AngieB

Carrie~ I hope you are enjoying your birthday!!!!

Well, as you may have read, I have been struggling to “Get a Grip” on the sweets. One indulgence and …. Off the deep end I dive! It’s like I have no self control over my impulses all over again. I can intend on making good choices, and then I see a tray of cookies and ADD takes over. My thoughts go to ….ooooo cookies. Yum, yum, yum, yum….ahh crud! Opps, I did it again. (play Brittney Spears song here.) So, since I have not been able to curb my impulses, I really need to try something different. I am going to add a snack in my diet. Today, I had my coffee, followed by my supplements. I guess that is considered breakfast. Lame, I know, but it is what it is. My mid morning snack was greek yogurt. We are having hoagie sandwiches for lunch. I am going to eat the meat and veggies, leaving the bread. Mid afternoon snack, will be pudding. Dinner is a TBD. I think I am not eating enough during the day, which makes me more likely to binge at any chance I get. My new theory is, if I am satisfied, I won’t dive off the deep end. So, I am going to see if this will help me to get off the sugar/carb kick and back on an even keel again. What I wonder is, how will adding snacks effect my water consumption…..? Trial and error right….? Some sweet success to share: I am in my size 20 jeans. I’ve seen the 240’s again on the scale! 249.6 To be exact! There are bagels in the conference room, and I have managed to stay away from. I did have a moment of weakness that was rescued by a meeting being held in that room. This saved me from getting stuck, and a possible PB episode. The “moment” also made me pause and evaluate, why I went for the bagel in the first place. Which lead me to my yummo greek yogurt, that has 15 gm of protein! Yay for the good choice! I’ve been taking NeoCell all week. Half the recommended dose, so 3 capsules not 6. My skin is beginning to look better. I have also noticed a difference in my hair. It feels softer and looks healthier. (My hair is still falling out, not at an alarming rate, but a noticeable one. Right now, I am slightly bothered by it. I am getting 60 gm of protein a day, sometimes more.) Today is Friday! Yay!

THAT IS AWESOME!!!!! I can't wait to here about your race AND reunion! Knock em dead!

Never any bread, can't do it. I guess I just want to know what "Restriction" is? Is that the same thing as getting stuck? Of course, that's when I stop. When I think of restriction, I think of it as eating less. Restricting my food intake. The better "restricted" you are, the more time it takes your food/protein to leave your stoma. This makes you feel fuller longer and the level of restriction decreases your food intake. I guess that is my definition. My goal is to not get stuck, but to stop when satisfied.....that is what my goal is.

SDGIRL - It sounds to me like you have a 10 cm 4 cc band. (Which is the same band I have.) I have 1.6 cc's in my band after 3 fills. I've noticed that I don't have a problem with bigger bites either; the only exception being when it's my TOM. Then I do have to watch how I chew and take smaller bites. I do notice I get full when I eat protein first. Yesterday, I went to lunch with a girlfriend. Panera Bread. We shared a pick 2. I choose a 1/2 sand from my half. I ate the meat, and 2 maybe 3 small bites of the bread. I was satisfied. The bread did not set well. It's a gummy gooie bread, so it is really a NO NO. But I did it anyway....still learning. The bread gave me the minor phlegm, need to clear the back of my throat feeling. I didn't PB - only because I limited myself. I did want to spit - but because I was in someones company I held back. When you eat hard protein, how much can you eat at one time before you feel full? For myself, I will make 1 cup of grilled chicken for lunch today. (boneless, no skin.) Odds are I will leave a few pieces on my plate. Sometimes depending on what I eat, I can eat more than I think I should be able to. If I fix a casserole they seem to be in the catagorie of a slider food. I can eat more than a cup. Give an example of what you are able to eat as a meal.... Also, I am listening to my body more. I have strong urges to eat and eat larger portions. At times I struggle with the feeling of satisfaction and oh, I ate one bite to many, discomfort. Do you have these issues at all?

Okay, so after a week of sweets, well really a few weeks of sweets, I was amazed to see myself this morning! I woke up, and as I walked past the full length mirror in the hallway and thought...."Looking Good Angie!" This week I have laid off the OCD weighing of myself. It's been TOM and employee appriciation at work. Yikes....shivers with fear. At the beginning of TOM, I had stepped on the scale and BAM! 2.5 lbs out of no where! I was bummed, so I decided to let this week work itself out with out without my frienemy the scale reminding me of some extra lug to lug around. Well, I decided to check out the scale. I seen the 240's! Yay! I weighed in at 249.6! Whoop Whoop! I am hoping to hold on to the 240's! I am soo close to my next goal. 248.9 will mark my 30 lbs down goal met. Super excited! That folks is less than a pound to go! I am so happy! Yay! I gave myself a gift today. It is a lovely softer than soft robe made of micro chenille. It's an extra large. I tried it on this morning. It doesn't quite fit right. To small, but it gives me something to make another goal out of. I love this robe, and it is a great way to celebrate my weight loss. My son loves it to, so I am guarenteed to get snuggles! Double win! NOT REWARDING MYSELF WITH FOOD! YAY!

I have started to take it. For a few reasons, one being my ankle/leg injury. The second being in hopes that my skin will shrink back as I loose weight. Collagen is a complex structural protein that maintains strength and flexibility of skin, ligaments, bones, joints, muscles, tendons, gums, teeth, eyes, blood vessels, nails, and hair. Super Collagen™ Type I & III is a 100% pure collagen protein that provides the major building materials for growth and maintenance of a healthy body. When Super Collagen™ is taken internally, the body receives the raw materials it needs to supplement the collagen found in all of these areas. Super Collagen™ is enzymatically processed into its amino acid form with a very low molecular weight, which can be utilized 100% by the body. Super Collagen + C™ tablets are formulated with Vitamin C to provide optimum supplementation of your dietary collagen needs.† †These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take three (3) tablets twice daily preferably on an empty stomach for maximum absorption and wait 30 minutes before eating or before taking any other protein products. For enhanced results use with Pure H.A.™ natural hyaluranic acid. Supplement Facts: Serving Size: 6 tablets (6 grams) Servings Per Container: 58 Amount Per Serving - % Daily Value: Calories 22 - 1%, Collagen Type I & III 6 g - **, Total Fat 0 g - 0%, Cholesterol 0 g - 0%, Sodium 0.03 g - 1%, Total Carbohydrates 0 g - 0%, Vitamin C (as calcium ascorbate) 60 mg - 100%. *Daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. **Daily values not established. Ingredients: Super Collagen™ Type I & IIII derived from 100% pure pharmaceutical food grade collagen, Vitamin C (as calcium ascorbate) and may contain magnesium stearate. Contains no sucrose, starch, yeast, wheat, corn, cholesterol, fat, or dairy products. Allergy Warning: May contain sulfite residues. Keep out of reach of children. The values represent average grams of amino acid per 100 grams of edible portion and may vary. Alanine 8.5%, Arginine 7.5%, Aspartic Acid 5.7%, Cystine 0.08%, Glutamic Acid 9.5%, Glycine 22.8%, Histidine 0.77%, Hydroxyproline 13.0%, Hydroxylysine 0.7%, Isoleucine 1.3%, Leucine 2.9%, Lysine 4.2%, Methionine 0.78%, Phenylalanine 2.0%,Proline 13.8%, Serine 3.3%, Threonine 1.9%, Tyrosine 0.4%, Valine 2.4%.

I am pretty good at drinking water. I actually drink Vita Rain. On a normal day, I drink 60 oz, plus my morning coffee. Sometimes I think I drink to fast. I'll take like three drinks at once....I get thirsty!

Carrie - I love birthday cake too! LOL That is a big step, and one you should be proud of!!! Go Carrie! I tell ya, it's not easy to change our ways. Most of our celebrations are around food.....Happy Birthday CAKE, Thanksgiving DINNER, Christmas FEAST, POTLUCK lunches at work, ect....FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! Ugh! I will share; I haven't weighed myself this week. This is partially, because of the TOM, and because of the "celebrating" going on at work. My thoughts were I would save myself the disappointment of seeing a jump in the numbers. At any rate, this morning, I walked by the mirror and thought.....hmmmm looking good Angie! I look skinnier! HA! Wouldn't ya know it....I was! I got a glimpse of the 240's! Yay me! Hard to believe! I am on the down hill of my TOM, so maybe I let the water weight go, cuz at the beginning of the week.....before all the "celebrating at work".....I had jumped up 2.5 lbs!!!!! I figured it was due to my frienemy…..TOM! Compounding all the dang treats and HOLY COW!!!!! At any rate.....I am grateful for this band. Can you imagine what damage would have been done with out it?????!!!!! Enjoy your fried apple pie, as it is a very nice tradition and sounds like a good treat for your birthday. Besides, I shared the magic way to remove all the bad calories in the pie with your mother in law earlier this month. I assured her it wouldn't affect the taste one bit! LIES....lol but it sounded good. P.S. If my MIL aka DIL baked me a pie, it would have poison in it....as she is not my biggest fan! LOL MIL = Mother in Law DIL = Devil in Law......she is mean, and nasty.....toxic!

I love stories like that. I met my husband through a blessed chance like your yahoo movies. LOL You are right where you are suppose to be! Great to meet you and welcome to the best little knook you'll find.

I am holding steady at 250. Which am grateful for. This week has been employee appreciation Week at work.....muffins, cookies, ice cream bars, sandwiches, ect......you get the point. Brutal! Plus......TOM.... UGH Over all I am blessed I have the band and have had a week of junk and stayed even steven. I hope to loose a lb or two in the upcoming week.

Well this week has been a real challenge......it's "employee appriciation week" at work and WOW! Muffins, Cookies, Klondic Bars, Sandwiches, ect ect....Food Food Food Food. Plus I am having a visitor, so that makes me want sweets. Horrible time of the month to have will power! UGH! I pretty much feel like this.... I don't need much along the lines of temptation when it come to food......give me a break....I dive in head first.....

Sassy - I notice you are from Wyoming. I grew up in Wheatland, WY and lived in Cheyenne. Where abouts are from?

Carrie - you are a scream. Laughed at your reply - Mexican is a must have....which I have not had lately.....

Great news! I would be so thrilled too! Way to go!

Damn! First thought that came to mind was.......JEALOUS. You do heal fast....are you human...? Just kidding around with ya Pammie - but dang! Looking fantastic!

I set up a fill appointment last week for Sept 25th. When I called, I got the impression she was suprised that I was calling so soon.....again. (I felt that way the last time I called for an apt.) I've had a fill every month for the last well soon to be 4 months. Which has it's ups and downs. June, July, August, and this next apt! Ugh! Last week I was on the fence about the fill. Weavering a bit. Is this fill good, do I need to work the band more....?? Turns out, I do need a fill. TOM danced in Saturday eve....by Sept 25th I will be normal, and ready for the fill. (Many of us tighten up during that time.) Right after each of my fills, I found it difficult if not plain impossible to night eat.... This is so awesome! I love it when there is no way in heck I can eat at night. This is exactly what I am paying for, "forced behavior modification." I learn good and fast....two thumbs up. I want restriction to work for me, and I want to do my part and feed my body fuel, not crap, and not overloading it. The two go hand in hand. We work for each other. When go in for a fill, I will ask for the saline to be taken out so I can have an acurrate account of what is in the band. Then the new fill can be added on top of that. I am going to ask Emily to tilt the table upward to more of an upright postion before I drink the barium as well. So far, I have 1.6 cc's after 3 fills. I'd like to hit my sweet spot with this fill, as I have paid $1,200 for the fill portion of this journey. I'd like to have some restriction that sticks! Yes sir'ee! [img=http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee56/angieboyd/lapband%20pictures/fillerup.jpg] On another note..... It's employee appreciation week at work. My lovely boss brought me a muffin in. So, I tested my band and restriction. I was able to eat the entire muffin. Yep, need a fill. In my eyes, I should have at most been able to eat a bite maybe 3. Not the entire muffin and feel no "full button or oh! I need to stop." Some may say I need to work the band, and yes, I see and know that to be true, but on the other hand.....I need to have some restriction! So fill it is.

Hang in there! I believe this period is referred to as part of "Bandster Hell" as well. I am going for my 4th fill at the endish of the month. Currently I have 1.6 in my band. When I go in, I will ask them to take all the fluid out and add it back in plus my new amount on top of that. This time, I am going to ask to be sat more upright before drinking the barium as well. (Since I eat and drink in an upright position.) They do tilt ya up, just not enough. I would like this fill to be it for a while since I am shelling out a good portion of cash'o'la! Don't quit before you get started, this is a process. A slow process. I have lost 30lbs so far. Those lbs I am so happy to say good riddins too! Cya! Get lost! You will see some good results, hang in there, let your stoma adjust to the zip tie and allow this process the time it needs to work. Once it does you will be one happy camper. On a side note, I understand the pressure you feel with the not so good results/investment. I am a HUGE teller so I have a few critics. The people I am not loosing weight fast enough for. I have to know for myself why I did this. So far I am very pleased with the outcome and I have only begun. My binge eating has changed drasticly, I am eating smaller portions, my cloths feel roomy and my complection is clearer. I drink more water....everyday at least 60 oz!!!! I love it! Right now is a tough time. Stay focused on the none scale victories and you will be pleasantly suprised!

Carrie - that is so sweet of you to say. I have to admit, I share pics of my son ANY chance I get. He is adorable and I LOVE him so much. While he was making it difficult to pack, it was hard on me....boo! Dave - it's not easy, but I will say I was suprised it went so good. I didn't withdrawl to much....LOL When I seen my guys in the airport, I got weepy. In the car, my husband Jim, asked me," honey are you crying?" I sniffled...."yes." It was a long flight home and a very bumpy ride, storms. By the time we landed I was READY to see my family. The welcome I got from my son HIT THE SPOT! He was so happy to see me. That is the joy we as parents get! I love those moments!

I had no pains or gas discomfort. This surgery was a snap. I had an epi for my labor. Lol

You might be a bandster if.....you call your hubby into the kitchen to taste test the food, so you don't eat your dinner before the dinner actually starts! I have been using my hubby more and more. If I don't, then I don't have the hunger to eat......or the room.....

Holly - I got some greek yogurt today! I bought a mulit pack with 4 different flavors at costco. Been on the look out for it, and this was the first I had saw of it! Plan on trying it tomorrow for breakfast. It has 15 gm of protein!!! Yay! I am still on the search for Quinoa (sp). Have you found it? I may have to go to Wholefoods.....??