jhawkchick75

Hi there...first of congrats!! It has been a while for me so I don't remember, but I think it said about 1 cup at a time, but also don't worry about calories and eat when you are hungry. HOpefully someone else will pipe in since my memory isn't coming up.

Had to work both jobs today and it was just a busy, ugly day! Eggs and sausage - ate very little Lunch - none, work was so busy didn't get to Snack - V8 fusion Dinner - Chicken, green beans and potatoes - again not much not sure what is up Snack - almonds Calories: 700

Hi there....I was sore for quite a while I don't remember how long (it's been almost 2 years) but I was bruised pretty bad and was sore for quite a while I remember. So no worries it will heal! Good luck!!

Too funny! Let us know how the conversation goes! I haven't had to deal with it yet, but hopefully maybe some boys will come calling and it will be an issue - i'm working on it!

B: Applejuice then part of a special K protein bar L: Carrots dipped in salsa and low fat bean dip, 2 hardboiled eggs (no yolk) and a few tortilia chips S: 1/2 piece of ice cream pie - but I did cut it in half and split w/ a co-worker D: TBA Exercise: Ran 6 miles at the gym today!!! Longest i've ever ran felt awesome not sure what got into me tonight! Guess I was working off that pie!!! Calories so far: 700

B: Eggs, sausage and hash browns L: The ever dreaded pot luck at work but I did good. 1 soft taco with beans and turkey meat, some chips and dip and I avoided the desert! D: Busy night at work so didn't get dinner but was able to sneak some almonds and cheese and crackers. Calories: 1,100

Funny I am watching Dr. Oz as I type and he just talked about workplace discrimination and how obese people make about 20% less than everyone else. Sad, but it is absolutely true.

Thanks so much!! Been at a conference since Wed so I didn't have internet. Glad to be back they fed us a ton and all kinds of stuff that was terrible for me!!

B: None, day off slept in L: Sliced turkey dipped in light miracle whip and chips and salsa D: Shrimp and green beans Calories so far: 800 Exercise: Ran 4 miles, did abs and arms

Sorry i'm behind on posts I have been at a conference, but I wanted to say congrats!!!! You have done such a great job and I can't wait to hear about your surgery!!!! I am really wanting a tummy tuck and lipo but right now the money is just not there. Congrats!!!!!

I definitely encourage you to do just liquids/mushies for a while after you get sick. I can still do tortilias but those are hit and miss for me. Bread if I pick it into tiny little bites, but I just don't let myself do that very often only if i'm having a major craving. Rice I just decided to quit doing a long time ago so not sure if it will go down or not. You will see that everyone has different things they can handle and not. That is the fun of the band!

I know they do have companies that they will give you info on but I didn't use them because the interest rate was off the charts. I was fortunate to be able to take a loaner from my dad. You might also look into loans through your bank that are at a lower rate. Good luck and congrats on your decision!!!

Glad to see you back!!! I'm sorry you are going through all that but hopefully you will shrink back up OK. I have had a few spurts where I have drank and eaten way too close together and it is good for me to hear a reminder that I should not do that. I have done the 5 day pouch test and it seemed to work so I agree that might be a good idea. It also helped me get back to basics when I was starting to slip off track.

I was also told none for 6 mos but after that long i've just vowed to stay off them altogether. I have had a beer on like two occasions, but otherwise nothing. Just figure if I can go that long I can go without.

Yea congrats!!! Here's to you and a wonderful new beginning!!!! Sip sip sip just keep sipping get lots of fluids and lots of walking in and you will be good to go!!!

B: Breakfast burrito and hash browns L: Pasta S: Chips D: Shrimp w/ teriaki and corn Calories so far: 1150 Exercise: 3.5 mile run

Thanks so much! It's been a real tough time for the family but we are doing OK. I'm ready to get back on track i've got a bag packed and headed to the gym right after work!

For me I felt like I had done it all - nutritionist, Weight Watchers, pills, Richard Simmons I could go on and on. Each time I would lose some and then gain it all back and more. My moment I remember it like it was yesterday. I was sitting on the couch and my niece came to the back door asking me to play w/ her (she lives w/me and my brother). I told her no because I was tired and the look of sadness on her face just broke my heart. It was at that moment I said I had to change for her - I could not have her remembering me as the fat aunt. Called my mom and I think she was more excited than me! I also was self pay and after a lot of research found OCC. After my mom talked to them she was ready to get on a plane - she was in the health field forever and was very pleased and still raves about the place. My dad was a tough sell but he came around. Still never regret it not one day. I am now starting courses and hopefully by the first of the year will be a certified personal trainer and am also running in quite a few races and training for a 10k. I am a completely different person and now my niece will not remember me that way which I am very thankful for. I hope that my habits will rub off on her. You will not regret it!

Great job and best of luck on your surgery although you won't need it - you will do great!!! Keep us in the loop - be sure and send us all a message from the OCC computers while you are still all doped up. They are funny to read later!

Everyone is so different - pasta actually is like a slider food for me I can eat it just about anytime. But for sure rice is a no no for me haven't touched it in a long time. I can do tortillias but no bread for me unless I take the itsy bitsyist of bites. I was at a place where I love their rolls and I just couldn't resist so I took tiny little bites and it was OK. But if I were you I wouldn't push it on that. I can still do most meats but ground beef can give me trouble (especially burgers) and also if the food is dry at all so I always have some type of sauce I can put on it. Even then I am leary so when i'm out I usually stick with fish or pasta when i'm at home and making it myself i'm cool w/ most meats. This is where it really starts getting fun b/c everyone is sooo different. Even for me it depends from day to day what I can eat. I could eat the exact same thing two days in a row - one day fine and the next day blam i'm sick! Just take it super slow and when you feel that tightness back off. Getting up and walking or even sometimes eating standing up helps me. Good luck!

Sorry i've fallen off the face of the earth! My grandpa has been sick for some time but got worse this past week and passed on Sunday. Ready to get my head on straight and back on track! B: Breakfast burrito and hash browns L: Carrots dipped in salsa and low fat bean dip, 1 hardboiled egg (no yolk) and a few tortillia chips. D: Mini raviolis then later some dry cereal S: Chips and dip Calories so far: 1,100

I am almost 2 years out and here are my two cents. I have caught myself a couple times allowing old habits to sneak back in. You would think after all this time i'd not have those cravings and urges but they don't ever totally go away. My trick is to go back like it is day 1 on solids - follow all those rules we were taught. I also keep a picture of me at my heaviest with me to remind myself how I used to be and refuse to let myself get back to that point. I encourage you to not give up on the band - it works but you have to remember it is a tool and only can do so much of the work we must do the rest. Stick with it and get back to basics - come in here and post regularly and it will help you a lot. I see many veterans that start fading out of here and I refuse to do that because this site keeps me accountable. Best of luck and any way we can help utilize us!!!

Yeah Target should have the salt as well. You would be amazed with what the body can do - so I say definitely try out walking and swimming. I just encourage folks to find what interests them so they stay with it. I have a heart condition and have had two surgeries but now have been given a clean bill of health (still have to see the cardiologist every 6mos, but so far so good).

Lost another .8 this week, but hey a loss is a loss! Slowly but surely getting there.

Had to add another on here - I did a race called Dog N Jog this past weekend. It is only 2 miles, but it was a big deal because it was my dog Pete's first race! He is 9 years old and I don't ever take him on runs but he did the whole 2 miles and ran the whole time! Here is a pic of him on the winner's stand. He didn't win, but is a winner in my book. I'm pretty sure he was the oldest dog in the race. He was too cute he crashed the rest of the day but I gave him lots of treats and love after that!