jhawkchick75

B: None, running late again. I can't seem to get my butt out of bed in time with this cold weather. S: Sliced ham dipped in light miracle whip Points: 4 L: More of my ham and a few bites of macaroni salad. With this last fill i'm struggling - I get full really fast, but it doesn't last long so i'm eating more mini meals. Points: 3 D:Campbells chunky pot roast soup (drained the liquid and just ate the good stuff!) Points - 3 S: My boss brought me a plate from the pot luck. Had two meatballs, two slices of chicken quesidillia and 1 chocolate cupcake. She loaded me with sweets but I just let myself have the one. Tried to be good! Calories so far: 950 Points so far: 17

B: None, running late - dogs rolled in mud so I had to hose them down! S: Chips and dip Points: 4 L: sliced turkey with low fat miracle whip, applesauce, and a few fritos Points: 6 D: Pasta and tuna Calories so far: 1,050 Points so far: 17

Ohhh that sounds good!

Very random eating day for me. Went out with some old friends last night and we had a few too many cocktails so food wasn't sounding too good! Ate today: chips and dip and two cheese roll ups from Taco Bell Calories so far: 800 Points so far: 12

Great progress!!! Just imagine in 6 mos where you will be!!! I love seeing folks pictures they are really motivating!!! Keep up the great work!!!

Hard to say - my guess is you will have loose skin even though you are young. 100 lbs is quite a bit of weight to loose so you might have some. My arms are where I have it worst, but it is definitely better than having the weight!

Agreed it's really hard to say. I was at 3.1 and I was feeling like I was oh so close to the sweet spot. I was able to eat but not much and early in the day I was more restricted. I would PB now and again, but that was my fault eating too fast or things like that. But definitely when I got stressed it would tighten right up. I don't want to be super tight where I can't hardly get liquids down I want to be able to eat, but small portions. So hopefully on the 30th when I get my next fill we can get me back up to where I was.

B: About three hash rounds from BK and 1/2 a french toast stick. Got the gurgle and wasn't able to eat much - nice to know that restriction is there! Points: 3 L: Pot luck at work so tough to count, but I had: Chili, chips and dip, crackers, and a brownie Points: 13 D: One cheese enchilada and refried beans. I only ate like 3 chips and salsa was very proud! Also had one too many drinks!!

At first I could not sleep on my stomach but after a while I could. Month maybe not sure it's been a while. I can sleep on my stomach now, but if i'm on a firmer surface (tanning bed, doctor's table, etc...) I can feel it if i'm on my stomach. Mine doesn't show, but you can feel it if you put your hand on my stomach. I was at the chiropractor and he touched me right there and gave me a funny look so I had to explain so he didn't think I had a tumor or something! I've heard of many folks getting their port re positioned once they are down to goal so that it doesn't poke out.

B: Corn Flakes cereal (dry) Points: 2 L: 1/2 cheese quesidillia, refried beans, and chips and cheese Points: 12 D: Michaelina's light pizza snacks Points: 5 Points so far: 19 Calories so far: 1,050

Angie you are so nice responding to everyone and giving them encouragement!!!! You rock!!!!! I agree great job everyone!! This time of year is sooo hard to lose - what a great accomplishment for you all!!!

I suffered through those first 21 days taking the Centrum liquid and it was horrible! Do not recommend that one. As soon as I got off the 21 days I started doing the chewable Centrum and I like those. Kind of have an orange flavor to them. I can't afford them right now, but i'm going to start taking the Bariatric Advantage ones as well as juice plus but right now I just cant spend any more money. For the 21 days I did some protein bullets but have laid off those since I can get it though food. I also take a calcium chew they are the Walgreen's brand if you have that near you and they are really good. I do the caramel ones. Ang, sorry you are snowed in! All the schools around me were closed today but it was b/c of cold not really snow. But I work at a university and they never seem to close unless it's really bad so it was to work for me. Although I did get up and felt like I was in elementary school again watching the closings hoping there might be a slim chance I wouldn't have to work!

Congrats everyone - great week!!! I am down 1.8 this week, which puts me .2 away from where I was before my unfill so I am happy about that. Although I have eaten absolutely terrible today! I'm gonna go after work and get in a good workout to work some of it off. I had a goal to really up my water this week and I failed miserably there. Gonna make that my goal this week as well as to continue getting back on track with working out. Worked out twice last week which was a good start, but not good enough need to get on track!

Everyone is different, but I was noticably swollen I looked pregnant. I really didn't want any tight stuff on and that lasted for almost two weeks for me. But I seemed to have a bit more pain than others talk about.

I still drink, but I have laid off b/c i'm with Lindsay - every time I drink that is that much less I get to eat! Here's what I do - when I do drink i'm extra careful on what I eat before. My tolerance is shot now so I don't want to get too drunk fast and then get sick. You want to avoid throwing up at all cost w/ the band. I've gotten full on sick (not PB'ing) a couple times and it is terrible! Imagine that liquid trying to come back up through that small hole. It's not like throwing up before - way worse! Even though I could have it now I gave up beer once I started pre op diet and have only had one since. I hoped it would taste bad but unfortunately it still tasted really good! Wine is OK but i've found it is a lot of calories. I do crystal light (well, the knock off Wal Mart version) and vodka. If i'm out and about i'll do wine or vodka and cranberry, but again you are talking quite a few calories. Just make sure and add them in your calorie count for the day.

AM: No breakfast - boo! Was running late to work. 10:00am - snickerdoodle cookie Points: 3 11:00am - Easy Mac with tuna mixed in it. Points: 7 3:00pm - Chex Mix Points: 2 6:30 - Chili w/ cheese Points: 5 Calories so far: 950 Points so far: 17

Very good point and I agree - what are they doing about the other folks with eating disorders? I guess my issue is I like the idea of the class, but why is not everyone taking it? I know many folks that are at what is considered a good BMI but are very healthy - thin doesn't equal healthy. Why point out those with a high BMI and require them to pay for an additional course. When I was in college everyone had to take a health class plus on additional activity class. I had no problem with it - I liked the idea of wholistic education. But I don't like the idea of pointing out only certain folks. I read that due to scrutiny they are now considering changing their regulation. Will be interesting to see!

I did a 4 mile run in Sept and now i'm training for a 5 mile race in March. Got a friend that wants me to do a 1/2 marathon w/ her in Oct, but i'm not sure I am really up for that. We shall see! I don't do Atkins so much - I still eat some pasta and potatoes. Protein and fiber keeps you full, so that is why I focus on those. I also try to get all my nutrients in with those fruits and veggies. You don't get many calories each day, so I try to make them all count. The taking out bread and rice was really because I now can't get them down I get sick on them, but it's good to limit them anyway. Since my unfill I can do them again, but I only let myself have whole wheat bread and I limit it quite a bit. Hopefully after I can get another fill and get my resriction back bread won't be an option anymore.

I work in higher education so when this came across my email I was saddened, amazed, and all that. Thought I would share: http://chronicle.com/article/Lincoln-U-Requires-Its/49223/?sid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en

Congrats on that fill Andy! Sounds like you are going to be just fine - you just need to really work on your bites. What I do is what I call the "chipmunk chew" where I take a small bite (which still aren't small enough) and I chew it but swallow the food in like 3 or 4 swallows while the rest is in my cheek. I have a really hard time taking small bites so this has been my solution. I do the same with drinks. It has helped me a lot and then I also don't get funny looks by taking tiny bites or sips. You are doing great keep up the good work!!

Happy Monday!!! I'm a little crabby that I can still eat bread, but am going to focus on high fiber bread so I can keep my hunger in check. Orowheat double fiber bread with ICBINB spray and low sugar spread Points: 3 Campbells chunky chicken noodle soup Points: 2 One small chocolate chip cookie Points: 3 Carl Budding ham dipped in mustard and applesauce Points: 3 Chef Boyardee mini ravioli Points: 4 Chips and dip Points: 7 Calories so far: 1,100 Points so far: 22

Hello and welcome to the group! Congrats on your decision! Wow, how great is that to have this done so young. I so wish I would have done this years ago! I never have regretted this decision for one second. I do not feel like it was an "easy way out" or ashamed of it. Those that have been doing this will be able to tell you that this is no easy fix. It is simply a tool and you can easily bunk the system and work around it and eat and not lose weight. Was watching at TV show one night on banding and the doctor said it perfectly - the band does about 30 percent of the work and the rest is up to you. Now i'm not gonna lie, are there times i'm jealous as all hell of my friends that are sitting there eating a big ole cheeseburger or roll in front of me - oh yes! But I look at all i've accomplished and I am so proud of it and don't really miss it. I had to get an unfill recently due to stress and I was able to eat anything. I"m not gonna lie - I had a cheeseburger w/ the bun and a roll and really it wasn't as great as I remembered it. I haven't told everyone about my band and it's not that i'm hiding it, but I just decide who i'm gonna tell. My friends I have told have been very supportive. Some had a lot of questions and were concerned but I understand that. Surgery of any kind is not something to take lightly so they were just being good friends. Once they had more information they have been great. There are some friends I have not told because I know they won't understand. They have never had a weight problem and think just eat less and you will lose weight. I was an athlete growing up as well - was a competitive dancer and although I did well, I was never a thin girl. I think the activity I was involved in helped keep my weight down a lot, but I still was never as small as the other girls, so I understand what you have gone though. In terms of plateaus and steps back they are going to happen! You just need to take it a day at a time and celebrate your accomplishments. I haven't lost much since May and I just remember the great lifestyle changes i'm making and how it's going to enhance my life. That is worth it right there! Best of luck! Can't wait to hear about your progress!!!!

B: Crispix cereal (dry) Points - 2 L: Chips and dip Points - 7 D: TBA Calories so far: 600 Points so far: 9 Exercise: Another great workout! Ran 2 miles then did some weights and machines. Feels so good to start your morning with a good workout!

When I was at a good restriction I just ate and quit when I was satisfied. I did try to count my proteins though to make sure I was getting enough and also really focused on my water and vitamins. I had to get an unfill so I went back to tracking WW points as they always did me really well in the past. Once you have good restriction it doesn't feel like you are dieting b/c you get full quickly and stay full. So really it's just a matter of making sure you make every bite count. Lots of protein, fruits, veggies, etc... I'm different than some folks as if I don't get enough calories in I don't lose. I need to be around 1,000 to 1,200 calories to get my weight loss going. When i'm training for a race I need to be closer to 1,500. You just need to tinker with it and find out what works best for you. If I don't get enough calories in my body shuts down and I don't lose. If I feel like i'm on a diet and am restricted I don't do well. Since my unfill WW is great for me b/c you don't feel like you are on a diet and have lots of choices. Once I get one more fill and get back to where I was restriction wise I won't do points anymore but will keep close track of my nutrition.

Yea for solids! Congrats you did it! B: None, slept in S: Chips and dip Points - 7 L: Taco bell pintos and cheese and 1 cheese roll up Points - 4 S: Cheese and crackers Points - 3 D: Macaroni and cheese Points - 3 Calories so far: 1,100 Points so far: 17