showME170

Wow, that is encouraging! I got banded 5 days ago... I live in Snohomish.. so happy to read your inspiring story. Can I ask... or inquire.. I'm worried the skinny me will be different from the me now.. besides physically... any advice? Do people treat you differently? personally and professionally? just wondering.

Hey Wendy,

Sorry your post was kind of hidden down there.

I pretty much lost consistently and when I first had my band before restriction settled I watched my calories - but I finally learned if I just focused on eating three meals per day, of protein/veggies/fruits and if I could fit them carbs I lost consistently. I wasn’t trying to hit the 1200 calories per day like everyone does nowadays; I was focused on my bandster style meals and exercise. For a while there I was tight in the AM I’d have a protein shake (also to make sure I had enough protein, but never more than one per day and my goal was to eat my meals. I rarely ate over 1000 calories per day. I don’t know how you can when you’re truly eating bandster style.

We’re all different, so you kind of have to figure out what works for you. I had to lose 130 pounds and the more you have to lose it seems like we have a steadier faster pace than the lower BMI folks. I've been on maintenance for coming on a year now and I ate very clean food, really just the basics.

Protein: Eggs, tuna, Salmon, Chicken (dark meat) very thinly sliced beef. (Usually I soak my chicken and beef in broth so its softer and goes down easier

Veggies: what ever looks good cut up into small pieces

Fruit: same as veggies

Carbs: I normally would eat the brown wheat toast from Trader Joes; it goes down OK and is good for you.

I would try to eat cottage cheese and beans daily as a change up, (cottage cheese has high protein) and easy for us to eat if we're having a tight day.

I'd just have between a quarter cup of each (protein/veggies/fruits) and had a hard time fitting in the carbs. Never drink your calories, at times I would have a glass of wine but not more than 2 per week and I watched the liquids, those calories can jump up on you. (And widen you butte')

Get moven your body, when I first started exercising it was alone in my bedroom from dancing to belly dancing - whatever got me moving. I'm now into heavy duty cross fit and can do things I never imagined. (I have a 4 pack now- I use to have a very big kegger.... I'm not kidding, I'm pretty darn buff - surprised I've actually been able to do this) But start slow and have some fun so you start burning those calories and move you butte'

Let your world stop revolving around food and let life take over – its now just your fuel so you can have fun – but you should enjoy it. Food use to be my enemy – no longer, it is what keeps me strong and thin – as long as I eat right my body responds in amazing ways!

Best,

Lisa