jhawkchick75

I know of several other folks that did that to tide themselves over so don't worry. I would be careful though, I didn't let myself do that because I would be way too tempted to swallow or maybe do it w/o realizing. I know it stinks, but do your best to stick it out and please know that if it were that easy we wouldn't need the band! I know I struggled but man it feels really good once you get through it! Try not to focus on day 22 or you will go nuts! Just take it a day at a time and do what you gotta do. Good luck!!

Forgot to post yesterday...another work potluck so had to guess a bit! B: None, was busy running around b/c I was one of the coordinators for the pot luck. L: Spaghetti, lunchmeat & cheese dipped in light mayo and 1 brownie, cheese and crackers D: Chili w/ cheese and a few crackers Calories today: 1,000 Points today: 19

Welp, I basically lost what I gained last week - .6 lb. Grr...well I get another fill next week and hopefully with that one I can get back up to where I was before my unfill. At least i'm getting back to where I was and not gaining too much - just yoyo'ing back and forth. Hope you all have a great week!!

I do! When i'm sick or stressed I tighten right up. Really stinks and I have no idea why, but I do. Try to find some liquid stuff like those teas and other remedies and get well!!

Sorry I went MIA for a couple days. Lots of stuff going on this weekend! I didn't eat much, but what I did eat wasn't real good and was a lot of snacking. Bad day, but I said good or bad i'd post!! B: Chex Mix Points: 2 S: Summer Sausage (1 pc) Points: 2 S: 3 oreo cookies and a few cheetos Points: 6 D: Chicken, green beans, and mac and cheese Points: 6 S: chips and dip and one cookie Points: 5 Points so far: 21 Calories so far: 1200 Exercise - was able to get in some weights

I do oatmeal I buy the Quaker Weight Control and I really like it. I don't put quite as much water in it as some folks so it stays thicker. I also eat a lot of cereal (dry) to get my fiber in. I really like the Kashi Cinna Raisin Crunch. When i'm home and not in a rush I do a lot of omeletes put some mushrooms and cheese in there - yummie! Some days if i'm in a rush its just a good ole protein shake. Once i'm filled back up to where I was solids are fairly out for breakfast so it will be more shakes.

So glad that it all went well for you! Yea!

Congrats!!! I am so glad it all went well!!! I couldn't stomach broth either it was terrible! I took regular soup and just strained the hell out of it.

Congrats everyone on your success this year! I didn't set any specific goals to achieve by the end of '09, but here are a few for the new year: 1. Take more ME TIME! I tend to put myself last and need to do more for me. 2. Exercise more - i'm actually getting a jump on this before the new year starts. I'm only working one of my jobs from 12/25 to 1/4 so i'm saying no excuses and getting my butt to the gym! 3. Getting back to basics. I am eating a lot less, but not necessarily more healthy. Need to focus on that. Hope you all have a fantastic holidays!!!

I think I gained about .6 this week which i'll take although i'd like to be losing. I just have so much stress in my life right now and i'm emotionally and physically drained. My brother is still in TX recovering from his accident, so i'm taking care of the house and three dogs alone so it is very trying. Just taking it a day at a time. Good news is I only have to work one of my jobs from Dec 25 to the 29th so i'm gonna get up and work out during the day before I go in. I know i'm really tired, but I think the working out could help. Almost Friday!!! Woo Hoo!!

AGREED!!!!! It's funny I feel like i've been eating too much, but when I look at what I used to eat it's so much less. It feels good!

Great pics!!!! LOVE it!!!! Can't wait to get me a new little black dress!!!!

B: None S: Nibbled on a few chips - not feeling well not sure what is up w/ me. Points: 2 L: Taco Pintos and cheese and 2 Cheese Roll Ups Points: 11 D: TBA Points so far: 13 Calories so far: 650

This is SO fantastic! Thanks for sharing! I am always looking for more music to add to my workout list on my ipod. When I run music is a must have or I get bored. I have certain songs that when they come on it just gets me pumped up and makes me run just a little harder.

Soo exciting! You will do great - welcome to the next chapter of your life! Let us know how you do. Good luck!

Kimmy!!!! I have missed you so good to see you in here!!!!!! I hope all is going well!!!!!

So glad you stopped by! You are doing great - keep your chin up! Those last few lbs are always tough, but you have been a great success and i'm so glad you stopped in to say hey!

Sooo true! I'm actually OK with the fact I didn't lose much! Now mine have gotten smaller, but I had someone that works at Vickie's tell me that there is a difference in the size of a 38 DD and a 32 DD even though it's still a DD, it is smaller. Mine have stayed in pretty good shape amazingly and i'm so not gonna complain!

You are all doing great! This time of year just sucks and they say most folks gain like 8lbs during the holidays so we will be in good shape! I feel like i'm eating too much, but when I look back before at what I would have eaten before and it's nothing close to what I eat now, so that makes me feel good. Totally forgot to get on the scale this morning was in such a rush. We have a pot luck @ work and then I have to race to an elementary school holiday recital. I love the holidays but man they get so busy! I'll weigh in tomorrow and see where i'm at. I think I stayed right about the same.

Three holiday parties this week - lord give me strength!! B: Cereal (dry) L: Pot luck @ work - 7 layer dip and one soft taco, so not too bad but should have eaten less than I did. D: Cheeseburger (no bun) and macaroni salad Points so far: 20 Calories so far: 1,000 * total guess on these not sure b/c of pot luck

Hi there! Very good question! I started it right away so I could get in the habit. Also, even if you don't feel like you have restriction you do have a little bit so I wouldn't push it. You might still feel hungry but think about what that band looks like on your tummy and how it's making an 8 shape out of your tummy. So even w/o a fill there is restriction. When it comes to say a straight liquid soup or protein shake I don't worry about it, but with softer stuff (applesauce, etc..) I still stick to the rule. When it comes to soups that are chunky I actually don't do those anymore. Well, let me clarify I do them but I drain all the liquid out and just eat the stuff out of it. I had a chunky veggie soup last night and just picked the veggies and stuff out. Nobody ever specifically said to do that, but I just figured mixing liquids and solids was not a good idea. Like Angie said, you don't want the food to slide through your pouch and also like they explained to me, when you eat the food is sitting on top of that pouch so if you drink after then that liquid is just filling up on top of that so you risk stretching it. Hot or cold I don't do either any different I still make sure I wait at least 45 minutes to an hour. I'll go more towards the 45 if it is stuff that might slide through faster. Hope that helps!

Definitely happened to me. The last 20 lbs has been by far the hardest. I also starting working out a lot harder too and that has stalled me. But I know i'm losing inches so i'm not stressing. Here is my weight loss chart and you can see this fall I plateaued big time and it hasn't really changed. I just keep on keepin' on and just try to do my best. http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d59/shelbycoxon/63_84_200_461.png Keep your chin up!

Thin in 2010 - I like that too cute!! Welcome to the group!!

Read read read as much as you can in these forums. That is what I did - I even got a notebook and wrote down things I found in here. I spent hours, going back months to see what all I could find. Best of luck! Welcome!

After the 21 days I gained some of mine back. Once I was back on solids it's like my body held on to every calorie even though I wasn't eating a ton. Don't let it get you down if you do. I only gained a few of it back and my NP was impressed. She told me many folks gain it all back. Once you get a couple fills in you it will help, but you have just entered what we all call "bandster hell" where you can still eat too much. Utilize benefiber and fiber choice and really get those proteins in - helps a lot! Good luck!