plain piece of chicken or prawns with no sauce. If they are in a pasta dish with sauce then I am fine as long as I have very small bites.

So the truth comes out, I haven't been exercising since being banded. Pre-band I used to run a couple of times a week but after the surgery I just fell off the exercise wagon. I always tell myself that chasing after my 2 little boys is enough but I know that to lose this last 10 pounds I need to get moving. So in the January sales we bought a treadmill and I have started running again. I like to run right before lunch as this inspires me to eat a healthy lunch and not waste the effort but I am noticing that I can hardly eat a bite, my band has closed right up. I pb'd salad the other day and I took very small bites and chewed the heck out of it. Very unusual. I'm wondering if anyone else experiences this, should I have a protein shake for my meal after a workout?

Love your pic 'erinmohr', very cool. I am almost 8 months banded and I still struggle with hunger/full as a lot of this is mental for me. When I go to parties I always reach for the smaller plate and once I eat what is on it I never go back for more. I try to reassure myself that there is always another day of good food and this isn't the 'last' of anything.

I have only had one fill (in the early summer) and I have lost 40 pounds so far (another 10-15 to go) and I haven't booked my next fill yet. I eat 1/3-1/2 of what I ate before and I still have problems with pb'ing unless I am careful, especially around the TOM. I am not a big exerciser and I think rather than another fill I will just have to start going to the gym to lose the rest of my weight.

Congratulations 'mynewlife', you are doing so well. Yesterday, B-Yogurt L-Organic mac and cheese - about 1/2 cup Snack- a couple of pieces of dark chocolate D-Ceasar salad and 1 small pc of thin crust pizza, I can't eat regular pizza anymore but if the crust is paper thin then I am fine. Today, B-Yogurt L-1/2 a grilled cheese and a cup of tomato soup. D-haven't decided yet. I have bought some lovely baby squash at Costco the other day so maybe I'll saute those and make some chicken to go with it.

Yesterday, B-Activia Snack-rice crackers and laughing cow light L-Baked beans (small can) on a piece of whole wheat toast, only ate half of small can of beans. Bread not going down well today. Snack-3 or 4 chips, didn't go down well so I only ate a couple. It is TOM so I am craving salt but my band always tightens up then so it saves me. D-5 hot wings. Went to the theater to see Australia, got there late so no time for snack line, saved again. Movie was great, food would have just been a distraction.

So I needed a new dress length jacket as my last one was wayyy too big (yes I did get an inordinate amount of enjoyment typing that) and since 'thy cups runneth over' and losing 40 pounds has not changed this much, I usually lean towards a large but there was only medium and since it was on clearance I gave it a try and...low and behold it fit! I wanted to do the 'I just made the touchdown of my career in the superbowl' dance but it seemed inappropriate in the Superstore aisle so I just put it in my cart with a smile. This week I have felt the need to share this experience with my 'skinny' friends...I am wondering....am I falling into the 'size matters' set? Anybody else dealing with this new found need to share one's victories? How are your friends handling it?

That's nice Lisa, I am 17+ years in and still trying to get dh to pick up his clothes off the floor. Got any tips? Just kidding, I have no complaints actually, he is my biggest supporter. I love those SB protein shakes, I am hoping we get a Starbucks in our little town soon. I get one whenever I get into the closest big town (only 10 minutes away but I have small children so I tend to stay close to home) so here's hoping...I have read you travel a bit, what do you recommend for eating on the run?

Will look up his card and get the info to you asap, likely tomorrow sometime.

I had a yogurt for breakfast then two poached eggs with a few hash browns for lunch (I rarely eat eggs so I feel no guilt over having two) and for dinner I had a small caesar salad and 2-3 ounces of steak (cut up into very, very tiny pieces). It was a good day, I ate everything very slowly and chewed well and didn't have any pb problems. I eat a little richer on the weekends than during the week but it was all very yummy.

I usually stock up on the Special K protein packets when I go to the States or if a friend is going I get them to bring some back. I really like the pink lemonade. I will try the one from Shoppers, does it taste good?

I am 5'4" and Dr. Miranda gave me a suggested weight of 162 but I thought that was the weight we could be just by having the band. I have already passed that number and definitely still need to lose more but I realize that I can't just rely on the band at this point and need to exercise more.

I think that is really good advice JazzyJude. Kristy, you have obviously done very well with your pre-op diet so far and as long as you don't feel that having a meal will make you 'fall off the wagon' as it were, I think you should have a small meal and eat with your family. I agree that the small plate makes a big difference. Most people have appetizer plates out at a party and those are the ones I gravitate towards and keep everything on one level, no piling food on top of other food.

Sounds good to me mlgpdx. Last time my weight was stuck I ate a handful of almonds every day for a week and lost 2 pounds the next week. Maybe a coincidence but I think I wasn't getting enough protein and my body was hanging on to what it had. Since I worked again today I put a big pot of soup in the crock pot this morning. Nordic potato, I try not to eat a lot of soup as it can slip through our band and cause us to overeat but as long as I feel comfortable with portion control and sticking to my portion and not doing seconds, I reckon it is ok. This time of year I crave a good winter soup. Glad to hear you like the post. I love to hear what people are eating too.

Okay so just got off work and now time to make dinner. I'm going to do my lighter version of nachos. Ground turkey cooked with taco seasoning, multi grain tortilla chips and 2 percent cheese melted till it is all ooey gooey. It is getting cold here now and we all feel like comfort food so hopefully this will do the trick. I don't find I can eat very many tortilla chips with my band but I feel very satisfied after having half or so of an appetizer plate worth.