Jann

Yum, am grilling some steaks tonight for supper, this will be a good addition. Thanks Cara! Jann

That's so awesome! What a freeing feeling that kind of confidence brings. 'Gratz!! Jann

YAY for you!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations and welcome to the other side! Jann

Metabolism and weight loss: How you burn calories Find out how metabolism burns calories, how it affects your weight and ways you can burn more calories for greater weight loss You likely know your metabolism is linked to your weight. But do you know how? Common belief holds that a slim person's metabolism is high and an overweight person's metabolism is low. But this isn't usually the case. Weight isn't necessarily directly linked to metabolism. Instead, weight is dependent on the balance of total calories consumed versus total calories burned. Take in more calories than your body needs, and you gain weight. Take in less and you lose weight. Metabolism, then, is the engine that burns these calories. Metabolism: Converting food into energy Stated simply, metabolism is the process by which your body converts food into energy. During this complex biochemical process, calories — from carbohydrates, fats and proteins — are combined with oxygen to release the energy your body needs to function. The number of calories your body burns each day is called your total energy expenditure. The following three factors make up your total energy expenditure: Basic needs. Even when your body is at rest, it requires energy for the basics, such as fuel for organs, breathing, circulating blood, adjusting hormone levels, plus growing and repairing cells. Calories expended to cover these basic functions are your basal metabolic rate (BMR). Typically, a person's BMR is the largest portion of energy use, representing two-thirds to three-quarters of the calories used each day. Energy needs for these basic functions stay fairly consistent and aren't easily changed. Food processing. Digesting, absorbing, transporting and storing the food you consume also takes calories. This accounts for about 10 percent of the calories used each day. For the most part, your body's energy requirement to process food stays relatively steady and isn't easily changed. Physical activity. Physical activity — such as playing tennis, walking to the store, chasing after the dog and any other movement — accounts for the remainder of calories used. You control the number of calories burned depending on the frequency, duration and intensity of your activities. Metabolism and your weight It may seem logical to think that significant weight gain or being overweight is related to a low metabolism or possibly even a condition such as underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). In reality, it's very uncommon for excess weight to be related to a low metabolism. And most people who are overweight don't have an underlying condition, such as hypothyroidism. However, a medical evaluation can determine whether a medical condition could be influencing your weight. Weight gain is more likely due to an energy imbalance — consuming more calories than your body burns. To lose weight, then, you need to create an energy deficit by eating fewer calories, increasing the number of calories you burn through physical activity, or preferably both. Influences on your calorie needs If you and everyone else were physically and functionally identical, it would be easy to determine the standard energy needs. But many factors influence calorie requirements, including body size and composition, age, and sex. Body size and composition. To function properly, a bigger body mass requires more energy (more calories) than does a smaller body mass. Also, muscle burns more calories than fat does. So the more muscle you have in relation to fat, the higher your basal metabolic rate. Age. As you get older, the amount of muscle tends to decrease and fat accounts for more of your weight. Metabolism also slows naturally with age. Together these changes reduce your calorie needs. Sex. Men usually have less body fat and more muscle than do women of the same age and weight. This is why men generally have a higher basal metabolic rate and burn more calories than women do. Burning more calories Your ability to change your basal metabolism is limited. However, you can increase daily exercise and activity to build muscle tissue and burn more calories. Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking daily for 30 minutes or more, is an excellent way to burn calories. Strength training exercises, such as weight training, also are important because they help counteract muscle loss associated with aging. And since muscle tissue burns more calories, muscle mass is a key factor in weight loss. Even though regularly scheduled aerobic exercise is best for weight loss, any extra movement helps burn calories. Look for ways to walk and move around a few minutes more each day. Lifestyle activities, such as gardening, washing your car and even housework, burn calories and contribute to weight loss. Taking the stairs more often and parking farther away at the store also are simple ways to burn more calories. Don't look to dietary supplements for help in burning calories. Products that claim to speed up your metabolism are likely to offer minimal benefit and may produce undesirable or even dangerous side effects. Dietary supplement manufacturers aren't required by the Food and Drug Administration to prove their products are safe or effective, so view these products with caution and skepticism. Though your metabolism influences your energy needs, it's your food intake and physical activity that ultimately determine your weight. Jann

To me your answer is simple. Stop defending. There's nothing to defend. You've made your decision. Repeat after me -- "After me you come first" -- put it to memory as it is your new personal mantra. This is a life changing decision and nothing or nobody should stand in your way. You will be a better person for the journey and as you shrink so shall you grow! Jann

Excerpt from: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsourc...tory/index.html (It is worth reading this article in it's entirety) What Is Protein? Protein is found throughout the body—in muscle, bone, skin, hair, and virtually every other body part or tissue. It makes up the enzymes that power many chemical reactions and the hemoglobin that carries oxygen in your blood. At least 10,000 different proteins make you what you are and keep you that way. Twenty or so basic building blocks, called amino acids, provide the raw material for all proteins. Following genetic instructions, the body strings together amino acids. Some genes call for short chains of amino acids, others are blueprints for long chains that fold, origami-like, into intricate, three-dimensional structures. Because the body doesn't store amino acids, as it does fats or carbohydrates, it needs a daily supply of amino acids to make new protein. A 6-ounce broiled porterhouse steak is a great source of complete protein—38 grams worth. But it also delivers 44 grams of fat, 16 of them saturated. (2) That's almost three-fourths of the recommended daily intake for saturated fat. The same amount of salmon gives you 34 grams of protein and 18 grams of fat, 4 of them saturated. (2) A cup of cooked lentils has 18 grams of protein, but under 1 gram of fat. (2) The bottom line is that it's important to pay attention to what comes along with the protein in your food choices. Vegetable sources of protein, such as beans, nuts, and whole grains, are excellent choices, and they offer healthy fiber, vitamins, and minerals; nuts are also a great source of healthy fat. The best animal protein choices are fish and poultry. If you are partial to red meat, such as beef, pork, or lamb, stick with the leanest cuts, choose moderate portion sizes, and make it only an occasional part of your diet: A major report on cancer prevention recommends consuming less than 18 ounces a week of red meat and avoiding processed meats (such as hot dogs, bacon, or ham) to lower the risk of colon cancer. Jann

Stay Hydrated When Exercising Welcome to Sweating 101. During one hour of vigorous exercise, how much does the average person sweat? One quart! As you can see, exercise saps a lot of water from our bodies. Start paying attention to your fluid intake 2-3 hours before you are going to exercise. Drink 2-3 cups of water during that time, and then drink another cup immediately before you start exercising. Without this extra water, your muscles will become dehydrated. Muscle movement depends on how hydrated you are, so if they are dry, they will not work as well. As a result, your workout will not be as productive as you would like. Once you start exercising, keep drinking water frequently. A good rule of thumb is to drink one cup every 15-20 minutes. Keep a water bottle with you. Take breaks to head to the water cooler. Do what it takes you keep yourself hydrated. Even when you are done exercising, you need to keep replenishing your fluid levels. It's recommended you drink another 2-3 cups within two hours after you have finished. Then drink water regularly afterwards. Do your body a favor and replenish that quart of fluids your body is losing while you work out. Your muscles will thank you later. Exercise Extra: Staying properly hydrated helps make your workouts more productive. Jann

Wow! That's a pretty powerful post. You certainly aren't alone and you must see that from spending time on this forum. We've all gone through the same process in banding whether it's the beginning days, "OMG, am I doing the right thing in the right place?" the early days, "OMG what have I done?" all the way through to the learning part of the process where you just know it was the right thing to do and the right way to do it. It's so sad that you feel so alone. Don't be so hard on yourself. We're here, we'll listen and/or advise. Just take a deep breath and from me to you WTG on your decision and WTG on the bravery and honesty of your post. Feel free to ask questions, jump into threads, start new threads and be a part of the community. That is, after all, what it is here for! Welcome Shanalee! Know that you are never alone! Jann

Filet of Fish: cals 380 - fat 18 - saturated fat 3.5 - cholesterol 40 - sodium 640 - carbs 38 - fiber 2 - protein 15 The cheeseburger would have been the better caloric choice believe it or not and with the exact same protein count! Shocking, isn't it! Cheeseburger: cals 300 - fat 12 - saturated fat 6 - cholesterol 40 - sodium 750 - carbs 33 - fiber 2 - protein 15 Jann

YAY for you! Congratulations! Don't you just love it?! I'm shopping in my closets too at this point. You know how you bought something because you were sure it would fit, got it home and it was like, OMG it's five sizes too small? It's like Christmas every day! (an exaggeration but you know what I mean!) Jann

Strangely, Filet of fish is the absolute worst thing you can order at MacDonald's. Who would think fish would be the poor choice in a burger place? Jann

It's truly a beautiful thing! Congratulations! Jann

More Than 879,000 Pounds of Frozen Chicken Meals May Contain Bits of Plastic By Miranda Hitti WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDNov. 18, 2008 -- Nestle Prepared Foods Company is recalling 879,565 pounds of frozen Lean Cuisine chicken meals that may contain small pieces of hard blue plastic. Nestle issued the recall after getting seven consumer complaints, including one report of a minor gum injury that did not require medical attention, Nestle Prepared Foods Company spokeswoman Roz O'Hearn tells WebMD. The following Lean Cuisine products are being recalled: 9.5-ounce packages of "LEAN CUISINE PESTO CHICKEN WITH BOW TIE PASTA" brand frozen meals. Printed on each side of each package is a production code of "8280595912" as well as a use-by date of "Best Before MAY 2010." 10.5-ounce packages of "LEAN CUISINE CHICKEN MEDITERRANEAN" brand frozen meals. Printed on the side of each package is a production code of "8231595912" or "8241595912" as well as a use-by date of "Best before SEP 2010"; a production code of "8263595912," "8269595911," or "8274595912," as well as a use-by date of "Best before OCT 2010"; or a production code of "8291595912" or "8301595912" as well as a use-by date of "Best before NOV 2010." 12.5-ounce packages of "LEAN CUISINE CHICKEN TUSCAN" brand frozen meals. Printed on the side of each package is a production code of "8234595911" and a use-by date of "Best before SEP 2009"; a production code of "8253595911" or "8269595912" as well as a use-by date of "Best before OCT 2009"; or a production code of "8292595911" or "8296595911" as well as a use-by date of "Best before NOV 2009." Each package also bears the USDA mark of inspection as well as the establishment number "EST P-9018." The frozen chicken meals were produced on Aug. 18, Aug. 21, Aug. 28, Sept. 9, Sept. 19, Sept. 25, Sept. 30, Oct. 6, Oct. 17-18, Oct. 22, and Oct. 27, 2008, and were distributed to retail establishments nationwide, according to the USDA. Consumers with questions about the recall should call 800-227-6188. Where did the plastic come from? "We determined that the plastic entered our facility in a single lot of an incoming raw ingredient," O'Hearn says. "We're trying to figure out how to prevent this from happening in the future. But we went into action very quickly on a very small number of complaints."

Wow, what an awesome attitude! Welcome to bandland! YAY for you!! Jann

It was your post I saw for sure! I did a search after I started the thread and found it. Thanks very much for this! Jann

Am eating this as I type! YUM! Thanks for the recipe! Jann

I read your fill date as July -- the Canadian form of your shortcut not November. We do it differently here. It's not unusual a week after a fill to have these experiences. Reintroduce protein to your diet and learn what works and what doesn't work for you. Some can eat bread, some can't, some can eat chicken, some can't, etc. You have to learn what works for you. If you are concerned that you can't swallow, eat any form of solids other than carbs, etc., my original advice stands. Speak to your fill doctor. As I said, your body HAS to be able to process SOLID proteins. If you are not able to you are too tight. Jann

OooooOo I'm not a sweets kinda girl. Even at my worst eating it was never sweets based. It was pizza, cheeseburgers, pasta -- you get the idea. I won't do well with this if it leaves a sugary aftertaste. I haven't been able to get over there yet today but I'm just gonna buy one and test it. I'll let you know how it goes. Jann

Yes, and incredibly unhealthy but forced food choices as well. I would go back and get an unfill and re-fill with an amount that is healthier. Your body HAS to be able to process SOLID proteins. If you are not able to you are too tight. Jann

Thanks everyone, I'll buy one and have a taste and get back to you. My only concern is the fat content. It's really high. Yikes! Jann

OMG Kimmy! YAY for you and congrats!!!! I was just happy to feel mine, hehe -- I'm SO happy for you! Jann

Will do, Kimmy!

I did have a wistful look and it is definitely without a doubt cheaper with exception of custom charges, our dollar differences, Canadian taxes and shipping across the border. So sad isn't it? But for the south side of the border those prices definitely rock! Thanks for that though, I appreciate the thought for sure! Jann

Look for New Whey Protein Bullets. Do half in the morning and half later in the day as you can't absorb the protein in one bullet in one shot. Hope that helps, Jann

I read in a post somewhere about Muscle Milk and I think it was in this forum. If you are out there can you tell me what you think of it? I went to meet with a personal trainer and I noticed it on his shelf. He said I can order it in by the case but I'd like to hear what peeps think first. Thanks! Jann