jhawkchick75

I definitely take a lot smaller bites than I used to, but they are still way too big. I do what others have said where I take the bite but swallow it in like 3 or 4 swallows. I refer to it as the "chipmunk style" where I keep part of it in my cheek and take small bites of it. If I take too big of a drink of something I do the same too.

Thanks so much for posting - you have done a fantastic job! Glad you have joined the crew here would love to hear your insight!

You all will do great and get into that 10 in no time! Use each other for support and to cheer each other on. Good luck!!!

What a great feeling!!! I remember vividly the day I called and cancelled my Lane Bryant card. The lady on the phone was just as happy for me it was great!!! Heres to many more great NSV's to come!!!!!!

Yea!!! I am glad you were able to get it to work!!! I agree you look great the difference is amazing!!!! Keep up the great work!!!!

For me I just take it slow and stay within my calories. I have been eating too many slider foods lately and really need to stop. I get on a kick w/ certain foods and one of my weaknesses is any type of chips and dip. I'm terrible with that! I don't have a specific amount when I quit, but don't eat too much so I have calories to spend later in the day as I base it all mostly on calories. I have restriction but don't get super tight so can eat too much if I let myself.

B: Applesauce L: Tuna and pretzels D: Cheesy pasta dish - no idea how to count the calories! S: Chocolate ice cream Calories so far: 1,000 i'm guessing by looking at similar dishes online I'm headed out of town until Saturday so no posts for a while. See you have a great weekend!!!

I don't drink coffee so i'm no help there, but I drink alcohol on a regular basis. I know of no issues but you need to count it in your calorie intake. Also, i'd say you need to be very careful that you do not drink to excess. I know for me my tolerance is now shot - I used to be able to throw them back with the rest of them now that is soooo not true! So take your time and know your limits b/c you don't want to be getting sick. That would be the biggest issue if you get sick and risk slipping. As long as you are counting your calories I see no issue. Now, I still do no carbonation, so I stick to wine or drinks like vodka and cranberry but otherwise i've had no issues.

B: Applesauce S: Quaker mini delights L: Went to a mongolian grill no idea but gonna guess on the calories. Had mushrooms, shrimp, and a few bites of noodles and one crab rangoon D: Chips and salsa - got off work late and didn't want to eat a "meal" close to going to bed S: Vodka and cranberry (2) Calories so far: 900

I put mine in photobucket and then you can upload the link right here. Once you put them in at photobucket.com, there are like 4 options for links, use the one that has IMG in the code. If you have any trouble let me know!!

Dairy is also a good source of protein. I do cottage cheese a lot and then just regular cheese sticks or cubes. Ditto on the eggs I love hardboiled eggs. I also so refried beans - beans in general are a great source of protein. I'll put a little salsa in them and sometimes melt some shredded cheese on top - so yummie!!

B: EAS protein shake (about 1/2 of it) L: Soup at hand tomato bisque S: Cheese stick & one mini crunch bar (bad!) S: Made a thing of mini raviolis but got tight after a few bites and quit D: Pre cooked mini shrimp with a little bit of Bummel & Brown butter and garlic powder and some chips and salsa Calories so far: 900 Exercise - Ran 3 miles

Not a good day, but journaling like I promised! Not even gonna put it as meals b/c it doesn't qualify. I had to work all day and I literally had a thing of chicken alfredo and just ate bites here and there as I got a chance. Was very busy today so couldn't sit down and eat just had to grab a bite as I could. Also had some chips and salsa at the end of the day. Calories so far: 900

That is absolutely fantastic! Great job! =D> Keep up the fantastic work!

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend!! B: nada - was able to sleep in a bit and took advantage of it!! L: About 3 bites of chicken and 3 bites of green beans and then got stuck. Was able to walk it off though D: Thin crust cheese pizza - two small pieces got stuck again but again was able to walk it off. S: Vodka & light cran/pomegranite juice S: Chips and cheese Calories so far: 900 Exercise: Ran a little over 2 miles - been working so much and am really worn out so i'm OK with just 2

That is hilarious!!!! I've never had anyone hear mine, but I sure do! Mine is when i'm just a bit too tight, but not too tight to get stuck that my tummy does that. I ate some cheese and crackers a little too early in the day the other day and mine was doing that. I like it - shows me I have some restriction! I always worry that people are gonna hear mine!

Well, if you are like me that will not be a problem! I was NEVER able to burp and now I can let them rip just like my brothers! And for me it is the hiccup too. That or I get a pain right in the middle of my chest. Everyone is so different and that is one of the fun parts of this is figuring that all out with your body. For me, the pre op diet really didn't help a ton to prep me. The 21 days is tough, but the fear of messing up your band keeps you going. The first week was nothing to me b/c I was really sore and gassy and just really didn't feel like eating. The 2nd week was more tough but I lost quite a few lbs so the motivation was there. The 3rd week was really tough, but it was more head hunger b/c I knew I was going to get to eat and chew again! I've said this before but I totally mean it. If I can do this anyone can! I had those same fears that I wouldn't have the success that others I saw on here did but i'm getting there. Just take baby steps and take it day by day making good choices and don't be too hard on yourself if you have a bad food day. I slowly worked into working out and also make good food choices, but still live my life and have stuff when I want it in moderation. It is a lifestyle change not a diet and that mind frame will help you a lot!

Welcome to the group and congrats on your success thus far! Can't wait to hear about all the great results to come!!!!

First...welcome to the group and congrats!!!! Second, damn am I jealous!!! My insurance would have paid 80% I think it was and I completely qualified except I hadn't worked at my job for 3 years...WTF??!!! I wasn't about to wait another year to get it done so I just sucked it up. Luckily my lender (aka Dad) provides an interest free loan! Best advice I can give you is to look through here a lot and read all the threads as far back as you can. There is lots of good information here!! Congrats!

B: Cheese stick L: Jello snack pack and applesauce. Can't really call this a lunch was more of a snack i'm running all over today! D: 3/4 of a crabcake, and about 5 bites of cottage cheese then had to go to the bathroom and PB. No idea what happened! Maybe just had a bite too many, but I hardly ate anything. Ahh as if life w/ the band. S: Tortillia chips and cheese dip Calories so far: 900

B: Laughing cow cheese L: We had the dreaded pot luck at work. Tried to make good decisions but ate too much. Had chips and dip, little smokes, veggies, and a couple of pinwheels D: Haven't had anything yet still full from lunch but I'll have something small in a bit - maybe some applesauce or something Water: X X X X (still working on it now) Exercise: worked 13 hours today so that didn't happen - can't feel my feet! Calories so far - thanks to the potluck I really have no clue! But i'd say around 800

You still need to get in as much water as you can, but you do need to sip so it is gonna take you a lot longer. The only 1/2 cup is more for food - soups, protein shakes, etc...but with water you are OK!

OK I finally got a chance to post! I can only download pics at work so it took a bit. I look like death warmed over i've been working sooo many hours so ignore the bags and dark circles! Have a great day!!!

That is so fantastic congrats! It's just the beginning and I can't wait to hear about your progress!

Yea I am sooo glad you did!!!!! Anyone please feel free to start this each day b/c sometimes I can't get on here until late or if i'm out of town or something I don't want you all to miss out!!! B: None (slap on hand!!) S: Laughing cow cheese and crackers L: Tuna, applesauce and cheese cubes D: Chips and salsa, shrimp pasta alfredo (maybe 1/4 of it) and a few bites of vanilla ice cream Total calories: 1,000 Water: X X X X X (still working as we speak!)